Chapter 8
8
Cash
I zipped my suitcase and lifted it from the bed as Britt came out of the bathroom with an armful of toiletries.
“Think we’re forgetting anything?” she asked, packing her stuff in her bag.
“I don’t think so,” I replied. “We’re only going to be gone for two days, and it’s not like there aren’t stores in Toronto if we need to pick up something.”
“That’s true.” She nodded. “I’m so glad we’re finally getting a little time together, even if it’s just a couple of days. I thought living together meant we’d see each other more, but it feels as though our schedules haven’t aligned since we moved here.”
I watched her for a moment, thinking about how much we both had on our plate. As soon as we got settled in Boston, Britt started working long hours in the ER. It took a little longer for me to figure out my job situation, but after about a month, I began working for a local agency and had just finished up with my first client a week ago.
During all of that, Britt never complained about our time apart or her busy schedule, but the dark circles under her eyes and the way she sank into bed every night spoke volumes.
I reached for her hand. “For the next two days, let’s not worry about any of that other stuff, okay? We’ll just enjoy some good music, visit with your brother, and maybe sleep in for a change.”
She chuckled. “Sleep sounds heavenly.”
I gave her a peck. “Now, let’s finish packing. We’ve got to be at the airport by seven tomorrow morning.”
The drive from the Toronto airport to the hotel wasn’t long, but Britt still filled the time with stories about Silas and Surrender.
“I remember when they started playing local shows.” She pulled up an old picture on her phone of the band when they were teenagers. “They played at Flanagan’s a few times, but some of the other places were super sketchy—the kind of bars that let minors play as long as they were out before ten.”
I could imagine a young Silas behind a drum set in some rundown bar. “Their band must have been pretty good even back then if they were booking shows.”
Britt nodded. “They were, but that didn’t stop Silas from getting nervous before every gig. He’d pace around the house, tapping on anything he could get his hands on, but once he stepped on stage, it was like a switch flipped. You could see the nerves disappear. It’s like he was meant for the spotlight.”
I glanced over at her, a smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. “Any time you or your parents talk about him, I can hear how proud y’all are. He’s a lucky guy to have such a supportive family.”
She shrugged. “He’s worked hard to get where he is, and as his big sister, I’m so proud of him.”
When we arrived at the hotel, the lobby was full of guests, and a lot of them wore Surrender shirts. While I checked us in, Britt typed out something on her phone.
“Silas said he’ll meet us down here in a few minutes to go to lunch.” Britt slipped her phone into her purse.
Once we had our key, we rushed upstairs and dropped off our luggage before returning to the lobby. However, “a few minutes” turned into almost thirty before the elevator’s doors opened, and Silas sauntered over to us. The sunglasses hiding his eyes and his disheveled hair led me to believe he’d been up all night.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” He pulled Britt into a hug before turning to me with his hand out. “Cash. Good to see you again, man.”
“You too.” We shook.
“So, I’m starving. Do you guys want to eat at the restaurant here?” he asked.
I glanced at Britt who nodded. “Sounds good to us.”
As we walked down the hall, Britt hooked her arm with Silas’s. “You look exhausted already, and you haven’t even had your first show yet. Are you doing okay?”
“I’m fine.” He brushed off her concern. “Just had a late night.”
Britt frowned but didn’t push.
Did she suspect what I did? Could she tell he wasn’t just tired but hungover? Or maybe worse?
We reached the restaurant, and Silas perked up once he drank some coffee. After placing our lunch order, Britt excused herself and went to the bathroom, leaving Silas and me alone.
“You ready for tonight?” I took a sip of water.
He grinned. “Absolutely. The last couple of months have been intense, but now that hard work is going to pay off. The setlist’s solid, and I heard tickets sold out. Should be a good show.”
“I’m looking forward to watching you guys play,” I admitted. “Britt had me listen to your album when it was released, and I’ve been playing it a lot since.”
“Are you officially a Surrender fan now?” he teased.
I chuckled. “I think I am.”
The energy in the arena was like nothing I’d ever experienced before. Thousands of fans packed the seats, and they were all dancing and singing along as the opening act, Midnight Thunder, performed.
