“Welcome to the South, bambino.” I gave him a hug and watched the others get off the bus too.
Eight members of our gospel choir from back home, including Maria, Matthew, Sylvia, and Luiz. Then Chris, Nicky’s friend and our bass player. They didn’t look very tired at all. I assumed they’d gotten at least some rest and freshened up at their hotel.
“Papi!” Maria beamed at me and ran into my arms, and I hugged her tightly. I had over a decade on the girl, but she would always be the mother in our group. I’d say she and Matthew were the most influential members of the choir, and I was happy they’d both signed up to be part of our gig.
Matt and I had gone to high school together, so it was nice to have a buddy around too.
“What a beautiful place,” Gideon commented as he took in his surroundings. He was usually sporting a bespoke suit, so it was nice to see Nicky had convinced him to go casual. Well, casual for him. The dress pants were probably still tailored to fit him perfectly, but the fitted pullover brought him out of the boardroom.
“Let’s go inside,” I said. “I’ll introduce ya’s to August and Camden.”
“Fuck yeah, you will,” Nicky replied slyly.
“I’ll introduce you last, punk,” I told him.
He didn’t say anything at first. He just walked over to me and gripped the back of my belt and—what the fuck?
“The fuck’re you doin’?” I frowned, smacking away his hand. Why was my kid brother tryna see my ass?
“No tan lines! That’s what’s up.” Nicky smirked.
Ignoring the guffaws that erupted around us, I stared at him incredulously, then exclaimed, “Boundaries, Nicky! Behave—non fare lo spiritoso con me. Gabeesh?”
“I’m not getting smart wit’chu,” he laughed, speaking with his hands. “You’re my brother—your business is mine. Deal with it.”
I smacked him upside the head. “Scordatelo.” I told him to forget it. “You be good, or I’ll let Gideon know exactly how to make you heel.”
Nicky instantly backed up and showed his palms.
Gideon cleared his throat. “I’m all ears.”
“Soon as we get home,” I promised.
Christ. Fuckin’ animals around this place…
As I blew out a breath and got my shit together, it was just my luck to spot August and Camden in the kitchen window, both with matching grins.
Fuck my life.
Chapter 14
Feet, Don’t Fail Me Now
The biggest rush had to be watching the sea of people jumping up and down to the fast beat as a single unit.
Sylvia killed it on my Hammond, Nicky played and moved around like he was high on cocaine, and I slammed on the strings of my electric as Luiz raised the tempo.
Don’t slow me down.
Don’t fail me.
Luiz hit the snare hard right after I’d gotten out my bottleneck slide again, and then I took a step back from the mic and let my guitar wail in a solo.
I supposed I shouldn’t be surprised that everyone got along well that evening. There was someone for everyone, and the food and drinks put us in high spirits. Throughout the night, I saw little groupings of happy chatter. Camden and Nicky, Maria and Chris and August, Gideon and August, who were then joined by Sylvia and Luiz. No one sat in their seat for very long. With the food set up around the grill, we constantly had a reason to get up and stumble upon another conversation.
“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
