Page 30 of Rock God

“We were thinking of switching things up for the next tour,” Kingston said. “Where I play guitar, Tommy plays piano, and Carter would sing since he had a great voice.”

“We could still do that,” I said thoughtfully. “I can play drums, as long as it isn’t too complicated.”

“If you did that, I’d play piano and Tommy would play bass.”

“But who would sing?”

“I’m not sure, but we could also invite some special guests.” He paused and then snapped his fingers. “I’ve got it—we could invite Kirsten!”

“Who?” I stared at him.

“Kirsten Aiken. Do you know who Nolan Aiken is?”

“Of course.” I nodded. Nolan had been a rockabilly singer who’d died in a boating accident a few years before. I remembered reading about it in the news.

“She’s his younger daughter. His older daughter is married to Ford Malone, from Nobody’s Fool. Kirsten’s only seventeen but she has the voice of an angel. She’s amazing.”

“Oh! She’s the one you did that single with.” I knew the song well, though I hadn’t given much thought to who the woman singing with him was.

He nodded. “Yup. And it sold well, even though we didn’t put it on our last album because of the whole thing with Carter. I wanted to keep it separate, so she could get her share of the money without mixing it in with the rest of our sales.”

“Makes sense.”

“So, if we brought her on tour, and we all switched instruments, that would be something totally different to do on this tour, and a lot of fun.”

“But if she’s that young, how would it work? Doesn’t she have school?”

“I think so, but there has to be a way. At least for a few shows. Maybe she could get her homework and stuff. I don’t know, but I’m going to reach out to Ford.”

“Look at us, planning music biz world domination.”

He laughed. “Honey, I’ve been dominating the music biz for almost a decade at this point. This is just taking it to the next level.”

“I’m really glad to be part of it,” I admitted softly. “This is a dream-come-true for me. I know that’s kind of dorky to say out loud, but—”

“Being honest isn’t dorky. You should be excited. I’m nine years in and still get excited every time we write a new song or put out a new album or start rehearsing for a new tour. This life isn’t easy, but it’s so much fun. I wake up every day thankful for where I am and what I have.”

“To be fair, so do I. Before this, I mean. Now, I wake up every day wondering if this is all a dream. One of those too-good-to-be-true scenarios.”

“It’s not,” he said firmly. “We wouldn’t have brought you aboard if we didn’t want you here.”

“Doesn’t having a girl in the band somehow change the vibe?” I asked after a moment, finally feeling comfortable enough to say one of the things that had been lurking in my subconscious.

“Sure it does. But not in a bad way.” He paused, staring into my eyes. “There’s something I need to ask you, though.”

I frowned slightly. “Anything. What’s up?”

He didn’t respond for a minute, as if carefully considering what he was going to say. “You’re very… androgynous. And I guess we’ve been wondering if it’s done intentionally or if you’re, uh, well…” He blew out a breath. “Trans.”

“Trans?” I blinked in confusion. “You’re asking if I’m transgender?”

I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry.

Good job, Devyn.

I’d accomplished exactly what I’d been trying to do for years.

Except with the wrong fucking person.

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