Allie
Holy shit.
That’s the only thought crashing through my mind as we step through the double doors of The Wren House.
Silver, gold, and sleek black decorations cover every inch of the floor—hell, even the ceiling.
Waiters weave through the crowd, balancing circular trays brimming with champagne flutes and appetizers so tiny they wouldn’t even fill my pinky.
And… is that seriously an ice sculpture?
There’s so much going on it makes my head spin, never mind poor Jax.
I glance over and catch the color draining from his face, his eyes wide as they dart over every passing guest. He offers stiff nods and robotic hellos, probably thinking he’s being polite when, honestly?
He’s one curved lip away from scaring someone to death.
I grab his hand and give it a gentle squeeze, hoping it grounds him even just a little. He’s been my rock through my whole mess without me having to ask, or a single complaint. Now it’s my turn to be his.
His eyes meet mine, and he offers the faintest smile. It’s small, but it’s at least something. He draws in a deep breath, holds it for a second, then exhales shakily.
I lean in, my voice low. “You’ve got this.”
He nods slowly, and I swear I can already see a hint of color creeping back into his cheeks.
Scanning over the crowd one more time, I’m still in shock as to how many people are here.
Then I’m sucked into a trance of déjà vu. Right back to when I saw them in this very city just a few short months ago. Their first ever meet and greet, and how many fans rallied together to be here for them. And how beautiful of a moment that was to be a part of.
And now I get to be a part of this? My chest tightens, but before I can even process the thought, something—or rather someone—catches my eye from across the room.
I blink, thinking I must be imagining it. But no.
Oh my god. It’s him.
Alex Langford. Lead singer and rhythm guitarist of Dead Last.
Bottom Line might have always been my top metal band, but deep down I had a serious soft spot for pop punk. It was definitely more of a love-hate relationship, but when it came to Dead Last? Their songs were sacred. Skip one in my car, and we were going to throw hands.
Before I even register what I’m doing, my hand flies to Jax’s arm, tapping frantically.
He peers down, brows drawn. “What is it, Al?”
I slowly lift a finger, pointing. “Is that…”
His eyes follow my finger. He stares for a moment, squinting before recognition seems to finally hit. “No fucking way,” he mutters—and bolts toward Alex.
The second he leaves my side, my heart drops so hard I swear it bounces off the floor. I freeze, blinking as confusion washes over me. And all I can do is watch in silence, wishing I could disappear beneath the floorboards.
Because as far as I know, I just pointed out Jax’s sworn enemy.
He reaches Alex in a few quick strides, taps him on the shoulder, and I can’t help but watch everything unfold from ten feet away.
It’s like my body forgot how to move as I stand here, completely frozen.
Watching my two favorite lead singers get into some kind of scuffle was definitely not on my bingo card.
Everything moves in slow motion as Alex finally turns. Jax raises his arm, and my heart lodges itself in my throat—
But then Alex laughs. And Jax wraps an arm around him.
Wait… what the hell?
I’m not entirely sure what I was expecting, but it definitely wasn’t this—the two of them hugging like they’re old friends.
Maybe they are old friends?
I still haven’t moved. My brain short-circuits every few seconds, too overwhelmed to notice right away when Jax starts waving me over with a huge grin.
My heart is hammering in my chest as my feet start moving on autopilot toward him.
Be cool, Allie. Like when you first met Jax. He didn’t know you were a fan then. You pulled it off once. You can do it again.
Jax snakes an arm around my waist, and I stand there completely rigid. I don’t think I could move even if I wanted to. It’s like I just turned to stone.
“Allie, I want you to meet my good friend, Alex,” he says. “We shared a stage during the Blackout Tour. Alex, this is Allie, my girlfriend.”
Alex offers a warm smile and dips his head. “Nice to meet you, Allie.”
My insides combust. “Pleasure’s all mine,” I manage, hoping my face doesn’t totally give away that I’m definitely fangirling so hard I might pass out.
“Are you the reason this place is packed? Don expected thirty people, tops,” Jax teases with a laugh.
Alex glances around. “Could be the open bar and zero invitation policy. Not your label’s smartest move—but hey, at least no one’s trashed anything… yet.”
Jax chuckles and nods. “Speaking of the open bar, can I grab you guys a drink?”
“Oh, we’re good,” Alex says, gesturing to the guy beside him.
Wait. He had someone with him this whole time?
The guy raises his nearly empty glass. “La mía está casi vacía,” he says with a nod.
I blink, only catching about half of that. Okay... maybe none of that.
I glance at Jax, already nearing panic. “I—uh…”
Great. Now I’m glitching in front of Alex, too.
Jax just smiles and presses a quick kiss to my forehead. “I know, love. I’ll see if they have any.”
And just like that—he’s gone.
