Page 42 of Fame & Rhythm

He leans his head back against the couch. “So… wanna jam?”

I laugh and stare at him. “We just had a massive heart-to-heart, and now you want to jam like nothing happened?”

He smirks. “Music makes me feel better, and I know it does the same for you. I figured if we played together, it might shake off some of the leftover tension.”

I smile properly for the first time all day. “Okay. But only if we play a Staked song.”

He laughs and gets to his feet, walking over to grab the guitars. “Okay, sure.”

I stand and go to take mine from him.

***

It’s late, and I need to go back to bed, even though I spent all morning and most of the afternoon there. I ended up hanging out with Dad for a couple of hours, playing Staked songs, and I’m so glad things feel less strained between us now. It’s funny how music can pull people back together after everything’s gone sideways.

Even so, my thoughts keep drifting to Aston.

He’s been on my mind all day.

Maybe it’s because we were playing our songs. Maybe it’s because of last night. Either way, the anger I felt toward him has started to soften, replaced by something closer to sympathy. If he really feels something for me beyond friendship, then we’re going to have to sort that out, because there is no way anything can happen within the band. That’s just asking for trouble, and Staked matters too much to risk it.

After saying goodnight to everyone, I head upstairs. It’s only a little after ten, but I’m wiped out. The emotional whiplash of the last twenty-four hours has completely drained me. As I climb the stairs, I make a mental note to text Caleb and thank him properly. It meant so much that he was there for me when I needed him.

When I step into my room, that now-familiar vibration rattles against my bedside table. I close the door behind me and glance toward the flashing screen. The room is dim except for the soft glow of the purple lanterns strung along my bedhead, casting everything in a dreamy haze. It gives my room a romantic sort of feel, which is ironic, because while I guess I am a romantic at heart, the idea of having a boyfriend still feels like something I’m not ready for.

Not now.

Music is too important to me, and I’m not about to let anything get in the way of that.

I move over to the bed and see Aston’s name lighting up my screen again. I let out a breath and sink onto the mattress, staring at the phone while it vibrates in my hand. Honestly, I’m a little surprised he didn’t just turn up today, but he was probably too worried I’d told Dad everything. And if Dad knew what had actually happened, Aston would be lucky to survive the conversation.

The phone stops vibrating.

A second later, it starts up again.

I frown.

The guy really doesn’t know when to quit.

I left my phone up here all day because I had a feeling he’d keep calling like this, and if I’m being honest… I miss him. It’s been nearly twenty-two hours since I last spoke to him, which is ridiculous for us. We never go that long without talking.

As the screen goes dark again, I tell myself that if he rings one more time, I’m turning the phone off. But as I sit there staring at it, waiting for it to light up again, another thought creeps in. What if I keep ignoring him until he gives up? And even though I definitely do not want him as a boyfriend, I still want my best friend.

That thought alone makes my heart kick up.

What happens to the band if this gets weird between us? A group can’t function properly if two members are dodging each other, pretending nothing’s wrong. That’s a disaster waiting to happen.

I need to talk to him.

I pick up my phone and swipe to bring up his number just as it starts vibrating again in my hand. I jump slightly, then laugh under my breath before answering, “Hello?”

Aston exhales loudly. “Jesus, Annie. Did you take long enough to answer?” His tone is half teasing, half serious, and I’m not entirely sure which side wins.

“Yeah, sorry. I’ve been a bit out of it today.”

“Well, I’m just glad you finally answered,” he says, and I can hear the relief in his voice. “You were driving me crazy. I was worried about you… and about how you reacted last night.”

I bite my bottom lip. “I was just feeling weird, and I needed to get away for a bit.”