That shit is perfect for her.

She doesn’t lean too heavy on me or the guys, never asks, we offer, but she doesn’t take us up on it very often because she doesn’t want it to get to be a thing.

You know, us helping her raise money or pitching up to work with the kids.

She knows she, Lyla, muse to the Roadmasters, Preacher McCade’s and Cat Trelane’s—maybe on that last—ex, could detract from the work she does, and distract from it, and even put her place there in jeopardy.

We all know that too fuckin’ well so we do what we can and give her her space to do what she digs.

Though, gotta say, she doesn’t turn down our yearly donations.

[Smiles]

That said, I think that was about her not wanting that shit to come out again.

You know, Lyla, of Lyla and Preacher, doin’ something, even something for good, with the Roadmasters.

It’d open a can of worms she wrassled back into the tin and she wasn’t feelin’ lettin’ them back out.

And you know?

Who could blame her?

But on that beach, none of us know what the fuck to say to Preacher’s question because, yeah, she’s good.

But each and every one of us know he nearly destroyed her when he walked away.

Dave dives in first, not to answer, to ask Shawn, “She comin’ to the gig?”

Shawn answers, “She hasn’t decided.”

“She needs to come to the gig,” Tim says.

“She needs to do what she needs to do,” I say.

That’s when Preach says, “Shawn, get her to the gig.”

[Picks up empty bourbon glass from the table beside him and tips it to look at the bottom]

I shoulda brought the bottle.

[Puts the glass back down]

We break up because Shawn’s wife needs to get to bed, Tim wants to check on his kid and Tom probably wants to take his wife home in order to do her.

[Grins]

And make sure that gets in whatever you’re doin’, sister.

Simone loves it and Tom hates it.

But these days, some of the best jollies I get is bustin’ Tommy’s chops.

Dave tries to talk Preach and me into hitting some club. There’s some band he’s interested in, he’s kinda cast himself in a role of mentor to a few bands who he thinks have promise, and he thinks this is gonna be one of them.

Preach and me refuse, Dave takes off, and we’re standin’ outside by our cars, and seein’ as I mentioned things were not gonna go further with the woman I’m with, Preach suggests I come to the place he’s at, a short-term rental.

I say yes because I’m glad to have him back. I’m pleased as fuck I got eyes on him again. I’m glad he looks good.