Chapter Eleven #2
“We’re all heading down to Oxfordshire for a meeting. You want us to pick you up, or are you driving yourself?”
“A meeting about what?”
“It’s a surprise,” he says smugly. “So what’s it gonna be?”
I shake my head at his cryptic bullshit even though he can’t see me. “I’ll drive. What time are we supposed to be there?”
“We’re leaving now.”
“Okay, no worries. I’ll head off too. See you there.”
I hang up, still wondering what the hell this is about.
If I am being honest with myself, I’m not in the mood for socializing, but clearly something important is happening, so I drag myself off the couch, grab my leather jacket, and head out the front door after snatching my keys off the bench on the way past.
The drive to the manor goes surprisingly fast thanks to the music blasting through my speakers. I’m really feeling it today, and for once, the songs aren’t just noise. They’re helping.
I thought about calling Indi again.
About driving back to the hospital.
About trying one more time to explain myself.
But after the disaster with the receptionist, I figured it was probably smarter to back off for a while before I made myself look even more pathetic.
I pull up at the manor gates and press the remote to open them. A second later, Dad’s car rolls up behind me. I haven’t seen Mum and Dad in a few days, so despite everything, it’ll be good to catch up with everyone and check on whatever weird tension is happening between Annie and Aston.
I park in my usual spot and climb out as Mum and Dad get out of their car behind me.
“Hey, how’s my boy doing?” Mum asks warmly before wrapping me in a hug. She’s tall, but still short enough that her head rests against my chest.
“I’m not a boy anymore, Mum. I’m twenty-four. Officially a man now, remember?”
“I know.” She laughs, pulling back to look at me properly. “I just like teasing you.” Then her expression softens. “You look tired. Are you okay?”
Jesus. She knows me too well.
“I’m fine, Mum. Haven’t been sleeping great.”
Dad walks over and slaps me on the back. “Mate, you look like absolute shit.”
Mum backhands him in the chest. “Hux!”
“What? He does!” Dad argues while grinning.
“He’s not sleeping. Leave him alone.”
Dad chuckles and wraps an arm around Mum’s shoulders before kissing the top of her head. “So why aren’t you sleeping? Something on your mind? You stressing about Annie and what happened at the party?”
Honestly, that’s easier than telling him the truth.
“Yeah,” I reply casually. “Just wanna make sure she’s okay, you know? She’s basically my little sister. I want to see her making better choices.”
Dad studies me for a second before smirking. “How the hell did you end up so smart?”
“Definitely not from my father,” I shoot back with a grin.
He gasps dramatically and clutches his chest. “That’s fucking rude.”
“You two,” Mum laughs, shaking her head. “C’mon, let’s get inside.”
She slips free from Dad’s arm and heads toward the manor while Dad grabs my arm before I can follow. “You really okay?” he asks quietly.
“Yeah, Dad. I’m fine.”
I squeeze his shoulder reassuringly, but he still looks unconvinced.
“Well, if you ever need to talk—”
“I know. Thanks, Dad.”
He smiles softly before smacking me on the back again.
“Hurry up, you slackers,” Mum calls over her shoulder.
We head inside and walk through the foyer toward the music room. Mum instantly joins the other mothers on the couch. Dad and I stand off to the side with the rest of the guys, while everyone talks amongst themselves.
“So Caleb,” Dad says quietly beside me. “Seriously… you look rough. Talk to me, son.”
My chest tightens unexpectedly.
Dad loved Indi too. She’d basically become the daughter he never had, so maybe… maybe talking to someone wouldn’t hurt.
“Okay,” I murmur. “But don’t make a big thing out of it.” He nods once. “The night I took Annie to the hospital…”
“Yeah?”
“I saw someone.”
Dad frowns. “It’s a hospital, mate. There are heaps of people there. You’ll need to narrow that down a little.”
I glance around to make sure nobody’s listening before lowering my voice further. “It was Indi.”
Dad’s eyes widen. “What? Jesus. Is she okay? Was she hurt?”
“No, nothing like that. She works there. She helped Annie sober up.”
“Oh.” He exhales slowly. “Right. So… how’d that go?”
I laugh bitterly under my breath. “She wants nothing to do with me. It’s been six years, and she still hasn’t forgiven me.”
Dad’s expression shifts. “I know how much you loved her. Hell, we all loved her. But if she’s decided she doesn’t want you in her life anymore, you’ve gotta respect that. She’s been through horrible shit, Caleb. Maybe seeing you brings all those memories back for her.”
The words hit me like a punch straight to the gut.
Fuck.
I never even considered that seeing me might trigger all those horrible memories for her.
Dead parents.
Losing everything.
Leaving.
I am a selfish asshole.
“Yeah,” I mutter. “You’re probably right. It was just… hard letting her go again.”
Dad squeezes my shoulder. “Well, hopefully today cheers you up a little.”
“Still being cryptic, huh?”
He smirks. “Just wait.” Then he nods toward the other side of the room. “Go check on your cousin. She looks almost as miserable as you do.”
I glance toward Annie and notice her staring at the floor while Aston looks equally wrecked nearby.
Fantastic.
I head over and pat Annie lightly on the shoulder. “How you feeling?”
She looks up and smiles weakly. “Better. And thank you again… for everything. You’re the best cousin ever.”
I snort. “Considering I’m your only cousin, that’s not exactly a high bar. But I’ll take it.”
She laughs softly before glancing toward Aston again, then back at me.
“Things are weird between you two now, huh?” I ask quietly.
She nods miserably. “I don’t know how to act around him.”
I wrap an arm around her shoulders and pull her into my side. “Well, as long as you can fake your way through rehearsals and performances, I’ll be happy. Think you can manage that?” Genuine concern colors my voice because the band falling apart before it even starts would be a fucking disaster.
“Yeah,” she says quickly. “I’ve got this.”
Before I can say anything else, Colt claps his hands loudly. “Okay, everyone, listen up! Can I get your attention for a minute?”
I kiss the side of Annie’s head before moving over toward my mic stand while the room slowly quiets.
“So obviously there’s a reason everyone’s here tonight,” Colt begins while grinning. “And what I haven’t told you is that Rob Luxley will be here in about ten minutes to listen to you guys perform.”
My entire body freezes.
What?
“I think you’re all ready for this,” Colt continues proudly. “He’s heard us talking about the band nonstop, and he wants to see your potential for himself.”
“Oh my God, Dad. Are you fucking serious?” Annie asks, her voice coming out louder than intended.
“Very serious, and don’t swear, Annie,” he replies. “But don’t get ahead of yourselves. Your sound is different. More modern. He might not connect with it. And that’s okay. Rejection is part of this industry.”
Holy. Fucking. Shit.
My mouth literally falls open while my heart launches into my throat. I’ve wanted this band to go somewhere for as long as I can remember, and now an actual agent is coming here to watch us play?
Annie and Ella both shriek excitedly while Aston looks as stunned as I feel.
And all of a sudden, every ounce of sadness weighing me down vanishes beneath a tidal wave of adrenaline and excitement.
I look over at Dad, and he grins knowingly at me like he knew this would pull me out of my head.
This is everything I’ve ever wanted. A real shot at becoming the musician I’ve dreamed about being my entire life. A chance to follow the family legacy and make music people care about. Music the world might one day hear.
Music Indi always believed I was capable of making.
And right now, standing in this room with my guitar in my hands and excitement rushing through me so hard I can barely breathe…
I don’t think life could get any better than this.