Page 88 of Love You Like This

I look over at her. “You should use that line in a book.”

Her mind is incredible. I’ve seen her reach for a piece of paper or her notes app so many times, fingers flying as she writes out ideas or thoughts for her current project or future ones. I can only imagine how she and Stone feed off each other as they write. A maelstrom of inspiration swirling between the two of them.

“You’re probably right.” She pulls her phone out and adds it. “How is he? Darren stopped by our room after he brought the paternity test to him.”

“I think he’s better. I’m just going to keep an eye on him today.”

“He’s playing well.”

I nod without taking my eyes from him even though I’ve noticed him missing some notes. Stone stops and tells the sound crew that he’s having trouble with one of his in-ears not working properly. While one of them scurries on stage to help figure it out, Xander turns around and walks over to Tobias’s drum kit. I can’t hear what they’re saying, but both of them burst into laughter.

The sight of Xander’s smile brings warmth to my chest. It’s so much better than the vacancy in his eyes earlier today.

Darren steps up beside me wordlessly, and when I look over at him, I catch his lips lifted in a soft smile. Following his gaze, I see it’s directed at Tobias. I’ve never seen him look at any of the guys like that before.

“I’m glad you were able to persuade them to allow him to take the paternity test while he’s on the road. Being in the room with her when the results are read will be hard enough on him.”

He looks over at me, and by the time our eyes meet, his expression is schooled back into his default setting, professional asshole. “I know. I wish I could strong-arm them into both parties receiving a certified letter in the mail, but the mother is adamant that he be present.”

“As much as I hate it, I kind of understand. There are a lot of men who would take the test and then either throw money at the problem or ignore her all together. That little girl doesn’t have a father, and if anyone knows what that can do to you, it’s me.” I turn my attention back to the guys as they start playing another song.

“Is that why this upset you so much?”

“Partly.”

“And the other part?” His gaze skates over my face.

“Angry at Xander for being irresponsible with his future. He’s too old to make mistakes like that.” That’s obviously not the entirety of the reason, but I’m not about to say the truth out loud to Darren.

“Right,” he draws the word out skeptically.

I ignore his tone. He’s not going to bait me into saying more than I’m ready to. We fall back into a comfortable silence as we watch the rest of sound check.

Xander hands off his bass to a crew member to put away until later tonight and walks over to me. “Can I talk to you?”

“Yeah.”

When I don’t move anywhere, he wraps his arm around my waist and starts guiding me to the door. “Privately.”

“Oh. Of course.”

He pulls me into the first empty room we pass. The automatic light flickers on above us, throwing unflattering fluorescent light over us. His hand rakes roughly through his hair, and he leans on the other hand against the door, holding it closed.

“Thank you for earlier today. I know that couldn’t have been easy for you with everything between us.”

“You don’t have to thank me. I’d do it for any one of you.”

His lips flatten into an annoyed line. “Would you kiss any one of us? Promise to be there no matter what?”

“No.” I put my hand on the doorknob. “I shouldn’t kiss any of you. But as your PR manager, I will always be there for any crises you have.”

His eyes shutter, and he pulls his hand from the door. “Right.”

“Is that all you needed?” My chest feels cleaved in two as I put everything I can into remaining professional.

“Yep. You’ve made yourself clear as glass, Ms. Maxwell.” He moves out of my way. “Enjoy the show tonight.”

I toss a look at him over my shoulder. “I’m sure I will.” But from the look on his face, I have a feeling that won’t be true.