Something in the Way He Needs (Family 1)

“Hey, Asher,” Oliver said. “You drove here, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Perfect. We took a cab over, so we’ll catch a ride with you and Danny to the show.”

“Okay,” Asher said. Daniel sighed and chewed on his bottom lip. “What were you saying?” Asher asked him.

“Nothing.” Daniel shook his head. “I’ll, uh, tell you later.”

Chapter 20

“YOU got the tickets, Danny?” Oliver asked as they walked up to the Fillmore.

“They’re at will call,” he answered. They darted across the street and walked up to the venue, with Oliver and Shirley in front. Daniel grasped Asher’s bicep and tried to keep him back. “Hey, listen, before we go in there, I just want you to know that—”

“Danny, Asher, let’s go!” Shirley shouted.

Daniel slumped his shoulders, and they jogged to catch up with Shirley and Oliver.

“Be right back,” Daniel said and walked over to the will-call window.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am about this!” Shirley was all smiles, bouncing on her toes. “I’ve wanted to see BWI for years! My friend Nat saw them last time they were in town and said they’re incredible live. Have you ever seen them, Asher?”

“No.” He shook his head. “But I’ve heard the same thing.”

Though he wasn’t into music in the same way as Daniel, Asher appreciated a live show, and Burning Wrath and Indignation was rumored to be the best in the industry. It was sure to be a great night. He felt his funk lifting.

Daniel walked back over to them, and Asher put his arm around him, holding him close. “Got the tickets?” he asked.

“Yup.” Daniel handed two tickets to Shirley and the other two to Asher.

“Front row?” Oliver shouted. “Goddamn, man! Who’d you have to blow to get these?” He turned to Shirley and showed her the tickets. “Did you see these? We’re in the center front. Can you believe it?”

“Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!” Shirley chanted. She bounced over and pulled Daniel into a hug. “You are officially my favorite almost in-law, Danny!”

“You told me I earned that title Tuesday after four hours of shopping.” Daniel scowled, but his eyes twinkled and his lips turned up at the sides, leaving no doubt that he was joking.

“That’s true, but now you’ve earned the title for life!”

He chuckled and kissed her cheek. “Happy birthday, Shirley.”

“Best one ever!” she said.

Oliver took her hand and pulled her toward the entrance. “Let’s go!” he said.

Shirley hooted, clutched Daniel’s hand, and tugged him behind her.

Asher looked down at the tickets. Front row center. He furrowed his brow. How had Daniel gotten those seats?

THE Fillmore was loud and packed. They wedged their way through the crowd, looked at the concert posters lining the walls and the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, stopped at the bar for drinks, and eventually made it to the front.

Asher bent down and spoke into Daniel’s ear. “Who did you say you knew that got us these tickets?”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.” Daniel had to raise his voice to be heard above the noise. “When BWI got started, I—”

The lights went dark and the roar of the crowd drowned out the rest of his sentence. Then a guitar started playing, followed by the bass, and finally the drums.

Spotlights lit each of the band members as they launched into one of their most popular songs. There were no fireworks, no complicated stage show; just three guys standing on stage, playing music. They were just as good live as Asher had heard. And just as loud. Trying to have a conversation while BWI was on stage was pointless. He’d talk to Daniel at home later.

“Hey, there,” Rob Yearling, BWI’s lead singer and guitarist drawled after finishing the second song of the set. “How’re y’all doin’ this fine evenin’?”

He held the microphone out toward the screaming fans. Everyone went wild, hooting and hollering, pumping their fists in the air, and Asher found himself being dragged along with the excitement. He put his arm around Daniel’s shoulder and squeezed him.

“Soundin’ ready for a good time,” Rob continued. “Well, I can promise that y’all won’t be disappointed. Because not only are you gonna hear the best band in the mother fuckin’ world.” He shouted the last part of the sentence and then paused to let the crowd roar out their agreement. “But tonight only, you’re gettin’ the extra special privilege of hearin’ the man behind most of our songs.” Rob looked at the audience meaningfully and raised an eyebrow. They were close enough to the stage that Asher could see every detail of his expression. “Since I’m the front man, y’all thought that was me, right?”

As loud as it had been moments before, an odd silence descended and then everyone started murmuring, trying to understand what was going on.

“Well, now, see, y’all probably know BWI as a three-man group, but we actually started out with a fourth member. He cut us loose right when we signed our first major label album. Are there any die-hards in the audience tonight who know what instrument our fourth guy played?”