13. Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Ace
A fter our flight and checking into the hotel, it feels like I’ve barely had a moment to breathe before we’re rushing off to sound check. One fuck-up tonight, and we’ll be making headlines for all the wrong reasons. We’ve already had enough negative buzz lately, and I’m hell-bent on making sure this tour is a goddamn triumph, just like our album that shot to number one worldwide.
Inside the town car, it’s just Theo, Scarlet, and me. Xander took off earlier to catch up with Walter and his band. They should be into their sound check by the time we arrive.
Theo’s next to me, with Scarlet on his other side. It’s hard not to notice her restlessness, as her fingers tap anxiously against her leg and she shifts in her seat. Her anxiety is palpable, even though there is no apparent reason for her to feel nervous. She’s insanely talented, and I’m confident the fans will fall for her just like the rest of us have.
As the car rolls up to the stadium, we spot Neil, our burly security guy, standing by the entrance. Despite his imposing stature, a warm, friendly grin spreads across his face. He swings the door open, and I step out, Theo following closely behind.
Theo glances at Neil’s wide grin and quips, “Watch it, Neil—keep smiling like that, and you’ll end up as the friendly giant at a kids' birthday party!”
Neil lets out a hearty laugh, and I can’t help but think about how much he’s changed since we first met. Back then, he was all about business—never cracked a smile. Now, he’s practically one of us, joking around and helping to cut the tension before a big show.
Scarlet steps out of the car, and my eyes can’t help but linger on her long, sexy legs, the mini skirt showing off every curve. A surge of desire hits me hard, setting my whole body on fire. I quickly tear my gaze away, forcing myself to get a grip, reminding myself that I can’t let my thoughts go there—not again.
I turn away, shoving my hands into my pockets, trying to focus on the massive stadium ahead. But the moment she steps up beside me, her scent—pure fucking temptation—slams into me, igniting a fierce throb in my groin. Every damn time, she manages to get under my skin. Fuck, I need to keep my shit together. Tonight, I’ll deal with this the only way I know how—by drowning these cravings in groupies. A double dose of groupies, that’s the plan. Drag them back to my room, lose myself in the chaos, and forget all about her—for a little while, at least.
Neil leads us through the front doors, and I make a point to keep my distance from Scarlet. As we walk, the sound of Disturbed and Twisted, Walter’s band, echoes through the stadium. I have to give credit where it’s due—Xander nailed it with this choice. Unlike the garbage our old label used to push on us—bands that didn’t fit our vibe, just trying to use us to pump up their weak-ass sales—Walter’s band hits the mark. They’re the perfect match for our sound, raw and powerful.
As we navigate through the narrow back corridors, I can sense Scarlet’s presence lingering closely behind me. No matter where I go, she’s always there, lingering like an ever-present shadow.
Neil leads us into the green room and sticks close to the door as the rest of us file in. As usual, a shit load of food lines the far wall—Kit always nails it with the setup. Without missing a beat, I head straight for the table, grabbing a handful of peanut M he nods at Theo, then at me, before finally acknowledging Scarlet.
But it’s the prick with the drumsticks who really gets under my skin. The way he’s eyeing Scarlet, his tongue flicking out to wet his lips, sends my blood boiling. I know exactly what’s going through his mind—I’ve been there myself, imagining all the filthy shit he could pull, and how easily he could turn those thoughts into reality. Back in high school, I played those games to get my kicks, but now that I’ve got fame on my side, I can pick and choose who I’m interested in. This guy, though, is clearly plotting how to make Scarlet his next conquest, turning her into just another notch on his bedpost, and I don’t fucking like it.
I’m keeping my cool for now—there’s no need to blow up in front of Scarlet and the rest of the guys. I’ll handle this asshole later, out of earshot. The way he’s holding out his drumsticks towards Scarlet, looking like he’s got some sleazy agenda, is really starting to test my patience.
“Do you need these?” he asks, his eyes glued to Scarlet's tits like a total prick.
