The Hidden Ones: Resurrection - 35. Oliver Who?

---Oliver---

I sat there in silence watching Dave and Ryder try their hardest to revive our already failing project. Dave had taken a picture of us to use for the video, while Ryder prepared to post the link all over his social media. But all my excitement had fallen by the wayside. All those hours we just spend grinding away to get the song out tonight wasted. And why? Because a few stupid record labels don’t know what music is?! I mean, sure Ryder’s going to post it on the internet! Big freakin’ whoop!

“How’s that look?” Ryder asked, proudly showing me the tweet. “Rock is Dead” it read with a link, with the picture of us Dave had designed to look battered and torn attached to it.

“Good.” I mumbled, keeping my head down.

“Come on kid, I thought you said you were going to fight.” Ryder sighed.

“I’m trying, I just, this sucks.” I groaned. “We spent all day slaving away for them to shoot us down instantly. Hell, one of them thought you were joking!”

“Don’t worry about what they think,”

“They’re record labels!” I shouted as the stress of the situation started to fall on my shoulders. “And what if the song sucks and we just put it out? What if they’re right? Then what? You just put your reputation on the line! I’m going to be responsible for ruining my favorite musician!”

“Oliver.” Ryder sighed, grabbing my arm. “You need to relax. The song doesn’t suck. People are going to love it, you have to trust that.” He gulped as he saw his words weren’t getting through to me. “And sure I put my reputation on you, but it’s because I believe in you.”

“Where’d that kid that walked in, had an awesome drum solo before breaking a stick over his knee like a bad ass go?” Dave encouraged. “I’ve been in this industry for a long time. Trust me, that’s a great song you wrote.”

I shook my head but once more couldn’t put faith in anything either of them said. “Why don’t you go call Mark?” Ryder suggested.

“Why? So he can see what a failure he’s dating?” I grumbled.

“No, because times like these are what boyfriends are for.” Ryder explained. “Every single time I doubted myself during that first album I went right to Teddy. Trust me, he’ll know what to say.”

“Whatever.” I sighed, standing up and climbing the stairs.

“Finally done?” Mom asked as she saw me emerge. “It’s already six, what’d that take you guys five hours?”

“Doesn’t matter.” I shook my head. “The song sucks. No label is willing to take it.”

“What?” She asked in shock. “But it’s Ryder. They call him one of the greatest rock stars in the,”

“Apparently I suck so much I cancel that out.” I interrupted. “I’m going to go lie down.”

“Oliver,” My mom exhaled in concern. “Are you sure you don’t want to,”

“I just need to be alone.” I muttered, slowly climbing the stairs and finally finding my way into my bedroom.

*************************************************************************************

What a giant waste of time! So what? It’s going on youtube! Who the hell even uses youtube anymore?! Same with Twitter! And even if people do, no one’s going to listen to it if it sucks! I spent the next thirty minutes wallowing in it all until finally I picked up my phone and called Mark.

“Oli!” He happily yelped.

“Hey.” I forced out, still not in much of a talking mood.

“What’s wrong?” He quickly asked, picking up on my mood.

“Our song sucks.” I exhaled. “None of the labels will pick it up. One of them said it’s a joke!”

“Oh.” Mark let out. “So what do you do now?”

“Ryder and the recording guy posted it to youtube and social media and all.” I grumbled. “But what’s it matter. All the companies said it’s going to fail anyway.”

“You mean the companies you always complain about?” Mark asked in a giggle. “Oli, you always say labels don’t know good music! Why is this any different?”

“This time they laughed in our face.” I confessed feeling my spirit break more.

“Put on your camera.” Mark instructed, turning his on. “Come on Oliver.” He motioned trying his hardest to encourage me. “Just as hot as this afternoon.” He smirked as I finally listened.

“I wish you were here.” I finally let out. “This sucks, and no one knows what to say to me.”

“I don’t know about that. Maybe you’re just not listening to them.” He said, trying his hardest to see both sides. “But either way, we’re here for you. Plus, you said you recorded two songs right? It’s not like this is your last chance.”

I nodded my head but stayed quiet once more. “Hey,” Mark called out, seeing my eyes drift away. “I’m super proud of you, you know that right?”

“Why? Because I failed?” I crankily exhaled.

“You didn’t fail! Ryder has like a gazillion followers on social media! You’re about to blow up so hard!” Mark tried to encourage. “Who cares that it’s not through a label! Stop being a baby.”

“I’m being a baby?!” I defensively asked.

