“Fine,” I mutter, grabbing my hoodie from the chair. “But I better not regret this.”
Lily’s laugh is soft, musical. She has this glow about her in the mornings, a softness that makes everything feel a little less bleak. “You won’t. Hoodie up—it’s cold out.”
She darts out of the room before I can complain further, her excitement filling the hallway as I hear her knocking on the other’s doors. “Dylan, wake up! Marcus, come on!”
Their groans and muffled protests echo down the hall, but Lily is relentless.
I tug my hoodie over my head, still half-asleep but curious now. Whatever she’s planning, it’s better than lying here alone with my thoughts.
By the time I shuffle into the hallway, the others are gathered, all in varying states of bleary confusion. Marcus rubs a hand through his messy blond hair, looking like he’s questioning every decision that led him here. Dylan has a blanket draped around his shoulders like a cape, yawning loudly. Enzo leans against the wall, arms crossed and expression as dark as the sky outside.
“What’s this about?” Enzo grumbles, his voice rough with irritation.
“We’re watching the sunrise,” Lily announces, her excitement undimmed by the chorus of groans.
“Sunrise?” Dylan echoes, disbelief dripping from the single word.
“Yes.” She smirks, folding her arms. “It’s our last morning here. You’ll thank me later.”
Despite the complaints, we follow her outside. The chill hits me first, sharp and crisp, making me pull my hoodie tighter. The Ranch is quiet, the kind of stillness that feels almost otherworldly. The sky is dark, but hints oflight color begin to streak the horizon, a promise of the day to come.
Lily spreads out blankets on the porch, patting the space beside her. One by one, we settle in. Marcus pulls Lily onto his lap, wrapping a blanket around both of them. Dylan sits beside me, his arm brushing mine as he stifles another yawn. Enzo leans on the railing, staring out into the sky.
As the stars fade, the colors on the horizon grow richer—soft blushes of pink melting into a deeper, richer color. The mist clinging to the hills begins to lift, revealing the expanse of The Ranch bathed in gentle light.
“Okay,” Enzo mutters, breaking the silence. “I’ll admit it. This isn’t terrible.”
Lily grins, extending her leg to tap him with her toes. “Told you.”
Enzo slips back inside to make coffee, mumbling something about needing caffeine to survive this early morning wake-up call. A few minutes later, he returns, carrying a cluster of steaming mugs. He passes one to each of us, the scent of a strong, dark brew waking me up a little more. He leans back against the porch railing, his face softening as he gazes out over the hills.
Then, with a smirk, he moves beside Marcus and Lily. Scooping her up and into his lap, earning a laugh from her that cuts through the early morning chill.
We sit there in silence, watching as the sky slowly comes to life. The colors deepen, shades of pink and purple bleeding into vibrant orange and gold. The hills roll out in front of us, bathed in the early morning light that makes everything look soft and new. The only sounds arethe rustling of the wind through the trees and the occasional shuffle of boots against the porch.
The world feels big and wide out here, as if we’re the only people on Earth.
It’s quiet—almost too quiet, like the world is holding its breath. And for the first time in what feels like forever, I’m not thinking about the cravings, the detox, or the mess I’ve made of my life. All I can focus on is the sunrise—the way the light dances across the fields, painting everything in hues I haven’t noticed in years. Or if I’m being completely honest, maybe ever.
Dylan shifts beside me, his blanket slipping from his shoulders. His usually playful demeanor is replaced by something heavier, his gaze distant. “I don’t know if I’m ready to go back on tour,” he says softly, a quiet confession.
The words hang in the air, surprising all of us. Dylan, the one who loves being on the road, thriving in the chaos, always quick with a joke to break the tension, now looks worn down in a way I hadn’t noticed before.
Without hesitation, Lily climbs into his lap, pulling the blanket over both of them. She rests her head against his chest. Dylan closes his eyes, wrapping his arms tightly around her like he’s worried she’s going to change her mind, and he needs to keep her from leaving.
“We’ve been through a lot recently,” Marcus agrees. His blue eyes reflect the growing light, his expression calm but resolute. “I don’t think any of us are really ready, but we’ll figure it out. We always do.”
Enzo nods, his gaze fixed on the horizon. “We won’t rush anything. We’ll take it one step, one show at a time, and figure it out together.”
I sip on my coffee, untangling my thoughts. The warmth of the rising sun seeps into my skin, chasing away the lingering chill. As I sit there, I realize that maybe the rest of the band has been feeling the same feelings I have. I’m not alone and they need me too. They need my reassurance that I’m all in.
“This is a second chance,” I state. “I won’t blow it this time. I promise.”
Lily reaches for my hand, her fingers intertwining with mine. She doesn’t say anything, but her touch is enough, a silent promise that we’re in this together.
As the sun climbs higher, painting the sky in vibrant hues, I let myself breathe. The world feels bigger, brighter, full of possibilities I haven’t dared to consider before.
Maybe life can still be good.
