Oli
PACK EM UP GOSSIP COLUMN
OLI HART SEEN LEAVING A CEMETERY IN MIAMI WITH DAXON GREY OF THE EDGE
June 19th
I weave through the sea of bodies, the festival’s pulse pounding in rhythm with my own heart. The smell of street food mingles with the sweat and perfume of the crowd, and the air vibrates with the thump of bass and the scream of guitars.
The four alphas beside me keep my nerves in check.
Aiden offers a reassuring squeeze to my shoulder, his quiet strength a silent promise of support.
I stop short when, through the crowd, I spot my old band.
My stomach somersaults, and for a second, I’m frozen, caught in the headlights of old memories and what-ifs.
“?” Chase’s voice cuts through the fog of my surprise, his hand landing gently on my lower back—a touch that steadies as much as it thrills.
I move through the crowd with my confused alphas following behind me.
Jack grabs me, spinning me around. “Don’t take off like that in this crowd. Where are you going?”
“Over there,” I nod toward the group, my voice steadier than I feel. “My old band.”
“Ah, the infamous ex-bandmates,” Dax murmurs, his gaze sharp as it follows mine, protective instincts rising off him like steam from hot pavement.
“Want us to hang back?” Aiden’s soft voice is full of concern, but I shake my head.
“Yeah, right,” Chase scoffs.
“No, stay close.” I need their presence, their unspoken vow to stand by me no matter what happens next.
“Let’s go say hi then,” Jack chimes in, always leading the charge. “Show ‘em what they’re missing out on.”
With a deep breath, I inch forward, propelled by the solid wall of my alphas at my back. I steel myself for their rejection. They left my tour without ever talking to me after all.
I saunter closer, my heart drumming a wild rhythm against my ribs. A splash of courage paints a tentative smile on my lips as I call out to them, “Hey, Liam, Henry, Lucas, and Leo!”
“ve! We saw your name on the lineup but thought this festival might be too small for you!” Liam’s voice rolls over me like a warm tide, and they all turn, faces lighting up in a way that confuses me.
“You look great shining like the star you are,” Henry teases, his grin infectious, and it chips away at the wall I’ve built around the memory of their sudden exit.
“Missed your energy, ,” Lucas adds, his eyes crinkling with the honesty of his words.
“Feels like forever, doesn’t it?” Leo’s soft-spoken remark tugs at a laugh from me—a sound that feels like releasing a breath I didn’t know I was holding.
They’re acting so nice and normal.
My fingers fidget with the edge of my shirt, the sharp sting of their abandonment still lurking beneath the surface even as my soul soaks in this unexpected warmth.
“Can’t believe it’s really you,” Liam says, stepping forward to close the distance.
“It’s great to see you all,” I confess, and it’s like exhaling a secret I didn’t know I needed to tell. “This is-”
I start to introduce my alphas, forgetting they’re famous in their own right, but Leo cuts me off. “The Edge! We know!”
Henry steps forward and sticks out a hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Their postures are casual, a study in nonchalance, but their focus is locked onto me, fierce and unyielding as they shake their hands.
I giggle, but that doesn’t quite mask the flutter in my stomach. There’s something about seeing them there, so ready to step in if needed, that sends a warmth to my heart.
Dax catches my eye, his hazel gaze intense enough to start a fire, and he smirks as if he knows exactly what effect he has on me. Jack offers me a cheeky wink that promises mischief while Aiden gives a small, reassuring smile.
Chase leans against a lamppost, his drumming fingers tapping out a silent rhythm, the green of his eyes mirroring mine—a clear signal he’s here for me and only me.
With their support, I dare to ask them what happened. “So, I have to ask, why did you leave the tour so suddenly?”
“Wait,” Liam says, drawing my attention back to him, “you must’ve heard about the headlining act Trevor snagged for us, right?”
I blink, surprised, feeling like I’ve missed a beat. “Actually, no. That’s news to me.”
