40. Piecing Back the Melodies

CHAPTER 40

Piecing Back the Melodies

CALEB

I could hear the buzz of the crowd outside, a mix of excited chatter and the occasional burst of laughter. It was showtime, or near enough. I tugged at the collar of my shirt, still not quite used to the fancy duds Jimmy had picked out for us. But I had to admit, the man had taste. Even managed to work in my request for a cowboy hat. Couldn't imagine going on stage without it.

I gave myself one last once-over in the mirror. Not too shabby for a ranch hand, if I did say so myself. Sarah and Mark had already changed and were probably out there somewhere, soaking up the pre-show jitters. We all looked good together, I had to admit. Like a real band, not just a bunch of friends playing at being rock stars.

The only piece missing was Liam. I hadn't seen what he was wearing yet, but knowing him, it'd be something that'd make my heart skip a beat. Guy always did clean up nice.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. "Come in," I called out, figuring it was probably Sarah or Mark coming to drag me out.

Instead, Jimmy's head poked in, looking like he'd been through the wringer but still managing a grin. "Five minutes, cowboy. Everyone's seated and I've got the media circus under control. For now, at least."

I nodded, impressed. "Nice work, Jimmy. You holding up okay?"

He shrugged, that easy smile still in place. "Nothing a week-long nap won't fix. Oh, and Liam's asking for you. He's in his dressing room."

My heart did a little flip at the mention of Liam's name. Some things never change, I guess. "How's he doing?"

"Good," Jimmy said, already backing out of the room. "Nervous, but good. Better go see him before he works himself into a tizzy."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Yeah, yeah. I'm on it."

As Jimmy disappeared, I took one last look in the mirror, adjusting my hat. Here goes nothing, I thought.

The walk to Liam's dressing room felt both too long and too short. I paused outside his door, taking a deep breath before knocking.

"Come in," Liam's voice called out, and I swear I could hear the nerves in those two words.

I pushed the door open and… holy shit. I actually had to blink a few times, make sure I wasn't seeing things. Liam stood there in a sleeveless jacket over a tank top, and suddenly I forgot how to breathe.

"Hey, cowboy," Liam said, a slow smile spreading across his face as he crossed the room. "You clean up nice."

Before I could get my brain to form words, he was kissing me hello, and all thoughts flew out the window. When we broke apart, I was pretty sure I had a goofy grin on my face.

"You're one to talk," I finally managed, my eyes roaming over him appreciatively. "Trying to upstage the rest of us?"

Liam laughed, but I could see the tension in his shoulders. "Please. You guys are the real stars tonight. I'm just the opening act. "

I raised an eyebrow at that. "You kidding me? Liam, you're Corey King. You're about to blow everyone's minds out there."

He shrugged, trying for nonchalance but not quite hitting the mark. "Yeah, well. We'll see about that."

I reached out, pulling him close. "Hey. Talk to me. What's going on in that head of yours?"

Liam sighed, leaning into me. "Just… nerves, I guess. What if this whole thing backfires? What if everyone hates me for lying to them?"

I stroked his back, feeling the tension in his muscles. "First off, you haven't lied to anyone. You've just been… selective with the truth. And second, anyone who matters already knows and loves you. The rest? They don't matter."

He pulled back slightly, looking up at me with those big blue eyes that always made me weak in the knees. "Always the voice of reason"

I grinned, tipping my hat. "Someone has to say and make it stick."

That got a laugh out of him, which was always my goal. "You're ridiculous," he said, but the fondness in his voice made my heart swell.

"Yeah, but you love me anyway," I shot back, leaning in for another kiss.

"You ready for this?" Liam asked once he pulled back.

I shrugged, aiming for nonchalance. "Born ready. You?"

Liam hesitated, his eyes darting around the barn. "I don't know. Jimmy just told me he spotted my mom in the stands."

That got my attention. "Your mom? What about your dad?"

