Page 187 of Movers and Shakers

“Exactly,” Malia said. “So, I’m brainstorming. Or at least trying to.”

“What, like I sit backstage playing guitar?”

“It’s an option.”

“She wanted me to see the show.”

Malia sighed. “I don’t know if this is a situation where we can all have everything we want. Either you watch the show and weuse a recording, or you do it backstage. You’re ouronlyoption with this short of notice.”

“Have you asked her what she thinks of it?”

“Rose is barely hanging on. She was near tears when Justice told her not to worry about it.”

“And her mom is in town,” I added.

“What?” Malia asked. “That too? God, I know I said I would tell her everything, but I’m afraid she won’t be able to go onstage if we do.”

“What have you told her?”

“That we’d handle it and she needed to take care of herself.”

“All true things. Wewillhandle it.”

“So, you’ll play? It can be just for the first show.Maybe.”

I opened my mouth to say I’d do it for as long as they needed me, but I couldn’t exactly promise that. I was supposed to be back in Nashville in a few days to work on some burnt-out lights at the bar.

“I can promise opening night.”

Malia sighed in relief. “Thank you, Barry. I’ll need to get going to figure out some things, but I do have one question for you.”

“What is it?”

“If there was a way to keep your identity a secretandbe onstage, would you do it?”

The question hung heavy.

“It’s not possible. I have the bar and—‍”

“I’m not talking about forever. I’m talking about right now. Do you want to be on the stage?”

“Of course I fucking do. She shines out there and being backstage feels like I’m missing the sunrise.”

“That’s what I thought.” She gave me a half smile. “We’ll talk later.”

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Rose

Ialmost forgot my worries, but they lingered, especially after Malia disappeared. I was surprised she showed up at all, considering the mess we had on our hands.

“Were you talking to Malia about . . . the issue we’re having?” I asked Barry when he finally walked up next to me. He’d disappeared with her for a good few minutes.

“For a bit. But it’s nothing we can talk about here. We’ll need to get you home first.”

“Oh my God,home.Mom’s there. I need to deal with that too.”

“We only have thirty minutes left. Let’s finish this out and deal with things one at a time.”

---