Chapter Twenty #2
She nods, and this time it looks like something actually lands. “Okay, well, I better go get ready,” she says.
“You mean eat?” I tease.
She scrunches her face and flares her nostrils. “Shut up. My nerves are shot right now. At least you’ve got someone to distract yours,” she snaps, then storms off toward the food platters.
I glance at Aston and grimace. “Oops, I think I pissed her off.”
“Don’t worry about it. She’ll be fine,” he says. “But we do need to keep an eye on this Danger guy. Something about him feels off.”
I nod. “Yeah… who even is he?”
“No idea.”
“Annie, Aston, come over here,” Caleb calls. He still seems a little off, which surprises me considering we’re about to perform at Wembley for the first time.
We head over and go through the usual pre-show rundown. Recoil opens, then us. We need to bring the energy and set the stage for 12GAUGE-Slayed.
Instagram is already trending with people heading to the show. Half the crowd is here for Dad’s band… but the other half? They’re coming for us. That thought alone sends a thrill through me.
Rob’s been talking about a Staked tour once this one wraps, and everyone’s buzzing about it. We just need to record the second album, and then… we won’t be the support act anymore.
We’ll be the main event.
And I cannot wait.
Somewhere in the middle of Caleb talking, my mind drifts. I don’t know why, but suddenly I’m thinking about my birth parents.
Would they be proud of me?
This isn’t our first show, not even close, but this is different. A world tour, Wembley… this matters.
Do they even know about me?
Do they know I exist?
Do they know that I’m out here building something of my own?
Would they ever come to a show?
Would they stand at the back of a crowd, watching without saying a word?
Would they feel anything at all?
Oh God! My chest tightens.
Stop.
If they cared, they wouldn’t have given you up. The thought hits harder than I expect, and I push it down, forcing it away.
Mum, Dad, Ella—they’re my family. They’ve always been there, and that’s what matters.
“Annie. Earth to Annie?” Caleb’s voice cuts through my thoughts. “You with us?”
I blink and refocus. “Yeah… sorry. Zoned out for a second.”
Aston reaches for my hand, and I squeeze his fingers, grounding myself.
“Well, try not to drift off again,” Caleb says. “This is important. Just stay sharp tonight. This is our moment. If we nail this, this time next year we could be back here as the headline act.”
We all cheer.
“Recoil’s about to go on, so don’t wander off. Their set is thirty minutes, and we’re up ten minutes after that. Stay close, yeah?”
We nod, laughing as he gives us that look. He can be so bossy.
Twenty minutes later, Aston and I are curled up together on the sofa when Caleb steps into the middle of the room and clears his throat. “All right, while our dads are doing their pre-show thing, we should be getting ready. Let’s move.”
We head out together, making our way toward the stage as Recoil finishes their set. The backstage area is buzzing—crew, family, our mums are all waiting. Dad and his band are still off doing their routine.
From the side of the stage, I listen.
Recoil sounds incredible.
And the lead singer’s voice? Mesmerizing.
I spot Ella standing near the edge, staring up at the stage with a huge smile on her face.
I walk over and slip my arm around her shoulders, following her gaze.
And there he is…
Danger.
Of course, he’s the lead singer.
That explains the confidence—the attitude.
Lead singers always have that effect. Women fall over themselves for them, just look at Caleb. I glance over at him and notice he’s on his phone again, grinning. Whoever Caleb’s talking to has him in a good mood, and it is nice to see.
“Isn’t he amazing, Annie?” Ella says, snapping me back.
“What? Oh, yeah. Him.”
“Danger. I wonder what his real name is. I bet it’s something mysterious and sexy,” she says dreamily.
I exhale, shaking my head. “Elle’s Bells… you’ve got it bad.”
She frowns. “What do you mean?”
I give her a look. “I mean, you’re already halfway gone over a guy you met five minutes ago.”
She gasps and shakes her head, pulling away from me before slapping my shoulder. “Don’t say that! What if someone heard you?” she hisses, her face turning bright red as she folds her arms over her chest.
“It’s fine, Ella. No one can hear us over the band,” I say, grinning. “But I’m right, aren’t I?”
“Annie. I’m seventeen. I’m a respectable young woman and I would never—”
I raise a brow, smirking. “Never what?”
She huffs, clearly flustered. “You know exactly what I mean.”
I laugh and shake my head. “Relax, I’m teasing.”
She narrows her eyes at me, still flushed. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Hey, I’m just saying… maybe don’t get swept up in someone like him. That’s all.”
“So seriously… you and Aston…” she trails off, glancing around before lowering her voice. “You know…”
“What?” I tease.
She groans. “You’re the worst. You know what I mean.”
I laugh softly, pulling her into a quick hug. “We’re together, Ella. We’ve figured things out as we’ve gone along, like everyone does. But that’s not the point.” I pull back and look at her. “Just don’t rush into anything with someone like him, okay?”
She rolls her eyes, though there’s a hint of thoughtfulness there now. “He’s probably too old for me anyway. And can you imagine Dad’s reaction to a tattooed, bad-boy rocker like Danger from Recoil? If it took him a year to warm up to Aston, he’ll lose his mind over Danger.”
“Exactly. So maybe stop obsessing and go for someone safe. Like Chad.”
“Chad Everly? Our drummer?” She laughs.
“Yeah, why not?”
We both glance over at him as he stares at a blank television screen, fussing with his hair and somehow making it messier.
“Umm… because he’s basically my brother. And also… he’s Chad. Just… no. That would be like dating Aston,” she says, wrinkling her nose. “No offense.”
I laugh. “Fair enough.”
“Okay guys, huddle up,” Caleb calls out.
I glance at Ella, who sneaks one last look at Danger on stage. I swear she sighs before I shake my head and grab her hand, pulling her into the group. Aston wraps his arms around me as we form a circle.
Caleb gives his usual speech, and we all listen as the energy builds between us.
Hands in, mantra said, adrenaline kicking in.
We break as Recoil comes off stage, and our dads head down the hall to watch us.
I catch Danger winking at Ella.
She giggles.
Dad sees it too. Instantly, his jaw tightens, and he shakes his head.
Yeah… that’s going to be a problem.
“All right, play well, have fun… fame’s the bonus, but the rhythm’s what matters. Fame and rhythm!” Dad says, and we all nod. “Go get ’em.”
“Fame and rhythm!” we all cheer back.
I lean into Aston, and he pulls me close, and I press a quick kiss to his cheek.
“We’ve got this, baby. Let’s tear it up,” he murmurs, brushing a kiss just under my ear.
Dad shakes his head again—his daughters are going to be the death of him. I giggle at that thought before we move toward the stage. My heart pounds hard against my ribs, excitement buzzing through me so strongly I can barely stand still.
The roar of the crowd hits like electricity, with each cheer sending a surge through my veins.
This…
This is everything.
Music makes me feel alive, and right now, I’ve never felt more alive than this.
Aston grabs my hand and squeezes as the lights dim.
That’s our cue.
I turn, press a quick kiss to his lips, then run out onto the stage…
The one place I feel completely at home.