Page 47 of Not the Punk

“Are you serious?” I couldn’t believe what he was asking. Sure, I wanted to spend all my time with him, but I hadn’t exactly expected that. Staying with him for the last two shows—yes. Moving in?

“Yes. Colten, I don’t want to be without you. When you’re working, I wonder where you are and what you’re doing and…and this is going to sound selfish, but I wonder why you aren’t here with me. I need you.”

“Joe…”

He grabbed my hand and kissed me. “It’s more than the Trent thing. It’s, I, uh. I don’t know how to explain it. Yes, Trent has me scared, but since they put Brax with me like a shadow, I’m feeling much better. You being here has nothing to do with that. I want you with me. It took me a long fucking time to admit all of this Daddy-stuff, but now that I have…” He held his hand up.

“You want it all the time. I get it. I want you all the time as well. And watch your language.”

He blushed and mumbled, “Yes, Daddy.”

I pulled him up in my arms. “I don’t have an answer for you yet. I need to figure a few things out, but I’m not saying no right off the bat.”

“That’s a yes-but answer, isn’t it?”

“A what?”

He huffed and crossed his arms. “I know this one. I’ve heard it a million times. We like you, yes, but… some catch or something is holding you back. Or I have to do something different. Compromise.”

“Look at me.” I took his chin in my hand and turned him to face me. “None of that. It’s yes, but I have to figure out when and how. And I have to have a job.”

“No, you don’t. Saxon moved without a job.”

“I’m not Saxon.”

He pushed his forehead against my shoulder. “Daddy…”

“Don’t whine, baby.” I didn’t know what else to do here. Ultimately, we needed to be together. I didn’t want him a whole country apart, and I hated him being on the road without me. “I’ll make it happen.”

“Promise?”

“Yes, I promise.”

Chapter twenty-three

Joe After the Tour

It was becoming a tradition for everyone to go to Kay’s house before and after a tour, so we were having a cookout. We brought two coloring books, one for each of them, and a bottle of wine. I handed Kay and Don the books, and Colten gave the wine to Saxon.

“Perfect, dude.” He kissed the top of my head.

Kay made a weird noise. “Ew…don’t do that.”

Saxon gave him a look that shut him up fast, and I shook my head. “Whatever, I’m still not calling you uncle.” Kay and Don had been pushing for that since they’d been calling Colten that. I was out. It was too weird. For once, I agreed with Pierce. Colten chuckled and hugged Saxon.

Fully in adulting mode, we grabbed a couple of beers and headed out to the backyard where our other bandmates, as well as the Soul Shred guys, were hanging out. After greeting everyone, I kicked my feet up, resting them on top of a cooler that I suspected had more beer in it, and Colten sat beside me.

Kay sat on the other side and tapped my arm. “Hey, how’s that song you were working on coming along? The one you started on the bus that day we were playing cards?”

“I haven’t had a lot of time to work on it.”

“Tell us about it.” Matty held up his beer. “An early start to the next album.”

“Yeah, sure. So, it starts with an elaborate intro that slides into something more bluesy. The whore bass line comes in.”

“Beg your pardon, what?” Dave, our bassist asked. “What the fuck are you saying about me, dude? A whore?”

“You know, I mean something more, uh…” I searched for the right words. “Like sultry and bluesy. Not that it’s a whore.”