Page 197 of Movers and Shakers

“I can’t believe you did that!” Lila yelled as we went backstage for the final time. “You wentonstage!And you killed it!”

“Thank you,” I said. “It was . . . life-changing.”

And it was. The way she moved, getting to dance with her onstage—it was one of the greatest moments of my life. I could see myself doing this forever if I got the chance.

I was pretty sure Lila wanted that too. In the darkness after our encore, I saw how her shoulders slumped. She didn’t think I would see, but I noticed everything about her.

I had a lot to figure out.

Especially about my future.

“Barry,” Malia said, interrupting my train of thought. “I know you just got offstage, but some visitors are waiting in the tour bus. Want to see them?”

“Is it my family?”

“I believe so.”

I hadn’t had a second to look and see their reactions. Tom and Ruth wouldn’t be fooled by my disguise.

“Let’s go then,” I said. “It’s time to face the music.”

Lila grinned. “Pretty sure we did that onstage.”

“Very funny.” I grabbed her hand. “Come on, sunshine. Let’s go see Tom and Ruth.

We made it outside, where security led us to the tour bus. I was ready to face a barrage of questions from my siblings.

Instead, I heard someone else speak.

“I fucking told you so.”

That was not Tom’s or Ruth’s voice. My eyes shot to the couch where Audrey and Liam sat.

“What the—how are you two here?”

“We have enough staff to where we could take a night off when Ruth asked us to come to the show.”

“Ruthasked you?”

“I gave her enough tickets to,” Lila said. “They’re your family too.”

“Oh, wow. Lila Wilde.” Liam looked red in the face. “I should have known you’d be here. I love your music.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Audrey added, but her arms were crossed. “Even if I have questions for Barry about why he’s with Rose and holdingyourhand.”

I snapped to attention.Shit.I’d thought it was safe if it was just Ruth and Tom. “Um, Rose is . . .‍‍”

“Also here,” Lila piped in. “IamRose. Surprise. This is a wig. I’d take it off, but it’s kind of glued on.”

Audrey stared for a long time, but Liam burst into laughter. “Oh,” she said as he cackled. “Well, that explainssomuch.”

“You’re okay with telling them?” I asked.

“It’s my secret, and they kept Lila on the down-low for so long that I know we can trust them.”

“And it’s a good secret,” Audrey said. “We were all fooled, even when you came into the bar.”

“Thanks. And sorry for lying.”

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