Chapter 46
Chapter
Forty-Six
Salem - Four Months Later
Fuck, Australia is hot.
The heat clings to my skin no matter how many cold showers I take. Sweat soaks my bra, hair pulled up in some sad excuse for a bun to keep it off my damp neck. The goddamn lens on my camera keeps fogging up between shots.
How do people live here?
I snap another picture of the opening act during their practice set as stagehands run wild around me. Tonight's our first show in Melbourne, followed by Brisbane in two days and then Sydney after that. Last week we were in the UK.
I've spent the past few months traveling to places I've only ever dreamed about, meeting so many different people, and trying so many different things, but…
I can’t stop thinking of home.
It'll be Thanksgiving back in the States soon. We had all planned a “Friendsgiving” at Matty and Xed’s, but I'll be spending it in the land down unduh’ alone and sweating to death.
This job was supposed to be a dream come true. Instead, it feels like a nightmare.
The music grows loud when the openers finish their rehearsal, some local band I've never heard of.
I line up one last shot just to give myself something to do.
Technically, I don't need to photograph or film anyone except Symbiotic, but without the camera in my hands, I'm tempted to do things I shouldn't.
Like recheck my phone for the millionth time, hoping one of the guys or Arya has reached out somehow. None of them even know my new number. I haven't logged onto my own socials to check on them since before Logan—
My hand automatically clutches the ring between my breasts as I cut off that thought. Nope, not going there. Not thinking of anyone back home if I want to survive this tour.
“You alright, love?” asks a voice to my left.
I turn to see Lux, Symbiotic's keyboardist, stepping up beside me.
He comes off disarming with his dazzling azure eyes and panty-melting smile, but it's all a front.
From what I can tell, nobody in this band is safe.
Something dark lurks beneath the surface of every single member.
Especially Ren, the bassist. He follows the lead singer around like a lost puppy, but their relationship seems toxic.
And don't even get me started on Vince, the band manager. That guy gives me the absolute creeps.
“Just dying of heat stroke,” I answer, forcing a grin. “You Aussies are built different.”
Lux laughs wickedly. “I’m from New Zealand, sweetheart. We’re built better than Aussies, thank you very much.”
I roll my eyes, but the smile on my lips is a little less hollow this time.
He gives my arm a playful nudge. “You wanna talk about it?”
“Nothing to talk about.” I clear the lump in my throat and grip the camera tighter. “Pre-rehearsal photo op?”
“We won't be needing that tonight,” he smirks, glancing over my shoulder. “Looks like you've got company.”
Following his line of sight in confusion, I turn toward the exit doors, and immediately freeze in place. My lungs forget how to work, heart lurching into my throat so hard I nearly choke.
“Hey, Sal.” Taylor stands at the back with a pissed off expression. Christian waits beside him, arms crossed and equally irritated. “Forget about us?”
My feet move before my brain can even process what I'm doing.
I start toward them tentatively, picking up speed the closer I get until I'm running.
Taylor's gaze softens as he throws his arms wide, and I collide with his body.
My arms wrap around him tightly, a choked sob leaving my lips because they're here.
They're here and they came for me and I'm not alone anymore.
“What the hell are you doing here?!” I blubber into his neck, yanking Christian closer so I can hug him, too.
“Four fucking months, asshole,” Tay mutters into my hair.
Christian huffs out a shaky breath. His arms lock around us tight. “You really thought you could get rid of us, chica?”
I shake my head against Taylor’s shoulder, tears streaking down my face. “I'm so fucking sorry for everything. I'm sorry I left. I'm sorry Logan’s gone. He's gone, and I couldn't save him. I fucked everything up so bad.”
I wish I could go back.
Taylor pulls back enough to tip my chin up, his expression more serious than I’ve ever seen it. “You didn’t fuck anything up, Salem. Life imploded for all of us. But you running away didn’t help.”
“I know, I just couldn’t… Everywhere I looked, I saw him. I still see him. This was the only way.”
At least, I thought it was. But now that they’re standing in front of me, I understand that facing this shit alone was a waste of time. I wasn't facing it, anyway; I was repressing it.
Tay swallows hard and wipes away my tears. “Then maybe it’s time you actually saw him.”
“What?” My fingers clutch onto his denim jacket, afraid if I let go he'll disappear forever.
Christian squeezes my shoulder with a smile. “We’re not just here to visit, Sal. We’re here to bring you home.”
