the carer.

Hayden stayed back as the two embraced. She knew they were close and that their past had been rocky, the last thing she wanted to do was get in the way of that. Jessica held onto her son tightly, her emotions overwhelming her briefly. “I loved every second of that, Riles.” The woman nuzzled him. “‘M really proud of you, you must’ve worked really hard on those.”

Even though Hayden knew that Riley wasn’t talking to her, she soon enough pressed a kiss to her boyfriends cheek, the feeling of sweat on the surface making her grin. “I can be nice t’you.” The comfort around his family came gradually, but seeing him on the stage made her naturally more relaxed. The rest of the family followed, some filling into the car with Riley, others going to their own to meet up later. “Well, my birthdays coming up so I can take this as an early present.” The older man grinned slightly as he did up His seatbelt.

Hayden stayed back as the two embraced. She knew they were close and that their past had been rocky, the last thing she wanted to do was get in the way of that. Jessica held onto her son tightly, her emotions overwhelming her briefly. “I loved every second of that, Riles.” The woman nuzzled him. “‘M really proud of you, you must’ve worked really hard on those.”

A small grin spread over Hayden’s face when she tasted the all familiar flavours of Riley’s favourite drink and smoke. The girl nuzzled her boyfriend and rubbed his hip slightly. “Think your mom’s got it, she’s been taking care of all of us out there.” She blushed slightly and glanced at the older woman who chuckled. “Yeah, I’ve got it, c’mon I’ll get you home safe.”

Riley grinned against Hayden’s lips, pressing another kiss to them. “Sounds a lot like her.” He offered the older woman a smile before wrapping one arm around his girlfriend. “Alright, maybe if you’re lucky I’ll show you some more music.” He chuckled as he glanced at his grandparents.

Jessica grabbed Patrick’s hand and started to lead them out back into the grounds. The masses of people had started to dwindle down, giving them more space to walk as a group to the cars. Hayden tugged Riley along also, before David let out a hefty sigh. “Y’know we won’t be around forever, hm? Waiting for songs might kill us.” Patrick rolled his eyes slightly. “Don’t sound so dramatic, dad.”

Hayden stayed back as the two embraced. She knew they were close and that their past had been rocky, the last thing she wanted to do was get in the way of that. Jessica held onto her son tightly, her emotions overwhelming her briefly. “I loved every second of that, Riles.” The woman nuzzled him. “‘M really proud of you, you must’ve worked really hard on those.”

A small grin spread over Hayden’s face when she tasted the all familiar flavours of Riley’s favourite drink and smoke. The girl nuzzled her boyfriend and rubbed his hip slightly. “Think your mom’s got it, she’s been taking care of all of us out there.” She blushed slightly and glanced at the older woman who chuckled. “Yeah, I’ve got it, c’mon I’ll get you home safe.”

Hayden stayed back as the two embraced. She knew they were close and that their past had been rocky, the last thing she wanted to do was get in the way of that. Jessica held onto her son tightly, her emotions overwhelming her briefly. “I loved every second of that, Riles.” The woman nuzzled him. “‘M really proud of you, you must’ve worked really hard on those.”

Riley blushed at his mother’s words, gripping her shirt as he listened to her. “It’s been a while, yeah. I – didn’t wanna put anything out there ‘til I was down with it.” He smiled, pressing another kiss to her head before pulling back and glancing at the rest of his family, a small smile still present on his lips. 

Hayden didn’t know just how much more the man had under his sleeve, but the surprise of him performing led her to believe Riley had a ton more planned. “Well — maybe we could all go home and talk more?” Patrick blushed when he saw his son so happy — something he’d wanted for the boy so much. “Sounds like a good idea, maybe he could show us some more if he’s comfortable.” If there was anything Patrick knew, it was how alike the two were. The last thing he wanted to do was pressure him into sharing if he wasn’t ready.

The crowd inevitably wanted more and Hayden could tell that. This night would definitely change things for Riley, Hayden was certain of that. Grabbing each other’s hands, everyone made their way out of the energetic crowd which was still chanting for the man. Making a beeline for the backstage, security let them through after much persuading from the boy’s mother who was just as eager to see her son as Hayden was.