The tickets we’d gotten from Silas gave us an unobstructed view of the stage, and I could feel my excitement building as the crew came out to change the setup between acts.
Britt leaned toward me and said, “I can’t believe how many people are here. I knew they were popular, but seeing it in person is surreal.”
I nodded, glancing around. “Yeah, this is really cool.”
The first few notes of Surrender’s opening song began, and the crowd cheered. When Silas’s drumbeat kicked in, my eyes shifted to him. He sat behind the drums shirtless, the muscles in his arms flexing as he played. When his image flashed on the giant screen above the stage, I noticed, for possibly the first time since meeting him, a level of clarity and focus in his eyes that had been lacking before. It was obvious this was where he was most comfortable.
“This is even better than I thought it would be,” Britt shouted into my ear.
After performing “Silver Lining,” lead singer Malachi Danvers addressed the crowd. “All right, everyone. We’ve got something special for you tonight.”
The audience cheered as guitarist Jesse Bennett removed his guitar. Then, a single spotlight focused on him as he grabbed the mic and began to sing. It wasn’t a song I recognized, but he was clearly singing directly to a woman standing just a few seats away from us.
He walked to the edge of the stage with his gaze locked on her, and she covered her mouth with her hands. A hush fell over the crowd when he stopped singing, knelt, and pulled a small black box from his pocket.
“Liv,” he started. “You are my rock, my best friend, and the love of my life. I can’t imagine spending another day without you as my wife. Will you marry me?”
She nodded, and the crowd went wild. With a bit of help from security, she was lifted onto the stage. Jesse stood, slipped the ring onto her finger, then pulled her in for a kiss. When they pulled apart, he took her hand and turned back to the audience. “Toronto, she said yes!”
His new fiancée made her way back to her seat, and Silas and his bandmates congratulated their friend before continuing with the concert. For the remaining songs, I found myself watching Silas more than anyone else. The way he played was impressive. Hell, it was more than impressive. It was captivating.
When Surrender finished their last song, they received a huge ovation, but no one was louder than Britt, who was on her feet, clapping and hollering like a proud older sister.
“That was incredible!” she exclaimed, her face lit up excitedly. “Wasn’t that amazing?”
My gaze lingered on Silas as he waved to the crowd before disappearing off stage with the rest of the band. “It really was.”
Britt grabbed my hand, tugging me toward the exit. “Come on, we’ve got to get backstage.”
I followed along, but my thoughts were still on Silas. He wasn’t just talented. He was the kind of performer who commanded attention. And tonight, he’d had mine.
The after-party was already in full swing when Britt and I entered the private lounge. We scanned the area and quickly spotted Silas, still shirtless, laughing with a group of people near the bar.
“Silas!” Britt called, waving to get his attention.
He turned, his expression lighting up when he saw us. “Britt! Cash!” He motioned us over.
Britt could barely contain her excitement as she threw her arms around his neck. “You were amazing! The whole show was!”
“Thanks.” Silas beamed as he hugged her back. “It felt good to get the first one out of the way finally.”
“I think that’s one of the best concerts I’ve ever attended,” I admitted. “You were on another level.”
His smile faltered slightly like he hadn’t expected me to compliment him. “Appreciate that, man. Really.” The bartender approached, and Silas ordered shots for the three of us. When they arrived, he raised his glass. “Thanks for being here tonight.”
We clinked our glasses together.
“Are you guys going to stay for a while?” Silas asked after we downed our shots.
“We’re heading back to the hotel. I promised this guy”—she wrapped an arm around my waist—“some quality time.”
“Say no more.” He laughed, hugged his sister, and then looked at me. “Thanks again for coming. It really meant a lot to me.”
“Wouldn’t have missed it,” I replied, meeting his gaze.
“Oh!” Britt stopped as we started to walk away. “Will you tell Jesse congratulations for me? I would tell him myself, but I don’t think they’re getting a break from the other well-wishers any time soon.”
He nodded. “Will do.”
“Catch you when you play in Boston, little bro.” She gave a final wave.
Britt and I hadn’t made any plans to go to that concert yet, but I’d love to see Surrender perform again.