14. Callum
FOURTEEN
Callum
I see the threads, where we have been
10:19 AM
The second I see her through the glass, it’s like the rest of the room blurs out.
Sienna stands in the control room, her arms loose at her sides, like she’s forgotten to put up her usual walls. Her eyes move slowly and scan the room, but it’s not the gear or the plaques on the walls that have her attention. It’s the music. It’s me.
When our eyes lock through the glass, I see it—the spark of something familiar. She’s not trying to hide it, not like she did at the bar in the Lower East Side, or even on our walk.
Her lips part slightly, and for a moment, she looks like she did six years ago, only now with longer hair and more wisdom. I'm immediately transported back to those nights when she stood in the crowd, watching me like I was the only one in the room.
Her eyes linger, unblinking, and the weight of it twists something in my chest. I grab the headphones off the stand, mutter something to the engineer about playback, and head out to greet her before I can overthink it.
"You made it," I say as I push through the door, my voice coming out lighter than I feel. Seeing her here—watching her take all this in—hits me in a way I didn’t expect.
She arches a brow, that dry, no-bullshit look on her face that used to make me laugh back in Charleston. "So this is where the big dogs come to make music, huh?" she asks, glancing around the room, her tone teasing. "Impressive, I'm not going to lie. You didn't oversell the hype."
I smirk, leaning against the edge of the console. "Hype? It doesn't need hype. It sells itself."
"Mm-hmm," she says, her lips twitching like she’s trying not to smile. "Okay. I’ll give it to you. But don’t let it go to your head."
"Too late," I say, stepping aside so she can get a better look.
I catch Sienna glancing toward Finley, and the way her eyes widen just a fraction makes me grin. "Want to hear what we’re working on?" I ask, keeping my tone casual even though I’m watching her closely.
She hesitates, her arms tightening around herself for just a second before she nods. "Sure."
Before she can retreat too far into her shell, I gesture toward Finley. "Come on. Let me introduce you first."
Sienna’s head snaps toward me, her eyes narrowing. "Introduce me? To her ?"
Finley looks up from her phone as we approach, tilting her head in that easy, curious way she has. "Callum," she says, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "Who’s this?"
"This is Sienna," I say, glancing back at her. "An old friend from Charleston. And a huge Finley James fan."
"Really?" Finley’s green eyes spark with interest, and she stands, extending a hand. "Nice to meet you, Sienna."
Sienna hesitates for a second, clearly debating whether to bolt, before shaking Finley’s hand. "Nice to meet you, too. I’ve, um... I’ve been a fan of yours for years."
"Well, damn," Finley says, her smile widening. "Callum here must’ve done something right to get you to visit."
I laugh, leaning against the console. "It’s the music. Always the music."
Finley chuckles, sitting back down and nodding toward the booth. "Then let’s show her what we’ve got."
I gesture to the engineer, and the track we’ve been building all morning fills the room. Finley’s voice cuts through the layered guitars, raw and haunting, the kind of sound that gets under your skin and stays there. I steal a glance at Sienna, and the look on her face hits me square in the chest.
She’s into it. Completely. Her head tilts just slightly, her hazel eyes locked on the speakers, her lips parted like she’s letting the sound wash over her. It takes everything I have not to stare at her the whole time.
When the track fades, she turns to me, her expression unreadable. "That was... wow."
"Not bad, huh?" I say, leaning against the console, trying to play it cool.
"Not bad?" she echoes, her voice sharp with disbelief. "Callum, that was incredible."
The way she says my name—soft but certain—does something to me I don’t have time to unpack. I grin, feeling the pull of her excitement, the way it used to feel when she was the only one in the crowd who mattered.
The next hour passes in a blur. Sienna stays close, watching with quiet fascination as we lay down takes, adjust levels, and argue over details that feel monumental in the moment. I can feel her eyes on me, and every time I glance her way, she’s leaning in just a little more, like she’s forgetting she’s supposed to keep her guard up.
When the engineer calls for a break, Luke stretches and groans. "All right, let’s get food. Finley, you’ve got to try this place, the Impeccable Pig. We’ve been going every day between takes. Best chicken and waffles in the city."
Finley raises a brow, her stomach growling loud enough to make everyone laugh. "I've got to run over to Times Square, but I'll catch you next time."
Mike and Jace start gathering their stuff, and Luke looks at me. "You'll regret it. Will you be back this afternoon?"
"I'm starving, but I can't. I already regret it. I'll be back tomorrow morning, same time?"
