22. Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Scarlet
T he energy on stage tonight is off the charts—we’re absolutely killing it, and the crowd is buzzing. But there’s an undeniable tension between Ace and Theo, and I can only hope the fans aren’t picking up on any of it. Though, judging by the crowd’s reaction, they seem completely lost in the music, enjoying the show.
Suddenly, a thought strikes with the force of a freight train: what if this is as good as it gets for me? The question gnaws at my mind, a heavy weight settling on my shoulders. This is what I’ve always dreamed of, but the fear of it slipping away terrifies me. Am I ready to face that reality?
As the song fades out, Xander steps forward, commanding the stage to address the crowd, while Theo and Ace move toward the platform where the drum kit sits. This part of the show is usually a moment for them to take a sip of water and catch their breaths before launching into the next track. But tonight? The tension between them is palpable.
I keep my focus on the crowd, praying that these two idiots don’t come to blows. The deafening roar of the fans fades as I catch Theo shooting a sideways glance at Ace. But Ace? He’s stone-faced, staring straight at Theo. What the hell is going on between them?
While grabbing the bottle of water from the ground beside me, my gaze accidentally locks with Ace’s. There’s something in his eyes—a raw desire that sends a thrill of excitement through me. For the first time, it feels like we’re finally making progress. He’s letting me in, piece by piece, and it’s thrilling.
Every day, I’m falling harder for Ace, and I know it’s dangerous as hell given his unpredictable nature. Sometimes, it feels like he’s on the verge of pushing me away. Yet, there are those surprising moments that catch me off guard—like when he grabbed my hand earlier today in the hotel lobby. He’s never done that before. In those rare glimpses when he lets me in, it feels like something real is forming between us, even if Ace would never admit it.
It’s a bit ironic, really, because despite all the warnings from Nate and Theo to stay the hell away from Ace—especially after whatever happened in that hotel room—I can’t help but laugh at how their antics have somehow pushed us closer. Their attempts to protect me have only tightened the bond Ace and I are building, whether they realize it or not.
Theo gulps down his water, his eyes narrowing into a fierce glare as he turns around to face Ace. He’s definitely pissed. The way Ace and I glanced at each other clearly didn’t go unnoticed. Theo tosses his now empty bottle to the side. As his gaze meets mine, I see a warning in his eyes before he confidently strides back to the opposite side of the stage, purposefully creating distance between himself and Ace.
This shit needs to end. The tension between Theo and Ace is not only affecting their own dynamic, but I can also feel it spreading into Xander and Ace’s. It’s only a matter of time before it all goes to hell.
Maybe I should call a band meeting tonight on the bus. I know it’s not really my place since I’m just a fill-in, but I can’t keep being the reason everyone’s walking on eggshells. These guys should be celebrating their success and living the dream they’ve worked their asses off for, not dealing with this constant tension.
As Xander moves over to grab a drink, Ace plucks a few strings of his guitar, sending the crowd into a frenzy. As soon as Theo joins in, the energy levels soar, making it impossible to overlook the mounting tension between them. This isn’t just music anymore; it’s turned into a competition. Xander, sipping his water, watches the two of them as they inch closer to the middle of the stage.
Each guy is determined to outplay the other, making it more like a pissing contest than a performance. Theo smirks at Ace, a silent challenge passing between them, and Ace meets his gaze without flinching. He steps in even closer, and suddenly, it’s a full-blown guitar showdown.
The crowd eats it up, cheering louder with every note. Theo’s fingers fly over the strings, showing off, pushing Ace to step it up. Ace responds without missing a beat, his eyes locked on Theo’s, daring him to take it further. The sound of their guitars battling it out echoes across the venue.
I glance across at Xander, still watching, a smile tugging on his lips. He knows this isn’t just about the music. It’s personal.
Finally, Ace hits a riff so hard and clean that Theo hesitates for a split second. It’s enough for Ace to step back, smirk in victory, and let the last note hang in the air. The crowd goes wild, their cheers deafening. Theo shakes his head, backing off with a tight grin. As he steps forward, he gives Ace a pat on the shoulder. It’s a small gesture, but it’s enough to give me hope that maybe, just maybe, things can get back to the way they were between them.
The whistles and cheers from the crowd make it clear just how much they loved that showdown. I spot the smiles on both Theo and Ace’s faces, the tension easing just a bit. Xander grins as he strides back to the mic, soaking up the energy. Within seconds, Ace counts us in, and we’re back into the set.
