Page 53 of Fame & Rhythm

Clean and tight.

But something feels… off.

Still, the adrenaline is too strong, the high too good. I push through, riding it out as we bring the song to a powerful finish.

When the final note hits, I finally look at Rob.

He’s grinning.

Wide.

Almost unnaturally so, like the Cheshire cat, and relief floods me.

We did it.

We continue through the final beat, and when we stop, Rob claps, stepping forward.

I take a small, cocky bow, the energy still buzzing through me, and laughter bubbles out of me before I can stop it. The rest of the room joins in with the applause, but I barely hear it over the rush in my ears.

“Well,” Rob says, “I’ve seen enough.”

He turns to Dad, and they step aside to talk.

I blink.

That’s it?

Just two songs?

A flicker of doubt creeps in, but I shove it down quickly. We were incredible. I know we were.

Aston steps up beside me. “Nice solo, Lennox,” he murmurs. “Really added something.”

Relief hits instantly, and I grin and lean into him, wrapping an arm around his waist. He slides his arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer, and I settle into him without thinking. I glance over at Ella, who’s smirking at me like she knows exactly what’s going on, and I smile wider.

We nailed it.

I wrap my other arm around Aston, holding onto him as the adrenaline slowly starts to settle.

He leans in, his nose brushing against my hair—

And my brain finally catches up.

Wait.

Is he… nuzzling me?

I feel Aston shift closer, his body brushing mine, and then he presses a kiss to the top of my head, and my breath catches.

That… is not something friends do.

And as much as a part of me wants to stay right here, wrapped up in him, I know what that looks like. I know what it means.

I pull away, stepping back, putting space between us, my brows furrowing as I look at him.

He stares back, confusion flickering across his face.

Seriously?