Page 153 of Fame & Chaos

Dingo and Sia.

And suddenly, all I can think about is Indi, because that same deep connection exists between us too. That kind of love that survives everything.

I pull out my cell phone, unlock it, and instantly smile at the photograph on my screen. It’s one I secretly took of us lying in bed together the other night. She’s curled into my side with no makeup, hair messy from sleep and sex, and she looks so naturally beautiful it physically hurts.

Completely perfect.

I open my messages and start typing quickly.

Me: Hey, baby, I know you’re working. Just wanted to let you know the show’s finished. It was incredible tonight. I’m at the after-party now, but I hope to leave within the hour so I can talk to you when you finish work, if you’re not too exhausted. I hope tonight’s shift is treating you a little better. Miss you already. xo

I hit send and glance around the booth. Everyone’s paired off into their own conversations now, laughing and talking amongst themselves, so I decide I may as well grab a drink while I wait for Indi to hopefully message me back.

Sliding out of the booth, I head toward the bar while scrolling aimlessly through Instagram on my cell phone. The room is packed now, full of people I don’t recognize. Other bands linger while VIP guests wearing lanyards mingle nearby, drinking overpriced champagne and pretending they’re important.

Thankfully, because we were a last-minute addition to tonight’s lineup and still relatively unknown, nobody’s really bothering us.

Honestly, it’s kinda nice.

The atmosphere feels good. Everyone seems genuinely happy to be here, and after the insane rush of tonight’s performance, I’m still floating on adrenaline. Then, suddenly, a cold shiver crawls slowly up my spine. The feeling is so sharp and unsettling that it cuts through my high.

You know when people say it feels like someone walked over your grave?

That.

My head slowly lifts from my cell as awareness prickles across the back of my neck. I can feel eyes on me. Turning slightly, I notice a woman sitting on the stool beside mine.

Dark hair.

Familiar figure.

Her hair hangs partially across her face, making it hard to place her immediately. Frowning slightly, I look back down at my cell as the bartender approaches. “What can I get you?”

“Just a Coke, thanks, mate.”

While he prepares the drink, the strange feeling doesn’t leave.

If anything, it gets worse.

Unease twists low in my stomach now, and suddenly I don’t really feel like being at the bar anymore. The second the bartender hands over my drink, I grab it and start turning away.

That’s when the woman beside me speaks, “Caleb… don’t you recognize me?”

The familiar voice stops me dead.

Turning back toward her, she finally lifts her face fully.

Sasha.

Jesus.

Her hair’s dyed almost black now, which explains why I didn’t recognize her straight away.

“Oh… hey,” I say awkwardly. “Your hair’s darker.”

Her smile stretches unnaturally wide. “You noticed?” She flicks the dark strands over her shoulder while staring at me intensely.

“Yeah…” I shift uncomfortably. “So, ah… what are you doing here?”