66. Chapter Sixty-Six

Chapter Sixty-Six

Anna

I 'm no stranger to morning routines and keeping up with myself. On a good day, I can be ready in less than an hour.

But what Aria and Cedar have done to me makes me feel like I'm on my way to a grunge beauty pageant, not standing in the center of a concert venue where my feet stick to the floor of the area known as ‘the pit,' devoid of any chairs.

My empty hands tremble with excitement and curiosity about the giant black X sharpied on my right palm.

My nerves buzzing as the crowd begins to pack in around Aria and Cedar and me.

I love music, especially the kind that As Above plays, and even though I worked with them for so long, I've yet to see a single show from the listener's perspective. I'd always stand off to the side, or in the green room, with my phone and tablet at the ready to post headlines and sneaky backstage pics.

Which makes tonight even more special than it already was.

Because it's also the first time that the world sees the real Tobias Jeffers.

Sober, and in the lead position as As Above's guitarist.

A spot he so rightfully earned over the last few months.

It makes my chest weep with pride and confidence in the man who's about to take the stage with his found brothers, so much so that it feels like I might burst.

I know I never said yes to the man, not officially and not outside of the bedroom, but as I look around at all the people filing in, each of them toting the same mark on their palms, I know without a doubt that Tobias Jeffers is my forever.

My demon slayer.

My fix .

Which is exactly what I feel zing through my system when the lights cut low and the air around me charges with an energy so palpable, I can taste it on my tongue.

"Ohhh fuuuck," Cedar mumbles beside me, her frame bouncing, her hands shaking out in front of her. "This is so fucking intense; I can't take it."

I rub my palms together, careful not to smudge the mark, and grin so wide it makes my cheeks ache.

"Are you sure he doesn't know?" Aria asks, and I shake my head.

"He's not online even now. He has no idea," I answer them both when their questioning gazes land on me.

"Still don't know how the hell you managed to do it," Cedar supplies.

"It was just an idea that I'd thrown out. Months ago, I might add. Leo and the guys did the rest."

The crowd falls silent as the lights abruptly cut out, the sudden absence of sound leaving a ringing in my ears and anticipation skittering across my damp skin. In the darkness, hands find mine—Cedar on my right and Aria on my left—and I squeeze them both when the feedback from the microphone kicks in, filling the venue with the unmistakable voice of Rex Thompson.

" Good morning, " Rex growls into the mic as he does at the beginning of every show and the place erupts. " We're As Above and this … " His deep voice echoes over us, making my ears ache and my smile grow as the lights come up and illuminate the long-haired vocalist. " This is called ‘Demons' ."

Drums pound out a beat, blasting us right into the first song—one I don't know—as someone I don't recognize on the stage fills the between beats with bass.

The spotlights travel from Rex to his side where it finally stops on the lead guitarist's spot.

The spot that's taken up by both an empty-handed and confused-looking Toby, and Finland, who's toting his signature candy-red guitar strapped to his back.

And a second six-string grasped in his hands.

My breath catches in my throat.

Music continues to play as Fin kneels before Toby.

The room, the fans, all howl wildly as Finland offers the instrument to Toby, my Toby, and tears spring to my eyes.

He's sharing his throne with Toby, in front of everyone.

Toby rolls his eyes to break the intensity, but we're so close that I can see the emotion there, the lift to his lips. The appreciation shining in his rich brown irises as he accepts the guitar from Finland and straps in.

And then … he's off, fingers flying over the strings like it's what he was meant to do, the melody filling in the blank beats of the song as Rex's vocals spill the lyrics of a man bearing his soul to the demons he intends to slay.

Toby's on stage.

Illuminated by his grin and driven by his passion.

It's so damn beautiful.

But when he finally takes in the stage and the fans beyond it, my heart surges with hope and pride as it lands on me.

He smiles big and goofy, and beyond the stage lights, when his lips work around the second best phrase to ever come from his mouth, my heart feels full.

Hey, Mama.