Page 80 of Unfinished Noise

Spencer reached out and brushed Jamie’s hand with his. “Come back upstairs so we can exchange the guitars?”

Jamie nodded.

Spencer stood and offered his hand fully. Jamie took it without hesitation; fingers warm against Spencer’s palm. They walked back to the elevator together, the quiet between them steady now instead of sharp.

The upward journey dragged as if it would never end. Jamie leaned against the wall; eyes fixed on the glowing numbers. Spencer kept glancing at him, wanting to say something, wanting to fix everything, but knowing pushing too hard would only make Jamie shut down again.

When the doors opened, they stepped into the hallway. Farlan and Billy were still in the room, sitting on the edge of the bed like two kids waiting for a principal.

Spencer walked in first, the air in the room still thick from earlier. Billy and Farlan shifted on the bed, not stiff like schoolkids now—more like two guys bracing for impact.

Spencer took the guitar case from next to Billy. “Alright. I messed up. I gave you Jamie’s new guitar by accident.”

Billy’s head snapped up. “Yeah… I figured.” His voice wavered. “I opened the case and saw the brand new guitar.” He swallowed hard, fingers twisting together. “That’s why we waited. I didn’t want to touch anything else until you came back.”

Jamie stayed near the door, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the carpet as if it had personally offended him.

Billy stood, shoulders hunched. “Jamie… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to drag you into this. I swear I wasn’t trying to—” His voice cracked, and he cut himself off, jaw tightening as if he were fighting the urge to cry again.

Jamie didn’t look at him. Didn’t even blink.

Farlan stepped in, hands raised slightly. “Look, it wasn’t all Billy. I should’ve kept an eye on the damn thing too. We were both drinking and were stupid.” His tone carried a defensive edge, as if he expected Jamie to snap back, even though Jamie hadn’t said a word.

Spencer grabbed the correct case from the corner and handed it to Billy. “This one’s mine. Be careful with it. And don’t lose it.”

Billy took the case with both hands spread wide. He didn’t clutch it like glass—he handled it like a musician terrified of disrespecting someone else’s instrument. His thumb traced the latch once, slow and deliberate, checking it the way he used to check his father’s guitar before gigs.

“I won’t,” Billy said, voice tight and shaky. “I swear. I’m not messing this up.”

Farlan nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. “Thanks, Spence. Seriously. You didn’t have to do this.”

Billy echoed him, quieter. “Yeah. Thank you. Both of you.” He glanced toward Jamie, obviously hoping for even a flicker of acknowledgment.

Jamie didn’t give him one.

His silence sat heavy in the room, thicker than the stale hotel air, thicker than the guilt rolling off Billy. Jamie was still pissed. Still hurt. Still caught somewhere between protective and furious, Spencer didn’t know which direction it would break.

He cleared his throat. “Alright. We’ll figure out the rest tomorrow.”

Billy nodded again, eyes down. Farlan gave a small, awkward wave.

They slipped out, closing the door behind them, leaving Spencer and Jamie alone with the quiet that didn’t feel peaceful anymore.

Jamie stayed where he was, back against the wall, arms folded tight. Spencer watched him for a moment, trying to read the storm still sitting behind his eyes.

He stepped closer, slow and careful. “You’re quiet.”

Jamie didn’t look up. “I don’t have anything nice to say.”

Spencer’s slight ache returned, the one that always showed up when Jamie pulled away. “You don’t have to be nice. Just talk to me.”

Jamie finally lifted his gaze, frustration still simmering there. “I’m not ready.”

Spencer nodded once. “Okay.”

He didn’t push. He didn’t reach. He stayed close enough that Jamie knew he wasn’t going anywhere. Jamie’s silence wasn’t distance. It was processing. Spencer knew that. He’d learned Jamie’s rhythms, the way he shut down before he opened back up. Still, it didn’t stop the worry from settling behind Spencer’s ribs. He hoped Jamie would let him in again soon. He always did.

Chapter Thirty-One