“We saw the viral videos!” Macy exclaims, still beaming. “So we hopped on a plane. Surprise!”
Makenna raises a brow. “Mom didn’t mention that touring with a band also meant becoming a member of it.”
“I didn’t know it did,” I say honestly. “In fact, it doesn’t!”
They exchange a look, then turn back to me.
“You looked happy up there,” Makenna says finally. “That’s new.”
“It is. I am.”
There’s a pause while I try to determine how Makenna is feeling, but I still can’t read her when Macy breaks the silence with a dramatic gasp.
“Wait. Are we about to get the full meet-the-boyfriend moment?”
“Well, I’m not going to pull him off stage,” I huff. “If you behave, you can meet him after the show. Come on, follow me.”
I lead them backstage through a maze of cables, crates, and the crew, ducking us into a quieter space off to the side of the stage. From our position, we can still see Grayson and the band as they play their hearts out, the crowd electric and screaming every lyric along with them.
Macy presses as close as she can get before going on stage herself, her eyes wide with excitement and intrigue.
“This issocool. Do you get to watch from here every night? Grayson iswayhotter in person, by the way.”
“She gets to watch from here when she’s not out there with them,” Makenna says, standing with her arms still crossed a few steps behind us. Her eyes flicker from me to the stage. Is she… impressed?
“Actually,” I say, very matter-of-factly. “I spend most of my time in the media booth, or out in the crowd taking pictures. Asyou can see, I don’t spend the whole show out there with the band.”
Macy turns to face me.
“You belong out there, Mia. Seriously. You and Grayson are magnetic.”
I laugh, but something tightens in my chest.
“I had no idea what I was getting into when Grayson asked me to go on this tour. But I love him, and it felt right. It still feels right.”
Makenna finally gives me her full attention, eyes full of emotion. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look more alive.”
Finally hearing her say it, my oldest sister’s approval means everything to me. I’ve never felt like either of my sisters really knew me—understood me—but at this moment, I feel more connected to them than I ever have.
“You know, I’ve spent my whole life playing it safe,” I tell them. “This wasn’t the safe choice, but it feels like the first thing I’ve done in a long time that’s actually for me.”
Makenna nods slowly, like she still doesn’t quite understand—but wants to.
The swell of the music draws our attention back to the stage as Grayson holds the mic out to the crowd, the whole room chanting the last line ofStill Bleeding. The song ends and the crowd erupts again. Grayson looks overwhelmed—in the best way—by the energy of the crowd, sweaty, flushed, and completely alive. This is the version of him I love the most.
“He’s going to be insufferable after this,” I smile, thrilled to see him back in his element on stage.
“Goodnight, Charlotte!” Grayson yells over the speakers.
Macy bumps her shoulder on mine.
“He’s so in love with you. You’re so in love with him. It’s cute.”
Makenna arches her brow. “So… How serious is this?”
I take a breath, feeling the warmth of Grayson’s gaze from the stage as the band passes off their instruments to the crew.
“Serious enough,” I tell them.
