And just to say, he’s not gonna be offended by that because he knows he’s a dope.

This he learned during his years of surfing reflection.

[Grins]

So, he leans to me and whispers, [starts chuckling] “Does Preach want one of the tracks to feature Celine Dion?”

[Laughs fully]

This is such a stupid question, I say, “Yes.”

Then…

[Unable to speak further due to laughter]

McCade:

Timmy says, “I call lead on that and I don’t give a fuck what song it is.”

Jesse:

Then Tim says, “I love her. Have you heard her cover of ‘All By Myself’? I mean, she kills it. She’s Marty’s favorite.”

McCade:

[Stares steadily, not speaking]

Jesse:

We all…

[Shakes head]

We got no words.

So, Preach tells him…

McCade:

“When we do a duet with Celine Dion, she’s all yours.”

Jesse:

[Dissolves into laughter, it wanes, and he sobers completely]

Christ, it felt good to be back with my boys.

So, Dave provides the band with another Spinal Tap moment and says, “I’m gonna raise a practical question at this point, are we namin’ the album Follow Your Star?”

[Chuckles, but again sobers]

Then Preach says, “Those were the last words Lyla’s mom said to her before she died.”

And well…

[Pause]

Shit.

We’re still out in the desert, layin’ down the album, Preach and me at the mixing board with Danny and Hans, who came back onboard because this is a Roadmasters reunion, [grins] when DuShawn’s cell rings.

I do not get a good feeling when he takes the call and walks outside.

When he comes back in, he’s learned…hell, we’ve all learned, he does not delay in sharing.

“That was Lyla,” he says. “She’s decided, and she doesn’t think it’s a good idea to come to the charity gig.”

Now, I do not know about everybody else.

For my part, I want them back together.

This is Preacher and Lyla, and the band is back, but the world still isn’t right because those two are apart.

The rest of the guys, I can’t say.

But I know there’s uncertainty, and I know it because I feel that too.

He fucked her up when he disappeared.

And for a long time, it was not good.

That said, my way of thinking, this is Preacher.

He built a band that made the big time, he kept us together, and he put two murderers in prison.

He could win back Lyla and do it right.

Or I hoped like fuck he could.

When DuShawn says Lyla isn’t comin’ to the gig, Preacher just stares at him.

No words.

But Shawn mutters, “On it,” and takes his phone back outside.

It’s the next morning, Preach and me are at the studio, rappin’ about a fade in one of the songs I wrote that we’re putting on the album, when Shawn shows.