“And now, he’s going to do it for the fuck of it,” Zeb says. “Happy running,” he adds to Gemma.
She laughs, the sound entirely too melodic for my ears, and I know it’s going to echo in my mind throughout the entire show.
“Gemma, did you have anything?” James asks her.
“I just wanted to say, I know it’ll take a bit for you to trust me like you do James, but we’ll get there. All I ask is that you respect me and give me a chance. It’s my job to keep you alive and safe, and I intend to do that. If there’s anything you need or things I should know, we’ll chat.”
She glances at each of us as if waiting for a response, yet when none of us reply, James claps his hands together.
“Okay, we’ll see you out there,” he says. “Gem is going to hang back outside the door for you, Reed. She’ll escort you to the sound stage. Try not to run away from her.”
“Sounds like a dare,” I mumble, knowing Reed is thinking the same thing.
Gemma’s gaze fixes on Reed. “It’s in your best interest to do as I say.”
The stern look on her face strikes something within me, and Zeb whistles before I can.
Reed is beaming so much that I pinch him in the side, shaking my head in Gemma’s direction. “He likes it when you’re mean,” I tell her. “Just ask his wife.”
“Surprised he has one of those,” Gemma teases him.
Mads tilts his tin of gummies over and shakes one out. “So, you’re taking him through the middle without any protection?” he asks her.
Gemma stares at him for a beat before elbowing James in the side. “You didn’t tell me I’d be micromanaged,” she jokes.
“Mads has trust issues,” Zeb says as Mads passes him a gummy.
“Hey, that’s fair.” Gemma smacks the other guard in the chest. “Give him your hoodie. I don’t want to take any chances with people figuring out it’s him.” She looks at Mads. “Do you have a mask he can borrow?”
“I do.” Zeb rushes into his bag and pulls out a ski mask, to which each of us stares at him over.
“A fucking ski mask, dude?” Mads asks, smirking.
“How else is he going to get his ‘stalker’ on?” I taunt the guitarist.
“Down to three,” Stella announces.
“We’re just going to be late at this point,” Mads says. “We can’t perform without rituals.”
Stella nods. “I know. I’m just giving you the time,” she replies calmly.
“Okay, put the mask on. Get the hoodie. I’ll meet you outside when you’re ready,” Gemma says to Reed.
Gemma’s eyes meet mine again as she presses her hand on the door to leave, and my chest caves at the smallest reaction of her eyes drifting over me like she’s remembering these same stolen glances from so long ago.
Shit.
“See you out there,” she says.
Young Decay.
Young Decay.
The chant echoes through the open door, prompting goosebumps on my arms.
I grin at Zeb, who grabs his chest at the sound of the chant. “So beautiful,” he says.
The door clicks closed, and as it does, my bandmates all turn in my direction, each grinning like madmen. I don’t need to ask what they’re being weird about. I’m already losing my mind enough.
