The goosebumps that have broken out over my skin have nothing to do with the overcast day and wind whipping off the bay and everything to do with the performance I’ve just watched. MOD killed it on stage. That’s an understatement. Now that MOD has stopped playing, everyone around me is jumping up and down, waving their hands around, screaming and shouting for more. The crowd has insisted on three encores so far, not allowing any other band to take their place on the enormous stage. No one, including me, wants to see their set end.
When today is over, I hope the guys take a moment to be proud of themselves for what they’ve achieved. I’ve seen the band play nearly every song in their set before today, yet they still blew me away. Rock Gods. The lot of them. They’re going to set the world on fire one day. Had it not been for Jesse pushing the boys to finish high school, they probably would already have one or two platinum albums under their belt.
At the start of the school year, I would have done anything to speed up Asher and Ethan’s departure to the U.S. Now, however, the thought of them moving halfway across the world to record and go on tour leaves my stomach in knots.
"I don't think I've ever heard MOD play so well,” Briony says as MOD thank the audience and walk off set.
Kennedy nods. "If I forecast fame and fortune for them will that make me psychic when they top the charts?”
Mason shakes his head at her, as does Dawson.
Kai puts his arm around Kennedy’s shoulders and leans into her. "You know, when we were younger, we used to joke with Ethan about starting a band," Kai says.
“Really?” I ask.
Jacob’s eyes brighten. “Yeah, we kicked the idea around a little bit.”
“What happened?” I ask, glancing at the stage.
It looks like MOD are not returning for a fourth encore. The stage crew start moving things around on the stage, getting it ready for the next band. I feel sorry for The Spooks-the band that must follow MOD.
“We’re lazy,” Jacob says, deadpan. “Too much hard work involved.”
Kai laughs and nods. “Jake’s right. It would have been hard to get together for practises with us living in Packer’s Peak.”
"Exactly,” Jacob says. “And what they did up there on stage is amazing and I love music, but it isn't my everything," Jacob says. "Not the way it is for Asher."
"Or for Ethan," Kennedy adds.
"Or for Ethan," Jacob agrees. "Though Asher has always been the driving force out of those two. They both love music, but Ethan was far more motivated to take things further once Asher moved in with him and the two of them realised they had that in common."
I’m not sure that Ethan would agree that Asher is the driving force behind MOD, but after spending a significant amount of time with both boys, I agree. Ethan lives music. But Asher? He breathes it. It’s his life force. If you took music away, I’m not sure he’d exist anymore. It’s something we have in common. No matter what the future brings, I will never stop making music.
Feeling my phone vibrate against my hip, I take it out of my pocket, curious to see who has messaged me since I’m surrounded by my friends. When I see Asher’s name on the screen, my stomach gets strangely tight before it starts feeling fluttery. He’s just finished his set and he’s messaging me?
Chill out, I tell myself. It’s not a big deal.
Are you with Dad and Cait?
I type back a response, telling him I’m standing with my crew, close to the statue of the old mayor. When I don’t get a message back, I put my phone away.
Briony nudges me. “Hey, it looks like they’re heading this way.”
Asher and the rest of MOD are trying to squeeze through the crowd in front of us. The effort of doing so is visible on all their faces. Everyone is trying to stop them and talk to them. They might need bodyguards, or at least security, and I start looking around to see if there are any guards close by.
Some girl squeals loudly and throws herself at Ethan, while three more girls scream Asher’s name and lift their t-shirts, flashing him. I catch a glimpse of a disgruntled Ainsley and Maddie following behind the guys. Lana must see the same annoyed expressions on their faces because she grimaces.
“It must suck to be the girlfriend of a Rockstar.”
“Mm,” Kennedy hums. “Seeing girls and guys throw themselves at your partner would suck.”
