Page 64 of What They Say

The fear had been gnawing at Chase for days.

“Dad,” he said quietly, voice rough. “Willa being pregnant...it’s good. I know it’s good. But after what happened to Hope...” He swallowed hard. “What if something goes wrong? What if—just, Jesus fuck, what if you lose her like Hoss lost Hope? I keep seeing it. Mom’s face, then Hope’s. Faynez without her mama. It twists me up.”

Mason straightened slowly, tossing the rag over his shoulder. For a long moment, he just looked at his son, eyes sharp but not unkind. Then he gave that trademark half shrug, the one that said the world was complicated but not impossible.

“Life’s got teeth, son. Always has. You’re not wrong to feel it—Hoss’ hurt is real, and it echoes. But borrowin’ tomorrow’s grief for today just steals today’s peace.” Mason stepped closer, voice dropping to that low, steady rumble that had calmed a hundred brothers in worse storms. “Willa’s strong. Doc’s watchin’ her close. Ain’t the same as what happened to Hope, and it sure as hell ain’t the same as what happened to your mother. Different roads.”

Chase let out a shaky breath, the knot in his chest loosening just a fraction under his father’s unflinching gaze.

Mason clapped a heavy hand on his shoulder. “You feel the worry? Good. Means you give a damn. But don’t let it own you. We celebrate the wins when they come, we stand up when the bad hits, and we keep ridin’. That’s all any of us can do. You hear me?”

Chase nodded, the pithy truth settling over the fear like a well-worn cut. Manageable. Not gone, but manageable. “Yeah. I hear you.”

Mason squeezed once more before letting go. “Good. Now pass me that wrench. We got work to do.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chase

The venue lights were low during sound check, but Chase barely noticed the crowd filtering in. His attention kept drifting to the stool at the back of the stage where Kath sat, legs crossed, watching everything with wide, curious eyes.

He’d invited her to this gig almost a week ago, and she’d been nervous about riding on the band bus. “I don’t want to be in the way,” she’d said. He’d promised—sworn—he wouldn’t leave her alone for a second. That had been enough. She was here, wearing one of his hoodies over her tank top, looking equal parts excited and overwhelmed.

Every time he stepped back from the mic during a break in sound check, he found himself gravitating towards her. He’d lean down, steal a quick kiss, or just rest his hand on her shoulder. Benny caught him doing it for the third time and just grinned.

After sound check wrapped, Chase took her hand and led her towards the merch table near the entrance. Sheri was already there, happily rearranging displays like a general organizing her troops.

“Sheri, this is Kath,” Chase said, unable to keep the pride out of his voice. “Kath, Sheri’s been handling merch for years. She’s the best.”

Sheri lit up and immediately pulled Kath into a warm hug. “Finally! I’ve heard so much about you. Come help me fix this table—these boys have no sense of visual flow.”

Benny’s voice called from behind them. “Chase! Need you for a second on the setlist change.”

Chase hesitated, torn. He didn’t want to leave Kath, not even for a minute. Sheri noticed immediately.

“Go on,” she said with a knowing smile. “I’ll put her to work. We need another big tub of sweatshirts from the truck anyway—those sell out the fastest, I don’t know why.”

Kath flashed him a small, reassuring smile. “I’ve got this. Go do band stuff.”

Chase watched the two women walk off together, each carrying an empty box, Kath glancing back once to blow him a quick kiss over her shoulder. He stood there, mesmerized, until he felt someone behind him.

Benny chuckled. “You’ve got it bad, brother.”

Chase rubbed the back of his neck, grinning. “Yeah. I really do.”

Benny clapped him on the shoulder. “Reminds me of the time I tried to impress Luce during a show. I jumped off the stage mid-song to hand her a pick and twisted my wrist so bad I played the rest of the set in a brace. She still teases me about it.”

Chase laughed, the tension easing.

Benny nodded towards the stage. “The openers are starting to load in. Can you keep an eye on our gear? Make sure nothing gets moved or messed with?”

“On it.”

Chase positioned himself where he could watch both the stage and the hallway to the merch area. The openers were professional enough—no one touched OY’s equipment. His eyes kept drifting back towards the merch booth.

When Kath and Sheri returned, each carrying a heavy box of sweatshirts, he followed them with his gaze the whole way. Kath caught him staring and blew him another kiss. It took every ounce of willpower not to abandon his post and run straight to her.

The show itself was electric.