Page 47 of His Last Chase
Ten-thirty had come and gone, and I’d resigned myself to the fact I’d not hear from my boy tonight and pushed through my nighttime ritual—shutting down the computer, locking the doors and turning off the lights—when the phone rang and there he was, his head on a pillow as he stared into the phone screen.
“Hi, Daddy.”
“Hello, my love. Busy night?”
“Yes. We tend to lose track of time when we have jam sessions. The four of us ended up on Seltzer’s bus and made the drivers pull over when it was time to get back on our own. Now I’m all tucked in and ready to hear Daddy’s sexy voice.”
“Sexy, huh?” Hearing that was akin to getting a second wind. Puffed up peacock and all that. “Tell me about your night while I get ready for bed.”
“We ate and worked on lyrics then decided to get some music down. It wasn’t until Jeremiah said he was ready to crash that we noticed the time. I hopeI didn’t keep you up too late, I know you have to work tomorrow.”
Such a thoughtful boy. “For you, my little songbird, I’d lose endless amounts of sleep.” Just neglected to add until my old ass passed out. Stamina of the young, what I wouldn’t give to get some of that back.
“Can you read the puppies, Daddy? Please?”
“Absolutely.” I picked up Dash & Vi before I slid into bed. “From the beginning?”
“Yes, please. I missed it all last time.” Chase yawned. “Your voice makes me nice and comfy. Just wish your arms were wrapped around me, too.”
“Me, too, sweet boy and they will be soon. Then I’ll never let you go.”
“I hope so ‘cause I’d be sad without you.”
And I’d be completely lost.
I didn’t get halfway through the story before his eyes closed.
“Goodnight, Little Songbird. Daddy loves you.”
“Love you, Daddy,” he mumbled, and I disconnected the call.
Yeah, this was going to be harder than I thought. There was no way after being with him on the tour I’d be able to let him return to his own bed. Changes and compromises were in our future, though I knew without a doubt I’d make anything work for Chase, however his life required, even if that meant selling my house and moving in with him.
The rest of the week was a series of hits and misses between Chase and me. I had class while he was free and by the time he got back to the bus after a show it was the middle of the night here. We survived off texts and quick calls, no more reading my boy to sleep until they had a break which appeared to be Sunday night. They played four to five nights a week according to their schedule. No wonder so many musicians retired at a young age. Social Sinners and Maiden Voyage had the right idea—just stick to the occasional appearance at festivals such as Rocktoberfest.
I’d chosen today to finally have that talk with Johnny, Chase’s stepfather. Richard planned to stay home in the off-chance things went south, though I hoped it wouldn’t. There was no reason we couldn’t converse like the adults we claimed to be.
Except for the whole I was in love with his son portion.
The drive over was spent second guessing not only doing this but my motive for doing so. Chase had no idea, and this was likely one of those times where Daddy shouldn’t have stepped in, but I couldn’t help myself. Not after hearing how sad Chase was and how much his father figure should’ve been there for him when he lost the onlyconstant he’d had in his short life. In essence when his mother died, so had Johnny.
I knocked on the door and waited a few seconds before he answered.
“Can I help you?” Johnny had aged quite a bit, completely greyed and the bags under his eyes spoke of the tough time he continued to have.
Tread lightly, Casey.
“Hi, Johnny. I don’t know if you remember me. I’m Casey Robinson, a friend of the Jordans.” I pointed across the street to Richard’s house.
“Yeah, I remember you. What can I do for you?”
“I was wondering if you had a few minutes to talk. About Chase.” His brows rose and he waved me inside.
“Is Chase in trouble? Is he okay?”
All right, the man still cared. Off to a good start.
“Chase is fine, Embrace is on the road right now and they’re doing well.” I glanced around the living room. Pictures of Chase’s mom and Chase still adorned the walls. Signs of a better time, a happier time. Memories to reflect upon in times of sorrow and happiness, though the latter wasn’t very apparent.