Page 42 of Reckless
13
Gage
The tingy notes of my acoustic guitar filled Mom’s hospital room as I sang an impromptu song about mom that had started out as a way to amuse her but had turned sweet and serious.
“And that’s the way it’s always been.”
“It’s just the way it’s supposed to be,” Mom sang along from the bed, creating the last stanza of the chorus for me. “Or the way you look at me?” she said in fast-forward.
I finished the last strum of the guitar with a flourish, smirking at Mom. “Now, that’s some songwriting.”
Her face shimmied through a whole range of emotions. “Thoseare thecheesiestbunch of lines I’ve ever heard in my life,” she finally declared with glee. “Please tell me you aren’t going to actually suggest them to the band. Aren’t you supposed to be badass?!”
I grinned. “I’ve been working on it for months. It’s going to be the next single.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You just made that up on the spot, don’t try and suggest otherwise.”
“All right.” I put the guitar down and held my hands up in a gesture of surrender. “You got me. The words I just made up, but the tune I didn’t. The words totally came from the heart though, so that should get me some credit, right?”
“Well, I appreciate you writing a song about me, but I’d much rather you work at something that will further your career.”
“Mom.” I clutched my hands to my chest in mock horror. “You can’t say that to your child.”
“I can, and I will. You know me, I’ll say what I’m thinking. You, Gage Strickland, are a very talented young man. You want to honor your momma? Work at a song that’ll really be a hit.”
Thing was, I thought it would be. Once it was backed with the last steps of our journey. I dipped my head low to hide the emotion in my eyes. I’d meant the song to be a moment of fun, but now I realized that eventually, it would become a way to honor my wonderful mom.
“Okay, I’ll work at something not so cheesy.” I stood and moved across the room, fiddling with the blinds. “You don’t have the best view from here, you know that? I can have them move you to another room.”
“What do you think this is? A hotel? I’m good where I am, thank you.”
I cocked my head to one side and stared at her. Mom wouldn’t admit to pain, but now that I’d started letting the truth of her sickness set in, I could see the cancer working its horrors on her more by the day. Dark circles under her eyes. A grayish cast to her skin. My mother had never been thin but now had pokey elbows. She was definitely struggling. She could barely get out of bed, and here I was complaining about the view like a freaking idiot.
“Of course. Sorry, you’re right.”
“Instead of badmouthing the view from the hospital window, which is the craziest thing I’ve ever heard by the way, why don’t you tell me what’s going on with you? Anything more with Kelly?”
Heat crept through my body. If Mom learned I’d hooked up with Kelly, there would be trouble.
Thank God my phone rang at that very moment.
I moved out into the hallway before looking at the screen. Ron. A groan flew from my mouth. He was the last person I needed to deal with right now.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t just ignore him. “Hey, Ron.”
“Gage,” he said in his booming voice. “I haven’t heard from you in a while. What is going on there?”
My eyebrows knotted together. “Did Andy not speak to you? My mom is…terminal. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to come back.”
“Yes, I heard. I’m terribly sorry, and believe me, I am sympathetic.” His voice cracked, which was odd for Ron, who rarely showed emotion for others. He paused, cleared his throat. “I’ve been doing everything I can to keep Gagedgoing without getting in the way of your private time.”
My throat closed up. Ron had never shown me sympathy before. “I’m very grateful.”
“The other boys have been doing what they can as well, even with the fans screaming your name constantly. We’ve been forced to cancel tour dates because you’re what they want. That costs, and not only in money. There have been some fans upset by the show not happening, and #whereisGage is starting to become a real problem.”
I dragged my fingers through my hair, wracking my brain for an answer. “I’m sorry, I understand that it’s a problem, but I can’t leave Mom on her own. She doesn’t have anyone else. What if we made another announcement? People will understand that I have to be there for her, won’t they? I’m allowed to have a life.”
“That isn’t really the issue though. It’s that you’re having too much fun, negating our previous announcement.”