I’m ready to step in and set this prick straight, but Theo’s already on it. He slides in front of Scarlet, cutting off the guy’s view, his posture making it clear that he’s not here to play around. “She’s got her own asshole. They’re in her fucking hands, dickhead,” Theo snaps.
I can’t help but grin at that. Theo’s usually the jokester, always the wisecracking asshole, but seeing him like this—protective and dead serious—is a rare sight.
Xander and Walter both turn to assess the situation. Walter wastes no time—he strides over, his eyes scanning the group as he senses the rising tension. “What’s going on?” he demands, shifting his gaze from one person to the next, finally zeroing in on his drummer. “Jack, what the hell’s your issue?”
So that’s the dickhead’s name—Jack. If he keeps pulling this crap, I’d be shocked if he’s still around by the end of the tour.
He smirks, glancing between Theo and Walter. “Just a little misunderstanding, man. The accent might've confused them. You know how it is, Walt,” he adds, shooting a brief look at Theo.
I’m not buying his bullshit for a second. The smug prick thinks he can just brush off what he just pulled, and I don’t fucking like it.
“Just head to the green room,” Walter says, gesturing to the rest of the band. “I’ll join you in a minute. I need to have a quick word with these guys.”
The girl and the guitarist exchange quick nods with Walter, offering us a smile before slipping past. Jack hesitates for a moment, his eyes flicking between us as if he’s weighing his options, but he eventually trails after the rest of the band.
Walter watches them leave, his gaze steady as they disappear down the corridor. Once they’re out of sight, he finally breaks the silence.
"Look, I’m really sorry if anything went down back there," Walter says, his tone genuine. "We truly appreciate the opportunity you’re giving us."
“Just keep your drummer away from Scar, and we won’t have any issues,” I say, the words slipping out before I can think twice. Shit. I realize too late that I just used that name—the one I only use when I'm balls deep inside her. Scarlet’s head whips around, her expression fierce. I scramble to recover, trying to salvage the moment. “What I meant was, all female band members are off-limits. There are plenty of groupies to go around.”
“Yeah, I’ll make sure they get the memo,” Walter replies. He glances over at Scarlet, his expression softening slightly. “I’m really sorry if Jack made you feel uncomfortable. He can be a real dick sometimes.”
"It's not a problem," Scarlet responds, with a forced smile.
Yeah, fucking hell, it definitely is.
Xander steps in, trying to ease the tension before it gets any more awkward. “So, are you sticking around to watch the show?”
“Yeah, I’d love to, but I need to handle this shit with Jack first,” Walter says, looking annoyed.
“No problem,” Xander replies with a nod, his gaze locked on Walter as he strides off the stage.
Once Walter’s out of sight, Xander turns to us, his brow furrowing. “What the fuck just happened?”
Theo doesn’t miss a beat, shaking his head in disbelief. “That dumbass was hitting on Scarlet.”
Eager to shake off all the bullshit, Scarlet strides through the group toward the drum set. I follow her, making my way to the side of the stage where Kit keeps my guitar. But in the back of my mind, I’m already plotting. Once I get that prick alone, I’m going to lay it all out—make it crystal fucking clear what’ll happen if he pulls that crap with Scarlet again. It’s going to be a long conversation, and I guarantee he won’t enjoy a single damn second of it.
I open my guitar case, the familiar velvet lining brushing against my fingers as I lift out my instrument.
"Alright, watch and learn how a real guitarist plays, old man," Theo quips, flashing his signature cocky grin as he grabs his bass.
“Old man? I’m only three months older than you, dickhead,” I shoot back, slipping the strap over my shoulder.
“Whatever, Grandpa. Let’s see if you can still play without breaking a hip,” Theo teases, plucking a string on his guitar with a smirk.
"Ha," I chuckle, shaking my head. "Keep dreaming, kid. I'll show you how it's really done. But don’t worry, I’ll try not to embarrass you too much," I say, flashing him a smirk as I strum a few notes to warm up.
"You two dickheads finished with your bullshit?" Xander says, effectively ending our conversation.
