Page 95 of Broken Chorus

Hawk had been just as shocked as Aaron when to a man they all decided to stay and join them on the outing, which had proved to be a ton of fun and an opportunity for team building too, as they’d put Declan in charge of their collection spot. He’d worked with Liam to carefully sift through each bucket of rock and sand the rest of them collected, carefully revealing their treasures and divvying them up among the group.

Turned out none of the guys minded leaving the morning after their performance, either. Cade and Micah were dying to hit a few water and amusement parks, while Declan had somespots he was interested in stopping for acoustic and recording purposes. When he’d shared them with the rest of the band, Micah and Aaron both expressed a desire to go with him.

As they continued bonding with one another and ultimately the music they intended to make together, it was good to see Aaron’s anxiety loosening it’s hold and allowing the man Hawk had fallen in love with to shine through.

Several times over the course of their road trip, Hawk had seen stunned looks on Cade, Micah, and even Declan’s face after they’d witnessed Aaron go out of his way to do something just to make things easier for someone else. Honestly, Hawk hadn’t even known things like those backpack harnesses existed until Aaron had come back from the post office with the box and shown Hawk what they were and how they worked.

It’s not just so they can enjoy a few activities at Rocktoberfest. I worry sometimes about not being able to keep three of them close when we’re out together. One distraction is all it takes for a kid to be snatched, or to dart after something they saw or even be lured away. The assholes and idiots in the world are getting tech savvy and constantly coming up with new ploys to snatch kids. I’d never forgive myself if one of them got lost on my watch, or worse.

The way Aaron had bitten his lip, looking hesitant and uncertain when he’d shown Hawk the leashes that went with the fully functional backpacks had spoken volumes about the way he’d imagined Hawk would take it.

Dani is still small enough to ride in the front of the cart, but what happens if I need to shop with all three?

No, I get it. I was scared as hell the first time I took them out, still am, and paranoid when someone the least bit creepy looking shares an aisle with us.

So, you don’t think we’d be treating them like pets or something to put leashes on them or have proximity chips in their backpacks that go off whenever they step out of range?

Hell no. I’ve always hated when someone tried to criticize a parent for using a leash to make sure their kids couldn’t run off. It’s not fair. Just because it’s not something you had to do with your kid, or wouldn’t do because you think it looks weird, doesn’t mean that parent doesn’t have the right to use one. Thank you for ordering these and for caring so much about the kids to do it even when you weren’t sure how I’d take it.

You were passed out cold when I came across the demo video. I didn’t want to wake you when you are always the first one up trying to get breakfast ready for everyone.

Hey, you’ve made it out every morning to help me, even if you’re a little slow rolling out of bed.

Aaron had not only looked relieved by the end of the conversation, but he hadn’t taken Hawk’s teasing as an admonishment, which was a step in the right direction and something Hawk thanked Aaron’s new therapist for. Instead of ducking his head and retreating when he felt like he’d screwed up, Aaron had started speaking up, even if it was hesitantly, to ask how he could do better and in turn, Hawk was beginning to open up about his own fears, which it turned out were some of the same as Aaron’s.

They were both afraid of disappointing the children or not being enough. Aaron was afraid he’d be too lax with the rules while Hawk was afraid he was going to overcompensate and wind up sucking the joy out of things. Funny, but as he watched them work as a team with the band that Hawk was coming to see as his now as well, he was starting to see where they balanced each other out.

Until he’d had them all up at the cabin, he hadn’t realized how much not having the support of his former bandmates hadmessed with his head when he’d first taken custody of the kids. Yes, Aaron had tried to be there time and time again, but the way Ethan and Jason had broken things off had left such a sour taste in Hawk’s mouth that he’d taken it out on Aaron and Kelly by keeping them at arm’s length. Especially Aaron.

“Is everyone ready?” Aaron asked, his words cutting through Hawk’s thoughts. Blinking, he realized that Cade and Declan were already standing outside of the bus waiting for the rest of them.

While the kids cheered, Hawk just nodded and watched as Aaron scooped Dani up to carry her out. Kelly had Liam’s leash while Micah had Ella’s, leaving Hawk to glance around to make certain nothing had been forgotten.

Nope.

Even the half frozen bottles of water Micah had set out on the counter had been collected by someone.

With so many of the fans crowded around stages and the music in high gear all across the desert landscape, the Bubble Box was damn near empty, just as they’d hoped.

“Bubbles!” Dani squealed as Aaron put her down to chase after them.

“It’s on!” Liam snarled as he snatched up a bubble launcher almost as big as he was.

That was something else that had changed too. He never had to worry about whether Liam was getting enough attention. His new uncle’s never seemed to run out of time to spend with him.

Declan had a bubble launcher too, and easy maneuverability over the smooth floor that covered every inch of the space, while Cade had a huge bubble wand he dragged through the air. The way they positioned themselves behind Liam left no doubt whose side they were on.

Liam’s voice was already an awesome addition to any dark and growly song, which was why Hawk had started writingsome things just for him to work on and had begun taking him horseback riding, something Hawk had lived at that age but not done in years. It turned out they both loved it.

Turning to see what other weapons were available, Hawk caught a blast of bubbles flush to the face and sputtered, inhaling several more as he waved his arms around, trying to bat them aside so he could see who was trying to bury him in bubbles.

The giggles were his first clue, then Hawk heard Aaron yell charge.

Holy….

…Shit.

Bubbles flowed over his head. They dripped off the top of his nose and oozed past the collar of his t-shirt, slithering a wet, soapy trail down the center of his back.

---