I am shocked by her response and the truth she speaks. They are family, his family and Axe's and it is why I let the shit go. To hear her say this when we had the worst relationship than even Cal and I in the beginning... means a lot.
"Thank you." I say and I know I sound small, I am just overwhelmed by the action.
She hugs me close and pats my back. "Let’s go see a bad ass show." She says and pulls me by the hand.
Cal
We are about to take the stage and I look on the monitors and from the side stage when the lights go down and am blown away by the sold-out show. The front row is lined with promotors, PR reps and Producers. In the center, the three front rows are reserved for our people. Jen and the wives sit center front row with Ral and Lex's twin brother Langston with his girlfriend Jessica.
The remaining rows are family, friends, the PIT crew and our road crew. I wish Axe could have been here and feel awful leaving him with a sitter tonight knowing how bad he wanted to be here. Lex and I agreed tomorrow we could do a show for just him if he remained good the rest of the night.
"You ready?" I ask Lex who looks nervous but excited.
"Hell yes!" She says and hugs me. "I don’t know what would have been without you Calvin." She says and looks at me when she pulls from the hug. "You are my unexpected blessing."
I feel a swell of pride hearing her say it and feel I should say something. "This is your show. I have a small part in it. You busted your ass for it Lex and you’re about to see hard work pay off."
She nods and blinks a lot to keep from crying and I laugh. "Toughen up cupcake." I say and head to my boys.
"You guys ready to see this shit live?" I ask as they all hi-five me and shoulder pat me in support but first making fun of my fancy threads.
"You proposing after?" Chad asks and laughs when he flicks the collar of my royal blue Armani shirt.
"Hey, I aint a total douche." I say and point to my jeans and chucks I paired.
"Classy and trashy. I dig it." Shame says and I roll my eyes.
"Well... shit I just hope you guys enjoy this." I say, my nerves on display and it is a first for me.
"Hell, yes we will." Noah says and fist bumps me as he makes his way to the side to go to his seat with the others. "You got this brother." Chad says and Shame nods. "You do, you’re fucking brilliant."
I thank them and watch as they disappear to go have a seat and call for Noah who steps back toward me. "What’s up?"
"Make sure she doesn’t get in her head with the Tay shit."
Before I can go into explanations he shoosh's me. "Dude, she will listen. Trust me." He says and leaves me standing there hoping he is right.
We don’t start with chit chat, but with my guitar and one hell of a riff as the venue goes dark and the place explodes in a thunderous applause as they chant our names. We are starting with our version coveringHurricanebyFleurie. The radio's liked the LP and we decided to include it as the only cover we will do.
I let her take the piano lead just as we did in Pinky's that first time as we play the slow methodic melody as the venue goes quiet. Once her beats start you can hear the cheers of the audience as I back her voice up with mine before the pause at the chorus.
By the end of the song, it was obvious we had them hooked and now it was time to get them addicted. "Everyone, please let me announce the one and only Cal Dorian on guitar and anything else he touches."
I stand as Lex introduces me and nod at the crowd, humbled by the loyalty of the front row. I see Tayla sitting there, close, too close to the front row and Jen and I cringe. I knew she would be here, but I don’t want shit misinterpreted considering I haven’t even talked to Jen yet.
I chose, like she did, to let the words I can’t say speak for me. This is my journal and it is for her. I just pray like hell that by the end she won’t question it.
Jen
I come back from the bar knowing they will do one more song and the stage is being set up with two pianos’ instead of one and only one mic stand. I sit next to Bright and Raleigh and look for the remainder of TAT. "Where are the guys?" I ask Bright who is obviously lying her ass off as she tells me she doesn’t know.
"I think they are giving Cal an early congrats before the pandemonium ensues. And it will, he proved his ability tenfold to come out of his skin like he did tonight."
"Ohmigawd yesssss he did." Raleigh says and fans himself. "I had no idea he could be so swoon worthy." He looks to Carrie with a pout. "Sorry baby, but I am a Cal Dorian fan for life now."
She laughs as do I and it is because I agree with him. "What about Noah? He'll be crushed Ral." Carrie says and laughs even harder. No way Ral would ever trade in Noah, not for anyone.
"Oh, please honey. No man is dumb enough to leave their talented, supportive non-judgmental Sugar daddy when he spoils him rotten."
