Michael gives him a long, confused look. "Why wouldn't I be? Alex, this is huge," he says. "Your name is on a festival poster!" he reminds him, getting in the truck and tossing his wallet to the seat beside him. "You dreamed about this when you were seventeen. You wanted to make music, instead you went off and fought someone else's war."

"And now, look at you," he praises. "I'm so proud of you, Alex," Michael says, and he's not joking around. He's serious, cupping Alex's cheek. "I'm beyond proud, and I'm so excited what this means for us."