Page 63 of Beautiful Unity

Do you think our guys would have an arm wrestling contest while we watch? I feel like we should try it anyway. You never know!

I’m so glad you’ve made friends with the other band, but they better know I’m your best friend. I have a severed penis as an emotional support token that says I don’t mess around. In case you were curious how far I would go for our friendship.

I have so much to catch you up on, but I’ll wait ’til I see you in person and can get a hug!

Love you lots,

Darcie

Twenty

DARCIE

Music poured around us, the crowd jumping and singing along with my best friend. She looked radiant on the stage. Dressed in a star-covered dress, high tops, and her hair newly colored magenta, Lennox St. James sparkled. Knowing how nervous she got before every show, it was amazing to see her come alive on stage once she started to sing.

Slade played guitar beside her, ignoring the crowd as he watched her. He didn’t take his eyes off her once while they were on stage together. She’d started the tour with a different guitarist, but after a few shows, he’d conveniently taken a new job and Slade had stepped in—the possessive bastard. Though, while the man was gorgeous in his own right, I understood why he intimidated everyone within a ten-foot radius of her. Lennox drew people in with her kind smile and authenticity.

“She’s amazing,” Grayson shouted, tugging me closer to him so I could hear.

“I know.” I threw my hands up and danced harder, loving that I was here with my guys. A year ago, I never would’ve believed I could feel this free and loved.

But I was both—loved and unequivocally free.

No more bounties. No more stalkers. No more assholes hunting me down.

Uncle Pat, aka Director Fallon, had ensured it and given me a new identity. There was no way I wanted to go back to being Darcie Calloway. For one, her credit was shit for missing payments and not paying taxes for years. Oops.

But mainly because that girl had died with Stanley Driscoll. I wasn’t her, so why claim the name of a dead girl?

Darcie Rosebud, the identity I’d used for several years, had been an option. Still, considering I’d stolen it initially, I didn’t want to start my new future with something tainted.

It was time to introduce the world to Darcie Royal.

The song ended, and the crowd applauded, chanting for an encore. Lennox waved, her cheeks rosy. “Thank you, Memphis! You’ve been great, and I’ll be back later. But first, are you ready to have an eargasm? Up next is the band you came for, Shadows of Mayhem!”

Sound exploded, and I worried if we weren’t outside, the roof would’ve blown off from the raucous they made. It was insane to be here, to witness a group so popular that tickets sold out within minutes. Thank Gucci for best friends with connections.

Lennox and Slade made their way off stage, and I motioned for the guys to follow me. I’d dressed in a cute boho dress and cowboy boots, blending in with many concert goers. My guys, on the other hand, were a different story.

Brooks had on his Wranglers, a rodeo T-shirt, cowboy hat, and boots. Bubba had returned to his usual black shirt, jeans, and boots ensemble. Maddox apparently shopped at the same store because he wore black jeans and boots but changed it up with a white shirt. Grayson, on the other hand, looked like he walked off the spread of a magazine. In tight jeans, a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and the first three buttons opened, he drew attention with every step he took.

Needing to make my claim, I grabbed his hand and pulled him along to the VIP section. Like I said, best friend benefits rocked!

The five of us waved our lanyards with our badges, and the guard let us through. The second we stepped under the tent, I was mauled by a five-foot-four beauty.

“Darcie!”

“Lennox!”

We both screamed and jumped up and down as we clung to one another, laughing and, okay, crying a little bit. We ignored the guys while we greeted one another, but eventually, they had to comment.

“Are they always like this?”

“Pretty much.”

“At least she’s not covered in blood this time.”

“Hey! That happened one time,” I said, pulling apart. My guys stared, daring me to keep lying. “Okay, two times at the most!” Lennox giggled, shaking her head at me.