Semua Bab Half Wild, Half Yours: Bab 31 - Bab 40

We stumbled out of the bar high on glitter and adrenaline, Blue’s hand in mine, Tyler trotting proudly ahead like he owned the sidewalk. Brody wouldn’t shut up about his auction date, and Thomas was still recovering from being aggressively flirted with by a guy in leather chaps named Spike. Blue laughed all the way back to the hotel, her body tucked under my arm like it belonged there. When we got to our room, she kissed me slow and deep, pulling me into bed before I could even shrug off my shirt. The rest of the night unraveled in heat and whispers and her saying my name like it meant something. The next morning, we grabbed iced coffees and loaded up the van. Blue had a plan—something about a lake just outside Phoenix that was “a vibe.” Tyler barked once in approval like it was already on the itinerary. We drove with the windows down, the sun sneaking through the windshield, her playlist spinning old Paramore and Fleetwood Mac. She let me drive, which felt like more than just

Our set ends in a blur of sweat, bass, and breathless grins. The crowd is still buzzing, and my cheeks hurt from smiling so hard. We tear down quick, helped by a few overly enthusiastic fans, and soon we’re back at the bar with our drinks in hand, laughter spilling out of us like we haven’t slept in days. Which, to be fair, we haven’t. Sadie fits right in. Brody made sure of that—he hasn’t left her side since the final song. She’s tucked against his arm now, sipping something neon green and occasionally whispering in his ear, her sharp features softening under the bar’s pink lighting. I clock the way his face lights up every time she speaks. “Sadie’s hanging with us tonight,” Brody announces proudly. “Good,” I say, raising my glass to her. “You’ve officially passed the vibe check.” Tyler’s curled beneath my stool, tail thumping lazily, probably full from the bites of nachos Teddy kept sneaking him during sound check. He lifts his head when the music kicks into something heavie

We crossed state lines like they were cracks in the pavement—barely slowing down to notice, just rolling through desert heat and mountain chill and open sky that stretched for days. New Mexico gave us dry wind and adobe walls and a crowd that chanted our names before we even played a note. Colorado was green and buzzing, our stage nestled under fairy lights strung through pines. Utah had red rocks and moonlight, and Teddy kissed me against the van like he couldn’t get enough. Sometimes I think he really can’t. By the time we hit Wyoming, our little caravan of chaos had a rhythm. Thomas booked the gigs. Brody made friends with everyone at every bar. Sadie fit right in, fierce and sharp and loyal in a way that made me love her instantly. Tyler claimed all the hotel beds like a prince, snoring happily through sound checks and smoke breaks. Teddy still slept in my bed. Still touched me like I was made of fire and he couldn’t stop burning. But he hasn’t said it. Not once. Not a

The lights were hot. The crowd was loud. But I felt cold. We were backstage. Moments before our final festival set. Teddy had tried to talk to me, to pull me aside with those soft eyes and apologetic hands, but I’d shut it down with one look. “Not now,” I’d said, eyes fixed ahead. “Blue, please—” “I said not now,” I repeated, and walked off before I could crumble in front of him. I found Thomas. “I want to switch my solo,” I told him, clutching the mic with both hands like it was the only thing anchoring me to the earth. “Can we run a cover?” He blinked, surprised. “Uh—depends on the song.” I told him. His brows lifted, then he nodded. “You sure?” No. “Yes.” And now here we were. The night air was heavy with dust and beer and someone’s campfire, but the stage lights blurred it all into gold. No Name was already two songs deep into our set. Sadie was front row, beaming up at Brody like a damn sunrise. Teddy kept stealing glances at me between verses, his mouth tense

The pounding on the van door shook the last bit of rose clay from my face. I blinked at Sadie through half-wiped streaks and we both froze, listening. “Let’s go, party girls!” Thomas’s voice boomed through the cracks. “Drinking games are starting!” Sadie grinned at me through her sheet mask. “We’re not turning that down.” I hesitated, nerves fluttering like a trapped moth under my skin. But Sadie gave me her classic don’t make me drag you look, and I caved. “Okay, okay,” I sighed, peeling off the rest of the mask. “Outfit change. Two minutes.” She skipped off toward the tent she and Brody were sharing while I ducked back into the van. Tyler trotted in behind me, tail wagging like he knew the vibes were shifting. I pulled on a yellow bikini top with a matching cheeky bottom, then slid into low-rise jean shorts that clung just right. My black Chacos were practical but gave outdoorsy hot girl energy. I re-braided my hair into two neat plaits, tugged a few wisps free to fra