Page 109 of Don't Think

“Let’s get started, ladies,” James announces, clapping his hands together.

I slap my hands against my knees. “Alright,” I murmur, slowly rising from the couch.

Before heading into the booth, I quickly pull my phone from my pocket and check one last time to make sure Allie’s all set. That’s when I notice one missed text, and my heart climbs into my throat.

Allison

You’re going to do great. Remember, you deserve this. And don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. See you when you get out handsome <3

A smile tugs at my lips as I reread her message, not caring who sees anymore. It’s only been maybe two hours since I left her curled up on the couch, and I already miss her like crazy.

“Come on, lover boy, let’s go. You can text her after we’re done for the day,” Gareth teases, gesturing for me to put my phone away.

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t get your knickers in a twist,” I shoot back, slipping it into my pocket.

I cross the room, my heartbeat pounding in my ears all the way until my hand lands on the smooth door handle.

This is it.The start of our dreams coming true.

I blow out a quick breath and slip inside the small, soundproof room. Instantly spotting the headphones hanging on the wall, I slip them over my ears and step in front of the small window.

“Hey, Jax, can you hear me clearly?” Gerald’s voice comes through the headphones.

I give him two thumbs up. “Crystal.”

“Okay, ready when you are.”

I nod and slowly approach the mic, drawing in a deep breath. It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve reallysunganything, and now that I’m here, I feel the nerves rising like a tidal wave.

But then I remember that night with Allie on the hotel balcony, her beautiful face clear as day in my mind. And just like that, every doubt falls away, and IknowI’m ready.

I’ve worked my ass off for the last ten years for this moment and this moment alone. If anyone deserves this, it’s us.

And now it’s our time to shine.

I never realized how difficult recording could be. I figured it’d be simple—just sing the song like normal.

But nope.

We’ve had to start and restart the same three-minute track so many times, my throat’s already raw. And it’s only been a bloody hour.

“What?” Gerald mutters under his breath.

When I glance up, he’s not even looking at me. His eyes are pinned somewhere across the room, brows knit tightly together.

While he’s distracted, I take a seat on the stool and bend to grab my water bottle.

“Jax?”

The sharpness in Gerald’s tone makes my eyes snap up while a chill slithers down my spine.

“Yeah?” I reply, setting the bottle back down on the floor.

He glances sideways, toward where the guys are sitting, but from in here, I can’t see them.

I rise slowly from the stool. “Is everything okay?” I ask, drawing out each word, trying to keep the rising anxiety from spreading into my voice.

My eyebrows pull together while I watch Gerald turn back toward me like he’s moving in slow motion. He stammers, hands lifted as if he’s trying to explain something with them, but no words are coming out.