Page 81 of Knot Their Opening Act

CHAPTER33

Kai

On our secondand final night in Rome, before we have an entireweekoff gigs, Jez walks out of her dressing room and my heart leaps into my throat. I may or may not have been hanging around outside, waiting for her to head to the stage to start her set, but she smiles wide and blushes when she sees me. She takes my outstretched hand and we walk together.

How this force of nature Omega came to be in our sphere at all still feels like a miracle. And all she has done all this time was be herself. We just let our own selves get in the way.

“How’re you feeling?” I turn to her as we approach the stage. I place a kiss on her head and inhale her hair, the scent of sweet spring and life that we’ve missed out on for so long. I want to run my fingers through her silky hair and slide them under the straps of her sun dress, but now is most definitely not the time or place.

She shyly shrugs one shoulder up then squeezes my hand.

“So much better.” Her voice returned after a few days of rest, and we’ve all stayed off social media, by order of Ash, Ferny, and Steve.Just spend the time off together, and resting, and drinking nothing but water. Get in the headspace you need for the weeks to come, now that you’re sorting yourselves out.

“Not nervous?” I ask, as she turns to look me in the eye. Her bold red lipstick perfectly outlines her full lips as she takes a smiling inhale.

“Not really nervous. More like tentative about how this’ll be received.”

“I really think not reading any reviews or stories online was a good idea. Yes, we’re here to entertain and give them their money’s worth, but you have to assume they spent the money because they want to see us as we are—that we’re not influenced by the online stories or posts by the minority.” I place both hands on her shoulders and give them a gentle squeeze. “And if they came out to see us mud-wrestling or lobbing guitars at each other, they’re not the fans we want anyhow, right?”

“I know you’re right.” Jez scratches lightly at the inside of her forearms, the telltale sign of anxiety creeping in. I give her a quick hug and a kiss on the forehead.

“You’re going to nail it. It’s our performance we ought to be worried out.” I wink.

The venue house lights dim and Jez and her band make their way to their places on stage. I join Holden, Thomas, and Nico standing with Ash to watch from stage left.

The crowd seems enormous, the way they’re spread out at this venue, and their rolling screams and applause seems to almost physically hit Jez, as she rocks back slightly on her heels.

“Well hello, Rome,” she chirps as she strums the intro to her first number. The cheers skyrocket, and the evening sun glowing orange on the horizon seems to paint the stage with a majestic, watercolor glow.

Jez flawlessly bounds through her tunes, and the set flies by. I don’t want it to end, and as I glance out at the approving crowd, I know she’s where she belongs. As she draws her final song to a close from the end of the catwalk, I see her kneel down.

My heart palpitates as I check the backstage screens for signs of her falling, panicking, or otherwise struggling. But the camera shows her kneeling speaking to the crowd at the front, her eyes shining.

The camera zooms in, revealing a long fabric banner held by five fans in the crowd. It reads,Grazie Jez for speaking out on anxiety disorders <3 You have our back & now we have yours.Then below, in smaller letters,With love, the Italian Fan Society for FoF.

She’s covering her mouth and her eyes are squeezed shut, and I think she sobs out a thank you. Minutes later, as the crowd still screams and stomps, Jez is ushered backstage flanked by Murray and Shay, each holding up an end of the banner so we can all see it.

“This iseverything,” Jez sobs out, and Caylee runs to her, embracing her in a hug. And then behind her comes Viv and her three Alphas I had the pleasure to speak with earlier.

“Congrats Jez,” says Viv, beaming.

When Jez spots her best friend, she lets out a shocked squeal and throws her arms around her, then turning to me and the guys, mouthing, “Did you do this?”

“Oh my God, Jez, you were so perfect. That fucking crowdlovedit—they were singing every word! You have so many supporters out there, you can’t even imagine. I filmed basically the entire time—mostly the crowd I’m afraid to say, but you’ll understand why when you see it.”

Then Viv turns to me, her baby bump enormous at this point, which is to be expected with three babies growing in here. “And here’s the man who got us here,” she grins, gesturing at me.

Jez shakes her head in disbelief, then leans over, grabs my hand, and kisses me on the cheek. As she does, that heavenly perfume of her scent floods my senses. “Thank you,” she says. “Both of you.” She looks me in the eye as hers shine with unshed tears. One more squeeze of my hand and she turns back to Viv.

“I cannot believe you’re actually here. When did you arrive? How are you feeling?”

“We arrived last night, had a leisurely dinner because I can actually eat now without feeling like I’m going to puke up a house, and then this morning even got some sight-seeing in. I took a nap earlier, though.”

“Well, of course,” says Jez. “Do you head back tonight, or in the morning?”

“Neither!” Viv grins, shooting a grateful glance our way. “Your fellas called us a few nights ago and set this all up, got us in your hotel, and we’re here for two more nights. So, if you’re free and don’t mind my horrifically slow-arse pace, I thought we could have a spa day tomorrow. It’s all booked, but of course if you don’t want to, I?—”

Jez throws her arms around her friend again and gleefully whoops. “I can’t think of anything I’d rather do. This is insane, after London I didn’t expect to see you for ages!”

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