We took a drink after the laughter died, then Gavin sighed. “Kellan…I’m so sorry about what happened to you, about what they did to you. You have to believe me, I didn’t know. If I had known, if I’d even suspected what they were doing…I would have gotten you out of there so fast. Even if I had to steal you, I would have gotten you out of there. I’m so sorry…”

His eyes were brimming again, and I couldn’t bear to look. My throat had closed tight on me; I couldn’t even swallow. Staring at the bar, I nodded. It was too late for it to make a difference, of course, but fuck…it was so nice to hear that he would have rescued me.

He patted my back, and I finally looked up at him. “For what it’s worth,” he said, “you’ve handled your life extremely well. I’m so impressed by you.”

Jesus. I had to look away again. Was he trying to kill me? I found myself shaking my head, murmuring, “You don’t even know me. How can you be impressed by me?”

He sighed softly, and I looked over to see him smiling. “Riley shows me everything he can find on you. Your talent, your presence on stage, your success…it’s clear you’ve managed to ground yourself somehow. I was impressed just watching you perform, but now that I know what you’ve gone through to get where you are…it just makes your journey all the more…inspiring.”

My mouth popped open at that. Inspiring? That didn’t sound right at all. Needing the world to start making sense again, I shook my head and tried to lighten the mood. “You sound just as ridiculous as Kiera.”

He grinned. “Maybe wise is the better word.”

I laughed at that, then rolled my eyes. “Maybe,” I muttered.

I spent the rest of the night talking to Gavin, Hailey, and Riley. It made me feel a little guilty that I wasn’t spending more time with Kiera’s family, but Kiera never once seemed upset with me, as she flitted between groups, spending time with everyone who was celebrating with her.

Eventually, the bar turned into a raucous, rowdy place. Poetic Bliss had a show tonight, and they were already a couple of songs into their set. Conversations were much harder now. I’d talked Sam into letting Riley hang out in the bar, even though he was underage, and he and Hailey both looked like they wanted to close the place down. Gavin looked exhausted though. He was on East Coast time, and it was much later for him than me. Plus, today had been draining.