Page 100 of Heart of a Rebel

I don’t bother answering because he already knows it. Besides, it’s led me to where I am, so I don’t think I could regret it if I tried.

35

Eloise

Denver.

There’s nothing like playing in this stadium. We might come from Fairfield, but Denver is where we built our home. A place we settled into once we figured out who we were as humans instead of being just our parents’ children. The crowd reacts differently here. Or maybe we play differently. It’s a mutual feeling that can’t be compared to anything else.

The heat of summer soaks differently in a city that understands the cold depths of winter. The same way I do, deep to the bone, longing for the season to change and breathe in warmth again.

Finally, I am. We all are.

Today’s show might be a celebration of the end of a tour, but it’s also the beginning of things I couldn’t have foreseen when the band got started—a future in music that extends beyond us, into something larger.

“They’re wild out there today.” Sebastian wipes his sweaty hair off his forehead as a roadie hands him a water bottle.

We only have a few minutes before we need to be back on stage, but we’re all taking the chance to catch our breath and cool off between songs.

“Fucking right they are. I already miss touring.” Rome frowns.

“It just ended.” Noah jabs him in the arm.

Merry comes up between the two of them and latches onto Noah’s arm. “I’m with Rome on this one. Keep me on the road forever and I’d be happy.”

“My rolling stone.” Noah leans in and plants a kiss on her.

“I get punched in the arm and she gets a kiss.” Rome juts a thumb at them. “Favoritism.”

“Who’s the one with the pussy?” Merry winks at Rome.

“See, ladies and gentleman, that’s how you win an argument.” Rome wraps an arm around Merry’s shoulders and pulls her in. “And it’s also why you’re my favorite.”

Noah shoves Rome away and Merry laughs, soaking in his jealousy.

“What? She had a point?” Rome grins.

Adrian hangs up his phone call and starts making his way over to us. We might be backstage at a concert, but he’s always working. Not that the band helps when we’re constantly keeping him busy.

After we officially cut ties with Neon Records, Adrian got the ball rolling on our label, and it’s been a lot of work. If I thought he didn’t sleep before, this is going to be a whole new beast.

Adrian barely makes it to the group when his phone starts ringing again.

“Damn it, I need to take this.” He holds up his phone and points it at Sebastian. “I’m blaming you when I die young from stress.”

“Can’t die young when you’re already old.” Sebastian grins at him.

Adrian steps in and plants a quick kiss on my lips that might as well ignite my entire body on fire.

“He’s lucky I love you,” Adrian murmurs against my lips.

I smile. “I know.”

Adrian steps away to take the call, and I turn back to the group.

“You’re moving in with Adrian, huh?” Merry wiggles her eyebrows at me while a wide grin stretches her face. But there’s no judgment in her tone.

To the outside eye, it might seem sudden for me to move in with Adrian, but in reality, when I think of staying in my own house, all I feel is every one of our years apart weighing me down. I’m tired of the space between us, and I’m happy he feels the same.

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