He chuckles. “You’ve been taking care of your sister and my baby girl. That matters more.”
The words catch, and I swallow hard. “I’m sorry. For not seeing the signs. For not being there quicker.”
Donny’s hand lands on my back, and then he shakes his head. “From what I hear, you bashed her chest until her ribs caved in. You dragged her back when she was slipping away. You saved her life.”
I blink, a little thrown.
He snorts, rough emotion lacing the sound. “I look like I want to punch you sometimes because I’m fighting the urge to hug you like a sissy bitch and cry, thanking you. I look angry because I am angry… at myself. Because you make me feel like less of a man, and I hate that, even while I’m damn proud of you.”
My throat thickens. I don’t have an answer for that. I don’t even have words. So I do the only thing that feels right. I lean forward and pull him into a hard hug, the kind men give when they don’t know how to say what they mean.
He hugs me back, tight enough my lungs protest, and for one stupid second, I know what it might have felt like to be held like that growing up.
When I pull back, my eyes burn.
Donny slaps my shoulder. “You’re a good match for her, Kaden. I couldn’t have picked a better man.”
I glance across the pub at Effa, laughing now, her head tilted, her eyes bright, and then I turn back to Donny, my breath heavy, my gaze steady.
“That’s the best thing you could’ve said because I need to ask you something.”
Chapter Sixteen
EFFA
Monday
Saturday night went better than I could have hoped.
The pub was warm and loud and full of life, and for the first time in weeks, I felt almost… normal. Meeting the locals, laughing, watchingFort Afflictionown that tiny stage like it was Madison Square Garden, it did something to me. They’re good. Damn good. And as much as I know, Luke and Mercs orchestrated that little ‘surprise’ tour offer, the idea had already started forming in my mind while I was listening to them play.
Still, I would have liked the courtesy of a heads-up before Luke dropped it in front of everyone.
But it worked out.
The tour can move forward once I’m back to full strength, and that’s what matters. I just hopeFort Afflictionunderstands what they’re stepping into. Touring with us isn’t backyard-pub energy. It’s pressure. It’s lights, scrutiny, cameras, and fans who don’t always respect boundaries. Fame can chew people up if they’re not ready.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
Mercs’ voice pulls me from the spiral. I turn to him, catching the way he runs his fingers through the longer hair at the top of his head, the motion restless and thoughtful. Sunlight pours through the tinted car windows, catching in the gold flecks of his eyes and softening the hard planes of his face.
Outside, Pennsylvania rolls by in stretches of lush green fields under a perfectly balanced blue sky. The day is stunning. Almost unfairly beautiful for how nervous I feel.
I reach for his hand as we leave the Pennsylvania Turnpike and merge onto the Blairsville Pittsburgh Highway. Every mile marker feels like a countdown.
“Just thinking about Saturday,” I tell him, offering a small smile. “It was nice meeting another band that actually feels… good. And knowing them already helps. I like Ligonier. The people are genuine.”
He squeezes my hand. “Yeah, they are.” His thumb brushes slowly over my knuckles. “How are you feeling about today?”
There it is.
Therealquestion.
I shrug, staring out at the fields again. “Mixed. I want answers. I hate not knowing what’s happening inside my own body…” I hesitate. “But sometimes ignorance feels safer.”
His grip tightens, not painfully, but just enough to ground me.
“Whatever happens,” he says quietly. “Whatever it is… I’m here. With you… always.”
