“What the…?”
The others nodded in confirmation.
“I quit and flew home to Idaho. I only came back for you, but, as far as I know, they were making plans to cancel the remainder of the tour and endAnyDayNowfor good. Trust me when I say, I’m ready to walk out the door with you.”
Tears pooled in Dane’s eyes. “Am I the only one who wants to stay on this ride forever?”
I gripped his shoulder. “That’s the thing, Dane. It’s not going to last forever. We’re getting older. Trust me, there are five guys waiting in the wings, ready to knock us off our pedestals. Let’s go out at the top of our game.”
“I’m with Bodhi.” Hunter sighed. “I don’t want to become a joke.”
“Exactly.” RJ flashed me a wicked smirk. “We don’t want to be the pubescent child star who can’t even book a mouthwash commercial.”
I delivered a swift punch to RJ’s arm and then turned to my brothers. “Here’s the deal. We can spend the rest of our lives with our heads up a mannequin’s ass, or we can be out there.” I pointed to the great outdoors. “It’s a big, wide world out there, boys. Let’s go live in it.”
Adding our fists to the circle, we noticed one missing. Our heads swiveled in Shawn’s direction. Had he seriously not been paying attention to our life changing conversation? Only a wicked grin revealed his true intentions.
“Sorry guys, I was just checking my Twitter status,” he said, grinning as he made a show of putting his phone away. “So, what did I miss?”
* * *
While still hunkered down under maximum security, the guys and I made plans for our mutiny. Once the decision had been made, a weight lifted from my shoulders. I was one step closer to the life I wanted to live. An authentic life. Since we were all on the same page, no one person would take the heat for the breakup and we could all emerge untainted by drama.
Maybe someday we’d work together again but, for the foreseeable future, the five of us had agreed to go our separate ways. Professionally, at least. Privately, we were still brothers. Family.
Tucker took the news better than expected. After the conversation we’d had on Breeze’s patio, he probably expected the exodus, although I’m not sure he was anticipating it times five. But true to his word, my father stood by me, negotiating a settlement with the handlers. Because we had only four months left of our current deal, it was agreed upon by all parties that after the end of the tour, they’d let the contracts burn out. In return, we promised to make the final thirteen shows a farewell event for the ages.
In two months’ time,AnyDayNowwould officially be no more.
* * *
Tucker stretched out on the couch in the suite, glancing over the notes I’d left on the table. “Are you sure, Bodhi?” His eyes flicked to mine.
I wasn’t sure about anything. Except that Marni had agreed to sign over her parental rights to Evan in exchange for an all-expense paid trip to a luxury rehab where sobriety went hand-in-hand with massages and mani-pedis.
And that was only the beginning. More treasures would fall at her feet once the program was completed. A lump sum payout, overseen by a trust that would regularly administer funds. Contingent on Marni passing random drug screenings. And a nice three-bedroom house in a quiet neighborhood.
Despite everything I knew about the woman, I had to make the offer. If Marni was serious about getting clean, I’d give her the shovel to dig her way out. If she wasn’t, she could use that shovel to add more dirt onto her grave. Because that’s where she was heading. But the agreement I forged ensured that she wouldn’t be taking my brother along for the ride.
“It’s something I have to do,” I said with a grim smile. “I don’t expect you to understand, but I do need you to help me with the legal side of things.”
To my surprise, Tucker nodded. No hesitation. I didn’t even have to use my canned speech to convince him.
Inside, down deep, he felt something for Marni. She was my mother. And if there was one thing I knew, Tucker loved me. And that love extended to her.
Tucker pushed to his feet, his phone and my rudimentary contract with my mother in hand.
“Don’t worry, son. I’ll get it done. And, I know I’m probably the last person you want around Evan but… anything he needs, I’m here.”
I nodded, thankful for his offer. There was still so much I needed to figure out but my immediate concern was for my little brother’s safety. All the other details could be ironed out later.
Once Tucker retreated into the bedroom to contact my attorney, I sank onto the couch and stared at the screen on my phone.
Anxiety churned in my belly. For me. For Evan.
What if he didn’t agree? What if he was too far gone? What if…
Pushing the doom and gloom aside, I swiped my finger over Evan’s name.
