lovin’ you.”
“Thank you for sayin’ that. It means more to me than you’ll ever know.”
Cash pulled her into a hug, and she went willingly. It was nice to see them reunited as best as they could be for the moment. Harley pulled away, wiping away a tear.
Jackson reached for her while Cash extended his hand for Jackson to shake. Jackson looked down at his gesture and then peered up at him through the slits of his eyes.
“Again, thank you, quarterback. For everythin’.”
My brother inhaled deep within his chest before shaking Cash’s hand, letting his guard down.
Their relationship still had a long way to go, but at least...
This was a good start.
Chapter 36
“Every time you pick up your guitar to play, play as if it’s the last time.”
-Eric Clapton
<>Journey<>
Two years later
“Oh my God! I’m so excited! This is my first concert ever, and I have a backstage pass!” Bailey beamed, glowing with nothing but happiness as we walked down to the private entrance with my brother and Harley.
Our families were all in a roped off section of the sold-out festival.
Rockfest.
Life of Debauchery was closing out the festivities.
Everything had come full circle, including having the support of his father who was standing in the crowd.
“I can’t believe I get to watch Life of Debauchery from the side of the stage! This is so cool!”
I smiled. To hear her say that warmed my heart.
“Mom! Dad! Are you guys excited?”
Harley shook her head. “I’ve seen Cash in concert many times. He used to sing to me. My best friend wasn’t always a household name, you know?”
“Facts.” I nodded.
“Eh.” Jackson grinned. “He’s alright.”
Harley playfully slapped him on the chest.
“My dear brother, if you thought that, you wouldn’t be here.”
“Ohhhh, Daddy! She called you out!”
A lot had changed over the last two years. Especially Cash’s relationship with Harley and Jackson. Their friendship didn’t evolve overnight, and it was still very much a work in process. With time, they developed respect for Cash, and it only progressed from there.
Bailey knew the truth of who Cash was. She was aware he was her biological father. Jackson and Harley made the decision to tell her the truth on their own a few months ago. Cash had to prove himself, and he worked his ass off trying to mend the error of his ways, not only with his words, but with his actions as well.
I wasn’t present when they told her, however Cash was. They wanted to include him in the big reveal. From what Harley shared with me, Bailey didn’t understand at first. It was obvious she still struggled on sorting it all out since she was only twelve-years-old. It was a lot for a kid to swallow. They didn’t want to continue lying to her, knowing it would only hurt her the longer they waited to tell her the truth.
Together, they expressed to Bailey she was made from the love two best friends had for each other. Cash didn’t want to lie to her. He told Bailey the truth. He chose Jackson to be her father because he wanted her to have the best life he couldn’t provide at the time. He explained what his circumstances were back then, and in the end, he didn’t regret his decision.
Jackson was her father.
He wanted Bailey to understand he wasn’t trying to take Jackson’s place in her heart, but he simply wanted to be in her life any way she’d let him.
The road to forgiveness wasn’t easy, and they still had their tension-filled moments. Little-by-little, things were getting easier.
For all of them.
Once the news hit the rest of the family, it wasn’t a domino effect like I assumed it would be. If anything, the respect for Cash grew within our family. Knowing he’d put his feelings aside to give his daughter the life she deserved.
People make mistakes.
The Good Ol’ Boys.
The Jamesons’.
The Pierces’.
Every one of us had our own stories to tell that were filled with trials and tribulations, truths and lies, heartache and redemption.
No one had any room to talk.
At the end of the day, all that mattered was we were all family. Through thick and thin, we supported one another.
Jackson and Cash weren’t best friends by any means. They definitely put their feelings aside, specifically my brother. All for the love of the little girl who owned everyone’s hearts.
As soon as Cash saw us approach the side of the stage, he winked at Bailey and gestured more in sign language to me. He’d finally undergone surgery last year for his