Bloody hell.I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of her wrath.
Squaring my shoulders, I approach her. “Excuse me, my boyfriend is playing tonight, and I was wondering if there’s any chance I could get backstage to see him?”
If this doesn’t work, I’ll be devastated. The crowd erupts in another wave of whoops and cheers as the current band finishes up.
She scoffs, giving me a once-over. “Alright, love. Sure, he is,” she says, rolling her eyes.
“No, I’m serious,” I insist. “He’s with Atlas Veil. He’s the bassist—James. My name’s April,” I say as I lift the VIP lanyard.
I shift on my feet, anxiety building in my chest. I can’t miss him playing.
Her expression shifts, a flicker of recognition flashing in her eyes. She presses a hand to her headset, speaking into it—probably with security. After a moment, she gives a sharp nod, then looks back at me.
“He’s on next. Follow me. Quickly,” she says, gliding through the hallways far more gracefully than I’d expect on those ten-centimetre stilettos. We wind through the maze of hallways before reaching a set of black metal stairs. I follow her up until, finally, we reach the landing.
Sound equipment is everywhere. Massive speakers and lights hang from the ceiling, and webs of cables snake along the floor and walls. Racks of controls with blinking lights line the walls, humming with activity. There are about ten stagehands stationed around the area, all dressed in black and wearing headsets. They move with efficiency, pressing buttons, speaking into their mics, and adjusting settings as they keep the chaos under control.
The woman walks me to the wings, stopping just short of the stage entrance. She spins on her heel. “He’ll be out any second now. Just stay here, and you’ll see him as soon as he comes off.”
“Thank you,” I tell her, giving her an appreciative look. She nods before sauntering off down the stairs, heels clicking as she yells aggressively into her headpiece.
I focus my gaze on the stage, and my heart leaps into my throat as I watch James. My brows pinch in confusion as he strides over to the microphone, exchanging a quick word withTom. Then, to my surprise, Tom steps back, handing the mic over to James.
What’s he doing?
The audience is eerily quiet as the guys get into position.
Finally, Oliver counts the band in, and they start to play. James’s voice booms through the microphone, filling the enormous space with a husky, powerful tone that takes my breath away.
My jaw drops.
What. The. Fuck.
I had no idea he could sing like this.
I watch in wonderment.
His fingers work deftly over the neck of his guitar, coaxing each note as he pours his heart out to the audience. I’m completely captivated, unable to look away. It might be night, but the sun rises inside me.
Tears fall, gathering at the corners of my lips as I catch them in a smile. He sings about stolen glances, longing, and waiting. He sings about hope, forgiveness, and new beginnings.
And just when he reaches the final verse, he sings about finding love in unexpected places, and that’s when it hits me.
My stomach bottoms out and I float away.
He’s singing aboutme.About us.
Chapter 46
James
“We’re Atlas Veil. Thank you, London!” Tom belts into the microphone. We finish the set, and my ears ring as the crowd ignites—screams, cheers, and whistles rattle around the stadium like thunder. I’m riding a high I’ve never felt before, and after experiencing it, I don’t want to come back down.Thisis nirvana.Thisis my purpose.Thisis what I am meant to do.
I’ve never experienced anything like it.
We give the audience a final wave, soaking in the energy one last time before stepping offstage. As I reach the wings, I spot April waiting. She’s frozen, her eyes wide and cheeks splotchy with tears, her face a mix of disbelief and awe.
She’s wearing tight jeans tucked into heeled knee-high boots. A skintight bodysuit hugs her torso with a knitted cardigan draped over her shoulders. Her red hair falls in soft curls, cascading to her ribs, catching the light. Under the bright stage, her eyelids shimmer with a hint of sparkle, giving her an ethereal glow.
