I laugh and nod. “Betterer… that I can do.”
Effa tilts her head, her eyes shimmering like they’re soaking up every word I say. Then, slowly, she leans in, pressing her open palm to my still slightly sweaty chest. The warmth of her touch sparks something inside me. I hold my breath as her gaze meets mine—soft, serious, searching.
“That’s why I’m here… the peace and quiet. The calm before the storm. You’re right, it’s here I truly live. This is where I can be… me. Once the crew arrives, the crowds invade, and the music overruns everything, everything changes. I have to be one hundred percent on, all the time. But here, in the quiet, I can just be me. I like the peace.” Her voice drifts off as her eyes lower, and it feels like she’s revealing something personal, something she probably doesn’t share with just anyone.
I don’t know why she’s telling me. We’ve only just met. But maybe that’s the point. Maybe it’s easier to show your real self to someone when there’s nothing expected of you yet.
And maybe this whole peace-and-energy thing isn’t just a gimmick.
Maybe the hippy vibe is justher.
“Are you okay?” I ask gently.
She glances up, that momentary crack in her mask quickly sealed with a bright, practiced smile. “I’m good,” she says, her hand sliding up to rest briefly against my shoulder, not in a flirtatious way, more like a grounding gesture. Then, with one last twinkle in her eye, she spins on her heel. “Thanks for the chat, Mercs. I’m looking forward to the show tonight. You’re coming to the after-party, right?” With that, she then skips off down the hall, her ridiculous giraffe onesie flopping with each bounce.
And I stand there, still trying to figure out what the hell just happened.
“Uh… I guess?” I call after her, but she’s already out of sight.
I blink.
Exhale.
Scrub a hand down my face.
What. The. Eff. Just. Happened!
Chapter Three
EFFA
A surge rushes through me, the high, the endorphins kicking in strong, pulsing through my veins like an electrical current igniting the fire inside.
I live for this.
The air I breathe is thick with the crowd’s passion, roaring and chanting my name. Lights explode in pinks and greens, a neon celebration dancing across the stadium, illuminating the fans as they bounce in time with our music.
I adore the thrill.
The excitement.
The energy.
This is home.
The stage buzzes with life as we power through our final song. Cannons erupt, the crowd screams, and beach balls tumble from the rafters while confetti showers the stadium in a rainbow storm.
I grin at Casey, who beams back while singing backing vocals for our encore, “Malibu Intoxication,” hence the beach balls and color burst.
The crowd swats the balls through the air, loving every second of the chaos, and as I belt out the last lyrics, a cascading waterfall streams down behind us. It’s epic. Especially now, with Mercs’ lighting slicing through the water. The wordLuminousflickers through the shimmering veil like magic.
Mercs isn’t just a lighting director…
He is the one who decides what the fanssee,what theyfeel,and when they lose their damn minds.
He doesn’t just illuminate the stage, he owns every second of it.
He’s a goddamn genius.
