Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
“You look happy, papi.” Maria joined Matt and me where we were having a smoke a few feet away from everyone.
I frowned. “You haven’t started smoking again, have you?”
She raised a manicured brow. “Don’t you think you’re the wrong person to get on a soapbox, huh?”
“No.” I stared at her and exhaled some smoke.
Matt snorted.
She rolled her eyes. “Please. I only came over to say you look happy.”
Oh. Well, good. I relaxed my stance. “It’s been a good week.”
She chuckled. “Come on, Anthony. That’s all you’re gonna say? We wanna know about August and Camden. They seem sweet. And August’s scopin’ you out as soon as you’re not nearby.”
I’d known this was coming. “I love you, Maria, but everyone knows you’re Nonna’s eyes and ears on the ground. I’m not giving you gossip.”
She cursed under her breath and appeared to strategize for a second attempt, but I was saved by Luiz and Chris.
A little past midnight, only a handful of people were still here. Luiz had volunteered to be the designated driver earlier, and he’d taken some tired friends back to the hotel around eleven. And when he returned, August decided to strike, evidently. He threw the offer of available guest rooms on the table, resulting in a quiet stare-down among everyone. Silent questions. Should we? What do you say? Anyone up for it? While Luiz’s expression mostly made it clear that he really fucking wanted a drink.
I could sense that Chris and Nicky were on board too, though my brother would leave it up to Gideon, who reached his limit for social interactions faster.
“What time do we have rehearsal tomorrow?” Maria asked.
“Ten-thirty’s our slot,” I answered.
I lifted my arm as Camden came back from the snack table with a bowl of chips, and he cuddled up against my chest.
“And we’re leaving the bus there, right?” Nicky asked for clarification.
I inclined my head. Three bands would play on “our” stage tomorrow, so after the rehearsal, we’d stow everything in the bus again. Then Matt, Luiz, and I would head out in my truck and rent vehicles for the day. Some sight-seeing would follow before it was time to get back to the festival area and get ready.
We took the stage at ten and would be one of the three bands closing for the day. Two smaller stages, one main stage.
“I’d like to stay,” Gideon said. “But I’ll probably retire in a little while.”
Maria nodded. “Yeah, same. I’m so tired, but Dio, waking up to this view…?” She gestured toward the paddocks that were cloaked in darkness now. “Thank you for letting us stay here, August.”
“It’s our pleasure,” he responded. “Camden and I have gotten a little too good at closin’ ourselves in. Having Anthony with us this week has made me miss hostin’ dinners.”
I put my hand on his thigh and gave it a squeeze.
It opened up a new conversation—about family dinners, parties, and barbecues—and I was content just to listen. Nicky filled in for me anyway. He spoke animatedly about our holidays and how we spent them, and how Nonna had mercilessly pushed us down the ranks in favor of Gideon lately.
I grinned.
“I can relate to that,” Camden chimed in. “My family prefers August over me.”
August chuckled. “Because you and your brothers are constantly raisin’ hell.”
“Pshh!” Camden waved that off. “We show one another love. You wouldn’t get it.”
I met Nicky’s smirk and nodded at Camden. “He grew up similarly to us but abandoned Staten Island for the South early on.”
Nicky widened his eyes. “I’d abandon Staten Island too, man.”
“Ay!” Camden sucked his teeth. It was the first time I’d really seen the remnants of a New Yorker in him. Cute.
I had to broach the next topic—my heart demanded it—but I decided straightaway to stay out of the trash talk that was bound to follow. So I mentioned to my brother that Camden was a Mets fan, and I told Gideon, who rooted for the Yankees, that he had a friend in August. Of course, it got Chris and Luiz going too.
I grabbed my beer, took a swig, and sat back again, pleased as punch.
When everyone was loud, you knew you were among family.
Saturday was meant to be the highlight of my whole stay in Nashville.
Instead, it felt like I was just going through the motions. A part of me had shut down, and I didn’t get it. I knew why; it was because I was leaving soon. But feeling nothing sucked hard.
It showed, too. Before we were off to Murfreesboro, August asked me twice if everything was okay. Nicky kept giving me looks too, and I blew it at the rehearsal. My singing was off, I missed cues, and I fucked up the transition between several songs.
I couldn’t get into it.
And I should. This was a dream come true for the young punk in me who’d once dreamed of becoming a rock star. It was gonna be a big festival, and crew was running around all over the place. The sun shone down on us, people were hollering orders and instructions, tents were being assembled, delivery trucks fought over parking spaces, and various bands performed soundcheck.