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Theo let out a deep sigh. “Finnley.”

“What?” Finnley shrugged, his eyes wide. “I’m just asking.”

The table erupted into laughter, and when it finally died down, Quinn bumped his shoulder against mine.

I didn’t move away.

Finnley leaned back in his chair, his arms folded. “You know, for weeks we all thought Theo was the most focused person in this group.”

Theo frowned. “That’s because I am.”

Sebastian lifted his glass. “To Theo, our Captain Clipboard.”

Quinn blinked. “Captain Clipboard? That’s the second time I’ve heard that tonight.”

Elliott nodded solemnly. “He schedules our lives.”

“I coordinate,” Theo corrected.

“You colour-code,” Milo flung back at him.

Quinn turned towards me. “I’d assumed you were exaggerating.”

Finnley grinned. “Anyway, like I said, Theo was always the most focused one.”

“Until recently,” Elliott added.

Quinn glanced around the table. “What changed?”

Every single one of them looked at me.

Theo sighed deeply. “Max got distracted.”

“And now he’s focused on something that definitely isn’t the music,” Milo added.

Quinn raised his eyebrows. “So what’s he focused on now?”

Julian raised his glass toward Quinn. “You.”

Quinn blinked, then looked at me again, clearly delighted. “Really?”

“Yes, really,” Sebastian said. “Captain Clipboard over here used to complain if Max checked his phone during rehearsal.”

Theo nodded. “Standards must be maintained.”

“And now?” Quinn asked.

Finnley leaned forwards. “Now Max stares into space like he’s composing poetry.”

“I do not,” I said.

“You so do,” Julian said with a snort.

Quinn looked incredibly pleased. “So what you’re telling me is that I’ve destabilised the system.”

Theo gave a smug smile. “Precisely.”

Quinn lifted his glass with great satisfaction. “Well.” He took a sip. “That feels like a solid life achievement.”