I furrowed my eyebrows, not understanding. “Why would you give me a cut of the new album?”
Evan glanced at Matt and Kellan, then smiled. “Because you deserve compensation for the work you put into it.”
“But…I’m not putting any work into it, so why…?” I still had no idea what they were talking about. Matt laughed at my confused expression.
“Griff, this party is for you. You worked so hard to win that contest. But you were humble, and you helped everyone else along the way. We’ve seen all the behind-the-scenes footage, and…you shocked us, cuz. Shocked us and impressed us, and we want you to come back.” He put his hand on my shoulder. “We want you to come home.”
I heard Anna gasp, then sniffle. They want me back? My confusion shifted to surprise, then excitement, then concern…then anger. “No, you can’t do that.” Everyone seemed shocked by my statement. I looked over to my brother as I clarified. “Liam won fair and square. You can’t kick him out like that.”
Liam’s face was ghostly white as he looked around the room in horror. I felt so bad for him, and as much as I wanted what they were offering, I couldn’t steal Liam’s dream from him. No, I wouldn’t steal his dream. I’d rather walk away. Again.
Matt shook his head. “That’s not what we’re saying.” Shifting his gaze to Liam, he clapped his arm. “You won because you’re crazy talented and the fans love you. You’re in.” His gaze shifted back to me. “But you proved you’ve always belonged with the D-Bags and you always will belong with us, so you’re in too. The D-Bags are expanding to five members.” His eyes shifted between Liam and me as a slow smile spread across his mouth.
It took me damn near thirty seconds to understand what he was saying. Needless to say, Liam figured it out first. “We’re both in? We both get to stay?” When Matt nodded, Liam snapped his gaze to me. “We’re both D-Bags, bro!”
I was so stunned, all I could think to say was, “Well, yeah, I could have told you that.”
Anna ran up to me from behind and wrapped her arms around my stomach. She was laughing, crying, and screeching, all at the same time. I was still in shock, but once it finally sunk in, I twisted to hold her. “Anna, I did it! I’m in!” Laughing, Anna nodded. A thought occurred to me and I twisted back to Matt. “Am I bass? Or is Liam?”
Liam stopped jumping up and down once he heard my question. Eyes curious, he twisted to hear Matt’s answer. Matt pointed at him. “Liam’s on bass.” A corner of Matt’s lip curled up. “We were thinking about adding a second lead guitar.”
Smiling wide, Evan nodded. “And extra vocals.”
Already stunned with today’s turn of events, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Second lead? Holy shit! But…vocals? I wasn’t sure what he meant by that. “Extra vocals? What’s that mean?”
Kellan finished his champagne and set his glass on the tray. “That thing you did with our songs…adding the rap segments…that was seriously amazing. We’re thinking about incorporating it into our sound.”
Was I dreaming? I had to be…real life didn’t map out this perfectly. Just in case I wasn’t, I asked for clarification. “You want me to rap? On stage? To D-Bags songs? And play second lead?”
All the three guys nodded after every question I asked. I was speechless. I was choked up with emotion. I was humbled and gracious. I was ecstatic. I was…relieved. Finally, when I could manage a few words, I spat out, “Thank you.” Even though it was nowhere near enough, it was the only thing I could think to say.
Kellan clasped me in a hug, and then Evan and Matt. Then Liam, Jenny, and even Rachel. I felt numb as I patted each of them on the back. I’d gone so high then I’d sunk so low…I’d never expected to wind up with everything I’d always wanted. But the way I’d gotten it felt cleaner than how I’d attempted to go about getting it before. Back then, I’d been a selfish, spoiled brat who’d basically demanded a bunch of crap I hadn’t earned, then I’d thrown a tantrum when I hadn’t gotten it. But now, well, I wasn’t sure I deserved it, but it was being offered to me, and I was graciously going to accept it.
I was handed back to my wife after all the well-wishers had given me their congratulations. I clamped on to her like she was fresh air and I couldn’t breathe. “Can you believe this, Anna? We’re gonna be okay.”
She ran her fingers through my hair while she held me. It calmed me. “I knew we would be, baby. I always knew we would be.” I didn’t see how she could have possibly held on to that belief during all of this, but I didn’t call her on it. Pulling back, Anna stared deep into my eyes. I could have gotten lost in the brilliant jade of hers. “I told you you could do it, Griff. I told you they’d recognize your talent, that they’d give you your chance. You just had to be patient.”
I let out a steadying exhale. She’d been right all along. “Have I told you how amazing you are today? How lucky I am to have you in my life?”
Biting her lip, she nodded. “Yes, once this morning and once on the way here.”
“Good,” I said with a smile. “I don’t want you to ever forget how much you mean to me.”
Anna was silent as we locked gazes with each other, then she leaned down to kiss me. Just as our lips met, I felt a tug on my pant leg. Looking down, I saw Gibson standing with Onnika. While Onnika seemed happy as a clam with a balloon in each hand, Gibson looked confused. “What’s the party for, Daddy?” Her expression brightened. “My birthday?”