Page 92 of For One Night Only

He blanches. “What?”

Something like worry tightens my throat, but I surge ahead, because I know I did the right thing. “You needed a push. That’s what you said last night.”

His jaw drops. “You’re taking that so far out of context…Jesus, Valerie, you had to know I wasn’t agreeing tothis! We haven’t even talked as a band! I can’t just uproot my life because you’re high on the applause tonight.”

My stomach plummets at his anger. This wasn’t just about the applause. The concert was perfect. Everything felt so right. Calebwas having such a good time playing the best he’s ever played—we all were—and I thought he’d be happy to continue. He basically said that last night.

He’s just processing. Once he realizes I’m all in, he’ll be fine. He can rely on me now. The band has joined us, and I look around, sure they’ll back me up.

They…don’t.

Keeley is sullen, arms crossed, glaring at me. Jane looks stricken. Riker is just weary, running a hand over his face.

Maybe it will take a few minutes for everyone to understand, but I know they’ll be on board. We’re so much older and wiser and we can pick up right where we left off and make things even better this time. Everyone wants this. So my announcement was a little spontaneous—but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea.

We were running out of time.

“Everyone wants to make another album, right? The timing was just too perfect to pass up,” I say, squaring my shoulders despite the tremble in my voice.

They can’t possibly be mad. We need this. But Caleb sighs and shakes his head, stepping back to his spot on the stage.

I wait for the others to say something, but no one does, so I stride back to my microphone, brazening past thousands of confused stares. “Now, on with the scheduled programming!”

But before I can begin the lead line for “Midnight Road Trip,” Caleb leans into his own microphone.

“I’m sorry, everyone. You’re all so amazing for coming here tonight, but I can’t do this. Another album…it isn’t what I signed up for when I agreed to perform tonight.”

Oh god.My heart thuds in my chest as he unplugs his bass and turns to leave.

I can’t let him leave. I run to him, grab his elbow, trying to root him to the spot long enough to let me explain. “Caleb, please.”

He wrenches his arm away, whirling to face me with wide eyes. “No! I thought we were in this together, but after what you just pulled, I don’t know how I’m ever supposed to trust you again, let alone make music.”

My vision swims, and I shake my head, trying to anchor myself. This can’t be happening. This isn’t what I wanted.

I thought he’d be happy.

I swallow, grasping at the words I need to make him listen. “Please, let’s just finish the set. We can talk after, figure everything out as a team,” I say, but I’m practically begging and my voice is weak.

Those green eyes I adore stare back at me under the lights, cold and piercing. “No, Val. It’s too late for that.” He laughs bitterly, shrugging the strap of his bass off of his shoulders. “You made sure of it. I’m out.”

Tears choke the back of my throat. “Don’t go.”

But then he does just that.

29

Caleb

After everything we’ve been through, I thought I could trust Valerie to choose us over fame, but I was wrong. I’ll never be more than a means to an end for her. I can’t let her keep breaking my heart.

I wait for the anxiety attack to come, but it doesn’t. I’m just…numb. I barely feel my feet pounding on the stage floor as I hurry away.

When I get backstage, I don’t stop walking until I’m past security and out of the stadium.

30

Valerie

---