Chapter Twenty-Five

Nico

T he morning sun pierced through the thin curtains, painting the interior of the camper in a golden hue. Nico stretched, feeling the buzz of anticipation in his veins. Today was the day. The band had agreed to meet early at a local practice space, so they could have one last run-through before their big performance.

Arriving at the practice spot, Nico felt a jolt of excitement seeing everyone ready and eager. They dove into their set, each song flowing effortlessly. Twice they went through their entire set list, hitting every note, every beat, without a single mistake. By the end, the room was filled with their triumphant energy.

Back at their camper, they took a brief nap to recharge. When Nico woke up, he nudged Jace. Nico chose his favorite outfit—a snug, black t-shirt and ripped jeans—and started getting ready. The others followed suit, each choosing outfits that reflected their unique styles but harmonized with the band’s vibe .

“Tonight’s the night, guys,” Nico said, pulling on his boots. “We’re going to light that stage on fire.”

Jace laughed, adjusting his guitar strap. “Just try to keep up, drummer boy.”

Sammie grinned, running a hand through his hair. “Hope the crowd’s ready for this. They won’t know what hit them.”

Mark, now calmer and more focused, nodded. “Let’s give them a show they’ll never forget.”

As they walked through the crowds, the sea of faces parted to let them through. Nico felt the energy building, a wave of excitement that matched his own. They reached the stage, and the roar of the audience washed over them.

Taking their places, Nico glanced at his bandmates, feeling the bond between them stronger than ever. The first notes rang out, and the crowd erupted. Jace’s voice cut through the night, powerful and magnetic, as he danced across the stage, connecting with the audience who chanted Jace’s name.

Nico’s drumming was steady and relentless, driving the rhythm that kept everyone moving. Mark’s guitar riffs soared, while Sammie’s keys added depth and texture. The crowd clapped, sang along, and moved as one entity, completely enthralled.

Jace’s energy was contagious, his voice reaching new heights as he jumped and danced, his movements fluid and free. Nico watched with pride, knowing that they had created something special. Each song blended into the next, the audience hanging on every note.

As they finished their set, the applause was deafening. The crowd’s energy was still electric, and Nico couldn’t help but smile. They had done it. They had brought the house down. And as they walked off the stage, he felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and unity with his bandmates. Tonight was a night they would all remember for years to come.

When they left the stage, there were people who wanted to sign the band up for more shows in different states.

“We want you to tour the East Coast in February,” one manager said to Nico.

He turned to the guys. “What do you say about that?”

All three said yes in unison.

After that manager, another one wanted them to do a tour in Canada. They all agreed. They had almost six months booked. Their calendar was filled. Nico had heard of this happening after big concerts, but he never expected it to happen to them here.

He couldn’t help but smile as they all gathered back in the camper. The energy from their performance still thrummed through his veins. Each of them took a shower, washing away the sweat and grime of the stage, and now they were ready to celebrate. The camper felt like a sanctuary, a place where they could let their guard down and just enjoy the moment.

Nico pulled a bottle of champagne from the mini-fridge, the cool glass a sharp contrast to the warmth of the room. He popped the cork with a satisfying pop, and the bubbly liquid foamed over the top. He filled each of their plastic champagne glasses.

“To us,” Nico said, raising his glass. “To our success and to this incredible journey we’re on together.”

They clinked their glasses, the sound like a harmonious chord. Nico’s heart swelled with pride and gratitude as he looked around at his bandmates. Each one of them had played a crucial role in their success, and he felt an overwhelming sense of camaraderie and love.

Sammie was the first to speak, his voice filled with excitement. “We killed it out there tonight. The crowd was insane! ”

Mark nodded, a genuine smile on his face. “Yeah, and we didn’t miss a beat. This is what it’s all about—playing music, connecting with people. I’m glad we’re all back together.”

Jace wrapped an arm around Mark’s shoulders, his eyes shining with emotion. “I couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone else. You guys are like family to me.”

Nico’s chest tightened, feeling the weight of those words. “And we couldn’t have done it without each other. Every one of us brings something unique to the table. Sammie, your keyboard skills add so much depth to our sound. Mark, your guitar riffs are legendary. Jace, your voice and presence captivate everyone.”

He paused, taking a moment to let the emotions settle. “I know we’ve had our ups and downs, but standing on that stage tonight, hearing the crowd go wild…it’s all been worth it. We’re a team, and together, there’s nothing we can’t achieve.”

The room was filled with a sense of unity and accomplishment. They talked and laughed, reminiscing about past performances and dreaming about the future. Nico felt a deep sense of contentment, knowing they were not just a band but a family, bound by their love of music and their commitment to each other.

As the night wore on, they sat together, the soft hum of the camper’s air conditioner a comforting backdrop to their conversation. Nico felt at peace, knowing that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together. And that made all the difference.

After their celebration, Mark and Sammie left the camper to meet some friends and Nico and Jace found themselves alone in the quiet of their camper. The night outside was a still, stark contrast to the roaring crowd they had just left behind. The camper felt cozy, filled with the soft glow of string lights Nico had hung earlier .

Nico looked at Jace, his heart swelling with love and gratitude. “You know,” he began, his voice gentle, “I’ve been thinking about how much I love this camper. It feels like our own little world on wheels.”

Jace smiled, his eyes sparkling. “Yeah, it does. It’s been great for all of us.”

Nico took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his emotions. “And you…you’ve been my greatest escape, Jace. I love you more than I ever thought possible.”

Jace’s smile widened, but there was a hint of curiosity in his eyes. “What’s brought this on, Nico?”

Nico swallowed hard, his hands trembling slightly as he reached into his pocket. “Jace, I’ve been wanting to ask you something for a while now.” He got down on one knee, pulling out a small box. Jace’s eyes widened, tears already forming.

“Jace, will you marry me?” Nico’s voice was thick with emotion. He opened the box to reveal a pair of gold bands gleaming softly in the camper’s light.

Jace’s tears spilled over, a mix of shock and joy. “Yes, Nico. Yes, a thousand times yes.” His voice broke as he spoke, overcome with emotion.

They slipped the bands onto each other’s fingers, the moment feeling surreal and magical. Jace pulled Nico into a tight embrace, both of them crying and laughing at the same time.

After a while, they sat together, talking about their future. “How about getting married on Christmas Eve?” Nico suggested, his voice soft and full of hope.

Jace’s eyes lit up. “That sounds perfect. It’ll be the best Christmas ever.”

As they sat there, wrapped in each other’s arms, the world outside seemed to fade away. It was just the two of them, their love, and the promise of a future together. And in that moment, Nico knew that everything he had ever wanted was right here with him.

The End