Rocked Forever by Clara Bayard Page A

was closest to the kitchen, so he passed out glasses and filled them without complaint which shocked me more than the surprise wedding we'd all just attended.
    When everyone had a drink, we stood in a circle. Joe stood silently for a long moment before speaking. "First of all, I want to thank you all for putting up with this shit. I know it was crazy, but I've never been happier." He toasted to Liss. "Babe, you're the girl of my dreams. I can't believe I'm so lucky to have walked into that diner the night we met. I wish I hadn't been wearing guyliner at the time, of course. But if it led me to you, I would've happily wore a clown costume. Anything. I've missed you every second we weren't together since then, but not spent one minute regretting that I fell in love with you. You're the port from the storm that is my life and I can never express how grateful I am that you put up with me. I love you so much and I am so proud to be able to spend the rest of my life with you."
    Liss cried happy tears and kissed him. "I feel the same way. And I thank you for supporting me in finding my own dream to follow. I know my school has made it hard for us to spend as much time together and I'm so happy that you've been okay with it. You're the most loving, kind man I've ever met and I love you so much."
    They hugged for a long time before Joe returned his attention to the rest of us. "Okay, I know. Enough mushiness from everyone. But you all have to know that this wouldn't have happened without all of you. This band. This life. It's been a crazy ride but it's brought us here. All the insanity was worth it, I think. I know. Shit, we've fucked up in all the ways you can fuck up." He raised his glass to each member of the band in turn. "But here we are, boys. Still standing. Still together. Whatever the future brings, you are my brothers. This is our family." Flashing a crooked grin, he glanced at the women in the room and nodded. "Family. Bigger and more beautiful than ever before."
    The room was silent for a moment and then erupted in cheers. We toasted and laughed and cried, knowing he was right.
    "On tour, in the studio, in this ridiculous room or apart, it doesn't matter," Joe continued. "There is nothing in this world stronger than us together and Dream Defiled is forever."
    As everyone lounged around, Dex got the room's attention. "Joe, this has been a wonderful night. We're all honored you shared it with us. I haven't always showed it, but you're my best mate and I couldn't be happier for you."
    Joe reached over and clapped him on the shoulder. "Thank you." He looked around the room. "While I'm too drunk to keep from spilling this, there is something else I should tell you all." He sighed loudly. "I've been avoiding the topic, but now seems like as good a time as ever to come clean. You all know I've gotten offers for a solo album. And I think it'll be no surprise to you that I considered it. We've been together for a long time, through good and bad and downright terrible. Sometimes I can't stand the sight of your faces. And I don't know what the future will hold, but I know I'd never be where I am without you. And I'd never just ditch you. Ditch us. This band is the best thing I've ever done. Not the smartest, but the best." He laughed. "I get frustrated always trying to be the guy who does the right thing, says the right thing. But I love it, too. I love that you trust me to represent us."
    Dex nodded. "We do. And I know we don't always appreciate it the way we should. You're out there being Mr. Perfect so I can be my fucked up self without destroying everything. It must be exhausting."
    "Sometimes," Joe admitted. "But it's what you do for your family. You do what you can to protect them."
    My heart hurt hearing that. It's certainly not how my own family had worked. But now I had a new one, and they were different. Amazing. Matthew squeezed my hand as if he could read my mind.
    Rick leaned forward. "Is it me, or does this sound like a