Page 46 of The Prodigal Son

I have a new appreciation for him every time I witness his show. I loved his music before, and now I’m growing a new appreciation for him as a person. I’m still a fan. I still scream the words of his songs and cheer for him after each one. Only now, I do it with the taste of him on my lips.

Thirteen

Isaac

The crowd is massive and so energetic tonight that I never manage to find Jensen among the thousands of faces. But I feel him out there. Having his eyes on me is what gives me the spirit to sing louder, strum harder, jump higher.

It’s like he gives me life.

And knowing what’s waiting for me after the showreallygives me life. In fact, it’s all I’m living for at the moment.

The crowd is the loudest yet. It’s still so fucking surreal. All of these people know my songs. Theylikemy music. They are not laughing at me or making me feel inferior.

In some sick and twisted way, I wish my father could see this. I wish I could rub it in his face.Look at me, Dad. I did all of this without you.

I don’t need you.

When we run offstage before the encore, I rush over to the backstage crew to help me change quickly for the last two songs. The crowd is deafening. It’s almost unsettling how loud they are.

I guzzle some water and tear off my shirt as someone helps me into another one. For these last two songs, I like to be more casual. It’s an homage to the old Theo Virgil—the one who started in bars and tiny venues and traveled around in a used van.

It’s for the fans who have been with me since the beginning.

After we’re all ready, the band and I run back out to the stage, and somehow, the crowd cheers even louder.

“Wow, Denver!” I shout into the mic. “Y’all really showed up tonight.”

I stare out through the bright lights and try one last time to find Jensen, but it’s futile. It’s just a sea of faces blurring together.

“Well, we have a few more songs in us if you could stick around for a bit longer.”

They cheer with enthusiasm.

As I strum the guitar, they quiet. Then I lean into the mic. “This is the first song that really took off for me. It changed my life. And it came from the heart. So if you relate to these words, then just know you’re relating to me.”

After a few more shouts from the crowd, I get started on the song, and it takes me back to the beginning of my career. When I didn’t quite know who I wanted to be. I remember feeling like I never fit into any boxes as a musician. I wasn’t quite country enough or quite folk enough. I was just me and the music that came from my soul.

Then, out of nowhere, someone got a hold of it, and everyone started to connect with it. Like lightning, it went viral. Overnight, my life changed.

Ironically, it’s a song about wanting to fuck someone I’m not supposed to. And most of them have no idea.

Our last song of the encore is a huge hit at the moment, and the crowd really loses it. They sing along as the band and I jamwith our instruments. On the final note, we all leap in unison before the lights go out, and we rush offstage.

To my surprise, Jensen is in the wings, waiting for me. I nearly slam right into him and smile brightly, fighting the urge to kiss him.

“You were amazing!” he says with a hand on my shoulder.

“Thank you, but you’ve seen the show three times now,” I reply with a laugh.

“I don’t care. It’s phenomenal every time.”

“Thank you.”

His gaze holds mine for a few seconds, and my heart swells in my chest. I’m really losing my fucking grip with this guy.

All I want is to get him to my tour bus, but I’m immediately pulled in different directions. The crew takes my guitar, and Jensen and I lose each other in the chaos backstage after the show. The tour manager and crew want to meet with me for a few minutes to discuss some minor things onstage tonight.

Jensen stays close by, and I keep making eye contact with him, fire burning between us, even when we’re apart. He wants exactly what I want. It feels like forever, but the moment no one needs me, we sprint off together.

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