Page 6 of Backstage with a Billionaire Rockstar

Brent scoffs. “You know he never would’ve come, or else you’d have asked him regardless.”

He’s got me there, and I know it.

“Alright,” Mia says in the doorway. “We are good to go.”

“Great, glad we’re safe,” I mutter while pushing past her.

She scoots into the passenger seat, leaving me, Brent, and Julia to slide into the back, and I glare at her head as the driver eases our car down the long driveway. Her head darts in every direction as we head down the busy main road, eyes cutting through the darkness as if she can see what no one can, and I watch her with fascination.

That’s not good.

***

We’re a couple of hours into the night, and I’ve had entirely too much to drink, so it only makes sense that I stumble up to Mia, who’s sitting straight on a lone stool facing the crowd. She doesn’t so much as glance at me as I lean against the banister next to her, and I sigh loudly in hopes that it will gain her attention.

“You’re grumpy,” I slur.

Her shoulders straighten, but she still doesn’t look at me.

“Oh, come on,” I say, nudging her shoulder lightly. “Let me see those pretty blue eyes.”

That gets her attention, except not in the way I was hoping. She glares at me and says, “I’ve got a job to do, one that seems to become more difficult when you won’t stop downing shots like they’re water.”

“Ooh, feisty,” I say with a chuckle. “I like it.”

When I reach forward to brush a strand of her from her shoulder, she flinches away from the touch and stands from her stool with a frown. “This is inappropriate. I think it’s time that we head out. You’ve had enough fun, and I’m already going to have to help you to the car.”

“The night is young!” I say as she makes her way down the set of VIP stairs, heading right for Brent and Julia who are enjoying themselves at the edge of the crowd.

She doesn’t look at me over her shoulder and taps on Brent’s shoulder. He nods in response, then tugs Julia with him as they start their way up the stairs toward me. Mia’s lips don’t so much as twitch with a smile, that emotionless facade shining brightly in front of me, and she crosses her arms.

“Let’s go, man,” Brent says. “We’ve had enough for tonight.”

“Whatever,” I mumble and shake from Mia’s touch when she tries to steer me toward the exit.

If she touches me anymore, I’m afraid I’ll make a big mistake.

The car ride is full of tension as I silently stew over the demand to leave the club, the feeling only heightening when Brent and Julia jump out of the car to head inside the house. Our driver has also stepped out, heading straight toward his living quarters on the other side of our property, and now it’s only me and Mia inside the vehicle.

She sighs heavily, eyes scanning the space like she’s done every time we go somewhere, then climbs out of the car slowly. I fumble with the door handle, eagerly trying to catch up to her, then frown at it. Mia’s frame spins, and she shakes her head before marching back over to my door.

I nearly fall out, but her harsh grip keeps me from plummeting face first to the ground and she lifts me up like I’m a feather. The house is quiet when we get inside, save for my heavy footsteps as I let her lead me through the halls to my room.

There’s a scent floating in the air around her, one that I wouldn’t have guessed she would have with that cold exterior she seems to exude, and I can’t help but inhale it. It’s something tropical – maybe coconut – and it’s enough to have me leaning further into her to get closer to it. I feel her body tense against mine, but she doesn’t stop walking.

What is wrong with me right now?

She comes to a stop in front of my door, pushes it open, then walks me to the edge of my bed before depositing my large frame onto it like a sack of potatoes.

“Shouldn’t you be more careful with me?”

Mia rolls her eyes but doesn't respond to my question and instead says, “Make sure you take the Tylenol sitting out for you. You’ve got a long day tomorrow.”

Right. I almost forgot that we’ve got an interview with a big radio show, which I’m sure is bound to be a bunch of questions about our former manager Mack. Even after months of him being gone, no one has seemed to get over the fact that he was doing us dirty while working for all of us.

I watch as Mia heads for the door and says, “Wait.”

She stops but doesn’t turn around to look at me – I wonder why.

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