The Bass Player » [cashton] √

0.6

[5th of November - Brussels]

Calum had been skittish and looking over his shoulder the past few days; he was so worried about running into Ashton alone. He was sure he wouldn't be able to help himself. He liked to think he was stronger willed than that; he knew himself better than that, though. 

So when someone called out to him as was disappearing into the stands, he nearly had a heart attack.

He froze, and the voice spoke again, "Cal! Wait up a sec I need to ask you something," he realised it was Luke, thank god. 

"Oh yeah, sorry Luke I didn't hear you the first time," he turned to face the other and saw he had a smile on his face and held back a sigh of relief. 

"That's all good man, we'll keep heading up into the stands, I need to ask you a favour, and there's no point being anywhere we might be interrupted," Luke pointed past him, and Calum simply nodded as the taller man walked past him leading them up until they were ten or so rows from the back of the theatre. 

 They sat, and Luke turned to him immediately, "So I hate to ask on such short notice, but I was wondering if you'd play bass for us tonight? I didn't wanna put you on the spot in front of your band is all," 

"Uh... um yeah, I think I remember all the bass pieces from the setlist, I'll need to practice a bit though and talk to the others. But yeah, yeah I can do this," Calum said more to himself than anyone else. 

"Oh, thank you so much, Angus is sick and if we cancelled everyone would be devastated," 

"Oh no, I totally get it. I'm actually really flattered you asked," Cal said a blush coming onto his cheeks.

"You're a good bass player that speaks for itself; we're sound-checking in two hours. I'll see you there. I gotta let the others know you can cover," Luke was up and gone, jogging down the stairs and off behind the stage.

Calum genuinely could not believe his luck; he was getting to play with one of his favourite bands of all time. He was buzzing with excitement (which he was still trying to conceal) as he tried to find the other members of the group. He looked in the weird above stage viewing area, the photography room, two different dressing rooms and a room that just had an old broken piano and a bunch of stacked chairs. 

Magically, however, when he walked across the stage again ready to give up, he saw them sitting and chatting in the front row of chairs.

"I've been looking for you guys everywhere," he called climbing down off the stage and moving toward them, thanking god the barricade wasn't up yet. 

"We were down the street getting something to eat, what did you want us for?" Angel asked.

"Y'all never invite me, you suck. But I was coming to check it was okay with you all if I played bass for Tempted Timeless tonight?"

"What, where's Angus?" Nia asked, almost pushing herself up out of her chair. 

"Luke said he's not well, and they didn't want to cancel if they didn't absolutely have to," 

"I'm jealous, why couldn't Ashton have gotten sick?" Rachael whined.

"Well seeing as we cut Tonight, I should be able to manage keyboard and bass, so you don't have to worry about trying to play for two sets. Wow though, this is honestly so exciting for you though ugh!" Lesedi groaned, an excited grin quickly replacing the frown on their face. 

"Do you know what you're playing?" 

"I'm assuming it's the same setlist they've been playing but I need to go over it with Luke,"