32
XANDER
“How’d it go today?” Linc asks. We’re on the plane headed to Chicago for the concert the day after tomorrow.
“Good. She got closure. Carter too,” I answer softly.
Linc nods. “Good.”
“Why didn’t you go?”
“I already went there, man, after one of my fights. After seeing the tapes…” his hands clench into fists. “I had to see for myself.”
I nod. I’d been there before today, too. More times than I’ll ever admit. The scene of the crime. The spot where those seven thugs changed the course of so many lives.
“They’re dead,” I blurt out.
He nods. “I figured. Family and all.”
“Yeah,” I breathe. I look down at Tera who’s fallen asleep against me, her head resting on my shoulder. I scooped her up and cradled her in my lap, Lucy covered her with a blanket, then I rested my hand on the baby bump.
I wonder how she’s going to do at the concert. We’ve got a fifty-fifty chance. I hope it turns out for the better. If not, I’ll finish out these charity shows, then retire from Falling Down. It’s been a good run, but Tera has always meant more to me than the music. It took me almost losing her to realize that. I won’t make that mistake twice.
