“Yeah, me too,” his twin agreed.
“I know he knows about the release party,” Marcus said. “He’s entirely too happy to hang with the working stiffs.”
“Right? Dude is world famous,” Kieran said.
“I’m sure he’s been held up somewhere reasonable,” Rand said, patting Maddox on the back.
“Or maybe he’s just gone to ground with Jace,” Chase said. “He’s been known to do that.”
That was something I’d learned too. Nelson was completely enamored with Jace, and Jace didn’t know how to handle it. I’d tried to talk him down a few times. I could see my younger self in him a bit. I didn’t know if he was really comprehending how much Nelson cared about him. I suspected it was the kind of love that didn’t happen all that often in life.
“Are these the people you always hang out with?” Everett asked, looking around, eyes wide.”
“Not always. Sometimes I have a beer with you.”
He snorted. “I could get used to hanging out with this crowd. It’s so…”
“Accepting and relaxed,” I supplied.
“Yes. God, a thousand times yes.”
“You just have to find your people, and hang on.”
He nodded, and started circulating again.
Close to midnight, the DJ was getting ready to cue up the last song on the album. I hadn’t realized there were thirteen songs, but I had been overwhelmed by everything that had gone into the album as we were recording.
Maddox hopped up and spoke to the DJ. I figured he was going to announce our engagement. He’d already gotten my permission to share when he was ready. It was a bit much for him, as well, even though we hadn’t gotten a lot of blow back from the larger community about our relationship.
He pulled out a guitar, and I raised an eyebrow. Hailey adjusted the mike on the stand and walked off stage. I saw Rand and Holland with their instrument. I caught Ora’s gaze off to the right, and he gave me a knowing shrug. What he knew, I couldn’t guess.
“Ladies and gentlemen, if you don’t mind. We’re going to debut the last song acoustically. It’s little bit different, we know, but this is better served this way.”
How did I not know they were going to do this? They didn’t need percussion on acoustic. Did they think I would get mad? I wouldn’t have, but I was feeling a little pissed they didn’t clue me in on this.
Maddox tuned his guitar and the other two tuned to his. They sat on stools, but Maddox stayed standing. The room grew quiet and Maddox gave a quiet count to the other two guys.
Lancing through me
Aware of more than before
Your soul is still hiding
Let it out, let me see
Down into places I didn’t know
Canyons of my self,
Hiding in shadows and dark
I didn’t know, I still don’t
September Blue
Wrapping around me
Pulling me in, pulling me up
