I smiled at the crowd. We had finally made it—me, my brother, Tony, and Jaime. After everything, I never would have imagined that I would be standing on this stage, gazing at more than a thousand fans who sang my lyrics right back at me.

I never thought ten years ago I would be standing here, a microphone in hand and a guitar strap swung around my shoulders, my best friends and brother surrounding me. Ten years ago I was hardly getting over high school; I was fresh out of my second mental hospital trip. The fans before me didn’t know about that part of my life; they only knew me, the older, more mature, more mentally stable Vic. The Vic that hasn’t had an episode in eight years. The Vic that could stand up for himself and not question his own self worth. I never imagined that I would have kids come up to me, telling me that I was their idol or hero or inspiration. I never thought that I would ever reach this point—yet here I was. Despite everything—despite the kids that used to torment me, despite my parents, despite my own fucked up head and multiple suicide attempts—I was here.

I walked around the stage, gazing at the crowd. “You guys send us a lot of messages on facebook, and at a lot of these shows you’ve been giving us letters,” I started. “And, uh, I’ve heard a lot of, a lot amazing things about what you’ve been through, how you’ve been through some really hard times,” I continued. “And how music has helped you get through those hard times somehow,” I said. The crowd erupted into cheering and I smiled, nodding along because I felt the same way. “That is very inspiring to us,” I said, touching my hand to my chest. “I just want to ask you guys, how many of you can honestly say that music has saved your lives out there?” I asked, extending the microphone out to the crowd while raising my other hand. Everyone’s hands went up—even the guys next to and behind me—and they all cheered loudly. “I’m definitely one of those people, I’m with you, and I know I would not be standing here in front of you right now,” I started, pointing behind me to gesture to the guys, “if it wasn’t for these three motherfuckers on this stage right now,” I said. I turned and grinned at them, while the crowd went nuts.

I walked forward and put the microphone back on its stand. “So, with that said, we’re going to play a bunch of new songs if you don’t mind,” my words were drowned out by the crowds cheers but this was exactly what I lived for, so I didn’t mind at all, it really just got me more excited. I grinned. “Mike’s going to take the start, here we go,” I said enthusiastically. I bounced back, gripping my guitar in my hands, and I turned, walking to Mike. He winked at me and I nodded, turning back around as he started the song out with his drums.

We jumped right into the next songs, not slowing down at all for the rest of the set.

Sweaty and completely amped up, we said our goodbyes to the crowd and ran off stage.

“Great speech man,” Mike said, ruffling my hair. I rolled my eyes and pushed him off of me. But it really was great to say that—I felt like I was on the same page as my fans. Nothing mattered except the music in that moment—all of the bullshit swept away because the power of music was stronger, the way it brought us all together was incredible. I had never felt so happy.

After catching my breath and putting the equipment away, I scanned the crowded side stage for her—my girlfriend.

I was a little disappointed to not see her, ready to be in my arms once our set ended, especially because today was an important day for us. To me, at least; I wasn’t sure about for her. She wasn’t as much as a softie as I was.

I figured she was on the bus. She was probably getting ready and I rolled my eyes—she really was such a girl sometimes.

I glanced at the guys—Tony was talking excitedly with someone on the phone but I made eye contact with the other—they nodded approvingly, understanding where I was going—straight to the bus to grab my lady. It was our anniversary tonight. We didn’t have time to stop at a hotel or anything but the guys were going to another band’s bus for the after show drinks.

When I entered the bus, I saw her standing there, fussing with some drinks on the counter. Her brown hair was curled down her back, ending at the space between her shoulders. I could see that she was wearing a small black dress, leaving little to imagination and I knew it would be discarded soon. I licked my lips. I went up behind her and grabbed her hips, pulling her into me. I lowered my head down to her neck. “Hey,” I said coolly.

“Hey, baby,” she greeted me, turning her head to expose more of her neck. I wrapped my arms fully around her and pulled her even closer to me, pressing my lips to her tan skin.

“I missed you at the end of the set,” I pouted after a few moments, jutting out my bottom lip. She slowly turned around and hooked her arms around my neck.

“Well I’m here, now,” she said, her mouth lifting into a small smirk.

“Yes,” I chuckled, looking at her up and down. “Yes, you are,” I approved, leaning in to kiss her.

She tangled her fingers into my damp and sweaty hair, tightening her grip and slowly yanking on it. My lips flung away from hers as she pulled my head back, hers placing gentle, open mouthed kisses down the underside of my chin and around my neck. I gripped her sides tightly and pulled her with me, slowly leading us to the back of the bus. When we got there she flipped my hat off and I gently tugged on the hem of her dress.

“Impatient, are we Fuentes?” she teased. I rolled my eyes but she bit down on my collarbone, causing me to let out a growly gasp.

We fell back onto the couch and I gripped the back of her thighs, her dress riding up as I pulled her onto me. “I love you,” she whispered, kissing my cheek before pressing herself against me.

“I love you, too. Happy one year, Kayla.”

Notes

Hey guys! It's a short little intro, but I hope you like it ;)

I'm really excited for this story so I decided to post the first chapter.

Thanks for everyone who read the prequel to this, Innocent Blood. You guys were so amazing and inspired me a lot. And now thanks to those who carry on reading this one! Y'all are the best!

I love you guys xoxo

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