I arrive at the music store with the crew instead of the band. A drastic change from the rest of the tour. Yesterday morning, I watched Felix and Colton bicker over nonsense, ending with Felix leaning over and licking Colton’s pancakes. Now when they walk through the alley entrance and see me in the storeroom, they fall silent. All five faces stoic and eyes avoidant.

Within three minutes, I wish for outright animosity rather than the indifference and professionalism surrounding me. I’m a suit. Even Foster plucks the spy glasses from my hand with utter disinterest.

I exit the storeroom ahead of the others, following the corridor to where it opens up to the front. Despite the shop windows and the music playing from speakers in one corner, the hum of voices reaches me. A sea of people wait on the sidewalk, and then a contained line snakes down the closed street, kept orderly with crowd barricades.

Hands wave and fans shout as I walk each side of the locked, guarded door, filming over the displays of guitars and amps. I swing through the shop for B-roll of keyboards, drums, and the little section of woodwinds. The place holds a vintage vibe behind the modern equipment. Records on the walls, autographed pictures framed. A nook intended for testing instruments even has an orange shag carpet on the walls for dampening sound.

I understand the draw for Of Men and Wolves in wanting the event held here.

At the rear of the store, they set up a charcoal backdrop for pictures. I land off to the side, near the alcove and close to where Nate set up his audio equipment. The angle allows a focus on the band but guarantees to capture every interaction. Glory and Xander will float to get the shots we discussed while Nate monitors mics.

They appear a handful of minutes ahead of the start time. Xander catches my eye and offers a small smile. My return one fails to stick. Along with everything else I haven’t figured out, our dynamic on tour earns a spot on the list. I need to de-ice enough to talk to him first.

Colton walks out with Christian. The latter folds his arms over his chest and leans by the doorway. But it’s Colton who surprises me. He heads toward me, scanning the place. Then he stands next to me.

I want to say something, but he stares at the hallway where the band will emerge any second and crosses his arms. We’re not keeping each other company. We both need the same proximity to the action.

Screams and shouting breach the walls and windows when the band appears. I immediately home in on Foster. He’s not wearing the frames I gave him. Felix is. It feels personal.