Page 21

Snipe

“Holy moly! This plane is insane. Ooops, um, hi.” Poor Gabe was so excited about this trip, he didn’t think others would be on the plane with us.

“Gabe, this is the main man in charge of everything, Easton, and his husband, Diamond, who happens to be the drummer for the band Social Sinners,” Jason introduced them. Gabe looked like he was about to pass out.

“You’re-you-re the Diamond? Social Sinners is like my favorite band.” From the look on Jason’s face, he had zero clue about that. Guess we were about to learn a lot about Gabe.

“I am, nice to meet you again, Gabe. Glad you could join us.”

Diamond and Easton will be great parents. Easton would definitely be the rule maker and family patriarch, and D would be the fun dad who got them into all kinds of mischief. I was excited to be a part of watching that soon-to-be reality TV show.

Gabe was in awe, immediately taking a seat beside Diamond and chatting away like they’d been best friends forever.

“I love this side of him,” Jason whispered as he took the seat between Sikes and me. “He’s so excited. This is good for him.”

“Yes it is, and you’re a fantastic role model for him as well. He’ll be okay, you gotta believe that.” I snuck in a quick kiss. When the eww, you kissed my brother didn’t come I marked it as a successful mission.

“You guys will have him while I’m on stage, are you sure you’re okay with that?”

“More than okay,” Sikes chimed in. “The twins took to us immediately, Gabe didn’t. This is an opportunity for him to get to know us better and vice versa.”

“What he said.” No reason for me to repeat what Sikes said, it was exactly how I felt.

“Good morning and welcome aboard,” the stewardess’s voice come over the speakers. “Please secure your bags and seatbelt in for take-off.”

Gabe glanced over at his, holding both sides up like he didn’t know what to do. Poor guy was a little nervous.

“It’s his first time flying,” Jason whispered.

“Should we move him over here?” I was ready to flag him over, but Diamond was talking to him and helped buckle him in.

“Nah, he’s with his idol. With us he may let the nerves get the best of him, but he’ll keep his cool with D.”

True, I hadn’t thought of it that way. With the kids my first reaction was to protect.

“This is a big step for Gabe, so we’ll let him set the pace.” Jason was wise beyond his age.

“Copy that.”

As soon as she announced we were airborne and could roam about, Diamond got up, so Gabe ran over to us.

“Hey, Diamond said they come around with food and drinks. Do we have to pay for it?”

Legitimate question.

“Nope, only on commercial flights. This is the plane that belongs to our management company so eat up, but remember if you have to pee while we’re landing, you’re screwed,” Jason teased him.

“Sweet. Diamond is so freaking cool.” Gabe was in heaven.

“D is cool as hell and fiercely protective of his friends and family. He and Easton are the ones who helped us get the new house.” Glad Jason left off the part about them helping bring Gabe home safely, too.

“Really? He’s been talking to me, too. That’s okay, right?”

“Of course it is. Jeremiah, our band manager you met,” Gabe nodded, “he’s Diamond’s brother.”

“Whoa.”

“Yup. Easton is the one who hired Mom, too. Masterson is big on family and hiring them, too.”

“Sometimes it feels like we’re living in a dream.”

“That it does, little brother. That. It. Does.”

Jason was all smiles, thoroughly enjoying brother time. It would be great if there were a couple of days off during this last leg where we could get Gabe out to see some sights. The ideas ran through me like a never-ending sea of wishes.

Damn, when did I strike poetic?

Love did funny things to you for sure.

Gabe and Diamond talked the entire flight. About what, I had no clue but it didn’t matter. Gabe enjoyed himself and that’s what this trip with him was all about. Diamond laughed along, contributing to the conversation just as much. Easton chimed in a time or two, though in typical Easton fashion, he was generally typing away on an electronic device—or two.

Gabe stared out the window as we landed at DFW. His feet excitedly waved around but his facial expression was a clear case of trying to keep his cool. I freaking loved this. Kids should be kids. They should enjoy life and experience all they could before they joined the ranks of adulthood. Jason was doing his best to ensure his siblings did just that, even though he hadn’t had much of one himself.

