Strung Tight (The Road To Rocktoberfest #1) - Ann Lister Page 0,94

lunatic.

Dallas rushed over and picked me up in a firm embrace while we both hollered loudly. Our security team appeared and began to move us back to the dressing room. I think by that point, we were nearly bouncing down the hallway. The feeling of pride and accomplishment roared through my veins like a drug.

This was the real deal.

Success.

And it tasted de-fucking-licious.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

I don’t remember much about what happened after we left the stage. I was so high on adrenaline and life that I wasn’t even sure my feet were touching the ground. The pop of champagne bottles inside the dressing room somewhat drew me out of my blur of bliss, then Dagger used one of Mike’s drumsticks and tapped the side of his glass to fully get our attention.

“Everyone!” he shouted to the overcrowded room. “I don’t have to tell these guys how fucking good their show was because there is no one on this property within earshot that doesn’t already know that. But guys, I do have an announcement I want to share with you and all the people here.”

Dallas squeezed my shoulder as if he might already know what Dagger was about to say. I glanced at him, and the warmth of his smile lessened the edge I was beginning to feel.

“Guys, remember when I told you to behave this weekend because there were A&R people here watching and listening?” Dagger asked. “Well, Chaos was heard by two reps from Majestic Records out of LA. They want to meet with you next week and get you signed to their label! Congratulations, you did it!”

I looked at Dallas in complete shock, and he nodded. “You did it, babe,” Dallas said. “It’s real.”

“Holy fuckkk!” I gasped, and Dallas laughed as he pulled me into a hug.

My three guys started cheering and jumping on my back; then, champagne was being sprayed all over the room, covering everyone within its reach. After that, things got really crazy, and our party spilled outside over to the musicians’ buses and the fire pit area. Dallas and I bowed out from that celebration because we had our own kind of party in mind. I found Mike and grabbed his elbow.

“Dallas and I are going back to the bus for a private party,” I told him. “Don’t open the master bedroom door.”

“What if I want to watch?” Mike teased.

“Then I’ll have to kick your ass.” I jokingly threatened.

The smile on Mike’s face faded, and he pulled me against him. “We fucking did it, man,” he said. “All those years of practicing finally paid off.”

“I’m still in shock, but this feels so fucking good,” I replied.

“I love you, Fletch, but … you know … not the same way he does,” Mike said, and I leaned back to study his eyes.

“Dallas doesn’t love me,” I disagreed.

“Oh, he’s definitely in love with you,” Mike repeated. “I can see it in the way he looks at you.”

I glanced over my shoulder to where Dallas was standing, with his gaze locked on Mike and me embracing. His eyes were shiny with emotion, and his expression soft around the edges. I regarded Dallas a little closer and noticed another layer of him peel back to reveal what was underneath. Jesus, how had I missed that, or was this a brand new revelation for Dallas happening right before my eyes?

I turned back to Mike and patted the side of his face. “I’ll see you later. It looks like Dallas and I have some talking to do,” I explained.

“Talking? Dude, that’s fucked up.” Mike teased. “You should be getting down to business—not having a conversation.”

I gave Mike a wave and then reached for Dallas’s hand to lead him out of the party and back to the relative quiet by the buses. I spotted Dagger and Ryan leaving the building, too, and called out his name then turned to Dallas. “Can you give me a minute with Dagger?”

“Of course,” Dallas replied. “I’ll go talk to the roadies over by the building.”

“Thank you,” I said and then looked at Dagger. “Do you have time to talk?” I asked him.

“Absolutely,” he answered and nodded at Ryan, who continued to walk off toward the bus lot.

I rubbed at my face to collect my thoughts and fought the emotion that was so close to the surface already, I feared what I was about to say would be my tipping point before I became a blubbering fool.

“I wanted to make sure I properly thanked you for all of this,”