Riley had already lit a joint and was throwing back shots with his best friend by the time he saw his family make their way into his area backstage. A small grin spread on his lips when he saw the looks on his parents’ faces, already excited to hear what they had to tell him.

Jessica herself was almost lost for words. Her son was so grown up, she’d seen that from the moment that he came back into her life. But now — he had all this talent too, it was almost unbelievable. A small chuckle left her when she saw the grin on his face, chewing her lip briefly before the words just slipped out. “That was amazing, Riley. You’re— wow.” Patrick slipped his hand a little under her shirt to rub her hip, helping her focus a little better.

The confidence in his lyrics was more than evident now. Hayden could hardly contain the grin or blush on her face. She knew that Riley loved Cody, he was a brother to him, so there wasn’t any bad blood between them. The curiosity though about how his friend would feel about the blatant honesty and confidence made Hayden wonder. She glanced at Dylan who seemed to be having just as good of a time as she was, and back at her boyfriend as he moved across the stage.

If you’d asked Hayden if she imagined her life to be where t was right now, she would’ve laughed. Seeing Riley up on the stage, and feeling the things she was feeling was almost surreal. Blush flushed her cheeks when he looked at her, the grin spreading in her face as he continued with the satire lyrics. The crowd ate it up, every single word being screamed back at him when they could manage to keep up with the boy.

The energy only built more once the song had finished, multiple names being screamed from the crowd. Hayden could barely process her own thoughts, let alone hear anything. Her grin did grow though when she saw her boyfriend dangling from the speakers, the kids and adults in the crowd trying to grab at him with all their might. She could feel the jealousy in some peoples eyes as they recognized her in the crowd. That gave Hayden an odd feeling of accomplishment in all honesty. Knowing she had something that people wanted – that was a gift in itself. The screams eventually died down, erupting into small cheers and chants for the next song.

It would’ve been hard to believe Riley’s statement about making Cody who he was, but the moment that the music started up again she could see why it was the truth more than anything. Sure Cody was talented, and Hayden knew that because she’d listened to him for a decent amount of time. However, there was something different between the pair. Riley’s talent was effortless, and seemed more natural more than anything. It seemed like it was a part of him, not an act he had to put on. The next song started and the crowd erupted again, hardly being able to contain their excitement. She joined in with the cheers, anticipation as she waited for his voice to fill the speakers.

The energy only built more once the song had finished, multiple names being screamed from the crowd. Hayden could barely process her own thoughts, let alone hear anything. Her grin did grow though when she saw her boyfriend dangling from the speakers, the kids and adults in the crowd trying to grab at him with all their might. She could feel the jealousy in some peoples eyes as they recognized her in the crowd. That gave Hayden an odd feeling of accomplishment in all honesty. Knowing she had something that people wanted – that was a gift in itself. The screams eventually died down, erupting into small cheers and chants for the next song.

She couldn’t help but feel slightly disappointed that the music was stopping so soon. It felt like he’d just started, so Hayden willingly joined along with the boos from the crowd. She could tell that like herself, everyone wanted more. After being in the dark for so long, the eagerness was hard to fight off. Hayden chewed her lip though, a small smile on her face when she saw how happy he still looked. She could guarantee just from that that at least he was being honest with them, and that he’d be more likely to return again if it made him this happy. Hayden had a lot of questions, not just about when the music was dropping but also when was he going to tour — if he would at all. Did he already have a promoter? A manager? She had no clue, and was hoping he’d have an idea of it all. The crowd still chanted though, for the next song, hungry for every next bit of Riley that Hayden was.

New Territory

“Well she must’ve done a good job then, because you’re more than a gentleman.” Hayden blushed slightly and chewed her lip. “I think you would, and I think you’d do an even better job at it.” She liked to see the best in people, regardless of if she knew them well or not. “Tell me more about yourself, obviously I can’t read you that well because you’ve surprised me more than once.”

“It’s nice having them close even if sometimes they can be overbearing. I know it’s just cause they care though.” Hayden smiled briefly, the grin soon on her lips again. “I’ll throw in chocolate syrup too, if you’re lucky enough.” She didn’t know why she felt such a need to have him there, but she did so Hayden tried with everything she had to convince him — even if it was just for a night. “Only thing is my place’s a studio apartment so there’s not much privacy. F’you’d rather that I understand.” She offered a small smile and chewed her lip, hoping she hadn’t pushed him away just yet. “What about you? You happy?”

