Page 221 of Fame & Chaos

I groan quietly against her mouth before forcing myself to pull back.

She smiles, but I can already see sadness creeping back into her eyes again.

“You have to go get ready, don’t you?”

I nod reluctantly. “Yeah.”

“What time’s the Wembley show tonight?” she asks quietly.

“Nine start, but I think Staked’s on around eight.”

Her entire face lights up instantly. “My man performing at Wembley. Just like I always knew he would.”

I laugh softly. “Technically, we’re the backing band, though, so it’s not exactly how you imagined it.”

She waves her hand dismissively. “Pish posh, Caleb. You’re still performing at Wembley. That’s insane.”

I smile, watching her excitement.

“I can’t wait to see you up there.”

“I just hate that after the show I won’t get to come home with you.”

Her expression softens immediately. “I know,” she whispers. “I hate that I’ll watch you perform and then suddenly you’ll just… be gone for six months.”

“I’m coming back to you.”

“I know.”

I pull myself out of bed reluctantly and start getting dressed while she wraps her robe around herself. The room grows quieter as reality settles over us.

The joking fades.

The countdown starts feeling real.

By the time I walk into the kitchen with my bags packed, Indi’s standing at the bench pouring herself water. Her hand is shaking badly enough that it instantly twists something painfully inside me.

I walk up behind her and wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her gently against me. “It’s gonna be okay,” I whisper into her ear.

She nods quickly but doesn’t speak.

This is the part I’ve been dreading.

The goodbye.

I turn her around carefully and take the glass from her hand before pulling her tightly against me. “I’ll call you every day,” I promise. “We’ll FaceTime, text, I’ll fly home whenever there’s a break…”

Her eyes fill with tears, and my chest tightens so hard I almost feel breathless watching it happen.

“Indi,” I murmur, brushing my hand over her cheek. “Talk to me.”

Her bottom lip trembles. “I’m really gonna miss you,” she whispers brokenly.

Fuck.

I pull her into my arms and hold her tightly while she starts crying against my chest.

“Hey,” I whisper into her hair. “I thought we agreed no tears.”