Page 47 of Fame & Rhythm

Hux pulls Caleb aside.

Dingo is… well, being Dingo, messing around with Chad instead of actually talking to him.

I glance over at Aston.

He looks off.

Not himself.

And I know that’s because of me.

The tension sitting between us is exactly what I’m feeling too, and it’s written all over his face. But for rehearsal, we’re going to have to push through it. Aston and I rely on each other when we play. We always have, and we don’t get to fall apart now.

A hand brushes my shoulder, and I turn to find Mum watching me closely. “You okay?”

I force a smile. “Yeah. Just… a weird day.”

She studies me for a second, then nods slightly. “Moments like this can be confusing. If you don’t want something to happen, then don’t let it. But if you do…” She pauses, glancing toward Dad before looking back at me. “Stop fighting it.”

I blink at her. “What?”

“If your heart is saying one thing and your head is saying another, listen to your heart,” she says gently. “It might be scary, but trust yourself.”

I frown slightly, trying to process that. “So… you’re saying I should trust my own judgment?”

“Exactly.”

“And the band? Decisions with that, too?”

She laughs softly. “The band, your life… anything. Your heart won’t lead you astray.”

“You’re being weirdly cryptic again.”

“Yes,” she agrees with a smile. “But one day it’ll make sense. Now grab your guitar. Your father wants to talk to all of you.”

“Thanks, Mum… I think.”

She turns me around with a gentle push, and I head toward my guitar.

I have to pass Aston on the way. I feel his eyes on me, but I don’t look at him. Still, my body reacts anyway. That familiar rush hits, sharp and undeniable, sending a shiver straight through me and settling somewhere deep I don’t quite want to acknowledge.

I don’t understand it.

Part of me wants it to stop.

The other part… doesn’t.

God, I’m a mess.

I grab my guitar, slip the strap over my head, and move to my usual spot.

Caleb comes up beside me, giving my shoulder a quick squeeze. “How you feeling?”

“Better,” I say. “And thank you again… for everything. You’re the best cousin ever.”

He snorts. “Considering I’m your only cousin, that’s not exactly a high bar. But I’ll take it.”

I laugh softly, then glance back at Aston before looking at Caleb again.