Chapter Twenty-Seven
Vic
The garage studio smelled like motor oil, old leather, and warm electronics.Late-afternoon light slanted through the high windows as Vic sat behind the practice kit, sticks loose in his hands.Bear was on his bass, fingers moving with that easy power he brought to everything, while Chase stood off to the side with his guitar, eyes half-closed in concentration.
They weren’t trying to write anything tonight.Just playing.
It started simple—a loose, rolling groove Vic laid down on the kit.Bear answered with a fat, warm bass line that locked in perfectly.Then Chase layered in a sparkling lead that danced over the top, bending notes in ways that made Vic grin.They chased that sweet spot where their techniques built off each other organically—Vic pushing the pocket just a little, Bear answering with a deeper thump, Chase riding the wave and then surprising them both with a soaring run that felt like sunlight breaking through clouds.
“Damn,” Vic laughed after one particularly tight passage.“That felt good.”
Chase’s grin was bright and unguarded, the kind he only wore when he was lost in the music.Bear just nodded, that quiet pride in his eyes that made Vic feel like he belonged here.
They played for nearly an hour, the music flowing easy and alive.At one point, Vic caught Chase watching him during a particularly syncopated fill, and something clicked into place.This kid wasn’t just talented—he fit.
Vic let the last cymbal ring out and set his sticks down.
“So, when are you gonna join OY officially?”he asked, casual but genuine.“You’re already here more than half the time anyway.”
The room went strangely quiet.
Chase’s fingers stilled on the strings.He looked down at his guitar, shoulders tightening just slightly.“I...haven’t been asked.Not really.”
Vic blinked.“What?”
Chase shrugged, trying for nonchalance but not quite landing it.“I just keep showing up, hoping you guys will need me as much as I need you.Didn’t want to push...”His chin dipped.“Didn’t want to push only to get shut down.”
The words hit Vic square in the chest.He knew that feeling too well—the fear of wanting something so badly that you convince yourself you shouldn’t ask for it.
“Chase,” he said softly.“We do need you.Hell, we’ve needed you for weeks.”
Chase looked up, eyes a little wide, a little hopeful.
Vic clapped him on the shoulder.“Let me talk to Benny.We’ll make it official.”
***
Later that evening, Vic found Benny in the kitchen at Bear’s house, nursing a cup of coffee as he waited on Lucia.
“Hey,” Vic said, leaning against the counter.“Got a minute?”
Benny nodded.“What’s up?”