"Doesn't look like he's here," Liam said, his voice tight. "Just her."

I studied his face, trying to gauge his reaction. "How do you feel about that?"

Liam ran a hand through his hair, a nervous habit I'd come to recognize. "Honestly? I have no idea. Part of me is glad she came, but… "

"But you're worried she might cause a scene," I finished for him.

He nodded, looking relieved that I understood. "Yeah. I just hope she doesn't ruin the show, you know?"

I reached out, squeezing his shoulder. "Hey, listen to me. You're Corey fucking King, alright? You've played sold-out arenas. This? This is nothing. Just get out there and give ‘em hell. Show ‘em what you've got."

A slow smile spread across Liam's face. "You always know exactly what to say, don't you?"

I grinned back. "It's a gift."

"Alright, lovebirds," Jimmy's voice cut in. "Two minutes till showtime. You good to go, Caleb?"

I took a deep breath, nodding. "Yeah, I'm good. Let's do this."

As I stepped out onto the stage, the roar of the crowd hit me like a physical force. For a moment, I was that kid again, dreaming of making it big. I scanned the audience, taking it all in. The locals who'd come out to support the ranch, the reporters hovering at the back, their cameras at the ready. And of course, the fans who'd shown up for Corey King.

I stepped up to the mic, feeling a rush of adrenaline. "How's everyone doing tonight?" The answering cheer brought a smile to my face. "First off, I want to thank you all for coming out and supporting this fundraiser. Thanks to you, we've not only met our goal, but we've surpassed it!"

The applause was deafening. As it died down, I caught sight of Elijah in the crowd, grinning from ear to ear.

"Alright, let's get this show started, shall we?"

I launched into my first song, a ballad I'd written years ago. As I sang, I felt all my worries melt away. This was where I belonged, up on stage, sharing my music with the world.

After my solo, the band joined me for a couple more songs. The energy in the barn was electric, everyone on their feet, singing along.

Finally, it was time for the main event. I stepped back up to the mic, grinning. "You've all been amazing, but I know who you're really here to see. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the stage… Corey King!"

The crowd went wild as Liam stepped out, his mask glinting under the stage lights. He gave me a wink as he passed, and I felt my heart skip a beat.

I made my way off stage, joining Jimmy and my parents in the front row. Mom immediately pulled me into a hug.

"You were wonderful, honey," she said, her eyes shining with pride.

Dad clapped me on the back. "Damn good show, son."

I grinned, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. "Thanks, guys."

Up on stage, Liam was addressing the crowd. "Thank you all for that incredible welcome. Before I start, I just want to say a few words." He turned, gesturing towards where I sat with my family. "To the Winchesters - thank you. For welcoming me into your home, for trusting me with your story. This fundraiser wouldn't have been possible without you."

I felt my cheeks heat up as people turned to look at us. Mom was dabbing at her eyes with a tissue, and even Dad looked a bit misty.

"Alright," Liam continued, "let's make some music, shall we?"

As Liam launched into his first song, I felt my jaw drop. This wasn't one of his usual hits - it was something completely new. I glanced at Jimmy, who was nodding along with a knowing smile.

"Did you know about this?" I whispered.

Jimmy shrugged, his eyes still on the stage. "He might have mentioned working on some new material."

I turned my attention back to Liam, really listening to the lyrics. It was raw, honest in a way his music hadn't been before. I could hear echoes of our story in every line.

As the night went on, I realized that every single song was new. The crowd was eating it up, cheering louder with each unfamiliar tune. I felt a swell of pride in my chest. This was Liam - my Liam - up there, baring his soul to the world.

After what felt like both an eternity and no time at all, Liam addressed the crowd again. "Thank you all for being such an amazing audience. Before I finish up, there's something I want to share with you."

He paused, and I could see him take a deep breath. "All the songs you've heard tonight are from my upcoming album. It's the most personal work I've ever done, and I have someone very special to thank for that."

