Rhythm and Ray: A DJ’s Journey

[Chapter 73: The Sky is High and the Sea is Vast]

On the way back, Taylor rolled down the window, letting the fresh air brush against her face. In that moment, it felt like every pore in her body opened, bringing with it an unparalleled sense of comfort. She instinctively closed her eyes, though her brow occasionally furrowed.

'If only she were a bit curvier...' Ryan sighed slightly, this is the imperfection in perfection.

"What did you tell your mom?"

"I told her I was going to see a movie and might stop by the mall," she replied with a casual tone.

"Perfect timing. The things I prepared just came in handy," Ryan noted.

...

Upon arriving at Taylor's house, her mother enthusiastically invited Ryan inside.

"I'm starving!" Taylor exclaimed, quickly sitting at the dining table and digging into the meal without waiting for a moment.

Her father appeared from the study, and noticing his daughter's ravenous appetite, raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you have dinner?"

"We spent a long time walking around," Ryan said, showing Taylor's parents the gift he had prepared. Just a few days earlier, Taylor had inquired about her parents' favorite things, so it was a pleasant surprise that the gift was being put to use so soon.

Though not elaborate, the thought behind it made Taylor's father, Scott, smile, and her mother was equally pleased with Ryan's choice.

"What about mine?" Austin chimed in.

"Yours is a different kind of gift," Ryan hinted, keeping it playful.

Austin gave an "okay" gesture. He had been wanting Ryan to take him to see more of the nightlife experiences since he was among the few who understood the complex dynamics between Ryan, Taylor, and Abigail. He had kept mum about their relationships, especially after being threatened by his sister to keep quiet.

Ryan was invited to eat with them, and during the meal, Taylor's mother asked, "Are you going to join Taylor in Los Angeles for the guest appearance?"

"Not exactly, but I'll be there for a couple of days later," Ryan replied.

"That's good to hear. You know, I worry about her going to Los Angeles alone. It's nice having you around," Taylor's mother nodded.

She was confident in Ryan and was not afraid that there would be two of them when they went there and three of them when they came back.

...

When it came time to say goodbye to Ryan, Taylor looked especially reluctant. Standing by the car, she kept searching for something to say, not wanting him to leave.

"Alright, I need to head back. Trey is waiting for me at home," Ryan said, preparing to step away.

"Then give me one more kiss," Taylor leaned in.

"I'll see you in Los Angeles!" Taylor waved as he got in the car.

...

♫ So wake me up when it's all over

When I'm wiser and I'm older

All this time I was finding myself

And I didn't know I was lost ♫

In the pulsing nightlife of the club, Ryan raised his right hand, humming along to the electrifying beats that coursed through the crowd. If the decoration of the nightclub where L.A. Reid is a shareholder can be called "luxurious", then this nightclub is more exquisite. Its interior wasn't overly extravagant, but it boasted high ceilings and a massive screen that displayed unique VJ visuals synchronized with the music, transforming the room into a cosmic spectacle.

Upon closer inspection, one could tell the screen's resolution was pretty low, but that didn't hamper the vibrant atmosphere.

Ryan's hand swayed to the rhythm, and although it still had an awkward "stiff" quality, he appeared more relaxed than before, creating a unique vibe -- one that was distinctly his own, humorously referred to as his "cooking hand." With his latest release taking Miami by storm, Ryan electrified the crowd during his hour-long set, which would continue for two more days.

"You've got your own box office draw!" Marvin rushed up to Ryan as he finished his set, giving him a hearty hug.

Just like movie stars with high paychecks, a DJ who could draw in the youth at nightclubs commanded equally high fees. However, when it came to sheer numbers, DJs couldn't quite compare to movie stars or pop singers.

"Let me introduce you; this is Diplo. His girlfriend is M.I.A., the one behind Paper Planes. Yes, the Diplo who produced that track!" Marvin gestured to another young man next to him.

Though he was in his thirties, Diplo appeared much younger than his actual age.

"Welcome to Miami! I didn't expect to see you here so soon," Diplo greeted Ryan with a handshake followed by a hug, peppering the exchange with compliments about Ryan's talent.

"I heard you're currently living in Nashville. When are you moving?" Diplo suddenly asked.

"Moving?" Ryan raised an eyebrow, confused.

"Of course! You can't expect to stay in Nashville forever. You're a DJ, not a country music singer. Sticking around there would be a waste of your time; no nightclub up there could afford your fees, but Florida is different. There's no shortage of tourists or young people looking to party. You could make some real money here, but may not get that chance in Nashville," Diplo explained.

"Ryan might have his own plans; that girl..." Marvin reminded.

Diplo then realized, "I completely forgot about that! No wonder you want to stay in Nashville."

The fact was, even if Ryan chose to remain there, Taylor wouldn't be spending every day in the studio recording anymore. She'd be busy promoting her new album, touring, and attending various events, making it likely they wouldn't see much of each other.

The world was vast, and a town like Nashville couldn't hold everything.

Seeing Ryan remain silent, Diplo sensed an opportunity and began to pitch Florida to him.

The name Florida came from Spanish, meaning "land of flowers." Economically, it was the fourth-largest state in the country, trailing only Texas, California, and New York. Known for its warm, sunny climate and recreational activities, its biggest industry was tourism, featuring the world's most visited theme park, the Magic Kingdom Park.

However, Florida was also infamous for its bizarre stories, a reputation that was prevalent across many major cities, largely thanks to some quirky local laws that brought them to light.

The booming tourism industry benefitted the nightlife and DJ scenes; every spring break, events like the ULTRA Music Festival and Winter Music Conference drew massive crowds, with countless nightclubs dotting major cities. It was often referred to as America's Ibiza.

*****

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