Page 159 of Hayden's Stalker

“Pretty much.”

Tati sighs and wrinkles her nose while she looks out through the window across from us. I can tell she’s stressing about the situation with my stalker, so I put my hand under her chin and turn her face up to mine, and look deep into her eyes.

“I love you, preciosa. The authorities will find my stalker, and I will ask you to marry me.”

Tati swallows as she stares back at me. I meet her gaze, hoping to share some of my certainty that we will have a future together with her.

“I hope so,” she says in a choked-up voice.

“I know so,” I assure her.

I kiss her again and hold her in my arms as we fall silent. The buses pull into the back of the arena venue just after ten, but we don’t leave the bus until shortly before the midday soundcheck. Tati escorts me toward the venue alongside Gabriel and his bodyguard, Ethan. She’s as alert as ever, her eyes darting all around the place as we sign autographs for the fans before we head into the arena.

As we make our way to my dressing room, Dan walks toward us from the other direction, carrying some sound equipment.

“Hey, Dan,” I greet him with a cheery smile.

“Hi, guys. Looking forward to the concert tonight?” he asks me, but he smiles at Tati as he does.

It should probably make me jealous, but now that we’re together, I’m sure that nothing will break us apart, and I have nothing to be jealous about.

I nod at him. “Yup. Should be good. Anyway, we’d better get going. I need to drop my gear in my room before the soundcheck.”

“No problems. Any sandwich preference today, Tati?”

She shrugs. “Surprise me.”

“Will do.” He gives us a friendly wave and continues on his way.

As soon as we’re out of earshot, I tease Tati, “Hey, if Daniel asks you out, maybe you could go on a double date with April and me. What do you think?”

“Shut up,” she laughs and gives me a playful shove as we reach my dressing room.

I stand near the door as Tati sweeps the room before she comes back and gives me the all-clear. I get ready for the soundcheck, and we spend a few minutes relaxing in the room before we make our way to the stage.

“I want to do a Gunners song tonight,” Sebastian says from behind me as I follow Tati to the stage.

I laugh, “Whendon’tyou want to do a Guns N’ Roses song?”

“Good point. But we haven’t done one for a few concerts. I’m thinking ‘Paradise City’ if Gabriel’s up for singing it.”

It’s unlikely he will be, and I point out, “He hates covering Axl’s songs. They’re hard for him to sing.”

“Hmph, he always slays it when he does, though. I’ll sing it if I have to.” Sebastian shrugs his shoulders.

“Why am I not surprised? How much do you want to bet you can’t get him to agree to it?” I raise an eyebrow at him.

“If I win, you have to change Mira’s diapers for a whole day. If you win, I’ll personally clean the toilet on your bus.”

I burst into laughter and agree to the deal, “Sure. Sounds like a plan.” We’ve almost reached the stage when Gabriel approaches us. “No swaying him,” I warn Sebastian.

“I won’t. Seb’s honor,” he says and makes the boy scout symbol.

“Hey guys,” Gabriel says with a grin.

“Want to sing ‘Paradise City’ tonight, Gabriel?” Seb asks casually.

We both watch with eager anticipation as Gabriel shakes his head, and I smirk at Seb. “Nah. It kills my voice singing Gunners. I don’t think I’m up for it.”

---