Page 101 of Sixty Days Of Summer

The call connects, and I hold the phone to my ear. Ace’s gaze never wavers from mine as I hold my breath. With each ring, the pressure mounts, my heart beating louder with each passing second.

“Neon Records, how can I help you?” A smooth female voice says on the other end of the call, and a jolt of adrenaline rushes through me.

“Hi, I’m Scarlet Reynolds,” I say, my voice trembling slightly at first but steadying as I continue. “I’m calling to speak with Tony Montgomery. He asked me to give him a call.”

“Hold, please. I’ll connect you,” the woman replies.

As I wait, my heart races. I can’t help but glance at Ace, who gives me an encouraging nod.

The line goes dead for a moment before a deep voice comes through. “Scarlet. This is Tony Montgomery.”

“Hi, Mr. Montgomery,” I reply, forcing myself to sound calm.

“I’ve been following your progress with Broken Oasis,” he says. “You’ve made quite the impression, stepping in and holding your own. It’s not easy to fill those shoes.”

“Thank you,” I respond, feeling a rush of pride. “It’s been a wild ride.”

“I’m putting together an all-female band, and I think you’d be a perfect fit.”

My breath catches in my throat. “An all-female band? Really, that sounds incredible!”

“This is a big opportunity. You’ve got something special, Scarlet. I want to offer you a chance to thrive in a new setting, with a group of women who share your passion for music.”

“That sounds incredible!” I can’t help but smile.

“I’m glad to hear that, Scarlet,” he replies. “In a few days, my secretary will reach out to set up the contract for your lawyer to review. If everything looks good, we can start putting the band together and get this project off the ground.”

“Thank you so much!” I can hardly contain my excitement as I hang up the phone, a wide smile stretching across my face. “He’s sending a contract!”

Ace’s face lights up with excitement. “I knew you could do it, Scar!"

“I can’t believe this is really happening!” I say with a smile as I look over at Ace. This is it—a new chapter, a chance to finally step into the spotlight I’ve always wanted.

Chapter 36

Ace

Icouldn’t help but feel a surge of pride when Scarlet stood up to Nate and Theo. Watching her put those assholes in their place was straight-up badass. Honestly, I’m surprised she didn’t do it sooner, but that’s just Scarlet—always too damn nice and trying to keep the peace. It’s the complete opposite of me; I’m the guy who has no problem telling someone to shut the fuck up. Maybe that’s why we work so well together—we balance each other out, bringing out the best in each other even with all our differences.

I didn’t give a damn which label it was—even if it had been our old one, Victory Records. All that matters is that Scar isfinally getting the chance to live her dream after this tour. She’s everything to me, and I’ll always have her back, no matter what.

The contract came through two days later, and I could see the relief on her face when she found out the label is based in Los Angeles. Honestly, I felt the same damn relief. But let’s be real—I would’ve followed her anywhere if it meant she was happy. That’s all that matters to me now—her happiness. Watching her light up with real joy… There’s nothing like it. Knowing I’m part of that happiness… It’s everything. I’ve never experienced anything like it before—the pure satisfaction of making someone else so incredibly happy. And let me tell you, it’s fucking contagious.

As we wrap up the last night of the tour, there's this bittersweet feeling that won’t leave me. It’s not just the tour ending—it’s the thought of not having Scarlet here anymore, not hearing the way she pours her heart into those drums like she always does. These last sixty days… They've turned my world upside down in ways I never saw coming. This tour wasn’t just a series of shows or about the music we played—it’s been a fucking journey into the depths of my soul.

It's this tour where I finally faced my demons—where I confronted all the shadows from my past that had been clawing at me for years. Each show, every moment we shared, brought me closer to the surface, forcing me to reckon with all the shit I’ve kept buried deep inside. Even now, those shadows linger, whispering doubts in the back of my mind. That scared little boy who hides in the dark is still there, reminding me of the battles I’ve fought and the ones I’m still fighting.

But through all of it, Scarlet has been my light. She’s the reason I found the courage to open up, the reason I felt safe enough to show her the real me. Now, as this tour winds down, I can feel that emptiness creeping in. I never thought I’d find someone who could understand me the way she does, and thethought of losing that connection… well it scares the shit out of me.

Every day, I remind her that I love her, that she’s everything to me, and it’s incredible to see the effect those words have on her. It’s crazy how something as simple as "I love you" can change the way someone carries themselves, like it sparks something deep inside. And when she says it back to me, I have to fight the urge to doubt it, to question if I truly deserve that love. Those harsh words from my mother—those voices from my past telling me I’m unlovable—don’t have as much of a hold on me as they once did.

Despite the doubts and insecurities that were drilled into me as a kid, I’m finally starting to believe I’m capable of being loved. It’s a revelation I never thought I’d reach, and it’s all because of Scarlet. She’s shown me a side of love I didn’t think existed, a kind of love that heals rather than hurts.

With Nate sticking around for the remainder of the tour, constantly chasing after every groupie he and Theo can fuck, Scarlet and I have been stealing more moments together. Every night, Nate takes the stage for the last song, but tonight, he told Scarlet to stay on the drums and perform the final song herself. I couldn’t be more stoked that he gave her that chance. She’s earned it. She deserves to show the world just how fucking talented she is.

As I glance over at her behind the drum kit, our eyes lock, and she gives me a smile that’s full of emotion. The stage lights catch the tears shimmering in her eyes, and I can see just how much this final night means to her. It’s the end of this chapter, but I’m confident in what lies ahead for her. The future is wide open, full of possibilities, and I’m beyond excited to see where her dreams take her. This is just the beginning, and I know she’s destined for greatness.

The final note hangs in the air for a beat before the crowd erupts into cheers, a deafening roar that shakes the entire stadium. Xander raises his hands in the air, his face lit up with a grin of pure triumph. I rip my guitar off, following suit as Theo does the same beside me. We exchange a brief glance, before stepping toward the front of the stage. It’s time for our final goodbyes.

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