Page 78 of Hymns of the Broken

Me and the band are just fuckingaround—Dex, Shade, and Milo—throwing a half-deflated football around the lot, cracking jokes, talking shit about who’s going to bomb their set tonight. Dex is flexing, Milo’s yelling about losing his wallet (again), and I’m half-watching, half-bored until I catch a flash of something way more interesting out of the corner of my eye.

Sawyer. Tight little shorts, dark gray off-the-shoulder ‘Metallica’ shirt, hair wild, bruises on her neck I know aren’t from a mosh pit. She’s walking with Jasper and the others, laughing at something Ash said, and all I can think is—fuck, she’s hot when she’s happy.

I’m about to shout something at her when, out of nowhere, Ash’s ex—poison in a too-short skirt, voice like a chainsaw, cuts Sawyer off, her little pack of band groupies clustering around. She’s got that look in her eyes, the one that means drama’s coming.

I watch Jasper stiffen, hand already reaching for Sawyer, but he holds back, letting her stand her ground. I drift closer, slowly and casually.

“Didn’t know they let the help hang out at the main bus. Must be nice, getting backstage because you’re screwing the headliner.” Lexie spits.

One of her minions, tall with bubble-gum hair, snickers. “She’s just here for the free merch. Or is it the free dick?”

Sawyer doesn’t blink. “That’s rich coming from you, Lexie. Remind me—who’d you bang to get your name on the lineup? Or was it just your daddy’s money?”

Lexie sneers, moving closer. “At least I don’t have to beg for attention. You’re embarrassing yourself, honey.”

Sawyer smiles, deadly calm. “Yeah? Is that what you tell yourself when nobody is looking?”

Lexie’s mouth twists, but before she can snap back, a shadow looms—Jasper. He slides right in, his hand wrapping possessively around Sawyer’s waist. “You got something you want to say, Lexie? Say it now. Otherwise, fuck off.”

Bubble-gum hair girl pipes up, attempting to be brave. “Aww, look, she has a babysitter.”

Lexie’s minions snicker, but I’m done hanging back. I cross the lot and slide in on Sawyer’s other side, my arm grazing hers, just so Lexie gets the message.

“Is there a reason you’re running your mouth, Lexie?” I ask, tone casual tone, but my stare is all threat. “Or are you just jealous because nobody’s looking at you?”

Lexie drags her gaze across the three of us, assessing. “Jealous?” She laughs, sharp and mean. “Please. I don’t need to beg for crumbs when I can make a feast out of yours.” She leans in, lips curling. “How’d you like the backstage reel, sweetheart? The clips? The entire internet did. You’re welcome.”

Sawyer’s eyes narrow. “What did you just say?”

Lexie’s chin tips high, proud of the rot. “I posted them. All of it. Your little wall moment, your cozy bus claiming. Hashtags did numbers. Guess I still know how to pull a crowd.”

Jasper goes still—dangerously still. I feel Sawyer tense beside me, that storm-silent second before lightning hits.

Sawyer doesn’t say a word. She just cocks her head, lips curled in the little almost-smile that means danger’s coming—then slams her fist into Lexie’s face. The crack of knuckles on bone rings out, stunning the whole damn lot.

Lexie staggers back, hand flying to her cheek, shock morphing into rage. Her minions freeze, wide-eyed.

I can’t help it—I grin.

Fuck, that was hot.

Sawyer shakes out her fist, calm as anything. “You want attention, Lexie. You got it.”

Jasper is already moving, stepping in front of Sawyer, eyes black with pride and fury, daring Lexie or anyone else to even look at her wrong. I step in too, the three of us making one thing obvious— she’s not to be fucked with.

Lexie’s got tears in her eyes now, but she tries to save face, spitting blood. “Crazy bitch!”

Sawyer shrugs, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “Better to be a crazy bitch than a desperate one.”

Ash lets out a low whistle from somewhere behind us. Everybody else scatters, not wanting any of this smoke.

Jasper leans in, laughing just for Sawyer. “Remind me never to piss you off, Rocky.”

She smiles up at him, and I can’t stop staring at her, adrenaline still buzzing under my skin. “Damn, Hellcat. If I ever need backup, I’m calling you.”

Sawyer shakes out her hand, adrenaline still sparking under her skin, and grins at the circle of stunned faces. “What? She asked for it.”

Ash throws an arm around her shoulder. “Damn right she did. Next time we hit the ring toss, I want you on my team. I’m sorry she tried to come after you. She’s just jealous because you’re on the bus with us.”