“Phew. I’m glad somebody told me.”

“She’s killing it onstage tonight. Look at her,” Willow said.

It was hard to look away. While it was incredible to watch, Annie knew it was because this could very well be the last time Bristol took the stage. It broke her heart how something Bristol was so passionate about had turned on her. There had to be a middle ground. No way would the world allow Bristol Baines to just fade away. Her music was too important. Annie and Willow stepped to the side when Bristol and the band said good night and ran offstage. It was hard not to stare. Lizzy showed up with a towel and a cold water.

“You’re amazing tonight,” Lizzy told her.

Bristol smiled as her eyes briefly flickered on Annie. She returned her attention to Lizzy. “Thanks. I’m feeling the energy.”

“Good job, Bristol.” The lead singer of X-Treem patted her on the back.

Bristol gave her a smile. She drank the rest of the water, wiped the back of her neck, and made her way back onstage to the single spotlight. This was her a cappella song. Annie wanted to give Bristol her undivided attention, but one of the stagehands was passing out microphones and stepped into her line of vision several times. DJ Spinz Madness had slipped over to his station in the dark. Once Bristol finished, he was to cue up the beat, and the band would jump in before all the acts joined her onstage. According to the poorly sketched diagram being passed around, Annie was on the far end away from center stage. Her heart sank. She had hoped for time with Bristol, but tonight seemed impossible. There was always the after-party. Annie had a plane ticket for the morning, but she’d rebooked it for Wednesday. She’d agreed to a meeting with Sterling and Tyson on Tuesday. She wasn’t planning to sign and expected them to fight her on it, but she also knew to keep a level head. Having everything she wanted sounded great, but Bristol had showed her it always came with a price.

“Let’s go,” Willow said.

Annie followed everyone out onto the stage and started singing “Turn It Up.” Bristol’s voice was loudest, but it was hard to hear because so many people were singing at once. It was a hot mess, but the crowd loved it, and Bristol looked happier than she had in a long time. Annie was so proud of her. What a grueling tour, but she’d made it. Near the end of the song, fireworks shot off from the far side of the arena, and fans applauded the bright showers of exploding red, white, and blue stars.