Theo and I glance over at Xander standing at the mic, while Scarlet sits behind the drums, her drumsticks raised and ready. I catch the same nervous energy lingering around her that I noticed back in the green room—like she's still fighting to steady herself.
The sound crew waits, clearly eager to get things rolling as Theo and I rush to our spots, plugging in our guitars. I give the signal, counting us in. But it doesn’t take long for me to notice Scarlet stumbling over a few drumbeats. Even though she’s clearly focused, the pressure is getting to her. As she misses another beat, I see Theo and Xander share worried glances. She’s not the same relaxed pro she was in the studio yesterday, where she nailed every track without a hitch. Today, tension’s eating at her, and if she doesn’t pull it together, tonight’s performance could be a disaster for all of us.
As the first song wraps up, Theo raises his hand. “Hold on for a sec,” he calls, walking over to Scarlet. Xander and I share a knowing glance—we both know what’s at stake if she can’t pull it together. The media will jump on her like vultures, turning the narrative from Nate’s talented sister to someone who just can’t perform on stage. And that’s bullshit, because I know how damn good she is. I watch Theo give her a quick, supportive hug—like a big brother reassuring her—before heading back to his spot. He shoots me a nod, signaling that he’s ready to dive into the next song.
The next two songs go off without a hitch, the band finding their groove. Meanwhile, I catch Walter’s band lingering on the sidelines, observing us play. They’re casually leaning against the stage wall. But Jack? He’s got his eyes glued to Scarlet, practically salivating like a fucking creep. I grit my teeth, stealing a quick glance at her, wondering if she has noticed my discomfort, but her attention remains fixated on the music, locked into her performance like a pro. I shift my gaze to Theo, and as soon as we make eye contact, he gives me a subtle nod, silently acknowledging that the dickhead is still hovering, biding his time.
By the time we finish playing, Scarlet seems to have chilled out after that shaky start. Xander strolls over to her with a grin. “Nice job, Scarlet,” he says, his tone softer than usual. “It was a bit rough at first, but you pulled through. Just make sure that shit doesn’t happen tonight, alright?”
Then he turns to Theo and me with a smirk. “Good job, assholes,” he adds. “I think we’re good to go.” He shifts back to Scarlet, who’s gulping down her water. “Unless there’s something you want to go over, Scarlet?”
“No, I’m good,” she replies, a bit of relief creeping into her voice. “I’m sorry about the first track. I just need to get these damn nerves under control, that’s all.”
After I’ve stowed my guitar back in its case, I spot Xander lingering nearby, clearly waiting for me. Theo and Scarlet have already made their way off the stage, heading toward the green room. Walter’s band must've headed down there too because they're nowhere to be seen.
Xander gives me a sidelong glance. “You think it’ll go alright tonight? You know what’s at stake, Ace.”
“Yeah, I know. It’ll be fine,” I reply, trying to sound more confident than I feel. I’m sweating bullets inside, worried it might all go to shit. “She’ll get it. It’s just the pressure messing with her head. When the time comes, she’ll nail it.” I’m saying it more for Xander than for myself, trying to ease his worry. I’ve always been the one to help him keep his cool, just like I did back when his old man was causing all that chaos.
He nods, and as we turn to the side of the stage, we catch sight of Kit. She greets us with a warm smile as we approach.
“If you guys want to grab a drink with Walter’s band before you head out, there’s some cold beer in the green room,” she says.
“Thanks, Kit,” I reply, nodding at her. A cold beer sounds perfect right now. I continue toward the green room, while Kit starts chatting with Xander about Alex. I head off on my own, eager to grab that beer and check in with Scarlet. She needs to shake off whatever’s messing with her head. We need her focused tonight—the pressure is on, and this performance has to be flawless.
As soon as I step into the green room, I spot Scarlet sitting with a cold beer in hand, chatting with the other girl from Walter’s band. Theo is off to the side, engrossed in conversation with the other guy from their band. My focus narrows in on the prick who was hitting on Scarlet earlier—he’s sprawled on the couch, deep in discussion with Walter. They look way too relaxed, casually passing the time, just like Xander and I usually do.
