“I always have to get the feisty one,” Ryan grumbled. She stood up and made to leave the room, but Sway caught her around her waist, his lips twitching.
“It's because you calm her down. You reach her. Just like you do me.”
Ryan's handle on her emotions was going to slip any minute. He saw it, gave her a quick kiss, and left her to it.
It was true, though. Claire would get amped up and nervous and Ryan was normally the one to get to her and talk her down from whatever wall she had emotionally climbed up. God help her when the girl turned fourteen.
***
Sway curled one hand around Ryan's bare shoulder and pulled her into his side.
It was a big moment, Miles' graduation.
There were a few times over the past ten years that Sway wasn't sure if he was helping or hurting the situation. Convincing Miles to finish this last little part up was hard. Especially when Sway looked into the eyes that matched his own and saw the passion and desire to go so strongly reflected.
It was a fine line to walk, encouraging without harnessing.
Part of what helped direct Miles' restless spirit was his family. The band. Trips up to Lenny's place in Jackson Hole, weekends with Duke and his stepson Tyler, who was Miles' age. Those two became fast friends and Sway was thankful. They would disappear into the mountains for days at a time and come back with stories that made Ryan go pale.
But it was good for Miles. He had a purpose to his passion. And it only increased as he got older and better at his sport.
Which was why he wanted to quit school and ride the circuits all over the world. He probably would have been just fine, truth be told. But his mom wanted so badly for him to finish school. And Sway backed her up.
Now, he was valedictorian.
Sway watched his son take the podium and give his family a low wave. They took up a huge portion of the seating. Sway and Ryan had their girls. Then Alexa and James sat next to them with their two boys and girl. On Sway's other side was his mom and dad with Gran and Pops. Behind them was... everyone else.
Lenny and Luke, their son and daughter. Blake and Lucy with their brood of four. Shane and Greta with their six. Mike and Clarke with their happy surprise cradled in Clarke's arms. Harrison and Zelda with their four. Carl and Miranda. Duke and Natalie with their two soon-to-be middle schoolers.
It was overwhelming if Sway turned to look at them for too long.
To think that this enormous family unit came out of a garage and five boys who refused to give up on something they loved. Mismatched and hodgepodge, they didn't make sense—and yet they could only belong together.
Sure, they were all spread out all over the country now. But they'd become so successful that travel wasn't an issue.
And the band? The actual rock and roll band Double Blind Study? Well, they planned on going until they couldn't. They would joke about getting old and slowing down, but Sway never felt old.
He only ever felt young.
“Not a lot of people get to grow up the way that I did,” Miles spoke into the microphone. “My circumstances were unique, to say the least.”
The crowd was small, because it was a small school, but they all knew Miles' dad. Sway had been heavily involved in the local school system. He volunteered to chaperone all of the dances, and he even gave a few motivational talks to soon-to-be graduates.
“I get asked pretty often what it's like to have a rock star for a dad.” Miles smiled down at his notes briefly. “I always ask, 'which one?' Because I got to be that kid who ended up with two really awesome dads. And two amazing moms.”
Ryan slapped her hand over her mouth to hold back a sob. Sway pulled her tighter to his side.
“I guess God knew I needed extra guidance in my life, because I will tell you right now, I was not an easy child to raise. I've always wanted to go. One more adventure, one more star to chase, one more crazy run.”
Miles looked at his family and smiled.
“And those people, those funny, smart, resilient people taught me how. I got to grow up knowing that dreams were possible to attain. But it was balanced with treating people better than you think they deserve. And I was taught that hard work usually leads to more hard work. And broken bones heal better if you listen to your mom. And that girls aren't here for me to misuse, they're here to show me what a dumbass I am. And nothing is ever ruined so bad that you can't fix it. And that family is where you feel found.”
Ryan's tears were free flowing at this point and so were Alexa's. Sway looked over and gave a chin lift to James, who returned it. Yeah, they had done all right with the boy.
“So what words of advice can I pass along to my fellow graduates? The world is so much bigger and scarier than we're prepared for. But my parents, all four of them, taught me it's okay to explore it. But always remember to keep your feet, remember how to get home. Whatever that home looks like to you. Do that, and you'll do just fine.”
***
Miles rubbed his hand over his mouth as he watched the reception really get loud. Anytime these people got together, the speakers came out and everyone danced.
It didn't bother him, on the contrary, it was making him melancholy because he was really doing this. He was leaving shortly. And he was going to miss... all of them.
And yeah, he'd come back—this was his home. But goodbyes always sucked. It was like a universal rule or something.
“Beer?”
Miles looked up to see Sway handing him a cold brew and he gladly took it. Sway didn't look surprised. It wasn't exactly acceptable, but Miles had come home hungover enough times that his dad knew he drank with his friends.
He cracked the lid off and took a long pull on the bottle as Sway took a seat next to him.
“You all ready to get out of Dodge?” Sway asked.
Miles nodded silently. He'd been packed for two weeks.
