Page 81 of Fame & Chaos

“I didn’t,” she says. “But when you stopped, it kind of felt like I’d left you all over again.”

Fuck.

“Is that why you answered?”

“Yeah,” she murmurs. “Moment of weakness, I guess.”

The words sting more than they probably should.

So she already regrets answering?

I swallow hard and force myself to focus on the reason I called. “I, um… had some good news today.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Dad’s agent, Rob, signed the band. Staked got signed today, and tonight’s our first proper live performance in front of a real crowd.”

“Oh my God, Caleb!” she gasps excitedly. “That’s amazing!”

A huge smile spreads across my face, hearing how genuinely happy she sounds for me.

“It really is. And honestly… I had to tell you because you’re the reason any of this is happening in the first place.”

“What do you mean?”

I lean back against the wall and smile to myself. “You’re the one who made me fall in love with performing. I used to sing for you, remember? And you always told me I was good enough to make something of myself. Now it’s happening. My dreams are finally coming true because you believed in me.”

“Caleb…” she says softly, “… this was always your dream. Not mine. I just helped you see your own potential.”

“No,” I argue quietly. “This is because of you, which is also why I called. I was wondering…” I hesitate briefly. “If you’re not working tonight, would you maybe want to come to the show? You always said you wanted to see me on stage. I can finally sing to you the way I always promised.”

Silence.

Complete fucking silence.

My heart pounds so hard I think it might crack my ribs open if she says no.

“Indi?” I ask quietly.

I hear another soft exhale before she finally speaks, “Okay.”

The word is so quiet I almost think I imagined it.

“Wait… did you just say okay?” I push off the wall and start pacing excitedly down the hallway.

She giggles softly, and the sound hits me like pure sunlight after years stuck in darkness. “Yes, Caleb…” She laughs. “I’ll come to your show.”

I pump my fist into the air like a complete fucking idiot.

“Okay, great,” I reply, trying desperately to sound calm while excitement explodes inside my chest.

This day seriously cannot get any better.

I get signed, and Indi’s coming to see me perform!

Holy shit.

“What time is it?” she asks.