My heart started racing. What was he up to?

"Caleb Winchester," Liam said, his voice ringing out clear and strong. "Could you join me up here, please?"

For a moment, I froze. Me? On stage? But then I felt Jimmy give me a gentle shove.

"Go on," he hissed. "Don't leave the man hanging."

On autopilot, I made my way to the stage. Liam held out his hand to help me up, and I took it, feeling like I was in a dream.

"Hey," Liam said softly, just for me. "Trust me, okay?"

Before I could respond, he pulled me close and kissed me. Right there, in front of everyone. I heard a collective gasp from the audience, followed by complete silence. You really could have heard a pin drop.

When Liam pulled back, he was smiling. Not his stage smile, but the real one - the one that made his eyes crinkle at the corners and never failed to make my heart skip a beat.

"Sorry," he murmured, not looking sorry at all. "I've been wanting to do that all night."

I chuckled, feeling a bit lightheaded. "Warn a guy next time, will ya?"

Liam grinned, then turned back to the audience. "For those of you who don't know, this is Caleb Winchester. He's the reason we're all here tonight, the reason this ranch is going to stay in his family where it belongs. "

I felt my cheeks heat up as people started to applaud. "Liam," I muttered, "what are you doing?"

He squeezed my hand. "Something I should have done a long time ago."

Addressing the crowd again, Liam continued. "But Caleb is so much more than just the organizer of this fundraiser. He's the love of my life, the inspiration behind every song on this new album."

I stared at him, stunned. We hadn't talked about going public with our relationship. Hell, we were still figuring things out ourselves.

"Liam," I said, my voice low. "Are you sure about this?"

He nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

Then, to my complete shock, Liam reached up and removed his mask. There was a moment of confused silence, and then the barn erupted in chaos.

"My name is Liam Denison," he said into the mic, his voice somehow carrying over the noise. "And I'm Corey King."

The crowd went wild. I could see reporters frantically scribbling notes, fans screaming in disbelief. But all I could focus on was Liam - Liam without his mask, Liam smiling at me like I was the only person in the world.

"Come on," he said, taking my hand. "Let's get out of here."

The barn was alive with music and laughter, the afterparty in full swing. I sat with Liam in a quiet corner, nursing a beer and watching the crowd. It was still surreal, seeing everyone so happy, knowing we'd actually pulled this off.

"You okay?" I asked, nudging Liam with my shoulder. He'd been quiet for a while, his eyes distant.

He turned to me, a small smile playing at his lips. "Yeah, just taking it all in, you know? "

I nodded, understanding completely. It had been one hell of a day.

"Oh," I said, remembering. "Elijah stopped by earlier. Said to tell you congrats on a successful fundraiser. He's already taken the money to the bank."

Liam's eyes widened. "Seriously? That was fast."

I shrugged, taking another sip of my beer. "Guy doesn't mess around. Said he wanted to make sure everything was squared away before he left."

"Well, that's one less thing to worry about," Liam said, leaning back in his chair.

I was about to respond when I spotted a familiar figure making her way towards us. Liam's mother, looking nervous but determined.

"Heads up," I murmured. "Your mom's coming over."

Liam tensed beside me, his hand finding mine under the table. I gave it a reassuring squeeze as his mother reached us.

"Liam," she said, her voice soft. "Do you have a moment?"

Liam nodded, his face carefully neutral. "Sure, Mom. What's up?"

She glanced at me, then back to Liam. "I was hoping we could talk. Privately?"

I started to stand, ready to give them some space, but Liam's grip on my hand tightened.

"Anything you have to say to me, you can say in front of Caleb," he said firmly.

His mother nodded, pulling up a chair. "Of course. I… I owe you an explanation, Liam. For why I'm here."

Liam's eyebrows shot up. "Yeah, I was wondering about that. Last I heard, you didn't want anything to do with me anymore."

I winced at the bitterness in his tone, but his mother didn't flinch.

