Page 63 of Backstage with a Billionaire Rockstar

When we finally pull in front of my house, Evan glances at the cars parked outside and looks at me with a frown. “Uh, company I didn’t know about?”

“Just a few people who wanted to welcome you back home,” I say, then slip out of the car before he can say anything else.

I’m just getting Liam unbuckled from the back and placed safely onto the ground when Evan finally pushes himself out of the car and he looks at me with a small smile. “Was this your idea?”

I arch a brow and chuckle. “What do you think?”

Evan snorts, then shrugs his shoulders. “There are worse things.” He points to Liam with a stern frown. “Put that ice cream in the freezer, you hear me?”

Liam nods, flashing a gap-toothed grin at him — he managed to lose a tooth while Evan was in the hospital, which he happily told him about the next day after finding two dollars under his pillow from the tooth fairy. “Got it, Dad.”

He doesn’t wait for us before hurrying through the front door and I walk at a slow pace next to Evan as he makes his way up the cobblestone path leading to the porch.

It’s silent when we get inside, and I start to wonder if everyone is here after all, but as soon as Evan steps through the door behind me, all the lights turn on, and there’s a large banner hanging above the living room doorway.

Lucille cheers, immediately rushing over to her son and giving him a big hug. Just as I suspected, she pulls away and gives him a once over before asking, “You’re feeling okay? I told your doctor that you should have stayed an extra few days just for observation.”

Although Evan’s mother smothers him, judging by the glimmer in his eyes, I’m willing to bet Evan doesn’t care so much about it. He nods with a soft chuckle and places a hand over Lucille’s shoulder gently. “I’m good, Mom. Stop worrying so much.”

“You’re right,” she says with a heavy sigh, then claps and helps him through the entryway. “Brent left a surprise for you.”

That gets Evan’s attention, and he eyes me curiously as if I know what it is — I’m just as clueless as he is, though.

“Ah, man,” Evan groans when we step into the kitchen, and his eyes land on the baking dish sitting in the middle of the counter. “Just what I needed.”

“Lasagna?”

Evan looks at me, mouth agape. “The best lasagna I’ve ever had, nothing compares.”

Lucille swats at his chest and smiles. “I’m standing right here, you know. You used to love my lasagna.”

“Sorry, Mom,” Evan says while eagerly reaching for a clean plate and placing it on the counter. “Nothing but the truth.”

“He wanted to be here when you got home, but there were some things he needed to take care of with Carmen.”

Evan darts his attention to me, brows furrowed, and I can tell that we’re going to be having a conversation soon about what the future holds for the two of us. “That’s okay. When will you guys be heading out?”

“Your father wants to leave in the next few hours. Try to miss all the traffic.”

“Smart idea,” Evan mutters through a mouthful of lasagna. “I appreciate you staying and helping Mia out with everything.”

“It’s nothing,” Lucille says, flashing him a blinding smile — at least I know where he gets that from. “Liam is a wonderful boy. You should be proud.”

Evan’s gaze immediately lights up at her praise, and he nods. “I am. I’m glad he’s got you guys in his life.”

“You sure I shouldn’t stay a little longer?” If it weren’t for Jeffrey needing to get back to their small town, Lucille would’ve been moved in by now, I’m sure — not that I would mind, but I’ve been dying to get Evan alone again so we could have a proper talk.

“We’re good, Mom, really. You’ve done more than enough.”

Lucille's shoulders deflate, but she doesn’t say anything else while pulling a couple more plates from the cabinet and scooping lasagna onto them. She’s not going to say it, but I know she doesn’t want to leave now that they’re getting closer to Liam. That’s exactly why I’ve already got plans for him to visit soon.

***

Later, after Liam's tucked in bed, Evan and I sit on the porch swing, the night air cool against our skin.

"So," I say hesitantly. "What happens now?"

He takes a deep breath. "I've been thinking about that a lot.” There’s a beat of silence as he gathers his thoughts, then he glances at me. “Music will always be in my life. But, after what happened, I’ve realized what’s more important.”

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