Page 76 of Fame & Rhythm

“How do you know that?” she asks.

I grin. “Because every time you do, Dad looks like his entire body glitches… in a good way. It’s weird.”

She huffs a laugh, shaking her head. “Right, well, don’t worry about that. Just try not to swear yourself.”

“Yes, Mum,” I say flatly.

“Good girl. Now go stop your sister from eating the entire fruit platter. Too much fiber isn’t a good idea before a show.”

I grin and head back to Ella, who’s now inhaling raspberries.

“Ella, do you want to bloat before we go on stage?” I ask.

She frowns, cheeks full. “You can’t get fat from fruit.”

“No, but your stomach can bloat. Do you want to look pregnant on stage?”

Her eyes widen, and she immediately drops the slice of cantaloupe she was about to eat. “I can’t stop,” she groans. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

“Are you nervous?” She nods. “Then that’s it. Everyone’s got a thing. Dad gets too flirty with Mum. Chad fusses with his clothes. I get grumpy…” I smirk. “And you? Well, you eat.”

She pauses, thinking. “You know what… you’re right. I always raid the fridge when I’m nervous.”

I grin. “There you go.”

“Great. I’m going to be huge by the time I’m thirty.”

“Not if you stick to decent food. You’ll be fine.”

She points at me. “You have to stop me if I go overboard.”

“Done!”

She immediately pops another raspberry into her mouth, then hooks her arm through mine and pulls me away from the table, and I laugh as we head back to the sofa.

Red Velvet’s set echoes through the venue, and they sound good. Really good. I just hope the crowd feels the same way about us. They already have a following, and we are about to walk out there as complete unknowns.

And that could go either way.

Rob walks in, all smiles. “Okay, Staked… ready to go?”

I glance at Aston. He looks at me… then looks away, his face revealing nothing.

I exhale and move toward the door with Ella.

“Let’s get this party started!” Caleb shouts, charging ahead to lead us down the hall.

Red Velvet finishes their last song, and the crowd goes wild. The sound hits me like a shockwave, rattling through my chest.

Caleb looks back, practically vibrating with excitement. I grin at him as he bounces around like he’s about to explode. Chad is calm as ever, while Ella looks like she might pass out.

I glance at Aston again, and finally, he smiles.

Relief floods through me.

We reach the stage entrance as Red Velvet walks off. The lead singer, a dyed redhead, gives me a slow once-over and frowns. I raise my brows at her, unimpressed.

As she passes Chad, though, she gives him a small smile.