"I know," she said, her voice heavy with regret. "And I can't tell you how sorry I am for that. For everything I've said and done over the years. "

Liam stayed silent, waiting for her to continue. I could feel the tension radiating off him.

His mother took a deep breath, as if steeling herself. "Your father and I… we're getting a divorce."

That got Liam's attention. "What? Since when?"

"It's been coming for a while," she admitted. "But after I found out what he did to you, trying to blackmail you with your identity that was the last straw."

I felt Liam's hand tighten in mine. "Why now?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "After all these years, why decide to leave him now?"

His mother's eyes filled with tears. "Because I realized how much I've lost by standing by him. How much I've lost with you, Liam. I want a relationship with my son. If you'll let me."

The silence that followed was deafening. I could practically hear the gears turning in Liam's head as he processed this information.

Finally, he spoke. "And what if I say no? What if I tell you it's too late?"

I sucked in a breath, surprised by the harshness in his tone. But his mother didn't back down.

"Then I'll respect your decision," she said softly. "But I'll also keep trying. Keep showing up, keep proving to you that I mean what I say. Because you're my son, Liam. And I love you. I'm so sorry it took me this long to stand up for that love."

I felt Liam trembling beside me and gave his hand another squeeze. He looked at me, his eyes swimming with unshed tears.

"What do you think?" he asked, his voice barely audible over the music.

I shook my head. "This isn't my decision to make, Li. But if you're asking my opinion, I think everyone deserves a second chance. Even parents who've screwed up."

Liam nodded, taking a deep breath. He turned back to his mother, who was watching us with a mixture of hope and fear.

"Okay," he said finally. "I forgive you, Mom. But," he added as her face lit up, "you're going to have to show me that you really want this. That you're serious about having a relationship with me. With us," he amended, glancing at me.

His mother nodded eagerly, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Of course. Anything. I'll do whatever it takes, Liam."

Without warning, she leaned forward and pulled Liam into a hug. He stiffened at first, clearly caught off guard. But after a moment, he relaxed, bringing his arms up to return the embrace.

I watched them, feeling like I was intruding on a private moment. But I couldn't bring myself to look away. This was huge for Liam, I knew. A step towards healing a wound that had been festering for far too long.

When they finally pulled apart, both of them were wiping at their eyes. Liam's mother turned to me, a watery smile on her face.

"Thank you, Caleb," she said. "For taking care of my boy. For loving him the way he deserves to be loved."

I felt my cheeks heat up. "Uh, sure. No problem."

Liam chuckled at my awkwardness, some of the tension finally leaving his shoulders.

His mother stood up, smoothing down her dress. "I should let you two enjoy the party. But Liam, maybe we could start getting to know each other again?"

Liam nodded, a small smile playing at his lips. "Yeah, I'd like that."

As she walked away, I turned to Liam. "You okay?"

He let out a long breath, running a hand through his hair. "I think so?"

I nodded, understanding completely. "Yeah, I get it. But hey, this is good, right? A step in the right direction?"

"I hope so," Liam said, his voice soft. "I really hope so."

We sat in comfortable silence for a moment, watching the party unfold around us. Jimmy was out on the dance floor, showing off some truly terrible moves. My parents were chatting with some of the ranch hands, looking happier than I'd seen them in years .

Suddenly, I was struck by an overwhelming urge to be a part of it all. To celebrate this crazy, beautiful life we were building.

I stood up, holding out my hand to Liam. "Dance with me?"

He looked up at me, surprise written all over his face. "You? Mr. ‘I Don't Dance'? Are you feeling okay?"

I laughed, wiggling my fingers at him. "Come on, don't leave me hanging. It's a special occasion."

Liam grinned, taking my hand and letting me pull him to his feet. "Alright, alright. But don't blame me if I step on your toes. I'm a bit out of practice."

"Please," I scoffed as I led him to the dance floor. "I've seen you on stage. You've got rhythm for days."

