Divided Road (The Road to Rocktoberfest 2024)

Chapter 12

CHAPTER TWELVE

Jared turned down the campervan stereo and glanced at Owen, who was fast asleep beside him. The last few days had been full-on, but very worth it. Now that the worry about his future with the band was gone, a shadow had lifted from both of them, although Owen still tossed and turned at night.

This was the first time Owen seemed at ease, so Jared wasn’t in a hurry to wake him.

The gig at Dannevirke had been a huge success. Word spread that they’d recently played at Frays, and the pub was packed. After several encores and a late night, they’d all stumbled into bed, with morning coming way too early.

Phil and Tyler had left the van in Palmerston North to spend a few days with Phil’s parents before heading home, and Clay had jumped ship to visit a friend when they’d reached Masterton.

Jared suspected Clay’s absence was in part to give him and Owen some time alone with Owen’s gran. Rachel and Kaci planned to join them the next morning after their stopover in Kapiti to see Kaci’s family.

Despite the drive being much shorter than their initial journey to Napier, Jared stifled a yawn. He’d taken over the driving at Eketāhuna after they’d stopped for lunch, although Clay had offered to take the wheel until his stop.

He cricked his shoulders, suspecting he’d sleep well that night. The adrenaline of Frays, followed by the previous night’s gig, was quickly wearing off. Frays had been amazing with its diverse range of Kiwi musicians, and Jared was still in awe that Flightless had been a part of the festival.

Duncan had reiterated his invitation for them to perform again the following year, and Rachel had booked them in right on the spot.

Jared smiled and hummed a few bars of the song he and Owen had already begun to write in anticipation, although they wanted to focus on the music that had spoken to them both on the beach that first evening.

The temperature was already cooling by the time he entered the outskirts of Carterton, with many of the trees beginning to lose their leaves, leaving a carpet of rich browns and yellow around them. Jared loved the autumn palette but wasn’t looking forward to the usual wet Wellington winter.

“Hmm, what?” Owen lifted his head and started, his words and expression groggy.

“Hey, sleepyhead. We’re almost there.” Jared consulted his phone to check the route. Owen’s Gran had told them to come for dinner and promised a decent cuppa and afternoon tea beforehand. They were a little later than they’d anticipated, with an overturned truck slowing their traffic to one lane not long after Jared had taken over the driving.

Owen ran his hands through his hair. “Shit, I look a mess. Gran is going to take one look and fuss over me.”

“That’s not a bad thing, right?”

“Don’t tell her, but I kind of like it when she does.” Owen chuckled and stretched. “Be prepared for twenty million questions, but she’ll put you at ease with a cuppa first.”

“Lower my defences, you mean?” Jared didn’t mind that at all. “I regret not knowing my grandparents that well. I only met Dad’s side a few times before they passed, as they lived in Ireland. Mum’s parents were a lot older. Her dad died just after Brigit was born, and her mum when we were kids.”

He smiled at the memories of his gran at the beach with them and his dad pulling out a huge picnic basket from the boot of her Morris Minor. She’d loved that car and travelled the length of the North Island in the thing.

“I’m sorry.” Owen was quiet for a moment. “Grandpa was a huge part of our lives until he passed away a couple of years ago. I try to visit Gran when I can, although trying to find a free day to come over the hill isn’t as easy as it used to be.”

“I’m sorry I won’t get to meet your grandpa.”

“When I visit Gran, I often go to his grave.” Owen hesitated before continuing. “I can introduce you there if you like, if you don’t think that’s too crazy.”

“I’d be honoured.” Jared took Owen’s hand in his and kissed his fingers. Whenever Owen spoke of his grandfather, his voice took on a wistful tone. They’d been close, and he missed him.

“Left here.” Owen pointed to the street sign Jared had been keeping an eye out for. “And then first on the right. She’s about halfway down. There’s a good-sized concrete pad to the left of the driveway in front of the house, so we can park there.”

