Page 21 of Unfinished Noise

Jamie shrugged, chewing on the pacifier between sentences. “Okay until now. But Nathan and Daddy Spencer have to keep the band together. And who knows where Billy went.” He popped the pacifier out, then back in again, the motion soothing even if he didn’t want to admit it.

Alfie reached under the covers and pulled out Jamie’s teddy bear, brushing off a stray thread before handing it over. “Here. Thought you might want this.”

Jamie squeezed it against his chest. “Thanks.”

Alfie leaned back, sighing. “I wish Billy could be replaced.”

Jamie let out a humorless laugh. “Well, his replacement quit, so we’re stuck with him.” Just saying it made his stomach twist. Billy’s return cast a stormy cloud hovering over everything—over Spencer, over the band, over him.

Alfie’s expression softened. “What if something happened to him? Maybe he wandered off. Maybe he’s fine.”

“I don’t know,” Jamie said. “But I want Daddy Spencer to live his dream. I won’t be the reason it falls apart again.” He squeezed the teddy bear tighter again, voice wobbling. “I want a happy daddy.”

Alfie nodded, his eyes warm and understanding. “You love him a lot.”

Jamie swallowed hard. “Yeah. And I know he loves me. I do. But every time Billy’s around, it feels like someone’s messing with the volume knob in my ears. Like everything gets too loud. Too sharp.” He tapped his fingers anxiously against the bear’s paw. “I hate feeling like this.”

Alfie didn’t rush him. Didn’t tell him he was being dramatic. He sat there, steady and patient, the way Spencer always said good friends should be.

“They’ll find Billy,” Alfie said. “And Spencer’s going to come back here and hold you until all this noise in your head quiets down again.”

Jamie blinked rapidly, fighting back the tears welling up in his eyes. “I hope so.”

He glanced toward the door, hoping Spencer would come through it any moment—sweaty, stressed, frustrated with Billy, anything. Just here. Just real. Just his. Until then, he leaned into Alfie’s presence, letting the room feel a little less empty.

Chapter Eight

Spencer

Spencer, Nathan, and Farlan walked the length of Main Street, weaving past souvenir shops, late‑night taco windows, and neon signs buzzing like tired insects. Every bar they stepped into had its own vibe—loud, sticky floors, the smell of beer soaked into the walls—but none of them had Billy.

The first place was a dim dive with red lights and a jukebox that only played sad country songs. A couple of regulars glanced up when they walked in, then went right back to their drinks. No Billy.

The second bar was brighter, louder, and packed with college kids shouting over each other. Spencer scanned the room twice to be sure. Nothing.

The third one was the country‑western place—swing‑dance posters, cowboy hats, and a mechanical bull in the corner. None of them wanted to go in, but Farlan shrugged. “Billy’s been acting like he’s hard up. Not getting enough attention. He might’ve wandered in here.”

So, they checked. Too many eyes bore into them the entire time, as if they were aliens who’d taken a wrong turn. Still no Billy.

Back outside, the night air turned cooler, but the tension between them didn’t budge. Spencer kept catching the look in Farlan’s eyes—tight, worried, and maybe a little angry. He recognized it too well. He’d worn that same expression once, back when Billy’s chaos had been his problem.

And yeah, Farlan had been part of that pain too. Part of the mess Spencer had clawed his way out of. At some point, he’d have to let that go. He wasn’t there yet, but he could feel the edge of forgiveness somewhere in the distance.

“Did you two have a fight?” Nathan asked, glancing between them as he spoke to Farlan.

“No,” Farlan said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I think he wanted to find a hookup.”

Nathan rolled his eyes and shot Spencer a look that said of course he did.

Spencer said nothing, but the thought flickered through him anyway.

Farlan’s finally getting a taste of what I lived through.

He didn’t wish it on him, but he couldn’t pretend he didn’t understand the sting.

Still… he wanted Billy with Farlan. Because if Billy was busy with someone else, he wasn’t circling back toward Spencer. And that was a relief he didn’t feel guilty about.

They checked one more bar, then another. Nothing.