Paxton nods before he lets go of Gus.
And now Gus's eyes are on me and he's wearing the smile that he only wears for me. "How's Minnesota treating you, sweetheart?"
I practically curl up into his arms. "Hot. Sticky."
He interrupts me. "Is that a come-on? It's working."
"It's actually pretty wonderful here. Lots of nice people."
He hugs me tight. "You just wait. More nice people to come. Today's gonna be epic."
Keller's next in line for Gus. And when they hug each other it's not your average guy hug. They hold on. It's the kind of hug that's more like a conversation, words passed back and forth, an understanding between two people who share a common bond. And when that bond is love, it makes it even more powerful.
"Traveling in style, I see," Keller says pointing at the bus.
"No complaints, dude. Except that the bunk across the aisle is a little too empty." He looks at me and winks.
"I'm glad you're here. It's good to see you. You guys need anything before we go eat? You need a shower or some coffee? We can stop by my place on the way."
Gus smells his pits. "Nah, fresh as a daisy, dude. Let's go eat. I'm starving."
The band and Paxton ride with Duncan, because the allure of the beanbags is too strong to be ignored. You haven't lived until you've witnessed four grown men absolutely giddy about riding in the back of a moving vehicle on beanbags. I took video. It could go viral.
Jim, Gus, and I ride with Keller and Stella. Gus seems pretty at ease around Jim, which is a nice change from last summer when just being in the same room with both of them at the same time was difficult. Back then, their dislike for each other was so evident it was almost unbearable. I think they've both changed. Jim catches me up on everything that's going on with Jane. When I talk to her these days she doesn't want to talk about her recovery, and I don't pry, so it's nice to get the details I've been worrying about. She's doing better, thanks to intensive therapy and counseling. It gives my heart some peace where she's concerned.
We end up at a bar called Red Lion Road. Keller bartends here on Friday nights so he knows everyone and they already have several tables put together for us in the back.
After the pizza, pitchers of beer, and sodas for me, Paxton, and Stella are ordered, everyone settles into easy conversation.
And then, over the next several hours, the group grows.
The first to join us is a tall woman about my age. When she walks through the door I can't take my eyes off her. She's striking with her black hair, dark eyes, and curvy body, but she's got this presence about her. It's the first thing you notice. It's almost intimidating, like you know you'd better give this woman respect. It's just the way she carries herself.
Duncan stands and meets her before she gets to the table. He kisses her. And when he does she smiles and everything about her softens. This must be his fiancée, Shelly.
Before she takes a seat next to Duncan at the other end of table, she waves. "Hey, everyone." Her voice is low and raspy, and it suits her perfectly.
Gus raises his beer in greeting. "Shelly! Drink up, girl. I've got money on you tonight. Distance. It's all about distance."
Her cheeks flame red. "Hey, Gus. I'm limiting the booze intake tonight to manageable levels, dude."
"Well hell. You're no fun anymore. I thought shit was about to get real," he teases.
She smirks. "Oh, I didn't say I wasn't gonna have fun. I'm just gonna have fun that doesn't involve projectile vomiting in the parking lot at the end of the night."
Gus pushes his chair back and holds his beer up. "I'd like to make a toast. Rumor has it a wedding is in the near future. Congrats to Duncan and Shelly."
Everyone raises their glasses and joins in with their congratulations.
Shelly keeps her glass raised. "And congratulations to Rook on the new album. It's freaking sick. You outdid yourselves. Can't wait for the show tonight." She's a fan, that wasn't put on. I like this girl.
And before there's time to make an introduction, two more pairs join us. A small, adorable guy in a quirky outfit and a tall, dark, well-dressed man walk in holding hands. Despite their obvious differences—they look like exact opposites—they work together. They fit together. It makes me smile because they look so comfortable with each other. With them are a conservative looking younger guy and his slightly meek looking girlfriend. They're just normal. Not that normal's a bad thing at all. But in the group of characters I'm surrounded by at the moment, normal stands out. They're both very quiet, but friendly. Introductions are made. Clayton and Morris flew in from L.A. for the show. And Peter and Evelyn go to school here at the college Keller goes to. I learn that Clayton and Peter were roommates and lived across the hall from Kate in the dorms. And Shelly worked with Kate at a flower shop.
And then the stories begin. This day is all about Kate and her memory. Everyone at the table, with the exception of me, Paxton, and Jim, knew her and loved her. It's heartwarming to listen to their stories and amazing to think that some of them only knew her for a few short months, especially Keller. The friendships were deep and meaningful and the love was so real. The laughter is genuine and constant, and the smiles only grow as each person shares their memories. There's no sadness here; it's all positive, all pure joy. She touched so many people.
Time flies and when Jim reluctantly announces that it's four o'clock and time for soundcheck, I'm shocked. He doesn't want to break up the fun everyone is having, I can tell he feels a little bad about it, but it needs to be done. They need to get to work.
Keller lets me, Gus, and the band take his car to the auditorium. Paxton and Jim stay behind to talk. I'm glad, it needs to happen. It's long overdue.
As I sit through soundcheck, I'm regretting the fact that I didn't take advantage of this last summer when I was on tour with them. Now it feels like a missed opportunity.
I don't miss opportunities anymore. Ever. Life is about living every moment. Doing what I want and need to do. No more hiding. No more hesitation. Just living.
Gus stops in the middle of a song to answer his phone, which is strange. He talks for only a few seconds and then calls out to me through the microphone. "Scout, there's a VIP at the front door. Can you go ask someone to let him in?"