Page 41 of Higher Notes

But with both of you by my side I finally feel alive

Three hearts in one bed have settled this wayward soul

Love may not heal all, but your love is everything to me

Silent tears fell from Snipe’s eyes. Jason wrapped his arms around his seat from behind.

“I love you, Hayden.” It was rare Jason used our real names and in this case it only served to accentuate the love he intended for Snipe to feel.

I took Snipe’s hand in mine. “As do I.”

Jason sang along with the radio and took pics as we drove. His merriment lightened the mood and pushed away the uncomfortable silence.

“Hey, I know this song!” he shouted when Chaotic’s song “I Bleed Too” came on. Snipe and I were treated to a personal concert and we freaking loved it. Snipe was smiling again and air drumming along. These guys were my world, my everything.

We stopped for lunch in Battle Mountain, Nevada, and ended our day in McDermitt, Nevada. Always amazed how worn out the body was after a long day of traveling versus a day packed full of drills. Just don’t tell Fizzbo that or he’d double time our next session.

“Today was eight hours, tomorrow is ten and I’d like to get an early start. Time to get dinner and some shut eye.”

“What constitutes early to you?” Jason asked.

“Want to be on the road by five am.”

“Dude, it’s like midnight now.” His complaints fell on deaf ears and the look I gave him said as much.

“You can sleep in the back seat while I drive and just for the record, it’s eight thirty.”

“Awe, is wittle Jason whining?” Snipe teased him. I loved that his playful side had returned.

“I’m a night owl.”

“Great, night owl. Tomorrow night when we’re in the final leg of driving you can take over while I catch some shut eye.”

“Deal.”

We checked into the hotel and I double-checked the truck bed cover was locked then we walked across the lot to a local joint the hotel recommended. Talk about sticking out like a sore thumb. As soon as we stepped inside, all eyes were on us.

“Take a seat where you want and I’ll be right with you,” the bartender told us. As soon as the patrons looked their fill and sized us up, they returned to their drinks.

My gaze ran through the crowd, as was my usual way and quickly perceived no threats. Sikes and I could take the lot of them if need be, but they appeared to have no use for us, which was how I preferred it.

“Menu’s basic bar food, fellas. Burgers, wings, fries, that sort of thing. What can I get you to drink?”

We each ordered burgers and beers then she wandered behind the bar to fill our drinks.

“Reminds me of some of the dives we played in the early years. Don’t miss that in the least. Having empty beer bottles hurled at the stage wasno bueno.” Jason shook his head. “But we’ve all got to start somewhere.”

“True, but the idea of anyone throwing anything at you sets me off.” Snipe’s eyes hadn’t settled since we stepped foot inside. Our training had us automatically selecting the table that sat farthest away from the door with both our backs to the walls. No one was getting anywhere near Jason that set off our version of red flags.

I just had to remind myself we were almost home.

Home.

That simple word now encompassed far more than a place to lay our heads.

Chapter Twelve

Snipe

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