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Takinga deep breath,Ilet the new-but-familiar notes simply pass through me, from the etchings in my memory to the electrical pulses surging through my brain to my fingers and out to resonate from my guitar.

Idon’t have to feel the music—Ican just be a conduit to get through this.

Butwithout feeling the song asIperform it… allIfeel is dead inside.

Lettingthis little death take over drains all the magic out of the show.It’slikeI’ma marionette puppet lettingZakpull the strings, counting the notes until it’s all over becauseIcan’t bear listening to him singing about me to this crowd whileI’mon stage beside him.

Hesings the final note.Guitarsdrone and fade.Thecrowd screams and cheers.

“Thankyou,Austin!”Shannonsays into his mic. “Stayfuckin’ weird, y’all.”

Myfeet turn, andIall but run off stage.

Ihand over my guitar to the tech on my way toward the stairs, rushing away from the stage.Tyhuddles withAbjured; his arms are crossed as the rumblings about the latest multiplayer warfare game pass through the group.

Atleast he didn’t stick around for “Dawn.”

“Steph, hey!”

Idon’t stop—Ikeep marching forward, heading for theJeep.

Tyappears beside me. “Hey, where’re you headed?”

“Iwant to go home.”

Hishand wraps around my arm, pulling me to a stop before he steps in front of me. “It’sgood seein’ you back on stage.You’reincredible.”

“Thanks.”

Shannonbypasses us asTyleans in.

Hekisses me, mouth lingering on mine until he’s suddenly ripped away.

“Whatthe fuck, dude?”

“It’sone thing for you to come around,”Zaksays loudly, “but it’s another for you to lay a fuckin’ finger on her.”

Tyshoves him away.Headsare already turning. “LastIchecked, y’all aren’t together anymore.”

“Asfar as you’re concerned, we are,”Zaksays. “LeavebeforeImake you.”

“Z, back off,”Iwarn with a lowered voice, glancing around. “Quitmaking a scene.”

Adrianappears, chuckling. “Oh, this ain’t a scene yet, princesa.”

Tysneers at them. “Fuckare you gonna do, huh?Runher all the way back toAtlanta?”

Adriansmirks devilishly. “Morelike back to my bed.”

Ty’sface reddens, and he steps forward with a fist ready to swing.

Iautomatically move between them, blockingTyfrom the twins. “Stop,”Isay firmly, glaring at him.

Hisjaw drops.Heblinks. “Seriously?You’regonna protectthem?”

Drawingcloser,Isnarl, “Isaid don’t make a fucking scene.”

Robbieappears onTy’sright, squeezing his shoulder firmly. “She’sright.Gether home safe, would ya?”