Todd raises a brow but doesn’t respond, instead gesturing at his menu. “Some of us like to be prepared. Unlike certain drummers who survive on vending machine snacks.”
“Don’t knock the vending machines,” Xayden says, grinning. “Those little bags of chips are lifesavers.”
“Charming,” I tease, picking up my menu.
He winks at me, leaning back in his chair. “You love it.”
The banter feels effortless, like slipping into a rhythm I forgot I knew. The weight of everything else—Shelley’s machinations, the constant eyes on us—fades into the background for a while.
The waiter arrives, taking our orders quickly, and just as he leaves, a group of fans approach.
There are three of them, young and wide-eyed, clutching phones and notebooks like lifelines. One girl steps forward hesitantly, her voice trembling. “Hi, um, sorry to bother you, but we’re huge fans. Can we… take a picture?”
The guys are instantly gracious, their movements fluid as they shift into professional mode.
“Of course,” Todd says, his tone warm and steady as he stands.
Jake nods, his calm demeanor putting the girls at ease. “Thanks for saying hi. You want us all in the photo?”
“Uh—” one of them squeaks, her eyes darting to me.
Xayden stands, taking that as a yes, grinning as he flips the salt shaker and sets it neatly back on the table. “Come on, don’t be shy. We don’t bite.”
“Speak for yourself,” West mutters under his breath, eyes flicking to me. But there’s a faint curve to his lips as he rises to join them.
One of the girls shakes her head. “We actually meant… with Ashlyn,” she says, trailing off awkwardly.
There’s a beat of surprise, but the guys recover instantly.
“You want Ash in the picture too,” Jake says smoothly, motioning for me to step in.
My cheeks flush, and I roll my eyes at him, but a small smile tugs at my lips.
“Just with Ashlyn Robinson, actually,” another girl says, stepping forward. “We’re huge fans of your show. You’re such a badass, and your eye for fashion is amazing.” She beams at me.
The others nod in agreement, their excitement unmistakable.
Jake grins and steps back as I move forward. “She is pretty amazing. We’re lucky she’s our girl.”
“I guess we can share her,” Xayden says with a chuckle, shaking his head as he gives me space to join them.
One of the girls hands her phone to Todd. “Can you take a picture for us?”
I have to bite back a laugh at the look on his face as he accepts the phone and snaps the photo. Then the girls are all thank-yous and bright smiles, heading back to their table.
“You didn’t have to say that,” I murmur, glancing at Jake.
He shrugs, his hand brushing lightly against mine. “It’s true.”
“And we’re just being honest,” Xayden chimes in, his tone playful—but when his eyes meet mine, there’s something steadier beneath.
Before I can respond, the waiter returns with our food, and the conversation shifts back to teasing and laughter.
By the time we leave, the tension I’ve been carrying feels lighter, replaced by something warmer, something I don’t quite have a name for yet.
As we step out onto the sidewalk, Todd slides his hand to the small of my back, guiding me gently through the light crowd. Xayden fishes his drumstick out and spins it again, Jake keepsclose to my side, and West lingers just behind, his presence steady.
For the cameras? Maybe.
