Page 5 of Unfinished Noise

Jamie’s art room door was closed. Worse—locked.

He knocked softly, trying not to sound as panicked. “Baby? It’s me.”

A long pause. Then, the faint click of the lock.

When the door cracked open, Spencer’s heart broke.

The room looked as if a storm had torn through it. Sketches everywhere, crumpled, ripped, scattered like fallen leaves. Pencils on the floor. A can of Coke spilled and drying into a sad little puddle. And Jamie—God. His eyes were swollen and red, cheeks blotchy, wavy hair sticking up in every direction like he’d been clawing at it.

“Jamie…” Spencer stepped inside slowly, afraid he’d spook him. “What happened, sweetheart?”

Jamie tried to swipe at his face, but more tears spilled over. “I—I didn’t want to bother you.”

That hit Spencer like a punch.

“You’re never a bother,” he said, pulling Jamie into his arms. Jamie collapsed against him, shaking so hard Spencer wrapped both arms around him to keep him together. He stroked the back of Jamie’s head, whispering into his hair. “Talk to me. Please.”

Jamie’s voice cracked apart. “You didn’t even tell me about Billy. I don’t know if I can handle it. Billy. You singing with him again.” He pulled back enough for Spencer to see the fear in his eyes—raw, frantic, desperate. “I don’t want to be jealous. I hate it. But I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s eating me alive.”

Spencer cupped his face, thumbs brushing damp cheeks. “Hey. Look at me.”

Jamie hesitated, then lifted his gaze—wide, terrified, vulnerable.

“There is nothing—nothing—that’s ever going to happen with Billy,” Spencer said, voice steady even though his chest ached. “He’s my terrible past. You’re my loving present. My future. My everything.”

Jamie swallowed hard, breath hitching. “I will not stand there and watch him try to seduce you onstage or backstage or anywhere. I can’t do it. I can’t watch him look at you like he used to.”

Spencer shook his head, firm. “He won’t. And even if he tried, it wouldn’t matter. I’m yours. I love you. I choose you every single day. You’re the one I come home to. You’re the one I want.”

Jamie’s lip trembled, and Spencer leaned in, pressing soft kisses to his forehead, his temple, the corner of his mouth—slow, steady touches meant to settle him, the way a musician might tap out a grounding rhythm. Jamie clung to him as if Spencer was the one fixed point in a room that had spun off‑balance, the only thing that kept his world from smearing like wet paint.

Spencer could feel it in the way Jamie held on—desperate, shaky, searching for something solid to anchor to. And Spencer let him, holding him as tightly, hoping his arms could be the steady line Jamie needed when everything inside him was running off the page.

“I’m sorry you heard about it before I had a chance to tell you,” Spencer murmured. “I just found out myself from Nathan. He didn’t tell me why we were meeting. He said it was important.”

“Alfie knew.”

“That’s because Alfie listens to Nathan’s conversations.” Spencer smiled. “You know he means no harm, and you’re his best friend. He feels bad though.”

“He shouldn’t. He’s more of a brother than a friend. So, tell me why are we stuck with Billy and Farlan?”

“The other two quit, and we got offers for Black Shadows, not the new band.”

“I don’t want to be the reason you lose what your grandfather made you lose.”

“You won’t be.”

“I feel like a part of you will be taken from me.” Tears welled up in his eyes.

“But you’re not losing me. Not now. Not ever.”

Jamie pressed his face into Spencer’s chest, breathing in shaky bursts. “I… I don’t want to be replaced.”

“You won’t be,” Spencer promised, rubbing slow circles on his back. “You’re coming to practice. Gigs. Everything. You’re part of this with me. I want you there.”

Jamie nodded against him, fingers fisting in Spencer’s shirt like he was afraid to let go.

After a long moment, Spencer eased back enough to see his face, tear‑streaked, exhausted, and heartbreakingly beautiful. “I got you something on my way home.” He pulled out a peppermint-flavored binky.