Epilogue
I watch from the back of the community center room. There’s an iPad on my lap with the calendar app up. I’m supposed to be chaperoning our new music instructor, Mr. Brady, and working on next month’s schedule for all the volunteers. But, frankly speaking, my attention has only been on Ty.
Today, he’s at the head of the class. A group of kids are gathered around him. They fumble through scales, the sound sweet and honest.
Ty’s joy is tangible. It’s been two months since the disastrous reunion and since he walked away from his manager, and all this time, I’ve been afraid he’d hate it here, like this, without any harness that would pull him back into that world he came from should things get boring.
However, so far, he’s been content with his decision.
He drops into a crouch next to a girl’s guitar, helping her find the right frets. She nods as he explains patiently.
I shove my hand into the large pocket of my summer jacket and squeeze the old promise ring in my fist. I’ve been carrying it around on me for weeks, unsure of what to do with it.
Still, I dug it out from the old box of memories in the attic because it meant something. And I think I now understand what.
Next to Ty, Asher moves through the group, handing out sheet music and nodding as the younger kids ask a thousand questions. He’s like a shadow, making sure things run smoothly, soaking up everything Ty has to give.
"And remember, guys, next week, we’re going to meet on Thursday," Ty says as the class is starting to wind down. "My assistant has the info." He gestures at Asher walking across the room.
The boy is eighteen now, and I’m glad he doesn’t need to stay with his parents. Instead, Adri found him a small studio near the community center. It’s tiny, four walls and a kitchenette. But it’s better than what he had before, and Ty’s paying him a little for all his help.
Eventually, the class draws to a close, and the room slowly empties. The kids pile out, clutching their guitars and chattering like it’s the best day of their lives.
I shut off my iPad and slide it into my handbag, then cross the room to where Ty’s standing and giving some instructions to Asher.
"The new music teacher did good, huh, Ms. Medina?" the boy beams at me.
"Yes." I nod. "Mr. Brady did really well. I don’t think I need to chaperone him anymore."
Ty offers me a grin, then ruffles Asher’s hair gently. "This kid did well too."
Asher’s cheeks pink. He seems nervous. "Hey, so… Are you coming to the gig this weekend?"
"I said I’d be there," Ty replies. "So I’ll be there."
Asher turns to me. "What about you, Ms. Medina?"
"Wouldn’t miss it."
Ty gives Asher’s shoulder a firm, reassuring pat. "Big stage. You ready for this?"
"Yeah, man. Phoenix Down’s always ready." Asher shifts his gaze to the floor briefly, then mumbles, "Thanks."
"No worries."
Ty had to call in a favor for this gig. His friend’s band is set to do a one-off show at the Palm Springs casino, and Ty asked if they could squeeze Phoenix Down into the lineup as openers. Just six songs.
"You guys just take it easy and do what you’ve been doing," Ty says. "The crowd will love you."
"Cool." Asher resumes moving chairs. "I’ll close up, Mr. B."
"Thanks. Tomorrow, be at the studio at nine a.m. sharp," Ty instructs, taking my hand.
"You got it."
We leave him to close up and walk over to Ty’s car.
The road bends and winds, a snake of possibilities cutting through the desert hills. We drive into the afternoon, into the sun and the distance as it casts everything in sparkling gold.
"He’s such a great kid," I comment as we continue on. "I’m happy he’s out of that trailer park."
"He’s talented," Ty supplies. "He’s on the right track if he stays away from his parents and his friends. They’re nothing but trouble."
"So that’s why you took him under your wing?"
Ty just shrugs. "I don’t have a manager anymore. I have to make all the decisions myself. I could use an assistant."
"Just admit it. You’re a softie."
"I never said I wasn’t."
We talk some more about his experience leading a class.
I give him a few pointers, and he pretends that he’s already perfect.
That ego of his won’t let him openly accept the possibility of defeat.
And I’m okay with that. I think that’s part of his charm, part of the reason why I fell for him in the first place.