With a cold beer in hand, I reach for the last of the M he’d probably be a blast to hang out with on the party scene. I bet Walter’s got some insane stories about the two of them growing up, probably just as crazy as the shit Xander and I used to get into back in the day.
The door creaks open, and Neil pokes his head in, his eyes scanning the room until they land on me. “Kit’s gonna have my head if you guys aren’t out there in the next few minutes,” he says, his voice all business.
As we head toward the door, the guys behind us shout their goodbyes, throwing out last-minute wishes of good luck. Arms crossed, Neil waits for us with a mischievous smirk, like he’s plotting something. As we finally step out and the door clicks shut behind us, he turns to face us, his smirk stretching into a wide, toothy grin.
“Got a message from Nate for all of you,” he says, his tone dropping just enough to grab everyone’s attention. “And just so we’re clear, this is straight from him—not me. He said if you screw this up, he’s gonna kick all your asses.” His eyes shift over to Scarlet, and his grin softens. “And for you, he wants you to know that you’ve got this.”
“Yeah, I’d like to see him try and kick my ass,” Theo says with a smirk. “That idiot’s talking out his ass. I’d probably trip over my own feet and end up taking the fucker down. The guy’s a pussy—couldn’t throw a punch to save his fucking life.”
I chuckle, feeling relieved to hear that. When I finally come clean about what happened between Scarlet and me, at least I know Nate won’t be using his fists.
“You’re forgetting about Nick Johnson,” Scarlet says.
“Yeah, but Nick was a complete asshole who deserved that shit,” Theo says, shaking his head.
Alright, scratch that. Looks like Nate can throw a punch after all.
Neil heads toward the stage, and we trail behind him. I see that Scarlet's gone quiet, her hands fidgeting. When Neil leaves us at the wing of the stage, she lifts her head and locks eyes with me. I give her a nod, silently telling her that she’s got this.
“Alright, let’s fucking do this,” Xander says, his voice cutting through the tension as he tries to fire us up.
We’re nearing the end of the show, and Scarlet’s absolutely fucking killing it on the drums. Every beat, every rhythm, she’s nailing it. From where I’m standing, I can see Xander watching her, and he’s clearly impressed. That tough guy act he always pulls is nowhere to be seen.
As for me? I can’t take my eyes off her. Watching her lose herself in the music. It’s a hell of a sight, and it’s hard as shit to look away. And that smile on her face? Shit, it’s hot as fuck.
Theo’s got the biggest smile on his face. It’s clear he’s proud as hell, and I know he’d probably lose that grin if he knew what was going on in my head right now.
The crowd erupts, and Scarlet’s drumming only intensifies the frenzy. As we prepare for our signature closer, "Creep," the energy shifts. The wild cheers fade, replaced by an electric anticipation that’s almost palpable, like the entire audience is holding its breath, waiting for the moment the song kicks in. Right on cue, the sea of phones lights up, illuminating the stadium like a sea of tiny stars.
I take it all in, and it hits me: this is it. This exact moment is what I live for. Up here, I’m not the fucked-up mess I feel like most of the time. I’m alive and fully myself. This is who the fuck I am, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Not the past, not the bullshit, none of it. This is where it all makes sense, where it’s all worth it.
As the song reaches its conclusion, Xander turns to me with that familiar shit-eating grin, and it’s obvious—we crushed it. All the doubts we had about branching out on our own. Gone. We fucking nailed it. I scan the crowd, taking in the sea of faces, the deafening roar of their cheers, and it hits me hard. Our first night, our first concert under this new label? It’s been a goddamn triumph.
Xander raises his hands, signaling for silence, and in an instant, the crowd falls into an eager hush, hanging on his every move. It’s like he’s got this magnetic pull, controlling thousands of people with just a gesture. The stadium is alive, crackling with an energy that pulses through every corner, and you can feel it—everyone is waiting, breath held, like he’s some kind of world leader.
