Risk & Reward

Eleven

"ASHTON IRWIN!" Luke and Calum yell together as they enter the green room, lanyards around their neck stating they have all access.

"You're late!" Ashton laughs, hugging them both tightly.

"Cal wasn't even home when I got there to pick him up, it's his fault." Luke says pointedly.

"You were already late, traffic just made me later than you." Cal laughs, not informing them that he snoozed his alarm three times to prolong his time with Shi.

Saying goodbye had been a lot harder than he anticipated. They had headed back towards their cars when the first alarm had gone off, but he'd kept her occupied with conversation against the side of her car for an extra twenty minutes simply so he could look at her. The third time he'd silenced his phone she'd initiated the goodbye for real, promising that she'd let him take her out again. He'd only kept her another minute after that, pulling her in tightly to a hug, wishing he had the guts to kiss her, but he hadn't. He'd pressed a last second friendly kiss to her temple, but he couldn't muster the courage to do more, too afraid to overstep and scare her off.

"The important part is you both made it here before I go on stage." Ashton waves them off, clearly giddy for his big night.

"We wouldn't miss it." Calum assures him, grabbing a setlist laying on the table.

"I hope I picked the right songs." Ashton comments seeing what Calum is holding.

"Looks good to me." He chuckles, handing the paper to Luke who asks with grabby hands for it.

Pulling out his phone Calum shoots a quick text.

Shi💕

Just a heads up, you
may want to excuse
yourself to the
restroom at the end of
Rebel at Heart. Last
night of my life is on
the setlist. Sorry to ruin
a bit of it ahead of time
for you.

Not ruining, helping.
Sweet of you to warn
me. Thanks 🩷

No problem

"We're on a private balcony tonight right?" Luke draws Calum's attention back to the room their in.

"Ya, there's not balcony access from the floor tonight so you'll be up there alone, not like at your show last month." Ashton jabs.

"His show was fine, no one bugged us." Calum laughs, silently being grateful he could walk around at Luke's show. He never would have met Shi if he hadn't.

"I think you can go down to the floor and bar, but fans can't be up on the balcony, that's all I'm saying." Ashton shrugs. "There was nothing wrong with Luke's show, I wasn't saying there was."

"Whatever, I did a tour, you've got one show. Keep trying to get on my level." Luke jokes, "and get ready, we came to see a show."

"Don't worry, I'll be giving everyone a show to remember." Ashton laughs.

***

"Excuse me?" Shi turns as someone touches her arm softly. Her eyes connect with a pair of dark ones she doesn't know, the guy has a dark shaggy hair style and medium build.

"Hi, can I help you?" She smiles kindly, unsure what is happening.

"You're Shi, right?"

"Do I know you?" She frowns, racking her brain to figure out who this person is.

"Kind of." He chuckles. "We're moots on Twitter. Um, I'm actually C. Or clamsos, that's my at."

"Oh! Oh my gosh, it's so nice to meet you!" She laughs, relaxing as things click.