Page 13 of The Bridges I've Burned

I’d known this when Hendrix talked me into going, but I hadn’t mentioned it. It wasn’t the first time I would be showing up somewhere without a place to stay.

Although it was sort of ironic.

Back in my hometown with nowhere to sleep but my car. Just like the good old days.

“Okay, good luck.”

“Thanks.”

I was going to need it.

I drove around town for what felt like forever.

In reality, it was probably five minutes.

Ocracoke was a lot of things. Big was not one of them.

It felt like nothing had changed, and yet everything was different.

Maybe I was the one who had changed. Maybe a bit of both.

I was apprehensive about stopping somewhere for food. What if I was recognized? Not in that way. I highly doubted anyone here would recognize me from a concert. I just didn’t want any locals to see me and word to get around to Macon that I was here before I had the chance to see him. I hadn’t exactly RSVP’d.

But a guy needed to eat.

Driving down the main road, I found a restaurant I didn’t recognize. Some sort of taphouse. The parking lot was full, and when I pulled in, I could hear live music coming from inside.

Well, live-ish.

Karaoke.

I inwardly shuddered. But where there was karaoke in Ocracoke, there was a large crowd of tourists. Most locals would avoid this shit like the plague. But just in case, I threw a baseball cap on and grabbed a hoodie.

Just as I was about to go inside, I got a text from Lance.

Lance

Congrats, kid. I’m proud of you.

I sent a quick text back.

Me

Thanks. It’s all thanks to you.

Lance

No, I just helped you shine. You’ve always been a diamond.

I didn’t really know how to respond to that. As a kid who had never received praise growing up, I had become an adult who didn’t really know how to accept it. Luckily, he knew this about me and simply followed up with another text.

Lance

Enjoy your time away. Just don’t forget, you signed an NDA. You can’t tell anyone until the official announcement is made.

Me

Got it, boss.

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