New Territory

“Well she must’ve done a good job then, because you’re more than a gentleman.” Hayden blushed slightly and chewed her lip. “I think you would, and I think you’d do an even better job at it.” She liked to see the best in people, regardless of if she knew them well or not. “Tell me more about yourself, obviously I can’t read you that well because you’ve surprised me more than once.”

“‘M still here cause my family’s out here. If they weren’t I’d probably try to pack up and move right away.” Hayden wasn’t one to want to just settle in one place. She loved Seattle but wanted to see more, too. “You’d have to give me a chance, that’s all. I’ve more booze back home, and semi decent cable tv. And if you’re lucky, I could even break out the ice cream for you.” She grinned slightly at him. “If you’re a sprinkles guy too I’ve ‘em. Rainbow and chocolate.” Hayden knew she was probably closer to a kid than he’d expected, but she wasn’t going to hide her personality from him. “As relatively happy as I could be, I think. I’ve my friends and health and job.”

New Territory

“Well she must’ve done a good job then, because you’re more than a gentleman.” Hayden blushed slightly and chewed her lip. “I think you would, and I think you’d do an even better job at it.” She liked to see the best in people, regardless of if she knew them well or not. “Tell me more about yourself, obviously I can’t read you that well because you’ve surprised me more than once.”

Hayden grinned slightly at the mention of California. “Cali’s awesome, I think I’d like to go out there one day. Nothing to do with the fame or anything just — the beaches, the shops — I went there nearly every summer with my family growing up.” The girl bit her lip slightly, another grin threatening to spill over her face. “Maybe I’d let you join me f’I went out that way. It’s no fun alone.” Hayden blushed and let her thumb rub the cup slightly. “My company should be enough unless you’re bored.” The girl shrugged a little, a small smile on her face. “As long as I was happy that’s all I need. S’corny but yeah.”

New Territory

“Well she must’ve done a good job then, because you’re more than a gentleman.” Hayden blushed slightly and chewed her lip. “I think you would, and I think you’d do an even better job at it.” She liked to see the best in people, regardless of if she knew them well or not. “Tell me more about yourself, obviously I can’t read you that well because you’ve surprised me more than once.”

“Well would you want to be around here more? Cause f’not that’s embarrassing and I should shut up before I make an idiot out f’myself.” Hayden blushed and looked down briefly, his gaze a little too much for her. Not many people believed in her ability to succeed, so Hayden never really shared her hopes or dreams with anyone. Previous partners had made a joke out of it, and some people who had heard some of Hayden’s songs weren’t always overjoyed. “Thanks but I’ll probably bench it for later on. I feel — okay where I am, I shouldn’t rock the boat.” She glances up again and offered a small smile.

New Territory

“Well she must’ve done a good job then, because you’re more than a gentleman.” Hayden blushed slightly and chewed her lip. “I think you would, and I think you’d do an even better job at it.” She liked to see the best in people, regardless of if she knew them well or not. “Tell me more about yourself, obviously I can’t read you that well because you’ve surprised me more than once.”

“I can’t imagine what it would’ve been like. But I can understand if you wouldn’t want that anymore. Only curious so I know whether to expect you around here anymore.” Hayden blushed slightly and fiddled with her drink. “I love my job. Getting to see the fans and the show, hang out with the bands — that’s a dream. Used to go to shows all the time and now ‘m doing it to pay rent.” She ranted, blushing more as she went along. “It’d be cool to be on the other side f’it though, even though I think I wouldn’t make it that far.”

New Territory

“Well she must’ve done a good job then, because you’re more than a gentleman.” Hayden blushed slightly and chewed her lip. “I think you would, and I think you’d do an even better job at it.” She liked to see the best in people, regardless of if she knew them well or not. “Tell me more about yourself, obviously I can’t read you that well because you’ve surprised me more than once.”

Hayden knew what it was like to have parents try their best. Her mom tried her best every single day, but there was a limit and she knew that. A small amount of blush flushed her cheeks as Riley looked at her. He had a certain type of charm that made it hard for Hayden to gather her thoughts together. “Where do you hope to go from here? Like — back to the army, or d’you wanna work?”