They’re a wall of sound and raw power.
And then…
Effa.
She bursts onto the stage like a goddamn supernova. Her blonde hair whips behind her like silk caught in the wind, her guitar slung low over her body, thigh-high boots stomping confidently across the platform. She raises one hand high in the air as she sprints to the mic, claiming the space as though it’s already hers.
“Pittsburgh! You guys are amazing,” she yells, voice echoing across the crowd, full of that husky vibrance that’s hers alone. “We’reLuminous, and we’re gonna illuminate your world. So hold on tight, ’cause here we goooo!”
Right on cue, the band launches into their opening track, the first verse punching through the speakers like thunder. I swear, my chest could fucking burst with how proud I am of her.
Her voice?Liquid grit and soul.
Her stage presence?Dominant as hell.
She was born to do this.
Born to own this space.
And from where I’m sitting, no one shines brighter thanmy girl.
Effa isn’t just in the spotlight.
Sheisthe spotlight.
EFFA
The high after a show never gets old. No matter how many times I step out onto that stage, the buzz is always real. That mix of adrenaline, endorphins, and pure energy hits different every single time. I live for it.
But right now?
All I want is to get back to Mercs. Just the two of us alone somewhere quiet, where the only rhythm I feel is the beat of his heart against mine.
As we walk the winding hallways toward the green room, I down the last of my berry water, the flavor tart and sweet against my tongue. Raoul stays close beside me like always—ever the guardian. I shoot him a grateful smile while Alana chats with Luke, probably about how the live stream played out. Andi’s expression has softened since earlier, the thrill of the show taking the edge off her mood, while Casey lingers behind us, sniffing the air dramatically like she’s a damn bloodhound.
I raise an eyebrow. “Smelling something again, Case?”
Casey nods like she’s found the Holy Grail. “Yup, popcorn. And vanilla. And maybe weed? Either way, I want a party.”
“And a man,” Andi adds with a smirk.
Casey grins. “Hell yes. Can we go straight to the club tonight, Luke?”
Luke sighs, clearly over it. “Don’t you want to, I don’t know… shower first? Unwind?”
“No,” Casey snaps. “I want booze, I want blow, and I want some big-ass balls!” She gestures dramatically, both hands cupping the air like she’s wrangling an invisible set. It earns a round of laughter from the girls.
Luke, predictably, looks like he’s swallowed a lemon, and he groans. “Fine. Go get changed, and I’ll organize the car.”
“I’m gonna go find Mercs,” I announce, glancing between Luke and Raoul. “Tell him to come with us?”
Luke waves me off mid-conversation. “Yeah, sure. Raoul, stick with her.”
As they round the corner toward the green room, Raoul and I continue toward the crew room. His arm wraps loosely around my shoulder.
“Great show tonight,mon petit oiseau,” he says warmly.
I flash him a grin. “We’re kind of a big deal.”
