Page 147 of Even Beneath the Stars

Finn looks up at Maggie, then back at my pants. He brushes a small finger over one of the lobsters and makes a face. "I think they look kinda stupid."

Maggie and I both burst out laughing.

Then her arms loop around my neck. “You know what this means, right?” she teases, rising on her toes. “Youhaveto play your best show ever now. No pressure.”

“No pressure,” I echo, but my voice is soft, because I owe so much to this girl. Finn and I? We'd be a mess without her. I wouldn't even bedoingthis show if it wasn't for her. "You'rethe certified rock star," I murmur against her lips.

Behind us, Tyler groans. “For the love of God,not here.”

Cam snickers. Liam straight-up cackles.

A tech waves us over. “You’re on in two.”

I grin and pull Maggie in by the waist, kissing her again quickly.

"Break a leg," she says then pulls back, reaching for Finn's hand. "You guys are gonna be awesome," she calls to the guys.

"You guys are gonna be awesome!" Finn echoes skipping off to the side with Maggie.

My heart pounds against my ribs, but it's not fear anymore. It's anticipation. Pure adrenaline.

The four of us huddle together, arms linked, heads bowed. The same way we did before our gig at the Foundry. Only it feels different tonight. More electric. More meaningful.

"Holy shit," Tyler whispers. "Holy-mother-freaking-shit."

"Let's do this, boys." Cam is chill again.

I nod. "Let's do this."

Just outside the wings, the cheering swells.

"Shoooowtime," Liam drawls.

The stage lights dim, and the screaming reaches a fever pitch.

We break apart, shuffling closer to the stage in a line, with fist bumps and shoulder claps.

My guitar feels alive in my hands. I look out at the crowd. Glow sticks arc through the air like shooting stars against the purple twilight. My heart pounds in sync with the crowd's mounting excitement.

Suddenly, the stage explodes in a kaleidoscope of lights—blue, purple, red strobes cutting through the darkness. My heart slams against my ribs as the roar of the crowd swells into something massive. Almost primal.

Tyler jogs out first, raising his drumsticks high. The screaming intensifies. Liam follows with his bass slung low, nodding coolly at the sea of thousands, like he's strolling onto stage at a high school coffee house. Then Cam, flashing that wide, easy grin as he hoists his guitar.

Each entrance sends another shockwave through the festival grounds.

I exhale slowly, centering myself. A deep breath, a grounding moment. Then, gripping my guitar, I step out.

And I swear to God, the noise is deafening.

A wall of sound slams into me—thousands of voices screaming, chanting my name,ourname, hands raised like a tide pulling toward shore. A sea of people, stretching beyond the stage lights, beyond the festival grounds. The energy is massive, swallowing me whole.

And suddenly the nerves kick in.

My hands are trembling, palms slick with sweat. I can barely breathe through the anticipation building in my chest.

This is really happening.

I step up to the mic.

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