Chapter EIGHT

C A L E B

"Good morning, boys!"

Archer, Max and I all said good morning to Benny, the radio host for today's interview. We were sat across from Benny with headphones on and a microphone for each of us. Although it was a radio interview, it was also being filmed and then posted online.

"How are you all doing?" Benny was a burly man with braces on. I found out the latter part after he smiled at us just then.

Max brought up the microphone to his mouth. "We're pretty good, pretty good. Lacking a little on coffee. But, we're alright though."

I was sitting in the middle between him and Archer, so I wasn't allowed to just stare off into space. No matter how much I just wanted to be at home at the moment.

"That's good to hear. So, your album has been released a while back and it's been doing good, how do you feel about that?" Benny's voice was upbeat, enthusiastic, just how you'd expect an interviewer's voice to be.

The events from yesterday kept replaying in my head. The minute Liam walked out was the exact moment I broke down. I locked myself in my room after that, and when Max and Archer came to get me before we came here, I had barely gotten any sleep.

They both asked how the date went. I didn't want to tell them, but it'd be too obvious that I was lying and then they'd just bug me for the truth. So, I told them what really happened.

They didn't say much, and I was utterly grateful.

Max and Archer answered most of the questions, which wasn't that suspicious I guess. Archer was just a natural conversationalist and Max was pretty funny. For a few minutes I settled with only mumbling my agreements on the topics being discussed.

"So, what do you boys plan on doing now?"

I decided to speak up. "Our tour's coming up in a few months, we released the poster for it yesterday. Dates and places will be announced within the week and we are very excited for it. Before the tour, we'll probably be spending time with family and friends." I felt Archer and Max both subtly glanced at me, just enough so that it wouldn't seem like they were surprised I was even talking.

It would be nice to see the family again. Melanie's always busy with University and mom and dad still live in America. Being in the music industry meant that you didn't see your family as often as you liked since you were always touring places, performing in different venues or writing new songs. It's all worth it though, for the people who love our music.

"So, we have a few questions from your fans here." Benny moved his computer mouse, staring at his screen. "And since #Ask3NE trended worldwide, I think they deserve a few answers, yeah?"

One person asked what Max's next hair color would be and he said he was thinking of dyeing it red again. Another person asked how we kept in shape during tours and Archer answered that we don't really, which was a lie since he was the one who worked out the most and ate salads daily because he actually enjoyed it.

There were more questions after that and I did my best to answer when I felt that I needed to or when the question was for me, but my mind was drifting someplace else.

The inevitable moment arrived.

"Zoey's wondering who among you boys are single." Benny read from the screen, and you could almost hear the excitement in his voice.

I swallowed, keeping my face neutral.

"Well, I'm single." Max said nonchalantly. "Me too." Archer answered, his elbow propped on top of the table with his palm supporting his chin.

"How about you, Caleb?" Benny asked and suddenly all eyes were on me.

"Um," I licked my lips. "I may or may not be dating somebody."

"Oh?" Benny's eyes widened and a grin appeared on his face. "For how long?" Even with his questions, you could tell he knew it was Liam. He just needed it to come from me. However, that won't be happening today.

"We just started seeing each other, I think a few weeks ago?" I tilted my head, pretending to think. It's not a lie. I mean Liam and I only started literally seeing, as in actually facing each other, again.

"My, my, that's a bit of news. Can you tell us anything else?"

I smiled, not wanting to blow this moment by looking like I'd bolt from my chair any time now. "All I'm going to say is that this person's really great."

Benny nodded, pulling back one of the sides of his headphones as he continued to throw questions at me. "How about telling us who this person is? What are they like?" Archer and Max were facing me but I could see them giving each other looks.

Out of nowhere, the image of Liam wearing make-up yesterday when he arrived appeared in my head. "I can say that this person is very beautiful."