His gran’s house was a modest old-style villa with a huge tree out the front and a gravel garden with a few shrubs running along the right side of the drive. Jared eased the campervan up the driveway, following Owen’s parking directions.

As soon as he stopped the engine, an older lady Jared recognised from the photos Owen had shown him, opened the front door and stood there smiling.

“Gran, we’re here!” Owen climbed down from the van and met his gran mid-way. “I’ve missed you.” They pulled each other into a hug and held on tightly.

“Missed you too.” Owen’s gran held him out at arm’s length and looked him up and down. “You’re tired, and you’ve lost weight. We’ll have to do something about that.” She grinned when she saw Jared. “You must be Jared. I’ve been very much looking forward to meeting you. I’m Irene, but you can call me Gran if you like. The rest of the band does. After all, you’re family in all the ways that count.”

“It’s nice to meet you too, Ir… Gran.” Jared hung back, not wanting to interfere in their reunion, but Gran gestured for him to come closer.

She then gave him the same up-and-down exam she’d done Owen. “You’re keeping him, right?”

“Yes.” Owen held out his hand for Jared. “I am. You’ll see a lot more of us. I promise.”

“You boys need to live your lives too. That’s important.” Gran smiled again, her eyes crinkling.

Jared decided he liked her already. “Owen often speaks of you. I can see why.”

“If he gives you up, I’ll have you.” Gran laughed at Owen’s reaction. “Silly boy. I’m just teasing as well, you know. No one will ever replace my Richard.” She waited for them to grab their packs from the van. “Being happy and content with your life and those in it, is what truly matters. Everything else is mere detail.”

“My parents would have agreed.” Jared followed Owen’s lead and put his pack by the door. He sniffed the air. “Wow, what is that smell? It reminds me of the café.”

“Those are Gran’s famous lemon scones.” Owen grinned. “Do you want help with the tea, Gran?”

“I’m fine. Sit and get comfortable while I bring things through. I won’t be long.” Gran disappeared into the kitchen. “Shoo the cat off the sofa if he won’t move.”

A black cat looked up when they entered the living room but didn’t shift from his position on the arm of the sofa. Owen sat next to him, patted him, and was rewarded with a loud purr.

“This is Kijé.” Owen laughed at Jared’s reaction. “He’s named after the imaginary guy in Prokofiev’s suite.”

“I know the one. I never thought of naming a cat after him, though. Brilliant.” Jared took the empty spot next to Owen and looked around the room.

A piano stood in the corner, with an instrument case next to that.

“That’s my viola, although I don’t play it very often these days.” Gran set a tray of scones and tea in front of them. “I taught piano for many years too. This house used to be busy with children coming for their lessons. I only gave up a few years ago.” A shadow crossed her face. “My Richard played too. I haven’t had the heart to open the piano since he passed.”

“I could play if you’d like,” Jared offered and then wondered if he’d stepped out of line.

“That would be wonderful, thank you!” Gran looked delighted. “Lindsey tells me you play keyboard for the band.” She sighed. “Poor Lincoln and Beth. I should take a day trip over the hill and visit one day. Perhaps I’ll hitch a ride with Jesse’s young man. He works in the library in Featherston, you know.”

“I’d be happy to give you a lift if I’m over here,” Jared offered. “I sometimes fill in for a morning or afternoon shift in some of the local cafés.”

“Jared and his sister own The Strawberry Scone,” Owen added. “I never made the connection until he told me.”

“Meetings happen when they’re meant to.” Gran poured the tea. “I’ve been in the Scone several times. Your sister’s Brigit, then?”

Jared nodded. He didn’t remember seeing her in there either. Perhaps it was time he spent more time at the Scone and less filling in everywhere else.

“Lovely girl.” Gran munched her scone, smiling when Jared looked around the room at all the photos on the wall. One of Gran and an older man took centre stage on the top of the piano, obviously playing a duet together. “That’s my Richard.”

