Page 22 of Unfinished Noise

Finally, as they rounded the corner near the park, they spotted him—Billy sitting on a bench, hunched over, smoking a cigarette as if he’d been there for hours. The streetlight above him flickered, making him look even more washed‑out than usual.

All three of them yelled his name at once—frustration, relief, and annoyance tangled together.

Billy blinked up at them, as if he couldn’t figure out why they were mad.

“Get up,” Farlan snapped. “We’re going back to the hotel.”

Billy shrugged, flicked the cigarette away without worry. Spencer stomped the lit cigarette out as if it were his job. Then Billy followed without a word.

The walk back to the hotel was quiet, accompanied by the gentle rustling of the evening breeze. Spencer stayed a few steps behind, watching Farlan and Billy in front of him—two people tangled in a mess he knew too well. He didn’t envy them. He didn’t hate them either. He just wanted to get back to Jamie.

He’d hit a few stores earlier and grabbed some more matching couple shirts—again soft ones he knew Jamie would love. He couldn’t wait to give them to him. To see his face soften. To remind him he had been chosen, every day.

As the hotel came into view, the weight of the night settled on Spencer’s shoulders. He was tired. He missed Jamie. And he was more than ready to get back to him.

By the time Spencer and Nathan arrived at the hotel room, Spencer’s shoulders ached as if burdened by the weight of the entire night. He wanted to see Jamie—make sure he was okay—make sure they were okay.

He unlocked the door and pushed it open. Jamie and Alfie were sitting cross‑legged on the bed in front of the TV, controllers in hand, playing some co‑op game on their Xbox. The room was lit by the soft glow of the screen, and both of them were laughing at something ridiculous happening in‑game. It was such a normal scene, so them, that a wave of relief washed over him.

Like nothing had happened earlier. Like Jamie hadn’t cried himself out in the art room. Like Spencer hadn’t spent the last hour walking through bars looking for a guy who always caused chaos.

Nathan stepped inside behind him. “Alfie,” he called, “let’s go.”

Alfie paused the game immediately. “Daddy Nathan calls,” he said, getting to his feet. He ruffled Jamie’s hair on the way up. “Are you good?”

Jamie nodded, though his eyes turned to Spencer like he was checking for reassurance.

Nathan grabbed Alfie’s hand, and the two slipped out, leaving the room quiet again.

Spencer exhaled and sat on the edge of the bed. “We found Billy,” he said, rubbing a hand over his face. “He was sitting alone on a bench in the park. No idea what he was doing there.”

Jamie blinked, processing. “Just… sitting?”

“Yeah.” Spencer shrugged. “Smoking. Staring at nothing. Classic Billy.”

Jamie hugged his knees a little tighter. “Is he okay?”

“I guess,” Spencer said. “But honestly? I’m more worried about you.”

Jamie’s cheeks warmed, and he looked down at his hands. Spencer reached for the small shopping bag he’d set on the dresser earlier and held it out.

“I got you something.”

Jamie took the bag slowly, like he wasn’t sure he deserved a gift after the day he’d had. He opened it and pulled out the soft matching shirts—simple, comfortable, the kind of thing Spencer knew Jamie loved. The fabric was buttery soft, the colors complementary without being loud.

Jamie’s eyes softened instantly. “You… got us new matching shirts?”

Spencer shrugged, suddenly shy. “Yeah. Thought they were cute. And I like matching with you.”

Jamie traced the fabric with his thumb, smiling in that small, quiet way that always hit Spencer right in the chest.

Spencer stood and began undressing, kicking off his shoes. “I’m really happy you’re here with us,” he said, voice low but sure. “With me.”

Jamie looked up at him, eyes warm and a little shiny. “I’m happy I’m here too.”

Spencer sat beside him on the bed, close enough that their shoulders touched. Jamie leaned into him immediately, like gravity had been waiting for the chance.

Wrapping an arm around him, Spencer pulled him in. “Long night,” he murmured.