“Yup.” Mark insisted. “You wrote what is probably a great song, but because a few people said it’s bad you’re going to cry?”

“No.” I pouted. “and they’re not just a few people. They’re record labels. These people know music!”

“Yeah, then why aren’t they making music?” Mark provoked. “You know who knows music? Ryder Sullivan! And you know who wrote that song with you? Ryder Sullivan! And you know who’s posting that song on social media?”

“Ryder Sullivan.” I answered for him, as he finally started to pick up my spirits.

“There you go!” He smiled.

I nodded my head and kept my eyes on his. “Can we just, can we talk about something else?”

“Sure.” He smiled. “What do you have in mind?”

“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “What’d you do today?”

“Me and my dad went to lunch when he got back from work.” Mark began. “Then we went to the movies and visited my grandpa, and now I’m home.” He smiled as he reached the end of his short story. “So not as eventful as your day.”

“Still sounds more fun.” I muttered, as the smile started to fade from his face. “What?” I exhaled as he watched me with a blank face.

“What’s what?” He asked, keeping the face.

“Why do you look sad?”

“Because you’re sad.” He replied. “And I don’t know, I don’t like seeing you sad.”

“Mark!” I heard his dad call out. “Mark!”

“In my room!” Mark shouted back.

“Your friends going to flip out.” Mr. Roberts announced as he forced the door open. “Ryder just released a new song with a different band.”

“Where’d you see that?!” Mark excitedly asked, nearly dropping his phone. My heart started to race with anticipation as I overheard their conversation.

“I don’t know, I was flipping through the T.V. and one of those gossip shows was freaking out!” Mr. Roberts encouraged. “You better call Oliver!”

“I’m already on the phone with him.” Mark giggled as a smile broke through his blank face. “And that’s his band!”

“Who’s?” Mr. Roberts asked.

“Oli’s!” Mark proudly announced. “He knows Ryder! They started a band together!”

“You’re kidding.” Mr. Roberts shook his head.

“Oli,” Mark began, holding his phone towards his dad. “Isn’t that your band?”

“I don’t know.” I shook my head as my door flew open.

“We’re on the radio!” Ryder shouted as he, Teddy and my parents flooded into the room. “All my social media accounts are blowing up right now!”

“Mark, I-I’ll have to call you back.” I gulped hanging up and turning towards everyone else. “But-but the labels,”

“I told you the labels don’t matter!” Ryder shouted. “All it took was an hour and we’re in the spotlight!”

“Son,” Dad began taking a seat next to me. “Did you really write that?”

“I, yeah.” I quickly nodded my head. “It was stuck in my head all night.”

“Well now it’s going to be stuck in mine!” He exclaimed grabbing me and pulling me close. “My son wrote that!” He proudly shouted. “My son!”

“Stop.” I happily blushed trying my hardest to break free. “Ryder.” I shook my head. “People like it?”

Ryder cautiously swayed his head. “It’s been a mix.” He confessed. “But it’s getting air time, and that’s the important thing right now. People don’t need to love Unity yet. They just need to hear about us.”

“We’re so proud of you.” Mom exhaled, sitting on the other side of me and turning my dad’s embrace into a group hug. “We all need to sit down and have a serious conversation about this, but, but I never in a million years thought my thirteen year old son was going to write a hit song!”

“Believe it.” Ryder encouraged with a proud smile. “What do you think Teddy?”

“I-I don’t know.” Teddy shook his head. “This, it’s insane. I thought I was happy when you first went on the radio but this, my brother and my boyfriend. I-I don’t know how to feel!”

Teddy broke free of Ryder and joined the hug as I tried my hardest to escape it all. “Please!” I pleaded. “You guys know I hate hugs!” I begged.

“Well too bad!” Mom teased, no doubt in heaven. I let them hold me for another minute or two until finally they let go.

“Now can you guys please give me some space!” I shouted, trying my hardest to hide my smile.

“Yeah, he needs to call Mark.” Teddy teased, running out of the room before I could start yelling.

“He’s going to be proud.” Ryder winked, following after his boyfriend.

“Not as proud as me.” My dad exclaimed disappearing around the corner.

“Wait! Does this mean I can stay up working,”

“Not at all.” My mom immediately shot down. “And you’re still going to school too! You’re thirteen, I’m making sure you still have your childhood.”

“Fine.” I grumbled, but the second the door shut I excitedly called Mark back.

“Oliver!” He shouted, immediately turning on his camera. “You’re on the radio here!”

