Page 83 of Waiting for Fate
PORTLAND, MAINE MARKSthe third stop on the label’s impromptu charity tour. Unlike Primordial Covenant’s tour this summer, each stop for this one has a different line up, chosen from both the East and West Coast’s contracts.
Being back on the road without Ridley feels weird. Thankfully, Orbital Somatic was only chosen for a few shows here on the East Coast. They’re opening for Orion’s former band, Shattered Horizons, which is cool as hell.
“You good, man?” Joey asks Caleb as they leave the dressing room. The lead singer shrugs, eyes darting around the hallway like he is waiting for someone to jump out and scare him.
“What’s going on?” My question is directed to Lee, their drummer.
He stops beside me, a sad smile turning up the corner of his lips. “Caleb was in a band before. He formed it with his childhood sweetheart. They were really close, even thought they might be mates at one point, but their connection never appeared.”
I study Caleb as we walk to the wings, getting ready for their sound check. “So why is he jumpy?”
“Shattered Horizon’s omega, Skye? She was the one he formed the band with.”
My mouth parts in shock as I glance back at Caleb. He and Skye? Skye fucking Pierce was Caleb’s old band mate and his childhood crush?
“Is she here?” I question, furrowing my brow and peering around like the bubbly singer is hiding behind the curtains. I would have heard if she was coming with her mates, right?
“Skye always goes where her mates are. Or so Caleb says.”
“Is he going to be okay?”
Lee nods, twirling a pair of drum sticks between his fingers. “Caleb always finds a way to let go when we step onto the stage. His old heartbreak won’t stop him now.” He leaves me behind, moving to take his place at the drum kit on stage.
Part of me wonders what happened between them, why their band split up, but the professional part of me knows it isn’t my place to dig. If Caleb has an issue with Skye’s presence, we can take steps to keep them from being in the same room.
Until he mentions it, or I see him struggling, I will trust my band to know their limits.
“Whatever fire was lit under your asses tonight, let’s make sure it never goes out!” I declare as I walk into Orbital Somatic’s dressing room. They just finished one hell of a set. The way they moved together on stage, the raw emotion in Caleb’s voice, and the overall energy they held on stage tonight was incredible.
The crowd was enamored with them.
“I’m so fucking proud I could cry.”
“Thanks, Bea.” Caleb is slouched on a chair, head back and eyes closed. A bottle of water is pressed to his temple, helping to cool his over heated skin.
Someone knocks on the outside of the door, so I step back and open it. Excitement bubbles in my chest when I come face-to-face with Skye Pierce. Her white-blonde hair hangs around her shoulders in soft waves and a floral maxi dress flows down her body. She looks out of place among all the leather and dark colors the bands and crew wear.
“I love your heels!”
I glance down at the bubblegum pink butterfly heels I picked out for the night, momentarily stunned by Skye’s tinkling voice. Shit, Bea, get it together! So what if you’re obsessed with her career. You are a professional! Act like it!
“Thanks,” I choke out, awkwardly turning to look over my shoulder. Caleb’s blue-gray eyes are open and riveted on the omega standing opposite me. When he flickers them over to me, he nods subtly. “Did you want to come in?”
“Oh, yes, please!”
Stepping back, I let her slip past me. She’s tiny, like a fairy princess, as she stands beside me. I’m at least a foot taller than her. I’m used to being taller than other omega’s but Skye makes me feel like a giant towering in my heels.
“Hello Caleb! Orbital Somatic! I loved your show! Your music speaks to my soul! So deep and rhythmic, with the grungy undertones that make it metal. I still have goosebumps.” She holds her arms out as she raves over their performance.
Caleb watches her with a blank expression, but the others sit wide eyed around the room, unsure of how to react to her praise.
“Oh! Right! I came to invite you to hang out with us after the show, not to fan girl over your music. Sorry!” Red colors her cheeks and chest as she stumbles through an invitation to join Shattered Horizons at a local club after their set. “So, will you come?”
“Yeah,” Caleb whispers.
“A few drinks and bar food sounds like a great way to celebrate a good show!” Joey adds, throwing his arm around Caleb and clapping a hand on his back a little too hard.
“Awesome! I’ll give your manager the details?” Skye peeks at me and I nod. I follow her out of the room, pausing at the door to silently check in with Caleb. He seems dazed but solid, so I leave him to ruminate on the reunion with his childhood sweetheart.
