Page 57 of Fame & Rhythm

Everything we’ve just been given.

I don’t know how to balance it.

I don’t know how to feel both things at once.

And I hate that I pushed Aston away like that.

Friends hug—that’s normal—and it didn’t have to mean anything more.

God, I’m an idiot.

“Annie,” Mum says softly, pulling back. “There’s something I need to talk to you about.”

“Yeah?”

“You did amazing tonight,” she says. “But you can’t go against the band the way you did. You’re a team. You have to work together, not try to outshine each other. Do you understand?”

My shoulders drop. “Yeah… I do. I just got caught up in the moment. It felt right. I needed to get it out, and the only way I could was through my guitar.”

She smiles gently and pulls me into another hug. “You are incredibly talented,” she says. “And when you’re in that zone, it’s beautiful to watch. But if you have an idea like that, you hold onto it. You talk it through with the band after. Then you decide together if it works.”

“Okay,” I murmur. “I get it.”

She tilts my chin up slightly. “And stop overthinking yourself. There’s nothing wrong with you. You’re young. Your emotions are all over the place, and things feel bigger than they are. That’s normal. It settles with time.”

I huff softly. “You know I hate waiting.”

She laughs. “I know. But this one? You don’t get a choice.”

“Great.”

She kisses my forehead. “Now go celebrate.” She heads off toward Ella, and I linger for a moment before moving over to where Caleb, Chad, Aston, Dingo, and Uncle Hux are talking.

My eyes go straight to Aston.

I need to fix this.

I need him to know I didn’t mean it like that.

I step closer—close enough that our arms brush.

Close enough that he has to feel it.

He looks down at me, confusion still sitting in his eyes.

I don’t think.

I just move.

My hand grazes his, my pinky brushing lightly against his skin. The contact sparks instantly, heat rushing through me, setting every nerve alight.

He holds my gaze for a second, then his expression hardens, and he shakes his head.

Then he pulls his hand away.

The space between us feels instant.

Sharp.