Page 108 of Toxic Kiss

Turning, I focus on the guys. They are on fire. Vex shreds a solo like he is exorcising demons. Eren thumps the bass, and it feels like my heartbeat as it draws everyone together.

Between songs, I take a drink. The bottle is shaking in my hand and spilling water down the front of my t-shirt. Not that anyone will notice with it soaked with sweat. It gives me an idea, and I pour the rest of it over my head, shaking my hair out.

The audience screams as if it’s the sexiest thing they’ve ever seen.

Haven is staring at me, her green eyes like lasers penetrating my soul.

“You good,” she mouths.

I nod and wave it off. But Haven doesn’t believe me. I can tell.

I walk to the mic and growl like an animal.

“Who’s ready for Deadly Under Pressure?”

A wave of cheers hits me. I smirk and wink at the girls in the front row. One faints and is held up by her friend.

The rest of the setlist feels like I’m trudging through mud, despite the energy of the crowd. My feet are heavy as I move across the stage, and my muscles continue to bark at me. I ignore it all.

We finish the last song, and I bow to the audience.

“Wyoming! I love you,” I yell, and the crowd goes insane.

Marching off the stage, I just make it to Haven before I collapse to my knees. She grabs me, holding me tight as the guys rush over.

“Get him on the bus,” Declan orders. “Before anyone sees him. Fuck my life.”

“Declan, something is seriously wrong with Cy. You have to see that.”

Haven is arguing on my behalf, and I can’t help but smirk.

I cling to her, like she is the only thing keeping my head above water. She is the first person to say it, to acknowledge that something else is wrong. I’m not crazy. She believes me, and I’m not alone.

“He’s obviously drunk,” Declan says.

I want to tell him to fuck off while Vex and Eren help me stand.

“No, the fuck he’s not. I’ve been with him all day, and he hasn’t had a drop,” Haven says, her voice fierce.

Fuck I love her.

“You gonna live,” Ledger asks, as he guides me down the tunnel and out to the bus.

“I feel like roadkill,” I joke back.

“You want us to take you to the hospital,” Eren asks.

I shake my head.

“Just overdid it. It was too much today. I should’ve skipped rehearsal.”

The guys get me settled in the kitchen area, and I sigh.

“We’ll be back,” they say and head outside. I can’t hear what they’re saying, but it’s obvious that Declan and Haven are still at odds.

“Don’t you fucking dare,” Haven yells as she stomps up the steps, fuming.

Her eyes find mine, and all I see is warmth and concern. I almost burst into tears. Being seen for the first time in years, and not painted into a box…it’s everything.