Chapter Forty-Seven
Caleb
Leaving Indi wasn’t nearly as hard this time.
The goodbye still hurt, of course. There were tears, lingering kisses, and promises whispered against each other’s lips, but it didn’t carry that crushing sense of finality hanging over us like it had before.
We are in a good place now. We both knew that, and for the first time, neither of us believed this tour was going to tear us apart.
Five months is a long time.
Too long.
But I also knew there wasn’t a chance in hell I’d last that long without seeing her. At some point, I’d fly home for a few days, and Indi knew it too. Just knowing we had that option made saying goodbye a little easier.
It didn’t stop me from staying wrapped around her far longer than I should have.
Now I was running late.
Again.
And I didn’t particularly care.
The jet wasn’t going anywhere without me, and making love to Indi one last time before leaving had been worth every second. I run my thumb across my swollen lips, smiling to myself as I remember the way she’d kissed me until I could barely breathe.
The chauffeur pulls onto the tarmac, and I look up at the massive jet waiting for us.
Staked World Tour.
Headline Act.
Holy shit…
Adrenaline surges through me as I grab my bag, climb out of the car, and jog up the stairs. The moment I step inside the jet, every head turns towards me.
“I’m here,” I announce, slightly out of breath. “Everyone can stop panicking now.”
Laughter rolls through the cabin while I drop into the seat beside Chad just as Rob boards behind me. Perfect. I wasn’t the last one.
“About bloody time,” Chad says. “You were supposed to be here twenty minutes ago.”
I grin, absent-mindedly brushing my fingers across my lips again. “Yeah… I sort of overslept.”
Chad snorts. “Bullshit.”
“It’s true.”
“No, it isn’t.”
He points towards Rob as our agent walks past. “He was out looking for you.”
I wince. “Okay, maybe I didn’t oversleep.”
“I knew it.”
Chad leans back in his seat, folding his arms. “So tell me something…” I look across at him. “Are you actually committed to this band?”
I stare at him. “What?”
“If not, we’d rather know now.”
I laugh. “Shut up.”
“I’m serious.” He grins.
“You’ve been acting like a lovesick idiot for months.”
I roll my eyes. “I was… occupied.”
“Oh, we know.” He nods knowingly. “Mysterious girlfriend.”
I freeze. “What?”
He laughs. “Come on, Caleb. We all know you’re seeing someone.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “You do?”
“You’ve only ever looked this disgustingly happy when you’re in love.”
I can’t help smiling. “No.”
He points at me. “You’re impossible. None of us knows who she is, but you’ve kept her hidden for over a year.”
I shrug. “She likes her privacy.”
“So introduce us.”
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because she’d kill me.”
He laughs.
“And if she didn’t kill me, I’d have to kill all of you for finding out.”
Chad smirks. “Fair enough.”
I grin. “Besides, replacing a drummer is hard work.”
“Especially one with talents like these.” He twirls a drumstick between his fingers before lifting one side of his ass and letting out an impressively loud fart.
I burst out laughing.
“Yep, that was epic, right?” Chad grins mischievously.
I shake my head. “That’s exactly the kind of talent I was talking about.”
He bows dramatically. “Thank you.” Then his expression softens. “I’m happy for you, mate.”
“So am I.”
“I hope we get to meet her one day.”
I smile to myself. “I think you will.”
Tamara secures the cabin door, and moments later the engines roar to life.
Stockholm…
Here we come.
***
Indi messaged me before I went on stage to say she’d be watching the livestream of our concert in Stockholm. Just knowing she’s out there watching has me buzzing.
As we come back on stage for the encore, I sing the lyrics to our new song about love conquering all. I rub my thumb over my bottom lip as I look into the camera, hoping she catches it because I am performing for her.
Seeing Annie and Aston leaning into each other, Ella rocking out like she owns the stage, and Chad hammering the drums like there’s no tomorrow, Staked is performing better than we ever have. Right now, I couldn’t be prouder of my band or my family.
The music surges through me, every hair on my body standing on end as though I’ve been plugged straight into the amps.
The melody floods my veins while I hit the strongest notes I’ve ever sung, and my voice carries over the crowd in a wave of raw emotion, and they throw it right back at us.
The energy in the arena is electric, pulsing through every person in the room until it feels like we’re all connected by the same heartbeat.
The crowd is fired up, and so are we. I live for this.
I live to perform, and I live to love Indi.
Knowing she’s watching from the other side of the world only magnifies the rush.
Every note, every lyric, every glance into that camera is for her, and the exhilaration racing through me is unlike anything I’ve ever felt.
