As Levi had performed another song, I’d slipped out and returned to my room across the hall, and texted Letty that I’d had a headache.
It had been easy to avoid him today. We’d travelled to the next venue, and I’d stayed on the second tour bus reserved for key staff.
Part of me felt silly for hiding, but I knew myself, and I knew guys like Levi. They had a way of digging under your skin and burrowing themselves into you.
And the last thing I needed was to be a huge cliché and fall for the broken rock star.
My dad would love that.
I stood there, watching Eva with her parents as the band performed to another sold out arena.
Everyone was still riding the high of Damon’s birthday and the news of Eva joining them on the overseas leg of the tour.
But her world was about to explode a little more.
“Okay, Louisville, we’re going to switch things up a little.” Levi’s voice was so gravelly and seductive. It wasn’t any wonder he was a world-famous rock star at the tender age of twenty-one. He clutched the mic, his eyes fixed on the thousands of adoring fans. “This is where I’d usually bring Eva back out on stage and create a little magic. But tonight, my brother Rafe...” The crowd went wild. “He wanted to let you in on a little secret.”
Eva looked completely dumbstruck.
I followed Letty and Molly, as we surrounded her since she looked ready to pass out at any second.
“What is goin’ on?” she asked.
“Your guess is as good as mine.” Letty shrugged, shooting me a knowing look.
Of course she knew. Letty knew everything.
A couple of roadies ran on stage, moving around some of the equipment.
“Give it up for my little brother, Rafe, everyone.”
“Oh my god,” Eva breathed, reaching out for something to steady her.
“We’ve got you, babe,” Molly said, wrapping her arm around her best friend.
“Good evening, Louisville. You’re looking pretty fine tonight,” Rafe was a natural on the mic. He sat on a high stool, one foot on the floor, an acoustic guitar cradled in his hands. “Some of you might know this isn’t my usual style. I let my brother have the spotlight because no one I know does it better than him. But you see, there’s this girl...”
It was hard not to feel a lick of jealousy at the way Rafe loved Eva. It was so pure, so innocent. I’d never experienced that kind of love, only the kind that was flawed and toxic and left your heart battered and bruised in its wake.
“Evangeline Star Walker is one of the best people I know, and I don’t know what I ever did to deserve her, but she’s mine.”
“Oh, sweet baby Jesus,” Molly shrieked. “He wrote you a song.”
Rafe cleared his throat. “People always say actions speak louder than words, but I didn’t want to take any chances.” His eyes flicked over to where we were standing, but he was only looking at her. “Starshine, this one’s for you.”
She’s just a lost girl, drowning in space.
Nowhere to run, nowhere to go.
All she needs is an anchor, someone to reach out and pull.
Take my hand, I’ll be the one,
You saved me, but now it’s my turn
To lift you up whenever you fall
Together we’re stronger, I’m not letting go
Just give me your hand, and let me show you
I’ll be your anchor, let me be your anchor.
She’s just a lost girl, fighting through the dark.
Nowhere to run, nowhere to go.
All she needs is an anchor, someone to reach out and pull.
I’ll be your anchor, let me be your anchor.
“Wow, I think my ovaries just exploded.” I smiled, smothering my envy.
I didn’t think there was a single girl in the arena who didn’t listen to Rafe’s lyrics and feel green. That kind of love... that kind of connection... deep down, we all wanted that.
We were made for that.
Put on Earth to find another soul the same as ours. I thought I’d found it once, but my ex had proved that sometimes love wasn’t enough.
“Gosh, sweetheart.” Eva’s parents made a beeline for her. “We knew that boy loved you, but we didn’t realize it was quite so serious.” Her mum said as she swiped away the tears staining her cheeks.
“I think me and that boy need to have another talk,” Mr. Walker said around a half-smile. He leaned into his daughter. “But between you and me, he gets my blessin’. We’ll make him work for it a little longer though.” He winked.
“That’s a good thing,” Eva’s voice wobbled, even though she said the words with complete conviction. “Because one day, Daddy, I’m goin’ to marry that boy.”
I forced a smile despite the lump in my throat. I’d said something similar once. Something when I’d been young and naïve. Before I’d learned addiction could ruin everything.
That’s why I needed to stay away from Levi.
There was something between us... something that would be so easy to fall into. I felt it every time he was near. Maybe he only wanted one night. But I knew if I had a taste of Levi Hunter...
One night would never be enough.
• • •
After the show, we all headed back to the hotel. Eva’s parents were staying too, so everyone was keen to give them the VIP experience. Hudson wanted to take them out on the town, but the rest of the guys had quickly vetoed that. Letty had called ahead and asked the hotel to provide pizzas and beers for everyone.
“I’m still buzzing,” Mrs. Walker said as we filed into the suite. We had exclusive use of the top two floors. The band were in the penthouse, with Eva’s parents, Letty and I, Alistair and some other key staff staying on the floor below.
“We’ll make a fan out of you yet, Eva’s Mom.” Hudson slung his arm around her, and she blushed.
“Jesse, please call me Jesse.”
“Okay, Jesse, put the young man down now and come sit with your husband.”
Everyone chuckled at that.
“I don’t know about you,” Hudson went straight for the refrigerator, “but I need a beer.”
“Ooh, me too.” Molly went over to him but hesitated as she passed Eva’s parents. “Just one,” she said.
“Relax, Molly. We trust you,” Mr. Walker said. “Besides, I think we all need a drink after that show. Is it always so...?”
“Wild?” Damon asked.
“I was going to say intense, but wild works.”
They launched into a conversation about some of the craziest shows the band had ever played, while I joined Letty in the kitchen area to serve the pizzas. My stomach grumbled as I flipped the lid on a pepperoni.
“Hungry?” She smirked.
“I haven’t eaten since lunch.” And that had only been a grab and go sandwich from the spread the arena had laid out for the band.
“Yeah, things can get kind of hectic. But you need to make sure you look after yourself, okay?”
“Yes, Mom.” I smiled.
“Once we leave for Europe, the schedule will be twice as crazy. I can’t have you dropping down on me.”