Page 125 of Never To Suffer

“If they don’t win, I’m starting my own damn label.”

“You could. As much as you hate to admit it, you’ve got a great mind for business hiding up in that brain of yours.” Theo holds his hands up to stop me from arguing. “Not like your parents, Xander. Nothing like that. You’re young, smart, and capable. Someday, if you allow yourself, you’ll be so big you could buy their company just to turn around and sell it back to them.”

I lean over, kissing him softly. “Thanks, Doc. That means a lot coming from you. It does.”

“Okay, so,” Theo and I watch the stage. The bands are both back out there again and I swear if this isn’t the announcement, I’m going down there and smashing people’s faces in. “Time for what you’ve all been waiting for!”

We’re all on our feet, crowding the edge of the box. Theo’s hand finds mine as we hold on tight to see where this wild ride will take us next.

“The winner of the first, and best, Battle of the Bands Nation is…”

CHAPTER 52

WONDERLAND

CARAVAN PALACE

Epilogue

“Hey, Dani? Did you pack the tickets?” Xander asks and I flash him a look. He’s asked me that question at least four times this hour. “Yes, asshat. I even showed them to you last time!”

“I wanted to make sure you didn’t, I dunno take them out, put them on the desk, start to pack something else, and forget.”

“Why the hell would I take them—” I groan when I notice the tickets sitting on the desk, right where Xander said they were. “Okay, why don’tYOUpack them?”

“I have; every other time you’ve unpacked them.” He gives me a peck on the cheek as he walks out the door with a small bag of things. “Hurry up, though. We’re gonna be late for the flight, and Paris waits for no one!”

“Paris will still be there tomorrow,” I mumble, stuffing one more thing into my bag and fighting with the zipper. I drag the last of my bags out to the living room and the three of them stand around, drinking coffee, and talking. “Where the hell is your luggage?”

Skylar nods to the small stack of three tote bags sitting by the door. “Beetle, we’re going for two weeks, not two months.”

I huff, looking at the three large roller bags, two duffle bags, purse, and carry on I planned to bring. I’ve done this every time Skylar and I leave for another leg of the tour, so they’re not surprised. I do another mental inventory, shrug, and head toward the door, leaving the three large bags behind. The trio head for the bags the second I walk away from them, not a complaint between them about how much I packed.

“Leave them.”

They all stop and turn, eyes wide. Xander does a double take, before he laughs, “No, you need this one. Or at least you need to get your passport out of it.”

“What? I put my passport—” He opens the front flap of the large bag and pulls out my passport, wallet, and spare keys. “Fuck!”

“It’s fine, I’ll keep them in my bag,” Skylar offers. “You’re sure you want to leave all this stuff behind?”

“Yep. I’m working on that whole new leaf thing. Letting things go and seeing the other side of the coin. Whatever the stupid saying is.” I open the front door and wave them all through it. Once we pile into the ride share, I turn to Skylar. “I’m kind of glad we didn’t win. That band plays Arkansas for the next week and got roped into doing some radio talk show. Boring! We get two weeks off and a trip to get pastries!”

“We have pastries at home,” Skylar laughs before kissing the side of my head.

“Better view, though,” Theo laughs, watching the route on his phone until Xander swats at his hand. “And I have a surprise for all of you.”

“Like what? Wait, let me guess,” I shout out the first thing that pops into my head, “SYLVIE IS PREGNANT!”

“HA!” Xander doubles over in a fit of laughter. “I get to call youGrandpainstead ofDaddy!” Theo rolls his eyes.

“No, it’s not…wait, do you know something I don’t?”

“Dani’s a witch, Theo. Remember?” Skylar teases, braiding their fingers into Theo’s, who looks like he’s about to be sick. “An enchantress who’s hexed us all, sucking our souls dry so she can see into the future!”

“Don’t say it, Xander!” I snap.

He fights back a snort, “I don’t think it’s souls she’s sucking out.”

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