Page 263 of Fame & Chaos

Colt clears his throat. “We’re just waiting for Aston and Rob. Then we’ll figure out how we’re handling this.”

I reluctantly let Annie go and lean back in my chair. “How bad do you think this is going to get?”

Colt doesn’t sugarcoat it. “It could be serious. Drugs, plus a photo scandal? That’s not something people forget quickly.” His gaze flicks to me. “I just hope Annie understands the position she’s put all of you in.”

Annie stiffens. “I know, Dad.” She sighs. “You don’t need to keep going on about it.”

Colt stands, and the argument between them begins before I can stop it.

I tune most of it out until movement at the doorway catches my attention.

Aston.

Rob.

Both of them stand there listening.

Annie notices them too. “You know what?” She pushes herself to her feet. “Why don’t you all decide what happens without me?” She looks around the room. “After all, I am the reason you’re h-here.” Her voice cracks, and her eyes fill. “If throwing me out of the band saves Staked…” She shrugs. “Then do it.” Nobody says a word. “I already hate myself enough.” She storms past Aston and Rob before anyone can stop her.

“Annie!” Colt calls after her, but she doesn’t even slow down.

The room falls silent again, and I glance at Aston.

He watches the doorway she just disappeared through, his expression saying everything he isn’t.

If that had been Indi… I don’t think I’d have handled it half as well.

Finally, Aston clears his throat. “I’ll go.”

Colt hesitates for a moment before nodding. “Okay.”

Aston disappears after her.

The silence that follows is almost unbearable.

Rob exhales slowly. “I think we’ll get through this.”

Hearing those words lifts a little of the weight from my shoulders. If anyone can steer us through this mess, it’s Rob.

Across the room, Ella sits quietly by herself while Chad scrolls aimlessly through his phone. None of us knows what to say, so we simply wait.

For what seems like forever.

With everything that’s happened to Annie, I can’t help thinking about my own secrets.

If the truth about Sasha ever surfaced…

Or the fact that Indi and I are back together…

It could create another media storm before we’ve even recovered from this one.

The sound of footsteps breaks through my thoughts, and I look up.

Aston walks back into the room.

Annie is beside him.

Every conversation stops.