“I can see the resemblance between him and Owen.” Jared put down his cup and wandered over to the wall.

A much younger Lindsey smiled down at him, although he recognised the fierce determination in her eyes still from the couple of times they’d met.

“My Lindsey has always had a mind of her own,” Gran said. “She means well and has a kind heart, but once she sets her sights on a goal, she doesn’t waver, even if it’s one she shouldn’t be pursuing.”

“To be honest, I thought you were Howard’s mum,” Jared admitted, although now he’d seen a photo of Richard, he could see the resemblance.

Gran chuckled. “We’re a laid-back lot, free-spirited, you might say, so he fits in well. Lindsey’s more like her dad, who knew what he wanted and went for it. He was a hard worker and much loved, once you got through the barriers he erected. Not many had the privilege to see his soft side, but it was there all right.”

“I’ll take your word on that.” Jared figured he’d need to dig deep to see that in Lindsey. “Owen’s more like you, although….”

“Oh, I definitely take after Gran’s side of the family.” Owen ran his hand over his cross.

Gran’s expression soured. “We used to be proud churchgoers back in the day, but not after some of the bigots in the congregation made their views known.” She snorted. “Someone I thought a friend said that she’d prefer her daughter to become pregnant out of wedlock than announce she was gay. I told her I’d support my family in either of those situations.”

“I still remember what she said when she gave me this.” Owen let go of his cross.

“You don’t need a church to have faith,” Gran said. “It comes from within, not from the words of people who should know better.”

“Love is love.” Jared didn’t remember Owen ever talking about attending church, but then he didn’t either.

“Exactly.” Gran gave them both a look. “Eat up. I have a lovely vegetable soup for later, and some bread from the bakery to go with it, so we’ll need a gap between this and then to fit it all in.”

When Owen woke the next morning, Jared still slumbered beside him. Careful not to disturb him, Owen threw on a sweatshirt over his sleep pants and wandered out to the kitchen, looking for coffee.

“Coffee’s almost brewed.” Gran looked up from her steaming cup of tea. “I figured your young man might sleep later. He looked exhausted last night.”

“Yeah, he did the final bit of the driving, so he didn’t have a chance to nap like I did.” Owen yawned and popped a couple of slices of bread into the toaster.

“I like him.” Gran gestured towards the fridge. “I tried my hand at some feijoa jam. It’s good. If you want to give it a try.”

“Sure, thanks.” Owen always enjoyed Gran’s jams and preserves. He fished out the margarine and jam and appreciatively sniffed the wonderful coffee aroma filling the kitchen. “We both had fun last night. It’s been a while since I’ve played some of those older songs.”

Gran smiled. “I’ve missed playing my viola. Our session was just what I needed to pull it out again. Jared’s got some talent too.”

They’d begun their impromptu jam session with some classical music, and then moved through several decades, covering their favourites. Jared had played for Gran first, at her insistence. Owen had joined in with his violin, with them both finally convincing Gran to pull out her viola.

“He’s seriously talented.” Owen took a sip of coffee and sighed in contentment. She’d always made it just right. “We’re lucky to have him in the band. When Lincoln said he’d have to take a break, I was worried that we wouldn’t find anyone good enough to replace him.”

“Have you thought about how they’d replace you if you left?” Gran never beat around the bush.

“Who said I was thinking about leaving?” Owen asked cautiously, although the answer was a no-brainer.

“Lindsey seems to think your audition for Oriolidae is a formality and that you’re a shoo-in for the position.”

“I hope she’s not spreading that around.” Owen frowned. “I’m not the only one auditioning. There are other, way better, violinists out there.”

“You’re a brilliant violinist.” Gran didn’t throw around compliments without good reason. “This is one of the few times, of late, that I agree with your mum.”

Owen collected his thoughts while he added spread to his toast. “It’s a…chance to try. I doubt I’ll get it.”

