|chapter 35|
ACE
The second the show ended, the backstage hallway turned into a whole damn circus. Producers, dancers, crew members, stylists, bloggers, TikTokers, girls screaming my name even though security held them behind barricades—
Chaos.
Loud.
Sweaty.
Perfect.
Right in the middle of all that noise, Kehlani grabbed my hand and pulled me in for another hug.
"You fucking killed that stage, Ace," she laughed against my shoulder. "That energy? Insane."
I grinned. "You think so?"
"Boy, please. I felt the entire arena lose their sanity the moment you hit that second verse."
She winked.
And for a second... I forgot how to breathe.
I didn't miss the cameras flashing.
Or the way her hand slid down my back before she stepped away.
My team was watching. Cliff's eyes were already screaming don't be stupid. Scooter nodded like this was all great for social media. Jasmine was blushing again like she forgot she worked for me.
But my mind was on one person:
Ariana.
Wondering if she saw the performance.
Wondering how she felt.
Wondering why the hell I even cared this much.
Kehlani noticed my distraction. Of course she did.
"You good?" she asked softly.
"Yeah. Just exhausted," I lied.
She smirked like she didn't believe a word.
"Good," she said, looping her arm through mine. "Because we're celebrating tonight."
⸻
The hotel penthouse
The top floor of the hotel smelled like champagne, sweat, perfume, weed, expensive cologne — all mixed together in a way that only happens after a sold-out show.
Music blasted.
People danced.
Girls kept staring at me.
Phones pointed in my direction every time I inhaled.
I walked in with my hoodie half-on, hair messy, and a towel still around my neck — and the whole room reacted like a bomb went off.
"Oh my GOD it's really him!"
"ACE!!"
"Can I get a pic?"
"He's even hotter in person—"
I tried to play it cool.
I always did.
But Kehlani? She didn't move away from me once.
Not when people hugged her.
Not when she posted on her story.
Not when a group of guys tried pulling her into a circle.
She stayed close.
Too close.
"Come on," she whispered, tugging my sleeve. "Sit with me."
