Page 264 of Fame & Chaos

Every pair of eyes fixes on the one thing none of us ever thought we’d see again.

Aston…

And he is holding Annie’s hand.

Chapter Forty-Six

Caleb

Annie and Aston told us they’d worked things out and were back together.

The relief that swept through the room was almost tangible.

Watching them apart had been like watching Indi and me apart. It never felt right. They belonged together, just as much as Indi and I did.

Rob looked positively thrilled. “I think we can work with this,” he says, already slipping into business mode. “We’ll put out a press release explaining that Annie hit a low point after falling in with the wrong crowd. Aston helped pull her back from the edge. She’s getting the support she needs, and now she’s back where she belongs.”

I have to admit, it is brilliant.

Annie had been lost without Aston. Isolation, heartbreak, and old abandonment wounds had sent her down the wrong path, but now she had him again and was finally getting the help she needed. Instead of the story becoming Staked’s downfall, Rob had managed to turn it into one of redemption.

If the public bought it—and he thinks they will—we’ll be back on top.

Better than that…

Rob wants to capitalize on the publicity.

“We’re putting together a headline tour,” he announces.

A grin spreads across my face before I can stop it.

Headline act—we’ve finally made it.

“That’s fucking incredible,” I say, shaking my head in disbelief. “I honestly thought today was going to end with the band falling apart.”

Rob laughs. “Not while I’m your agent.”

“I’ll drink to that.”

Everyone laughs, and the tension that had filled the room finally disappeared.

I cross to Aston and clap him firmly on the shoulder. “You’d better look after her this time.”

He smiles knowingly. “I plan to.”

“I’m serious.”

“So am I.”

He glances across the room to where Annie is talking quietly with Ella.

“I’ve already lost her once.” His eyes return to mine. “I’m not making that mistake again.”

I nod. “I believe you.”

“And thanks,” he says quietly.

“For what?”