Page 72 of Feuds and Interludes
“It was. The first doctor I saw told me, ‘Your screamo days are over.’”
“So you got a second opinion,” I said with a laugh. I knew Shane wouldn’t take that sitting down.
“I did. I had the surgery and then I worked with vocal coach Mirabel Sanchez. Have you met her?”
I shook my head. “No, but I definitely recognized the change in your vocals after the first album. You got so much stronger.”
“Thanks,” he said. “She definitely helped. I’d love to set you up with her. You have an incredible instrument, Boone. I worry you’re gonna push yourself too far.”
I heaved a giant sigh. “You and everyone else. Apparently my band agrees with you. I gave them a few days off, that’s the next part of my news. That, and Morrison and Leland are going to head to London and give me some time to heal.”
“That’s great that they could be flexible. I’m sorry, babe,” he said as he smoothed my hair back. “I know this timing sucks, but maybe it doesn’t have to.”
“I was thinking the same,” I said, sitting up. “I thought we could work on the setlist for Rocktoberfest, and when the twins get back, we can start rehearsing in the time we have.”
Shane smiled. “Sounds great. I also have a favor to ask.”
“What is it?”
Shane looked down at the guitar he’d been playing and he blew out a breath before he looked at me again. “Watching you guys in the studio today, getting to be a part of your process…I wondered… Would you write with me? You can totally say no?—”
“Are you kidding? I would love that!”
He gave me a shy smile. “I don’t know what I’m doing about Wicked Soul. Maybe it’s time to let it die. But I do know that I’m inspired to make music. Between my sessions with Lydia and being with you…I feel energized like I haven’t in a long time. I want to see what we can do together.”
“I think we’ve already established we’re pretty incredible together.”
That was enough to make him chuckle. He kissed the top of my head.
“That’s definitely part of it. But it’s more than that. I wrote lyrics today, and I normally have to pull teeth to get something that makes sense off the bat. It just happened, though. And God, singing with you? Fuck, Boone. I’ve never stretched like that. I keep on doing the same things, but you had me practically singing opera in there.”
“You sounded amazing. You saw Morrison,” I said, laughing. “He lost his mind.”
“I think we could go harder, deeper. I think we could make something that’s exceeds everything I’ve done on my own.”
I took his hands in mine and delighted at the excitement on his face.
“Then let’s put our heads together, shall we?”
“After we deal with the seventyagers.”
I sighed. “Right. Let’s go.”
Three Weeks Later…
And that’s what we did. We hammered out the gala details, we firmed up a set list for Rocktoberfest, and in between sessions with the twins, Shane and I wrote a double album’s worth of new Butler Collins music. Morrison and Leland came back from London, and we finished recording all the instrumental tracks for the Stellar album.
Thank goodness my throat was just inflamed and two weeks of rest did the trick. Shane kept me in tea with honey, and saltwater gargles in between. When we started back, we took it slow. He showed me some exercises I hadn’t done before and they really helped. When we circled back and got to “Over The Moon,” I hit that goddamned note effortlessly.
My doctor and I talked and adjusted my medication, which meant my blood sugar also leveled off and I didn’t have any more cases of dysglycemia. I started going for runs with Morrison and didn’t totally hate it.
Bruce and Gran continued talking with the Bolder Breed staff and soon everything was set for the Collins Foundation Gala. Bruce also looked at our setlist for Rocktoberfest and he made a few suggestions. The gala was set for March, and Bruce and Gran continued to work on the plans…for both the gala and their wedding.
I think Shane and I were still in denial about it, although Bruce did sell his condo and he moved in with Gran. I think we were both happy to not be there while they settled in. They didn’t need us around being all weirded out.
We did some cohabitating of our own. I eventually moved my things to Shane’s room, as he had that awesome windowseat with a gorgeous view of the property, and there was a giant bathtub in his room, which we made use of.
Though we were sharing space, most of our time was spent on music. We’d spend all day in the studio and then go back to our room and jam or tinker with lyrics together. He made me go to bed at midnight every night and woke me at eight to start the day.
