Page 311 of Blackwood

She turns to me. “Do you really think it’s gonna land?”

I crouch beside her makeup chair, locking eyes with her. The lights above us catch the shimmer on her cheekbones like warpaint made of stars.

“It’s not going to land,” I say. “It’s going to burn.”

“Great, like crash and burn?” she whispers.

“No, sweetheart,” I say taking her shaking hands in mine. “Like make Santibañez question his entire career.”

“Like make my mom blink,” Lex adds.

She takes in a deep breath. “Don’t go far,” she pleas.

“Front row,” I say. “We’ll be louder than Javi.”

“You better be louder than Rico,” she mutters.

“Impossible,” Lex deadpans.

The headset tech calls two minutes. Hair and makeup back off. The insanity ebbs around her like a tide pulling out to sea. Ellie and Haley are already standing near the wings, breathing in sync. Bella rises, smiles at us, and nods before heading over to the girls.

We weave our way through the velvet ropes again, slipping into our seats just as the lights dip and the crowd quiets. Knox leans back to let us through.

Front row is packed now, everyone’s here. My parents are to my right, Mom’s hand resting on Dad’s arm, both of them dressed to the nines. Mom’s wearing a sleek navy jumpsuit with diamond studs and a glass of white wine that somehow hasn’t spilled through everything. Dad’s in a tailored black suit, proud and beaming, already clapping before anything’s even started.

Cal’s leaned forward two seats down, elbows on his knees, jaw set in quarterback-mode. August is bouncing his leg like he’s the one about to go out there and dance.

And then there’s Roman. Perfect suit. Calm, cool, collected. Hands folded in his lap like he’s watching his daughter take the throne he always knew she’d claim. His eyes track movement across the stage, then flick toward Lex. Just once.

Lex doesn’t look back. He drops into the empty seat beside me, jaw tight. I don’t need to ask. I can feel it, that quiet storm that always brews behind his eyes whenever Roman’s around.

Irina and Daniel sit directly behind us, second row.

She leans forward, just a little, and says over my shoulder, “How’s she looking back there, Cade?”

Before I can answer, Lex beats me to it voice dry and a little too loud. “Like a red flag with my name on it.”

Daniel clears his throat. Mom chokes on her wine. Irina just hums, like that’s exactly the kind of answer she expected from her son.

“She’s good,” I say, glancing toward the wings where Bella’s just stepped into position with Ellie and Haley. “She’s steady. She’ll be okay.”

I pause, then add under my breath, “We’ve just gotta make it through today.”

Daniel leans forward now, brow furrowed. “Why just today?”

Lex finally turns his head. “Because today’s when it counts.”

I nod. “Trios and duos have two rounds. Only the top three from each category qualify for tomorrow’s finals. If they take first tomorrow, then they get go to Worlds.”

Dad lets out a low whistle. “No pressure.”

Callum grins, all cocky confidence. “We win or we pack.”

Daniel leans in a little closer, voice mild but curious. “And the solos? The big groups? How do they work?”

“They dance once,” I say. “Solos and full-group routines are one-and-done. If you place top in either, you get your spot at Worlds.”

“Ellie’s a shoe-in,” Lex adds, still watching the wings. “Her solo’s ranked first in prelims and trending higher. Judges love her.”