Page 81 of Broken Chorus

As uncomfortable as it made him, Aaron looked up and met Declan’s gaze again. “I’m sorry. I never meant to make things awkward for you. The only reason I tried to get Kelly to agree to having Kazzy play for us was that I’ve known him forever and the only damned things that offends him is when you eat the last chicken wing.”

Declan snickered, the scowl finally erased off his face. “Okay I’m with Kazzy there. I’ll fight you over the last wing.”

“You can have it,” Aaron said.

“Why? Because I’m in this chair?”

“Naa, ‘cause I’ll just order another batch.”

When Declan’s smile grew broader, Aaron finally started to feel like everything might be okay between them.

“I like to bullshit the same as anyone else and honestly, now that I know your reasons for not wanting me in the band, I feel like I owe you an apology.”

“Me? Why?”

“’Cause I immediately jumped to the conclusion that you didn’t see me as being as capable as a drummer without mobility issues.”

Now that had never crossed Aaron’s mind, but once he looked at it from Declan’s point of view, he started to realize how badly his reaction had come across.

“Shit. I’m sorry. That wasn’t my intention. I just started getting spun out, thinking about the logistics and all the ways shit could go wrong and my Pop-pop and all the ways everything could get blamed on me and I…it wasn’t something I felt up to dealing with.”

“I get that now,” Declan said. “And I appreciate the sentiment. Since we’re putting our concerns on the table, I’ll admit to having the same ones as you. That’s why Cade’s been coming with me to everything. So you guys wouldn’t have to worry about how you’d solve those problems for me.”

“I’m still sorry I didn’t have this conversation with you sooner,” Aaron said softly. “You’re a seriously bad ass drummer and I wish it was easier for me to engage with you.”

“Maybe in time, you’ll get there,” Declan said. “Maybe now that we’ve had the conversation we can finally focus on the music.”

“And wings.” Aaron muttered, trying to lighten things a little now that his emotions were seriously frayed.

Declan brightened at that and nodded. “Hell yeah, as long as they are honey BBQ or Garlic Parmesan.”

“There are none better,” Aaron declared.

“Now you’re speaking my language,” Declan said. “As for Dani, I think I have an idea. We’ll work on it together, okay?”

Aaron reached out his hand for a fist bump, finally able to fully meet Declan’s gaze. “Bet.”

Chapter 19

Teddy Bears and Flower Crowns

“Well, I see my invitation to the Teddy Bear Tea Party has finally arrived,” Hawk declared as he waved the invitation at Aaron “I was beginning to wonder if you guys had forgotten about me.”

“Naa, Ella just wanted to make yours extra special.”

“I love it,” Hawk said, grinning as he stared down at the carefully colored image of a teddy bear with a mohawk holding a guitar. “Thank you for helping her with everything.”

“We had a blast,” Aaron admitted, “it was exactly what I needed to get me out of my head and focused on something besides the past and all the bullshit with my family. Now, hurry up and get moving, so we’re not late getting toThe Thoughtful Spot.”

“Why? What time is it?”

“Ten fifty-seven.”

“Dude, the invitation says we need to be there at noon.”

“I know, I helped spell everything,” Aaron reminded him.

Groaning, Hawk flopped on his back and pulled a pillow over his face. “Dude, why’d you let me sleep so long?”

---