Page 169 of Fame & Rhythm

“Right, well, if we’re all done with the niceties, let’s get back to the elephant in the room, shall we?” Rob says, and Dad steps back, nodding.

Aston takes my hand again, and we move to the spare spot on the couch.

“Okay, so obviously, Annie, these photographs are not a great thing for any of us to deal with. But in saying that, I think any publicity for the band is good publicity,” he says, and we all look at him, confused.

“What do you mean?” Dad asks.

“Well, just like when you and Hux went into rehab and when Dee had her accident… it was all bad publicity, right?” Rob says, and Dad furrows his brow, nodding.

“Well, think about what happened after those events, Colt.” Dad’s expression shifts slowly, a knowing smile forming. “The fans wanted more of us. They wanted to see the recovery. And when we came back, we hit harder, and they loved us even more for it.”

“Exactly,” Rob says. “So we control the narrative. We put out a statement… something like, ‘Annie had a moment of weakness and got caught up with the wrong people.’ Aston stepped in, brought her back. Now you’re together again, it works perfectly. Annie was struggling, things spiraled, the band felt it. But now she’s getting help, and Staked is back on track.”

I blink at him, stunned by how easily he turns something so messy into something almost… hopeful.

“With that angle, I can fast-track a tour. If you’re all on board?” Rob asks.

“What do you think? Annie? Aston?” Dad says.

I glance at Aston, raising a brow. He nods, steady and sure, and I feel myself relax.

“Sounds good to me. You really think we can spin this into a positive?” I ask.

Rob smiles. “Annie, for a band as talented as yours, I can spin anything. The world needs Staked, and they’re going to get them. Your tour will start soon, and you’ll be headlining for the first time. You can even choose your own backing band.”

I smirk at Aston.

“Not Red Velvet.”

He huffs out a laugh. “Yeah… that’d be awkward.”

A few knowing smiles pass around the room.

“Have a think about it,” Rob says. “I’ll start making calls. We need to ride this wave before it dies down. Staked needs to be everywhere… London to Los Angeles. This could be the making of you. From tragedy comes triumph… and you, my little Stakettes, are about to hit superstardom. As long as we can all agree to behave from here on out,” he adds, looking straight at me.

I nod, meeting his gaze. “Promise. No more acting out.”

“Well, this is fucking great news. I came here today thinking the band would be over, and it’s only just beginning. Thanks, Rob, you really know how to make things work for us,” Caleb says, and I smile at him.

I know how much this dream means to him. How badly he wants to make Uncle Hux and Dad proud after everything they’ve done for him. Sometimes I think he feels like he owes them, but from what I’ve heard, he’s the one who gave them a new lease on life.

Caleb came into their lives at the right time. Mum’s told me enough to know Uncle Hux wasn’t always the man I see now. He lost Macy for a long time, and it broke him in ways I understand more than I’d like to admit. They were apart far longer than Aston and I ever were, and it nearly destroyed him.

I glance at Aston, my chest tightening slightly.

I get it now.

Losing the person who anchors you… it changes everything.

But they found their way back. And because of that, we’re all here.

Still standing.

Still fighting for something that matters.

***

We spent the rest of yesterday afternoon talking through how we’d move forward and who we wanted as the backing band. Ella was adamant she wanted Recoil, and I have a feeling that has everything to do with Danger. No one argued, so Rob said he’d check their availability. Ella hasn’t stopped smiling since. I’m definitely going to ask her what’s going on there.