“I…” Reality slams down around me, and I step out of both their holds. “How are you even here right now? Where did you find me?”
“Arya asked your friend Cedar for a favor. Guess she's friends with Symbiotic's drummer.”
Ah. Damn you, Cedar. You beautiful bitch.
Heaving a sigh, I cross my arms and glance over at Pepper—said drummer—as she eye-fucks the guitarist, Quinn.
I tend to avoid those two as much as possible, though I feel that under normal circumstances, Pep and I could get really close.
She's just a bit intimidating with her brightly colored contacts and dommy-mommy outfits.
Tay brings me back into the conversation when he pries my arms apart. “We'd have been here sooner, but did you know it takes fucking months to get a passport? Like, holy shit. Did not expect that.”
“I told you it would, carino,” Christian argues, shoving his best friend's shoulder.
“You said it might. Not would. How was I supposed to know I'd need my birth certificate? Who the fuck just carries that shit around in their wallet?”
I can’t help the blubbery laugh that bursts out of me. God, they’re ridiculous. I’ve missed them so much it hurts. Still, I shake my head in disbelief. “This is insane. You crossed the entire world for me?”
Christian snorts. “Uh, yeah. You’re family, fool. We would’ve gone to fucking Mars if it meant getting you home.”
“Not just us,” Taylor adds with a grin. “Everyone’s here. Friendcation.”
The weight of their love crushes my chest, stealing my breath away. I look at the hope in their tired eyes as dread settles in my gut. “I'm thrilled that you're all here, but we aren't staying long. We’re off to Brisbane tomorrow.”
Though I wish we were. God, I wish I could wrap myself around them and never let go.
Tay tosses me an irritated look. “We're going to have a serious talk about you gallivanting off with my favorite band, but it's Thanksgiving, Salem. Spend some time with your family.”
“Australia doesn't have Thanksgiving,” I sigh, backing up a few steps. It feels like I'm falling apart all over again. “And I have work to do. I'll see you after the show, though, and maybe I can spend a few hours seeing everyone.”
But it'll kill me to leave again.
Panic flashes in Christian's eyes. “Sal, wait—”
“I'm sorry. I have to go.” Spinning around, I intend on running the hell away before I beg them to drag me back to the States, but my face smacks right into a bare chest.
“Oi,” Lux says, steadying me. “I don’t mean to interrupt this cute little reunion, but I couldn’t help overhearing.”
I cringe at how I must look right now, all splotchy cheeks and swollen eyes. “Lux, I wasn’t slacking, I swear—”
“Relax, love. I’m not here to chew you out. Quite the opposite, actually.”
Blinking slowly, I gaze up at his handsome face in confusion. “Huh?”
He winks, crossing his arms with that lazy rockstar confidence that never fails to lure fans into his bed.
“You’re off the clock for the next week.
Brisbane can survive without you, so go…
sort out whatever the hell all this is. I'll clear everything up with Vince. Just be back by Sydney or I’m sending Q to drag you back. ”
That makes me cringe, the thought of his six-foot-six stoic guitarist tracking me down. “You’re serious?”
“As a heart attack, love. He'd enjoy it, too.”
“Hi,” Tay interjects, shoving his hand between us as he points to his Symbiotic t-shirt. “Name's Taylor. I love your music.”
I groan in embarrassment, but Lux only arches an amused brow. His gaze sweeps over Taylor’s body. “Well, well. A proper fanboy.”
“I've got every single album, including the EP you released like five years ago with that other vocalist.”
“Mm.” Lux hums, clearly enjoying the attention. “I do love a man with taste.”
Christian scrubs a hand over his face, as mortified as I am. “Please, Dios mio, don’t flirt with him. His ego is big enough.”
“Fuck off.” Taylor's cheeks turn a rosy pink, and I ruffle his hair with a grin.
“Aw, how cute. You're literally blushing.”
“Shut up! No I'm not!”
“I'm telling Huckslee.”
“Salem, I swear to fucking god.”
Lux chuckles before turning his focus back to me. “Seriously, though. Take the time. You look like you need it.”
He walks away without another word, and I clutch the ring hanging from my neck. It still sits heavy on my chest, but with Tay and Christian bickering next to me now, the weight feels… lighter. Like maybe I don't have to carry it alone anymore.
“Okay,” I whisper to no one. “Yeah. Okay. Let's go.”
Maybe I never had to carry it alone to begin with.