But it feels real. And that terrifies me.
The roarof the crowd is a living thing, pressing against me as I stand backstage, peeking out at the massive stadium filled with fans. The energy is electric, every scream and cheer vibrating through the walls, through my chest.
Todd’s voice fills the air, raw and powerful, cutting through the chaos like it’s the only thing grounding the moment. He owns the stage, moving with a commanding ease, his presence magnetic. Jake is just as steady, his bass thundering through the speakers, anchoring the music in a way that feels like a heartbeat.
Xayden pounds out a rhythm on the drums, grinning like he’s having the time of his life, while West’s guitar wails, sharp and evocative, weaving the whole performance together.
They’re everything the world thinks they are—rock gods, untouchable, larger than life. And yet, when Todd turns toward me, nodding slightly as his voice fades into the last note of the song, they feel like something entirely different.
Mine.
Todd steps to the mic, his hand wrapped loosely around the stand. “Alright, we’ve got a little something special for you all tonight,” he says, his voice smooth and teasing.
The crowd erupts, the anticipation palpable.
He gestures toward the side of the stage, his eyes locking on mine. “Ashlyn, get out here.”
My heart skips. For a moment, I think about staying put, about letting the ground swallow me whole. But then Jake appears at the edge of the stage, extending a hand toward me.
“Come on, Ash,” he says, his voice warm enough to steady the nerves threatening to buckle my knees.
The spotlight swings in my direction, and I feel the weight of thousands of eyes on me. My feet move before my brain catches up, and I reach for Jake’s hand, letting him pull me into the blinding lights.
The crowd’s noise swells, the cheers like a tidal wave crashing over me.
Todd’s grin widens as I step into the center of the stage, Jake keeping a steady hand on my lower back. “Ladies and gentlemen,” Todd says, his voice booming over the stadium, “you’ve seen the rumors, heard the whispers. So, let’s clear it up.”
He pauses, glancing at Jake, then Xayden, then West before his gaze lands on me.
“This,” Todd continues, his voice steady and sure, “is Ashlyn Robinson. She’souromega. And if you don’t watch it already, she hostsOmega’s Top Model.She’s a big deal.” He meets my gaze, and I can feel my blush rushing to my cheeks. Maybe this is for our fake dating, maybe it isn’t, but either way, my body likes it.
The crowd explodes.
The sound is deafening, a mix of cheers, applause, and excitement that shakes the stage beneath my feet. My face burns, but I can’t stop the warmth spreading through me as Jake and West close ranks around me, forming a protective half circle, with Todd.
Jake leans in close enough for me to hear him over the noise. “They love you already,” he says, his tone low and sincere.
Xayden pounds out a quick rhythm on his drums, tossing his sticks high into the air and catching them with a flourish, grinning like a kid at Christmas. West steps up beside me, his presence quiet but steady, his guitar slung low as his fingers flex like he’s itching to play.
Todd tightens his arm around me, pulling me into his side. His bare chest pressing against me, making my stomach flip.
“Do you all want to hear the song we wrote for her?” Todd rasps into the mic, his voice low and rough, carrying just enough heat to send a shiver racing down my spine. My heart stumbles, the crowd’s roar rising in response.
I glance up at him, wide-eyed, but he doesn’t look at me. His focus is on the audience, on the sea of people screaming their approval.
He smiles faintly. “Unfortunately, we don’t always get things right the first time we try them… For you,” he repeats, his voice dipping just slightly, enough that it feels like the words are meant for me alone.
West steps forward, his fingers finding the strings of his guitar, and the first few notes ring out—delicate and melancholic, but with a thread of hope woven through. It’s hauntingly beautiful, and it pulls the crowd into an almost reverent silence.
Todd’s voice comes in low, raspy but melodic, the kind of sound that wraps around you and doesn’t let go.
"We lost you in the storm,
When I told you to run,
Thought I was strong enough
To face the damage I’d done.