The night’s been unforgettable, the adrenaline still coursing through us as we pile onto the tour bus. Theo drops onto the couch, cradling a half-empty bottle of whiskey. He’s unusually quiet, and though he doesn’t mention it, it’s clear that he misses Nate. The two of us haven’t really talked since that day in Ace’s room, and tonight, I’m determined to change that. I need him to hear me out.
As soon as I sit next to him on the couch, Theo turns his head, offering me a small smile. It’s barely there, but enough to bring out his dimples and reveal a flicker of relief. He knows I’m dropping my guard, letting him in, and that little gesture tells me he’s ready to listen.
He holds out the whisky bottle, and I take it, letting the burn slide down my throat before passing it back.
“You were killing it out there tonight,” Theo says, and despite everything that’s happened, his words resonate with me. That’s the thing about Theo—no matter how frustrated I might feel, he always manages to lift me up.
“So were you,” I reply, a smile creeping onto my face.
"Are we good, Scar?" Theo asks, his gaze steady and searching, like he’s looking for some kind of reassurance.
“Yeah, we’re good,” I reply. “But I wanted to talk to you about some things.” I glance over at Ace and Xander by the fridge, grabbing beers, engrossed in their conversation. I don’t want them overhearing this, so I redirect my attention to Theo. Later, I plan to give Nate a call to have the same conversation. “I know you don’t like what’s been going on between me and Ace,” I say, treading carefully to avoid pushing too hard.
Theo tenses, his jaw tightening before he takes another swig from the bottle. “That’s because I know what he’s like, Scar. He’s solid with us, no question. But with women? He views them as nothing more than a distraction, a way to escape. Nate and I… we just don’t want you to be another notch on his belt. You deserve better than that.”
His words hit hard, but I can’t deny there’s some truth in them.
“I know what I’m doing, Theo,” I say, striving to sound confident.
He searches my eyes, a look of concern etched on his face. “Don’t fall in love with him, Scar. He’ll only break your heart.”
I hold his gaze, letting his words sink in, the weight of the situation pressing down on me.
“Please tell me you haven’t already gone there, Scar,” he says, his voice softening into a near whisper, almost pleading.
I can’t bring myself to answer; the silence between us speaks volumes.
I glance down, picking at a loose thread on my ripped jeans, avoiding Theo’s intense gaze. He’s watching me closely, reading every subtle shift in my body language. I don’t know how to tell him it’s already too late—that I’ve fallen hard for Ace—without setting him off. I dread seeing the disappointment or frustration flicker across his face.
“Fuck, Scar,” Theo mutters, reaching for my hand. His touch is rough but oddly comforting. “He’ll never love you. You know that, right? He’s broken, just like me.”
The words hit hard, and I swallow, struggling to keep it together. I can’t ignore the truth in what he’s saying, even if it hurts like hell.
I lift my head, meeting his gaze. “But you loved Bianca.”
“Yeah, I did. Loved her more than life itself,” he admits, his voice cracking as tears glisten in his eyes. The pain of that love, of losing her, is etched all over his face, and it hits me hard. Theo loved Bianca with everything he had, and I know that kind of love doesn’t just fade away. It scars you, changes you forever.
“I don’t want you to get hurt,” he continues, his tone heavy with concern. I can feel the weight of his words, and it’s crushing. He doesn’t want me to endure the same pain he did.
“I don’t want that either, Theo. But I can’t help who I love,” I reply, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. He releases my hand and pulls me closer, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.
“I know you can’t,” he murmurs, planting a gentle kiss on the top of my head. “I just want you to know that when that time comes—when he can’t return that love—I’ll want to kill the asshole for hurting you. But I’m always here for you, Scar. Always.”
I lean into him, grateful for his support, even as I step into something I know I can't fully control.
“Please don’t hold a grudge against him. I don’t want to come between the two of you,” I say.
Theo sighs, resting his cheek against the top of my head. “Don’t worry. It’s just what we do. We piss each other off, but we always come around. It’s just gonna take a little longer for me and Nate this time because… well, he should never have gotten involved with you, Scar. I think it’s going to take even longer for Nate to forgive him.”
We sit quietly for a while, the adrenaline from the night slowly fading. The bus doors close with a soft hiss, and the engine hums to life. Xander and Ace wander over and take their seats on the couch across from us. When Ace’s eyes meet mine, there’s a brief spark of connection, but he quickly looks away. Theo feels it too; I can sense his body tense beside me, wrestling with the reality of what’s going on between Ace and me.
