Chapter Twenty-Four
Annie
The mental health nurse comes in, and I let Mum stay with me, but I don’t want Dad here. He’s angry at first, but Mum calms him down, and eventually he leaves.
We talk about my birth parents. About the way I see myself, and he says it’s normal to feel this way, but that my thoughts don’t match reality. That people can love me regardless of how my life started.
For a second… I almost believe him.
But it always comes back to the same thing.
They didn’t want me.
So how could anyone else?
He gives Mum a psychologist’s name and number and suggests I make an appointment. Says my anger, my reactions… they all tie back to this. That with the right support, I could learn to manage it.
His words, not mine.
Because from where I’m sitting, everything is clearer than it’s ever been.
I knew from the beginning that Aston couldn’t love me—not really. No matter how much I wanted him to. And now I’ve been proven right.
The nurse leaves, and I sink back into the bed, oddly lighter after saying everything out loud. Having Mum there helped more than I expected.
“Do you feel any better?” she asks.
I nod slightly. “Yeah. I’m sorry I worried everyone. I just… couldn’t hold it in anymore.”
She brushes my hair back gently. “I know you’ve made up your mind,” she says softly. “But you and Aston have something special. I’m not going to pretend otherwise. You may not believe it, but he does love you—”
“Mum, please… just stop.” I shake my head, my chest tightening again. “I need time. That’s all. And don’t worry about the band, we’ll be fine. I’ll swap spots with Ella, so I’m not next to him.”
“But Annie, you and Aston are a team. You play off each other. You support each other. Music might not feel the same without that.”
I know she’s right.
We are better together.
The band could suffer.
But I can’t let that matter. Not right now.
“It doesn’t matter,” I say quietly. “The band will be fine. I’ll lean on Caleb instead.”
As if on cue, Caleb, Dad, and Ella walk in.
“Lean on me for what?” Caleb asks.
Mum just shakes her head.
“For the band,” I say. “Ella, can we swap spots? I’ll stand on Caleb’s side, and you can stand next to Aston.”
Ella glances at Mum, then back at me. “Um… yeah, I guess.”
Caleb frowns. “Annie… are you actually going to be okay performing with Aston there? Or do you need time to sort your head out?”
“I don’t need to sort my head out,” I snap. “I’m fine! I just don’t want to stand next to him anymore. Is that such a big deal?”
“It’s a crime against music,” Ella mutters.
I exhale sharply. “Well, if my own family can’t support me, then maybe I should just leave the band altogether.”
Everyone goes still.
“Annie, what are you even saying?” Dad replies. “You’re jumping to conclusions.”
“Then why is this such a problem?” I shoot back. “It’s just a position change. Left instead of right. That’s it.”
“Because you’re not dealing with the actual issue,” Caleb says. “Why not just talk to Aston?”
“No.” I shake my head. “He caused this. This is on him.” Even as I say it, something twists inside me because I know that’s not entirely true. But I’m not ready to admit it.
Mum steps in before it can escalate further. “This isn’t getting us anywhere. For now, Ella will stand next to Aston. We’ll revisit this when Annie’s had time to think clearly.”
I nod.
“Okay,” Ella says quietly, though she looks like she might cry.
“If you don’t want to, Elle’s—”
“No, it’s fine,” she says, sitting on the edge of my bed. She exhales slowly. “I just hate seeing you like this. I hate that they still have this much control over you.” Her voice softens. “I wish I could take the pain away. I wish I could make you see what you’re throwing away.”
My throat tightens.
I do know what I’m throwing away.
A year with Aston.
One perfect year.
“It’ll work out,” I say quietly. “I just… didn’t handle this well.”
They all give me small, uncertain smiles.
“Well,” Dad says, clapping his hands lightly. “Let’s get you home, yeah?”
I nod.
“I’ll check with Indi about discharge,” Caleb says, heading out.
I want my own bed.
But we’re on tour.
Which means the hotel.
I’m sharing with Ella at the Hyatt, one of Granddad’s places. Apparently, where Mum and Dad first met.
“Do you want me to stay with you tonight?” Mum asks.
I shake my head. “No, I’ll be okay. Ella’s with me, and you’re right next door.”
“Are you sure?”
She needs this more than I do.
“Actually… maybe a girls’ night would be nice. Just us.”
Her face softens immediately. “All right. I’ll stay with you.”
She glances at Dad. “You okay?”
He smiles, surprising me. “Yeah, baby. You look after our girl. I’ll hang with Hux and Caleb… guys’ night.”
Caleb reappears with Indi. “Guys’ night?”
Dad nods. “You in?”
“Yeah, sounds good,” Caleb says.
I catch Indi’s expression falter for just a second before she masks it. “Your vitals are stable now,” she says, addressing me. “You can head back, but take it easy. You’re under a lot of stress, and we don’t want another episode.”
I nod. “Thanks, Indi.”
She smiles warmly. “Good to see you again, Mr. and Mrs. Slade.”
Mum laughs softly. “Call me Dee, not Mrs. Slade.”
Dad grins. “We’ve known you since you were seven… we’re past formalities. Colt, please.”
Indi smiles, a little more genuinely this time. “It’s really nice being around you all again.”
“You should come for dinner when the tour wraps,” Mum says. “We’d love that.”
Caleb’s grin widens.
