Chapter 24
twenty-four
Jeremy
Have you even seen any of Tate’s performance?” Brooks drops a hand on my shoulder. “I don’t think you’ve looked at the stage once.”
“What do you mean, I’m watching.” My eyes stay glued to Tristyn. She looks happy.
I don’t know if she’s looked this happy since I’ve met her. I guess all the places I’ve seen her at since we met wouldn’t really cause this kind of happiness, but I like seeing her smile.
I don’t think I’ve ever paid attention to someone like this. I remember when the guys used to tell me a girl was flirting with me, and I never believed them, but now I honestly think hockey was taking up too much of my mind for me to notice something like that.
“I guess we should be honored that he’s more focused on that girl in the audience than his best friend on stage.” Becca bends down next to me so we’re face to face, and my eyes find hers. “We did give up our seats so he could give her the tickets.”
“Actually, that ticket wasn’t originally yours anyway.” Brooks crosses his arms, resting against the pole. “Liv and I would be sitting in the audience right now if she didn’t have to cancel.”
“Now I see why you never hang out with the rest of the crew,” Becca begins. “You’re whipped. And no fun.”
“Fuck you.” Brooks rolls his eyes.
“Can you both shut up? I’m trying to enjoy Tate’s last song.”
“I’m surprised you even know where she’s at in her setlist.”
“I’m surprised you even know where she’s at in her setlist.” I mock, and she shoves my head to the side.
My eyes scan the crowd again, and to my surprise, when I find Tristyn in the audience, she’s already looking at me. She curls her bottom lip into her mouth and then shifts her gaze back to Tate.
“You like her.”
“I don’t know.”
“If you’re not convinced you do, then you’re an idiot.”
“We already knew that,” Brooks adds.
“Thank you so much, Chicago, you’ve been an absolute dream.” Tate blows kisses into the crowd.
It’s crazy seeing all of these people cheer for her…
and almost crazier to see her on a stage in front of a crowd this size.
I remember when we would all be hanging out, and the guys and Brin would be doing some stupid shit, or watching some horrible movie, and Tate always had a notebook in front of her so she could write lyrics if something came to her.
And now she’s here.
“Holy shit, Tate.” Becca pulls Tate into her arms when she reaches us at the side stage. “You were incredible.”
“I was a little shaky on the chorus of my second song.”
“You were great.”
“I didn’t think you were paying attention. A certain redhead in the audience seemed to have most of it.”
“Alright, I didn’t realize this was a gang up on Jeremy night.” I follow Tate through the side stage until we reach her dressing room.
“I can’t believe you have a dressing room.” Brooks shakes his head. “I also can’t believe you’re touring with Gracie Dunn, Tate. Like what a fucking year.”
“Tell me about it.” The mood shifts, and I shake my head. “Oh, fuck, I didn’t mean this,” I motion to my wheelchair, “or to make it all about me, I meant the championship win and then Tate touring. A lot of dreams are coming true.”
“Maybe we can make one of yours come true tonight.” Becca grins, and my stomach sinks.
“What did you have in mind?”
“Oh, you can’t tell me you haven’t thought about a million different ways you could ask that girl out.”
“I’m not going to ask her out.”
“Why not?”
“Because—”
“Tatum Lewis, I didn’t know you had it in you.” Fletcher walks through the door and sweeps Tate up into his arms. “The videos you’ve shown me didn’t do it justice, that was—”
“Incredible.” Brin cuts him off. “Like, people were singing your lyrics. How cool is that?”
“Almost as cool as you getting to meet Colson Young after his set.”
“Shut up. That’s not happening.” Brinley’s eyes light up.
“I’ve told him a lot about you,” Tate looks around, “all of you guys, and he would love to meet you.”
“Your dream of marrying Colson Young might actually come true.” Ember pokes Brinley’s stomach.
“Alright, let’s not talk so loud.” Brinley pushes her away, and Jax smiles. “He could hear you.”
Ember rolls her eyes.
“So, what’s the plan for your last night here?” Declan asks. “We have to celebrate this momentous occasion.”
“Isn’t that what we’re doing right now?” Tate shrugs.
“You need something better than a dressing room party. Plus, after tonight, we lose you for nearly another six weeks.” I cross my arms. “We’re celebrating.”
“Fine, only if you invite your girlfriend.”
“Actually, just realized I’m completely busy tonight and should get going.”
“Busy with Tristyn.” Zeke wiggles his eyebrows.
“I hate you all. I don’t know why I tell anyone anything anymore.”
“We’re just happy for you.” Brinley drops a hand on my shoulder. “She could be really good for you.”
“I kind of have to ask her out before we can figure out if that’s true.”
“Then ask her out.” Zeke drops onto the couch.
“It’s not that easy.”
“Why not?”
“It’s just not.”
I don’t want to get into the wheelchair of it all. I had a hard enough time talking to girls when they were throwing themselves at me. The guys know that I was always missing the cues, and now they want me to throw myself into what this could possibly become.
I don’t think they understand what being in a wheelchair means for dating. My dating life will never be like theirs, not until I’m out of this thing… if I ever get out of it.
I can’t walk right now without assistance from bars and a back brace. Even though it’s progress, there’s no saying this chair isn’t a permanent part of my life. Just because I can move my legs a bit easier without using my hands doesn’t mean anything.
“Well, I think she’d be very lucky,” Avalon begins. “Any girl would be.”
I smile as she drops down on the couch next to Zeke.
“Alright, I’m going to go watch Colson’s set from the wings. Anyone want to join me?” Tate asks, and the girls’ hands shoot up.
I shake my head as I watch them all shuffle out the door, leaving just us guys chilling in the dressing room.
