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I look back to Connor. "Mom, is it okay if I keep playing the game until dinner?"
"Don't you want to come and meet Heath properly?"
He shrugs, looking uncomfortable. And I know my kid, I can't push him. He will come around in his own time. When he feels safer.
"Sure, I'll call you when it's time," I tell him with a knowing smile.
I make my way to the kitchen, pulling a cold beer from the fridge for Heath and pouring an apple juice for Ruby who is sitting at the kitchen counter like she owns the place.
Heath looks to the door, like he’s waiting for Connor to join us.
"I'm sorry, he just needs a bit of time to himself, he's really shy. This is a lot for him to take in."
"It's okay. Amelia, this is weird for me, and I'm a grown man. I can't imagine what it's like for a nine-year-old."
"Thanks for understanding."
"I was a shy kid myself, remember. I hated people or adults wanting to talk to me."
I smile, remembering the way he would find a place to hide whenever there was a social event on. "Yeah, I do remember. I still can't believe you're able to perform in front of thousands of people."
"It's different when you're on the stage. It's like I'm playing a character, so it's easy to just step into the persona, if that makes sense."
"Yeah, I can see how that would work."
"That's what it's like for me when I dance." Ruby smiles, getting in on our conversation.
"I bet it is. Your mom tells me you're an amazing dancer."
"I am." She beams.
"How about you go and fix up your room before dinner," I tell her.
"But it's already perfect," she moans in protest.
"What if Heath wants to see it later."
Her eyes go wide, and she jumps off the stool and takes off for her room, knowing it's far from perfect. I'll have to use that line more often.
"That should buy us five minutes without little ears around." I laugh, knowing just how inquisitive my daughter is.
"Bet she keeps you on your toes." He laughs.
I take a chopping board and knife and place it on the counter in front of me. "She sure does."
Heath comes in beside me. "What can I help you with?"
"The superstar himself is going to help me make a home-cooked meal? What would your fans think?" I feign shock.
"Who cares?" He laughs. "I like helping in the kitchen. My mother taught me everything she knows, and despite what the guys say, I think I'm all right at cooking up a storm."
"Well, all right." I shrug, handing him a knife and a jar of tomato paste. "You can spread the sauce while I chop everything up."
He makes a start on his job, and I get to chopping up the mushrooms. "Do you live with the other boys?" I ask, realizing how little I know about him these days.
"Nah, I have my own place in LA. I need my space from that lot. Devon and Teo still live together, but Iwan got hitched last year, so he lives with his wife. We spend a lot of time together on the road."
"Yeah, I bet. Must be such an interesting lifestyle, traveling so much. I can't really imagine it, having been in my hometown my entire life."
