Chapter 94

Chapter 94
Jordan's POV

By the time Dad pulls into the venue's parking lot, we are cutting it closer to soundcheck than I would have liked. I grab my guitar from the back seat while Kaelen gets out from the other. We don't need reminding that we don't have much time before hurrying inside.

A few performers are already setting up, staff are moving between the tables and stage, and the low hum of conversation fills the room. Dad heads straight toward the stage to check in with the management while Kaelen follows me toward the small area we have been given to get ready.

We barely have time to put our things down before someone comes over to tell us soundcheck is starting. It's the usual chaos.

Kaelen tries to help as we get everything ready, but I keep catching him reaching for things he probably shouldn't be lifting yet. I appreciate the effort, especially because I know he is only doing it because he wants to be useful, but I eventually have to put a hand on his arm and stop him.

"Take it easy, Kae. You don't have to help with everything."

"I'm fine," he insists.

"I know you are fine. You are also still recovering." His expression tightens slightly at the reminder, and I soften immediately. "I'm not saying you can't do anything. Just... don't overdo it, okay?"

He looks at me for a moment before sighing. "You are bossy."

"I'm right. And you also like it when I am."

"Yeah. I can't really argue with that."

I laugh and give his arm a gentle squeeze before pointing toward one of the empty seats near the edge of the stage. "Now go sit over there. Just be hot and cheer for us."

His eyebrows lift. "Are you sure you are going to handle my hotness?"

"When have I never?" I pull away before he gets any ideas.

He shakes his head, but there is a smile tugging at his mouth as he finally gives in and heads toward the seats. I watch him settle down before turning back to what I'm doing, secretly relieved that he is actually listening to me for once.

Eventually, everything is ready. I stand beside my dad on stage, guitar in hand, looking out at the crowd as the first notes begin.

There are more people here tonight than usual. My eyes move across the room, taking in the tables, the people gathered around them and the smaller groups standing near the back. My dad notices it too. I can see the satisfaction in his face, and I feel it myself.

More people means more earnings. And after everything we have been through lately, I am happy for him.

I adjust the strap on my guitar and look toward the other side of the room. Kaelen catches my eye almost immediately. He is smiling at me, completely unguarded. No matter how many times he tells me how much I mean to him, it can't compare to how I actually feel when he is looking at me like that, like he is proud to be there. Like he wants everyone in the room to know that he is mine and I am his.

My heart settles, and suddenly, the words I have been searching for all afternoon come to me. I know exactly what I want to say but for now, I keep the lyrics somewhere in the back of my mind and focus on the music in front of me.

The evening moves quickly. One song becomes another, and the crowd grows more comfortable with us as the night goes on. I find myself relaxing into the familiar rhythm of performing, letting the music carry me while my eyes occasionally find Kaelen right where I know I'll find him.

A while later, we are approaching our last performance. There is a small break and that's when I turn towards my father.

"Can I take the lead on this one?"

He studies me for a second before smiling. "Of course. You feel ready?"

"I... I do."

"Alright then. We will back you up," he beams, looking at the rest of the band behind us briefly. "Which one are you thinking?"

I shake my head once. "It's not one you know." His eyebrows lift. I glance toward Kaelen, my heart racing. "I wrote it for him."

My dad follows my gaze. When he looks back at me, his entire face changes. Pride spreads across his expression so hard that he looks like he's going to burst.

"Hell, Jordie!"

My confidence falters right then and I look down at my guitar. "The thing is... I'm not sure it's good enough."

"Jordan—"

"Maybe I shouldn't do it. We can just go with the one you chose for closing."

I start to turn away, but his hand closes firmly around my shoulder. "Son." I look at him. "You are ready."

I swallow hard, my head moving to say no again. I don't know what happened between saying out loud that I wanted to do it and now, realizing what that meant. Suddenly I don't feel confident enough.

"I don't know, dad..."

"I do." His voice is steady. "I know you are. Otherwise, you wouldn't have mentioned it in the first place."

I glance toward the crowd. People are beginning to notice that we are taking longer than usual between songs. Others are looking toward the stage, waiting almost impatiently.

My stomach twists. "What if I ruin your chances to perform here again?"

My dad's expression doesn't change. "You won't."

"But—"

"If they don't invite us back, it won't be because of you. I'm willing to take a gamble on you anytime. Question is... are you?"

I just stare at him in wonder, questions flooding my head. Growing up, I always thought I was never going to have a full support system, because it was always my Dad alone. I thought at some point, he would give up, blame me for my mom leaving him, or maybe even focus on other things that had nothing to do with me.

But here we are. I'm an adult now but he still treats me like I'm still his little boy. He gives me freedom enough to build my own life but makes sure that I don't get through any of it without feeling fully loved and supported. Not even when I make mistakes.

"Dad, why do you believe in me so much?"

His expression softens. "Because I've watched you spend your whole life wondering if you're enough, Jordie. And I've watched you keep showing up anyway. You don't need me to tell you that you're talented. You need someone to remind you that the things you create deserve to be heard. So I'm reminding you."

My throat tightens, unspoken emotions pressing through my system. I look away quickly before they manifest themselves in form of tears.

He gives my shoulder another squeeze. "Now come on. Do your thing and get your guy."

A laugh escapes me despite myself. I look down at the guitar in my hands. Then back at him. He gives me one nod before stepping back.

I take a long breath. The crowd is waiting so I walk toward the microphone. My hands are suddenly sweating. I've stood on this stage with my dad more times than I can count but I have never felt this nervous.

This time, I am not just singing. I'm giving something away— something I've kept hidden for weeks. Something that was born from the worst days of my life and somehow became one of the most beautiful things I've ever created.

I adjust the microphone and the room quiets down. I look toward Kaelen. His smile is still there, unaware of what I'm about to do.

"This next song is an original." The words come out steadier than I expect, but still, I take a breath before looking at him again. "I wrote it for someone who has been through hell and back. Someone very special to me."

Kaelen's expression changes. His smile disappears slowly and his body straightens. I watch realization begin to settle over his face.

I have seen him nervous before. I've seen him afraid. I've seen him furious, heartbroken, exhausted and completely overwhelmed. I have never seen him look like this. If anything, he looks even more nervous than I feel.

My heart pounds harder. I could still stop. I could laugh it off and say I changed my mind. But I don't. I keep my eyes on him and somehow that steadies me even more.

"It's called 'I'm Still Loving You'," I say softly, my voice carrying through the quiet room. "Kae, this one is one is for you."

I lower my gaze to the guitar. My fingers settle over the strings, then I strum the first chord and lean into the microphone.