As we started to move to the music, I couldn't help but marvel at how far we'd come. A few months ago, I was convinced I was better off alone. A lone wolf, content with my solitary life on the ranch.

But now? Now I had Liam in my arms, surrounded by friends and family, celebrating a future that looked brighter than I ever could have imagined.

"What are you thinking about?" Liam asked, his breath warm against my ear.

I pulled him closer, swaying to the slow rhythm of the song. "Just how lucky I am. How grateful I am for you, for us."

Liam pulled back slightly, his eyes searching mine. "Yeah?"

I nodded, feeling a surge of emotion. "Yeah. I love you, Liam. More than I ever thought possible."

His face softened, a smile spreading across his features. "I love you too, Caleb. So much."

As we danced, lost in our own little world, I couldn't help but think about all the twists and turns that had led us here. The misunderstandings, the years apart, the shattered melodies of our past.

But now, here we were. Putting those pieces back together, creating something new and beautiful from the fragments of what was broken .

"Hey," I said, a thought suddenly occurring to me. "What do you say we get out of here? Go for a ride, just the two of us?"

Liam raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Why, Mr. Winchester, are you propositioning me?"

I laughed, shaking my head. "Get your mind out of the gutter, Denison. I just want to show you something."

"Alright, alright," Liam chuckled. "Lead the way, cowboy."

We slipped out of the barn, the sounds of the party fading behind us. The night air was cool and crisp, stars twinkling overhead.

I led Liam to the stables, where Pancakes was waiting, already saddled up.

"You planned this," Liam accused, but he was smiling.

I shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Maybe. Come on, up you get."

I helped Liam onto the horse, then swung up behind him. With a click of my tongue, we were off, riding out into the open fields of the ranch.

We rode in comfortable silence for a while, Liam leaning back against my chest. Finally, we reached the top of a small hill overlooking the property.

"This is it," I said, bringing Pancakes to a stop. "This is what I wanted to show you."

Liam gasped as he took in the view. The ranch spread out below us, bathed in moonlight. In the distance, the lights of the barn twinkled like earthbound stars.

"It's beautiful," Liam breathed.

"Yeah," I agreed, but I wasn't looking at the view. I was looking at him, at the way the moonlight played across his features, at the wonder in his eyes.

"Liam," I said, my heart pounding in my chest. "I have something to ask you."

He turned to look at me, curiosity written all over his face. "What is it?"

I took a deep breath, suddenly nervous. "I know we've only been back in each other's lives for a few months. And I know we've still got a lot to figure out. But I also know that I love you, more than I've ever loved anyone. And I don't want to waste any more time."

Liam's eyes widened as he realized where this was going. "Caleb…"

I reached into my pocket, pulling out the ring I'd been carrying around for weeks. "Liam Denison, will you marry me?"

For a moment, everything was silent. Even the crickets seemed to be holding their breath, waiting for his answer.

Then, slowly, a smile spread across Liam's face. "Yes," he said, his voice choked with emotion. "Yes, of course I'll marry you, you big idiot."

I laughed, relief and joy flooding through me as I slipped the ring onto his finger. Then I was kissing him, pouring all my love and happiness into it.

When we finally broke apart, both of us breathing hard, Liam rested his forehead against mine.

"You know," he said, a teasing note in his voice, "this is going to make one hell of a story for our kids someday."

I froze, my heart skipping a beat. "Kids?"

Liam's eyes widened, like he hadn't meant to say that out loud. "I mean, if you want them. Someday. No pressure or anything."

I laughed, pulling him close. "Kids sound perfect. Someday."

As we sat there, on top of that hill with the whole world spread out before us, I felt a sense of peace settle over me. Whatever challenges lay ahead, whatever obstacles we might face, I knew we'd face them together.

Because that's what we did. We took the shattered melodies of our past and turned them into a beautiful new song. Our song.

And I couldn't wait to see what the next verse would bring.