Page 109 of Fame & Rhythm

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.

Chapter Twenty-One

Annie

The show is incredible, filling me with so much excitement and an even deeper love for music that I feel like I might burst. The crowd screams for us, and I’m almost certain they’re chanting “Staked” as Caleb finishes the last notes of our final song.

I glance toward the wings to see Dad smiling, Mum dancing along beside Anna and Sia, Aston and Chad’s mums.

Leaning back into Aston, I feel him rest his head on my shoulder, and a laugh slips from my lips as we play the final chords.

When we finish, we all cheer, throwing our hands into the air.

“We are so glad you could all come out here tonight! Did you have a good time?” Caleb calls, and the girls scream in response.

“Well, that’s all we’ve got time for, and coming up next is the band you’ve all been waiting for… 12GAUGE-Slayed! We love you all, and this show wouldn’t have been the same without you. So if you loved us, just remember… you’ve been Staked.” He drops the mic like the rockstar he is.

I laugh, unplugging my guitar as Aston grabs my hand and lifts it into the air. The crowd roars again. I smile at him, and he chuckles as we walk off stage together, hand in hand, the noise behind us louder than anything I’ve ever heard.

“That was amazing!” I yell over the chaos.

“I know, I’m buzzing,” he replies, grinning.

There’s a bounce in my step as we head down the stairs backstage, and Dad meets me at the bottom, pulling me into a hug. “Well done, Annie. You were incredible,” he says, pride clear in his voice.

“Thanks, Dad. Now go show them how it’s really done,” I reply, and he smiles as Johnny claps him on the back.

“Ready?” Johnny asks.

Dad nods, then leans down to kiss my head. “Go celebrate. We’ll all celebrate properly after.”