“I hoped you’d be more excited.” He picks up his head and wraps his arm around my waist. His face nuzzles into my neck and goose bumps erupt under my ear. “You just want to get me home and have your way with me,” he whispers sending a chill over my skin.
I give him a tight smile that doesn’t appease him. “What’s up?” He backs away from me and I grab his hand.
“It’s time.”
Rip it off, Paige.
I drag him up to the staircase to climb it. “Are you sure you haven’t been here before? It’s either that or you’re like a Navy Seal who researches ins and outs before they enter.” He laughs. I don’t, tugging him up the stairs. “If you wanted to sneak me into a closet or something, you know I’m game.”
He rambles like always, a defense mechanism, I remind myself. Two things I’ve learned from Rob. He hates silence and he hates not being in control.
We reach the second floor and I drag him over to The Raptures section. There’s the picture, he’ll know when he sees it and I won’t have to confess anything. All the tidbits of information should link together and he’ll stare at me in awe.
Nope.
“Oh, I love The Raptures, one of my favorite bands.” His eyes scan the bio of each member. I wait patiently for him to find it. The picture of me twirling on stage with them, in the same pink dress at Disneyworld he saw.
Nervously, I bite my lip and lean against the railing that overlooks the lobby and up to the other floors.
“Oh, shit.”
I release a breath, he found it. Now I just wait until that miraculous brain syncs into rhythm and he figures out I’m Greg Thompson’s daughter.
“I know.” I step up to meet him and grab his hand.
Keeping it in mine, he studies the plaque in front of him. “You knew Will Nichols died? I guess just a week ago.” His lips slope and I can’t hold my sadness back.
Hot, plump tears cascade down my cheeks. “What?” I inch closer, releasing his hand. There it is; a plaque in honor of Will Nichols, the original lead singer. His born date and his death date on the same line. Only forty-nine years old.
“Paige.” Rob wraps his arm around me and brings me into him. “I didn’t know you were such a fan. I mean I’ve heard you play their music, but you’re a diehard fan of The Raptures?”
His body warms me and his arms soothe me. I want to be selfish and not tell him what’s behind his back. Not change our relationship to me being a celebrity kid. Me being related to someone he’s probably aspired to be. Or it might just be the connections I can give him to make a break into the music industry. Regardless, the minute he finds out my legal name is Paige Thompson, things will change; it’s inevitable.
“What’s inevitable?” He steps back, his hands cupping my cheeks.
Shit, did I say that out loud?
“What?”
“You said ‘it’s inevitable.’ What is?” Curiosity is written all over his face and now is the time. Rip it, Paige. Rip the fucking Band-aid off. My whole body fights with my mind, not to ruin this one thing I’ve granted for myself these past months.
“Um . . .” I clear my throat. “I’m . . .” I stare up at the ceiling and then back down to his blue eyes. He has no idea what I’m about to tell him.
“Paige?” My dad’s loud voice rings out over the floors.
My head whips and he’s stepping off the elevator with two bodyguards on either side of him. I step back away from Rob, whose eyes are so wide I fear they’ll spring out, dangling down like in the old cartoons.
Rob shifts his focus to me and then back to my dad, who’s followed by Len and Hank. “Holy shit,” he whispers and then tugs me to his side. “Look baby, I know you’re upset about Will, but damn, The Raptures are coming right to you.”
I’m guessing Rob missed the fact my dad called out my name. My lips curl from Rob’s star-struck eyes, even if it’s a knife in my gut at the same time. He should be thrilled a band he loves is striding toward him right now.
“What are you doing here?” My dad steps up and hugs me, kissing my cheek.
“What the—” Rob’s behind me, and I’m hoping he may see the family resemblance so I don’t have to spit it out.
“Why didn’t you call me about Will?” I bury my head in my dad’s chest, sniffing his cigarettes and whiskey mix cologne. More tears pour from my eyes. I may not have been close to him recently, but back then I was. He is my God Father.
“Oh, sweetie.” He smoothes down my untamed hair and leads my chin with his finger to meet his eyes. “He was in a bad spot. I planned to make a trip down to you, buy you lunch and break the news. But I got hung up with the tour. No sense in making a big deal of it.”
“Big deal? He was your best friend.” How could my dad be so careless about his friendships? He should cherish the ones he made before the fame.
“He was—fifteen years ago. We had our differences, he couldn’t get clean. He overdosed, sweetheart. It hurts me too, but I wasn’t going to disrupt your college on it. You haven’t seen him in years. I’m sorry though.” He swipes the tears from my eyes. “I should have called you.”
“Yes, you should have.” I pout like I’m still the six year old in the picture.
“Paigey.” Len comes alongside of my dad and I hear Rob release a short breath.
Hank follows shortly after and my eyes veer to Rob. Swarmed with the men who love me for me, I stare at the one I secretly hope does.
“Rob.” I stop, gaining a stronger voice. “This is my dad, Greg Thompson.” I point to my right. “This is Len and Hank.” I lean forward to point at each one.
“The Raptures?” he questions, gulping down what I assume is a lump in his throat. His brain starts working and I see it all linking together as a small smile begins to form on his mouth. “You’re her.”
I nod my head, remaining in the arms of my dad.
“Who is this, Paige?” my dad’s deep voice asks.
I step away, wanting to present Rob the correct way to my dad.
When I stop in front of Rob, I mouth I’m sorry and he only smiles, grabbing my hand in his.
“Dad, this is Rob Winters.”
Rob releases my hand and holds it out to dad. “You’re the boyfriend?” my dad asks, leaving Rob’s hand midair, waiting.
“Yes, sir,” Rob confirms and the tear that just spilled from my eye wasn’t for Will.
“Hi, Rob, I’m Len.” I swear I see a shudder shake through Rob’s chest as his hand meets Len’s.
“I’m Hank.”
I smile at the men welcoming Rob as my dad’s eyes are on me, watching the scene unfold. Nonverbal questions if this is the guy I talked about when I escaped to his house. I nod and his lips purse.
“What’s your major?” My dad asks him and I fear we’re about to have that whole, music is good for me, but my baby girl isn’t going to be sidestepped moment. Even if he’s treated women like shit his whole life.
Rob finally drops is hand. “Business, sir. I had dropped out, but I’m planning on going back.”
“Really?” I can’t stop the question from leaving my lips.
He turns to me, a smile on his face. “Yeah, I planned to tell you tonight at dinner.”
“That’s awesome.” I wrap my arms around his shoulders.
“Maybe we shouldn’t show too much affection in front of your dad. I don’t think he likes me,” he whispers in my ear and I unhook my arms.
“Dad.” My voice is stern and I raise my eyebrows at him.
“It’s nice to meet you, Rob.” My dad holds his hand out to Rob.
“Believe me, the pleasure is all mine.” Rob and my dad shake hands, but Rob steps right back in line with me. Then he surprises me more than he has in the months past. “Show me the picture of you.”