“Seriously?” Leo pipes up, confusion etched on his face. “We thought you were on board with it. Gave us your blessing.”
“First I’ve heard of it, but I absolutely would have,” I admit, trying to keep my voice even despite the questions swirling in my mind. It seems Trevor’s been playing more than just manager—puppet master might be the better term.
“Damn, we really didn’t want to step on any toes,” Lucas adds, genuine concern creasing his brow. “Especially yours. You were so good to us, . I hope you don’t hate us.”
Henry’s brows knit together, a look of concern replacing the easy camaraderie. “, I…we didn’t know you were out of the loop,” he says, his voice tinged with an apologetic undercurrent that vibrates through the din of the festival. “Seriously, if there was a mix-up, we’re sorry. We honestly thought it was what you wanted.”
I can tell they’re genuinely distressed over the misunderstanding
“Water under the bridge, guys.” I force a smile, determined not to let the past muddy the present. Letting out a soft laugh, I add, “Besides, it looks like everything worked out how it was supposed to, right?”
My former bandmates’ chorus of agreement rises, and I can feel the tension in the group ease.
A warm hand finds my shoulder, grounding me. I don’t need to look up to know it’s Dax. “You okay, ?”
“Better than okay,” I reply, and I mean it. There’s no use feeling sad. I got my alphas out of this move. “Just caught off-guard, is all. Trevor’s got more moves than I gave him credit for.”
“Well, we are done with him,” Jack adds with a smirk, his arm slipping around my waist in a casual yet possessive embrace.
Liam frowns, “Done with him? Do you know why he was fired from the label?”
I only debate a second before deciding to tell them what happened. I like and trust these guys. They deserve to know why to avoid Trevor.
My alphas jump in throughout as I tell them the story. Horror covers their faces by the end.
“I’m so sorry, . Thank fuck he’s gone!” Liam shouts.
“Exactly,” Henry says, relief flooding his features. “For what it’s worth, we’ve all missed you. Your energy…it’s one of a kind.”
“Missed you guys too,” I confess. “But check you out, headliners! That’s massive, and I’m genuinely stoked for you.”
Aiden’s hand gives a reassuring squeeze on my shoulder, grounding me with his quiet strength. Jack’s eyes gleam with pride, the kind that says he’s grateful all this happened so we could find each other.
Liam checks his watch before swearing. “We are on soon, we have to go.”
I glide forward with my arms open wide and start hugging Henry.
A chorus of growls sounds behind me, making Henry stiffen.
I swat my hand behind me. “Ignore them.”
One by one, I pull Liam, Lucas, and Leo into an embrace. I squeeze them tight enough to feel their hearts beat against mine.
I can feel Chase’s possessiveness and jealousy through our bond. It’s easy to guess the others feel the same.
As soon as I release Leo, I’m tugged back into Chase. I fall into his arms, the scent of caramel popcorn washing over me.
Aiden’s hand finds my back, a steady pressure that whispers security. Jack’s laughter rumbles against my ear, a sound as comforting as it is arousing, while Dax’s gaze burns into mine, igniting fires in places that make me blush.
“No more hugging other men,” Jack chastises.
Lucas laughs. “Good luck with that. is friendlier than anyone I’ve ever met.”
We break apart, but their hands linger, fingertips tracing invisible lines of connection along my skin.
My old band takes off, leaving me with my new band and pack.
“Can you believe that?” I muse aloud, my mind replaying the conversation with my old bandmates. “All this time, I thought—”
“Hey,” Jack cuts in, slinging an arm over my shoulders, “It’s good to know what happened. Another thing we can blame Trevor for.”
My body snaps in half as I curl around my abdomen. A sharp cramp forcing a whine out of me.
“?” Aiden asks, panicked.
I force myself to focus through the pain and all-consuming need that my body is overwhelmed by.
It’s my heat. It’s too powerful. Too fast to be anything else.
It came right on time. No matter how much I tried to will it to come a day or two later, it doesn’t work like that.
And I’m going to have to pay for that mistake.