"Alright," Benny nodded and I saw the flicker of disappointment in his eyes because I wouldn't share more, but he was immediately back to being cheerful. "Well, that's all the time we have for today, thank you so much for joining me boys. Ladies and gentlemen, 3 New Efforts!"

#

"I don't understand why you won't just go bowling with me. You're more interested in those stupid papers of yours, nerd."

I stared up and turned my head towards Jake who was in the driver's seat, his eyes on the road. "Jake, it's a script for the next scene I have to shoot."

"It's still homework," He shrugged. "You're still memorizing."

"It's my job."

"Go bowling with me, please?"

"Why don't you just ask Meredith?" I asked, my eyes training back down to my lines in the script. For some people, reading in a car made them sick, but I've gotten used to it because of the amount of times I've had to memorize my lines.

"She's with her family." Jake sighed sadly. I scoffed at how dramatic he sounded. "You have other friends, Jake."

"I'm a loner. I don't have any other friends. You and Mere are all I got." Jake said.

"Meredith's your girlfriend."

"Exactly."

"Jake Millson, you are a liar. You have tons of other friends. I've seen you hang out with your other friends, I've met a few of them."

"I don't like most of them."

"You're unbelievable." I shook my head. Jake pressed down on the break, the car stopping slowly at a red light. "Yeah," Jake shrugged. "I know."

I smacked him with my script.

"You've become more violent ever since we started taking boxing classes together." He rubbed at the spot I hit him, feigning hurt.

"Whatever. I shouldn't have accepted your offer to drive me to the shoot. You're going slower than a turtle."

"It's called road safety, Walker." He stepped on the gas once the light turned green.

I huffed in response and silence filled the air. I thought I'd be able to read my script in peace until we got to the shoot, that was, until Jake spoke up again. "How are things with you and Caleb?"

I pursed my lips, flipping to the next page.

"Liam? Hello?"

I continued to ignore him.

"If you ignore me I will drive even slower and it'll take an hour before we get to that damn building."

"I'll walk then."

"Liam," Jake began poking my arm multiple times. I smacked his hand away. "What's going on? Did he do something?"

I lifted my gaze, giving up on my script for now. "No, he didn't. It's just all still weird."

"How'd your date go?"

"Fine." I said. "At first. Look, can I just tell you and Mere at the same time? It's tiring to say all the details twice."

"Right. Sure. I, uhh, saw the pictures."

"Mhm." I nodded once, just letting him stir the conversation.

"Okay, I'm just really worried so at least answer this," We stopped at another red light and he faced towards me. "Did he try anything? Is that why you've looked awful since I came over?"

I didn't get what he was implying at first, then I did. "Wha—no! God no, no, he didn't. He's not like that."

"Sorry. Just had to make sure. I was worried when you didn't message me back last night. I'll just turn on the radio so you could go back to your homework."

I shot him a grateful smile. I had just opened my script again when the person on the radio began speaking.

"My, my, that's a bit of news. Can you tell us anything else?"

"All I'm gonna say is that this person's really great."

I think I got whiplash by how fast my head snapped upwards. Even Jake noticed the very, very familiar voice on the radio. "Is that—"

"How about telling us who this person is? What are they like?"

There was a pause. Jake and I held our breaths, waiting for Caleb to answer.

"I can say that this person is very beautiful." I heard Caleb answer in a soft tone.

"Did he just—did he just call you beautiful?" Jake asked and I snapped my head towards him, showing that I couldn't believe it either. I took it upon myself to turn off the radio. "Jake, remind me never to turn on radios ever again. Apparently even the universe thinks my situation's hilarious."

We were nearing the address for the shoot when Jake decided to ask, "Since you've seen each other again, has Caleb mentioned anything about that night he saw you—um," Jake trailed off, but I knew exactly what he was talking about.

"No," I shook my head, my heartbeat suddenly increasing. "No, he didn't."

"That's surprising."

"You know what's more surprising? Part of what happened last night was that I reminded him about all the things he did to me," I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat. "And he didn't even mention what I did after."