Page 155 of The Jaded Notes

The audience fucking loses it. The sound is deafening.

The lights blaze. Cameras flash.

Her past just collided with her present in front of the whole damn universe.

If this ruins me, so be it. She’s worth it. Let’s just pray nothing takes her away.

The backstage area buzzes with the electric aftermath of the performance. Sweat drips from my temples as I towel off, but my eyes never leave Livianna. She’s perched on the edge of an equipment case, looking slightly overwhelmed by the havoc around us.

“Holy shit, Cash!” Cooper bounds over, still riding the adrenaline high. “That was fucking insane. Did you see the crowd when you pulled her out there?”

“I felt it more than I saw it.” I toss the towel aside and move closer to where she sits. “You okay, vixen?”

“I’m good.” But her hands shake slightly as she reaches for the water bottle someone passes to her. “That was...intense.”

“Yeah, that’s one word for it.” Hawke appears with a fresh beer, grinning like a maniac. “Bro, my social media notifications are already going fucking crazy. #CashAndLily is trending worldwide.”

Livianna’s face goes pale. “What?”

“Welcome to my world, beautiful.” I settle beside her, close enough to feel her warmth. “But hey, at least they’re talking about the music, not my latest fuckup.”

Quinn sways over with her own drink, eyes bright with excitement. “Livianna, that was the most romantic thing I’ve ever witnessed. I literally got chills when he started singing to you.”

“You set this up.” Livianna’s accusation carries no actual heat. “You knew he was going to do that.”

“I knew he was hoping to.” Quinn shrugs completely unrepentant. “But it only happened because you agreed to watch from the side. That took guts.”

Bren approaches, slinging his guitar case over his shoulder. “Speaking of guts, sis, you looked good up there. Natural.”

“Natural at what? Standing there looking terrified?” But she’s calm now, some of the tension leaving her shoulders.

“At being yourself.” He reaches out to ruffle her hair like when we were kids. “Remember when you used to sit in on our practices? You’d lie on that old gray sectional and just listen.”

“That was more comfortable than this case,” she says dryly, but her expression softens.

Cooper drains his beer and crushes the can. “Those were good times. Before everything got so complicated.”

“Before I got fucking complicated,” I correct, earning a sharp glare from Livianna.

“We all were, Cash.” Hawke claps me on the back. “But tonight felt like the old days. Like when we gave a shit about the music more than the business.”

Quinn steps closer to Bren, bold as brass. “So this is what it’s like backstage at a major festival? I have to admit, I’m impressed.”

“Impressed enough to stick around for the after-party?” Bren’s grin is pure sin. “We’re heading to a private club. It’s very exclusive.”

“How exclusive are we talking?” She tilts her head, studying him like he’s a puzzle she wants to solve.

“The kind where paparazzi need a telescope to get shots.” He shuffles closer, lowering his voice. “The kind where we can actually have conversations without screaming over amp feedback.”

They flirt while I keep one eye on Livianna. She’s observing the exchange with amusement, but there’s exhaustion creeping in around her edges.

“You hungry?” I ask her quietly.

“Starving, actually. All that alcohol and no food wasn’t my brightest idea.”

“We’ve got catering set up in the main trailer. Proper food, not just the standard backstage garbage.” I stand and offer her my hand. “Come on. Let me feed you.”

She hesitates for a fraction of a second before taking it. The simple contact sends warmth shooting straight to my heart.