I don’t disagree with that. No matter how secure one is in their relationship, it would be a pain to know that an abundance of opportunity and fans throwing their underwear might convince the most loyal person to be tempted. The stories are always there in the tabloids, the cheating, the drugs. Jesse and his first wife never made it work. I think the music biz might be more unforgiving on relationships than show biz.
Finally, security step into the picture, speaking into their radios and closing in on the band, creating a protective circle around them as they head towards us. It would have made more sense for MOD to stay near the front and have us come to them. In fact, I don’t know why they’ve chosen to brave the crowd.
Looking a little worse for wear, the guys make it to where we’re standing and waving. Everyone, including Kai and Jacob congratulate the band on their stunning set, showering them with praise. I don’t think twice about hugging Ethan, even with Ainsley glaring daggers at me. When I let him go, I search for Asher, seeing him talking to a guy who isn’t with us. I smile and wave when Asher glances my way. I don’t expect him to stop his conversation, but I’m happy when he puts a hand on the other guy’s arm in farewell and then makes his way over to me.
I’m not sure how to congratulate him. Telling him he’s done a good job just doesn’t seem to cut it and doesn’t come close to how I feel about their performance. After an awkward moment, I do something I’ve never done before; I force my feet forward and put my arms around my stepbrother, feeling relieved almost immediately when he doesn’t push me away. He’s hot and sweaty, but the cologne he normally wears clings to his hot skin, and as he hugs me back, his muscular arms pulling me close, I find myself taking a deep breath and inhaling his scent before I realise what I’m doing and stop.
Pulling away, I smile. “You guys were amazing.”
“I thought we were slightly out of time on Sunday Bloody Sunday."
“If you were, I didn’t notice it,” I tell him quickly. “I had chills the entire time you guys were up there.”
Asher smirks, knowing from previous conversations what I’m really saying. Goosebumps and chills are my reaction to music that is so good I don’t have words for it.
“You killed it,” Jacob says, shaking Asher’s hand before pulling him in for a man-hug.
“Thanks.” Asher takes a step back, his gaze flicking between Kai and Jacob. “I didn’t realise you guys were coming.”
Jacob shrugs. “I still feel like shit from the tail end of this flu, but I didn’t want to miss it.”
“Cool.” Asher turns his back on Jacob and starts talking to his bandmates Declan and Cameron.
I frown, noting the slightly abrupt way Asher treated his friend, but Mum and Jesse join us then, preventing me from gauging Jacob’s reaction to Asher’s brushoff.
Over the top of Kennedy’s head, Mum looks over at Jacob and me, raising her eyebrow when she notices how close Jacob is standing next to me. Jacob is nice. And he’s certainly cute, but I’m not sure I want to date him, especially when I’ve resolved to spend the year focusing on my music and study. Still, it is nice to have a guy to hang out with and flirt with.
“So, hey,” Jacob says to Kennedy and me. “I know it’s a Sunday and all, but I was wondering whether it would be cool if we went out for din-”
“We’ve got dinner plans already,” Asher says abruptly, interrupting the conversation he was having with Cameron.
I had no idea he’d even been listening.
“We do?” I ask.
“Jesse told us yesterday that he’s going to take us out to celebrate. Don’t you remember?”
“I thought he was just talking about MOD.”
Asher shakes his head. “You’re coming, too. Everyone who was part of today is coming.”
Pleasure slides through me, even as I deny it. “I wasn’t part of it.”
“How many times did you give me your opinion?”
“Because you asked for it.”
“Exactly.”
He grins and I smile back at him. At that moment, Maddie and Ainsley stop the conversation they’re having with Cam, Ethan and Declan and glare at me. With the looks they’re giving me, one would think I’d just thrown a glass of red wine over both of their white sundresses.
It’s nothing new for Ainsley to glare at me, but Maddie’s reaction is new. We are far from friends, and she and Ainsley have probably bonded while dating the brothers. Not to mention I don’t know whether Asher’s opinion of me in the first few weeks they dated coloured her perception of me. For all I know, Ainsley even repeated her snide comments about me getting my hooks into Asher to Maddie. But she’s never looked at me the way she is looking at me now. And I can’t deny there’s something about having the beautiful and successful popstar glare at me that is a little intimidating.