“I know!” I excitedly cried out. “Ryder said we’re on in a few places! What do you think?”

“It’s not my music, but it’s soo good.” He giggled. “I’m so proud of you baby.”

“Baby?” I repeated making a sour face.

“Okay, maybe I won’t call you that.” He smiled. “But I’m still so proud!”

“Thank you.” I said as my huge smile finally broke through.

“My dad loves it too!” He encouraged. “He said it’s like the music his dad used to play him when he was a kid!”

“Well he might not want to get used to it.” I warned tipping my hand. “Our musics going to be all over the place.”

“Really?” Mark asked in excitement. “Can you write me an EDM song?”

“Maybe if you’re good.” I teased with a wink.

“Hey!” He giggled, catching my smile. “So, you sure you want to stay with me now that you’re a big star?”

“Mhm.” I happily nodded. “You, you’re so awesome.” I exhaled. “You’re just as happy now as you were when I called before.”

“What’s that mean?” Mark asked with a tilted head.

“I don’t know, it’s like, when I called before I was still just Oli and you were excited to see me.” I shrugged. “And now I’m on the radio but you’re just as happy. You just like me no matter what I guess.”

“Of course.” He nodded his head. “You’re my best friend. Nothing can make me happier than talking to you.”

I swear my smile couldn’t grow any more than it already was. “I think I know something.” I teased as a blush started.

“What?” He asked with excited eyes.

“I um, I tried, let’s just say we’re even now.” I shrugged.

“Even?” He repeated.

“Mhm.” I nodded my head. “I tried, I, I jacked off.” I quietly admitted.

“Really?!” He exclaimed. “When?”

“None of your business.” I proudly held my head once more.

“Come on Oli.” He pleaded. “Did you like it? Did you watch guys or girls?”

“Neither.” I shrugged. “I just tried it without anything.”

He made a face but nodded his head. “But did you like it?” He repeated.

“Yeah.” I bashfully admitted. “Like, a lot.”

“I told you it was fun.” Mark giggled in a blush. “So what were you thinking about?”

“I, uh.” I stuttered. “Just celebrities. Like uh, um,”

“Don’t lie Oli.” Mark confidently smiled. “Did you, did you think about me?”

“What?! No!” I quickly shot down. A blush filled Mark’s face as he saw right through my lies. “Stop!” I yelped. “I wouldn’t,”

“It’s okay Oli.” Mark happily spoke. “That day after gym when I saw you look and then I looked, well I, after I got home from school. It was on my mind.”

“Oh.” I exhaled, not knowing exactly how to feel. But just like before I felt my pants starting to tighten.

“Is that okay?” He nervously asked, worried he had overstepped.

“Yeah.” I quickly nodded. “Besides I-I was thinking about you before.” I confessed. “I was thinking about our kiss and all.”

“You liked it that much?” Mark asked with a smirk.

“Yeah.” I slowly nodded my head. “I think I need to start kissing you more.”

“I think so too.” He agreed in a nod. I couldn’t help but giggle as he adjusted how he was sitting. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing.” I blushed mimicking what he had done.

He laughed along to my actions and nodded his head. “I was uncomfortable okay?”

“I was too.” I played along.

“I can’t believe you’re going to be a rockstar.” He said with a shake of his head.

“Believe it.” I confidently nodded my head. “But my mom’s still making me go to school.”

“Good!” Mark smiled as he let out a sigh of relief. “That means I still get to see you every day.”

“I don’t know, I don’t think the teachers will like you constantly fidgeting in your chair.” I couldn’t help but tease.

“Oli!” Mark giggled. “I don’t make fun of you when you, when you, adjust.”

I shrugged my shoulders and lightly laughed. “I’m sorry, it was just cute.”

“That’s cute to you?” Mark made a face. “You’ve got some stuff to learn.”

“Only if you’ll teach me.” I tempted feeling my smile turn devious.

“Deal.” He nodded his head. “But before any of that, I want to take you on a real date.” He decided. “No older brothers. No talking about sex. Just us hanging out.”

“Alright.” I agreed but before I could say anything else I heard Teddy calling out for me. “I gotta go.”

“Really?” He whined. “How many more days until you’re home?”

“Just like four.” I smiled. ‘I miss you too.”

“Text me later?” He asked.

“Of course.” I nodded giving him a wink before I ended the call. It feels like with every conversation we have I grow more and more comfortable with him. He’s there when I upset, worried about my body, or just want to talk. I’ll never forget that.

