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Kain leans farther into his space instead of backing off, grinning as the Omega squirms.

I recognize the Omega from Kain’s show last week. He had sat near the stage, his focus so locked on Kain that the room might as well have been empty.

Today, an oversized hoodie swallows him, sleeves pulled over his hands as a stylus taps a frantic rhythm on a tablet screen.

Kain sprawls beside him in faded jeans and a worn T-shirt, limbs arranged in a pose of studied nonchalance. His arm stretches across the back of the Omega’s chair, not quite touching, a subtle claim on the space.

I flash a bright smile, invading their little bubble without remorse. “Afternoon.”

I set my bag on the chair across from them and slide into the empty seat on Kain’s other side. Pulling out my laptop, I flip it open, signaling I’m here to stay.

Kain cocks an eyebrow at me. “Afternoon, Lee. Have you met Reef?”

Reef’s head lifts, giving a single, vague dip of his chin before his attention returns to his device.

“Hey,” I say, despite having already lost his obvious disinterest, and turn back to Kain. “Didn’t expect you to be up this early.”

“Some days, we might as well live here. Isn’t that right?” He nudges Reef, who swats him away with irritation.

I open a blank workspace on my laptop. “Are you prepping for the set tonight?”

“Just the sound check.” Kain peers down at the ice cubes rattling around in his glass. “Rest of the band won’t drag their asses in until the last possible minute.”

He doesn’t elaborate, and I don’t pry. I let Kain talk, focusing on the website I’m building for a non-existent client. Beside him, Reef gives no sign he registers our conversation, his entire focus on the tablet in his hands.

“Crowd’s supposed to be big,” Kain continues. “Owner’s pushing the blues angle harder than usual. Says it builds a better clientele. Less property damage.”

I keep my attention on the laptop screen. “Is that a problem here?”

Kain shrugs. “It was before, but Orien keeps the crowd in line now. Can’t say I miss the occasional airborne beer bottle from people wanting rock music or—” He shudders dramatically. “Heavy metal.”

Reef snickers, proving he’s not ignoring the conversation, even if he’s not engaging.

My pulse ticks up at the mention of the crew’s fixer. “Is he the head of security, or…?”

“Security, yeah,” Kain fills in, “but also whatever you call the guy who handles the owner’s problems. He’s in charge when Rowan’s not around.”

I try to include Reef in the conversation, but his attention remains locked on his tablet.

Kain leans back, the chair creaking. “This is the first time you’ve come in this early.”

“I got tired of staring at my walls at home, and I heard this place is open during the day, too.” I gesture around the lounge. “And I was banking on it being less crowded than the coffee shop I tried last time.”

“And your assessment?” he says, giving the table a gentle nudge with his knee. “Do we meet expectations?”

I laugh, and the sound is genuine. “So far, so good.”

Reef’s tapping pauses, and for a split second, I think he’s going to join the conversation. But he taps the screen again, absorbed.

“Reef’s in focus mode,” Kain explains. “There’s a Pulse Riot competition coming up. Big cash prize.”

My brow furrows. “What’s Pulse Riot?”

“It’s a rhythm game.” When I continue to frown, he adds, “You know, similar to the dancing one, only on a mobile device.”

Reef clicks his tongue in annoyance.

“Sorry, my bad.” Kain gives him an apologetic smile before he turns back to me.