Page 51 of Backstage with a Billionaire Rockstar

“Before you were born,” I add.

“Okay,” Liam says slowly, trying to understand where this is going and failing miserably.

“You see, we were very close at the time, then you came along,” Evan says gently.

He’s doing great.

“What does that mean?”

I clear my throat, squeezing Evan’s hand a little tighter, and say, “Evan isn’t just a friend, baby.”

Evan looks at me, gaining the confidence he needs, then gives Liam a small smile. Our son is looking between the two of us, looking as confused as ever, and I almost want to laugh at the dumbfounded expression on his face.

He’s the cutest little boy you’ll ever meet.

“You're my mom’s boyfriend,” Liam says, then sighs. “I know this already.”

Evan chuckles and nods. “You’re right, but that’s not all I am.”

“Just tell me already,” he says, sending me into a fit of giggles.

“I’m your dad.”

Liam’s silent for a few moments, which makes my heart race uncontrollably, and I worry it was a bad idea to tell him. That is, until he smiles rightly and throws a fist into the air. “This is awesome!”

He jumps from the seat and scurries around the circular table, then wraps his arms tightly around Evan’s waist. Evan looks at me, tears gathered in his eyes, then presses a kiss to the top of Liam’s head while circling an arm around Liams small frame.

It’s the best moment I could’ve asked for. I swipe at my eyes, smiling at the love the two of them have for each other, but a flash catches my attention.

When I look up, there’s a man holding a large camera with it pointed at us and my eyes widen. “Uh, Evan, we’ve got a problem.”

Evan glances at me, noting the worry in my eyes, then follows the direction of my stare. “Shit,” he mutters before tucking Liam behind him, blocking him from view.

“I thought we were okay here?”

He sighs heavily, his shoulders slumping forward. “Unfortunately, I can’t do anything when it comes to paparazzi… they’ll follow me anywhere.”

A wave of conflicting emotions washes over me. As Evan's bodyguard, I should have anticipated this, should have been more vigilant.

“Nobody should even know we’re here.”

“They don’t,” he mumbles, then waves his hand in the air for our waiter to come over with the bill.

When we’re situated to head out, the man who was taking photographs is long gone. That doesn’t stop Evan from keeping Liam’s head buried in the crook of his neck as we walk out of the restaurant, thanking the staff for their service.

Evan’s home isn’t far from here, so it doesn’t take long for us to walk through the front door. Kenzie is relaxing on the couch, a glass of wine clutched in her hand with the TV flickering in front of her, and she glances at us with a frown.

“Everything okay?”

“Paparazzi,” Evan mutters.

He’s clearly upset, so when he stalks off toward the kitchen, I lead Liam into the living room with Kenzie. “Keep an eye on him for a minute?”

She nods, patting the cushion next to her for Liam, and I follow Evan’s trail into the kitchen.

When I get inside, he’s leaning on the counter with his head hanging low and shoulders tight with tension. I place my hand on his back, noticing how he instantly relaxes into the touch, and he sighs heavily before turning around. “I’m sorry,” he says softly.

He spreads his thighs apart, giving me more than enough room to step between them, and he presses his forehead against mine with his eyes closed. “What are you sorry for?”

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