Page 68

He raises an eyebrow. “I’m good.”

Daria gently touches my arm, holding my gaze. “You know. I’m proud of you.” For once, she isn’t teasing me.

That wasn’t what I expected. “What? Why?”

She smiles. “You’ve spent years running from anything real. Pretty much the whole time I’ve known you.”

Ouch. Fair. But not this time.

Raffi nods. “She’s right.”

The exchange makes me uncomfortable, I’m too exposed.

Daria bumps her shoulder against mine. “I’m glad you’ve found happiness, Jax, you deserve it and Bri is worth it, so get out there and fight for your girl, or I will.” She winks.

She’s more than worth it. She’s kind, funny, creative, smart, and most of all she’s genuine. She sees people, really sees them, not just the version they’re performing and she doesn’t judge. When we met, she didn’t put me on some imaginary pedestal as a celebrity. She wanted the real me. All of me. And despite my countless flaws, she didn’t run or want to change a single thing about me.

She is my girl.

It’s the first time I’ve ever dared to use those words, and I refuse to take them back. My whole life I have been terrified of connection, but right now, I’m more terrified of losing Bri.

I will absolutely fight for her, now and always.

“You deserve this, Jax. Go get her,” Raffis says, squeezing my shoulder.

Before I can respond, the backstage door opens. Jason appears. “You ready?”

I laugh nervously. “I’m terrified.” The admission earns surprised looks from everyone.

Jason smiles. “Good. If you weren’t terrified then she wouldn’t be the one.”

I exhale slowly. “True.”

He checks his watch, before looking at me. “One last thing.”

My heart attempts to escape through my ribs. “What?”

His smile widens. “She’s here.”

Everything else disappears. My breath catches and relief hits me so hard I almost have to sit down. She’s here. Thank God.

Naithan pats my shoulder. “Now or never.”

The familiar roar of the audience drifts backstage, and my pulse spikes. Naithan lifts his guitar. Daria grins. Raffi claps me on the back, and Jason steps aside, giving me room to walk past. I take a deep breath, and together, we step out onto the stage.

Chapter 48

Bri

Ihave absolutely no idea what’s happening. And I hate not knowing what’s happening. Especially when everyone else seems determined to keep me in the dark.

The panel room is packed. Every seat is taken so people are standing at the back. Excited chatter fills the space, bouncing off the walls as fans wait for the cast of The Strigoi to appear. Meanwhile, I’m stuck in the front row wondering why on earth I’ve been dragged here. Ember is sitting on one side of me. Saint is on the other, with Luna and Lennie beside him. All of them are wearing expressions that make me deeply suspicious.

“What’s going on?” I ask for the hundredth time.

Saint smirks. “No idea.”

I narrow my eyes at him and he grins. Sighing, I turn to Ember who isn’t any better, she swears she has no idea either. Seriously?