He stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray, exhaling a final cloud of smoke as it curled into the air. Standing before the mirror, he ran a hand through his messy hair and adjusted the collar of his leather jacket, though he knew it wouldn’t stay on for long. The heat inside the concert venue would soon force it off anyway. August wasn’t exactly the ideal month for performing live shows—temperatures soared, and by the end of each set, he was drenched in sweat. Sure, some fans might think the soaked look was sexy, but to him, it was just uncomfortable, and it meant his clothes needed a wash after every gig.

The four of them walked onto the stage, greeted by an eruption of cheers. The crowd’s deafening screams washed over them, an intoxicating surge of energy that made Alex’s pulse race. He tried to maintain his usual humble demeanor, but moments like these stroked his ego in ways he could never fully admit. For a split second, he felt like a god.The concert began, and the crowd sang along, their voices blending with his. People danced and moved in sync with the music, a wave of bodies feeding off the rhythm. Out of the corner of his eye, Alex caught sight of a woman in the front row. God, she was stunning. Her lips moved in perfect time with the lyrics, eyes locked on him with an intensity. He couldn’t help but smile, glancing at her again during other songs.

Two hours later, the show ended. Exhausted but exhilarated, the band stumbled off the stage, soaked in sweat but buzzing from the high.

Later, the manager took them to a nearby bar to wind down. Matt and Nick were deep in conversation, while Jamie trailed behind them like a silent shadow. Alex lit another cigarette—his fourth of the day,hoping for a sliver of calm, though the nicotine did little to steady his nerves.

His eyes drifted toward the sidewalk, and that’s when he saw her again-the girl from the concert. She sat perched on the hood of a sleek black car, scrolling through her phone with a bored expression.