“Do you want to?”

“Audition or play for them?”

“Both.” Gran fixed him with one of her trademark intense gazes. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought you were happy with your life. You love working in the shop, and Flightless has always been your dream.”

“Yeah, I am. It is.” Owen put down his cup and bit his lip. “I honestly don’t know what to do, Gran. Mum and Dad have always wanted me to make them proud and have a successful music career like Al. I don’t want to disappoint them.”

“Owen.” Gran shook her head. “They are proud of you, and even if that wasn’t the case, it’s never a good idea to live your life to please others. At the end of the day, you’re the one living with your decisions, and it’s important to follow your passion, and be true to yourself.”

“How am I supposed to know what that is?” Owen finally voiced what he’d been too scared to say aloud. “I love Flightless, and I never thought we’d play at Frays, but what if that’s our only shot at making it? I don’t want to work at Arpeggios forever, but I need to make a living. What if I turn down this opportunity, and then everything else crashes and burns?”

“Does that include me?” Jared asked from the doorway.

Owen whirled around, his words echoing through his mind. “No! Of course not. I didn’t mean… I was talking about the band. Not us.”

“Follow your heart and your passion. They don’t necessarily need to be the same, but being on the same page is important.” Gran quietly got up, kissed Owen on the head, and deposited her empty cup in the sink. “I’m going to shower. I think you boys need to talk without an audience.” She glanced at Jared. “There’s still plenty of tea in the pot. Conversation goes better with tea, I’ve found.”

“Thanks.” Jared didn’t speak again until she’d left. “I can understand why you’d be torn between the band and the quartet.”

Owen poured him some tea. “Do you want some toast?”

“Later.” Jared walked over to Owen and slipped his arm around Owen’s waist. “Being with you doesn’t depend on Flightless.” He leaned his head on Owen’s shoulder. “You know that, right? I want a future with you, whatever that looks like.”

“I don’t know what I want.” Owen turned in Jared’s embrace and kissed him softly on the lips. “Can we sit on the sofa for a while? I think I need to get my thoughts out.” He should have done it weeks ago.

“I’m happy to listen if that’s what you need.” Jared reached around Owen and grabbed both their cups. “Do you want the rest of your toast?”

“I’m not sure I could stomach all of it. Split?”

“Of course.” Jared led them over to the sofa. “I’ve been worried about you.” He took a slow sip of tea, and then leaned back on the sofa, inviting Owen to move closer. “Sometimes, I think I’d do anything to have my parents back and make them proud, but they’d want me to live my life, not theirs.”

“I wish I’d been able to meet them.” Owen settled into Jared’s arms, leaning back against his chest. “This isn’t only about making my parents proud of me.” He didn’t share Gran’s conviction that they already were. “I honestly don’t know what I’ll do if I ace this audition. Classical music fills a hole in my soul, but Flightless fills some of it too, as do you.” He added hurriedly. “I’m not about to give you up, but I thought I was doing okay with the rest of it, walking a fine line between the two and not having to choose.”

“You said you wanted more out of life than working in a music shop?” Jared prompted when Owen lapsed into silence.

“Yeah. I enjoy helping people with their musical journey, but I don’t own the shop, only manage it, and…” Owen hadn’t mentioned this to anyone yet. “The pile of paperwork that goes with that keeps growing, so I’m spending less time doing the part of the job I love. I’m not cut out for accounts and staff management. It’s not what I signed up for.” He’d taken the promotion because the money was better, and he had a mortgage.

“If you could imagine your life in a year’s time and everything you want from that, what would it look like?”

Owen closed his eyes, fighting the urge to shrug and sidestep the question. “We’d still be together.”

“And?” Jared prompted.

“I wouldn’t be working in the shop.” Owen sighed. “The rest of it… I honestly don’t know. I guess my road is rather more divided than I thought it was.”

