I nod, even though everything in me wants to tell her to stop running from this.Fromme.
That I won’t hurt her again.Never—I’ll never do it again.
She takes a deep breath, like she’s trying to get her emotions under control.
And then, before I can think better of it, I say—“Come to the show tonight.”
She freezes.
I don’t say it to pressure her.
I just need to know where I stand.
“Joel,” she says, already shaking her head.
I take another step toward her, slow, careful.
“Anna.Just—come.Please,” I say, feeling like a lovesick fool who knows the love of his life is slipping through his fingers.
Her lips press into a thin line.“I can’t.”
I study her face.She means it.
But this time, I can tell—it’s not because she hates me.
It’s not because she doesn’t want to see me play anymore.
It’s because she’s terrified.
Not of me.
Not of the crowd.
Of whatthismeans.
I let out a slow breath, rubbing the back of my neck.“Look, I get it.I do.But I meant what I said, Ace.I don’t want to shut this down before we even figure out what it is.”
She doesn’t move, doesn’t look away.
And that’s when it hits me.
Tonight is supposed to be my last show at Nocté.
After that, I don’t know what happens next.
Does she expect me to pack up and move on, like I was supposed to?
Do I stick around and see if she’ll let me stay?
Does she even want me here?
The thoughts tumble at me so fast that I almost ask her.
But I don’t.
Because if she tells me to go, I don’t think I can handle it right now.
So instead, I try one last time.