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“Thank you,” Justine says softly into her mic, and her voice cracks slightly with emotion. “For staying. For being here with us when nothing went according to plan.”
“Sometimes the best things happen when you throw the plan out the window,” I add, and I’m looking at her when I say it. Because this—us, this moment, this connection—none of it was planned, and it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
We play for another hour. A cover of “The Night We Met” that has half the crowd in tears. An improvised version of a collaborative piece that we make up on the spot, building it verse by verse with input from the audience. Hendrix does a solo acoustic version of “Reckless” that transforms the rock anthem into something delicate and beautiful. But it’s when Dana matches with a gritty emotional melody that I can finally see why they were a couple. When performing, their chemistry is undeniable.
But the most powerful moment comes when Justine suggests we do “Come Undone” as a duet. Without Ajay’s driving drums and Hendrix’s soaring guitar, the song becomes something completely different. More vulnerable, more honest.
“This song is about letting your guard down,” I tell the crowd. “About trusting someone enough to show them who you really are.”
When we sing it together, our voices weaving in and out of harmony, I feel like I’m having a conversation with Justine that everyone else just happens to be overhearing. It’s intimate in a way that feels almost too personal for a public performance, but also exactly right.
The last note fades into the night air, and for a moment, no one moves. Then someone starts clapping, and it spreads through the crowd like a wave. People are standing, cheering, some crying, all of them radiating an energy that I’ve never felt at a regular concert.
When we finally pack up, fans linger, reluctant to leave this magical space we’ve created together. Some ask for autographs by phone light, others just want to thank us. One girl, maybe seventeen with tears streaming down her face, comes up to Justine. Rules be damned, we sign and pose for photos.
“That was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard,” she says, her voice shaking. “I was supposed to be here with my best friend, but she had to work, and I almost didn’t come alone. I was having the worst day, and you guys . . . you made it magic. You made me remember why music matters.”
Justine hugs her, and I see tears in her eyes too. “Thank you for staying,” she whispers. “This was magic for us too.”
After everyone’s gone and the equipment is loaded, our bus is so lively you’d think we won the lottery. Dana’s already on TikTok looking at videos, most of them having gone viral already.
“This was the best thing we could’ve done tonight,” she says as she passes her phone around. “Those fans are never going to forget it.”
“Nor will be able to duplicate it. The raw emotion of playing like that . . .” Keane shakes his head. “I’m so glad I was here for it.”
“You guys,” Chandler says, getting our attention. She holds her phone out for us to see. It’s a local news station that is broadcasting live on their app.
“Everyone quiet down,” Hendrix says.
“Tonight, when power failed, Sinful Distraction and Plum gave their fans something they’ll never forget.” The camera pans to the small audience, who looks mesmerized and happy.
“We did this,” Ajay says as he points to the TV. “We did something amazing.”
“Yeah, we did,” I say as we all high-five each other.
“Thank you,” Dana says to Plum. “Having you ladies there made the night more special, especially for the fans.”
“Believe me, and I think I speak for my sister and Justine, we’re honored you asked us to play with you. Thank you for the opportunity,” Wynonna says. “Tonight, you showed us what it means to be musicians.”
“Well, shit, now I’m going to cry.” Dana gets up from her seat and hugs Wynonna, Priscilla and then Justine. “I’m so happy Elle signed you.”
“So are we,” Priscilla says happily.
The drive to the hotel takes minutes. As soon as we’re checked in, I reach for Justine’s hand and pull her behind me toward the emergency staircase.
“Where are we going?” she asks, as we start climbing.
“To check something,” I tell her. “We’ve stayed here a lot, when my dad was on tour, and they had the most amazing view from the roof.” We get to the door, where the roof access is. There isn’t a sign warning of an alarm, so I push it open and hold it until I find something to prop it open with. Thankfully, there’s rock nearby, which tells me I’m not the only one doing this.
“I need this air,” Justine says as she walks toward the edge of the roof. “Wow.”
The hotel’s roof is flat and surprisingly spacious, with a clear view of the darkened city beyond. The power’s still out across most of downtown, so the usual light pollution is gone. Stars are actually visible, scattered across the sky like scattered diamonds.
“Look at that,” Justine says softly. “When’s the last time you could see stars in a city?”
I move to stand behind her, my arms wrapping around her waist. She leans back against my chest, and we just stand there for a moment, taking in the unusual sight of a city gone quiet.
“Tonight was incredible,” I say into her hair, breathing in the familiar scent of her shampoo mixed with the cold night air. “I’ve never felt anything like that.”