Page 244 of Second Sets Omnibus

“You get awfully vulgar when you’ve had tequila.” She grins behind my hand, licking my palm.

“Well, I’m just saying… What’s the worst that could happen?”

I blow out a breath. “They could leave us again. They are in a band. What happens when they go on tours? They’ll leave for months at a time. What about Ly? How the hell is this all going to work out into a happy ending, Ode?”

“No one knows, babe. That’s the beauty of life. You don’t know the ending. Remember before? You thought you were going to travel the world with them. Maybe you were presented with this second chance for a reason.” She shrugs, putting the lid back onto the now half-empty bottle of tequila, and hiccups. “No more day drinking for us, bitch.” She giggles, thrusting a finger into the air as a lightbulb illuminates above her head like it always does before she has a brilliant idea. “Okay, so hear me out. I’ve got two ideas. You have enough money. Why don’t you go on tour with them? Be their HBIC all over the world or some shit?” she asks like it’s that fucking simple to drop my day job and go off with them on tour.

“I may have the money, but I like my job. And Ly loves her school… We could survive tours, right? We could—” Ode gives me an all-knowing smile.

“You have your answer. You didn’t need me and the tequila to decide you wanted them. For some reason, they’re your ones. You’re meant to fucking be. You just had to go through some trials to get here.”

I nibble my bottom lip. “Maybe you’re right… But what is your second idea?” I ask, putting my elbows on the table as Lyric, Alma, and baby Anni toddle through the kitchen, singing at the top of their lungs.

“Okay, so… Here’s my idea…” Ode says, spilling her idea with a grin on her face. Butterflies burst in my gut, and I nod in agreement. “Come to Dead End tonight with the boys and have them put on a show. You know, like old times. God, it would be great!”

“Holy shit. That’s brilliant,” I giggle, taking another sip of my shot, much to Ode’s raised brows. She’d rather I knock it back, but my head is already swimming in an ocean of tequila. “I’ll make a big announcement on their socials later and get the biggest crowd we can. No cover charge or anything. I’ll pay for it all.”

“Well, then there you go.” Ode grins, pouring us one last shot. “To Whispered Words!” she says, slamming her glass into mine before we empty them down our throats.

Gazingat the grassy fields surrounding the farmhouse, I contemplate my life choices. Korrine hasn’t said a word since the girls excused themselves and went inside to catch up. I had no idea our visit would entail this, or I would have tucked tail and stayed with the guys.

“You know, I’ve always been curious. Which one of you fixed River’s car after you left?”

My eyes whip to her in surprise, widening as she softly smiles. Somehow, I think she knew the answer before she even asked.

“Did she take it?” I ask, hoping River took the much-needed gift without protest. Knowing her, she scowled and cursed at whoever fixed the car but eventually took it because she knew she needed a vehicle to get her around without us there.

The moment we left; the guilt started scorching me from the inside out. The flames of my stomach were impossible to douse. Any remedy to tamp down my heartburn never worked until the antacids. Now, I eat them like candy, popping them six to eighttimes a day, trying to find some damn relief. Or I did. Since I confessed my wrongdoings, my stomach has been less volatile, ridding me of the constant acid reflux. And to me, that’s a win. It still aches here and there as I swim through unfamiliar waters with River, working to earn her forgiveness. But the pain is worth it in the end.

“All the time,” Korrine chuckles, pouring us a glass of ice-cold sweet tea.

“Good,” I say, lifting the glass to my lips and taking a big swig. The wonderful blend of sweetness fills my taste buds, and I hum in appreciation. If there’s one thing I can say about Korrine, she makes a mean glass of tea.

“Boy, you didn’t answer my question,” she says sharply, again gaining my attention. “Which one of you gentlemen fixed River’s car?”

“I did,” I murmur in confirmation, letting the comfortable silence envelop us.

The warm September breeze blows through the porch, bringing a sweet, familiar laugh on its tails. Hearing a hint of happiness sputtering out of River brings a smile to my face and joy to my galloping heart.

Through the open window, Odette and River softly discuss our entire situation. In explicit detail, too. I side-eye Korrine, who nods with a knowing grin and doesn’t say another word. It’s as if she planned all this.

I sigh, sitting back in the rocking chair and letting its soft sways lull me into a once joyful memory, now tainted by every action I took to get us there.

“And the winner is,” Seger says into the microphone, standing tall on stage with all the hopefuls clumping together behind him. The crowd beyond extends for miles, staying silent in anticipation humming through the entire venue. The spotlights above dance across everyone’s heads in a multitudeof colors, counting down until Seger opens his mouth once again. “Whispered Words!” he shouts, turning to look at us as pinks, blues, and reds dance across us.

“Holy Fuck!” Rad shouts, jumping up and down. His fists pump the air before he turns to us and pulls us into a massive group hug.

“We fucking did it!” I shout with a laugh, hugging everyone tight. Pride spears through me at how fucking far we’ve come since Callum’s basement. If it wasn’t for our dedication and… My face falls a mile when a second thought roars in my mind.

We were Whispered Words before we met River. We did fine obtaining gigs and getting there. But we were a different Whispered Words after we met her. She changed our entire life… And she’s nowhere to be found to enjoy this win with us.

“Congrats, guys!” Seger says through the microphone again and slaps each of us on the shoulder in congratulation.

We won. We fucking won the Battle of the Bands! My heart pounds against my chest as the words ring through my mind repeatedly. We’re a signed fucking band! No more scrounging or praying for a better future. We’ve done it.

“Holy fucking shit!” Kieran roars out over the crowd’s rampant cheering. “We fucking did it!”

We fucking did it…