Giving Chase (Incendiary Ink #1)

31. The Night Cries Out （For You） – Chase

The Night Cries Out (For You)

CHASE

Blackmore knows how to throw a party. The top floor of Cleveland's tallest hotel has been transformed into rock 'n' roll heaven - open bar, classic vinyl spinning between live sets, and enough industry elite to fill a Hall of Fame ceremony all over again.

"You two," Michelle says, appearing with champagne for Eliza, "are trending worldwide. Apparently, that performance broke the internet."

Eliza laughs against my shoulder. She hasn't left my side all night, and I'm not complaining. "Please tell me you have PR handling it."

"Honey, I have PR handling the PR who's handling it." Michelle grins. "Now come on, people are waiting to congratulate the happy couple. Both on the induction and the obviously-not-news news."

We make our rounds. Robert Plant himself tells us it was "about bloody time on both counts." Jake and Ryan hold court by the bar, already planning future collaborations. Will and Mark are surrounded by admirers, telling increasingly exaggerated stories about our early days.

"Remember when you used to have to stand on opposite sides of the room at these things?" Justin appears, looking every inch the rock star himself. "The whole 'professional distance' act?"

"Your mother was better at it than I was," I admit.

"Please." Eliza squeezes my hand. "You're the one who kept finding reasons to cross the room."

"Speaking of crossing rooms..." Michelle's voice carries that dangerous edge of plotting. "They're about to play Whispered Truths. You two should definitely dance to that."

Before we can protest, the opening notes fill the space. Eliza's eyes meet mine, and suddenly we're back in that studio years ago, when I first played her the rough cut at 3 AM.

"May I?" I ask formally, making her laugh.

"Always."

The dance floor clears for us. No more pretending this isn't our song. No more maintaining professional distance. Just us, swaying to the music that started it all.

"Been waiting twenty years to dance with you properly," I murmur in her ear.

"Pretty sure you danced with me at that industry party in '08."

"Pretty sure I was trying to make you jealous by dancing with someone else."

"Pretty sure it worked."

The song shifts to Burning Bridges . Ryan grabs Jake, dramatically recreating our earlier performance. The dance floor fills with industry elite letting loose. Through the chaos, I spot Will giving us a thumbs up while Mark pretends to wipe away tears.

"Come here," I say, pulling Eliza toward a quieter corner. The city spreads out below us, lights twinkling like earthbound stars.

"Quite a night," she says softly.

"Quite a twenty years."

She turns in my arms, facing me. "Was it worth the wait?"

"Every second." I brush back a strand of purple-tipped platinum. "Though I wouldn't mind not waiting anymore."

"No?"

"No." I kiss her temple. "I've got some new songs to record. Need a label President's opinion on them."

Her laugh vibrates against my chest. "I might know someone. Though I hear she's dating a rockstar now."

"Lucky guy."

"Lucky girl."

The party swirls around us - Michelle directing photographers to "capture the moment," Justin showing Will something on his phone, Mark deep in conversation with Robert Plant of all people. But here in our corner, it's just us.

"Eliza?"

"Hmm?"

"I love you. In case that wasn't clear from the very public declarations and worldwide trending topics."

She kisses me, right there in front of everyone. No hiding. No pretending. No professional distance.

"I love you too. In case that wasn't clear from the last twenty years."

"Crystal clear." I pull her closer as Off the Record starts playing. "Want to dance to yet another one of our songs? Now that everyone knows they’re our songs?"

Her smile is everything I've ever tried to capture in melody.

"Lead the way, rockstar."

The night spins on, a blur of celebration and congratulations and joy. But all I feel is her hand in mine, all I see is steel grey eyes and purple-tipped platinum, all I hear is the music that brought us together and the truth we're finally free to speak.

Everything about today I once thought was impossible. The band. The induction. Eliza. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think things could be this good. I used to buckle under pressure that wasn’t even there. I created all of my own demons. But I’ve also fought them.

Today, it feels like I won.