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Was this for real? Derek Masters emulating something I did?

“Hey, the three of us should do a song together at Rocktoberfest.” It was like a total brain reboot. The sound of screeching tires as a speeding car came to a halt in my skull when Derek said that. “You in, Joey?”

“Hell yeah. What about you, Tony?” I just stared at them, unable to speak. “I think we fucked his brain up. We’ll take that as a yes. Let me know which song and I’ll work with Tony on it while we’re touring.”

It took a few seconds after Derek walked away for my brain to come back online. “Did that just happen?”

“Yup,” Joey chuckled.

“Are we really gonna do this?”

“Yup.”

“Me, you, and Derek?”

“Yes, yes, and yes.”

“Holy fucking shit!” The ring on my finger was spinning like mad. Wouldn’t surprise me if it broke off and went flying across the room.

“What did I miss?” Daddy asked. “Your ring is burning rubber, Little Wren. Are you okay?” When I still didn’t answer, he turned to Joey. “I know you’re the talent, but what the hell happened?” He wasn’t playing games, it was time for me to snap out of it before he ripped Joey a new one.

“I think he just had a few dreams get made and is in shock.”

I nodded. “Derek Masters. The Derek Masters just asked Joey and me to get onstage at Rocktoberfest and sing a song with him. Me. Derek. Joey. Me. I was included in this. Me with two of the best metal singers in the business.”

“Oh, Little Wren,” Daddy pulled me into his arms. “That’s fantastic. You belong up there with them too. You’re a great singer and that scream tonight was one for the record books.”

“You think so?” I stared at him and he kissed me.

“I know so. Your words may be what the fans come for but you’ll always be more than words to me, Little Wren.”

Why was it whenever Daddy said something so sugary sweet to me that my mind instantly turned it into a song?

“Remember Daddy said he had a surprise for you after the show?”

“Yup.” And I was super excited.

“Well, it’s headed our way.”

“Whoa, holy crap, I didn’t know you guys were here too.” Our Masterson brothers in Embrace the Fear came to watch the show. I knew they were Vegas based and we were all having a barbeque at Rhone’s this week, but I guess I didn’t really figure they’d be at the show. Plus, we hadn’t really been introduced to them face to face yet.

“Dude, the way you landed that scream.” Must’ve been better than I thought given it was the first compliment out of everyone’s mouth. “Epic. I’m Chase, lead singer for Embrace.”

“Thanks, great to finally meet you.” David, Seltzer and Rhone each introduced themselves.

“Can’t wait to hang with you guys at the pool party this week,” Rhone said. “Been wondering when we’d get the chance to finally do that. Oh, and this is the chef managing your foodgasms, my husband, Ely.”

My Goddess above, if he wasn’t the prettiest man I’d ever seen, and my dumbass nearly said that. “It’s great to meet all of you and Ely, your food is phenomenal.” That was putting it mildly. Most healthy for you shit tasted like chalk, but not his.

“Thank you, we appreciate that. This is Jordan, my business partner and David’s boyfriend.”

“They make really good little food too,” Chase said. I’m not sure what was happening or if little meant the same to him as it did to me.

“Cool, sometimes appetizers are just the right amount.” Chase giggled. Like, giggled-giggled, not grown man laughter. Was I missing something here?

“Yo, bro,” Diamond put Jeremiah, Embrace’s manager and Seltzer’s boyfriend in a headlock.

“Ugh, knock it off or I’ll tell everyone your deepest, darkest secret.”