𝔘𝔫𝔰𝔠𝔯𝔦𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔡. || 𝔗𝔯𝔦𝔭𝔭𝔦𝔢 ℜ𝔢𝔡𝔡

𝔇𝔞𝔫𝔤𝔢𝔯𝔬𝔲𝔰 𝔄𝔣𝔣𝔢𝔠𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫

Dangerous Affection

"Even in the spotlight, it's you I'm searchin' for, can't hide the shadows lurkin no more."

The tour bus rumbled underneath us, and I was sprawled out on the couch next to Koryn, who was out cold, earbuds in, mouth open. Meanwhile, I was staring out the window at the blur of the passing cities, trying to shake off this weird feeling in my gut. I'd been with Tripp for almost two weeks straight—backstage vibes, sold-out shows, and late nights where he was all mine.

But now, we were heading into the next leg of the tour, and something about it felt... off.

I pulled out my phone, scrolling through my messages. There was one from Tripp, telling me he couldn't wait to see me after sound check. But my mind was somewhere else, feeling that unease creep up on me.

"Bet you missed that Cali air, huh?" Koryn mumbled, shifting in her sleep as she woke up.

"Somethin' like that," I muttered, shaking my head, trying to brush off the uneasy vibe. The road life was wild, and I loved being by Michael's side, but it felt like something was closing in.

By the time we rolled into the next city, the bus came to a stop outside the venue, and I spotted Michael standing there, his eyes scanning for me before locking in, that familiar grin stretching across his face. Just seeing him made that weird feeling ease a little, and I found myself grinning back like I hadn't seen him in forever.

"Pretty Eyes! My baby girl, you good?" he called out as I stepped off the bus, immediately wrapping his arms around me.

"Mmm, I'm better now," I said, pulling him close, breathing in his scent. It was like a safe space, being with him. Nothing could touch me when I was right here.

But even as I held onto him, something still tugged at me from the back of my mind, some distant storm brewing. I brushed it off again, not wanting to ruin the moment.

Koryn stretched as she hopped off behind me, cracking jokes about needing sleep and food. She wandered off to find the rest of the crew, leaving me and Michael to our own world.

"You ready for the show tonight?" he asked, his hands gripping my waist as he stared down at me.

"Always," I said, flashing him a grin, feeling the excitement start to build. This was what I'd come on tour for—this connection, this energy, being right there with him for all of it.

Later that night, after the show, I was scrolling through my phone in the dressing room, waiting for Michael to finish up with his manager. I felt the buzz in my hand, assuming it was another text from Koryn about the afterparty, but when I glanced down, it wasn't her. It wasn't even Michael.

An unknown number flashed across the screen.

My stomach flipped, and that familiar chill ran down my spine. I hesitated for a second before answering.

"Hello?" I said, my voice sharp.

There was a pause, a beat of silence that stretched out too long before a voice hit me like a punch. "Jade."

My breath caught in my throat. It was a voice I thought I'd left buried a long time ago. Tye. He hadn't hit me up in ages, but I'd know that voice anywhere.

"What the fuck do you want?" I snapped, standing up so fast my chair scraped against the floor.

"You really thought you could just walk away from me?" His voice was cool, calm, dripping with that same manipulation that had once had me tangled up. "We got unfinished business."