“That’s really soon. Congrattions!”
“And,” he added, raising a brow, “if you’re still up for it… you’reing with me.
I blinked. “You’re not joking?”
He tilted his head. “Do I look like I’m joking? I meant it when I asked you the first time. I want you there, Em.”
And just like that, the adrenaline rushed in. The idea of being on tour,te–night concerts, road trips, VIP everything, new cities… It was crazy. It was exciting.
And it was exactly what I needed.
“Of course I’lle,” I said, grinning. “Are you kidding me? I’d be insane to say no.
“1
He raised his ss of sparkling water and gently clinked it against mine. “To unforgettable nights and no regrets.”
I smiled and took a sip.
We spent the rest of lunch discussing logistics, how long the tour would run, what cities they’d hit, what I’d need to pack. He talked about the crew, the music, the fans, and what it all meant to him. His excitement was contagious.
For a moment, it felt like nothing else existed. No Liam. No pressure. Just freedom.
After lunch, he hugged me tightly, resting his chin briefly on my shoulder before pulling away. “I’ll pick you up the day after tomorrow. Get ready.”
As soon as I parked in front of my house, I called Lisa.
She picked on the first ring.
“Girl,” I said, voice bubbling with excitement.
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“Oh no. What did you do now?”
“I’m going on tour with Mason.”
Silence.
She let out a loud squeal. “Bitch! I swear, I hate you right now!”
I burst outughing.
“You’re not serious. Like, tour tour? Like, celebrity buses and backstage passes?”
“Yup. Three countries. Real rockstar life.”
“I hate you.”
“You said that already.”
“I mean it more now.
We bothughed.
<i>” </i>
“Send me everything,” Lisa said. “I want photos. I want videos. I want T–shirts. Actually, I want one worn by Mason.”
“You’re sick.”
“I’m passionate,” she corrected. “And slightly unhinged.”
I chuckled. “I’ll send postcards. Maybe even steal a mic.”
“Please do. But Emily… have you told Liam?”
I paused. “Not yet. I’m telling him tonight.”
She sighed. “Oof. Yeah, that’s gonna be a conversation.”
“I know.”
“You think he’ll be cool with it?”
I hesitated. “Honestly? No. But that doesn’t change anything. This is something <i>I </i>want to do.” “Good,” she said, her voice softening. “Then go do it. Just exin it properly. Remind him
an eno
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you’re your own person.”
“I will.”
After we hung up, I called my mom.
Her voice lit up when I told her the news. “Oh honey, that sounds like such a wonderful opportunity! Just… promise me you’ll be careful, okay?”
“I will, Mom. It’s not like I’m going to war.
<i>” </i>
Sheughed. “Still. Keep your head on your shoulders. And no groupie nonsense, you hear?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
When I finally stepped into my room and copsed on my bed, the thrill of everything finally hit me.
Tour life.
Late nights.
Music.
Crowds.
A break from the noise. A taste of something untainted and free.
But beneath all that excitement… I felt the unease creep
in..
Because I still hadn’t told Liam.
And something told me, this wouldn’t
go
down smoothly.
Not with the way he whispered those wordsst night.
Not with the way his name curled in my chest whenever I thought of him.
I sighed and pulled a pillow over my face.
This was going to be one hell of a night.
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I drove back to Liam’s house that night, nerves coiling in my stomach tighter with each passing streetlight. The high from lunch with Mason had faded. Now, it was just dread. The kind that simmers and sits heavy on your chest.
Telling Liam about the tour felt like walking into a storm with a matchstick umbre. I’d yed it out in my head a dozen times. Each version ended with tension… or worse.
His car wasn’t parked out front, and that bought me time–time to breathe, time to panic. I was halfway to knocking when the door swung open.
“Look who the cat dragged in,” Sophia grinned, standing barefoot in a fluffy robe, a ridiculous headband pushing back her curls, and a bowl of popcorn in hand. “You look like
and a rom. sugar
you
need
<i>” </i>
“Hey,” I mumbled, stepping inside.
“Liam’s not back yet. But I’m watching something tragic and beautiful. Come suffer with me.’ <fn0566> Follow current nov?ls on Find?Novel</fn0566>
I dropped my bag by the couch and joined her. A bubbly movie yed, one of those predictable love stories with perfect hair and tearful reunions. But I wasn’t watching. Sophia’s eyes flicked over to me now and then. Eventually, she hit pause.
“Okay. Spill. You’ve blinked weirdly seven times in thest minute. Something’s up.
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