8. Carter

Chapter eight

Carter

Rocktoberfest, Black Rock City

"Ella, hurry up woman. You are going to make me miss Zayden's band," I say with a grin, as Ella hops around with one shoe on.

"Why the hell does Rocktoberfest have to be in the desert? My heels would look so much better with this outfit than my converse. Hell, it's been so long since I've worn them, I can't even find the other one."

I glance at my watch. "Come on, Ella. They are going on stage soon," I plead. The whole point of scrambling through my workload this week was to see my boyfriend perform live. I thought it would be romantic to see him perform live again at the music festival that started it all.

The whole band is in on the surprise, even Roman. I'm going to watch Arcade Lake perform today, then hang out with them here in town until we take the trip back home together. It's why the band easily agreed to Zayden having the back room. I wanted us to have as much privacy as possible. Plus, I'm not entirely sure my back can handle one of the small bunks.

"Ah, ha! Found it," Ella cries out. "Alright, let's go! Let's go."

We rush out of Ella's RV and practically sprint to the main stage. By the time I show my badge and make it past security, I'm panting. We rush backstage and sprint around the corner so we can see them perform.

It looks like they are already in the middle of their set. Olly and Noah look at me from the side and rush forward. "Hey! You made it," Noah says with a grin.

I glance over at Roman performing. "How's he doing?" I ask Olly.

"Honestly, really fucking good. He might even be better than me!" Olly shakes his head. I hope Emery gets his head out of his ass and lets Roman join full time."

"Wow, that good, huh?"

Ella, Noah, and I dance to the music.

Toward the end of their set, Zayden spins around, and spots me. His mouth falls open with shock, before it's quickly replaced with a wide smile.

Emery snickers and hands Zayden the mic. Olly drags over two stools and the twins sit on them.

"Rocktoberfest, I wanted to sing a special song for you today. Since this is Olly's farewell tour, he wanted to join me with this one. What do you think?"

The crowd goes crazy, already knowing what song he's going to perform, by chanting the title ‘Oceans Apart' over and over again.

Olly laughs into the mic and strums his acoustic guitar. "That's right, looks like you guys didn't forget the song that went viral last year. Zee and I are performing Oceans Apart, but this time the whole band is joining in. Dallas will be on drums, Emery is covering keyboards, and believe it or not, Beckett is playing the mother fucking harmonica."

The crowd cheers.

Emery starts playing the keys, bringing a whole other life to the song. And together the twins start strumming the strings of their guitars while Zee sings. My Zee. The man I'm in love with.

There's something here between us

Secrets and whispers between each word

Can you feel it?

With each message, it's like a confession,

And yet, you don't pull away

Instead, our hearts still touch

Can you feel it?

With each truth I reveal, it's as if I'm pulling you closer to me.

Can you sense it?

Oceans apart and dreams away

We've never met, yet, somehow you know me

By sharing my confessions, I'm giving you a piece of me

The only piece of me

Can you see my heart?

Oceans apart and dreams away

We've never met, yet, somehow you know me

The world might think they own me

So desperate for my attention

Ironic, since all my attention is on you

I don't know what you look like

Yet, I feel you

I don't know what you sound like

Yet, I hear you

Oceans apart, dreams away

We've never met,

Yet, somehow I know you

When Zayden sings the last words, and the crowd goes wild, he takes off the strap to his acoustic guitar and hands it to his brother. Then, to my shock he rushes forward and swoops me up into his arms.

Zee's lyrics and music are still vibrating in my veins. I pepper his face with kisses. "I love you, Zayden."

He kisses me passionately before leaning his forehead against mine. His smile is bright. I love you too, Carter."