As we pulled up to the stadium, my head of security was there waiting.Approaching quickly, he opened the car door for me, and I held Lucy’s hand to guide her to exit behind me on my side.
“Garrett.”I shook his hand as he clapped me on the back.With his large frame, bald head, and assessing gaze, Garrett was as imposing as you’d expect for someone in his position.With his military training and experience in the field, he was also the best there was.
“Meet Lucy,” I introduced as Lucy stepped to my side, holding out her hand.
“Ah, the precious cargo.”Garrett graced us with a rare smile as he shook Lucy’s hand.“Nice to finally meet you.”
“Likewise,” she replied as he handed over the badge that would allow her access backstage.
“Along with myself, Deon and Liz are part of your detail.”He gestured to Deon Burns, who’d also been part of my team for a number of years, and a woman with short, dark hair.She was new to the team, as I’d specifically requested a female for Lucy.
We both nodded in greeting as they ushered us through the passageway and toward the backstage room where my band and Davis waited for us.
Lucy let out a tinkling laugh and elbowed me playfully in the side as she caught sight of the giant mallard stuffy on the couch.“You’re ridiculous.”She shook her head.
“A little home away from home.”I winked at her.
Davis approached and clapped me on the back before heading straight for Lucy, clearly unable to curtail his eagerness.“Lucy, I’m so excited to finally meet you.”Beaming, he wrapped her in a hug.
“Easy,” I grunted in protest.
“It’s fine.”Lucy smiled easily.
“Yeah, Hudson, it’s fine.”Davis grinned good-naturedly.“Lucy and I are going to be fast friends—how could we not be when she’s the reason for some of the best music you’ve ever made?”
“Oh, I can’t take credit for that.”Her gorgeous eyes widened adorably.
“You can,” I stated firmly before sweeping a hand toward the rest of the room.“Baby, meet Joe, Benny, and Lee—the real reason anyone wants to hear me play.”
“Right.”Joe, my guitarist, rolled his eyes before shaking Lucy’s hand, while Benny and Lee did the same.
“It’s so nice to meet you.I’ve heard such good things.”Lucy smiled warmly.“Benny, I’ve got to get the secret to your sourdough starter.”She directed her eager gaze at my long-time drummer.
“You got it,” he agreed easily.“It’s definitely been a work in progress.”
“Mine’s more work than progress at the moment.”She grimaced.“Most of my experiments work out better, but the starter seems particularly moody.”
“I’m the lucky benefactor of said experiments,” I proudly announced.Despite a few minor failed attempts, which were still more than edible, Lucy was hell on wheels in the kitchen.“We have to go to sound check.You want to come with?”I murmured in her ear, not wanting to put her on the spot.
“Yeah, I want to see you in action.”She smiled up at me, her hand pressed to my chest.
I couldn’t deny I liked that idea a hell of a lot.I wanted to share this part of myself with her.“I want you where I can see you.That goes for tomorrow too.”I turned to Garrett.
He offered a chin lift in acknowledgment as I took her hand and we made our way to the main stage.
The sound check crew and engineers were already there, setting up for tomorrow.Davis ran around making final arrangements while I sang a few of the songs in my planned set, including the single Lucy and I had finished together.
I was eager to share some of my newer songs with the sold-out crowd tomorrow night.
A few hours later, as we sat together on the couch backstage, her legs draped over mine, she tapped the top of my ball cap.“You, my love, are crazy talented.That was fun.”
I had a few more hours of work left at the venue, and she’d be taking off shortly to do some shopping before we met up for dinner.
“Good.”I squeezed her thigh, wanting her to know how pleased I was that she’d enjoyed herself.She’d sat there smiling her face off for the entirety of my set.She was the most gorgeous fan I’d ever seen.
“You are so getting lucky later.”She shot me a mischievous grin.
“Oh yeah?”I lifted a brow.
