“Hey Denny, it’s Kellan. Kiera got us cell phones, and I wanted to make sure you had my new number.” Right after I said it, I realized I should have just texted him since I really wasn’t sure about the time difference. This phone was going to take some getting used to.

Denny was quiet for a moment, then I could tell he was yawning. I sighed. “Shit. I woke you up, didn’t I? What time is it over there?”

“Don’t worry about it, it’s fine,” he said, his tone forgiving. “Cell phone, huh? I never thought I’d see the day when you got one.” He laughed after he said it, amused.

“Yeah, well, it will come in handy soon.” Biting my lip, I felt a surge of adrenaline fill me. “The band got asked to go on a tour. An actual freaking tour. Crazy, huh?” Denny had always been one of my biggest supporters, by my side from the very beginning of this journey. I’d been holding onto this piece of information for way too long now. I had to share it with him.

His response wasn’t what I expected. Instead of an exclamation of surprise, or a heartfelt congratulations, he was absolutely silent. I was about to ask him if he was still there, when I finally heard him say, “That’s not too surprising, Kellan. I always knew you’d make it.”

I had to scoff at that. While this tour was cool, it wasn’t exactly “making it.” “Yeah, well, I just wanted to let you know. You’ve always…been there…for me.” And I repaid you by screwing you over. Swallowing the lump of betrayal in my throat, I quickly told him, “We’re leaving this weekend. We’ll be on the road for six months…” God, every time I said it, it sounded longer and longer.

“Six months?” Denny murmured. “Wow, that’s…wow.” He was silent again, and a strange sort of awkwardness stretched over the line. Somehow, I knew his reaction wasn’t really about me and this upcoming opportunity. It was about Kiera. He had to be wondering just what I’d wondered—would she wait for me?

I really didn’t want him to comment on it. Hearing him voice my fears would be worse than anyone else speaking them. Denny had the weight of experience to back up his comments, and if he unleashed them on me, that weight would crush me. Dead. “Hey, man, I’m sorry for calling so early. I’ll…I’ll let you go.”

I heard him inhale a deep breath, like he was trying to purge his own demons—demons I’d just reminded him about. God, would there ever be a time when I didn’t selfishly hurt him? “Yeah, okay. I’ll talk to you later. Congratulations, mate.”