Trey laid out the plan to both of Dominic’s parents in the ICU waiting room, and they both agreed that it was exactly whatDominic needed—even if he didn’t know it yet. Mrs. Bounds said she’d take care of the details on their end.
He said a quiet good-bye to Dominic around noon, promising to swing by in the morning on their way north. Dominic was in much better spirits today now that Lincoln was improving, and he promised to call if anything changed. And each time Trey got behind the wheel and drove, he panicked less. He gripped the wheel a bit less tightly. He’d always be a hypervigilant driver, especially after Dominic’s accident, but he was driving again without totally freaking the fuck out.
He called that progress.
Bobby, Danielle, and Andy were waiting for him when he got home, and they practiced until the neighbors complained—which never happened, but they’d been practicinga lotthis month. He didn’t totally blame them for being sick of the constant music. Afterward they began to carefully pack the van with equipment, and then suitcases with clothing and other necessary crap. Trey also made sure they left enough room in the van for one more person’s stuff.
He and Dominic FaceTimed for several hours that night, talking about everything and nothing. An easy conversation that only cemented their resolved relationship and once again had those three words on the tip of Trey’s tongue. Not yet. In person. So instead of “I love you,” he ended the call with a heartfelt “See you in the morning, babe.”
Morning that took forever to arrive. Trey was so wired he barely slept. He ended up watching the recordings he’d done of himself and Dominic playing Evanescence songs together. Those memories only helped cement his plan, and that even if Dominic was angry at first, in the end it was the right thing to do.
Andy had crashed on the sofa instead of going home, and he was already awake when Trey gave up on sleep at five and went out to make coffee. Bobby and Danielle came out not longafter the pot stopped brewing. The plan was for Bobby and Andy to drive up in the van, while Trey and Danielle swung by for Dominic. They’d meet up at the rest stop in Smyrna before continuing the journey north.
Both vehicles left the house with enough time for Danielle to pull up outside of Mrs. Sumpter’s house at seven thirty. She let him in, then led him to the kitchen, where Dominic was eating breakfast with his parents. The pleased shock on his face was all kinds of adorable.
“I thought you were meeting me at the hospital,” Dominic said.
“Change of plans, babe.” Trey circled the table and tugged him to standing. “Your parents and Benji will be here to visit with Lincoln today and for the weekend, if he isn’t sent home.”
“Okay.” He glanced at his parents, confusion puckering his lips. “What’s going on?”
Sink or swim time.
“We all know how important it was for you to get up onstage at Unbound and play your violin. Not only for that big fat fuck-you, but for you, Dom. To do it for yourself and take that back again. And you’re going to. Tonight.”
“Huh?”
“I called Emily Ryan after the accident. I told her that playing on that stage had very personal meaning to you, and she agreed to let you take Fading Daze’s place in tonight’s showcase.”
Dominic stared at him, eyes rapidly blinking. “Is this some kind of joke?”
“I am dead serious.”
“I can’t get up on that stage alone and play something. I’m not prepared.”
“You won’t be alone.” Trey squeezed both of Dominic’s hands in his. “I’ll be there with you, on keyboard. ‘My Immortal,’ Dom. It’s our song.”
His eyes went liquid. “We haven’t played it in weeks.”
“We both know it by heart. I want to do this for you. I want to do thiswithyou.” This was the moment. “I love you.”
Dominic swayed gently. “I love you too.” He swept Trey into a tight hug, face pressing into Trey’s neck.
Trey held tight, heart pounding. “Come with us, Dom. Play with me tonight. Rock the world with your gift.”
His neck muffled Dominic’s response. Trey urged him to straighten, his heart skipping at the tears in Dominic’s eyes. “Yes, I’ll go with you,” Dominic said. “I need time to?—”
“Pack?” Mrs. Bounds said. She stood, her own eyes wet with joy, and pulled a duffel bag out of the corner of the room near a back door. “Done. Your violin is in the hall closet waiting for you.”
“You were in on this?”
“Of course. Trey told us all about it yesterday. He even told us how we can stream the performance tonight on YouTube.”
Dominic crushed him with another hug, and Trey started laughing. For all of the pain and stress of the last few weeks, he finally felt joy again. Joy for the upcoming trip and for the chance to see Dominic light up the world when he put fingers and bow to strings. And Trey would be right there beside him.
He thumped Dominic’s back. “You ready for a road trip?”
“Hell yes.” He kissed Trey hard on the mouth. “Big Apple, here we come.”
