36. Chapter 36
Chapter 36
Ace
I couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride when Scarlet stood up to Nate and Theo. Watching her put those assholes in their place was straight-up badass. Honestly, I’m surprised she didn’t do it sooner, but that’s just Scarlet—always too damn nice and trying to keep the peace. It’s the complete opposite of me; I’m the guy who has no problem telling someone to shut the fuck up. Maybe that’s why we work so well together—we balance each other out, bringing out the best in each other even with all our differences.
I didn’t give a damn which label it was—even if it had been our old one, Victory Records. All that matters is that Scar is finally getting the chance to live her dream after this tour. She’s everything to me, and I’ll always have her back, no matter what.
The contract came through two days later, and I could see the relief on her face when she found out the label is based in Los Angeles. Honestly, I felt the same damn relief. But let’s be real—I would’ve followed her anywhere if it meant she was happy. That’s all that matters to me now—her happiness. Watching her light up with real joy… There’s nothing like it. Knowing I’m part of that happiness… It’s everything. I’ve never experienced anything like it before—the pure satisfaction of making someone else so incredibly happy. And let me tell you, it’s fucking contagious.
As we wrap up the last night of the tour, there's this bittersweet feeling that won’t leave me. It’s not just the tour ending—it’s the thought of not having Scarlet here anymore, not hearing the way she pours her heart into those drums like she always does. These last sixty days… They've turned my world upside down in ways I never saw coming. This tour wasn’t just a series of shows or about the music we played—it’s been a fucking journey into the depths of my soul.
It's this tour where I finally faced my demons—where I confronted all the shadows from my past that had been clawing at me for years. Each show, every moment we shared, brought me closer to the surface, forcing me to reckon with all the shit I’ve kept buried deep inside. Even now, those shadows linger, whispering doubts in the back of my mind. That scared little boy who hides in the dark is still there, reminding me of the battles I’ve fought and the ones I’m still fighting.
But through all of it, Scarlet has been my light. She’s the reason I found the courage to open up, the reason I felt safe enough to show her the real me. Now, as this tour winds down, I can feel that emptiness creeping in. I never thought I’d find someone who could understand me the way she does, and the thought of losing that connection… well it scares the shit out of me.
Every day, I remind her that I love her, that she’s everything to me, and it’s incredible to see the effect those words have on her. It’s crazy how something as simple as "I love you" can change the way someone carries themselves, like it sparks something deep inside. And when she says it back to me, I have to fight the urge to doubt it, to question if I truly deserve that love. Those harsh words from my mother—those voices from my past telling me I’m unlovable—don’t have as much of a hold on me as they once did.
Despite the doubts and insecurities that were drilled into me as a kid, I’m finally starting to believe I’m capable of being loved. It’s a revelation I never thought I’d reach, and it’s all because of Scarlet. She’s shown me a side of love I didn’t think existed, a kind of love that heals rather than hurts.
With Nate sticking around for the remainder of the tour, constantly chasing after every groupie he and Theo can fuck, Scarlet and I have been stealing more moments together. Every night, Nate takes the stage for the last song, but tonight, he told Scarlet to stay on the drums and perform the final song herself. I couldn’t be more stoked that he gave her that chance. She’s earned it. She deserves to show the world just how fucking talented she is.
As I glance over at her behind the drum kit, our eyes lock, and she gives me a smile that’s full of emotion. The stage lights catch the tears shimmering in her eyes, and I can see just how much this final night means to her. It’s the end of this chapter, but I’m confident in what lies ahead for her. The future is wide open, full of possibilities, and I’m beyond excited to see where her dreams take her. This is just the beginning, and I know she’s destined for greatness.
The final note hangs in the air for a beat before the crowd erupts into cheers, a deafening roar that shakes the entire stadium. Xander raises his hands in the air, his face lit up with a grin of pure triumph. I rip my guitar off, following suit as Theo does the same beside me. We exchange a brief glance, before stepping toward the front of the stage. It’s time for our final goodbyes.
As I walk up, my eyes catch Scarlet rising from behind the drum kit. She steps forward, joining us at the front of the stage.
Xander steps back up to the mic, his voice cutting through the ambient buzz of the crowd as they start to quiet down. He glances at Scarlet, a proud smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, before turning to face the audience.