“I don’t get it.” Zeke throws a piece of popcorn in his mouth.
“So, you have no interest in watching Gracie Dunn perform from the wing?” I glance over at Zeke, and his eyes narrow at me.
“Touché.”
Idon’t think any of us expected the night to go the way it did.
It’s nearly three in the morning, and somehow the whole party ended up back at our place.
A lot of the crew have gone home, or at least to where they’re retiring for the night, but a handful of us are sitting in the living room.
Brinley, Ember, Declan, Tate, Fletcher, Jax, and I are hanging with two people I never expected to be in our house—
Gracie Dunn and Colson Young.
“That didn’t fucking happen.” Jaxon shakes with laughter. “You’re lying, man.”
“Hand on my heart, man. Ended up in another city on the other side of the country.” Colson takes a sip of his beer. “That’s why I’d rather fans know it’s my tour bus than have a generic one.”
“You slept for that long that you didn’t realize?” Brinley asks. “And how did no one realize you were on the wrong bus?”
“Hell, if I know.”
“They were just trying to get rid of him.” Gracie drops a hand on his leg. “I’ve tried to leave him at a few of our stops with no luck.”
“What about you, Tater-Tot, any exciting road stories?” Declan leans back against the couch.
“Tater-Tot?” Colson raises an eyebrow.
“It’s what my dad calls me, and for some reason it’s started to catch on.”
“As Zeke would say, we needed to make sure you had the perfect nickname,” Declan continues.
“You all call me Tate… which is a literal nickname.”
“I don’t make the rules.” Declan shrugs.
“I think it’s cute.”
I feel Fletcher tense up next to me, but it lasts only for a moment before his shoulders relax. I look down and see Tate’s hand squeezing his. I shouldn’t be surprised that she noticed. Just because the two of them broke up doesn’t mean she doesn’t still know him better than all of us.
“So, Brinley,” Colson leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees, “Tate tells me you’re a pretty big fan.”
“Oh, did she now?”
“Pretty sure my exact words were ‘she thinks you’re attractive,’ but sure, go with big fan.”
“I’ll be honest, your old stuff is a whole lot better than your new stuff. It used to be raw and emotional, now it’s a little too mainstream country for me.”
Colson falls back onto the couch, mimicking getting stabbed in the heart.
“That hurts, Brinley. Truly.”
“It’s not bad, just not as good as your old stuff.”
“I’ve been telling him that for ages,” Gracie jumps in. “When I heard Don’t You Ever Give It Back to Me, I felt like my heart was ripped out of my chest. Listening to his first album really made me realize I needed him to go on tour with me.”
“Guess it’s true what they say about a sophomore slump.” Jax leans back.
“Actually, his second album was pretty good as well,” Brinley continues. “Album three was the big downfall.”
“Well, my records are selling just fine, and I’m performing a handful of those songs on this tour, and the fans seem to love them.”
“You do unbutton the top half of your shirt about halfway through your set, so I don’t know if it’s the music your fans are loving.” Brinley takes a drink of her soda.
“Oh, come on, Miss Brinley. You loved it.”
Jax lets out a little snicker as Brinley’s cheeks get red. Her phone buzzes, and the trance she was in is gone.
“Oh shit, is that the time?” She stands up, sets her can down on the table, and then grabs her jacket from the back of the couch. “That was Alex.” She scratches the back of her neck. “Just wanted to make sure I made it to my place okay, and obviously I’m not there, so—”
“You could stay here tonight,” Declan suggests.
“Or you could forget all about Alex and stay with me tonight.” Colson teases. Brinley gives him a subtle glare as Gracie smacks him in the back of the head. “I was kidding.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I’d really like to sleep in my own bed tonight.”
“Let me drive you home.” Ember stands up, but Brinley waves her off.
“Alex offered to come get me.”
“Are you sure? It would be easier—”
“Yeah, he doesn’t mind. We haven’t seen a lot of each other this week, so…”
“Alright.” Ember hugs Brinley. “Let me know when you get home.”
“I will. Love you.” Brinley gives her another squeeze. “Love you guys.”
She gives us a small wave and then disappears out the front door.
“That Alex dude is a lot better than me.” Colson’s eyes shift from the front door back to the group. “You would not catch me driving to pick a girl up and bring her home at three in the morning.”
“That’s because you’re not a romantic.” Gracie leans into him. “But tonight you’ll have to be. You’re in charge of the Uber. I got to pee, and then we need to go. We leave too early to stay out.”
Gracie pushes off the couch and heads down the hall to the bathroom.
“You coming back with us?” Colson looks at Tate.
“Fletch is going to drive me to the hotel first thing to load up. Thank you, though.”
“Ah, another gentleman.”
“I think this is my sign to turn in for the night.” Ember stretches, and Declan pats the back of her thigh.
“You staying here tonight?” He looks up at her.
“If that’s okay with you.”
“It’s more than okay.” Declan stands and then presses his lips to hers. “We’re heading to bed. Sleep well, everyone. Last one to bed, please lock the door.”
Colson gives a salute to Declan as Declan and Ember disappear upstairs.
“Uber should be here in five,” Colson says as Gracie walks out of the bathroom.
“Thank you, guys, for tonight. I can’t remember the last time a night felt like this. It felt like home.”
“You’re always welcome.” Jax waves. “As long as you don’t bring him.”
Gracie chuckles, and Colson shakes his head.
“I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”
“Goodnight.”
“Night.” I wave.
Then the living room clears out, aside from Jax and me.
“You need anything before I turn in?”
“No. I’m good.”
And for the first time in a while, I actually mean it.