Anna and I exchange a look before sinking back into the couch, feigning innocence. The moment Rob turns away, Anna sticks her tongue out at him. The entire room erupts in laughter. That is everyone except Rob, who looks around, utterly clueless, which only makes us laugh harder.
Rob walks over to the sound system. “Do you want to hear your fucking smash hit or what?” he asks, sounding more than a little annoyed.
Geez, he’s so grumpy.
The guys start cheering, and I notice a faint smile appear on Rob’s lips.
Maybe Rob does have a heart.
Colt takes my hand as the drum solo kicks in. The room falls silent as we listen, every note sinking deep. I can’t help butbecome a little emotional—this song is about me. And maybe I’m biased, but damn, it’s absolute rock gold.
As the final chord fades, I glance around. Everyone’s smiling, but no one speaks. We sit there, exchanging looks, letting the weight of the moment settle over us.
Colt’s grip on my hand is so tight when he turns to face me. “Thank you.”
I look at him with my brows raised. “What did I do?”
“You inspired this year’s biggest hit single,” he replies as the other guys smile.
Anna nudges me, as if I should be proud of myself. But I didn’t do anything—I just got homesick. This song isn’t mine. The band created it, poured their talent into it. I had nothing to do with the music. A flush of embarrassment creeps up my neck, and judging by the look on Anna’s face, it must show.
“Oh, Little Bean’s gone all shy,” Dingo teases, grinning. “Sprout, Little Bean, and own that shit. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have this song.”
Everyone nods in agreement, but I groan internally.
Man, I hate being the center of attention.
I shake my head, roll my eyes, and snuggle into Colt, letting him be my shield from their attention. He chuckles, holding me tightly as Rob restarts the track.
When the song finishes for the second time, the room erupts in cheers.
Rob raises a hand, cutting through the excitement. “Okay, okay, calm down, you lot. Since you all love the song so damn much, I’m sending copies to the radio stations tonight. By this time tomorrow, it’ll be a new release. Let’s see if the rest of the world gets as excited as you twats.”
As the room buzzes with excitement, I should be right there with them, soaking it all in, celebrating this moment. But beneath the thrill, a whisper of doubt lingers.
Colt’s cravings.
They haven’t disappeared, just dulled, waiting beneath the surface.
What triggered them?
Was it the pressure of the band?
The past clawing at him?
Me?No. That doesn’t make sense. I am his escape, his distraction.
But is thatallI am?
I tighten my grip on his hand as if I can anchor him—anchorus.
Someone starts the song again, pulling me from the spiral. The melody wraps around me, the lyrics sinking in, Colt’s voice raw and powerful. And as he looks at me, eyes full of something fierce and unshakable, the doubt fades.
In this moment, I knownothingcan tear us apart.
Chapter Twenty-Two
One Month Later
