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“That’s cute.” He smiled. “So, how are you feeling about everything? Has it had time to sink in?”
“Yes and no. This is the most exciting thing to ever happen to me professionally, but I honestly can’t wrap my head around what’s coming.”
“Your life is about to change in ways you haven’t thought of,” he said quietly. “You know that, right?”
“I think so.”
“I’m a little worried that you’re not prepared for the shit storm that’s about to hit you.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“It’s not like we’re going to rehearse for a month, enjoy the holidays, and then just head over to Europe. We’re about to start major marketing and PR for the tour. Our fans know that Carter passed, so there’s going to be an official announcement about his replacement. You’ll be added to the website and our publicist, Dorian, will be creating social media posts to introduce you to everyone. You’re going to be front and center, Devyn, and the whole music industry is going to want to talk to you while the press is busy delving into every detail of your life. The paparazzi will figure out where you live and work and will be hanging out to get pictures.” He paused. “Your life is about to change in a very drastic way.”
“Oh, shit.” This gave me a whole new set of things to worry about. I could get recognized from my days in Boston. I’d been a college student but I’d also had another job. One that I’d tried so hard to forget. And with public scrutiny, someone was bound to figure it out.
Son of a bitch.
“It won’t be that bad,” he continued after a moment.
He had no idea just how bad it could be.
“I’m not worried about me, but I need Greatty to be safe. And not to be scared in her own home.”
“Do you have an alarm or security system at your house?” he asked.
I shook my head. “No. We’ve never needed it.”
“Well, you might want to consider something like that now. Especially if she’s going to be alone. And short-term, some security for you.”
“Like a bodyguard or something?” I stared at him. “Really?”
He laughed. “You’re with Onyx Knight now and everyone is going to want a piece of you. Initially anyway. The novelty will wear off, but once we release the news that we’ve replaced Carter, it’s going to be a big deal for a while.”
I didn’t know what to say because it was hard to wrap my head around the need for a bodyguard.
That sounded ludicrous.
I was a nobody, especially in a place like L.A. where you couldn’t swing a dead cat without hitting some kind of celebrity.
“You guys don’t have bodyguards,” I said at last.
“Not usually. When we’re just hanging out doing things with our families, most of us can take care of ourselves. But on the road? When we’re in the middle of a press tour or making official appearances? We absolutely do. We don’t go anywhere without our security team.”
That had never occurred to me. “I guess I thought I would fall under the radar, you know?” I said. “I’m not famous.”
“You will be.”
“I’m just a musician, not a rockstar.”
“Now you’re both.”
* * *
Z’s words stuck with me the rest of the day, and while I was having a good time, I couldn’t help but think about what he’d said. I didn’t feel any different and I probably wouldn’t until we were on the road. Music was part of me. I lived and breathed it every single day. I played professionally at the studio at least five days a week, I played piano at home, I listened to all different types of music, and I went to see bands play live as often as I could. There were very few days when music wasn’t a part of my life, so in my head, this opportunity with Onyx Knight was just an extension of that.
I was looking forward to working with them and I was always interested in making money, but I honestly hadn’t given much thought to the idea of becoming a celebrity. Or how pieces of my past might come back to haunt me once I did.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Kingston came up beside me.
