"Ah . . . thanks, but I don't know." Grady shrugged. He wouldn't have minded a solo career, but he sure as hell hadn't helped his cause by the dumb-ass stunts he'd pulled after Arabella split. He'd been determined to get his mug splashed all over the place, hoping to prove to Arabella that he was just fine without her. "It wouldn't have been the same without you." He pointed to Oliver and Jesse. "Or those two clowns. It's good we're doing this, though. It'll be fun for us and the fans, but most important, it'll be perfect for raising funds for the foundation."
Jimmy nodded. "I'd do anything for Mom." After clearing his throat, he added, "I'm glad you suggested this, because she sure would get a kick out of it. Dad too. Hopefully they're watching from somewhere up there." He pointed to the light blue sky dotted with fluffy clouds.
"Yeah . . ." Grady had to swallow the lump in his throat with a swig of beer. "We need to dig out those videos of our Friday-night talent shows we put on for Mom and Dad," he said, but he knew it would be difficult seeing their young parents, so in love and oblivious to what the future would bring.
Jimmy paused and then said, "Look, I know we'll be doing the hits to please the crowd, but I'm working on a song in honor of Mom."
"Sweet." Grady smiled. "I didn't want to ask, but I was really hoping that you would write a tribute song."
"It won't necessarily be easy to sing." Jimmy sighed but then smiled. "You know, even though I'm not thrilled with performing the dance moves, I do miss singing together."
"I know the song will be amazing. You're so damned talented."
Always humble, Jimmy shrugged. "I love writing. I'm happiest when it's me and my guitar on my balcony. The ocean view helps chill me out too. As a matter of fact . . ." Jimmy said, but then he paused.
///
"What?"
Jimmy nibbled on the inside of his lip for a moment. "I wasn't going to mention it, but I've put together an outline for a book. . . ."
"A book?"
"About Heartbeat. I mean, I'm in the beginning stages and I want it to end with the reunion concert . . . with pictures, maybe. Of course, I want the proceeds to go to the foundation too. And I won't write anything without the permission of all of you. It won't be like a sordid tell-all or anything. I mean, we weren't squeaky clean, but we didn't really have any dirt to expose."
Grady chuckled. "I think all my dirt has been exposed."
"You're not as badass as you want people to think. No, I want the book to be more of a chronicle of what it was like for us four brothers to be on the road together. Are you okay with it? At least the idea?"
"I guess so." Grady nodded but he could tell that Jimmy wanted to say more. "Go on. . . ."
"The story wouldn't be complete without . . . Arabella. It would be, well, sweet if she were part of the reunion so I could interview her . . . you know. . . ."
"Ah, Jimmy." Grady scrubbed a hand down his face. "I'm not trying to be a prick about this." He set his beer can down on a glass-topped end table next to him and rested his elbows on his knees. After a moment, he said, "But damn, she hurt me." He didn't share his deepest emotions with hardly anyone, but Jimmy was always a good listener. "I mean, I know I was only twenty-one when Arabella bolted. We were so young, but maybe that's why it hurt even more? My love for her was . . . so . . . I don't know. Pure might sound weird, but I guess it's kinda the way to put it." Grady closed his eyes and swallowed.
"Not weird. I'm the sensitive songwriter, remember? You can be honest with your emotions and I'm not going to call you out on it."
"Thanks."
"Grady, I'm not defending her, but you have to admit that she walked into a shitty situation."
"Well, it was a shitty situation for both of us." Grady sat up straight. "If only I could have explained. . . . Damn, she wasn't fair."
"No, but Arabella was young too. Probably afraid. I mean, come on, back then we had girls running after us on the street, screaming at concerts like crazy people. It couldn't have been easy for her."
"If she really loved me, then she should have given me the fucking chance I deserved to set things straight."
Jimmy nibbled on the inside of his lip.
Grady sighed. "Okay, come on, I know that look. What?"
"If Arabella accepts the offer, then maybe you'll get that chance. Closure or . . ." Jimmy shrugged but gave Grady a pointed look. "A second chance."