Page 73 of Four More The Merrier

The crowd's energy dips as Jarron fumbles another verse. He recovers quickly, flashing his signature smile, but I see the frustration in his eyes.

"Let's slow it down," I announce, trying to salvage the set. "This one's for all the lovers out there."

As I start the ballad, Austen's harmony comes in sharp. He winces, adjusts, but the damage is done. The magic just isn't there tonight.

We push through the rest of the set, professional enough to keep playing but nowhere near our usual standards. The chemistry that made us special has evaporated, replaced by awkward glances and missed cues.

When we finish the final song, the applause feels more polite than passionate. Jarron storms off stage without his usual bow, leaving Austen to handle the closing remarks.

"Thank you, Colorado! Cheers to a new year!"

Behind my smile, my heart sinks. What a way to end the current one.

Despite havinga performance I would deem celebratory, we head to the club. It's New Years Eve after all. The VIP section of the club pulses with bass and champagne flows freely. I smooth down my red cocktail dress, had to get out of the sequins for the night, and I try to look confident despite feeling like I'm walking on eggshells.

Beau appears at my elbow with a fresh drink. "Well you look beautiful tonight, as always."

"Thanks." I accept the glass, our fingers brushing. His touch lingers longer than necessary. "Listen, about…"

Before I can finish, Lyle swoops in. "Care to dance, songbird?" He doesn't wait for an answer, leading me to the dance floor.

A faintly hear Beau muttering obscenities under his breath as he leads me to the dancefloor.

Lyle twirls me around the dance floor with surprising grace for a drummer. His hand is warm on my lower back, steadying me as we sway to the beat. The music is loud enough to vibrate through my bones, but Lyle's presence feels grounding. I catch a glimpse of Beau nursing his drink at the bar, his eyes following us.

"Got any plans for your New Year's kiss?" Lyle's voice is casual, but there's an edge to it that makes me glance up.

I laugh, a little too loudly, trying to play it off. "Oh, you know, it's a surprise."

He smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "Right. Surprises are good."

We're barely through the second song when Austen cuts in. "Mind if I steal her?"

"Actually-" Lyle starts, but Austen's already pulled me away.

"You killed it tonight," he whispers in my ear. "Your cover of neon moon…"

Austen pulls me closer, his familiar cologne wrapping around me like a warm blanket. The usual sharp edges of his personality have softened under the influence of good whiskey and better music. His fingers trace gentle patterns on my back as we sway to the rhythm.

"Remember that night in the sound room?" he murmurs against my ear. "When you helped me with that song?"

"How could I forget?" The memory sends a shiver down my spine. "You actually let someone see the real you for once."

"Maybe I'm tired of pretending." His blue eyes lock with mine, surprisingly vulnerable. "You make it easy to just... be."

My chest tightens as I catch sight of Lyle over Austen's shoulder, his expression darkening as he downs another drink. Beau has disappeared entirely. And Jarron... I scan the club but can't spot him anywhere.

"Quinn?" Austen's voice pulls me back. "Where'd you go just now?"

"I'm right here." The lie tastes bitter on my tongue.

He spins me out and pulls me back in, closer than before. "Are you though?"

The genuine concern in his voice makes this harder. Here in his arms, seeing this softer side of him, I could almost forget about everything else. Almost.

Suddenly, Jarron materializes beside us. "Quinn, the label wants photos."

Jarron guides me through the crowd, his hand warm against my lower back. The label's photographer has set up a small area near the VIP section, complete with a black backdrop dotted with the tour logo. My red dress feels too tight, too revealing under the bright camera lights.

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