Giving Chase (Incendiary Ink #1)

27. ‘Cause I Know You’re the One – Chase

‘Cause I Know You’re the One

CHASE

"If you adjust those rings one more time," Will says from the hotel suite's couch, his leather jacket creaking as he leans back, "I'm going to throw them out the window."

"They need to be in the right order."

"They're fine," Mark calls from the bathroom, where he's trying to get his shirt cuffs to show off his sleeves just right. "Unlike my hair, which is refusing to cooperate."

"Your hair hasn't cooperated since 1998," Will shoots back, spinning a drumstick between his fingers.

The suite buzzes with pre-ceremony energy. Mark's array of hair products covering every flat surface. My black Alexander McQueen suit with its subtle silver threading laid out like armor. Will's custom leather pieces and Mark's strategically ripped designer wear waiting their turn.

My phone buzzes. A text from Justin.

JUSTIN: Mom looks incredible. You're gonna lose your mind.

Another buzz. Michelle this time.

MICHELLE: Ready to make Rolling Stone's best dressed list, rockstar?

"Cars are here," Mark announces, finally emerging. "How's the?—"

"If you ask about your hair, I'm disowning you," Will cuts in, silver chains clinking as he stands.

The elevator ride down is a blur of anticipation. Tonight we join the immortals. Tonight we play our biggest songs with Ryan, Jude, and Jake. Tonight...

The elevator doors open, and I forget how to breathe.

Eliza stands in the hotel lobby in a black Versace that somehow manages to be both elegant and dangerous – strategic cutouts and leather panels that make her look like the rock queen she is. The purple in her hair seems almost electric against the black. She turns, and that smile – the one I've seen across recording studios and board rooms and venue halls for twenty years – hits me full force.

"Damn," Will whispers appreciatively.

I cross to her, not caring who sees. Not having to care anymore.

"You look..." Words fail me.

"Back at you." Her fingers trace the metallic threads in my jacket. "Very rock 'n' roll royalty."

"Does that make you my queen?"

"That makes me the woman who's about to steal your thunder at your own Hall of Fame induction."

She's right. She's absolutely right.

"I can live with that."

The red carpet stretches before us like a crimson river. Cameras flash. The real music press is out in force – Rolling Stone, Spin, Billboard . But for once, I'm not focused on any of it.

"Ready?" she asks softly.

I take her hand. "Born ready."

The moment we step onto the carpet, it's chaos. Beautiful chaos. The band forms up around us – Will and Mark, our guard of honor. The photographers go wild for our collective look – leather and metal and attitude with just enough polish to show why we're here.

"Chase! Eliza! How about one for Rolling Stone?"

"Rock's power couple!"

"Band shot!"

"Just the two of you!"

She fits perfectly against my side, like she was always meant to be there. Every pose feels natural. Every smile real.

"Incendiary Ink!" Jan from Spin calls out. "How's it feel joining the ranks of rock gods?"

"Like we've still got more noise to make," Will answers with a wicked grin.

"Any truth to the comeback rumors?" Spinner from Billboard this time.

“We’ll see.” I look at Eliza, see my own joy reflected in steel grey eyes. "Some things are worth waiting for."

The cameras love that. Love us. Love the way she laughs when I whisper lyrics just for her. The way the band clusters protectively around us, years of friendship on display.

"Looking good!" Someone shouts. I turn to find Jake in his signature leather pants, Ryan and Jude beside him in their own takes on rock formal. More photos. More poses. The next generation of Blackmore talent celebrating with us.

"Save some chemistry for the after-party," Michelle teases as she passes in her own edgy designer wear.

But I can't help it. Can't stop looking at Eliza. Can't believe I get to do this – really do this – hold her hand in public, kiss her cheek for the cameras, show the world what I've known for twenty years:

She's the best thing that ever happened to me. To any of us.

"Speech ready?" she asks as we near the end of the carpet.

"Better be. I've only had twenty years to write it."

Her laugh is everything. The cameras catch it, that perfect moment of joy. Of us. Of finally .

"Let's go make history," Will says, chains jingling as he claps my shoulder.

Eliza squeezes my hand. The band surrounds us. The doors to rock immortality wait ahead.

Time to show the world what we're made of.

All of us.

Together.