As I happily strolled down the stairs I saw everyone’s eyes fall on me. “How’s Mark?” Teddy teased as Ryder elbowed him.

“How’s Mark?” I mimicked as I sat down for dinner.

“I’m sure they’re a cute couple.” Mom tried to support.

“Mom!” I groaned as they all laughed.

“He deserves a purple heart, that’s for sure.” Dad teased.

“Our videos already got hundreds of thousands of views.” Ryder began, helping me to change subjects. “How do you think people will take it when we show them the second song?”

“Not good.” I giggled. “But the people who stick around are going to be awesome. We’re going to have so many different types of fans!” As he happily nodded his head I couldn’t help but regret how I acted just an hour and a half ago. “I’m sorry I lost hope.”

“It’s okay.” He quickly replied, saving me the apology. “You put in a lot of work today, I get it. I couldn’t’ve handled this at thirteen.”

“I need you to remember that Ryder.” Mom jumped in.

“I will.” He quickly nodded his head.

“But we’re totally practicing for a little bit after dinner right?” I whispered to him.

“Totally.” He winked as Teddy shot him a serious look.

“You promised we’d spend the last of the sunlight outside.” Teddy began, staring down his boyfriend.

“I know, but this won’t take long.” Ryder dismissed.

“You said that before too.” He groaned. “Just practice tomorrow.”

“Sorry.” I shrugged as Teddy looked to me. “We’re on a roll lately.”

“Whatever.” Teddy pouted, staring to play with his food.

“Come on.” Ryder whispered to him. “Don’t get upset.”

“I’m not upset.” He lied, refusing to look up.

“Maybe now you know how we feel when you work all day.” I egged on, not thinking much about my words.

“Dude!” Ryder sighed as Teddy stood up. “Where are you going Teddy?”

“I need to lie down.” He exhaled, heading towards the stairs.

“Come on, don’t,”

“No, go play with Oli.” Teddy shrugged. “I’ll be here when you’re done.”

“That wasn’t very nice of you Oliver.” Mom reprimanded. “What if Teddy distracted Mark the whole time you were on vacation.”

“It’s not his fault,” Ryder began.

“He hasn’t exactly been helping.” Dad shrugged. “I think you both need to schedule your time better. We’re on vacation.”

“You’re right.” Ryder nodded his head. “I should go,”

“I’ll go.” I muttered in a sigh as guilt started to drip into my brain.

“That’s nice Oli but,”

“I’ll go.” I insisted as I stood up and followed after him.

I felt their eyes on me as I quickly disappeared up the stairs. “Teddy.” I groaned, as he already lay in bed. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t’ve said that work thing.”

“It’s fine.” He shrugged with his back to me. “It’s good I know how you feel.”

“Except you help people.” I tried to encourage. “Your works more important than ours.” He stayed quiet to my words as he thought it all over. “Ryder really cares about you. You know that right?”

“He hasn’t done a great job of showing that recently.” Teddy complained. “He worked most of yesterday and now almost all of today. This was supposed to be a vacation.”

“It’s my fault.” I tried to comfort. “I’ll stop hogging him.”

“He’s a big boy.” Teddy sighed. “A thirteen year old isn’t the one making the decisions for him.”

“He is kind of obsessed with music.” I submitted. “But trust me, he’s always thinking of you when he writes. Even before you got back together.”

“What makes you say that?” He asked, turning back to me.

“Nothing.” I quickly shut down.

“Oliver.” Teddy reprimanded, shooting me a serious look.

“He didn’t want me to tell you.” I said in a gulp. “He said the best messages are the ones that don’t get delivered or something like that.”

“Well unfortunately for him I have a translator.” He teased sitting up. “Now spill.”

“Well he,” I nervously began. “Messiah’s last album is called Six Foot Deep. And the last song, it’s just weird. It’s like none of their other songs. It’s him reading poetry.”

“What’s the poetry say?” Teddy pressured.

“I don’t know it all.” I confessed. “But the main part is like. ‘I had it all in my hands. The world for all to see. Then I saw how it would end. The two of us. Six foot deep.’” Teddy’s face grew serious as he heard those words. “And then it transitions into the bonus song which is a cover of Gone Away by The Offspring. It’s a really weird ending. Like he didn’t finish it.”

“I didn’t finish it.” Ryder confirmed as he stepped into the room. “Because my story wasn’t complete without Teddy.”