We exited the plane and loaded into the waiting limo. I swear, Gabe’s eyes were ready to pop out of their sockets with as wide as they were. Reminded me of a hamster we had as a classroom pet at my old grade school. Big day for the young man. First plane ride, first limo ride and now first concert tour.

The young roadie was in for the time of his life.

“Jason is back!” Marley cheered when we stepped inside the venue. Every guy from Embrace and Chaotic hugged him.

“You guys remember my brother, Gabe? He’s joining us for the rest of the tour.” They’d all been briefed on what caused us to leave, I only hoped they’d not say anything.

“Right on. Welcome, Gabe!”

“Whoa. You’re-you’re…” Gabe stuttered.

“Joey and this is my husband. Stoli.”

“Holy crap!” Everyone laughed. “First Diamond, now Joey and Stoli. I can’t believe this is my life.”

Familiar words we’d all chanted as of late.

“Joey, man,” Jason shook his head. “Thank you, for everything. I can’t believe you covered for me.”

“Jase,” Joey hugged him then Stoli did the same. “That’s what family is for. I’m sure you’d do the same for me.”

“I’d be honored to, though your fans may be disappointed.”

Joey winked. “Don’t bet on it.”

“Soundcheck’s in ten,” a stagehand called out as he passed us by. “Embrace is up first.”

“Let’s drop our bags off at the bus.” We followed Sikes behind the venue to where our bus was parked. As soon as we stepped inside it was like the bus had been transformed.

“This has Easton written all over it,” Jason said.

“No, this has someone who loves Minecraft written all over it. So cool.” Gabe walked around, checking the twin-sized murphy bed attached to the wall out. It has been lowered and fitted with the familiar game’s bedding. Easton had removed the makeshift office portion of the bus and turned it into a bunk area for Gabe.

“That’s for you, Gabe.” Easton stepped inside the bus. “We also stocked snacks and drinks and made sure the game you enjoy is loaded in the on-bus gaming console.”

Before Easton had a chance to protest, not that he would’ve, he found himself with a midsection full of Gabe as he launched himself at Easton in the form of a hug. This kid was opening up more and more. Instead of avoiding those helping him, he was literally embracing them and I loved it.

“Thank you. You’re so cool.”

Easton smiled. Not sure he’d been called cool before.

“Happy to help out family.”

“Gabe,” I nudged him after he released Easton. “Take pictures and send them to Mom.”

“Okay.” Pictures of the bed morphed into pictures with Diamond, Joey, Stoli, and Easton. This kid was having the time of his life, and we hadn’t even hit the road. Memories he’d have for a lifetime.

“You good to go for tonight, Jase?” Joey asked him. “I am if you’re not ready.”

“Nah, man, I’m looking forward to it. I seriously can’t believe you covered for me. I know I already said it but thanks. Again.”

“We’re good. We’ve got a similar vocal style. We should consider a duet sometime.”

“Wait, what?” Joey’s words stunned Jason. “With me?”

“Hell yeah!” Gabe cheered.

“Language,” Sikes corrected him. I too was caught up in the excitement and missed that.

Joey laughed. “Yes. After we’re back from Rocktoberfest we’ll hook up and write a couple songs and see which stick. Cool?”

“Very cool. I feel like saying thanks again.”

Joey patted his shoulder. “We’ll see you inside. Welcome aboard, Gabe.”

“Gabe, want to leave your backpack here?”

“Heck no, it’s got my life in it.”

“All right, little brother, it’s showtime.”

This time around, Gabe was far more involved watching the bands play. Singing along and I caught his head banging a couple of times. A mini version of Jason and each time Jason glanced our way his smile widened.

Easton and Diamond cut out after the show and headed home. Their surrogate was in labor and they were ecstatic. We couldn’t wait to meet the new Masterson-Taylor twins when we got home.

By the time we got back to the bus, Gabe could hardly keep his eyes open. Poor kid was out the second his head hit the pillow. Jason tucked him in and kissed his head.

“Sleep tight, little man, and thank you for being here. I love you.”

“Love you, too, Jase. Love you, Wyatt, love you, Hayden,” the sleepyhead got out before the final yawn drew him in.

“Love you, too, Gabe.”