Page 3 of Sixty Days Of Summer

I wait in the tense silence, each second stretching into an eternity.

My mind is on high alert, searching for any sign of movement or sound that might indicate Beck is still lurking nearby.

The wait is excruciating. I wrestle with the urge to open the door and peek outside, but a cold dread holds me back—what if he’s still out there waiting for me to expose myself?

I clutch my phone tightly, my finger trembling above the call button with 911 still displayed on the screen. If Beck is lingering nearby, ready to strike again, I know I’ll have to call emergency services, even if it means risking my brother’s privacy and dealing with unwanted media attention.

The click of the lock on the bathroom door echoes through the silence, sending a shiver down my spine. I cautiously turn the doorknob and step back, bracing for the possibility that Beck might burst in. My head still throbs from his earlier blow, and I’m acutely aware that another hit could knock me out, leaving me helpless and unable to reach for the call button if I need it.

When nothing happens, I slowly inch the door open, peering through the crack.

The sight that meets me is chaotic: my belongings are strewn across the floor—couch cushions, notebooks, my laptop, and various trinkets—tossed and scattered in disarray. But in this moment, none of that matters. What matters is that Beck isn’t lurking somewhere, giving me a sense of false hope.

With caution, I ease open the bathroom door, creating a wide enough opening to slip through, all while maintaining a fixed gaze on the apartment’s front door. The chain lock dangles loose, and a quiet sigh of relief escapes me as I remember securing it earlier when I got home. Even though Beck appears to be gone, there’s still unsettling suspicion gnawing at me. What if this is just a ploy to lure me out? I hold my breath, ears straining for any hint of noise, while my eyes dart around the apartment, scanning for any sign of movement.

Minutes stretch out unbearably slow as I force myself to take a few cautious steps forward. My heart pounds like a war drum in my chest, reverberating through every inch of my body. With every nerve on edge, I scan the room for any sign of danger.

Reaching the front door, I fumble with the deadbolt, locking it with a shaky hand, and then secure the chain lock. Each motion is tinged with dread, as though the very act of securing the door might be my downfall.

Turning to survey the wreckage, I wait in the quiet as a wave of crushing sadness washes over me. I collapse against the door, sliding down it until I’m sitting on the cold, hard floor. My headfalls into my hands as I sob, with the realization that I can’t stay here any longer. Not after what he did. Not after the violation of my space and safety. I don’t want to think about what would have happened if I never made it into the bathroom. Plus, I don’t even know how the fuck he managed to get into my apartment in the first place.

Chapter 2

Ace

Iknow I have to come clean and tell Nate what happened, but I’ve got no fucking clue where to even start. The second he finds out I fucked his sister the night of Poppy’s foundation party—it’s all going to blow the fuck up, and probably tear the band apart. I’m not proud of it. I was ready to bury that shit, take it to the grave. But ever since Xander walked in and caught us in the act, he’s been giving me this fucking guilt trip about betraying my friend.

Despite Xander warning me to stay the fuck away from her, I couldn’t help myself. The night of Xander and Poppy’s surprise wedding, we found ourselves entangled once more. I madeevery effort to keep my distance, but the irresistible pull of the beautiful blonde with the sexy tattoos was too strong to resist. And now, because of what I’ve done, my conscience is tearing me apart. I know I’ve fucked up in the worst way possible, and every time I see Nate, the guilt just rips me to shreds all over again.

While Nate is a superstar, his sister is a whole universe of her own—happy and so full of light—while I’m more like a black hole.

The memory of those two nights we shared lingers in my mind. The sensation of holding her close and fulfilling her deepest desires. And what’s weird as fuck is that she’s constantly on my mind. It’s been over five months since I last got any action, and maybe that’s why. Perhaps when the band hits the road again and the groupies throw themselves at me, she’ll become just another name on the long list of chicks I’ve fucked. Maybe I’ll even forget the way her gentle touch sent shivers down my spine and how hungry she was for my cock.

It’s been five months of inner turmoil, contemplating whether to tell Nate what happened. Every time I go to come clean, Xander steps in and tells me to keep quiet. He insists on keeping it a secret, believing it’s in my best interest if Nate, the overly protective brother, doesn’t find out.

Xander’s convinced it’ll end up like last time, when I messed around with a guy’s sister back in high school and got my ass handed to me. I expect Nate will do the same, but at this point, I’m ready to face the fallout. I’d rather face the consequences head-on than let this guilt consume me completely.

Nate’s never been one to lose his cool; violence isn’t his style. He’s always been the serious, focused type. But there have been times when his temper flared, especially when rumors swirled about the old label wanting to replace Xander. The idea of him finding out I’ve been fucking his sister. Well, that’s something I can’t even start to wrap my head around. I don’t want to imaginethe pain it will cause him, and on top of that, it will shatter the trust. That alone is fucking unbearable.

I suppose you could say I’ve matured. In the old days, I didn’t give a shit about hurting anyone’s feelings, except for Xander’s. He’s the only one who really gets me, who knows the real me. Even my father and sister couldn’t wait to ditch me. And as for my mother? She was too caught up in her own shit—always chasing the next high and dragging home some asshole to fuck.

Xander, Poppy, and Alex—they’re more than just friends, they are my real family. Nate and Theo, too. They accept me for the fucked-up, person I am. That’s why ripping Nate’s trust to shreds like this is tearing me apart. I know he’s gonna lose his shit when I tell him, but eventually, he’ll come around. Isn’t that what families do? They fight, they yell, they let all that shit out, and then they forgive and move on.

I attempt to wash off the guilt in the shower, but it clings to me like an invisible weight. With a heavy heart, I make my way over to Nate and Theo’s place, ready to come clean.

It’s been only two hours since we wrapped up recording the last track for our new album. I know if I dive into the studio to edit, I’ll miss my chance to confess. Getting lost in the music is like tumbling down a never-ending rabbit hole of pure bliss. Xander’s songs are hitting hard; our classic sound is back, and I’m confident the fans will eat it up.

This album is our big fuck you to Victory Records, and that we can succeed without their support. With all the bullshit they’ve thrown our way, we're determined to make this a success.

Stepping out of my house, I immediately notice Xander standing in front of his place, his gaze fixated on Alex zooming down the driveway on his bike. The pure fucking joy on Xander’s face is something else, and I can’t help but admire how Poppyand Alex have transformed him. It’s amazing how he changes when he’s around them—his true self emerges, full of happiness and devoid of any bullshit.

It makes me wonder what it’s like to have everything you’ve ever wanted: to love without fear, to feel completely accepted for who you truly are. Xander’s found that courage, embracing his vulnerabilities in ways I’ve always struggled with. Witnessing the way Poppy loves him, and all of us, without any conditions, is a clear indication of the strong bond that has formed within our family since they joined us.

The sound of my footsteps catches Xander’s attention, and he spins around, flashing that grin that’s become a permanent fixture on his face.

“Hey, man,” he greets me, before turning back to watch Alex, making sure he’s safe as he moves further down the long driveway.

“Hey,” I reply, stopping beside him.

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