I couldn’t help but make a face at how cheesy they are. Do me and Mark sound like that? “I’m sorry.” Ryder began once more. “I just got so wrapped up in writing again that I guess I lost the reason we’re here.”

“And what’s that reason?”

“To be with you.” Ryder smiled, taking a seat next to him. “Sorry Oli.” He sighed looking over to me. “Guess practice is moved to tomorrow night.”

“Wait, what about recording the other song?” I asked.

“Keep practicing and working on it. We’ll record it in Jersey.” He shrugged. “I want to be with Teddy.”

“Ryder!” I protested in a whine.

“Sorry buddy.” He giggled, looking down at Teddy. “I’m not sacrificing this for anything.”

“Fine.” I grumbled, but would be lying if I said I didn’t understand where he was coming from.

“Wait.” Teddy called out as I stood up. “You said we’d talk about you coming out.”

I let out a groan but turned back around. “I just got excited and slipped. Good enough?”

“Nope.” Teddy shook his head. “How do you feel?”

“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “Proud I guess.”

“You should.” Teddy smiled. “I know mom’s excited.”

“I’m not talking to her about guys.” I blushed.

“Will you talk to me about guys?” Teddy instigated.

“No!” I cried out before thinking everything I had spoken about with Mark over. “Ryder can you give us a minute?”

“Nope.” He rejected. “I’m not leaving Teddy’s side.” He teased, falling onto him.

“Stop!” Teddy giggled, trying to push him off. “No come on! What is it?” Teddy called out as I tried to sneak away.

“Nothing.” I lied as they both looked at one another.

“You don’t want me to know?” Ryder asked as he finally stood up.

“I don’t think you want to know.” I began to blush.

“I don’t think I do.” Ryder agreed but before he could get away Teddy grabbed his arm.

“Ryder’s gay too ya know?” Teddy reminded me. “He might be able to give better advice than I can.”

I nodded and sat down but stared down at the ground as I thought it all over. Am I really going to ask them about this?! I thought I said I’d keep it to myself! “Me and Mark, I think we’re going to do something when I get home.”

“That’s a good idea.” Ryder supported, surprising both me and Teddy. “Just let us know and we can drive you. You could always see that new Power Rangers movie, I hear,”

“Ryder, he doesn’t mean a date.” Teddy whispered. “He means something.” I heard Ryder gasp as he finally connected the dots. “So what did you want to know?”

“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “I know you were my age when you lost it. I just, is there anything I need?” I asked, still staring down at my feet.

“I don’t think so.” Teddy exhaled. “I’ll give you a condom if you want, but that’s a little extreme for your age.”

“You know on second thought, this feels like a brother conversation,”

“Sit down Ryder!” Teddy ordered as I felt a weight pick up and drop right back onto the bed.

“Two guys need condoms?” I groaned, not knowing what I had gotten myself into.

“Yeah, I, we can have that conversation when you’re a little more ready.” Teddy uncomfortable laughed. “But if you want to do something with him, just, keep it simple, okay?”

“Yeah.” I nodded my head.

“Maybe he should watch porn so he knows,”

“No!” Teddy immediately shot down. “Porn is unpassionate garbage that fuels stereotypes. He, he can learn by doing.” He confidently explained. “Don’t make that face.” He whispered, hoping I couldn’t hear them. “He’s curious! He deserves to be heard!”

“Thirteen’s not too young?” Ryder asked in the same volume.

“Maybe, but I was thirteen and I turned out fine.” Teddy replied. “Plus he’s about to be fourteen.”

“Well in that case!” He sarcastically began.

“How old were you Ryder?” I forced out. Sure, this isn’t my favorite conversation but I-I want to do this right and I have them to talk to. So why wouldn’t I?

“That’s not very important.” Ryder uncomfortable exhaled.

“You can tell him.” Teddy encouraged. “Sex is a normal part of life and development. No one should be embarrassed.”

“Eighteen.” Ryder finally admitted. “But if I had the chance at thirteen I probably would’ve taken it.”

Me and Teddy couldn’t help but laugh as Ryder broke the tension. “Wait!” I exclaimed turning back to them and jumping of the bed. “EW!”

“What?” Ryder asked turning towards Teddy.

“He did the math.” Teddy sighed.

“Oh.” Ryder gulped as a blush filled his face. “It’s not like you couldn’t’ve guessed.”

“That late though?” I asked, trying my hardest to forget that Teddy was Ryder’s first.

“Sorry the general population isn’t as sex crazed as the Haner family!” He exhaled, starting to grow embarrassed.

