"Hello." He waves. "I'm going to make this quick because talking to a large crowd freaks me out."
Called it.
"I received a call about an hour ago from someone who couldn't make it tonight. That someone is my step-brother, Theo Grant. Some of you might know him from his band Yellow Sundays."
Young girls scream at the band name.
"Alright, I guess a lot of you know him and his band," Rowan says.
"We love Theo!" Someone from the crowd shouts.
Rowan chuckles. "I'll make sure to let him know."
Ellie whips her head to him. Her parents look just as shocked.
Rowan clears his throat and turns to Mr. And Mrs. Thompson. "I reached out to my brother and told him everything you've been going through, Mr. Thompson. I thought it would be cool if he donated one of his guitars, signed of course, for people to bid on."
I hold my breath because this could go in any direction.
"He thought it would be a better idea if he donated to the fundraiser instead."
Ellie places a hand on Rowan's arm in anticipation. The crowd is silent as a mouse.
"He's donating the rest of the balance we need for you, Mr. Thompson."
Mrs. Thompson lets out a gasp, covering her mouth while putting her other hand on Mr. Thompson's shoulder, like she can't believe it. He puts his hand on hers but keeps his attention fixed on Rowan.
Rowan gets down on Mr. Thompson’s level. "My brother is donating forty thousand dollars, and whatever is left over will go toward research at the cancer facility that's taken care of you."
Mr. Thompson, a man I've never seen cry, holds his hand to his mouth. He lets out a soft sob, grabbing Rowan into his arms and holding him tight. They exchange words, and Rowan sheds a few tears of his own. Ellie and her mom hold each other.
I look at August, who's looking at his dad. He turns his back to the crowd, wiping away at his cheeks, before turning back around to his dad. August kneels to get on his dad’s level and wraps him in a hug. They talk to each other and rock back and forth.
I can barely hold my own emotions in as I watch all ofthis unfold. When he stands, he turns on his heels, coming my way from the stage. His strides are long, like he can’t get to me fast enough, and he grabs me just as I wrap myself in him.
“Congratulations, August.” My voice comes out watery. “I’m so happy for your family.”
“Thank you,” he whispers into my neck. “I love you, Riley.”
“I love you too.”
I flopdown on the couch at August's place, taking my shoes off and throwing them near the entrance. They land near the plants in front of the window.
Today was the longest day I think I've ever had. This topped The Taste of Dove Point when Hailey and I handled the booth for Ellie.
I groan and sit back on the couch. "My feet are screaming."
August sits down next to me, letting out an exhausted sigh. "What a day."
"A successful day."
"I can't believe this is all happening. I can't believe Dad is going to get the surgery." August leans his head back on the couch, looking at the ceiling.
"Well, you’d better believe it, because it's happening.” I put my hand on his leg, tilting my head back on the couch and looking at him. “Things are gonna go up from here. I know it."
He turns his head to me. "Thank you."
"No need to thank me. I would have done this either way."
