knew I was a better musician than these guys. It wasn’t a surprise they couldn’t keep up. However, if I had to carry them to the top, I would.
No one, and I meant no one, was gonna stop me from becoming the legend I was born to be.
“You don’t think I want that as much as you do?!” Travis snarled, shoving Gunner’s arm off his chest.
“Not when you’re playin’ like shit!”
“Playing like shit? Motherfuc—”
“Cut dem eyes at me one more time and watch me lay your ass out!”
“McGraw! Go take a walk! Now!” Gunner ordered.
“I don’t answer to you. It’s obvious I’m the only one who gives a shit ’bout our sound.” I scoffed out a snide, “I’m outta here.”
With that, I grabbed my stuff and left, pissed as all hell.
For the life of me, I couldn’t understand why they were turning on me. All I was doing was making sure we sounded legit. The last thing I wanted to do was get up on stage in front of thousands of people and make absolute fools of ourselves.
This was complete and utter bullshit.
Amateurs.
I threw my guitar in the backseat of my truck and swung open the driver side door when Little Miss Thang caught my attention.
“Journey!” I called out, slamming the door closed.
“Cash!” She smiled, beaming with her front tooth missing. She stopped her Barbie bicycle on the sidewalk and turned to give me her full attention.
“Does your momma know you’re over here?”
“Yessss.” She nodded, pointing to the end of the sidewalk a few feet away. “I can’t cross that line over there, or else I’m in big trouble and Daddy will be mad. I don’t want to make my daddy mad because he turns into a beast, and I don’t like that,” she shared, talking like she was grown.
Although, Journey had always been an old soul. I’d often have to remind myself she was only six-years-old. She was as smart as they came, always remembering everything. From the things I’d tell her, to the things she’d hear from other people, to the stuff she’d learn from her books.
This kid loved to read and write, knowing more shit than I did about life. Learning about space, scientists, and other random stuff no little girl should care about. To Journey, it was all that mattered. She was a sponge, wanting to soak up as much knowledge as she could about anything and everything.
“What are you doing here?” she asked. Her crystal blue eyes lit up. “Did you come to see me?”
“Not this time, darlin’.”
She pouted.
“Hey! Turn that frown upside down before your face freezes that way.”
“That can’t happen.” She adamantly shook her head. “That’s just something grown-ups say to little kids to make them listen.”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it.
“You’re too smart for your own good.”
She beamed again. Nothing made her happier than being told she was smart.
“Then why are you here?”
“How ’bout I walk you back to your house while you ride your bike?”
“I’d like that very much.”
This kid.
Pulling my hoodie over my head, I placed my hands in the pockets of my jeans, walking beside her as she peddled her little legs.
“Cash, why you sad? Did I make you sad?”
“Journey Pierce, you couldn’t upset me if ya tried.”
“My name’s June, remember?”
“Well then, Junie.” I peered down at her, repeating, “You couldn’t upset me if ya tried.”
“Who made you sad then? Did your dad make you sad again?”
I’d never told her about the animosity between me and my old man. She simply picked up on it when I’d watch her at my house.
“No, it wasn’t him this time.”
“Is it a secret? Because I’m your second-best friend next to Harley, so you can tell me anything. I’m a good secret keeper too. I promise to keep my lips zipped.” Bringing her fingers up to her mouth, she motioned like she zipped them closed.
“Is that right?”
“Yes.” Swiftly, she stopped pedaling and lifted her pinky finger. “Pinky promise for life. That means serious business, Cash. Pinky promises are not to be broken no matter what.”
“Alright then.” I nodded, hooking my pinky with hers. “Pinky promise for life it is.”
She smiled, showing me her missing teeth. This kid was beyond adorable without even trying. Before she started pedaling again, she kissed her finger and gave me a wink.
“Darlin’.” As much as I didn’t want to hurt her feelings, this needed to be said. “You gotta find a new best friend, one who’s your age.”
She gasped, looking up at me with a crushed expression on