“He’s just salty because you’re going to beat him.” Teddy giggled.

“Am not!” Ryder lied. “Look, do you want my advice?” I cautiously nodded my head. “You do whatever you want, but make sure you’re comfortable and happy with him first. You don’t have to love him or anything, just make sure you feel safe around him.”

“I do.” I nodded my head.

“Good.” Ryder nodded his head. “But it’s not all about fun, it, there’s a bond that comes with it.”

“Teddy already told me about that.” I waved off.

“How often do you two talk about this?” Ryder asked in surprised.

“This is only the second time.” Teddy shrugged. “The first time was after he had a dream.”

“Teddy!” I screeched. “You swore you’d keep that a secret!”

“It’s just Ryder.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I’m proud of you for being brave enough to come to us. Mark’s lucky to have such a thoughtful boyfriend.”

“Yeah, I didn’t talk about this with anyone growing up.” Ryder shook his head. “Which was terrible.” He quickly recovered. “It was, always come to Teddy when you have questions.”

“Or Ryder!” Teddy provoked in laughter.

“Probably not Ryder.” He shook his head. “I don’t have an M.D.”

I rolled my eyes and kept walking as they began to tease one another. I know a few days ago I said I don’t want anything like they have, but maybe I do, just a little bit. As I roamed back downstairs my dad emphatically waived me into the living room.

“They’re talking about you!” He yelped as I walked in to find a show with an open room of people.

“So Ryder Sullivan is back from the dead,” One of them began. “Aside from the suicide attempt and video he goes radio silent for a good few months, then shows up out of nowhere with a kid, and poof, they release one of the best rock songs to hit the radio in decades.”

My dad reached over and gave me a good shake as he heard those words. “Let’s not get crazy,” Another one of them began. “The song’s not really that good. It’s a step back in music. It’s not creative or dynamic, it’s just a copy and paste from the 1970s.”

“Okay, but there’s a reason why in the fifty years since the seventies this is the first time we’re hearing this style.” The first woman defended. “It’s hard to do! And say what you want but rock fans are going to be climbing out of the wood work for this band.”

“Alright!” The host interrupted. “It doesn’t matter what we think of the song. It’ll reach a million views by midnight, so clearly Sullivan is doing something right. So let’s talk about the other musician he’s working with. Who is this boy? And does this verify the theory that it’s his son, or shut it down?”

“His name is Oliver Haner.” Another person jumped in. “We haven’t found much on him, but he has writing credit on the guitar and drums of the song.”

“Ryder Sullivan has to be pulling our legs with this.” The host laughed. “There’s no way he’s starting a band with what? A twelve year old?”

“I’m thirteen!” I angrily spit at the T.V.

“I don’t think he is,” One of them argued. “The style of Revival, it’s so much different than any other song he’s written. He has some outside force working on this, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that we keep finding him with the boy in the photo.”

“Well I want us here at E to get the first scoop on this.” The man announced. “We need to crack this case once and for all. Who is Oliver Haner? And what’s his relationship to Ryder Sullivan?”

I blushed as my dad lowered the T.V. “Are you ready for all of this chaos?”

“I think so.” I slowly shook my head. “What am I supposed to do? Not make music because people are going to talk about me?”

“It’s all up to you.” Dad offered. “You see how the media swarms Ryder when they see him out. Are you going to be okay with that?”

“If that’s what it takes.” I shrugged. “Besides we only have one song, for all we know this could fall apart tomorrow”

“With you and Ryder working on it?” My dad asked with a shake of his head. “Not happening.” I nodded my head but felt him grab my arm and pull me closer. “Oliver,” He began in a deep breath. “Whatever happens next, you always have us to talk to.” I gulped as our eyes connected. I’ve never seen him this serious in my life! “You’re not alone, me, your mother, Teddy, Ryder, we’re always going to be here for you.”

“Okay.” I cautiously spoke, not sure where he was coming from.

“We nearly lost Ryder when he got famous at eighteen.” Dad finally explained. “I’m not risking that with you.”

I nodded my head, but suddenly jumped on him. “Thank you for showing me rock music.” I forced out as he hugged me tightly. “You’re always my inspiration.”

“I love you buddy.” He exhaled, starting to rub my back.

“I love you too.” I forced out finally breaking free.

I know he and my mom are scared about the path I’m taking, but I’m not someone who does stuff just to look cool. I said I’d never drink or try drugs and I won’t! Besides I’m happy sober. I’m happy being Oliver Haner.