Page 32 of Backstage with a Billionaire Rockstar

“You haven’t talked to Carmen about this?”

I shake my head. “Wanted to make sure you would be on board before I did that.”

“And you think she’ll be okay with it?”

“As long as you’re with me, I’m sure she’ll be fine. It would help her to not worry for a little while.”

Even though Mia is here to protect me, that hasn’t stopped Carmen from worrying about her and I highly doubt it’s going to stop until we get to the bottom of things.

As I explain my plan to Mia, I can't help but imagine a future where these visits aren't just stolen moments between tour stops. What would it be like to be there for Liam every day? To help with homework, to cheer at his soccer games? The thought both thrills and terrifies me. Can I balance being a rockstar and a dad?

Do I even want to try?

Mia’s face blanches and she shakes her head. “What if we put Liam in danger, Evan? He could follow you anywhere…”

The thought had occurred to me. Which is why I bought everything to help with our disguise. We’ll leave as we are, disappear into a crowded store somewhere, then emerge as completely different people.

“I thought ahead,” I tell her while pulling the backpack from my shoulders and dropping it onto the floor.

She watches as I reach inside and pull out a platinum blonde wig that cascades in curls. I shake the long hair at her, smiling confidently, and she laughs so hard tears come out of her eyes. “Seriously? A disguise?”

“What, you don’t like it?”

When I pull out my own disguise, that sends her completely over the edge, and she drops back on the couch, still cackling. I’ve never seen her this out of character before — it’s nice.

After a few minutes, she finally sucks in deep breaths of air and sits back up on the couch with a grin.

I wiggle my finger in front of her face. “What’s that grin for?”

She rises from the couch and winks at me. “I’m just ready to see what you look like as a bald man.” Her laughs start up again as she walks down the hall, and I smile at the easy way she’s showing her emotions.

***

We’re all ready to go and rock out, which leaves me more pumped than usual because I know that me and Mia are getting on the first plane out of here when the concert is over. I’m excited but nervous at the same time.

Carmen pushes the bus door open, only to freeze in place and frown at someone who’s standing outside. I try to look over her shoulder, but Brent and Jace are in my way. Brent leans forward, and then a big smile overtakes his features, and he nearly bulldozes through Carmen’s frame.

“You’re shitting me,” he says excitedly before leaning into whoever it is and giving them a welcoming hug. “What are you doing here? Last time we talked, you said you didn’t know when you’d get the chance to come back.”

Come back?

I blink, then push past Jace, and my eyes widen at the man standing outside the bus.

Donny looks as good as he did before having to leave to take care of some family business. He had assured us he would come back to the band but recommended that we replace him for the time being until that happened. Since then, we’ve had a revolving door of backup drummers throughout the tour.

“No shit,” I say while taking a step toward the stairs, except Mia’s hand keeps me from going any further.

“You’ve really got to stop doing that,” she grumbles before pushing in front of me and checking our surroundings. Once she’s satisfied, she lets out a heavy sigh and waves her hand ahead to allow me through.

Donny watches her curiously, and I shrug. “My bodyguard, but that’s not important. What are you doing, man?”

His cheeks heat, and he shifts on his feet. “I, uh, wanted to see if I could join you guys for the rest of the tour.”

Carmen looks between us, a frown on her face, and I know what she’s thinking. “That would be great, but we’ve already got a backup drummer lined up for tonight.”

“I’ll watch from backstage. I’d hate to take him out of the show.”

Brent nods, then cocks his head to the side. “You sure you’ll be able to do it, man?”

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