Gone. And now I’m alone. With Alex. Freaking. Langford.
Is this my life now?
My eyes stay glued to where Jax disappeared, my safe spot, as my knees threaten to buckle.
It feels absurd—feeling so completely alone in a room full of people, just because he’s no longer within arm’s reach.
But that’s just how it is now. Every time he walks away, it’s like the strings in my heart get pulled tighter with every inch of distance between us.
Alex clears his throat, and my gaze snaps to him. “This is, uh… Angel,” he says, gesturing to his friend. “He was also with us on the Blackout Tour.”
I manage a small smile. “Hi, Angel.”
He tips his head politely. “Hola.”
Alex quickly jabs Angel in the side, though Angel barely reacts. “This fucker does speak English, by the way. He’s just pretending not to.”
“Güey, you never let me have fun. She didn’t even think she was having a stroke yet,” Angel whines.
I sputter a laugh, covering my mouth with my hand.
“So, tell me. How did you and Jax meet?” Alex asks, taking a small sip from his glass.
I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, trying not to laugh at the memory. “I, uh, practically mowed him down in the wine aisle.”
Alex chuckles. “Must have been a good bottle of wine.”
I nod, about to explain more, but then something stops me.
And by something, I mean a sound that’s eerily familiar.
It takes every bit of focus I have to block out the conversations around me as I strain to listen to the surround sound.
Finally, the opening chords start, and I know immediately.
Heat creeps up my neck. The noises all around me fade away, and all I hear is the faint melody of the song.
The song I know all too well.
“Wow,” Alex breathes beside me. “This is nothing like their usual stuff.”
My eyes lock on Jax’s back at the bar, and I can’t move. But this time it’s not nerves. Not anxiety. No. For the first time, I think… I think I’m actually mad at him.
“Are you okay, Allie?” Alex asks softly, giving my arm a gentle tap.
I try to force a smile but fail. “Y-yeah.”
Jax returns, handing Angel a glass of scotch and setting down a perfect pink moscato in front of me.
But I don’t want it.
I don’t want anything right now.
“You okay, Al?” Jax asks, concern lacing his tone.
Before I even realize it, my heels click against the tile as my body moves on autopilot toward the nearest door, away from him. My eyes land on the perfect place, a balcony that thankfully seems empty.
“Al!” Jax calls from behind me, but I don’t stop.
I burst through the double doors, immediately feeling the chill of the October air whip along my shoulders. Goosebumps explode down my arms as I race to the banister, lean against it, and try to catch my breath.
Tears prick my eyes before I even notice. My palms flatten against the cobblestone railing as I brace myself. The feeling of betrayal swallows me whole as I overlook the city.
Then warm hands appear on my shoulders, and as nice as they feel, I don’t want them right now.
He goes to turn me, but I spin around faster.
“What’s—”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask, tears already spilling down my cheeks.
He stammers, his eyes darting across my face. “Tell you what?”
I tilt my head and jab my finger toward the party still going on inside. “That’s our song, Jax. You didn’t tell me it was going on the record for the whole world to have.”
His expression falters. “I… I wanted it to be a surprise. I didn’t think—”
“You didn’t ask!” I snap, my voice cracking on the last word. “That song was private. Just… ours. And now… now the whole world will have it.”
He flinches, like he’s just put two and two together.
He pauses, and I can see the gears turning in his head as the guilt slowly creeps in.
“I—Allie, I didn’t mean…” He steps closer, hesitating.
Then, carefully, he cups my face in his hands.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I should’ve asked. I should’ve run it by you first.”
I pull back slightly, searching his crystal-blue eyes. “I love that you want to share your love with the world. And just because I’m upset right now doesn’t mean I’m not proud of you. I just… wish I knew,” I say with a shrug.
He wraps his arms around me, and I’m pulled into the warmth of him, finally letting myself lean in. My shoulders loosen just a little—not completely, but enough to feel a fraction of relief.
“We can leave if you want,” he offers softly. I can tell he really doesn’t want to leave now, but I know if I said yes, he wouldn’t hesitate to haul me out of here. And as upset as I am, there’s no way I’m ruining what’s supposed to be one of the biggest nights of his life.
I force a small smile and shake my head. “No. Not right now.” I grab his hand, covering it with mine when I feel it already turning cold. “Right now, I want to celebrate with my favorite band.”
“You mean Dead Last?” he asks with a raised brow.
I playfully swat his shoulder. “You don’t get to crack jokes yet,” I tease, then lay my head against his chest.
I take a shaky breath, still not totally sure how I feel. But his arms are wrapped tight around me, and for now, that’s enough. The sting’s still there, of course. But so is he.
And maybe the song belongs to the world now… but this part? This moment out here in the cold, with his arms around mine? This belongs only to us.