Luke chimes in, "It's a plan. We will run through the edits tomorrow and make any changes you want."
Jace looks at me, "You coming?"
"I’ve got to check on something first," I say. "I’ll meet you there."
Sienna glances at me, then back at the door where everyone’s filing out. "I’ll wait. We can walk over together."
My pulse kicks up, but I keep my face neutral. "Sure. Won’t take long. Save us two seats."
The room empties out, leaving in its place a jarring quiet ringing in my ears. It’s just the two of us now, and when I turn back to her, she’s standing in the middle of the room, looking at me like she’s trying to figure something out.
"What?" I ask, leaning against the console.
She takes a step closer, her arms dropping to her sides. "Nothing. Just... you looked different in there. In the booth."
"Different how?"
"Like you’ve come into your own. Confident. Commanding. You..." Her voice trails off, but her gaze doesn’t waver. "You’re a rockstar, Callum. Not to be cheesy. But you're the real deal. You don’t just look like one—you are one."
The way she says it sends a heat bolt through me I can’t ignore. I shorten the space between us, and I see the way her breath catches.
"Sienna," I start, but she’s already moving toward me, her fingers brushing against the collar of my jacket.
She steps closer, the space between us shrinking until I can feel the heat of her body. Her fingers brush the collar of my jacket, tentative at first, but then she grips it, pulling me closer. Her eyes meet mine, and whatever she’s holding back melts away, leaving nothing but fire.
"Callum..." Her voice is soft, almost a whisper, but it’s not hesitation—it’s need.
I can’t hold back anymore. Not with the way she’s looking at me, making me feel like I’m the only thing that exists. My hands find her waist and I pull her flush against me as my lips crash into hers. The kiss is hot, urgent, and completely consuming.
Her hands slide up my chest and grip my shoulders. Fingertips dig in just enough to make my pulse race. The world outside the studio disappears and the hum of the equipment fades until it’s just us—heat, need, and the kind of connection I thought I’d lost forever.
I pull Sienna closer, feeling the heat of her body against mine. Her eyes dart nervously around the live room.
"Are you sure we won't get caught?" she whispers.
I brush a strand of hair from her face. "We have the studio all day. They won't be back for hours."
My words seem to calm her. I feel the tension leave her shoulders as she leans into me.
"OK," she breathes, a glint of mischief in her eyes.
I capture her lips in a searing kiss. She tastes faintly of coffee, and I savor it as my tongue explores her mouth. My hands roam her body, relearning every curve. I back her up against the wall, relishing the soft gasp that escapes her.
"I've wanted this for so long," I murmur against her neck.
I trail kisses down her throat as I unbutton her blouse. The faint scent of her perfume mingles with the musty air of the studio. I slide the fabric off her shoulders, revealing smooth skin I'm desperate to touch.
Sienna's fingers tangle in my hair as I drop to my knees. I look up at her, taking in flushed cheeks and parted lips. Slowly, I push up her skirt and hook my fingers in the waistband of her panties.
"Is this okay?" I ask.
She nods, biting her lip. I drag the lace down her legs, my mouth watering at the sight of her.
I start slow, teasing her with light licks. Her fingers tighten in my hair as I increase the pressure. I savor her taste, the soft moans falling from her lips driving me wild. I slip two fingers inside her, curling them as my tongue works her clit.
"Oh god, Callum," she cries out.
I can feel her getting close. I double my efforts, desperate to push her over the edge. Her thighs start to tremble.
"That's it, baby," I encourage. "Let go for me."
With a strangled cry, she comes undone. I work her through it, not stopping until she gently pushes me away.
I stand, pulling her into a deep kiss. She fumbles with my belt, her hands shaking slightly.
"Need you," she pants. "Now."
I lift her, pinning her against the wall. She wraps her legs around my waist as I thrust into her. We both groan at the sensation.
"Fuck, you feel amazing," I growl.
I set a fast pace, unable to hold back. Sienna meets me thrust for thrust, her nails digging into my shoulders. The room fills with the sound of skin on skin and our breathless moans.
"Callum," she whimpers. "I'm close."
"Me too," I pant. "Come with me, Si."
A few more thrusts and we're both falling over the edge. Wave after wave of pleasure washes over me as I empty myself inside her.
Afterwards, we slide to the floor, a tangle of limbs. As we catch our breath, I pull her close. I can't help but marvel at how right this feels—like coming home after years away.