Maddie walks over and puts her hand on Asher’s arm gently, looking up at him. “I thought it was just MOD and partners going out to dinner.”
Asher tenses. “I told you, it was Dad’s idea to include everyone who was involved.”
“How was Lilah involved?”
“She gave input.”
“Right,” Maddie says, crossing her arms and scowling. “When I offered input, you didn’t want it, but Lilah offers it, and you take it?”
Jacob scratches the back of his head, his ears turning a little red. “Well, this is awkward,” he murmurs quietly enough so that only I can hear.
He isn’t wrong. Clearly, it hadn’t been part of the original plan for me to go out to dinner with them. Having Asher actually invite me and want me there is further proof that everything he said last night is true.
“What’s happening?” Ethan asks, turning around to join our conversation.
Unfortunately, Ainsley follows suit, also turning to listen to what is being said.
“I was just telling Lilah she should join us for dinner.”
“Totally,” Ethan agrees, earning disgruntled looks from both Maddie and Ainsley.
In that moment, I make up my mind. “Thanks, but it sounds like it’s meant to be just MOD and MOD partners.”
Asher’s expression goes from content to annoyed in a beat. “I want you there.”
The way he says it, with so much intent makes my stomach flip and even makes Ethan frown at him, causing a strange flutter of anxiety to wing its way through me. A couple of weeks ago I would have been sure I was imagining his desire to spend time with me, but I know that’s not the case now. Working on the showcase together has changed our relationship, improved it to the point it’s virtually unrecognisable. Maybe Asher and I are even starting to become friends. But I don’t want that to cause strain on his relationship with Maddie. That might set our progress backwards, and I don’t want that.
I offer Asher a small smile. “I’ll celebrate with you guys another time.”
“Good,” Ainsley says, tugging on Ethan’s arm. “Now that that’s settled, we can go.”
Asher still looks unhappy, but I hope he understands later that I’m trying to save him some drama.
“Are you sure you won’t come?” Ethan asks.
“I’m sure. I’ll see you at home.”
“Lilah,” Jesse says, putting his arm around my shoulders. “I’m taking the guys and their partners out for dinner. I’m sure they’d be happy if you came.”
Mum raises an eye in question.
“Ah, I said I’d catch the guys later. Jacob asked about dinner, and I was wondering-”
“Of course you can,” Mum says.
My gaze is drawn to Asher, whose jaw is clenched tight, his expression dark and broody, the way it used to be around me. I know he’s disappointed I’m not coming to dinner with him, and it’s a surprise just how much I am too. I’m still high from watching their performance, and I’d love to dissect their set and go over every awesome moment with them. But it’s because I’m starting to really care about Asher that I want him to be happy.
And Maddie will be happier if I’m not there. I’m almost tempted to pull Asher aside and give him my reason, but Asher won’t care whether Maddie is unhappy with me coming. He told me before he doesn’t have time for games and music comes first. I almost feel sorry for Maddie and any girl Asher might end up with, because they will never be his number one. MOD and his family will always come first. Whoever falls in love with him is going to have to understand that and accept it.
“I’ll see you later,” I mouth to him.
He nods, jaw flexing, and then he walks off with Jesse, Mum, the rest of the band, Maddie and Ainsley, leaving the rest of us to finish making our dinner plans.
A/N: Sorry for the late update. I'm going to try and make it up to you by getting a few chapters out quickly. Coming up, Jesse and Cait have gone on their honeymoon, leaving the teenagers home alone. As always, thanks for reading, and have an amazing weekend!
Yey another chapter up!! Ah! Love it! ❤️
Ty for another chapter, I could use several more! Lol Rockstar Bay. It's so good. I really hope this message finds you & yours healthy & safe. God Bless.