Page 102 of His Surrender

He sent back a winking emoji.

“Cocky bastard,” I muttered before taking another sip.

I wouldn’t want him any other way.

Chapter 23

Jay

The school gymnasium was packed. The concert started in ten minutes, and people were still coming up the stairs and taking their seats. The chairs for the members of the band were situated facing the audience, and the podium where Remi would stand faced away.

That’s fine. I’ll get to look at his fine ass.

Ivan sat beside me, bouncing his knee as his brow creased with his nerves. “I hope he’s okay,” he said, taking deep breaths.

I couldn’t help but chuckle. “I think you’re more nervous than he is. Take a breath, Vanya. Foss will do great. He’s been workin’ hard.”

“True.” He nodded. “This means so much to him, and I want him to do well.”

“He will.”

Mom sat on the row in front of us, taking pictures with her phone. Dad smiled at her and rested a hand on her thigh.

“Mind if I sit?”

I looked up to see Johnny. That beard was unmistakable. “Not at all.” I scooted over a bit to give him more room. I got Ivan’s attention. “This is Johnny, Remi’s friend. Johnny, this is my brother, Ivan.”

They shook hands and exchanged a polite greeting.

“Remi will be happy to see you,” I said to Johnny.

“That boy is like my son,” he responded in a gruff tone. “I wouldn’t miss this for anything in the world.”

“I’m glad he has you,” I said, thinking of Dale Barnett. That man might’ve shared Remi’s blood, but from what I’d learned, he’d never been much of a dad.

Johnny cocked his head at me. “Same about you. He’s different than he used to be. Happier. You’ve brought out a side to him I’ve never seen. I pray you don’t hurt him. That kid’s had enough heartache in his life.”

“I won’t hurt him.”

It was a vow I’d never break.

Two minutes before the concert started, the band members filed onto the gymnasium floor, which was covered with a blue tarp to keep the floor from being scuffed.

“Yep,” Ivan whispered. “He’s nervous.”

Foster was the fourth one in the line and took a seat on the first row. Even from a distance, I saw his cheeks puffed as he blew out a breath. The girl beside him bumped his shoulder and smiled, which he returned before searching the audience. Ivan and I waved our arms in the air to get his attention. Right when he saw us, Foster beamed. His nerves seemed to subside a little too.

Another group of students came from the other door and stepped onto a raised platform. The choir. Remi had told me they’d be performing several songs as well. The choir teacher, Laura, walked forward and spoke quietly to them.

Remi took his place in front of the band section, and I admired how great his ass looked in the slacks he wore. His long-sleeved, button-up shirt was tucked into his pants, and when he looked over his shoulder at the seats of people, I saw he’d worn a red bow tie. The same one I’d had a lot of fun taking off him when we were in New Orleans.

“Wow,” Ivan said.

“What?” I asked, seeing the arch of his brow.

“I’ve just never seen you smile so big before.”

My cheeks heated, and I looked away from my brother as the lights above the audience dimmed. The choir opened with the first song, done a cappella. The band added musical accompaniment for the second song, one fromPhantom of the Opera. My heart beat harder in my chest when I saw Remi playing the piano for the song. I hadn’t known he’d be performing too.