“Thank you, everyone, for being here with us tonight,” he says. “It’s been an unforgettable ride, and none of it would have been possible without all of you."
The crowd roars, their voices crashing together in a wave of pure, electrifying energy that pulses through every inch of the stadium.
“I want to take a moment to give a massive shoutout to someone who’s been absolutely crushing it these past two months,” Xander starts, the crowd instantly quieting, eager to hear what he has to say next. “Let me tell you without Scarlet stepping in, this tour wouldn’t have happened. She’s not just a stand-in; she’s proven herself to be one hell of a talented drummer.” He pauses, his gaze locking onto hers, pride radiating from him. "Scarlet, you’ve got something in you that the world needs to see. This is just the start for you, and I know you’re gonna do amazing things." He turns back to the crowd. “You all need to keep an eye on her because this girl’s got big things coming. When she starts with her new band, she’s gonna blow the fucking roof off.” He turns back towards Scarlet. "So, from all of us up here, thank you, Scarlet, for everything.”
The crowd erupts into cheers again. Scarlet’s smile lights up her face, and I can see the glimmer of tears in her eyes as she nods her head toward Xander. I step closer, wrapping my arm around her shoulders and pulling her into a tight squeeze. I press a kiss to the top of her head. I’m so fucking proud of her—for everything she’s done for us and for our label. All those assholes who said we couldn’t pull this off. Well, fuck you. We didn’t just do it; we fucking nailed it. And a massive part of that is because of her.
I lean down to whisper in her ear, my voice low but full of emotion. “You’ve earned every bit of this, Scar. You’re a fucking star.” She looks up at me, her eyes shining with unshed tears, and her smile widens as if she can’t believe it either. But she should. Because she is.
“Until next time,” Xander says into the mic, his voice echoing across the crowd. We all wave one last time at the audience, Theo, Scarlet and I wait, expecting to follow our usual routine—Xander walking off first. But then he gestures for Scarlet to go ahead, giving her the spotlight one final time.
As she walks across the stage, my eyes can’t help but lock onto her ass. She’s mine now, and I’m not about to waste a single fucking minute with her. Every second counts, and I intend to make the most of every moment we have together.
When she reaches Nate at the side of the stage, he pulls her in tight, wrapping his arms around her like she’s the most precious thing in the world. I can’t catch the words he whispers in her ear, but the way she nods, that small smile playing on her lips, speaks volumes. Despite their ups and downs, their bond as siblings is unbreakable. There’s a loyalty between them that runs deep, and moments like this make it crystal clear.
As they pull back, Theo steps in next, wrapping her up in a solid hug of support. It’s about damn time these two overprotective assholes started giving her the space to take charge of her own life.
When Theo finally lets go, Xander steps in and places a hand on her shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze. “Thanks, Scarlet,” he says, his voice carrying a rare sincerity that breaks through his usual stoic exterior. It’s no surprise that Xander skips the hug—that’s just not his style. He reserves that kind of warmth for Poppy and Alex, keeping things a little more guarded with the rest of us.
As soon as Xander steps back, I can’t hold back any longer. I step in and wrap my arms around her, pulling her close, breathing in the scent of her hair mixed with the faint hint of sweat from the night’s performance.
“I can’t wait for us to get home,” I say, and the words roll off my tongue. The thought of Scarlet living with me, of having her there every day, feels so damn right. We’ve practically been living together for the past month, and the idea of not having her beside me in my bed—feeling the warmth of her body next to mine—is something I can’t even bear to think about. My house was built as an escape from everything I left behind—the poverty, the brokenness, the feeling that I had nothing to offer. A few months ago, the idea of being with the same woman every day would’ve terrified me, but now? The thought of my place without her feels like the worst fucking nightmare.
I lean in and kiss her, pouring every ounce of my heart into that moment. It’s raw and intense, a desperate attempt to claim every bit of her joy as my own. I want her to know how deeply in love I am with her, how she’s become my everything.
When we finally pull away, I can’t help but grin like an idiot, my heart racing like it’s the first time I’ve ever felt this alive. This is it. This is everything I’ve ever wanted, and it’s just the beginning. I can see the future stretching out ahead of us, bright and full of promise, and I’m ready to dive in headfirst with her by my side.