“I’ll support whatever decision you make, but you have to be the one to make it, sweetheart.” Jared ran his fingers through Owen’s hair. “I’m sure the band would support you either way too.”

“Did I mention I suck at this?” Owen opened his eyes and sipped his coffee.

“I kind of got that impression without you saying anything.”

“Thanks.” Owen didn’t take the comment as an insult, but as a statement of fact. “I’m kind of hoping the quartet doesn’t want me, and that makes the decision for me.”

“It won’t solve your issues with the shop.” Jared sounded thoughtful. “What if you told management that you wanted your original position back? Or don’t you want to work there at all?”

“If I gave up my position, I’d leave.” Owen didn’t want that awkward conversation. “I’ve loved being there, but it’s time to move on, yet I need something to move on to.”

“That makes sense.” Jared’s fingers stilled.

“Whatever it is, spit it out.” Owen could read the sudden silence for the hesitation it was.

“I think… and in saying this, I realise I haven’t been with Flightless that long… but these guys love you. Maybe talk to them? Tell them how you feel? That way, if you decide to leave, it’s not going to be out of left field.”

“Okay.” Owen wriggled back against Jared and stole a corner of toast. “I hate that you’re right, but you are.” He chewed thoughtfully. “But let me get through this audition first, okay? I can’t go into that half-cocked. They’ll pick up on it immediately, and if I don’t give it my all, what’s the point of trying?”

“I won’t be telling the band anything.” Jared sat up straighter. “This is your decision. We’ve talked, but that doesn’t give me the right to tell anyone else about it.”

“Thanks.” Owen took Jared’s cup and put it down. He swallowed his mouthful of toast. “There are a lot of reasons why I love you. This is one of them.”

“Only one?” Jared swallowed, his Adam’s apple moving up and down. “How long do you think Gran’s going to take in the shower?” He ran his hand over Owen’s thigh. “I can be quiet if you can.”

“She’s giving us space.” Owen turned to straddle Jared. “For as long as we need.”

“Good.” Jared glanced at the living room door. “Perhaps we should move into the bedroom, hmm? Your gran, walking in on us having sex, isn’t high on my to-do list for today. Although doing you, definitely is.” He slowly licked his lips, the actions going immediately to Owen’s groin.

“Totally. To both of those.” Owen reluctantly got up to move.

Someone thumped on the front door before he got that far.

“Shit,” he groaned.

“Whoever that is, they owe us.” Jared glanced at the clock on the wall. “I guess it is ten already. It’s not that early.”

“They only needed to wait another ten minutes.” Owen shoved down his annoyance and opened the door.

Rachel stood there with a grin, Kaci bubbling with excitement behind her. “I have news!” She peered past Owen. “You all decent in there?”

“We are now.” Jared joined Owen at the door. “What’s up?”

“This is big. Hi, Gran. Good to see you again.” Rachel hugged Gran when she came down the hallway to meet them at the door.

“Come in, both of you. I’ll put on more tea and coffee.” Gran disappeared into the kitchen.

Rachel retrieved her tablet from her bag. “I’m going to set up a video call to everyone.”

“This is really big,” Kaci confirmed. Her eyes shone, her face animated. “And fuck, so exciting. I still can’t believe it.”

“Not helping, hon,” Rachel murmured.

The video call connected immediately. Obviously, everyone else had been forewarned.

“We were almost here, so no point phoning you first,” Kaci explained.

“What’s up?” Clay echoed Jared’s earlier question.

“Brace yourselves.” Rachel’s normally calm demeanour gave way to excitement. “Your performance at Frays was great, and way successful. I was contacted this morning with an offer I couldn’t turn down.”

“But—” Owen started to protest that it wasn’t like her to accept something without checking in first.

“Of course, I told them I’d ask you first.” Rachel shot him a glare that suggested she knew exactly where his thoughts had gone.

“Don’t leave us in suspense too long,” Tyler said.

“We… as in Flightless, have been invited to play at Rocktoberfest!”