27. golden thing
TWENTY-SEVEN
GOLDEN THING
Cade
Touring feels so right and being in a band and making music with my favorite people is something I didn’t actually think would happen for me. As much as I love the stage and the brotherhood and the craft of being a musician, I still feel some imposter syndrome. This past month on the road feels like a glimpse into the rest of our lives, but I’m scared I’m going to wake up one day and be forty years old working a boring desk job and this was all just some fantastic fever dream.
My heart felt like it was beating out of my chest when I first told Halle that everything's always for her, but then I looked at her and everything in me settled and I knew it was right. All I have to do is get her to see that we would be so good together.
Maybe spending a few days in San Diego will show her. It’s the Fourth, so we’re planning on going down to the beach for a bonfire and to watch fireworks tonight. I’m glad that we’re not scheduled to perform or drive today. I’m not really sure how he did it, but Eager Eyes’ tour manager somehow lined up almost every show to be on a weekend night, with midweek shows only every couple of weeks. Which is why this tour is so long and we’re basically only hitting the west coast. We’ll be back, playing a hometown show in Seattle to close it out in a little over a month-and-a-half, and I’m really looking forward to it.
We’ve been getting more fans and followers every night. For the first couple of shows in Boise and Denver, most people showed up for Eager Eyes more than halfway through our set, but each night is getting better and better, and last night’s crowd was the best by far. People were screaming our songs back to us—that’s a feeling unlike any other. I had to remind myself more than usual last night that it’s real and that I couldn’t just stop and stare off in the middle of our set.
I’ve never been to San Diego before and the sun feels so good on my Vitamin D deprived Seattle skin. The whole day’s been pretty chill, all still reeling from last night. Halle sold out of all the merch that she allocated for it; there were people still in line for us, for Tryhard , so she ran out to the van to grab a few extras. She said the people waiting were really nice and that if they weren’t, she wouldn’t have gone out to get more.
Another merch pick up is supposed to be happening soon, I think when we get to LA at the end of this week. That should be the final merch delivery of the tour, so if it doesn’t carry us through to the end, then at least we’ll be ending in Seattle with our screen printing friends and we’ll put in a rush order.
I’m so proud of Halle. I feel like I say that a lot, but it’s probably the truest thing I’ve ever thought. She’s incredible. She’s nonstop fun on our drives and coffee shop dates. She’s also been dabbling in new creative ventures recently—like her junk journal or whatever she calls it, I don’t know why she calls it ‘junk’, they’re cool mementos that she’s saving. I’ve managed to sneak some peeks at her sketchbook and have found some fun designs that will probably find their way into the real world after the whirlwind that is tour.
Today we’ve all just been hanging around the hotel doing our own thing. I’ve been trying to figure out the same song that I’ve been working on for months. No matter what I try, it’s not right. The only other song I’ve had trouble with was Distract Me. For some reason, this one has higher stakes and I can’t work my way through it.
I hear a knock on my door and I say a silent ‘thank you’ to whoever is on the other side of it. I set my guitar down in its case and walk over to the door, I don’t even bother to check who it is before swinging it wide open.
“Hey.” Halle’s eyes meet mine, and suddenly not finishing the song is the least of my worries.
“Hey.”
“I’m just dropping by to ask if you’d wanna head down to the beach a little earlier than we all planned to. Maybe we could find another coffee shop?”
My mouth curves up into a smile, and I let out a giggle at the memory of this morning. I need a manly word for giggle . “San Diego needs redemption after that disaster this morning.”
She giggles back and the sound is so sweet it may as well be honey dripping off her lips instead.
“Exactly what I was thinking. So, you in?” She gently leans on the door frame and I think I understand why women find it attractive when guys do it. Despite her small stature, she’s all I can see right now.
“Yeah, let’s go. Just have to grab my wallet. Maybe a jacket in case it gets cold.” I turn and head back into my room as she stays in the doorway.
“Cade, it’s July in San Diego.”
“Hey, you can never be too sure.”
We walk to the elevator and she’s already looking up coffee shops.
Honestly, this morning wasn’t actually a disaster. The coffee just wasn’t very good. It tasted like what little flavor it might’ve had was burnt right out. Neither of us finished our drinks, but I got to spend some more one-on-one time with Halle, so it was still a good morning.
“Okay, okay, this one’s only a half mile away and it’s right on the beach, so it’s on the way.” She’s laughing and trying to show me this place on her phone, she’s so cute when she does this.
“Just make sure to check out the reviews.”
We make our way through the streets, and everyone’s out. I mean, obviously, it’s the Fourth of July. If I lived here, I’d be out too—I don’t live here, and I’m out.
I take out my phone and remember to text Beau and ask him to bring my guitar with him and the rest of the guys when they come down to the beach later.
We spend the next couple hours talking about everything under the sun and scout out a good spot for our alleged Fourth of July beach bonfire. There are only a handful of fire pits to choose from since it’s a holiday and most people have the day off.
The sun’s finally starting to set, so we’re starting up the bonfire and I’m pulling my guitar out of its case.
“Oh, are you going to serenade me, Rockstar?” Halle wiggles her eyebrows at me, and I know she’s kidding but that’s actually exactly what I’m going to do—not in a cringey way.
“What song?” I begin to lightly pluck on the strings.
“Hmmm, surprise me. Pick a good one for this moment.” She looks at me softly in the orange firelight.
Without a second thought, I begin playing the familiar chords to her favorite song. How else am I supposed to convince her that we can work together both as a couple and professionally if I never serenade her to her favorite song?
Halle immediately recognizes Sweet Creature and sings along with me. I don’t get to hear her sing unless we’re in the car. But that’s different. In moments like this, it feels like it’s only me and her right here, right now. Until Beau coughs, drawing my attention away from Halle to whatever he has to say that is apparently so important, but all he does is point up to the sky.
The final notes of the song ring out on my guitar as I look up and see the first flash of fireworks go off. I set my guitar down and close up the case. I take this opportunity to find a new spot to sit. Right next to Halle, maybe a little closer than I need to be. W hoops .
I could sit here forever just watching her watch the fireworks. She’s looking at them in wonder, as if each new one that lit up the sky was the first one she’s ever seen.
She starts shivering, so I pull out my jacket that I grabbed earlier. “Hal, it’s July in San Diego.” I put it around her shoulders and leave my arm wrapped around her, making sure it stays secure on her.
She turns her face toward me and smiles before gently laying her head on my shoulder.
The rest of the night is filled with fireworks and Halle’s head on my shoulder. I don’t know how it could get better than this.