Page 38 of For One Night Only

’til there’s nothing left

My mother’s facial expression doesn’t change, even as I launch into the chorus with a growl.

everybody wants something

I just wanna be free

when I think they have enough

they drain more from me

no matter how I beg

they won’t stop making me bleed

’cause all my friends are vampires

It’s funny how I wrote this song eight years ago, and it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. Nearly everyone in this room wants to sink their claws back into my flesh. The song is a little cheesy, a little angry, and a lot of loud, but I sing every word like I mean it more than ever before. Caleb duplicates my melody on the bridge so it sounds like we’re well and truly shouting:

I’m not a commodity

so fuck you for consuming me

with ink and blood like puppet strings

you exploit my life to live like kings

you crossed my lines, I cross my heart

and hope you cry when I depart

I’m tearing free from all your fangs

staking claim on my own damn name

“Vampires” is always a crowd favorite, and the adrenaline rush I get from the lyrics helps me channel my energy until the final notes ring out. When it’s time to transition into “Making Memories,” I swap out my electric for an acoustic while Caleb takes a sip of water.

Our ballads are too personal and they still don’t feel right yet, but we’ve been working on this one a lot, and it felt like a goodchance to show some range. I swallow thickly as I pop on a capo and begin the opening chords.

My heart twists as Caleb starts singing the verse. “Making Memories” is a song we wrote about falling in love with your best friend. It’s vague. We never confirmed our relationship. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’tfeelintimate. I have to dissociate myself from the lyrics and just sing like it’s my job, because we have to finish this afternoon in one piece.

When the ballad ends, we turn to address any questions from the room. At least Wade is here, but I can tell by the set of his jaw that he’s concerned about my mom’s surprise visit. He took over our management for a reason, and we all know it. There’s a round of compliments and some questions from the suits, and then my mother opens her damn mouth.

“I heard you all are refusing to make another album. It just doesn’t make sense!” she blurts.

“We’re not refusing to make the album—there’s no album to make. The band broke up,” I say, clenching my shaking fists.

She places a hand on her chest. “Well, you don’t look very broken up to me. In fact, you all looked pretty cozy on that stage. Very…strategic.”

She’s glancing between me and Caleb like she knows a secret, and it makes me want to scream. I don’t want her making this thing between Caleb and me dirty, like I’m using him for my image. Even if I am, a little.

“We’re just here to thank the fans for supporting us after all these years,” Caleb says diplomatically, but his brow’s a little furrowed. He’s not happy.

“Yes, and I unfortunately couldn’t commit to another album given my current schedule,” Jane says. “We’ve all moved on to other projects.”

Keeley grins like a lion circling her prey. “Yeah, everyone wants a piece of me, I’m sorry to say.”

Riker laughs. “My next year is packed too.”

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