having the same thoughts I am. This may be the last time I get to see him play from the floor. I flash him the “rock on” sign. He winks at me.
“You’re good for him,” Jeremy says.
“I hope so.”
“I’ve seen a lot of musicians in my time. Rarely have I seen one get tamer as they gain popularity. It’s usually the opposite. He’s changed since Florida, and I know you have everything to do with it.”
“What do you think is going to happen to them, Jeremy?”
“Honestly? I think you’re listening to one of the next best new artist nominees. They’re the most talented group I’ve seen in the past ten years. I believe they’re going to reach levels beyond even that. I wouldn’t be surprised if they become one of the classics, like Aerosmith or the Eagles.”
My heart beats wildly. “You’re kind of scaring me, Jeremy.”
“Don’t worry, Ella. I’ve got their backs. In addition to being talented, they have good heads on their shoulders. And Liam has you to keep him grounded.”
“Everything’s going to change, isn’t it?”
He puts a fatherly hand on my arm. “Are you ready for that?”
Liam is at home onstage. It’s exactly where he belongs. “I think I could be ready for anything as long as we’re together.”
The music stops, and the audience cheers loudly. Jeremy takes my elbow. “Let’s go backstage.”
Liam spots me and smiles, his grin full of hungry anticipation.
I hug him. “Great performance.”
He kisses me. “Thanks.”
“Are you going to miss playing places like this?”
“I think I am. I love being able to see the people—their faces, their excitement.” He brushes my hair behind my ear. “I love being able to see you.”
Ronni comes in a side door. “They’re ready for you on the sidewalk,” she says. “The limo leaves in fifteen minutes. Try to sign as many autographs as you can.” She walks over to me. “You can wait in the limo if you want. I can have someone escort you.”
I try not to smirk. I know how hard it’s been for Ronni to be nice to me. I can see in her eyes that she still doesn’t like me. She doesn’t like Bria either, but she’s been smart enough to swallow her pride and make nice. My guess is she goes home and screams into her pillow, because she’s no longer calling the shots. But she’s willing to put up with it because Reckless Alibi is not a band she wants slipping through her fingers.
I watch from the limo as the five of them pose for pictures and sign autographs. Security holds back women who try to breech the ropes and grope the guys. Five months ago I was this heartbroken girl with an ordinary life. I was one of those women. Then I fell through the ropes into Liam’s world. How did I ever get so lucky?
Thor opens the door and everyone piles in. Liam checks his phone, as he always does after a show. He gives me a look.
“What is it?” I ask.
“The private investigator left a message. He wants to see me as soon as possible.”
I check the time. It’s almost eleven o’clock. “It’s pretty late.”
“He texted me half an hour ago.” He types something, sends it, and almost immediately gets a reply. “He wants me to come by his office.”
“Now?”
“Will you come with me?”
“Of course.”
The driver drops everyone else at IRL and then takes us across town.
“What do you think he wants?” I ask.
“I have no idea, but it must be important to have me come in this late on a Friday night.”
“Do you think Don left town?”
“That’s something he could have said in a text.” He holds my hand tightly, clearly bothered.
“It’s going to be okay,” I tell him. “Whatever it is, we’ll deal with it.”
We arrive at our destination and are buzzed into the building. We take an elevator up, and someone meets us when we step off. “Liam, thanks for coming.”
“Hi, Mr. Stone. This is my girlfriend, Ella.”
“Nice to meet you. Come on in, and please call me Ethan.”
He leads us through an immaculate reception area, down a hallway, and into a large office. The whole way I’m thinking how expensive this must be, though Liam doesn’t seem to care.
“I was surprised you wanted to meet this late,” Liam says.
Ethan motions us into the two chairs opposite his desk. “I thought you’d want to know the latest developments. I wasn’t sure how quickly it would hit the news, and I wanted to brief you first.”