Page 152 of Fame & Chaos

I snort while she looks up at Aston lovingly. “The after-party’s starting. You wanna go?”

“Yeah,” I answer before Aston can. “I’d love to sit around watching idiots get drunk.”

Annie laughs while Aston shakes his head at me.

Together we leave the green room and head toward the ballroom where the after-party’s being held. Thankfully, it’s inside the same venue as the concert because I’m way too hyped to sit through another car ride tonight.

Inside, the room looks incredible. Everything’s styled like an extravagant 1920s ballroom, with vintage décor, gold lighting, jazz music, and staff dressed in old-fashioned uniforms. I have absolutely no idea why they committed so hard to the theme, but it looks cool.

“Wow,” Annie breathes dramatically. “This place is absolutely pulchritudinous.”

Aston and I both stop dead.

“What the fuck did you just say?” he asks.

Annie rolls her eyes immediately. “It means beautiful,” she says smugly. “Susan taught us that word during homeschooling, remember? I’ve been waiting years to use it.”

Aston and I instantly lose it laughing.

Annie straightens proudly, as if she’s just delivered a Nobel Prize speech.

“God, I love you, kid.” I laugh.

She immediately scowls. “I know, I know,” I interrupt before she can start. “You’re not a kid anymore. Blah blah blah… now c’mon, let’s go watch wannabes get drunk.”

She laughs while Aston shakes his head affectionately, and together we head toward one of the large booths, where Ella and Chad soon join us along with the parents.

“Where are the twins?” I ask Sia.

“At home asleep with Dingo’s mother,” she replies. “We thought tonight might be too much for them.”

Dingo immediately snorts. “You know they’re definitely not asleep, right? Mum’s probably got them awake watching movies with her.”

Sia’s eyes widen in horror. “No way!”

Everyone bursts out laughing while she hurriedly slides out of the booth to furiously text someone.

Dingo shakes his head. “Great! I just accidentally started another argument between Sia and Mum.”

I laugh. “Wives, huh?”

He nods dramatically. “Mate, they’re terrifying. Get my mum and my wife together, and suddenly my balls shrivel up and hide under furniture.”

I nearly choke laughing. “Sounds delightful.”

“Oh, it’s fucking ecstasy,” he deadpans.

I raise an eyebrow. “You actually like being married?”

“Mate,” he says seriously. “I fucking love it. Have you seen my wife? She’s hot as hell.” He grins proudly. “When you find the one, Caleb, marry the fuck out of her. Then let her cut off your balls and throw them under the couch because honestly, your life gets way better afterward.”

Shaking his head, laughing, he walks off toward Sia.

I glance around the booth afterward, watching all the couples interact with each other.

Colt and Dee.

Aston and Annie.