She didn’t need a rock. A rock was great for hiding behind. But nothing spectacular happened from the shadows.
She pushed herself up and gave Jackie a high-five as a roadie stripped her of her mic and her in-ear monitor.
“You up for meeting some fans?” Brad asked as she strode off stage.
Dean was standing near the exit to the backstage hallway. She caught his gaze for a second, then nodded to her tour manager. “Yes, definitely. Just need to change.”
She swept into the hallway, Dean falling into step behind her. They didn’t exchange any words, and when she got to her dressing room, he took up station outside without saying anything.
Inside, she leaned back against the door and closed her eyes.
Staying strong was easier said than done. She wanted to shake him. She might not need him for anything, but she still wanted him.
She rubbed her hand against her chest. Ew. Sticky.
A shower helped. Instead of doing her hair again, she towel-dried it and did a quick braid. Light makeup, new clothes, and she was ready to meet some fans.
Dean was right where she’d left him.
“Ready?” he asked gruffly, and she nodded.
The shower had washed away some of her righteous indignation, too, so she gave him a gentle smile. “Let’s do this.”
It wasn’t a full-on after party, but there were a bunch of VIP backstage pass holders, so the arena staff had put out snacks and Coke.
One wall was covered in step and repeat banner, her name scrawled across it, and Brad pointed her to a spot two-thirds of the way down the wall. Dean moved off to the side, watching as the fans took turns having pictures taken with her.
She tried to ignore him, and at first it was easier, but about halfway through the line, one young girl kept sneaking looks over at him, and after she reached Liana and they had a quick hug and a nice photo, she hesitated.
“What is it, sweetie?” Liana asked, already knowing the answer.
“Is that Arm Guy?”
She raised her eyebrows anyway. “It is! You want to meet him?” Ha. Take that, Dean. But she wouldn’t push it too far. “No pictures, though, okay?”
“Okay,” the girl whispered.
Oh, honey. No forearms were worth that level of excitement. Not even when they were attached to someone as awesome as Dean. Because even someone as awesome as Dean was fallible and human, and the forearms totally distracted girls of all ages from that reality.
She caught his attention and beckoned him over.
“This is Dean, part of my security team.” She smiled sweetly as she shifted her attention to the new celebrity. “Arm Guy, this is Kaylie. She’s a big fan.”
To his credit, he didn’t even blink. “Nice to meet you, Kaylie.” He held out his hand, and when she giggled, he extended his arm and she slid in next to him for a half-hug. “You can call me Dean.”
“Okay,” the girl giggled.
“Do you want a picture?” he offered gruffly, and Liana’s heart squeezed.
“Umm…Liana said they weren’t allowed.” But oh, Kaylie’s eyes were begging that yes, she very much did want a photo together.
“Well, that was very nice of her,” he said, sliding his gaze Liana’s way for a split second. “But I think for you, we can make an exception.”
“Okay. Wow. Thank you.” They rearranged so Kaylie was in the middle, and took a picture of the three of them. Then Dean stepped out of the way so Liana could carry on with the photos, and Kaylie followed.
Another fan moved over to talk to Dean as the tail end of the group wrapped up with Liana, and when she was done, he was still deep in conversation with that woman and her husband, Kaylie long gone.
She smiled to herself and went to find a plate of veggies and dip.
