Page 114 of The Rogues

I ponder that, wondering if it really is just as simple as that. I look at her, feeling so relieved that I have someone I can confide in once more.

“They’re my scent matches, Lark.”

“I figured that too.”

“I don’t know what to do,” I confess.

“You own it,” she tells me. “You own it and you keep your scent matches close. There’s nothing in this world that should matter more than the people you are fated to be with.”

I agree, wholeheartedly, but my stomach still twists at the thought. “But what about Cleo and Cyrus’s history? What is the label going to do? They can’t take back the entire relationship they did for the press. What are people going to say?”

“Screw what anyone thinks, Josie,” Lark says, her eyes full of steel. “This is your life, your mates. It’s a glorious thing that not a lot of people get to experience. It shouldn’t be tainted by someone else’s issues, or by our label’s expectations. Enjoy it, and then tell everyone when you’re ready.” She squeezes my hand once more, filling me with strength. “And when you do, I’ll be right there to back you up.”

THIRTY-SEVEN

ALBANY, NEW YORK

“You come out here to watch them a lot.”

I turn to see Nicola, her smile teasing as she walks up beside me, her sour kiwi scent bursting in the air. Her outfit for tonight is one of my favorites of hers, a messily stitched green and black dress over completely distressed tights. Her boots are thick and covered with fur, making her look like they are holding her to the ground or else she’ll fly off.

And knowing Nicole, she probably would.

I shrug. “I quite like their sound. And it calms me before we go on. Reminds me why we do this.”

I spend a lot of time in the wings while the guys are performing. I love watching them. It’s like a dose of something forbidden that I can’t get out of my system. Seeing them in their element, doing the thing they love, it’s the most attractive thing I’ve ever seen. Not to mention, they sound really fucking good. Their sound has always appealed to me, but I’ve really fallen in love with it since we started this journey.

Just like I’ve really fallen for them, consequences be damned.

Nicola crosses her arms and looks out at them. “It’s not because they’re extremely hot and you’d like a piece of them?”

My eyes flash at her. A part of me probably should be territorial, but this is Nic. She is the last person who would do anything like step in the way of my scent matches. Still, I didn’t know I was that transparent.

“I don’t… they’re not…” I stumble over my words, completely caught off guard by her statement.

“Relax,” she tells me, giggling. “He isn’t really Cleo’s ex, remember? You can lust after them all you want. I don’t blame you.”

I breathe easy. Nicola doesn’t think I’m with them, just that I want to be. I can work with that.

Honeysuckle joins our unique scents as Lark steps beside me.

“No pre-show ritual for you?” I ask, surprised.

“I wanted to see where you two snuck off to,” Lark jokes, crossing her arms. “Plus, I love this song. I wanted to hear it in person.”

I nod. It’s a really good song.

We stand there and watch them, their joy and energy rocking the audience in a way that makes it look effortless. Cyrus holds the microphone in both hands, singing passionately. Lennon drums like he’s on autopilot, flipping his sticks. Remi and Malaki focus on their parts, occasionally moving around and interacting with Cyrus. And Jamie stands behind his keyboard, his fingers working masterfully in a way that I remember all too well.

They’re magical, and they’re mine.

When the song ends, there’s a pause as all of them take a moment to cool off. Cyrus drinks some water, and Malaki and Remi give each other a very specific look before glancing over into the wing. I can see the second they recognize me, their eyes flitting with mischief.

I pause, confused, and then Cyrus looks at Remi, searching for something, and when he gets a nod back, his face beams brighter than I’ve ever seen it.

He walks up to the microphone and adjusts the aid in his ear.

“Hello Albany, how is everyone doing tonight?” His question erupts a deafening applause, his audience roaring in response. “Hell yeah! Thank you all so much for coming out tonight. We have a very special treat for you. As some of you know, we have been working on our next album for you all, and we were wondering if you’d like to hear one of our new tracks?!”