Chapter 26
Al’s was crowded and the energy was lively that Friday night.
Almost everyone I knew showed up to watch P.
Floyd play. To my right, surrounding one table was Angela, my mother, and René.
To my left, a few of Scott’s coworkers were seated and enjoying themselves.
At my table, I was under Dreux’s arm on one side while Cameron and Bonham were on the other. Even Vanity and Zion came out.
We were three songs in and I really loved the sound of their lead vocalist Jacob as he sang “Wish You Were Here.” Together they sounded as amazing as the real Pink Floyd.
“Dude, your dad’s such a badass!” Bonham yelled my way as he leaned across the table.
Looking on as Scott played bass effortlessly, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride.
Yeah. My father was the coolest.
A peek at the table next to us and my mother all but had cartoon hearts in her eyes.
She was totally into him, and as I caught Scott stealing glances her way, it was more than obvious he was into her.
My parents were dating and it sounded funny to say, but I couldn’t have been happier for either of them. I loved Scott for my mother, and I was happy she was giving him a second chance.
“Get a room!” I shouted her way, causing her to blush.
Dreux’s gentle fingers ran down my arm as he tugged me close. “You good?”
It had only been two weeks, and every once in a while, I’d catch him or Scott watching me warily. What happened with Aidan wasn’t something to get over in a single night, week, or even month. Even with Horton High reversing the expulsion and my own charges being dropped, it was a lot to take in.
The senior guidance counselor, Mrs. Shea, had been there to listen the first day I was back on campus. I liked her. It was nice to talk, to unload, and to admit to any fears or nightmares I was having trouble with.
With Aidan out on bail, I wasn’t truly afraid.
It would’ve been easy to press charges and walk away, but when I thought about it, what I really wanted was change.
I talked to Rick and I talked to René and I wanted Aidan to have to complete anger management and a rehab program.
Because sometimes sitting in a cell wasn’t enough.
He needed to face his choices and I could only hope rehabilitation would help.
Two weeks. It had been two weeks and the worst was behind me.
I squeezed Dreux’s hand, feeling at ease when I took in my friends at my table, my boss and neighbor next to me, and my parents making googly eyes at each other.
“Yeah, I’m great,” I told him.
He leaned close and I leaned up, meeting him halfway in a quick kiss. My cheeks heated and I fought a smile as we pulled back. I still got butterflies whenever he was around. I could taunt him forever for making me a softie.
But I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way.
The music stopped and my stomach dipped.
Oh boy.
“It’s an honor to play here tonight,” Jacob said as he took the mic from the stand.
“We’ve loved Al and his bar for years, and it’s a blessing to be able to play here at home.
” He eyed Al before returning to the crowd beyond the stage.
“Seeing so many of our loved ones out in this room means a lot to us. We’re huge fans of Pink Floyd, but tonight we’d like to do a separate tribute. ”
My palms began to sweat as Scott went up to Jacob and accepted the mic.
“Tonight, I’d like to do things a little different and sing a song,” he announced.
He looked out at the crowd, giving a timid smile because this wasn’t what he usually did.
His dark eyes that mirrored mine found me and his smile broadened.
“I was wondering if my baby girl would do me the honor of joining me?”
The room erupted in applause, and I closed my eyes as my blush bloomed vividly.
“WOO!” Bonham hollered, doing more as he stood and gave me a standing ovation.
God, I loved that idiot.
Cameron and Vanity cheered as well. One look at Dreux and his camera was already out, having known what was coming firsthand through Scott and me.
“You got this, Saylor Stanley,” he encouraged.
I had never sung before in front of a crowd.
I was completely out of my element. But as Jacob and Scott helped me on to the stage and I faced the packed room, I felt a numbness take over.
Drinking in the atmosphere, seeing people raise glasses of beer or shots, anticipating what we were about to sing, it did something to me.
I was nervous, sure, but I loved the feeling, the vibration from the stage, and the swell of music around me.
Larry came and gave me another mic and a stool as Scott took a seat next to me.
Jacob sat at the piano in the corner, waiting for our cue.
Scott raised his microphone to his lips, looking my way. “You nervous?”
I cringed, answering back into my own mic. “Just a little.”
The room laughed and that warmed me. The energy was too good to really be petrified.
“We’re all family here,” Scott insisted with an easy grin. “Why don’t you introduce yourself and this next song?”
Licking my lips, I blew out a breath as I faced the room. “I’m Saylor Stanley, and I’m going to be singing Black Sabbath’s ‘Changes’ with my dad.”
Scott reached out and shook my shoulder, cheering me on with the crowd. There was no missing the gleam in his eye.
It was still new. But from the moment we’d met, he’d been nothing but a father to me. Not a friend, but an actual father.
I was testing the waters, but it felt right each time I referred to him as my dad. I’d never had one, and I was more than happy I got to have my own instead of a substitute.
Jacob began playing the opening chords to “Changes” as the audience quieted down.
Facing my friends and family, I rejoiced as I finally found my place in the world and began to sing with my dad.
the end