Page 6 of Rockstar Daddy's Second Chance

Cassidy’s gaze drops, her defiance melting away as she fidgets with her hands. “They were distracted by some older girls.” She glances up at me. “Sorry, but I just had to meet you.”

I can’t help the small grin tugging at my mouth. She’s still reminding me of someone, though I can’t quite place it.

Clearing my throat, I try to keep things light. “You know, you’re a little young to be sneaking around backstage.”

Cassidy rolls her eyes, an expression so unimpressed it’s almost funny. “I’m not here to moon over you. You’re, like,waytoo old for me.“ She tilts her head as if that much should be obvious. “I’m here because I wanted to talk about music. You’re like the best, or well, at least one of the best, and I thought maybe you’d want to hear something I wrote.”

A mix of relief and amusement spreads through me. I’m not sure what I expected, but her single-mindedness feels refreshing. “You wrote a song?” I ask, genuinely surprised. Her enthusiasm catches me off guard, and for a moment, it’s like looking at a younger version of myself.

She nods, her face lighting up, her nerves replaced by eagerness. “Yeah! It’s something I’ve been working on for a while. My mom’s taught me some stuff, but I’m also taking music classes at school.”

I raise an eyebrow, interested. “Your mom teaches you music?”

She nods a little too quickly, revealing her nerves. “Yeah, she loves to sing. She’s really good, at least I think so, but she never sings in front of people. Anyway, I thought maybe you’d like this one. It’s not much, but…”

Before I can say anything, she hums and then starts singing a few lines, her voice soft but clear, echoing in the small dressing room. The melody is simple, but there’s something raw andgenuine about it, something that pulls at me. I don’t know how to explain it, but in those few notes, I feel something I haven’t felt in a long time.

“It’s got potential,” I say, my tone softer than I expected as her song lingers in my mind. “For a beginner, you’ve got a good ear for melody.”

Cassidy smiles in delight, that same spark of confidence returning. “Yeah? Thanks! I listen to your music all the time, and—well, I thought this might be a good song for you.”

The innocence and excitement in her expression hit a chord deep inside me. Here’s this kid, barely out of grade school, already writing songs and dreaming big. She reminds me so much of how I was at her age—eager, full of passion, and willing to break any rule to be heard. And for a moment, I feel connected to her, like maybe this isn’t just a random encounter.

The girl suddenly gives me a wide smile, stepping closer. Close enough that I catch a glimpse of clear gray eyes—and my heart skips a beat, my breath catching in my throat.

“Cassidy, what is your mother’s name?” I ask in a strangled voice.

The girl’s head tilts up like a deer sensing danger. “Why? Are you going to call security to have my mom come get me?” She asks warily, losing some of her confidence.

“That depends. Answer the question,” I practically hold my breath while I wait for her reply.

Cassidy pauses, studying me carefully, before finally speaking. “Cushman. My mom’s name is Kacey Cushman.”

I blink. The breath I’m holding leaves me in a rush. For some reason, I thought—but no. That name means nothing to me. Kacey Cushman. Whoever she is, she’s not anyone I remember. But the odd feeling doesn’t fade, leaving a strange, unexplainable disappointment. I shake it off, leaning against the wall and trying to piece together why this moment feels so strange.

Sam appears at the door. “Whoa. Who do we have here?” His eyes rake over the two young girls with surprise. Then he turns to me. “Aren’t they a little young to be in your dressing room?” I hear the amusement in his tone. Sam never seems to take anything too seriously.

Sam’s gaze flickers between Cassidy and me, his brow furrowing. “Who…” he mutters, trailing off as if the pieces of a puzzle are falling into place. His expression mirrors the unease brewing inside me.

Sam’s gaze drifts back to Cassidy, taking in her pale hair and gray eyes, and his expression shifts, a hint of something like shock crossing his face.

“Cass…” he murmurs, glancing at me. “She looks like… someone we knew, doesn’t she?”

I shrug, hoping he drops it, but he seems as rattled as I feel. Cassidy looks between us, her confusion evident.

Before I can say anything, a security guard steps into the room, his face a mix of irritation and apology. “Mr. Wild, someone reported seeing a couple of girls—“

His words come to an abrupt stop as he spots them. “These two snuck backstage. I can escort them out now, sir.”

Cassidy’s expression falters, her bravado fading as she realizes she might be in trouble. I feel an unexpected surge of protectiveness, something I can’t explain, and hold up a hand to stop him.

“Wait,” I say, glancing down at her. “I’ll walk them out. Just give us a few minutes.”

The guard hesitates, glancing at Sam, who nods in approval. “We’ll take care of it,” Sam says, his voice calm but his eyes still on Cassidy, watching her carefully.

I turn back to Cassidy, crouching to meet her eyes, trying to shake off the strange feeling of familiarity that has a hold of me. “So… your mom’s name is Kacey, huh?”

Cassidy nods, her face softening a little. “Yeah. Why? Do you know her?”

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