Mitty felt like he’d been gently punched in the sternum.
Seven or eight bands.
She’d been watching Vic that long.Following his journey.Probably had favorites, memories, maybe even a little crush on the guy who could make any drum kit sing.Mitty suddenly felt very aware of the fact that he was just the band’s guitar player, and they had extra of those for some reason.He was also the guy who made sure the trucks ran and the merch showed up.Still, he knew he wasn’t the one the fans came to see.
He forced a grin, trying to play it cool.“Well...thank you.Seriously.This display looks way better than anything I would’ve thrown together.”
Sheri’s smile widened, warm and genuine.“Happy to help.I’ve done a lot of merch booths over the years.You learn what works.”She glanced toward the stage area where Vic and Benny were helping set up the kit.“Vic’s come a long way.I’m really glad he found a home with you guys.”
Mitty nodded, swallowing down the unexpected sting.
“Yeah,” he said, voice a little rougher than he intended.“We’re lucky to have him.”
He helped her finish organizing the last few boxes, stealing glances when she wasn’t looking.She was efficient, friendly, and clearly knew her stuff.And she’d been following Vic for years.
Of course she has,he thought with a quiet, rueful chuckle.Everyone falls for the drummer eventually.
Still, as they worked side by side getting the booth ready for the doors to open, Mitty couldn’t quite shake the small, stubborn spark of hope in his chest.
Maybe tonight wouldn’t just be about selling merch.
Maybe it would be about something else entirely.
***
Sheri
Sheri folded another hoodie with precise movements, laying it neatly on the display table so the embroidery caught the light just right.The booth was coming together beautifully, way better than she’d expected on short notice.She’d always had a knack for this kind of thing, where she was turning chaos into something that felt intentional.
She glanced sideways at Mitty again.
He’d been warm and funny when he first walked over.Had been quick with a self-deprecating joke, handsome in that slightly rumpled, road-weary way that usually caught her attention.But the moment she’d mentioned following Vic’s career for years, something in him had shut down.His smile dimmed.His shoulders tensed.He’d gone from easy banter to polite distance in the space of a heartbeat.
Sheri didn’t understand it.
She shrugged it off, refusing to let it sour her mood.She had work to do.The crowd would start arriving soon, and she wanted the display to look perfect.
Besides, she was here for Vic.
When he’d called her out of the blue asking for help with merch at Marie’s, she’d jumped at the chance.Not just because she loved doing booth work, but because she needed to see the miracle for herself.That Vic Montrose had finally found his place in the world.She’d watched him bounce from band to band for years, clearly talented, always giving everything, but never quite landing where he belonged.Hearing the quiet contentment in his voice when he talked about OY had made her heart swell.
She was so damn proud of him.
A familiar voice cut through the growing noise of load-in.
“Sheri!”
She turned just in time to be swept up in strong arms.Vic hugged her tight, lifting her slightly off the ground the way he always did when he was genuinely happy to see someone.She laughed and hugged him back just as fiercely.
“Look at you,” she said when he set her down, holding him at arm’s length.“You look good, Montrose.Really good.”
Vic gave her that boyish grin she remembered so well.“Couldn’t have done it without you showing up tonight.Seriously.Thank you.”
Before she could respond, he reached behind him and gently pulled forwards the woman who had been standing a few steps back, watching them with a soft, curious smile.
“Sheri, this is Bonnie Dupont.My fiancée.”
The word hit Sheri like a warm wave, and she smiled.Fiancée.
