Chapter 21

Mom was in the kitchen when we arrived and I just stopped and stood there, staring at her. She really looked at home. She was in her element. She turned and saw me and a huge smile graced her face.

“Jax! This kitchen is beautiful! Remember when you were young and I’d take you all over, pointing out what I wanted some day?”

“Yes. Apparently, I remembered.” I walked around the kitchen island and stood beside her. “This really is your place.”

“Your bedroom is fantastic.” She grinned.

“Did you sleep alone? Wait, I don’t want to know.” I held up a hand.

“Why don’t you go talk to your father? Can you get Rebel for me?”

“Why?”

“I need him to make waffles. I heard he’s the best.”

I laughed and wandered into the living room. My father stood at the window, staring out at the forest behind the house. I whispered in Rebel’s ear and he left for the kitchen. I stood next to my father. How weird was that?

“So, I took a little tour of the house,” he said.

“And?”

“I happened to wander into your studio. How about you and I play some music?”

“Okay.” I nodded. I glanced over at him. “Are you okay with me being gay?”

“You know, back when I was younger, I have a vague recollection of being drunk and stoned off my ass and fucking some kid.”

“That’s wonderful, Dad,” I drawled.

“It was a guy, Jax. Probably not the first time I did that. I consider myself straight, but you know, sometimes the lines blur.”

I eyed him sideways. “Are you fucking with me?”

“Yeah,” he laughed. “I don’t care that you’re gay, kid. You’re still my son.”

“You’re seriously twisted.”

“Yep. Now let’s go play.”

We settled down in the studio and picked up guitars. I sat next to him and we eyed each other before I strummed a few chords. Dad grinned and picked up where I had started. Before I knew it, we were playing like a well-oiled machine. I glanced over at him to find him watching me and grinning like a loon. I knew at that moment that he was proud of me. It was written all over his face. Rebel eventually came down and picked up the bass, sitting down and joining us. I glanced up to see my mother in the doorway. She had tears in her eyes and a smile that could light up the whole room.

We finished the song and she ushered us upstairs to eat. We discussed our plans as we ate. I had my hands full with the band. I’d been out of the loop for almost five weeks and I needed to get back to work. I made plans to have my mother’s belonging moved from her house in the South to my house, and my father was staying indefinitely. Things were starting to fall into place and I felt as if I could finally live the life I wanted.

“So, hiking when you’re up for it?” My father mussed my hair.

“Yes, for sure. I have a doctor’s appointment next week. Just a follow-up; he wants to be sure I’m healing properly internally,” I said.

“The weeks you were in the hospital…” My mother turned her head and wiped her eyes. “I was so worried you wouldn’t wake up.”

“Jax is like his dad.” My father grinned. “Tough as nails.”

“He is that.” Rebel kissed my forehead. “Strongest guy I know.”

“Okay, you’re all being weird. What’s going on?” I glanced around the table.

“Can’t we just all care about you?” Jasper took my hand. “You have family now, kid. This is what it looks like.” He motioned around the table.

“There’s a lot more family who wants to see you.” Rebel stood up and glanced at my parents. “Do you mind if I kidnap him for a bit?”

“You go right on ahead.” Jasper winked.

Rebel ushered me into the car and we began driving. It wasn’t until we left the town limits that I peered over at him. He was grinning from ear to ear.

“Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise.” He reached past me for the glove box. He pulled out a piece of fabric and handed it to me. “Put this on.”

“Seriously?”

“Please?” Rebel pouted.

I laughed and tied it around my head, making sure my eyes were covered. The ride seemed to go on forever, but then Rebel slowed down and I could tell we were at a traffic light.

“Are we there yet?” I joked.

“Don’t start that.” Rebel laughed. “We’re almost there.”

The car moved and a few minutes later, Rebel cut the engine and got out. He helped me out and we began walking. A door opened and then Rebel was helping me down some stairs. They went on forever and at one point, I lifted my hand to my face.

“No peeking!” Rebel slapped my hand away from the blindfold.

“Okay, okay!” I chuckled.

He held my elbow as he ushered me along. I tried to get a sense of where I was, but no luck. Rebel finally stopped walking and turned me around.

“Okay, keep that on for a few seconds.”

I nodded and then Rebel’s lips touched mine. In that same instant, the sound of a piano filled the space around us. I realized what it was right away — David Foster’s ‘Water Fountain’, one of my all-time favorite instrumentals. Rebel removed my blindfold and I peered around. My mouth dropped as I realized we were in the stadium. The stage right in front of us was dark except for the light on the person playing piano. It was Jinx. I was about to open my mouth when the rest of the stage was illuminated. There was an entire orchestra behind Jinx.

“Oh. My. God,” I whispered.

“Jinx owed me one for California, and I wanted to do something special for you. I know I’m not good with expressing how I feel verbally, so I thought this might help.”

Rebel took my hand and wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close.

“This is incredible, Rebel. I can’t believe you did this. How did you know about the song?”

“I saw the music sheet on your piano. It was tattered and torn, but that just means you played it a lot, which means it holds special meaning for you.”

“I always pictured myself in a romance movie, getting that kiss that just takes your breath away.” I glanced up at him. “I always thought of you during that kiss.”

“I’ll do my best.” Rebel grinned, catching my lips with his own.

One of his hands slid around to my nape, while the other cupped my cheek. I actually whimpered at its tenderness. Rebel broke from the kiss and we began to dance. His feet moved as though he was floating on air and I found myself breathless as we moved together. It was an experience I would never forget as long as I lived. I noticed the rest of the guys on one of our passes by the stage and Gareth grinned at me. They were all dressed in tuxedoes and I swiveled my head toward Rebel.

“You got more up your sleeve?”

“Maybe.” Rebel dipped me and then brought me back up slowly. “I want to spoil you.”

“Consider me spoiled.”

“We still have dinner.”

“Really?”

“Yep.”

After the song was over, the guys joined us and we all got on stage. They had all changed into their regular clothes and Gareth handed me a guitar. I tilted my head. “What’s going on?”

“This is your first concert.” He winked. “Let’s play!”

I stood out front with Gareth, Harley, and Rebel, and Ransom and I sang together. I knew their music backwards and forwards. I knew every lyric to every song they’d ever written. It felt wonderful to play, but I knew what my calling was. As much as I loved music, I wasn’t cut out for the limelight.

The guys were sweaty messes when we were done and we took off to get cleaned up and changed. We met in the parking lot and Rebel drove us to a restaurant. Once again, he got out and came around to my side, helping me out of the car.

“I’m okay, you know.” I ran my fingers through his hair as he took my hand. “I’m not going to break.”

“I’m still worried about you.”

“When we go to the doctor, he’ll put you at ease.”

“Let’s eat, people!” Harley bounded by us. “I’m starved!”

I laughed as Achilles took off after him. It’d been that way from the beginning, though. Harley running off and Achilles chasing him.

“Seems like old times,” Paul laughed, as he walked up next to me.

“You miss it?” I asked.

“Some days, yeah. But I know I’m where I belong right now.” He grinned, taking my other hand. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

“Me too, Paul. Me too.”