Page 75 of Resist

“It’s too early,” I whine as I lean my aching head on Fox’s shoulder. He looks far too put together to be hungover like us, but he’s slightly green, which makes me feel a little better. I didn’t even hear Po come in, but he looks annoyed as he makes his way through the messy kitchen, throwing us dirty looks every few seconds as he tries to make himself coffee.

“Why the hell is someone’s shirt in the fridge?” Po grumbles as he grabs milk.

“Oh, I remember. I was warm and thought it would cool me down,” Strike tells him, his eyes still half closed as he hugs his glass of water like it’s his lifeline.

Sighing, Po turns to us and cups his mug. “Well, you certainly have partying like rock stars down. What happened?” Po says as he leans against the kitchen island.

“We figured we’d make the most of last night in case it was our last. It seemed like a good idea at the time,” I admit as I rub my aching head. Fox passes me some water and pills, and I gag as I swallow them.

“Fox, really, you’re usually the smart one.” Po sighs in disappointment.

Fox shrugs, rubbing my back. “I was with them on it. We might lose all this, so why not enjoy it for once since all we’ve done is work?”

“I’m glad you’re finally all on the same page and working together. I just wish it weren’t about partying,” Po grumbles. “Fine, I came to help you. I meant what I said. We have the concert to show the label they are wrong and it’s what the fans want, so do you want to hear my plan to save your careers, or would you rather go back to sleep?”

We all perk up despite our hangovers and share a look, but it’s Strike who speaks.

“How do we save our band?”

“Well, for starters, I’m going to need you to . . .”

We listen as he speaks, the plan coming together. It might not work, but we have nothing else to lose.

Besides, we never played by the rules before, so why start now?

I’m terrified, but I’m also excited.

We have been preparing for this charity concert for two weeks, and I still don’t feel ready, but as I look into Fox’s eyes as we linger in the wings, I know I have to be. It’s our last shot. We are working on Po’s plan and hoping that we’ve made enough of a connection with our fans that they are on our side, which means exposing everything.

It means exposing us.

We haven’t been together long, and I worry it will wreck our relationship. Fox must read the concern in my gaze because he heads over, grips my chin, and drags me close for a quick kiss.“We will always have each other, okay? Just focus on me out there, no one else.”

“I’m happy to tell the truth. I’m not ashamed of us. I’m just worried the fallout will pull us apart,” I admit.

“Never,” he murmurs. “That will never happen. Trust in me. Trust in us.”

I close my eyes, soaking in his strength as we get the notification in our ear.

“Take the entry lift please.”

I nod at Fox and kiss him again, and Strike, Dash, Fox, and I head under the stage and kneel on the rectangle part that rises. Taking a deep breath, I hear the crowd scream and chant, and then everything falls silent as the lights die.

The drumbeat sounds, and the screams erupt again as the lights above us flash red and then purple, and we slowly start to rise, smoke billowing around us. Halfway up, we stand in unison, and the screams are so loud, they rock the arena. I could barely believe we sold out such a huge place, but I guess the hype surrounding the concert is huge. The faceless crowd filling the seats shocks me, towering into the sky, and then the pit writhes with so many bodies, I can’t even see a gap anywhere. Shaking my head, I pose just before the light hits us.

We change poses as it hits us again. Our names are shouted, and I try to hide my smile as the drum stops and I grab a mic. I let out a long, high note, and when it tapers off, Fox’s guitar shreds for a second, and I hum into the mic as I step from my mark and walk down the extended stage slowly and deliberately. The crowd moves closer as I stop at my mark at the end and drop my head back, letting out the highest note I’ve sung. When it fades, I pose like that with the mic in the air before I open my eyes and look at the crowd, letting them feel the heartbeat in the silence.

“I’m Ryker, and this is Sanctuary!” Flames erupt from the stage, and the lights turn on behind me, illuminating my bandmates in their spots. Running as the first note of the song hits, I begin to sing as I walk back to them. I catch sight of myself on the big screen for a second before I focus on Fox, letting everything else fade away.

The music and Fox are all that matters, and I don’t stop until I lean into him, singing the chorus along with Strike.

Once the first song is over, I head to the front of the stage and blow a kiss to the audience. “Are you ready to have a good night?” I cup my ear and sigh after their screams taper off. “You can do better than that. I said, are you ready to have a good night?”

The screams get louder, and I nod, gesturing upward until it’s all I can hear. I wait for the volume to lower a bit before I say, “That was incredible. I suppose you know who we are, but how about we say hello one by one?” I wait for the screams to die, and the light hits me. “I’m Ryker, and I’m your singer for tonight.” I grab my crotch and grind as I smirk.

The light hits Dash next, and he smashes the cords, dragging out the notes. “Hello, lovers, I’m Dash.”

The light switches to Strike, and he hammers the drums before standing. “I’m Strike!”

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