Page 25

The following night, I stand in front of the stage, watching as Brandy commands the crowd. Her voice cuts through the night like a siren’s call—sweet and dangerous—drawing everyone in. She flirts with the audience, teasing them with every note and sway of her hips, but her eyes repeatedly find mine, making sure I know exactly where her heart lies. She’s mine, and every look she gives me reassures me of that. No one else comes close.

The last song fades, and Brandy bows to thunderous applause before running off stage with her band. But I can’t just let her slip away. I’m a man on a mission, pulled by something primal, and I weave through the crowd in search of her. I find her out back, surrounded by her bandmates and some guy in a suit who looks like he walked straight out of a corporate office.

“For real?” George asks, his face lighting up.

“Yes,” the suit replies, all business. “But we need to move quickly.”

Brandy has a grin on her face that tells me she’s already decided. Her eyes flick to her bandmates. “We’re in,” she says without hesitation.

The suit holds out a card, but before she can grab it, he pulls it back, smirking. “Don’t tease me now.”

“I’m many things…” Brandy replies, her voice low and confident, “… but I never tease. I go after what I want.” She takes the card from his hand, her smirk daring him to challenge her.

He nods, clearly impressed, but his next words piss me off. “The band name sucks. We’ll come up with something better in LA. You’ve got three days to get there.”

“We’ll be there,” George says, puffing out his chest.

The suit’s eyes narrow as he looks at George. “You sure that bus of yours can make it?”

George crosses his arms. “Don’t diss the bus, man. She hasn’t let us down yet.”

“If we have to…” Brandy cuts in, “… we’ll walk.” There’s fire in her eyes, the same fire that’s been there since I met her. She’s not just hungry for success—she’s starving for it.

They shake hands, but from where I’m standing, the suit holds on a little too long. My jaw tightens. He winks at Brandy before walking off like he’s got some claim on her future.

Brandy waves the card like it’s a golden ticket, practically vibrating with excitement. “Yes!” she shouts, her voice ringing out as George sweeps her into a bear hug. One by one, the rest of the band piles on, laughing and cheering, all buzzing with raw, unfiltered joy. “We need to go. We need to pack up and go now!”

“Brandy?” My voice slices through the chaos, and she looks up, her eyes wide, her face brighter than I’ve ever seen.

She untangles herself from the band and practically throws herself into my arms, wrapping herself around my neck like she never wants to let go. “We got a record deal, Whiskey!” Her words tumble out, breathless and brimming with disbelief.

In that instant, I feel it—the thrill of her dreams coming true but also the sharp pang of losing her. She’s already halfway gone, her mind running miles ahead, chasing the future that’s finally within her grasp.

“You’re leaving?”

Brandy nods, eyes sparkling. “Yes. We have to be in LA in three days, or we’ll miss our window.”

“Three days? What’s the rush?”

“It’s a battle of the bands, televised on national TV.” She looks down at the card, her fingers brushing it as though it’s magic itself. “Randy Andrews, head of Star Records, promised we’d get the deal no matter what. But if we play this show, the exposure will put us on the map. This is our shot to really get our name out there.”

“To the world,” George says, slapping his hands together like he’s sealing the deal.

The way Brandy’s whole face lights up tells me everything. She’s all in, head and heart, and there’s no room left for hesitation.

“When are you leaving?” I ask, swallowing down the ache in my throat.

“Tonight.” She’s bouncing on her toes, too thrilled to stand still. Her hands cup my face, pulling me into a hard, fast kiss. “We’re going to hit the big time, Whiskey!”

My hands settle on her waist, trying to keep her grounded for just a second more, but she’s already gone. Her energy, mind, and dreams are halfway to LA.

“Guess I’ll be seeing you on the TV, then?”

Her grin is wild and radiant. “Can you believe it?” She twists out of my hold, already turning to gather her bandmates. “Guys, let’s get this show on the road!”

George gives me a nod before she links her arm through his, and just like that, they’re heading back toward their bus, laughter echoing in their wake. Not a single backward glance.

“That was cold,” Gamble murmurs as he sidles up beside me, his hands tucked in his pockets.

“She’s a free spirit. It was never going to work.” My voice sounds casual, but my chest feels hollow.

Gamble shrugs, a hint of a smirk on his face. “Maybe, maybe not, but that’s the happiest I’ve seen you in ages.”

I huff out a laugh, staring at the empty space she left behind. “You hungry?”

Gamble nods. “Yeah, I could eat.”

As we head toward the diner, I feel an unfamiliar ache in my chest—the mix of pride and loss twisting together in a way only Brandy could leave behind. She’s chasing her dream, and somehow, I’m still here, walking back into a night that feels colder than it did just minutes ago.