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His heavy sigh "No more," he says as if he's making a decree. "Time for me to grow up."
I hear the sincerity and hurt in his voice and sense we're talking about more than just us.
"Do you remember that girl Betty from last summer?"
Laredo has a rotating roster of women, and I rarely get to know their names; however, Betty is one of them. He hooked up with her at the start of our workshop performance here in Seaside. He was late for the performance. She left an impression because she's one of the few women he went out with on a second and third date. During the week of the festival, he even dragged me along to meet her roommate.
"Yeah, I do. I'm surprised you do." I try another attempt at humor and from his reaction, I fail again.
"I ran into her roommate Dee at the bar last night."
I push back in the chair and prepare for another bar story that probably involved the police. "Was Betty there?"
He shakes his head and looks as if he's moments away from tears.
"What happened?"
His lips part, but before he can speak, we both hear the pounding of a fist against the glass. We look up at Ariel with a smile on her face, drubbing a beat against the window. Laredo remains frozen in place, so I reach for the button on the control board and flip on the microphone.
"Get in here. Both of you." Her eyes are electric, and it's good to see a smile on her face again.
But my thoughts are with Laredo. I hold up a finger to let her know we're on our way and then flip the microphone off. "Can we pick this up later?"
He waves a hand at me. "Doesn't really matter." He pushes up from the chair. "I'm proud of you, little brother. I don't say it enough. I love you."
He pulls me into a tight hug. I should enjoy the moment. Laredo is being kind and thoughtful. But I can't relax.
Not with all the strange energy in the air today. Not when I lose track of the number of secrets swirling in my head.
Breathe. I remind myself. Give it one night. One night to talk to Ariel. One night to check in on my brother. One night to figure out my future. One long summer night.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ariel
Laredo is a musical genius. I strum the final chords of the remastered song and don't dare look into the eyes of my audience of two.
It was only two hours, but Laredo has tweaked the song, so its musical peaks match the gritty emotional vibe. A tweak Dax felt when he listened. A change I didn't realize was necessary until I played it just now.
I hit the last note and feel exposed. This song does that to me. It happens every time I play it. I release the guitar and let it hang by the straps in front of me and a final look at the boys.
"Before you say a word, I have news to share." I ignore the looks they give me. Adam looks at me as if I'm a superhero who's just saved the planet. And Laredo, dear God, looks to be on the brink of tears.
I think of the text from Dax that waited for me this morning when I woke. Don't overthink it. Do the damn song at the workshop, and we'll figure out the rest. The world deserves to hear you sing this song.
"I've booked us for a workshop tomorrow. It's last minute, and I've only got time for one song, but I want us to perform this song." I release the first of the many secrets I've kept from the boys. I feel no guilt knowing how excited they will be with the news.
"Wow, a workshop. That's amazing." Adam strides toward me and pulls me into a hug. "Can I ask a question?"
I snuggle into the crook of his neck, a move I've never felt such an overpowering need to do with another man before. "Anything?"
"Do you really need us?"
His question shocks me, and I lean back and attempt to read his eyes. "Of course I do. What do you mean?"
Adam releases my hug and steps next to his brother. "I mean…" His smile disarms my concern. "It goes without saying that it's an honor to be on the same stage as you, but…"
"It's a solo song," Laredo interrupts, and I can't believe my ears. Of all the people. Laredo lives to be on the stage. And the Seaside Music Festival has the eyes and ears of many of the top professionals in the industry. Just by stepping on the stage next to me it will bring him much-needed attention. Something he desperately needs and usually goes out of his way chasing.
