Page 224 of Fame & Chaos

Actually, noticed is probably putting it mildly, considering Chad spent half the afternoon glaring at Danger like he was planning several different ways to bury his body in Wembley Stadium.

The second Danger walked away, Chad leaned over to me and muttered that he seemed like ‘a complete dickhead,’ which honestly makes me think this tour could end up very interesting where those three are concerned.

Hopefully, it all blows over quickly, though, because the last thing we need on our first major world tour is relationship drama exploding backstage.

Everyone’s hyped tonight. The atmosphere behind the scenes is wild.

After leaving Indi this morning, I was in a pretty dark mood. And then things somehow got worse when she messaged, saying there’d been an emergency at the hospital and she wouldn’t make it to Wembley tonight after all.

That one hurt.

Not only did I have to leave her behind, but the one final thing I’d been clinging to all day was knowing she’d still be here tonight, somewhere in the crowd.

And now she won’t be.

Still, once I got to the venue and the band finished yelling at me for being late, things slowly started improving. Music always settles something inside me. I’ve messaged Indi a few times throughout the day just to check on her, because hearing her cry after I left this morning completely wrecked me. I know she tried so hard to hold herself together while I was there, but saying goodbye hurt her as badly as it hurt me.

The difference is I’ll have distractions constantly—music, fans, interviews, performances, chaos. Meanwhile, her life will continue normally… except without me in it every day. I hate that thought more than anything.

I hate knowing I’m not there beside her. That when she gets home exhausted after a shift, it’ll just be an empty apartment instead of me waiting for her.

At least she has Kenzi.

Thank God for Kenzi, honestly.

I’m standing side-stage while Recoil finishes their set, and my nerves are absolutely shot.

It’s Wembley-fucking-Stadium.

Actual Wembley.

I’ve dreamed about this place since I was a kid watching Dad and Colt perform here. And now I’m about to walk out there myself.

The rest of the band is nearby doing warm-ups while I try to shake some of the nervous tension out of my body. I don’t usually get this anxious before performing, but tonight is different. Everything about tonight feels bigger somehow.

My pocket suddenly vibrates, and I pull out my cell.

Indi calling.

Relief crashes through me so fast I nearly laugh.

This is exactly what I needed.

“Indi,” I answer.

She giggles softly down the line. “Yep, still me.”

Just hearing her voice settles me.

“Hey,” she says. “It sounds loud there. You having fun?”

“Yeah,” I admit, smiling despite myself. “Just wish you were here.”

God, I wish she were here.

“How come you’re calling?” I ask. “I thought you were working.”

“I am.” She lowers her voice. “I escaped to the cafeteria.”