Page 71 of Fame & Chaos

“Yeah,” she says quickly. “I’ve got this.”

Before I can say anything else, Colt claps his hands loudly. “Okay, everyone, listen up! Can I get your attention for a minute?”

I kiss the side of Annie’s head before moving over toward my mic stand while the room slowly quiets.

“So obviously there’s a reason everyone’s here tonight,” Colt begins while grinning. “And what I haven’t told you is that Rob Luxley will be here in about ten minutes to listen to you guys perform.”

My entire body freezes.

What?

“I think you’re all ready for this,” Colt continues proudly. “He’s heard us talking about the band nonstop, and he wants to see your potential for himself.”

“Oh my God, Dad. Are you fucking serious?” Annie asks, her voice coming out louder than intended.

“Very serious, and don’t swear, Annie,” he replies. “But don’t get ahead of yourselves. Your sound is different. More modern. He might not connect with it. And that’s okay. Rejection is part of this industry.”

Holy. Fucking. Shit.

My mouth literally falls open while my heart launches into my throat. I’ve wanted this band to go somewhere for as long as I can remember, and now an actual agent is coming here to watch us play?

Annie and Ella both shriek excitedly while Aston looks as stunned as I feel.

And all of a sudden, every ounce of sadness weighing me down vanishes beneath a tidal wave of adrenaline and excitement.

I look over at Dad, and he grins knowingly at me like he knew this would pull me out of my head.

This is everything I’ve ever wanted. A real shot at becoming the musician I’ve dreamed about being my entire life. A chance to follow the family legacy and make music people care about. Music the world might one day hear.

Music Indi always believed I was capable of making.

And right now, standing in this room with my guitar in my hands and excitement rushing through me so hard I can barely breathe…

I don’t think life could get any better than this.

Chapter Twelve

Caleb

I’m so caught up in my excitement that I barely notice the doorbell ringing. Colt heads out to answer it, and I turn straight toward Dad.

“Holy shit, Dad, why didn’t you warn me?”

“Because you would’ve freaked out,” he says with a grin.

I nod as nerves slam into me full force. My stomach twists violently while butterflies batter around inside me like they’re trying to escape through my ribs. It’s the weirdest feeling, but I fucking love it and I can’t wait for Rob to hear us play.

We’re good. I know we are. And for the first time in days, my head isn’t completely consumed by Indi. Music is finally dragging me out of that dark place.

Even though a part of me still wishes she were here.

Indi always loved hearing me sing. Every song I ever wrote, every lyric I obsessed over, she was there for all of it. Sharing this moment with her would have meant everything to me.

But that’s not happening.

So there’s no point torturing myself thinking about it.

Across the room, I notice Annie and Aston very obviously avoiding each other. The tension between them is painful to watch, and I silently pray they get their shit together before Rob walks in.