Page 1 of Apparently, I’m Trouble

Prologue

THEO

Verra Convention Centre

Summer Break

“You actually showed up.”

The fundraising coordinator assigned to our band, Mia Walker, had the kind of British accent that made the hair on my neck stand on end. No matter what she said, I always wound up feeling like I was about to be called into the principal’s office.

“I had work to do.” I tried to brush by her, but the petite brunette stood her ground. I’d have to go through her if I wanted to get backstage.

She planted her fists on her slender hips, and my gaze followed. She was so small; I could’ve wrapped my hands around her entire waist. She would’ve been easy to lift. How upset would she be if I picked her up and moved her out of my way?

“The fundraiser is in two weeks, Theo. If you divas don’t get yourselves together before then, my ass is going to get reamed.”

I shut my eyes and sighed. I wasn’t going to get that image out of my head anytime soon. I swear, it was some kind of cosmic joke that a woman who looked like her could say the things she did.

Mia looked regal. She looked prim and proper–the perfect picture of a classic English beauty. Then she opened her mouth, and it didn’t matter that she had these incredible dark eyes or a rosy pout that made me want to swipe my tongue across it.

There was nothing prim and proper about this woman.

“And we don’t want that,” I grunted.

“Normally, I wouldn’t mind, but not in this case. My friend and the head of this fundraiser have history, and I’m pretty sure they’ll be knocking boots before this thing is over. The last thing I want is to have him anywhere near my asshole.”

I couldn’t think of a thing to say.

How was it that this woman taught high school? Who would hire her?

“So you’re going to stay right there,” she said, “and get this sound check done for me, aren’t you?”

I clamped my jaw shut as Brent and the rest of the band shuffled onstage.

“Do what she says. I’m tired of her nagging me about you.” The lead singer pushed my guitar into my hands and muttered, “Like I can control when you come and fucking go.”

Mia narrowed her eyes at Brent’s back. It wasn’t a secret that she hated this band, and I didn’t blame her. I hated it too. If Kira hadn’t pushed me into doing this, I never would’ve signed up as Brent’s guitarist.

But it was only for another two weeks. If it made Kira happy, then this would be worth it.

I tuned my guitar and stared across the stage. The center was nothing but wood and washed-out industrial brick, and I tried to picture it with a crowd. In a handful of days, the vendors would start setting up. This place would smell of street food, and I’d be just another one of their volunteers.

From here, I could almost picture it. My daughter would watch me from the crowd, her blue eyes threaded with nerves, and I’d wish I could stand there with her, smoothing her hair back from her face.

I’d tell her this move was what Tash wanted for us. That this was the change we needed.

So, even if the last thing I had time for was this band or this fundraiser, I was here. And Mia wouldn’t let me get back to work until we were done.

I tried to remind myself of the goal, of what I wanted to get out of this. I wanted to see a smile firmly etched across my daughter’s face. I wanted her to forget about what happened to her mom for a little while.

But the more I thought about it, the more I was starting to think it was too much to hope for.

Chapter 1

Mia

EIGHT WEEKS LATER