Page 64 of Hymns of the Broken
“Bet she’s why he looked so smug during ‘Bleed for Me.’”
Then there’s the grainy clip from outside the venue—Jasper picking me up against the bus, everything else melting away. The angle is all wrong, but the intent is clear. Anyone watching would know.
Did I really make those sounds? Did he say my name like that?
I slam my phone face down, heart hammering, cheeks burning.
A shadowfalls across my bunk.
Jasper.
He crouches, dark eyes searching mine. “You saw it, didn’t you?”
I want to deny it, but there’s no point in doing so. “Somebody filmed us. Last night. Backstage. The bus. It’s everywhere.” My voice cracks, shame mixing with something raw and dangerous.
He picks up my phone, thumb swiping through the chaos. Instead of anger, there’s a hint of pride—something darker, possessive.
“Let them watch,” he says, voice silk and gravel. “They want a show? I’ll give them one. As long as you remember who you belong to.”
His hand cups my cheek, thumb pressing just hard enough to make my pulse jump.
“Was it you?” I whisper, breathless. “Did you know they were watching?”
He smirks. “Does it matter? They’d find out eventually. This way, they know you’re mine.”
And suddenly, I can’t decide if I’m more afraid of the world knowing… or how much I want to give him even more to see.
***
The back of the bus is quiet, shadows stretching across the floor as the sun dips. I find Silas sitting alone, feet propped on the seat across from him, drumsticks rolling between his fingers. He looks up as I enter, and for once, his gaze is soft.
He nods to the empty seat beside him. “You doing okay?”
I hesitate, then sit down, hugging my knees to my chest. “Honestly? Not really.”
He sets the drumsticks aside and leans forward, elbows on his knees. “I saw the photos online. The fans, the comments… It’s a lot.”
A flush creeps up my cheeks. “I didn’t know anyone was watching last night. It just happened. Now it feels like everyone’s seen more of me than I ever wanted.”
Silas shrugs, with the hint of a smile on his lips. “Welcome to tour life. Nothing stays private for long. Doesn’t mean it’s fair. But none of this is on you, Sawyer. People are always looking for something to talk about.”
His voice turns serious. “Jasper can make things intense. He’s always been like that—possessive, a little reckless with the people he cares about. Sometimes he forgets there’s a world outside the one he’s built for himself.”
I look down, picking at a loose thread on my dress. “It’s overwhelming. Like I’m not sure where I fit anymore.”
He lets out a quiet laugh, not unkind. “That’s how it starts. Then you realize you fit where you decide to fit. Not where anyone—Jasper included—tells you.”
There’s a long moment of comfortable silence, the kind that feels like an understanding more than anything else.
Silas gives me a look that’s all big brother—no nonsense, all care. “If you ever feel like you’re drowning, come find me. It doesn’t matter if it’s Jasper, the band, the fans, any of it. I’m here. Even if all you need is someone to listen.”
The tightness in my chest loosens. I nod, offering a weak but genuine smile. “Thanks, Silas. Really.”
He shrugs, back to rolling his drumsticks between his fingers. “Anytime. Seriously. You’re part of the band now.”
For the first time all day, I let myself believe it’s true.
JASPER
