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“Sure,” she says very quietly, and then walks past me.

“Come in and close the door,” Dean says. “I’m glad you made it.

“Me too,” I choke out.

“Fig here?” he asks, glancing at the closed door.

“Yes,” I say, but my eyes remain on the man in the bed.

“Okay. Come here. Even though Ron can’t talk, he can hear you. Talk to him.” Dean leans in, kisses Ron’s forehead. He whispers something to the dying man and walks out. I swear his eyes are glazed with tears.

I gulp down the knot in my throat and take up the position Dean was in. I sit and automatically take Ron’s right hand. “I’m here, Ron.”

The subtle squeeze of his hand shatters my resolve to be strong. Tears flow from my eyes. I thought I’d be strong enough when the time came, but here I am, my vision all blurry and my heart breaking.

“I love you, man. I will never forget you. For the man you are and for all the love and support you gave me and my friends. But what I will miss most is your high-handedness and the way you made us even more of a family.”

I drop my head onto the bed and bawl my eyes out, my hand still holding onto his.

“Hey.” I lift my head and see Fig on the other side of the bed. He takes hold of Ron’s other hand and leans in and whispers, “It’s been an honor knowing you, Ron Darling.”

Another minute goes by, then Danny, Connor, Callum and Bobby come into the room, surrounding me and Ron. Each one of them touches our friend and mentor.

It isn’t long after that when Ron’s chest stops moving and a soft exhale reaches my ears. I don’t want to look, but I know he’s gone.

Ron’s dead.

Four days later, Ron’s celebration of life is held.

Dean and Dante took care of all the details, per Ron’s requests—which included reserving an entire restaurant for an entire day—and reached out to so many people. I never realized just how many friends and colleagues in the music world Ron had. I swear people have been coming in and out of the restaurant all day. Stars, music executives and several bands. Even the paparazzi and news reporters are camped on the other side of the street, filming and taking pictures.

It’s so like Ron to have a mic and stand in front of the tables, so anyone who would like to talk about him is able to.

Throughout the entire day, my family has been my side, including my brothers. I wished Lyric had been able to come, but with his circumstances with his grandmother and his asshole father, I know he can’t.

Connor’s mom, Danny’s family and Mrs. Fitz, Callum’s mother, have also come and are sitting at one table, along with my family.

After everyone has eaten, Danny goes up first, on the band’s behalf and speaks about how we knew Ron, and how he gave a group of boys a chance for success in the world of rock music and made us who we are today.

One by one, people are coming up and talking about Ron’s accomplishments, how they forged a bond with him, and the love he had for everyone.

At the end of the celebration, an older female preacher approaches the mic. I learn that she leads a non-denominational church for the LGBTQIA+ that Ron attended during his early years in L.A.

“Hello, everyone. I’m Pastor Michaeline, and I’m here to talk about who Ron was as a youth and when I first met him.” She goes on about how Ron was a rascal but always had a good heart and finishes with how they remained in touch, and how Ron was a donor to the youth program for runaways. “Ron is one of many benefactors who help us continue our progress in helping teens. But enough of that. The final reason why I was asked to talk is that Ron wanted me to read you the letter he wrote for you all.”

She pulls out a piece of paper, glances at it for a moment, and clears her throat.

“As you say your final goodbyes to me, I don’t want you to be sad, and please, I don’t want anyone crying. I know it’s ludicrous, but that is my final wish. I want you to be happy for me. I’m free from all of you pains in the asses. But so are you, because I know I could be a pain in the ass too. For my Warrior Black. You boys are mine. I will miss you the most. Please remember, I will always be with you in your hearts. So don’t let me down. And keep rockin’ and rollin’.”

Several people chuckle, but despite Ron’s request there is a roomful of wet eyes, including me and every one of my bandmates.

The restaurant goes silent, and I’m glad for that. It allows Ron’s words to sink deeper into my brain. He will always be in my heart and in the hearts of my friends, and there is a level of comfort in acknowledging that.

As I look around the table, I’m surrounded by couples. Danny and Tobias holding each other, John leaning into Connor, who’s face is in the crook of his boyfriend’s neck. And Callum, who is sitting between his two men, Pen and Dom, and I wish again that Lyric could be here with me.

My chest aches for him. He’s texted me a little bit about what he’s going through with his grandmother. So wishing him here with me feels somewhat selfish, but I’m lost right now, like I’m untethered and adrift.

Then it dawns on me that Bobby isn’t with us. “Did you see where Bobby went off to?” I ask Danny.