Page 77 of Fractured Rhythm

“I told Cassie I loved her at dinner tonight,” I said.

His grin widened. “About damn time, idiot.”

“What?”

“I’m happy for you both, but if you fuck this up, I will kill you,” he said, and there was no humor in his voice.

I swallowed hard. “I have no plans to mess it up this time. She’s my everything.”

“No shit. I’m glad you guys figured your crap out,” he said, his smile back in place.

“Hello, boys and girl,” Josh said from the doorway.

“Hey, Captain Hard-ass,” Jax replied.

Josh ignored the nickname and walked into the room, making a beeline for Charlie. She’d dropped her sticks on the couch next to her and straightened up. Shit. Now she looked nervous.

“Hello, Charlie. Josh. Nice to finally meet you,” he said, holding out his hand.

“Nice to meet you,” she said, shaking his hand awkwardly.

“Hope the guys aren’t being obnoxious. I mean, with Jax it’s his nature, but Bash and Tristan are usually good,” Josh said after he took a step back.

“Hey,” Jax protested.

“Pipe down, Ellie,” Charlie said.

“Ellie?” Josh asked.

“For Elbert. I think Ellie’s going to stick,” I said, loving Jax’s red cheeks. Served the bastard right for calling me Wolfie all these years.

“That’s awesome. Welcome to the group, Charlie,” Josh said with a nod. “Is everyone ready? I posted on all the social media platforms that you guys were here tonight, and we’ve already sold out all of your shows for the tour. Jim said there’s already a line at the door.”

“You better not create a riot,” Tristan said. “I don’t understand why we couldn’t have announced it as an intimate show and let people get tickets online like every other show.”

“Because CH likes to create hysteria,” Jax said.

“Exactly. It’s been two years since you played together on stage, and you’re at the bar that gave you your first shot. Hysteria is good. It sells albums. Okay, so you’ll play two of the new songs and the rest backlist, right?” Josh asked.

“Yep. Starting with ‘Monsters,’ like always, and ending with ‘Fight Me,’” I said.

“Perfect. Now kick some ass, and good luck, Charlie,” Josh said before he left the room.

“Fuck. No pressure or anything,” Charlie said, her voice shallow.

“You guys ready?” Jim asked, poking his head in. “Bar’s packed. We might be over the occupancy limit.”

“Let’s give them the best fucking show ever,” Jax said as we all stood up. “For Jamie.”

I swallowed hard. “For Jamie.”

Walking down the short hallway, with my guitar clutched in my hand, I heard the crowd yelling for us. This was it. The moment I’d both anticipated and dreaded with every part of me. I was going to step on that stage without my best friend. Someone else would count us in and set the pace. A part of me would never be okay with that, but a larger part of me was excited to play again, with the guys I loved like family on stage next to me.

“We’re going to rock this,” Tristan said, his voice low under the noise from the crowd as we walked on stage.

I looked out over the mass of bodies—definitely a bigger crowd than I’d seen at Connors ever before—and then I saw Cassie. She was grinning up at me from the side of the bar, perfectly positioned for me to catch her gaze.

And a sense of calm washed over me as I played the first note.

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