Page 290 of Fame & Chaos

“Surprise!” Everyone cheers.

Annie’s eyes go wide before a smile slowly spreads across her face. “Oh my God…”

Indi is the first to reach her. “Oh, Annie, we’re so glad you’re okay.”

Annie’s eyebrows shoot up. “Pixie?”

I laugh and pull Annie into a hug. “When Rob told me what happened, I couldn’t stop thinking about you.” I squeeze her tightly. “So we figured we’d remind you that you’ve got a whole army behind you.”

She hugs me back just as tightly. “Thanks, Caleb.” She leans closer. “Indi’s here?”

I grin and nod.

She pulls away before immediately wrapping Indi in another hug. “It’s so good to see you, Pixie.”

Indi laughs. “No, Annie. It’s good to see you.” She steps back. “ I asked about your referral… your thumb should heal perfectly. You’ll be back playing before you know it, so don’t stress about the band.”

Relief washes across Annie’s face. “Thank you.” She turns to everyone gathered around. “Seriously… thank you all for coming. I really needed this.”

“You’re family, Annie,” Anna says warmly, and everyone murmurs their agreement.

“We love you, Annie,” Sia adds.

Annie smiles through misty eyes.

“Come on,” Dee says, clapping her hands. “Let’s all sit and eat?” Dee suggests.

Everyone begins moving towards the dining table, but something catches Annie’s attention, and she looks at Aston.

He looks pale.

Really pale.

“Shit.” She reaches up to touch his face. “Ast… are you okay? Is your head hurting?”

He swallows.

“Ast… talk to me.”

Instead of answering, Aston clears his throat. “Can I have everyone’s attention for a second?”

The room falls silent.

I exchange a confused look with Indi as Aston turns to Colt.

“Okay… so there’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” he begins, his voice steady despite the nerves I can see written all over him. “I always thought I’d wait for the perfect moment… but after everything that’s happened, I realize there’s no such thing. Life’s too short to wait.” He steps forward slightly. “Colt,” he says, meeting Colt’s eyes. “I know we’ve had our moments, but I respect you more than anyone. You’ve raised Annie into this incredible woman… strong, talented, beautiful, and I’m completely in love with her.” Annie’s breath catches. “Nearly losing her…” He exhales sharply. “That was the worst moment of my life. I don’t ever want to imagine a world without her in it, especially not a world where she’s not with me.” Colt watches him closely. “So,” Aston continues, his voice lowering just slightly. “I’m asking you… for permission to ask Annie to marry me.”

My eyebrows shoot up when Colt nods his head.

Well… didn’t see that coming.

I wrap my arms around Indi from behind as Aston pours his heart out to my cousin. Without thinking, my thumb brushes over the wedding ring hidden beneath Indi’s fingers.

Only two days ago…

This beautiful woman became my wife.

Indi leans back into me ever so slightly, and I know she is remembering it too.