Risky Rockstar: A Hero Club Novel, стр. 18
“So that’s why you want to do this?” I gesture between us and lower my voice. “This fake relationship? You’re doing this for her?”
“Yes.” He looks sheepish, like he’s done something wrong.
“When do you see her again?” I raise my hands in the air. “Don’t answer that. I can’t help myself. It’s a curse.”
He shakes his head and smiles. “It’s okay, I don’t mind. It’s refreshing not having people tiptoe around me.” He takes another sip of his shake and wipes his lips with the napkin. “She’s coming out for the Oscars in a couple of weeks.” That same cloud creeps into his eyes, and he worries his lip.
“You’re worried about it.”
He sits back and surveys the patrons as though the answers are written on their backs. “Yeah, I want her here with me. It’s stupid—these award things—because there’s so much that goes into making a film that isn’t about me, but I still want her here. I just don’t know…”
I lean back in the lilac booth and bring my shake closer. “I get it.” I take a long drink. This could be a good thing. I’ve spent less than an hour with Kevin and I can be completely myself with him. He’s safe, and I think he could take the pressure off me. I’m liking this idea. Except… “You do realize people are going to start talking about you being my rebound guy?”
Kevin leans forward, concern spreading across his face. “Would that bother you?”
“Not at all. I just don’t want to drag you down the hole with me.”
Kevin smiles reassuringly at me. “Rumors about me don’t faze me. It’s when other people get involved that I get pissed. If it doesn’t bother you, it won’t bother me.”
“You being my rebound boy is much better than the current rumors I’m facing.” I shrug, trying to look nonchalant as I’m once more reminded of how cruel the latest rumors have been.
Kevin raises his eyebrow in mock horror. “I’m not so much worried about the rumor part of this, but the boy part might need some work.”
I laugh as Kevin puts me at ease again. “I’ll make sure they know you’re all man.” I wink.
Kevin throws his head back and laughs and just like that, in a matter of an hour, I know I’ve just found a friend.
“So it’s settled, then? We’re going to do this?”
“We’re going to do this.” When Kevin grins, there’s a whole lot more to it than a big smile. Beneath the surface, buried under layers of control, I see the weight of his burden release from him and relief seep into his body and know I made the right choice. “So how is this going to work?”
Our food arrives. Kevin isn’t wrong—this is the best burger I’ve ever tasted. We chat about the logistics and decide that when we are out, we’ll hold hands and cuddle like a couple. Kisses on the forehead, that kind of thing. Kevin is very respectful of me and asks me how I feel about every suggestion. It’s clear that he not only wants to make sure that I’m comfortable with everything, but that he also wants to make sure I’m aware of the boundaries. I respect the hell out of him for that, and for a millisecond, feel envious of Claire and what she has with Kevin. He’s a great guy and hot as sin with his dark hair, gray eyes, and what looks to be a very defined body hidden underneath his tee, but there just aren’t any sparks. I’m envious because of how in love with her he is. Even if he doesn’t want to admit it to me. I hope one day to find a guy like Kevin, who would do what he’s doing for Claire.
There’s a comfortable lull in the conversation while we both finish off our burgers. An idea forms, and I’m not sure if this is a good idea or a terrible idea, but it’s worth a try. “So, it’s my turn to make a proposition.” I take a sip of my drink to stop me from biting my lip with nerves.
Kevin wipes his mouth with a napkin and scrunches it in a ball before chucking it onto his plate. “Vegas weddings are a hard limit for me.” His utter deadpan has me narfing my drink all over the table.
Kevin chuckles and hands me a napkin which I use to wipe my drink from my chin and the table. “I’m serious. What if you perform at my LA concert with me? It will solidify our ‘relationship’”—I make air quotes with my fingers—“and show people we mean business. If Claire is coming over in a couple of weeks, we’ll need all the help we can get to take the heat off her. And, if truth be told, I could use the good press for a change. Especially for the start of the second half of my tour.”
He cocks an eyebrow. “How do you know I can sing?”
I tilt my head to the side. “Didn’t we just establish I have mean researching skills?” I’d discovered a YouTube video of Kevin in a civic theater production, singing and acting. And God, what a voice.
He laughs but blushes to the tips of his ears, and I have an overwhelming urge to pinch his cheeks. “I’ve gotta figure out how to get that damn thing down.”
“So will you do it?”
“Hollywood Bowl isn’t the Civic Theater.”
“I know but