“There’s nothing there.” Nate had already checked. For two days he’d checked on the hour, every hour. And he’d seen nothing.
“She’s keeping quiet? I find that hard to believe. Do you realize how much money she’d make from exposing you?”
“I threatened to sue if she said anything. It must’ve worked.”
“Man, if this were to get out, you’d never have peace again,” Toby pointed out.
It was exhausting living a double life. The reason for the disguise was so he could have a normal one. Not fall into the rock star lifestyle that killed his parents. It was hard work but worth the anonymity. Still, sometimes he wondered if it would be so bad if he gave up the secret.
“I think I’m safe,” Nate said.
Toby blew out a breath. “You must be slipping. You’re never that careless.”
A tiny redhead who had the temper of someone twice her size had distracted him, making him forget the rules he’d set in place. “Don’t worry, I won’t make that mistake again.”
“For your sake, I hope you don’t,” Toby said as he signaled to the waiter for another two beers. “Any plans while you’re home?”
“Not much. I’ll be spending time with my grandmother, help her around the house.”
Toby laughed. “Fiona would spit fire at the suggestion. That woman has never needed help a day in her life. I’ve never seen anyone so independent.”
“Or damn stubborn.” His grandmother, the woman who raised him from the age of twelve, was the toughest yet most loving woman he’d ever known. But Toby was right, she’d have a fit if she knew he wanted to help. “Looks like I’m gonna have a lot of time on my hands.”
The waiter arrived with their drinks and set them on the table. Sipping on his Corona, Toby looked at Nate intensely.
“Mate, first you’re bitching that I’m not seeing you enough, now you’re looking at me like I’m your next meal,” Nate said. “I love ya, man, but I’m not on that side of the fence. Didn’t think you were either.”
“You’d be fucking lucky to have me.”
Nate snickered, and Toby flipped him the bird again.
“I was thinking you might help me out while you’re in town. I have a teacher at my primary school who’s been on my back about wanting a music program for the kids. Parents have showed an interest in putting them in after-school lessons but can’t afford them. And she wants to help.”
“Doesn’t the school have a program in their curriculum?”
“Yes, we do, but according to Jade, my teacher, she wants the kids to learn more than tapping a triangle and clapping their hands to a beat. We don’t have extra time during school hours, so she’s planning on lessons after school for those kids who are interested.”
“Sounds like a great idea. What is it you need me to do?”
Toby twisted the beer bottle in his hands. “I want you to teach the kids.”
“You want me to teach kids?” His voice rose with surprise.
“Yep, and for free.”
He loved the idea, but he wasn’t the right guy for the job. “I have no idea how to teach kids. I’m not even sure I know how to teach music. I can play with my eyes closed, but helping someone else learn, especially children, is another story.”
“Jade will always be there to help keep them in line. All you have to do is show them the basics. Teach them a simple song. We’ve got access to a few guitars, a keyboard, drums, and a few other instruments, but if you have anything we could borrow, it would help.”
His grandmother’s garage was filled with equipment he’d learned to play over the years.
“Surely you could find someone else?” he asked hopefully.
“At the moment we can’t find anyone to do it for free, and we don’t have the funds in our budget to pay someone. So, you’ve come home at a perfect time, and you’re free.” Toby smiled sweetly. It looked ridiculous on a grown arsed man.
“And if I say no?”
“Then you’re an arsehole.”
