Page 49 of Wrapped Up In You
My heart was racing, thumping violently in my chest, as he forced me to expose my biggest fear. Because he was right. If pleasing him had really been my concern, I would have gotten a job in business a long time ago.
“I’m scared I’ll fail at the only thing I’ve ever really cared about doing.”
“Thenthat’swhy you should go for it.” He smiled wide. “You’ve found something worth taking a risk for.”
“Aren’t you supposed to tell me about all the ways I’m going to fail? And how music isn’t a stable career? You already mentioned the retirement thing,” I grumbled.
He chuckled. “I’m not going to tell you that I won’t worry about this path you’re choosing, but that isn’t to say we can’t work through some of those obstacles. I can get you a meeting with my financial adviser. He can get you set up with some accounts for retirement or at least steer you in the right direction. And you’re right, music isn’t a stable career.” He sat next to me on the loveseat, angling in my direction. “But this is the first time I’ve ever seen you passionate enough about something to confront me about it. To come to me with a plan, ready to lay it all on the line. I’m proud of you.”
I swallowed past the lump that had developed in my throat, trying to find my voice. This conversation was not going as I’d expected. I’d been so ready to defend myself that it hadn’t occurred to me that he might be supportive. It was amazing, but without that need to defend myself, I was left feeling vulnerable. “I’m scared, Dad.”
“Of course you are.” He smacked me on the arm playfully. “Welcome to adulting.”
I huffed out a laugh. “Gee, thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” he said, his voice overly cheerful.
“I, um, have a gig tonight if you want to come?” Shit. I hadn’t meant to invite him. I wasn’t sure I was ready for that yet.
“Yeah? I’d love to. I’ll talk to Jess.”
“I mean, it’s okay if you don’t make it. It’s not a big deal if you have plans for New Year’s and all.”
His smile stretched from ear to ear. “We wouldn’t miss it.”
27
JONATHAN
Hayden was nervous as fuck.
We were at a small music club, and Hayden was set to go on in about ten minutes. The person who’d been originally scheduled to play the special engagement for the club’s New Year’s Eve bash had tested positive for Covid. I wasn’t clear on how the club had gotten Hayden’s name, but as far as I could tell, it was a friend-of-a-friend connection of some sort that had led to the call.
We’d arrived about twenty minutes ago, having already gone through a sound check earlier this afternoon. Since we’d arrived this evening, he’d tuned his guitar, checked the mics, used the restroom, and had nearly worn a path in the carpet backstage.
“Here.” I handed him a shot glass filled with vodka, keeping a larger glass of bourbon for myself. I planned to sip mine, but I hoped the shot might help him take the edge off. He downed it, then handed it back to me. “Thanks.”
“You’re going to be fine. I’ll stand in the back, and you can sing every song to me, just like you did at the cabin.”
“I was nervous there too.”
I laughed, then pulled Hayden into me, setting my bourbon aside on a nearby table so I could wrap my arms around him. “Baby, I love you. You’re going to be great. And when you’re done, we’ll go back to my house and have our own celebration to ring in the new year.”
“What kind of celebration do you have in mind?”
I chuckled against his neck. “Well, let’s see…I figured we’d definitely be naked, and I’ve got champagne chilling in the fridge.”
“What if I don’t want you completely naked?”
“Oh yeah?”
Hayden leaned back and ran his fingers along the buttons of my vest. “I think I might like you to keep the vest on.”
“Just the vest?”
“Yep. You’re so fucking sexy in this thing.” Because it was a fancy New Year’s Eve bash that the club was hosting, we were both dressed up. I’d chosen a three-piece suit in charcoal, knowing the cut of the pants showed off my ass particularly well. Hayden and I had needed to make an emergency trip to purchase a suit for him and had been lucky to find a store that was open and could make necessary alterations on such short notice, considering it was a holiday. He looked damn fine in his black suit and black dress shirt underneath. The only pop of color came from his tie, which was gold silk.
The stage manager popped his head back, letting us know Hayden had five minutes until showtime.
