“Oh, Cash...” Harley coaxed, grabbing my arm to face her.
She was crying big, huge ugly tears. “I didn’t know. I had no idea. Oh my God. You were my best friend. How could you lie to me?”
“I had to make you hate me. It was the only way you’d let Jackson raise her wit’ you.”
“Do you have any idea how much you hurt me?”
“Enough to drive me down a dark alley.”
She grimaced, not hiding it for one second.
“I’m sorry, Harley. I’m so fuckin’ sorry for hurtin’ you. I fucked up many years of your life and marriage. I’m sorry to both of you. I made you pay for my mistakes. I hope one day you can find it in your hearts to forgive me. Not a day has gone by I haven’t thought ’bout you or Bailey. I miss my best friend. I love you, Harley. Please tell me you at least know that?”
<>Journey<>
I couldn’t help myself, I never could. Before I knew what I was doing, I grabbed Cash’s hand and stood beside him.
Unified front.
“I know you’re still upset with me, Jackson. You have every right to be. I’m sorry too. I thought... I just wanted to help. I know what it’s like not to have a choice of who is in your life. I didn’t want that for Bailey.”
Jackson lowered his eyebrows.
“I love you. I love both of you. I love Bailey as if she were my own. She can have the best of both worlds. Cash is a good person, a good man. He loves her. I’ve seen it. I feel it. I know he’s made mistakes, we all have. Please don’t let Bailey suffer from not knowing him. She deserves to have all the love in the world. You’re her parents, and I’ll respect whatever choice you make. All I ask is for you to please give him a chance to make things right.”
Cash smiled at me.
I was proud of him for finally telling his side of the story. It was so easy to blame and hate him, however, no one did a better job at it than himself.
“I’m here, standin’ in front of you. Wantin’ to thank you from the bottom of my heart for everythin’ you have done for Bailey. You raised her as if she were your own, and you’ve done an amazin’ job. From the first time I saw her on camera when you won the Super Bowl, I could see how bright and beautiful she was. You’ve done right by her, and I will never be able to thank you enough.”
I could tell by the expression on my brother’s and Harley’s expressions this was a lot to take in. I understood how they felt. It was an overwhelming amount of honesty on Cash’s part. All I could do was hope they would eventually come around. It wasn’t something that was going to happen today or tomorrow, or even a month from now.
It was going to take time, and I knew Cash would be patient. He wasn’t going anywhere. He’d wait an eternity if it meant they’d allow him into Bailey’s life. As much as I wanted it to happen in a blink of an eye, I wasn’t naïve enough to think it was going to. Although, he did take a huge step in the right direction in showing them he wasn’t a threat to Jackson.
I knew all along he wasn’t.
He was a good man, just needing to believe in himself.
“Cash,” Harley spoke, hesitating for a few seconds. “This is a lot to take in.”
“I know,” he acknowledged, tightening his hold on my hand. “I don’t want you to feel rushed or pressured by it. One way or another, you have the right to feel any way you want. I had to say my piece in order to move on wit’ my steps. You and Jackson are the last people on my list to make amends wit’. All I can do is pray one day you both can find it in your hearts, to not forget but to forgive me.”
My brother broke his silence. “I don’t even know what to say, pussy boy. I’ve spent so many years hating you, and now I feel like I have to thank you. It’s so fuckin’ confusing. Only proving you’re still a pain in my ass.” The tone of Jackson’s voice had a hint of humor in it.
“We’re gonna need time to process this,” Harley declared.
“Take all the time you need,” he stated.
Harley stepped in front of him, blocking Jackson to face Cash on her own. “I do know you love me. I’ve always known that. It’s why it hurt so bad when you made me think you didn’t. It all makes sense now, though. I want you to know I do miss you, and despite what happened between us, I’ve never stopped lovin’ you.”
“Thank you for sayin’ that. It means more to me than you’ll ever know.”
Cash pulled her into a hug, and she went willingly. It was nice to see them reunited as best as they could be for the moment. Harley pulled away, wiping away a tear.
Jackson reached for her while Cash extended his hand for Jackson to shake. Jackson looked down at his gesture and then peered up at him through the slits of his eyes.
“Again, thank you, quarterback. For everythin’.”
My brother inhaled deep within his chest before shaking Cash’s hand, letting his guard down.
Their relationship still had a long way to go, but at least...
This was a good start.
Chapter 36
“Every time you pick up your guitar to play, play as if it’s the last time.”
-Eric Clapton
<>Journey<>
Two years later
“Oh my God! I’m so excited! This is my first concert ever, and I have a backstage pass!” Bailey beamed, glowing with nothing but happiness as we walked down to the private entrance with my brother and Harley.
Our families were all in a roped off section of the sold-out festival.
Rockfest.
Life of Debauchery was closing out the festivities.
Everything had come full circle, including having the support of his father who was standing in the crowd.
“I can’t believe I get to watch Life of Debauchery from the side of the stage! This is so cool!”
I smiled. To hear her say that warmed my heart.
“Mom! Dad! Are you guys excited?”
Harley shook her head. “I’ve seen Cash in concert many times. He used to sing to me. My best friend wasn’t always a household name, you know?”
“Facts.” I nodded.
“Eh.” Jackson grinned. “He’s alright.”
Harley playfully slapped him on the chest.
“My dear brother, if you thought that, you wouldn’t be here.”
“Ohhhh, Daddy! She called you out!”
A lot had changed over the last two years. Especially Cash’s relationship with Harley and Jackson. Their friendship didn’t evolve overnight, and it was still very much a work in process. With time, they developed respect for Cash, and it only progressed from there.
Bailey knew the truth of who Cash was. She was aware he was her biological father. Jackson and Harley made the decision to tell her the truth on their own a few months ago. Cash had to prove himself, and he worked his ass off trying to mend the error of his ways, not only with his words, but with his actions as well.
I wasn’t present when they told her, however Cash was. They wanted to include him in the big reveal. From what Harley shared with me, Bailey didn’t understand at first. It was obvious she still struggled on sorting it all out since she was only twelve-years-old. It was a lot for a kid to swallow. They didn’t want to continue lying to her, knowing it would only hurt her the longer they waited to tell her the truth.