1974 || 5SOS

Chapter 12

Scarlett

The bar was dimly lit, the air thick with the smell of spilled beer and the echoes of distant laughter. I moved along the counter, my fingers tracing the sticky residue left behind from the night's revelry as the last of the patrons trickled out. Through the haze of neon lights, I could make out familiar faces, some slumped with weariness, others caught in animated conversation, their eyes gleaming with stories only the night could conjure. I loved this job—the rhythm of the late-night crowd, the pulse of strangers bonding over shared drinks and secrets. But tonight felt different. The air was taut, crackling with an energy that made my skin prickle.

The clock inched closer to closing, and I found my gaze drifting toward the door, heart thumping with anticipation. Kitty was leaning against the wall, her laughter ringing out as she flirted with a pair of regulars. Her blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders, catching the low light and making her look effortlessly golden, as if she'd stepped right out of a magazine. There was something magnetic about her confidence, the way she seemed to belong here, a part of the spotlight, while I often felt like a shadow.

Just as I was reaching for the broom, the door swung open, and a blast of cool night air swept into the room, carrying with it a burst of unmistakable energy. Ashton strode in, exuding confidence, his presence shifting the atmosphere like an electric charge. He moved with the ease of someone who knew exactly where he belonged and that everyone else would notice it too. His gaze swept the room before landing on me, his eyes lighting up with a familiar, almost mischievous glint.

"Hey, Scarlett!" he called out, his voice smooth and rich, like whiskey. "Got some friends joining us tonight."

My pulse quickened as two men followed him inside, their presence filling the room with an intriguing mix of authority and charisma. They were well-dressed, a little rough around the edges, and unmistakably used to getting what they wanted. I felt the weight of their gaze as they took in the dimly lit bar, assessing everything with the practiced eyes of men who were always on the lookout for opportunity. The two men sat at Luke's bar, and Ashton walked up to me saying something I couldn't hear to the men.

I swallowed hard, my nerves tingling. "What's going on?" I asked, managing to keep my voice steady as Ashton approached. His grin was infectious, sending a thrill through me even as a tight coil of nerves twisted in my stomach.

"This could be our big break, Scarlett," he murmured, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "One of these guys is a producer looking for new talent, and the other manages models."

My breath caught, a wave of disbelief washing over me. This was it—an opportunity to break out from behind the bar and step into the spotlight. But just as quickly as hope flared, doubt crept in. Did they really see me? Or was I just another pretty face, a fleeting moment in their long, glamorous night?

I glanced over at Kitty, still engrossed with her regulars, blissfully unaware of the whirlwind that had just walked into our lives. "Kitty," I called, beckoning her over, my voice tinged with barely contained excitement. "Ashton's brought some pretty big news."

She arched an eyebrow, amusement flashing across her face as she glanced between Ashton and the two men. "What's he up to now?" she asked, her skepticism barely masking the curiosity in her voice.

"He's trying to get their band signed," I whispered, my excitement bubbling over. "And maybe... us too."

Kitty's eyes widened, a slow grin spreading across her face as the weight of my words sank in. "You're fucking with me?!" she practically squealed, clutching my arm. Her voice rose above the quiet hum of the bar, drawing a few curious glances.

"Dead serious," Ashton interjected, chuckling. "I'll be back. Got to work my magic!"

"Meet Luke and Michael," he gestured, introducing them to the men as he walked up with an easy charm that made it seem like he'd known them his whole life. Luke sauntered over with a relaxed grin, tossing his bar towel over his shoulder like it was part of an act, while Michael raised an eyebrow, a flicker of curiosity lighting up his gaze as if he was already piecing together Ashton's intentions.