“Are you going to try for the Olympics again?”
“Yep.”
Miles had tried to get on Team USA when he was sixteen, but hadn't made it. Lenny told him not to be discouraged, he had plenty of time to work on his skills and try again before the next one. So that had been his goal. It was his main focus, occasionally sidetracked by girls and friends.
“I noticed Jessica isn't here tonight,” Sway said casually.
Another sore spot for Miles. Jessica was his girlfriend. Or had been until about an hour before graduation. She'd sent him a really long text message that he stopped reading when he got to the part that said—
“I think it's best if we say goodbye here, before it becomes too hard.” Miles took another long drink of his beer. “That's what she said. In a text.”
“Ouch.”
“Yep.” Miles shrugged. “Maybe she's right. I mean, it's not like we were in love or anything.”
Sway nodded, staying silent. Miles liked that about his dad. He usually had a billion thoughts churning through his head, but knew when to say the right ones to Miles. They were so similar that sometimes it worried Miles. What if he accidentally disappointed him, didn't make the right call in a situation?
But Sway never expressed that kind of a worry.
“Hey, Miles.”
His eyes tracked up long legs, a sensible skirt, and bright green eyes.
“Hey, Eve.” His best girl. She hung with the guys more than the other chicks, one of his closest confidants, and the only girl who actually scared him on a run.
She gave a polite smile to his dad, then nodded at Miles. “I just wanted to say goodbye since you'll be leaving soon.”
Miles stood up, setting his beer down. “Yeah, pretty soon now.”
She punched him in the arm playfully. “When you go off and become a famous hot shot, don't forget who made you cry going down Whistler's Drop.”
Miles grin was instantaneous. “Could never forget my best girl.” He pulled her into a bear hug, taking a deep breath of her. She always smelled like fresh air and generic soap. He liked it.
“Te
xt me or something,” she said, letting go. He nodded his affirmative before she turned and walked away.
“Your best girl, huh?” Sway asked, humor lacing his voice.
Miles turned around, a lopsided smile on his face. He picked up his beer and returned to his seat. “It's not like that. She's just a really cool chick.”
“Hm,” Sway said. “Your Grampa Ethan calls Gramma Grace his best girl.”
Miles belly laughed, slugging his father affectionately in his shoulder. “You never waste an opportunity to give me a hard time.”
“Of course not. I'm your dad. It think it's part of the parenting contract.”
Miles' smile dwindled and he felt it, but he couldn't fight it. He cleared his throat and turned toward Sway.
“I'm so glad I got to meet you way back when.”
Sway's expression remained carefully observant. His face patient as he prepared to listen. Like he always did.
“I can't imagine going through life, not being able to have someone to talk to that actually understands what's going on in my head.” Miles peeled the label on his bottle of beer. “James is great, don't get me wrong.” He looked at Sway and shrugged. “But you're my dad. And I guess, I don't know... just... thanks.”
Sway curled his hand around the back of Miles' neck and pulled him into his shoulder. “I have been proud of you since the day I met you. And I'm proud of you now.” He pounded his back, but didn't let him go.
***
Ryan watched Miles and Sway have their moment. It brought on another bout of burning in her eyes, but she managed to contain herself.
Someday she would tell him.
She would tell Sway that every time she saw him with his boy or with one of his daughters, Ryan fell just a little bit more in love with him.
And his brothers, and their wives. They were hers now. He'd given her so much. Every day he gave her more. Her life was absolutely amazing. She loved every second of it.
Ten years.
God, please give me a hundred more, she prayed silently.
***
40 Years Later
Sway pressed the button and waited for the music to start before he turned around. Ryan looked up from the book she was reading, a smile already on her lips.
It was an old Double Blind Study song. The one he had written for her so many years ago.
“C'mere, brown eyes, dance with me.” He held out his hand, and grinned when she set her book down.
“You're ridiculous,” she said as he gathered her in his arms.
“You like me that way.”
“Yeah.”
Sway tucked her soft champagne hair behind one ear. She hadn't ever really gone gray. White had infiltrated the blonde, making her shimmer and grow more lovely with age. Her smile was still as pretty as the day they met, the lines evidence that he'd done well at keeping his vow to always make her laugh. Her eyes were remarkably untouched by time. Deep and warm with bronze highlights.
And she was still his favorite person.
“I'm glad you didn't cut your hair,” she whispered, her fingers sliding into his long strands. “It's really quite lovely, you know.”
“You're quite lovely, you know,” he countered, stepping them slowly around their open living room.
“I see all of the stories. Every adventure,” she said touching the lines on his face. “You've lived, Sway.”
“And you with me.”
“Yeah.”
“I was thinking,” he said, giving her a careful spin. “How about we throw a party.”
She giggled. “What kind of a party.”
“A bon voyage party.” He watched her face for the reaction. She tilted her head slightly, trying to figure him out.
“Where are we going?” she asked, excitement lighting her eyes.
“On another adventure of course.” He pulled her close and they swayed to the music, the words still as true as they were the night he wrote them.
