Page 40 of Spotlight Hearts

See you soon. Xoxo

I’m smiling when the screen goes dark.

The smile lingers longer than it should—small, private, the kind I haven’t worn in weeks. Laney’s texts are a lifeline: teasing, no bullshit. She’s always been able to cut through the noise in my head with a single emoji or a well-timed “lol.” Tonight, it’s enough to loosen the knot in my chest, even if just a little.

I glance up from my phone. Luca’s still across the room—laugh still on his face from whatever Michael said, but it’s fading fast now that he’s noticed me looking. His hazel eyes flick to mine again—longer this time. There’s something raw in them, something that mirrors the ache still throbbing low in my gut. He holds the look for two heartbeats, three—then drops his gaze to the floor, jaw tightening.

I shove my phone in my pocket. Stand. “I’m heading to the after-party early. Laney’s coming. Min-ho, are you good to meet her there?”

Min-ho nods from the couch, already pulling on a fresh hoodie. “I’ll walk over with Michael. Save me a seat.”

Michael grins. “Tell her to bring her famous side-eye. I need someone to roast Luca properly tonight.”

Luca snorts—half-hearted. “Good luck. She’ll probably roast you first.”

I don’t respond. Just grab my jacket and head for the door.

The hallway is quiet. Cooler. I lean against the wall for a second, eyes closed, trying to steady my breathing. The memory of the stage is still too fresh: his hardness against my palm, the way his hips jerked when I touched him, the broken sound he made into the mic. It wasn’t acting. It wasn’t for the fans.

It was us.

The elevator dings. I step in, and I’m still thinking about it as the doors close.

Down in the lobby, the label’s black SUV is waiting—Zero Bond is only a ten-minute walk, which is what the guys will probably do. I slide into the back seat alone. The driver nods in the rearview. “Ready, Mr. Jung?”

“Yeah,” I mutter. “Let’s go.”

The city blurs past—neon signs, traffic, the endless pulse of New York at night. My phone stays silent.

When we pull up to Zero Bond, the bouncer waves me through the private entrance. Inside, it’s already alive—low lights, deep bass, bottles clinking, laughter rolling over the music. The label rented the whole upstairs lounge; Eclipse banners hang discreetly, a DJ spinning remixes of our tracks. Crew members, a few industry people, some influencers. No paps inside, but I know they’re outside waiting for exits.

I spot Laney already near the bar—curly hair up in a high ponytail, leather jacket, signature smile already in place. She sees me, raises her glass, and weaves through the crowd.

She throws her arms around me the second she reaches me. “There’s my pop star. You look like you just survived a war zone.”

“Feels like it,” I mutter into her shoulder.

She pulls back, studies my face. “That video… Kai. You two looked like you were about to fuck right there on stage.”

I wince. “It was new choreography.”

“Bullshit.” She sips her drink, eyes narrowing. “You were touching him like you wanted to unzip his pants and blow him right there. And he was looking at you like he wanted to eat you alive.”

I drag a hand over my face. “I know.”

She softens. “So what’s the problem? You want him. He clearly wants you. The fans are losing their minds. What’s stopping you?”

I glance toward the entrance. The rest of the band hasn’t arrived yet. “Everything. The contract. The band. The fact that I’ve spent years building walls so high no one could get through. And now, he’s… inside them. And I don’t know how to let him stay without everything falling apart.”

Laney sets her drink down and takes my hand. “You’re not in foster care anymore, Kai. You’re not fighting to prove you deserve a spot. You’ve earned it. A million times over. If he makes you feel something real—something good—then maybe it’s time to stop running from it.”

I swallow. “What if I fuck it up?”

“Then you fuck it up. And you fix it. That’s how people who aren’t control freaks live.”

The words sting, but I let out a shaky laugh. “You sound like Min-ho.”

She grins. “Smart guy. You should listen to him more.”