Page 83 of Fame & Rhythm

She hands Ella her outfit as well.

“There are showers down the hall if you want to freshen up,” Sia calls, juggling the twins.

“Perfect, thanks.” I turn to Mum. “Can I—”

She laughs. “You don’t need permission anymore, sweetheart.”

Right.

I grin, grab my outfit, and head for the bathrooms with Ella right behind me.

After a long, hot shower and a change of clothes, I finally feel human again. The bathroom is shared, thankfully with separate stalls, because I definitely heard Aston and Caleb come in not long after us, and Chad not long after that.

Not that it helped.

My mind drifted straight to Aston. His abs. That stupidly perfect stomach. And then lower…

I squeeze my thighs together, trying to ignore the ache building between them.

Jesus.

Caleb suddenly bursts into song, snapping me out of it.

“Sing with me, guys! Let’s celebrate!”

I laugh and join in, letting the music pull me out of my head.

Eventually, after Dad yells at us to hurry up, we all finish up, get dressed, and Ella and I spend another half hour on makeup and hair.

“Jesus, girls, we’re going to be late to your own bloody party,” Dad calls as I finish my mascara.

“Oh, chill, Dad. The party’s not going anywhere,” I say, leaning back to check my reflection. “Okay, I’m done.”

“Well, if you’re finished trying to make yourselves look ten years older—”

“Just because we look better than you doesn’t mean you need to get pissy,” I cut in.

He smirks. “When women start throwing their underwear at you, then we can talk.”

“Oh wow, big head much?”

“I’m hot. Ask your mother.”

“Gross, Dad.” Ella groans.

“Yeah, don’t be feral,” I add, and he laughs, glancing at Mum, who’s grinning like she’s loving every second of this.

We head toward the party room, and it’s already buzzing. Music pumping. People everywhere. And my eyes immediately find Aston.

He’s talking to Red Velvet.

Of course he is.

“All right, here comes the lecture, and I am only going to say it once,” Dad mutters.

I fold my arms. “Go on, then.”

“No alcohol. Not even a sip. If I catch you drinking, or worse, drunk, especially around industry people, I will not be happy. Do you understand?”