Page 18 of Last One Standing
Her eyes scanned the room only to halt the moment she spotted me. Maybe I was crazy, but I swore her smile kicked up a notch. Perhaps it was wishful thinking. Either way, I was going to enjoy every second of Anita’s performance.
CHAPTER TEN
KONA
He came.I wasn’t sure if he would, and part of me hadn’t wanted him to. Brick was suspicious of the man even though I’d told him he wasn’t a threat or anything. He wasn’t here tonight, but there were a few of the MCs, and they’d be reporting my every move to him…just like always.
Once the show ended and I’d waved and bowed and thanked all the people, I went back to my dressing room to get out of costume. Some days it took longer than others, but that depended on the details of my creation.
Tonight, it was fairly simple. I’d chosen a floor-length ruby-red dress, my platinum wig, makeup, and some jewelry. The makeup would take the longest.
As I undressed, I thought perhaps I wouldn’t go greet anyone. I’d get an earful from Brick later, I was positive, but I’d rather him argue with me over not mingling with paying patrons than him accusing me of infidelity.
Of course, only VIPs and selected people were allowed to stay after the show but as Pika’s guests, they had to have been invited.
“Shit,” I snapped at my reflection.
“Glue not coming off?” Pika walked in ready to help me as always. He usually left immediately following my show, but I had a feeling he’d been told there were friends of his here.
“No, just stuck in my head is all.”
He sat in the chair beside mine. “Wanna talk about it?”
I smiled at him. I loved Pika more than anyone in the entire world. There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for him, and I knew he felt the same. Difference was, I wouldn’t let him sacrifice himself for me, ever, and if I explained Brick’s upset with Angel, he might foolishly say something to Brick, and I wasn’t sure how that would go.
“Nah, it’s nothing huge.” I tilted my chin toward the door. “You should go talk with your guests.”
He shrugged. “Yeah, I’ll go out with you.”
I placed my wig on its stand and shook my head. “Think I’ll skip that tonight.”
“You can’t. You’ll upset your fans, and I know you hate that. What’s got you so weird right now?”
I sighed and grabbed the makeup remover. I should have known by now that I couldn’t get anything past Pika. He was fifteen and I tried to shield him from what I could, but he’d had to grow up too fast.
“I can’t be seen talking to that Angel guy.”
He jerked his head back. “What, why?”
I started rubbing my face, unable to look into Pika’s eyes. I stood up to Brick as best I could for what I wanted whenever he got controlling, but it never ended well, and I was getting tired. Seeing Pika’s disappointment in me would be too much.
I explained what had happened a couple of weeks ago and how angry Brick was with me, how I’d tried my best to convince him there was nothing and they were Leo’s friends. If Brick found out…well, I didn’t need to elaborate. I was sure Pika understood.
“Why didn’t you say something to me? I wouldn’t have invited him.”
I snorted. “Did you want me to say something to you in the middle of the diner?”
I could see his shoulders sag from the corner of my eye. “I’m sorry, Kona.”
“No.” I tossed the cloth I was using to the table and faced him. “Look at me.” He did, and I gripped his hands in mine. “I’m the one who’s sorry, Pika. After Mom died and they called me to care for you, I thought I would be able to. Nothing panned out and maybe, I dunno, maybe instead of running from DCF, I should have let them find a good place for you…a real home. I’ve messed up your life, and?—”
“Shut up,” Pika snapped. He never did that. “I’d rather sleep on the streets with you than be in some stranger’s home. I love you; you’re all the family I have left. You did what you thought was right, and I’ve never once been angry with you over it.”
“Mom would be so disappointed in me.”
He leaned closer, hugged me tightly, and I embraced him with all my strength.
“No, she wouldn’t be. She was proud of you and believed you’d find your dream. And you will. We’ll get out of here, and all your fans will follow. Brick won’t be able to touch us if we have protection.”
