More Than Anything (35 page)

Derek finishes his number to hearty applause and then does his obligatory five minutes with the hostess, a perky woman with overly processed hair who’s obviously taken with him. Easy to do, I know. I still remember the first time I ever saw him. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that.

Everything’s going along without any surprises, and then she throws him a major curve ball.

“So, Derek. I understand we have another talented guest backstage. A face everyone should be familiar with, right?”

His grin falters for just a second, and then he turns on the charm. “It’s that kind of city, isn’t it?”

“Ladies and gentlemen, I hope I’m not letting the cat out of the bag here, but one of my big thrills from the first season was seeing Sage walk away with the cup. And guess who’s sitting only feet away from us right now? Maybe if we make enough noise, we can convince her to come out and say hi!”

The crowd erupts in a roar, and my stomach flips. I wasn’t planning on being seen, much less making an appearance, but the host has sort of shamed me into at least waving. A small mousey guy with a shaved head appears, talking into his headset, and turns to me. “How about it? Want to make her day?”

I groan and follow him to the side of the soundstage. I walk out and wave, and the applause is deafening. I’m thinking that’s it, but then the hostess runs over and gives me a big hug like we’ve been friends for life, and I get a bad feeling. She eyes me the way a mongoose eyes a cobra and whispers to me. “Come join us. It’s only a minute.”

I sigh and she leads me to the empty chair next to Derek, who looks uncomfortable. I don’t blame him – I should have known that if I turned up this might happen. I take the seat and the overhead mic boom drops near me, and then the little stage weasel runs up with a wireless mic and clips it to my top. At least I’m dressed decently to go to the show, so I don’t look like a complete bum.

When the noise dies down, the host smiles. “We’ve only got a minute or two, but I want to tell you I’m a huge fan.”

I have to be nice. I’ll probably be doing this show later when we’re trying to drum up interest for the record. “Wow. Thanks. Me too,” I lie.

“I hear through the grapevine you have an album coming out soon, don’t you?”

“I do. But if I talk about it, they’ll kill me,” I say, and everyone laughs. So far so good.

“I have to say, it’s nice to see you back with Derek. I thought you made a cute couple.”

I decide not to comment, merely beam love at the camera. Maybe the folks at home will think I’m high. At that moment I kind of wish I was.

“So, does this mean you’re back together?” she asks. Derek sputters, but I shrug.

“I don’t talk about my personal life. I’m sure you understand,” I say, my voice reasonable. I’ve seen celebrities answer with the same kind of nonanswer when pressed by nosy interviewers, so I figure I’ll borrow it.

“Oh, come on, Sage. You can tell us,” she insists, as though it’s just us talking, not us and ten million viewers.

“I’m visiting New York, taking a quick break from rehearsals, and I’m having the time of my life,” I say. That’s all I’m going to give her. She looks annoyed, but the audience backs me and gives me a round of applause. I smile sweetly at her. After all, it really isn’t anyone’s business but his and mine. I stand, using the applause as my cue to go, and do my trademark smiley wave as I make my way back to the stage manager, who’s looking anywhere but at me, embarrassed I got sucked into the show.

“Don’t worry. It happens,” I say and walk with my head held high back to the green room. Derek’s saying goodbye to the host when I sit down in one of the overstuffed chairs. By the time he finds me, my breathing and heartbeat are back to normal. He has a concerned expression, but I wave it away.

“Good show,” I say, and he shakes his head.

“I’m so sorry about that. I had no way of knowing…”

“No biggie. It’s over. Let’s see if we can make it before Jeremy’s on.”

He nods and leans over to kiss me. The spark and tingle are still there when our lips connect. If anything, stronger than ever before.

Derek takes my hand and leads me to the stage door, where a security guard signs us out. Outside there’s a crowd of autograph seekers, with two more security men holding them back. Some of them are calling out my name, while others are crying out for Derek. All of the voices are female and shrill. It’s a complete fan girl moment, and I remember this used to be an almost daily grind for me.

I really want to get going, but it seems rude to just push past everyone, so we stop and sign for a few minutes. It seems like there’s an endless stream of females with pens waiting, and I look over to Derek to tell him we need to go. I stop mid-sentence when I see his face. All the blood’s drained from it. I follow his gaze to where he’s looking, and there’s a girl about my age standing there.

With a baby. No more than a year old, although I’m lousy at guessing ages.

I don’t understand what’s happening, but I can sense it’s nothing good. I lean toward him and try to get his attention.

“Derek, what is it? Who is she?”

The girl smiles at him and steps forward, the baby wriggling in her grasp. Derek seems like he’s in a trance. He doesn’t answer my question, but rather, stumbles over his words. I’m going to ask again when he manages something almost coherent.

“She’s…it’s…”

The girl fixes him with a frank stare and, after glancing at me, smiles again and says six words that change my reality.

“Derek. Long time.” She pauses and holds the baby out. “Meet your son.”

<<<<>>>>

Next in the series:

Book III in the “Less Than Nothing” trilogy

In this final installment of the “Less Than Nothing” trilogy, Sage and Derek must come to grips with the difficult reality of their new careers, as well as the constant challenges to their relationship. Can love and hope triumph in the face of adversity? Will the ghosts of their pasts determine their future? Can their love withstand the rigors of fame and success, and all the temptation and trouble it can bring?

Preview and purchase via REBlake.com

* D P G R O U P . O R G *

R. E. Blake is the pseudonym of a USA Today bestselling author of over 30 novels.

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