“I’ll get your discharge papers,” Indi says, though her smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes this time as she leaves.
“So, tomorrow we’re off to Belfast,” Dad says. “Odyssey Arena. Jet leaves early. Be ready by eight, wheels up by nine.”
We all nod.
“Come on,” Mum says gently. “Let’s get you back so you can rest.”
I swing my legs off the bed and stand, steady enough now. “Yeah… let’s go.”
Ella slips an arm around my shoulders. “Room service?” she asks hopefully.
We all laugh.
“I think that can be arranged,” Mum says as we head out toward the nurses’ station.
***
We arrive at the Hyatt, and I can’t help but notice Aston wasn’t at the hospital when we left.
I guess he gave up for the night.
We step out of the car and head inside, with only a couple of paparazzi lingering near the entrance. No crazed fans, thankfully—I wouldn’t have handled that tonight. We take the elevator up to the top floor. The ride is quiet. When the doors open, we step out and begin to split off.
“I’ll come to your room in a little while, girls,” Mum says, squeezing Dad’s hand. “I just need to grab my things first. Order whatever you want from room service.”
Ella nudges me as they walk away. “Did you hear that? Whatever we want.”
I huff out a small laugh as we head down the hall toward our room.
We turn the corner…
And I freeze.
Aston is standing there, talking to Amber from Red Velvet.
She’s laughing.
Touching his arm.
Flirting.
My stomach knots instantly.
Ella follows my gaze and stiffens slightly as Amber’s hand slides over Aston’s bicep. He doesn’t pull away. He gives her a half smile, tired and distant, but still… there.
Something twists sharply in my chest. Pain.
“C’mon, Annie,” Ella murmurs, tugging my arm.
Aston looks up and sees me. His expression shifts from hope to hurt. He takes a breath and steps away from Amber, heading straight toward me. “Annie?”
“Shit,” I mutter, spinning on my heel. I hurry to our door and press the card against the reader. Ella keeps pace behind me as I shove it open, pull her inside, and slam it shut.
Seconds later…
Knocking. Hard.
“Annie, please,” Aston calls through the door. “I’m so sorry. Just talk to me.”
I drop onto the bed and yank a pillow over my head.
I feel sick.
Every part of me wants to go to him. To kiss him. To lose myself in him again.
But I can’t.
I won’t let myself fall just to get hurt again. And even worse, I don’t know how to explain any of this to him. It makes sense in my head, but probably doesn’t to anyone else.
And tomorrow?
Tomorrow I’ll have to face him.
Six months on tour. No escape.
I can’t keep running.
I’ll tell him it’s over, properly, but not tonight. Tonight, I need junk food, soda, and something mindless to drown out this noise.
“Annie,” Ella says softly over the knocking.
“Tell him to go away,” I mutter into the pillow. “Tell him I’ll talk to him tomorrow. On the jet. Not before.”
I hear her move, the door opening slightly.
“Ella, please,” Aston says. “Just let me in. I need to see her.”
My chest tightens.
“Aston, I’m sorry,” Ella replies gently. “She can’t do this right now.”
“She has to… Annie!”
Tears spill from my eyes.
“Aston, stop,” Ella says more firmly. “She said tomorrow. Give her time.”
There’s a long pause before a shaky exhale. “Okay… if she needs time, I’ll give her time,” he says quietly. “Just… tell her I’m here. That I want us to be okay.”
My throat closes.
“I’m sorry,” he adds, his voice breaking. “I should’ve realized she wasn’t ready.” Silence. Then… “Tell her I miss her. Everything about her. Not being able to touch her…” he trails off. “It’s killing me.” I curl tighter into myself. “I might’ve ruined us,” he whispers.
Ella’s voice softens. “You haven’t. She’s hurting, that’s all. She’ll come around. It’ll just take time.”
Traitor.
“I hope so,” he says. “I can’t lose her.”
Another pause.
“Aston?” Mum’s voice joins them.
“It’s okay, I’m leaving,” he says quickly. “I just needed to know she’s alright. I never meant for this, Dee. I swear.”
“I know,” Mum says gently. “Just give her time. She’s dealing with a lot right now.”
“I’m sorry,” he says again.
Footsteps, then the door closes. And just like that… he’s gone.
The pull in my chest fades, leaving behind something hollow.
“Annie?” Mum says softly as she comes in. The bed dips beside me. “Honey?” She pulls the pillow away, and I sit up, collapsing into her arms.
“I don’t want to hurt him,” I whisper.
“Oh, sweetheart,” she murmurs, holding me close.
“It’s going to be okay. He’ll be all right.
We’re just worried about you.” She pulls back, brushing my hair from my face, wiping away my tears.
“I know you’re confused. And hurting. That’s okay, you’re allowed to be.
But tomorrow, you’ll have to face Aston.
And the band. And if you can’t… that’s okay too.
Just don’t make a decision you’ll regret while everything still feels this raw. ”
I nod weakly.
“I’ll talk to him tomorrow,” I say. “But tonight… I want to wallow.”
A small smile touches her lips. “One night of wallowing, okay?”
She glances at Ella. “Did you order room service?” She shakes her head. “Well then,” Mum says, brightening slightly. “Ella, grab the menu. Let’s spend your father’s money.”
A laugh escapes me—my first in hours.