Page 52 of Rush

I wipe at my eyes, standing up and glancing in the mirror.

This is for her. Forme.

“Come in.”

“You ready to get glam honey?” Rio grins as he pokes his head in.

I square my shoulders, offering a real smile this time. “Absolutely.”

Before long, I’m styled within an inch of my life—hair pulled back into a high ponytail, curls cascading down my back, a black sequin two-piece bodysuit hugging my curves, and matching platform boots shimmer like jewels, giving me extra height.

My heart hums as the stagehands lead me to my mark, the low thrum of the crowd pulsing like a living heartbeat beneath the stage. The vibration hums up through my feet into my chest.

I’ve performed before—pub gigs, studio audiences, a handful of football games singing the national anthem—but this…thisis different.

Tonight, it’s a sold-out arena. Nearly fifteen thousand people. Here to see Ava, and maybe even see me…

“Places,”a voice in my earpiece says as I crouch onto a platform beneath the stage.

The music starts. The voice in my ear counts down.

I grip the microphone tightly as the platform rises, my pulse pounding in my ears.

The lights hit me like a wave, blinding me as my eyes take a second to adjust.

And then I see it—the crowd.

A sea of faces, screaming, chantingmy name. Tiny lights illuminate them like a stars in the night sky.

I take it in, breathing it into my bones, before I sing the first notes of“Ignite.”

The crowd sings with me, word for word, and I can’t help but smile.

When the last note fades, I step back, catching my breath as the cheers crash over me like a wave.

“Hello, Madison Square Garden! I’m Elena Montgomery and I’ll be your date for this evening,” I call out, laughing as the crowderupts, voices echoing back at me. “Wow, you guys are loud! Iloveit!”

Grinning, I pace the stage, waving in every direction, blowing kisses to the fans.

“I know it’s a favorite for some of you who are still trying to find your fire, your passion—that thing that makes you feel alive.”

I pause, smiling at the people in the front row, their excited faces filling my heart with so much glee. I spot the fourcompetition winners Britney, Shae, Zini and Ben and wave at them.

“I want to take a moment to thanktheamazing Ava Edwards for having me here on theMadness & MayhemNational Tour!”

The cheers roll again, and I walk over to my guitar, slipping the strap over my shoulder. A stagehand rushes in like a shadow helping me adjust it with quick precision.

“And since this is our first date, I figured we’d ease into first base.” I smirk, placing the mic in the stand.

The crowdroars.

“Knew you’d be into that.

“Now, has anyone here ever been, alone at night—overthinking, listening to sad music, wishing someone would justhold youthrough it?”

The audience clamor in response.

“This one’s for us. It’s calledMidnight.”