Page 276 of Blackwood

We push past the last curtain and step into the narrow backstage corridor just in time to see her. Bella stands near the mirror wall, her back half-turned as Ellie adjusts her earring and Haley smooths down the edge of her outfit.

But it’s the outfit that nearly kills me.

A beautiful black and burgundy one-piece, short as sin, dripping in fringe that shimmers with every movement. Her legs look a mile long, those toned thighs wrapped in knee-high black boots, dusted with burgundy glitter that catches the backstagelighting like fire. Her hair’s curled and wild, lips painted a deep bruised red. She’s chaos and elegance and danger wrapped into one lethal vision.

She turns and the second her eyes land on us, her whole face softens. Thank fuck. She walks straight toward us no second-guessing and throws her arms around both of us in one tight, trembling hug.

“I can’t do this,” she whispers. “I’m so nervous. I don’t get nervous, that’s not me.”

“Breathe, baby,” I say, cupping her face, gently pulling her back just enough to see her. “You’re okay. You’ve got this. You’re not alone.”

She sucks in a breath, then steps back and her gaze drops to our chests. “What arethose?” she asks, squinting at our shirts.

Shit.

Cade looks at me likeyou wanna handle this or should I?

“Uh…” he clears his throat. “Well. That was supposed to be a surprise.”

“Surprise,” I say quickly, shrugging. “My dad had ‘em made. Custom Razorback shirts. You know, for your dad. Thought it might… help a little bit.”

Her eyes dart between us, wide and already glassy.

“Guys! That’s amazing. I love them!” she says, and then she grabs my shirt, yanks me down, and kisses me.

No warning. Just mouth on mine, fierce and hot and fucking alive. Her lips crush into mine. Months of silence and guilt burn off in the heat of it. My hands fly to her waist, holding her close, bracing myself before I float right off the earth.

Then she breaks the kiss, turns to Cade, and pulls him in too, just as greedy, just as desperate. He groans into her mouth, palms cradling her cheeks like she’s something breakable and sacred.

We hear Knox announce Ellie, Haley, and the rest of the Legacy.

“Will you guys go out there with me? I know I’m supposed to sing to kick today off, but like… I might need a little push. A gentle shove. Or, you know, Cade you could drag me out by the hair, Lex throw me over your shoulder like a neanderthal. We’ve got options,” she smiles and shrugs.

We both laugh and holy shit, it’s real. A joke. She’s joking.

Cade brushes his thumb across her cheek. “Oh my god. Our girl’s joking.”

Before she can answer, two beeps.Walkie on.

Knox’s voice crackles through the comms.“Alright, Bella. Everyone’s in place. You about ready to come out, babe?”

She looks between us, then nods. Her chest rises and falls with a deep breath and something in her eyes sharpens. Like a match finally finding flame.

She straightens her spine and shakes out the last bit of nerves. “Yeah, Knox,” she says. “I’m ready.”

The lights in the gym dim suddenly, then flash back to life in deep red and bright white, slicing through the space in rhythm with the bass Knox drops over the speakers. The crowd erupts, that pulsating pre-show buzz sweeping through every seat.

“Alright, Wexley, this is it. The official dress rehearsal for Nationals. You’ve already met The Legacy. You’ve already fallen for our girls Haley and Ellie.”

The lights pulse once, twice then the red intensifies, spotlighting the center of the court. “But now… it’s time.”

Another bass drop. The crowd leans forward.

“Time to meet the one you’ve heardabout. The one you’ve seen run this floor like it’s her own personal kingdom.” A beat of silence. A slow rise of tension. “The center of the storm. Give it up for the one and only Bella Blackwood!”

The roar hits like a wave.

Bella flinches, just barely. But we’ve got her. Cade and I tighten our arms around her, one on each side, her fists gripping our arms like lifelines. We guide her forward, step by step, onto the court.