EPILOGUE
“The effort it’s taking to remain professional right now is…” Soph trails off as I pull her into me for a hug.
It’s warm out tonight, and I’m already sweating because I’m covered head to toe, but I can’t resist feeling her body pressed against me.
“Herculean?” I ask before kissing her temple.
She nods, and the tip of her nose brushes the strip of exposed skin above the collar of my shirt. “The mask is coming home with us,” she whispers. “I have plans.”
Her voice hides nothing. I never thought I’d perform as Raven again, for so many reasons, but it may be worth it just for this reaction from her.
“Bank robbery or luchador?” I deadpan.
Her chest rumbles against me in silent laughter.
“I had fantasies about Raven for years.” She stands on tiptoe and presses her lips to the fabric covering my ear.
Her breath is hot when she says, “I don’t think you understand.
It’s obscene how much I want you to thoroughly defile me while wearing this. ”
“I’m about to go on stage in front of seventy thousand people, you can’t say things like that,” I rasp, as I adjust myself in my jeans. We’ve been together for a year now, and all it takes is a few words or a look from her, and I’m ready to go.
“Ever, you ready?” Scout calls out. She’s standing at the top of the three or four stairs I’ll climb to gain side stage access. “You’re on in less than sixty seconds.”
“Ready,” I call back, before I release Soph.
She holds my gaze. “This is the send-off Treachery’s Riot deserved. The one you deserved. You’re about to surprise thousands of fans and give them a moment they never dreamed possible. Go have fun and soak in the love.”
I lean in to give her one last kiss, just a quick peck on the lips. “There might be thousands watching, but this one’s for you. I love you.” If the engagement ring in my pocket goes to plan, the crowd won’t be the only one who’s surprised.
“I love you too.”
This feels right. Being here surrounded by friends to end this chapter and officially begin the next.
Last night, Thicker Than Water headlined day two of Rook’s inaugural festival.
They’ve wanted to do it for years, and it finally all came together.
It’s a balanced blend of up-and-coming bands and tried-and-true fan favorites, and all the money raised goes to cancer research.
The camaraderie and friendly atmosphere they curated feels intentional.
It’s a reflection and a testament to their character.
It’s been the best weekend of my career yet, hands down.
Tonight is the final night, and Rook, fittingly so, is headlining. They’ve asked a few different artists to perform with them during their set. When they asked me if I’d be willing to sing a Treachery’s Riot song with them, I jumped at the chance.
Thicker Than Water’s debut album has been out for four months now.
We took our time writing and fleshing out our sound, locked away in that house in the mountains.
The solitude and peace were the perfect muse for creativity.
It’s the first album I’ve released that I’m one hundred percent proud of because I didn’t have to sacrifice or compromise.
There’s satisfaction in that that’s priceless.
Being in the studio with Jess, Gus, and Franco was the experience I wish every musician could have.
Collaboration and innovation, but also just humans genuinely wanting the best for other humans and doing whatever they could to make that happen.
It was everything I didn’t know was possible.
Soph’s been beside us every step of the way, making dreams happen, pumping the brakes when she can see we need time, and leaning into momentum when stars align.
Watching her grow into her confidence has been the best part of all of this.
Seeing the woman I love with every fiber of my being wake up beside me every day with her chin held high and her eyes on a future, no longer restrained by fear or doubt, is inspiring.
And hot. We feed, fill, and fuel each other, the thoughtfulness effortless, the connection seamless, the support unwavering, the attraction white hot.
Burdens lightened and life shared. It’s love that’s pure in intention, bold in action, and ride or fucking die.
I would go to war for this woman. And I know she’d do the same for me.
Taking her hand, I walk up the steps, and she trails behind. Rook has just finished up a song, and I can hear Gus talking to the crowd. As the familiar notes of a song I wrote years ago in a shed on my uncle’s farm begin to play, I take a deep breath and take the live mic from Scout.
A year ago, I was running from the stage. From life. Exhausted, burned out, lost, and lonely.
But the music followed me, the passion digging in its claws and refusing to give up. Music has been a teacher, a therapist, a vessel to hold my emotions when they were too much for me to carry.
It was also a land mine.
That I dodged.
Until I didn’t.
Because I knew it was the dream.
That I needed to blow up.
With people I love and trust.
To get to the really, really good stuff.