I push myself up from the couch, creating some distance to allow the guys to work things out, hoping they can communicate or at least try to repair their strained relationship.
“Where are you going?” Theo asks.
I turn back to him and flash a light smile, hoping to ease the tension just a little. “I’ll leave you guys to talk.”
Before I can step away, Theo grabs my hand and pulls me back down onto the couch. “Fuck that, Scar. This is what we do after a great night. We sit and celebrate.”
I raise an eyebrow, smirking. “Funny, I thought it was usually you finding a groupie."
He grins, that familiar Theo charm breaking through. "No, not when we're on the bus. Though, that hasn't stopped me from trying to sneak one on, but it just doesn't feel the same without Nate."
Theo turns his head, and I catch the brief moment when his gaze meets Ace’s. Ace quickly looks away as soon as Xander’s voice breaks the silence.
“That little guitar battle you guys did,” Xander says. “You should do that shit again.”
I glance over at him and spot a smirk on Xander's lips. “And next time, Ace, how about letting the dickhead win at least once?” he adds, throwing Theo a grin.
“Fuck off,” Theo replies, rolling his eyes. “I let the asshole win.”
“Yeah, right,” Ace shoots back. “The day you win will be the day I fucking let you.”
Theo grins. “Keep dreaming, old man. Even a broken guitar can play a decent tune. You’re living proof.”
“Coming from the guy who thinks three chords make a masterpiece, that’s rich.”
Theo raises his whisky bottle in a mock toast. “Hey, better three solid chords than six strings of pure bullshit, right?”
With each passing hour of the night, the atmosphere undergoes a gradual transformation, accompanied by the constant hum of the bus as it makes its way to the next city, seven hours away.
When Ace and I made our way down to the lake earlier today, there was one of those rare moments—just the two of us, sitting on a bench with ice creams in our hands. That’s when he started opening up about his mom. He said it feels like the walls are caving in with all the bullshit stories she keeps spinning, and how the media won’t stop hounding Kit to get his side of things. I understand why he doesn’t want to go there. I’ve watched Theo struggle with memories that send him spiraling. The past has such a tight grip on them both, even when all they want is for it to vanish. But the truth is, it won’t vanish—not until they confront it head-on.
Xander left us about an hour ago and made his way to the back of the bus after getting a call from Poppy. So now it’s just the three of us. Nursing the last drops of his whisky, Theo remains sprawled out on the couch. It’s clear he’s lingering, his eyes darting between Ace and me, as if waiting for one of us to retreat to the bunk beds in the back. The last time we found ourselves in this situation, Theo had no problem leaving me alone with Ace. But now that he knows about our secret affair, I’m pretty sure he’s sticking around, convinced he’s playing the ultimate cock block for Ace.
Theo’s had way too much to drink. He’s gone quiet, sinking into a brooding silence, clearly stewing over whatever’s on his mind. “Why, Scar?” he asks Ace. “Why not just fuck a groupie instead? Why’d you have to go there, man?”
Turning my head to Ace, I hope this conversation won't escalate any further. His gaze locks onto Theo’s, and I see him swallow hard before glancing down at the empty bottle in his hand. He fiddles with the label, making me wonder if he’s trying to ignore Theo. But then he looks up, meeting Theo's gaze, and I brace myself for what’s coming next.
“It’s not about just fucking around with groupies, Theo. This is different.” Ace's voice is steady but tight.
Theo blinks, clearly trying to wrap his head around Ace's words. “Come on, Ace. I know you better than that. You really expect me to believe that you fucking care for her?”
Ace’s gaze hardens. “Yeah, you could say that. And I know you won’t remember this shit in the morning.”
Theo remains skeptical, his brow furrowing. “You think you’re fooling anyone? You’re not exactly the poster boy for long-term relationships. So what makes this one different?”
Ace’s jaw tightens as he glares at Theo. “Look, I’m not here to convince you of anything. I just know it’s not the same as the other shit.”
Theo scoffs, clearly not buying it. “Oh really? Since when did you become the expert on feelings?”
I can feel my patience wearing thin, caught in the middle of their escalating argument and the tension that’s suffocating the room. “I’m heading to bed,” I say, my frustration seeping through. “I can’t deal with this right now.”
Without waiting for a response, I head towards the back of the bus, needing to escape and find a little space to breathe.