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Sadness crept into my brain at that one word. “Yeah. She died two days after I finished school.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Me too. But she got to see me sign my first record deal. And the pride on her face is something I won’t soon forget. I hadn’t had a mum for a really long time. I never thought I would by the time I went to live with her, but the moment I walked through her door, that’s what she became to me.”
He pulled into the car park and stopped the truck, shutting off the engine as he turned to look at me.
“I’m surprised I’ve never heard that story before,” he said.
“Well, well. You’ve been researching me. Are you obsessed with me?”
He smirked, and his cheeks went a little pink. “You were kind of my idol. Growing up.”
“Ouch.” I put a hand over my heart. “Bullseye, right in the weak spot.”
“Oh, you’re vain. Are you ageist?”
“I am not ageist. I just know that I am definitely your elder. And now you’ve rubbed that fact in.”
“It is true. But don’t worry,” he said, a wicked smirk twisting his lips. “I can drop you at the door, you know, since you’re so infirm and might not be able to make it across the parking lot.”
Rolling my eyes, I reached for the door handle.
“Are you sure? Do you need me to get it for you? I wouldn’t want you to fall out of the truck and break your hip.”
“I’ll have you know even young people can break their hips.”
“So, you admit you’re old.”
“Oh, he’s a genius. I see. You get him out of the house, and he goes wild and becomes a smart arse. Come on,” I said. “Let this old man show you exactly what he’s capable of.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got 911 on standby.”
I wanted to say his jokes about my age were getting old, but I liked this side of him. I wanted to see him playful and easy. I wanted him smiling because, so far, smiles were hard to come by. But his frowns were ten a penny.
“You ready?” he asked, adjusting his hat before flashing me another grin.
“If you laugh at me, I’ll never forgive you.”
“Why would I laugh at you?”
“I might make an arse of myself. I’m not as dashing and suave as I seem.”
Killian bumped my shoulder with his as we walked toward the Silver Spur. I’d never seen him so playful. He looked ten years younger.
“You know, I quite like you like this,” I said, reaching up and snatching the hat off his head.
“What do you mean? Like what?”
“Like this. Like we’re actually mates who want to be spending time together and not reluctantly forced into each other’s proximity.”
Lifting the hat, I almost got it atop my head, but he stopped me. “Ah, ah. No way.” He laughed and took it back from me. “That’s bad luck, London boy.”
God, I really bloody liked this side of him. If I could tap into this and pull it out of him all the time, I wondered exactly what kind of magic we could make together.
Loud country music blared through the open door of the bar as we approached. Couples walked in, all wearing cowboy hats and boots. A few of the women caught my eye, giggling as they recognized me, adjusting their cut-off denim shorts or tiny skirts. I didn’t have eyes for them, though. I wanted to look at Killian, but I couldn’t because, of course, right at the door, being held at bay by a bouncer, were a couple of paparazzi.
“Jameson, are you and Killian Wilde an item? Are you ready to address the rumors of your sexuality?”