Absolutely nothing could top this moment.
I finish the last line of the song, and Annie launches into the closing guitar solo.
The roar of the crowd is deafening. Pure elation stretches across my face as I wipe the sweat from my brow and throw my hands into the air, celebrating the best performance of my life.
I set the microphone on its stand and glance over at Aston, who’s grinning just as broadly as I am.
“Stockholm, thanks for a fucking great night! You have been Staked!”
The crowd erupts, cheering and stomping their feet as I head off stage, sliding down the side rail before jumping to the floor. I bounce on the balls of my feet, still riding the adrenaline, when Danger comes over and slaps me on the arm.
“Holy shit, dude, you were on fire tonight!”
“I know! This crowd is amazing!”
He turns as Ella walks off stage, then rushes over, scoops her into a bear hug, and spins her around.
I was wary when Ella suggested Recoil be our support band for this tour, but they’re solid musicians, and we’ve known them long enough that everyone eventually agreed. Well… almost everyone. Chad never said much about it, but what’s done is done.
I watch Danger plant a massive kiss on Ella, raising an eyebrow at the public display.
Then I spot Chad wandering off stage, twirling his drumsticks through his fingers with a grin that could light the arena.
Before he notices the live romance novel unfolding behind us, I dart over and hook him in a headlock.
“What a fucking great night, hey?” I ask, finally letting him go.
He smacks me across the back of the head with one of his drumsticks. “Yeah, we were on fire tonight.” His gaze starts drifting toward Danger and Ella again.
“Hey, we should grab a beer to celebrate. Green room?”
He looks back at me and nods while I sneak another glance over my shoulder. Danger and Ella are practically dry-humping against the side of the stage.
“Yeah, beer sounds great, mate.” He hooks an arm around my neck and punches me in the ribs, considerably harder this time.
“Hey, ease up, turbo.” I steer him toward the green room.
“Sorry. Forgot you’re an old man of twenty-six now. You’re practically decaying as we speak.”
I ruffle his hair, and he swings another punch. “Not the damn hair!”
Chuckling, I glance back toward the stage. Ella and Danger have finally separated now that Dee’s wandered over. I shake my head and pull out my phone to text Indi.
Me: So what did you think?
I hit send before walking into the green room, then I grab two beers from the refrigerator, hand one to Chad, and then head for the couch, hoping to steal a few minutes with my girl.
Indi: Sorry, I missed it. I was washing my hair.
My eyes widen.
Seriously?
I frown as I type.
Me: Seriously? That sucks. :(
I hit send, more disappointed than I’d like to admit. Missing our first headline show? Ouch. My phone buzzes almost immediately. I’m still annoyed, but curiosity wins.
Indi: Only kidding. I saw the whole thing.
:) Fuck, I love watching you on stage. You’re so fucking sexy!
I had to stop myself from touching myself like seven times.
SEVEN TIMES! I kid you not. And when I saw you touch your bottom lip, I nearly cried.
I wanted to climb through my computer and kiss you.
You’re so sweet, you know that? Are you having fun?
I bite back a grin, though I can’t do much about the twitch in my pants. Just the thought of her getting turned on watching me has my body responding.
Me: You little minx! I’m so glad you liked it.
I was performing for you, you know. Only because I knew you were watching.
Next time, please do touch yourself… and record it for me, will you?
;) I’d love to see that. Am I having fun?
Hell yes. This is amazing, baby. I just wish you were here because then it’d be perfect.
But getting to talk to you is enough to keep me going.
I was going to head to the after-party, but are you up for some FaceTime?
I hit send, and my cock gives another traitorous twitch.
It’s the opening night of our first world headline tour. I should probably be celebrating with everyone else. Instead, all I can think about is Indi in that red lace corset.
Indi: I think I can arrange that. Are you sure you don’t want to go to your party and then FaceTime later?
Me: Nope. I can be back at the hotel in fifteen minutes. Can you wear that red lace corset thing I bought you?
I send the message, grin to myself, and discreetly adjust my jeans before taking another swallow of beer and heading for the door.
“Where you going?” Chad calls.
I glance around. “Back to the hotel.”
He frowns. “Mate… the after-party?”
I shrug and take another long drink before saying, “I have a date.” He arches an eyebrow. “FaceTime sex,” I clarify.
He bursts out laughing and nods. “Right, well, you have fun with that. I’m gonna go and get laid by some Stockholmian bird,” he says, and I tilt my head to the side.
“Playing the field tonight?”