“I can't believe how much I love you,” she said.
“Only half as much as I love you,” he replied cheekily. “C'mon, sassy pants. There's still so much to see. What do you say? How do you feel?”
She pulled back to shine her smile right at him. “I feel young.”
***The End***
This concludes the Double Blind Study series.
See you around.
Acknowledgments
“Do not trouble your hearts overmuch with the thought of the road tonight. Maybe the paths that you shall each tread are already laid before your feet, though you do not see them.” -J.R.R. Tolkien
Sometimes you begin a journey with someone. Perhaps you have an entire "fellowship." And along the way, you pick up new additions, and lose old ones. But maybe they're not lost to you so much as on a separate path. And one day you'll meet again and recall the times when you walked together, like old comrades do. Until then, press on. Your journey is important to follow. As is theirs.
The resounding message throughout this entire series as been “family is where you feel found.” If you've been following along on my “thank yous” in the back of each book, then you can see how that has been applied to the writing process. I always use this place to give shout-outs to those that have been with me during the journey. My fellowship.
Here we go again.
Scott Colby. You changed my entire life. Thank you for FFP and the people in it. I can't ever express the impact you have all had on me and my life. I'm honored to know you.
Mama and Papa. Who would I be without your own love story played out for me to see? Thank you for being exactly who you are.
Kellcie. It's been a rough year, yeah? I'm so glad to have you here with me at the end. You give me strength when I feel broken, and you give me clarity when I've lost focus. I hope someday you realize how amazing you are. Until then, I won't stop telling you.
Jamie. Who knew stalking could turn into true love? At this point I can't imagine life without you. Thank you for articulating my feelings better than I can with, “I just want to sleep and eat chocolate while hitting people.” You. Spirit Animal. It's a thing.
Jo. I try to write down what you mean to me and only end up crying my damn eyes out and deleting it. Because the feelings are too big for the words I have. Thank you for believing in me, encouraging me, and being honest with me. I'm gonna real-life hug the heck out of you.
Amy. Thank you for all of your amazingness and sharing it with the world. You're my musical “soul sister” and I can't wait to see you again. Thank you for believing in me since day one. It has made all the difference.
AJ and Sarahi. You guys take turns making me laugh and that's worth way more than you realize. So glad to have you both.
My betas: Nichole, Sally, Kati, Jamie, Jo. Thank you for reading my words and telling me when I'd lost my mind. And for acknowledging when I had gotten it back.
Kati. Your genuine sweetness is a rare thing. I love it. I love you. Thank you for sharing that sweetness with me.
Miles and Tawny. Thank you for being two of the coolest people I have ever met. Thank you for supporting me and for making me laugh.
Zack. Yours is a friendship that was unexpected and exactly on time. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next.
The Foo Fighters. Thank you for playing the soundtrack of my life and the lives of this band in my head.
Dave Grohl. For writing the songs that spoke to my heart and made me feel less alone.
Bear. My heart. Half of my whole world. Your smile alone inspires me to do what I once thought impossible. If only to show you it can be done.
Charles. The other half of my whole world. Without you, Sway wouldn't exist. You saved him from a hasty editing decision, convincing me to look closer at him as a character. In the process of that, I realized he was you. Which is why writing this one has meant so very much. Thank you for loving me the way I am. Thank you for being my very best friend. Thank you for not stopping when I say when.
God. Thank you
for them. All of them. And this. And what's to come.
I think I'm quite ready for another adventure.
About the Author
Heidi Hutchinson was born in South Dakota and raised the exact right distance away from the Black Hills. She had an overactive imagination very early on, and wasted no time in getting most of her friends in trouble due to her unrealistic and completely ridiculous ideas. Seeing as she was so lazy and also afraid people would think she was bonkers, she didn't write down any of the story lines that played out in her daydreams.
During her high school years, she took pen to paper and filled more notebooks than she is proud of with angsty, depressing, self-deprecating poetry. This led to her writing down more things: notes, ideas, character bios, plot twists that had no plot yet to twist. After years of cleaning up her own scraps of imagination with nothing solid to hold on to, she sat down and wrote the story that had been in her head the longest. Fueled by coffee and her unwavering and perfectly normal devotion to Dave Grohl, she discovered a writer living inside of her.
She still lives in the Midwest, though not as close to the Black Hills as she would prefer, with her alarmingly handsome husband and their fearless child. They eat more pizza than God intended and she listens to her music the same way she lives: loudly.
Links to Author:
heidih.net
Facebook: http://facebook.com/heidirhutchinson
Blog: http://heidihutchinson.blogspot.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7275775.Heidi_Hutchinson
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChosenbyFaith
Other titles by Heidi Hutchinson
Double Blind Study Series
Learn to Fly
In Your Honor
Tectonic
Deepest Blues
The Hope That Starts
Brand New Sky
Read on for a sneak peek of Stubborn Hearts- an origin story, by Heidi Hutchinson
Brand New Sky Page 34
