Chapter Thirty-Two
Cameronand his parents were still reconciling when one of the twins came running, streaking down the hallway, out of breath.
"Yo, dickface, we're going on in thirty seconds!" The twin had a look of panic about him. "August's going to gut you if you don't get your ass on stage."
Cameron cringed and turned to his parents. "I'm sorry, I've got to go do the encore."
"Can… we watch?" Sharon asked hesitantly.
Cameron's face brightened, ecstatic. "Of course!"
With a rock star at our side, the bouncer easily let us breeze through.
"I'm sorry I sprung this on you," I whispered to Cameron just before he went on stage.
He stopped and looked at me. Sweat rolled down my back, half from the heat flowing off stage and half from nerves that Cameron was still upset with me.
He gave my hand a quick squeeze before grinning.
"I've got to go put on the best fucking rock show of my life." He winked. "Need to impress the 'rents."
Cameron ran onto the stage to a roar of cheers, joining the rest of Darkest Days.
"This is so interesting." Sharon glanced this way and that, taking in every detail as she clung to my side. "I've never been backstage at a concert before."
Grant looked around at the carefully controlled chaos of roadies and concert staff rushing around. He winced at the blasting music coming from the speakers.
"It's, ah… quite loud," he said, shouting over the noise.
"You get used to it," I shouted back.
Cameron did put on the best show of his life. He played to the audience, urging them to shout louder, jump higher. He strutted from one end of the stage to the other, leaning over the barrier to clap at his fans' hands. He laughed and grinned, dropping to his knees and hopping up on amps, a whirlwind of energy.
He didn't, however, take off his shirt. I had to assume that was for his parent's benefit.
When the concert was over, Cameron ran off stage first. His parents congratulated him with hugs and smiles.
"I'm sorry we can't stick around longer," Sharon said regretfully. "We left our guests in the middle of dinner quite rudely. We should probably get back."
Cameron nodded. "I'll let you know the next time we have a show. I'll get you special VIP tickets. It'll be awesome."
"We'd love that."
Before leaving, Sharon gave me a hug goodbye.
"Thank you so much, Lily," she whispered in my ear. "I want you to know you're a very welcome part of our family."
My heart swelled at those words. Family. For so long it had just been me and my brother.
It was a nice feeling, being part of a family.
Which reminded me. Noah. I had to tell him.
I looked around backstage, but didn't see him.
Cameron took my hand. "You need to come with me right now."
"Where are we going?" I asked.