Then, right on cue, some chick yells, “Fuck me, Xander!” And that’s when I catch that signature grin of his—the one that spreads like wildfire across his face whenever someone screams shit like that. It’s classic Xander, all charm and zero interest. That playful, I’m flattered smile. Totally for the crowd, part of the act. He’s got this way of making them feel like they’re the center of his universe.
Xander leans into the mic, completely brushing off the comment. “As you all know, one of us couldn’t be here tonight” The crowd instantly erupts at the mention of Nate. “The media’s been running their mouths, saying the person filling in for Nate tonight only got the gig because she’s his sister.” He glances over at Scarlet. I flick my eyes over to her, spotting that quick flash of uncertainty—like she’s wondering what the hell Xander’s about to drop. “Come out here, Scarlet,” he says.
Scarlet hesitates for a moment, glancing between us and the crowd, her expression a mix of nerves. Then, with a deep breath, she stands and walks towards the front of the stage, drumsticks still in hand. The cheers grow louder. It’s her moment, and I see the flicker of doubt on her face as she steps into the spotlight.
The crowd lets out a few whistles, and I know every dude out there is probably imagining all kinds of filthy shit they’d like to do to her. It pisses me off, but I can’t blame them—she’s hot as hell. Some idiot gives an obnoxious whistle, and I watch her drop her head, blushing, her long blonde hair sliding forward to hide her face.
Xander grins and continues speaking. “This is Scarlet, and yeah, she’s Nate’s sister. So fucking what? She just showed you all how badass she is up here.” The crowd cheers, and I spot Theo beaming a huge smile. Xander’s not done, though. “To all those media fuckheads making a big deal out of it—fuck you. You don’t know shit about talent. So shut the fuck up and let the pros handle it.”
The crowd roars in approval, their energy surging even higher, as if they’re rallying behind Xander’s words. Xander’s eating it all up, milking every second of the chaos. Scarlet stands there, her cheeks flushed, caught between disbelief and pride. It’s like Xander just gave her the ultimate vote of confidence, and I can see her nerves beginning to melt away under the crowd’s adoration.
Xander raises his hand again, attempting to calm the crowd, signaling for them to quiet down. “I just want to say thanks for making tonight absolutely epic,” he yells into the mic. “Without you all, we wouldn’t get to do what we love every night—this is our life, and it’s all because of you. And we’re just getting started.”
Amid the thunderous applause and cheers, Xander gives Theo and me a nod. We put our guitars aside and join him and Scarlet at the front of the stage. We throw our hands up, giving the crowd one last wave, letting their wild energy wash over us like a tidal wave. It’s pure adrenaline, a powerful reminder of why we live for this moment.
As we trail behind Xander across the stage, the crowd’s deafening roar echoes in our ears. Once we reach the wings, Xander spins around, a wild grin plastered on his face. “We did it, man! We fucking did it!” he shouts, extending his hand toward me.
I grab it, pulling him into a hug, feeling that surge of victory slam into me, then he steps back and does the same with Theo.
Then Xander turns his attention to Scarlet, his grin softening while still shining with pride. “Don’t ever let anyone put you in Nate’s shadow. Those assholes don’t know anything. You absolutely owned it out there, Scarlet. You fucking nailed it.”
“See? I told you assholes she was just as fucking good,” Theo chimes in, pulling Scarlet into a hug.
Xander slaps me on the back, all proud and shit, but I barely register it. My attention is glued to Scarlet, her chin resting on Theo’s shoulder, a genuine smile illuminating her face as if she’s just conquered the world. When our eyes lock, I nod at her, silently conveying that she absolutely crushed it, all while keeping it low-key in front of the others. This moment is hers, and I’m here to support her.
Xander grips my shoulder, and the energy of the night still pulses through my veins. All I want right now is a drink and to get completely wasted, relishing this huge accomplishment we only dreamed about months ago. Ever since I smashed that damn camera, I've felt a weight on my shoulders. But now that we’ve pulled it off, I'm itching to dive into some groupie action and ride this adrenaline wave for as long as possible. Tonight belongs to us, and I plan to celebrate it hard.