Chapter 10

It's said The Rose's guitarist had a minor car accident and couldn't perform, so they needed a last-minute substitute. And man, she didn't just fill in; she set the stage ablaze. "I've been to tons of underground gigs, but this girl is something else," said Edwin, clearly impressed by Selina's stage presence.

Charley batted his eyes and nudged Edwin. "I've never seen you talk up a girl like this. Are you into her or what?"

"She's a catch, that's for sure," Edwin replied smoothly.

"Edwin, stay away from her," Trevon said suddenly, his voice serious.

Edwin and Charley were so surprised their eyes widened.

"Dude, did you hear that? Trevon, our work-obsessed maniac, is interested in a girl!" Charley exclaimed excitedly. "Trevon! Good for you! You're finally interested in someone! I was starting to think you were either gay or just asexual. I'm relieved, man." His theatrics ceased abruptly under Trevon's icy glare.

But what truly captivated Edwin wasn't Selina's performance, but Trevon's sudden interest. "You're into her, Trevon?"

"She's my…"

"What? Really?"

Trevon explained he hadn't intended to keep his marriage to Selina a secret from his close friends.

Both Edwin and Charley were speechless, offering only awestruck thumbs-ups.

Now, it was Selina's turn to take the stage for a guitar solo.

In most underground rock bands, the singer usually garnered the most attention, but the lead guitarist was crucial. Sometimes, they'd improvise a solo to electrify the audience—a significant challenge showcasing their skill and talent.

From the crowd, Elaine held her breath. "Nail it, Selina!"

Timothy turned to Ashley, mistakenly assuming her worry. "She's done for. Before, she could blend into the band's sound, but on her own… she's got nowhere to hide."

Selina's guitar filled the room, her fingers flying across the strings as she lost herself in the music, her eyes closed. Everyone in the Starlight Club was captivated by the amazing solo, clinging to anything within reach.

It was phenomenal. Selina's powerful playing and striking beauty captivated the audience. Her simple clothes seemed effortlessly cool; it wasn't just about what she wore, but who she was. Some people could transcend anything with talent and charisma.

The room erupted only after her solo ended, even her bandmates appearing awestruck. The crowd was spellbound, roused only when Lydia hit the drums again. Thomas and Luke seamlessly rejoined the rhythm, consummate professionals.

Selina shook off the sweat, the adrenaline rush undeniable—she'd never felt so liberated during a performance.

The thirty-minute set flew by. As The Rose left the stage, the energy in the air was palpable—the fans clearly wanted an encore.

"Dude, who was that amazing guitarist?"

"She's not just gorgeous; she's new to the scene and incredible."

"That's it, she's the new guitar goddess. Hands down."

Ashley's face twisted with jealousy when she heard the crowd's praise. Head down, clutching her dress, she seethed. How could Selina, that country bumpkin, overshadow me? she thought. "Hey, Ashley, isn't that your sister up there? Mind if I get her number? She's way too hot to pass up!" Some oblivious rich guy, unaware of the family drama, assumed they were still sisters.

Ashley was outwardly sad and helpless, inwardly raging. "Sorry, Selina's estranged from the family now, and… I really can't." She quickly distanced herself.

Timothy dismissed the man. "She's just some small-time band's guitarist. Come on, since when are you into the Harvey family's rejects?"

"Listen, Timothy, not everyone moves in your circles, alright? If Selina was still with the Harveys, she'd be way out of my league."

Backstage, Selina and Lydia exchanged high-fives and grins.

"It's been too long, Selina. I knew you still had it. Did you have fun out there?" Lydia asked.

"Yeah, totally!" Selina's pulse still raced. This rush—this was what it meant to feel alive. She'd taken it for granted, but the Harvey family drama had nearly erased this incredible feeling.

"You killed it tonight, Selina! The crowd loved you. You were on fire!" Elaine beamed. "Why not join The Rose permanently? With you, we'd be unstoppable!"

Thomas added, "Seriously, Selina, you have this amazing stage presence—a natural. My brother and I would love for you to stay."

Selina hesitated.

"Look, we only called you to fill in tonight. We have backups," Lydia reassured her. "It's been great jamming with you again, Selina. Whenever you feel like rocking with us, just let us know. No pressure, okay!"