Page 73 of Sixty Days Of Summer

“Don’t think I’ll go easy on you,” I reply, a smirk tugging at the corners of my mouth.

Theo laughs, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Good. I was worried you might need a nanna nap first.”

I laugh, feeling the mood lighten.

As the curtains pull back, the deafening roar of the crowd engulfs us like a tidal wave. As I count us in for the first song, a rush of adrenaline surges through me.

Throughout the night, I sneak quick looks at the side of the stage, catching glimpses of my sister beaming with a heartfelt smile. It’s such a relief to realize that she never really left me; it’s like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I was always in her thoughts, even if it felt otherwise.

She’s right, though—if she’d reached out a few years back, I’d have thought it was all about the fame and shut her out. Watching her mouthing the lyrics along with the crowd brings a feeling I can’t quite put into words. It’s like a missingpiece finally falling into place. I never imagined she’d be here, cheering me on, let alone knowing the words to our songs. I give her a smile, and when she smiles back, there’s a quiet understanding between us that bridges years of silence and hurt. For the first time, it feels like things might actually be okay.

My attention shifts to Scarlet, completely lost in the music and fucking owning it. Watching her like this is something else. The way she moves, the way she lets the rhythm take control of her body, has me craving her more than I thought possible. I can’t wait to get back to that hotel room tonight. The thought of peeling off her clothes, and exploring that gorgeous body, has me craving her more than ever. I’m itching to show her just how much she turns me on, how her every move sends heat pooling low in my stomach, making my cock hard and my breath hitch. The thought of tasting her, feeling her soft skin beneath my fingers, and watching her eyes flutter with pleasure as I take my time sends a thrill through me. I can almost hear her breathy moans in my mind, feel the heat radiating from her skin. Tonight, I’ll show her exactly what she does to me, and nothing’s going to hold me back.

As we hit the final song of the night, “Creep,” I’m still riding high from the adrenaline. Theo poured everything he had into our guitar showdown, strutting around wearing that cocky grin, convinced he could actually take me down. But once again, I owned that stage. He put up one hell of a fight, but he never stood a chance.

While Xander moves to the side to grab his guitar, Theo and I head over for a quick drink. We down our drinks, sharing a quick laugh before moving back into position. As the opening notes of “Creep” echo through the arena, Xander holds out the mic, and the crowd erupts, belting out the lyrics with raw passion. This song means everything to them, especially to Xander. The connection between the band and the audience iselectric, palpable in every heartbeat and every cheer. As Theo and I move to the front of the stage, we watch the sea of phone lights swaying back and forth in unison. This is what we live for—the energy, the vibe, the way we touch people’s lives.

And then I feel her. I don’t even need to see her to know she’s there. My instincts kick in, and I pull her close, wrapping my arm around her shoulder and drawing her into a tight hug. I plant a kiss on the top of her head, and the crowd’s roar amplifies at the unexpected display of affection. Then it hits me hard—showing this kind of vulnerability in front of thousands of people is completely out of character for me.

Theo slaps me on the back, grinning wide, and I turn to catch his nod of approval. It’s a small gesture, but it means a lot. For the first time in ages, it feels like things are starting to fall back into place between us. I can feel the weight lifting, and it’s like we’re on the path to better days ahead.

The night has been a success, and for once, I’m actually smiling. Despite the shitstorm of my mother’s media circus and the assholes chanting that crap outside the hotel earlier, I’m riding a high. It feels different, lighter somehow, though I can’t quite pinpoint why. Maybe it’s the adrenaline still pulsing through my veins or the fact that we truly connected with the crowd in a way that felt authentic.

As we wrap up and prepare to say our goodbyes to the crowd, I hang back with Scarlet and Theo, letting Xander take his time leaving the stage first. Once he’s gone, the three of us start making our way across. I pause for a moment, waiting for Scarlet, and when she looks up at me, there’s a shift deep in my chest. Something’s changed between us—I feel it. She’s all I can think about. Through all the chaos, she’s been right there, steady, never judging me the way I thought she might. She’s seen the broken, fucked-up parts of me, and somehow, she still accepts me, flaws and all.

As I reach the side of the stage, where my sister stands waiting, I can't shake the feeling that her presence here has sparked something deep within me. It’s like she’s illuminated a part of me I didn’t even know was dark.

“That was amazing, guys,” she says, glancing at us while we grab bottles of water from the table. Her eyes lock onto mine. “I’m so proud of you, Ace.”

Her words hit me hard, unfamiliar and raw, making me have to avert my gaze to hold back the tears. It’s a feeling I haven’t experienced before—pride, acceptance, connection.

Xander comes over and rests his hand on my shoulder, grounding me in the moment. He then turns to Daisy and asks. “Are you coming down to the green room with us?”

Daisy looks between Xander and me, her warm smile still bright on her face. “I’d love to, if that’s alright with you guys.”

I nod, knowing we still have much to discuss. It’s a lot, but I want that. I want to understand her life and all the things she’s done. It wasn’t until this moment that I fully realize how much I missed her or how much anger I’ve been carrying, convinced that she was just another person who left me behind. It was never her fault. She did what she had to do to survive that house of horror. While those bastards were cruel to me, they hurt her in ways I can’t even imagine.

I am ready to heal, and having her next to me is the first step in that process. I want to be the brother she needs, the support she deserves. This isn’t just about me anymore; it’s about us, about finding a way to move forward together.

As the rest of the band head towards the green room, Daisy and I follow slowly behind them. “Just a heads-up,” I say, walking beside her. “It gets pretty wild in the green room. There’s this other band from Australia with us, and then there are the groupies—wild ones who seem to think boundaries are optional.”

I give her a reassuring smile, hoping to ease any nerves she might have. I want her to feel comfortable in this environment, even if it’s a bit overwhelming. “But don’t stress about any of it. Just grab a drink and relax. Once I’m done with everything, I’ll come find you, and we can catch up.”

Turning to Daisy, I realize there’s so much I don’t know, things I never bothered to ask. “Hey,” I say, my voice softer. “Are you… married? Any kids?” The words feel strange, like I’m talking to someone I just met instead of the sister I’ve known all my life.

A broad smile spreads across her face, lighting up her features. “Yes, I’m married to a loving man, and I am a proud mother of three beautiful daughters.”

“Wow,” I say, taking it all in. “Three daughters? That’s a lot of girls.”

"Yeah," she says, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "And someday, they'd really love to meet their uncle."

The thought of family brings a strange, comforting warmth that settles in my chest. I can almost picture those little girls running around, full of life and energy. “Xander has a son named Alex, so that’s four for me now—one nephew and three nieces.”

It slowly sinks in: I’m not just her brother anymore. I’m part of something bigger, something worth holding onto, something worth fighting for.

Chapter 26

Scarlet

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