“Yes,” Evan whispered. “I’m sure he does.”
She nodded. “When do I get to see him?”
“Uh, someday. We don’t know when,” Evan said gently. “What’s important right now is that you give Mr. Rufus all your love because Mr. Rufus is a very special gift from that daddy, OK? Every time you hug Mr. Rufus, Daddy can feel your love.”
“Promise?”
“Yes, nugget. I promise.” Evan’s voice shook.
She seemed content with that answer. I gave Evan a grateful look. He smiled sadly at me before squeezing my hand and going back to the guys and whatever they were doing on the computer.
A knock on the door sounded out, and Klaus quickly went to it. I heard murmuring, and a moment later, Riley came into the room.
“Hey,” I greeted him, sitting forward. “What’s up?”
He was the lead singer of Fatal Promise. They were touring with me as a double headliner. We’d had a duet hit the Billboard number one spot, and it just made sense to put us on the same ticket. Plus, I’d known Riley from when Fox won the Heisman. Or Evan, rather.
He knew Evan was Fox, and Anson made him sign an NDA, which he didn’t object to. Recently, he’d had some issues in his relationship with Violet, the girl he’d married. They were separated after paparazzi caught a photo of him with an unknown woman on his lap at a club. He’d gone out drinking with his band and mine at the beginning of the tour to celebrate the kick-off of it. Then the photo happened.
In his defense, he was actually passed out, wearing sunglasses in a nightclub. Some wild fan slid onto his lap and was kissing and touching him. Anson had intervened, but the damage was done. The press had a field day cooking up the story of his betrayal.
Despite me talking to Violet and telling her it wasn’t what it looked like, they were still separated. I didn’t think it was her keeping him away. I think Riley was doing it to himself because he couldn’t get over that he let it happen. I told him it wasn’t him. That woman had no business touching and kissing him, but he only shook his head and settled deeper into his funk. There was more going on there than what he told me. I knew there was.
Unfortunately, Riley wasn’t in a good place.
“Hey,” Riley said in that deep growl of his. “I just got in. Wanted to make sure you’re good after all that shit.”
“I’m fine. You didn’t need to come. Go rest,” I said, watching as he sauntered into the room dressed in all black.
“Nah.” He settled in next to me on the couch. “Sitting alone in a dark hotel room sucks. May as well be over here doing some sucking. Hey, Jitterbug.”
“Riley!” Ellis squealed, climbing over me to get to him. He chuckled and gave her a hug when she got onto his lap. “Look! Mommy got Mr. Rufus a new outfit!”
“Oh, gosh. He’s absolutely dashing,” Riley said as Ellis pushed her bear at him. She giggled before sliding off his lap and rushing to my bedroom, where I knew she would change his outfit.
“I don’t think you’re going to be sucking any of us,” Klaus said from his spot next to Anson at the computer. “Just so you’re aware.”
Riley scoffed. “I’ll try to keep my mouth to myself then. Fucking mood killer.”
Klaus chuckled and went back to what he was doing. It looked like they were working on tightening my security.
“How are you?” I asked.
He shrugged. “I’m fine. Shit sucks, but music helps.”
“Did you talk to Violet and the guys?”
He shook his head. “No point.”
“Riley—”
“I’ll be OK. Eventually. I think we all just need some time. I’ll talk to them when the tour ends. All my shit is at the house anyway.”
I sighed. He was so stubborn. I knew he was punishing himself. We’d had the conversation on repeat since it happened. He insisted time was the answer.
I was a testament that time didn’t heal all wounds, and it didn’t forget the past.
“Riley, we’ve added some security for you. The label insisted,” Anson said as he walked over to us, Klaus and Evan following. Klaus slid in next to me before hauling me onto his lap. I snuggled against him and eyed Ani and Evan, who had taken seats on the second couch across from us.
