Page 342 of Boots, Bucket Lists & Bad Ideas
A man who knows he nearly died.
And for a second, I almost hate how much I recognize it because it’s the same weight I’ve carried.
His hands land on my shoulder, strong and unshaken.
“Hart, that guilt doesn’t belong to you. You were never supposed to carry that burden.”
“But I did—I do. And it’s affected every step Jade and I take.”
“I’m sorry, son. What can I do?”
“Nothing. It’s too late.”
“It’s never too late. If anything, we’ve learned that.”
I step back, breaking our connection. “She doesn’t believe me, Pa. She thinks I’m lying. She thinks I’d make up a lie like this.”
“It’s her father, boy. Imagine if the roles were reversed.”
“I’d believe her. I’ll always believe her.”
He clamps his hand on my shoulder again. “I’m proud of the man you’ve become. Don’t give up on love so quickly.”
Quickly? Does he not realize I’ve loved this woman for over ten years?
“Talk to her.”
I shake my head. “I have a banner to fix.”
Inside, the music thunders from the speakers, and the pulse of the bass vibrates the ground beneath my boots.
Behind the stage, the glow of the light show cuts through the shadows, bouncing off the dark tent.
I grab the extension ladder backstage and carry it around the maze of gear.
A loud scuffle breaks out nearby with two roadies shouting and shoving. I could go break it up and pray one of them hits me. After I fix the fucking banner.
I find my brothers bickering like idiots at the base of the frame I lean the ladder against.
“You gonna climb that thing?” Levi eyes the ladder like he knows my fear.
I haven’t right out said it, but I’ve sure avoided heights.
Bronx waves a bottle in my direction and grins. “It’s just a banner. Let it sag. Nobody cares.”
“It’ll take five minutes.” I start extending the ladder.
The sections glide upward with a metallic rasp.
“It’s just that little wire there you need to grab.” Dean points at the banner above.
Levi grunts. “If it’s just a little wire, you do it.”
“Bro, I ain’t seeing straight.”
Hell, I ain’t seeing straight, but I tuck away my anger, and my fear of heights, and the stage lights flare in my vision, red, then blue, then green.
I can barely hear myself think.
