Page 56 of Backstage with a Billionaire Rockstar

“Mia, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Jeffrey.”

She holds a hand out to shake but gasps in surprise when my father pulls her into a giant hug. If there’s one thing she should be prepared for is that everyone is a hugger around here.

“Uh, it’s nice to meet you too,” Mia says quietly, her cheeks flushed.

“Now, tell me all about this grandson I seem to have,” he says with a bright smile. “How come he hasn’t been around before?”

Mia stiffens, her brows furrowing, and I clear my throat. “Uh, it was my decision, dad. I thought it was best that he be kept out of the spotlight, but things are getting complicated now.”

It still doesn’t explain why I never confided the news to them, but it lets Mia off the hook for a little longer while we come up with a better explanation.

“Right,” my dad says, looking between the two of us curiously. “Let’s get inside, shall we?”

He doesn’t believe a word I’ve said, but at least he’s not hounding me for an answer right now.

21

Mia

Surprisingly, things have been great since we came to stay with Evan’s parents for a little while. It was rough at first, when we all sat down that first day and talked about our situation — as much as I wanted to make myself look good, I couldn’t allow Evan to lie for me, so I told his parents the truth.

Lucille was more understanding than I thought she would be, and Jeffrey was just excited to finally have a little kid running around their home.

“You know,” Lucille says from the couch, a small smile aimed at me. “Why don’t you and Evan go out for the night?”

I chew on the inside of my cheek, casting a glance at Liam as he rams monster trucks into each other next to Jeffrey, and I frown. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

She chuckles, then places her hand on my thigh and gives it a gentle squeeze. “I was just like you once upon a time, you know? Leaving Evan alone with someone else was torture, but I learned to accept the help being offered.”

“I’ve already been away from him while working with Evan,” I say softly.

“It’s not like you’ll be gone forever. We’ll do something fun, a movie night, and you’ll be right back here in the morning. I’m sure Evan would like some alone time with you.”

That’s an understatement. Ever since we got here he’s done nothing but let me know that he wishes we could be alone, while stealing lingering kisses when no one is looking. We still haven’t figured out what’s going on with Evan’s stalker, even though nothing new has come up for a few days, but would it be safe?

“She makes a very valid point, darlin’,” Evan says as he saunters into the living room with his hands shoved into the pocket of his jeans. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

Oh, I don’t know, the stalker could find out where your parents live and kidnap Liam as soon as we leave.

That’s what I want to say, but the hopeful expression on Evan’s face has me sighing heavily. “Alright, alright, maybe you guys are right.”

Lucille looks to her son and winks. “I told you I’d get her to cave.”

I look between the two of them with my mouth popped open, but Evan just chuckles and throws his hands in the air defensively. “It wasn’t my idea, she swore that she’d be able to get you out of here and I know better than to stop her.”

This is something I’ve realized since staying here. Lucille has done nothing but try to make this stay as comfortable for the three of us as possible, which I’ve been more than grateful for. Jeffrey lets out a deep chuckle from the floor, looking lovingly down at Liam, and I get a sharp pain in my chest.

If only I would’ve been able to see my parents' love for their grandson. I shake the emotions away and smile at Lucille. “You’re right, Lucille, it would be nice to get out for a bit.”

Evan winks at me when I rise from the couch, then he snakes an arm around my waist. “I’ve already booked a room at the bed and breakfast.” When I eye him, he smiles at me then presses a tender kiss to my cheek. “What can I say? I was hopeful.”

It will be nice to have alone time with Evan. This is what we’ve been wanting and it doesn’t come with someone following us around, which is amazing. Not that I’d mind it, especially since I can tell he misses being around the band and he’s eager to get back.

***

“Finally,” Evan says as he places our overnight bag onto the nightstand next to our bed for the night. He comes over to me, pressing against me enough that my back is flat against the door, and smiles. “Alone at last.”

As much as I want to worry about what Liam could be doing, my toes curl when Evan traces the curve of my throat with his lips. God, this is exactly what I needed. It isn’t lost on me that Lucille knows exactly what our plans are for tonight, but I don’t let that dissuade me from allowing Evan to tug the clothes from my body.

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