Chapter One #2
Damn, he took up a lot of space now. Ledger supposed the same could be said of him, but wow.
Ledger couldn’t stop looking at Kash from the corner of his eye.
His hands were tattooed. His everything was covered in ink.
There were scars on his knuckles that hadn’t been there before.
What the fuck had happened to him in the last five years?
Ledger wanted to ask, but it was too loud and not the time.
He forced his eyes toward the stage and watched his son own the world.
Ledger couldn’t be prouder of him. Without thinking, he rubbed his chest. There was an empty hole where his son used to be.
Nowadays, he looked like the star he was—hair dyed silver and brushing his shoulders.
Valon’s face showed every cut line from never eating and always being on the move.
Ledger blew out a slow breath. He didn’t know Valon anymore.
That hurt way more than anyone could understand.
It had just been them since his ex-husband abandoned them the moment Valon had turned eighteen.
They had thrown a huge birthday bash that lasted for hours.
When it was over, Ry had grabbed two packed suitcases Ledger hadn’t known about and walked out the door.
Ledger wanted to say he hadn’t seen it coming.
Unfortunately, a few months before he left, Ry had started talking nonstop about a new bodybuilder at his gym.
His nights had gotten longer. The days off disappeared.
In his heart, Ledger had known he was cheating.
He had truly hoped their twenty years together would win in the end.
It seemed he never stood a chance. Ledger blinked, wishing the past would stop haunting his every waking moment.
That had been seven years ago. He should be over it.
Ledger was over it. It was the trauma and betrayal he couldn’t shake—the way the entire bullshit had turned him bitter and made him automatically not trust anyone he met.
Then Valon had vanished into the world of fame, leaving Ledger with nothing but the horrible person he became. It was lonely. He was lonely.
A light tap on his shoulder broke through the silent spiraling. “It’s time.”
At security’s warning, he turned his head to tell Kash the plan.
He found Kash’s intense stare locked on him.
While Kash was unreadable, Ledger’s heart skipped a beat.
He wasn’t sure if it was fear or something else.
Before he had time to decipher his feelings, Kash stood and immediately positioned himself where he could keep Ledger safe.
It seemed Kash considered this a genuine job.
One he took seriously and was obviously good at.
As they headed to the green room, he swore he felt Kash on his heels.
It felt strange, but at least he knew the person who would always be in his personal space now.
In an unlucky turn of events, he didn’t even get a moment to speak with Kash before Valon came crashing through a different door. He looked high on adrenaline.
Valon was all smiles and childlike energy. “How was the show?”
Ledger didn’t even sit. That was how on edge he was. “It was great. You always put on an amazing show. I’m proud of you.”
Valon’s gaze didn’t look Kash’s way for even a second. “I’m so glad you came tonight. It feels like forever since we’ve seen each other.”
A nervous chuckle slipped from Ledger. “That’s because it has been. You’re too busy for me now.”
Valon made a dismissive gesture and grabbed a bottle of water from an ice bucket on the table. “I bought you a friend. Bonus points, it’s someone you know. You’ll be good.”
So he had known. His chest hurt so much, he wondered if he was having a heart attack. His son had bought him a friend. The entire situation was worse than he thought. “Ah. This entire thing has been about getting me off your back. I see.”
Valon looked his way after chugging half the bottle. He rolled his eyes. “You act like I’m treating you like a kid or something. You went and made yourself internet famous. I have guards.” He made a hand gesture in the complete opposite direction of where his guards stood. “It’s part of the life.”
Ledger wanted to scream and throw shit. He didn’t even know this person standing in front of him. He had to change the subject. “Are you still good to spend the day with me tomorrow before you leave town?”
Valon eyed the drink selection after tossing his bottle in the direction of the trash. A guard grabbed it and tossed it in. “We’ll see. Bond says at least three local news outlets have reached out for interviews. You know, the whole local-boy angle. I need to look that over.”
Ledger pinched the spot between his eyes. It wasn’t as if Valon looked at him anyway. There was no need for him to hide his aggravation.
The same door Valon had appeared through was thrown open. An obnoxious screamed growl cut through the air. Ledger’s ears still rang from the concert, and that didn’t stop him from cringing at the sound. Valon’s drummer held up two bottles of expensive liquor.
Valon headed that way without looking back. “Yes! Thank fuck.” He was gone before Ledger could ask a single question.
“Your car is here.”
Ledger was closer to tears than he wanted to admit.
Strong hands squeezed his shoulders. “I’m sorry.” The softly spoken words nearly pushed him over the edge. He didn’t know whether he felt better or worse having Kash witness him losing his son. At least he wasn’t going home alone. Maybe he needed a drink too.