The drive goes on and on until we finally park at the edge of the world, where everything feels as limitless as we once dreamed.
We sit on the hood of his car in the afternoon heat, and the expanse of the valley below seems as open and real as the future. Words hang between us, unspoken but heard. Our past, our plans, everything we couldn’t see at seventeen and the fear we don’t have anymore.
I lean into him, put my head on his shoulder, then break the silence, "How’s the album coming along?"
"Slowly," he says, a crooked grin pulling at his lips. "But I’ve got most of the tracks down."
"I’m proud of you."
"Too early to be proud."
"No, it’s not. You’ve been wanting to do this for a while."
"It’s rough," he admits.
"But it’s yours. No one else’s, and I can’t wait to hear it."
He smiles, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "You’re the reason I can do this," he says.
"Sure, I’ll take the credit." Another pause. "You’re serious about the studio?" I ask, still not quite sure he meant it. He spent half his life in big cities and on the move. The thought of Tyler Brady putting down roots is still hard to grasp.
"I am." He pulls me to him, my back against his chest. "The spot Jon just helped me close a deal on is perfect. Won’t take much to get it ready."
"And you’ve got a little helper too," I say, referring to Asher.
"Nomes," he whispers in my ear. "I’ve got lots of music in me. I couldn’t do it when I was in the band. I just couldn’t. But I think it’s time I get it out, and I think this will be a good start. And then…then when the time comes, we’ll see."
"You won’t hate me for it? For keeping you here?"
"Your family’s here. I know how important it is to you. My family’s here too. Just a short drive away." He laughs, the sound rolling across the hills. "Maybe the first record we track at my studio will be Phoenix Down’s debut EP."
"Really?" I twist to see his face. "You want to produce them?"
"Why not?" he says. "The kids have talent. I can whip them into shape if they want to keep doing it."
We sit like that, the light changing around us, the future spreading out below. The quiet settles in, comfortable and full.
"What’s Adri up to?" Ty finally asks.
I think of my brother, the new light in his eyes. "He’s taking time off work. Traveling. Finally. Focusing on his mental health. Sent me a picture from Tijuana last night."
"Good. That asshole needs it. I'm just not sure Tijuana is a nice place to visit if you're trying to lay off booze."
"Stop calling my brother names." I pause, then joke, "Only I can do that."
"Right. All of sudden you’re the protective, responsible sibling, and he’s the one who we need to be concerned about."
"He’s been through a lot. I was too blind to see it. But he spent his twenties in the military. That wasn’t easy."
Ty kisses the top of my head. "Okay, I’ll try to be nicer to him. But he also needs to be nicer to me. That constant threat of losing my balls is getting old."
"Well, let’s all go have dinner and hang out when he’s back," I suggest. I really don’t want to see the two most important men in my life arguing anymore.
"Then I’ll do my best," Ty promises.
We sit in silence again, staring at the valley, studying the field of windmills, the tiny palm trees, and the outlines of buildings and snaking roads.
"Ty," I start, pulling away just enough to face him. I reach into my pocket, the promise ring tight and familiar in my grip. I fish it out and hold it out to him.
His eyes lock on the ring first, then look into mine, and I see it there—the fear. The fear that I’ll change my mind.
"You can’t give it back, Nomes," he murmurs in a quivering voice. "I gave it to you because I loved you, still do. And you’re mine."
"No," I say softly. "I’m returning it to you because I want you to give it to me again. But this time, you gotta mean it."
"Oh." He thinks for a second. There’s a frown on his face, then he grabs the ring from my palm. "I should get you a better one. You deserve—"
"I want this one." I shake my head. "I just want another promise along with it, Ty. I want to know it’s real."
His expression softens, his eyes warm and true. The panic falls away, replaced with something I never thought I’d see again.
"Naomi," he says. "It’s always been real."
And it's everything I need to hear.
Ty slides the ring back onto my finger. I watch him, and I know this is what I want. I know we’ll make it this time.
He seals the promise with a kiss while the sun sets behind us, casting the world in endless light.