𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘶𝘴 6

Chapter 6:

The Risk of Falling

Lena had always thought that falling for someone would feel like a slow, gradual thing.

Like easing into warm water, like a careful step forward, like something measured.

But this?

This wasn't careful.

This wasn't measured.

This was free-falling with no parachute, no safety net—just the sheer, terrifying rush of something bigger than her, bigger than both of them.

And the worst part?

She liked it.

Even though she knew it couldn't last forever.

Even though she felt the weight of the secret pressing down on her more and more each day.

She still liked it.

And maybe that was the most dangerous part of all.

One month in, and they had perfected the art of sneaking around.

They weren't reckless.

They knew when to keep their distance, when to make sure no one was looking. They had gotten used to pretending they weren't watching each other, pretending they weren't pulling toward each other every second of the day.

But it was getting harder.

Because the more time they spent together, the more Lena wanted.

And some days, she didn't know if she could keep pretending.

The moment it happened, Lena knew.

They were in Denver, the crowd packed and buzzing with energy. The band was in perfect sync, the lights washing over the stage in soft blues and purples. Lena was standing off to the side, half-hidden behind a speaker, like she always did when she watched Gracie perform.

And then—

Gracie started playing Fault Line.

Lena had heard the song a hundred times before, had memorized every word, every shift in melody.

But tonight—

Gracie changed the lyrics.

It was subtle.

Barely noticeable to anyone who wasn't paying attention.

But Lena was always paying attention.

And instead of the usual line, instead of the words that had been printed on the album—

Gracie sang something just a little different.

Something meant just for her.

Lena's breath caught in her throat.

Their eyes met for the briefest second—just a flicker, just long enough for Lena to know—and then Gracie turned back to the crowd, like nothing had happened.

But something had happened.

And Lena didn't know how to deal with it.

The band and crew were starting to notice.

They didn't say anything.

Not yet.

But Lena could feel it.

It was in the way Maya's eyes lingered on them whenever they sat too close. The way Noah raised an eyebrow when Gracie laughed just a little too hard at something Lena said.

And Eli?

Eli was fucking watching.

He wasn't subtle about it, either.

Lena would catch him staring, his expression somewhere between I know exactly what's going on and What the hell are you doing?

One night, after soundcheck, he cornered her.

"Lena."

She sighed, already bracing herself. "Eli."

He crossed his arms. "So, are we just pretending no one's picking up on this?"

Lena played dumb. "Picking up on what?"

Eli rolled his eyes. "Dude."

She exhaled, running a hand through her hair. "Look, it's fine. No one's said anything."

"Yet."

Lena groaned. "Why do you care so much?"

"Because I know you," Eli said. His voice wasn't sharp, but it was serious. "And I know that when you fall, you fall hard."

Lena looked away.

She couldn't argue with that.

Eli sighed, softer now. "Just... be careful, okay?"

She nodded, even though she wasn't sure she could be careful.

Not with this.

Not with Gracie.

The picture almost ruined everything.

They had been so careful.

Every glance, every touch, every second spent too close to each other—it had all been calculated. Hidden.

But all it took was one moment.

One mistake.

They had been outside the hotel, just the two of them. It was late, way past midnight, and the city was quiet in that way that made everything feel more intimate.

Lena had been leaning against the wall, Gracie standing in front of her, hands tucked into the pockets of her hoodie.

They weren't touching.

They weren't doing anything wrong.

But the way Gracie was looking at her—soft and warm and undeniable—was enough.

And someone had been there to see it.

The next morning, the picture was everywhere.

It wasn't clear.

It was grainy, blurry, like it had been taken in a rush.

But it was enough for people to start talking.

@gracieupdates: who is gracie with in this pic??? looks like lena carter but idk

@abramsbabe: could be anyone but if it's lena im gonna lose my mind

@lenaangel: it doesn't prove anything but why do they look like they're in their own world

Lena sat on the edge of her hotel bed, scrolling through the comments, her stomach twisting into knots.

Gracie knocked once before letting herself in, her expression tense.

"They're already moving on to something else," she said. "No one's sure it's us."

Lena exhaled, running a hand through her hair. "Yeah. But it's only a matter of time before someone is sure."

Gracie sat next to her, quiet for a moment.

Then—

"Is this too much for you?"

Lena turned to her.

Gracie's voice was steady, but there was something vulnerable beneath it.

Something scared.

Lena swallowed hard.

"I don't know," she admitted. "It's just... heavy."

Gracie nodded, staring down at her hands.

Lena sighed, softer now. "I don't regret anything," she said. "I just... I don't know how long we can keep this up."

Gracie looked at her then, really looked at her, and Lena felt her chest tighten.

"Do you want to stop?" Gracie asked.

It was a simple question.

But the answer was complicated.

Lena shook her head.

"No."

Gracie reached for her hand, threading their fingers together.

Lena exhaled, some of the tension easing from her shoulders.

For now, they were okay.

For now, they still had this.

But for how much longer?

Lena wasn't sure.