Chapter Twenty-Five #2
She laughs while Aston shakes his head affectionately, and together we head toward one of the large booths, where Ella and Chad soon join us along with the parents.
“Where are the twins?” I ask Sia.
“At home asleep with Dingo’s mother,” she replies. “We thought tonight might be too much for them.”
Dingo immediately snorts. “You know they’re definitely not asleep, right? Mum’s probably got them awake watching movies with her.”
Sia’s eyes widen in horror. “No way!”
Everyone bursts out laughing while she hurriedly slides out of the booth to furiously text someone.
Dingo shakes his head. “Great! I just accidentally started another argument between Sia and Mum.”
I laugh. “Wives, huh?”
He nods dramatically. “Mate, they’re terrifying. Get my mum and my wife together, and suddenly my balls shrivel up and hide under furniture.”
I nearly choke laughing. “Sounds delightful.”
“Oh, it’s fucking ecstasy,” he deadpans.
I raise an eyebrow. “You actually like being married?”
“Mate,” he says seriously. “I fucking love it. Have you seen my wife? She’s hot as hell.” He grins proudly. “When you find the one, Caleb, marry the fuck out of her. Then let her cut off your balls and throw them under the couch because honestly, your life gets way better afterward.”
Shaking his head, laughing, he walks off toward Sia.
I glance around the booth afterward, watching all the couples interact with each other.
Colt and Dee.
Aston and Annie.
Dingo and Sia.
And suddenly, all I can think about is Indi, because that same deep connection exists between us too. That kind of love that survives everything.
I pull out my cell phone, unlock it, and instantly smile at the photograph on my screen. It’s one I secretly took of us lying in bed together the other night. She’s curled into my side with no makeup, hair messy from sleep and sex, and she looks so naturally beautiful it physically hurts.
Completely perfect.
I open my messages and start typing quickly.
Me: Hey, baby, I know you’re working. Just wanted to let you know the show’s finished.
It was incredible tonight. I’m at the after-party now, but I hope to leave within the hour so I can talk to you when you finish work, if you’re not too exhausted.
I hope tonight’s shift is treating you a little better. Miss you already. xo
I hit send and glance around the booth. Everyone’s paired off into their own conversations now, laughing and talking amongst themselves, so I decide I may as well grab a drink while I wait for Indi to hopefully message me back.
Sliding out of the booth, I head toward the bar while scrolling aimlessly through Instagram on my cell phone. The room is packed now, full of people I don’t recognize. Other bands linger while VIP guests wearing lanyards mingle nearby, drinking overpriced champagne and pretending they’re important.
Thankfully, because we were a last-minute addition to tonight’s lineup and still relatively unknown, nobody’s really bothering us.
Honestly, it’s kinda nice.
The atmosphere feels good. Everyone seems genuinely happy to be here, and after the insane rush of tonight’s performance, I’m still floating on adrenaline. Then, suddenly, a cold shiver crawls slowly up my spine. The feeling is so sharp and unsettling that it cuts through my high.
You know when people say it feels like someone walked over your grave?
That.
My head slowly lifts from my cell as awareness prickles across the back of my neck. I can feel eyes on me. Turning slightly, I notice a woman sitting on the stool beside mine.
Dark hair.
Familiar figure.
Her hair hangs partially across her face, making it hard to place her immediately. Frowning slightly, I look back down at my cell as the bartender approaches. “What can I get you?”
“Just a Coke, thanks, mate.”
While he prepares the drink, the strange feeling doesn’t leave.
If anything, it gets worse.
Unease twists low in my stomach now, and suddenly I don’t really feel like being at the bar anymore. The second the bartender hands over my drink, I grab it and start turning away.
That’s when the woman beside me speaks, “Caleb… don’t you recognize me?”
The familiar voice stops me dead.
Turning back toward her, she finally lifts her face fully.
Sasha.
Jesus.
Her hair’s dyed almost black now, which explains why I didn’t recognize her straight away.
“Oh… hey,” I say awkwardly. “Your hair’s darker.”
Her smile stretches unnaturally wide. “You noticed?” She flicks the dark strands over her shoulder while staring at me intensely.
“Yeah…” I shift uncomfortably. “So, ah… what are you doing here?”
Immediately, her smile falters. “You’re not happy to see me?”
“No, it’s not that,” I reply carefully. “I’m just surprised.”
“A good surprise?”
There’s something off about the way she says it.
Too hopeful.
Too loaded.
“Yeah, well…” I gesture vaguely behind me. “I should probably get back to my mates.” Turning to leave, I barely make it two steps before she grabs my arm tightly.
“Wait.” Her fingers dig into me harder than necessary. “Don’t you want to talk?”
I glance down at her hand gripping me before looking back up at her. “About what?”
Her expression shifts into something almost desperate. “Don’t you wanna come back to my place?” she asks quietly.
For a second, I think I’ve misheard her, and a stunned laugh leaves me. “No, Sasha.”
Her face tightens. “Well… then I’ll come back to yours.”
I blink at her slowly. “No,” I say more firmly this time. “I don’t think you understand. I’m with Indi, and I’m not cheating on her. Not with you. Not with anyone.” I shake my head. “I love her way too much to ruin what we have.”
Something dark flashes across Sasha’s face instantly. “If you really loved her,” she snaps loudly. “You wouldn’t have slept with me.” Her voice rings through the ballroom loudly enough that nearby conversations stop.
People turn.
Look over.
My heart instantly starts hammering violently against my ribs.
Goddammit. Taking a slow breath, I bite down hard on my bottom lip while trying to keep my composure. “Sasha,” I say quietly but firmly. “I know you want something more from me, but I can’t give that to you. I’m sorry.” I yank my arm free from her grip and start walking away.
“You’ll be back!” she suddenly yells after me.
I don’t even turn around this time. “Leave me alone,” I call back coldly.
And just like that, my good mood completely disappears. The adrenaline high from the concert vanishes beneath a wave of unease and guilt.
All I want now is Indi.
I need to get back to her.
Sasha feels unpredictable. Unstable even. And right now, all I want is to hold Indi in my arms and remind myself that everything between us is real, solid and safe.
Quickly returning to the booth, I make my excuses and say goodbye before heading straight for my car. The drive back to London takes over two hours, but I barely notice.
My mind keeps replaying Sasha’s words, ‘If you really loved her, you wouldn’t have slept with me.’
I scrub my hand over my face while gripping the steering wheel tighter.
If Sasha keeps showing up at gigs, we might eventually need to ban her from backstage and VIP areas. I hate even thinking that way this early into our career, but if protecting what I have with Indi means drawing hard lines, then I’ll do it.
Because the truth is brutal.
If Indi ever finds out I slept with Sasha that night…
The same night I almost slept with her…
It would destroy her.
And honestly? I don’t know if she’d ever forgive me for it.
I’m not even sure I’d deserve forgiveness if she tried.