At some point, Jadyn appeared beside me to watch her husband perform. I did the most civil thing I could think of: I completely ignored her presence backstage.

We watched most of the set, and then Parker led me back to Flashing Light’s dressing room before the craziness ensued and the backstage area filled with horny women looking to hook up with Gideon Price.

I gagged a little just at the thought.

“Want to go to the after party?” Parker asked once we were settled into a comfy leather chair together back in his dressing room.

Vinnie was in a corner shoving his tongue down some woman’s throat. She had far too much cleavage sticking out of her shirt. Fitz and Garrett sat on the couch talking a bit more civilly with some other women. They seemed interested in conversation, at least, but Vinnie made it pretty clear what he wanted. I glanced over in the corner, and his hand had was grappling with her breast. He really was kind of a scumbag.

“If you do,” I said, forcing enthusiasm into my voice that I didn’t really feel. I wasn’t sure why, but I had a bad feeling about the after party.

“Then let’s get drunk and have some fun. George is here, Bruno is around somewhere. We’ll be safe.”

I nodded. “Sounds fun,” I said, not really meaning it. But I’d prevented Parker from enough fun on this tour. It was the last night. He deserved the celebration and the chance to blow off some steam after a stressful few weeks.

Parker got up and headed over to a counter stocked with bottles and cans and liters. He poured a generous amount of whiskey into one cup and a generous amount of vodka into another. He splashed some soda in each and brought me a vodka mixed with a few drops of Sprite.

I tapped my red Solo cup against his, and we each took a sip. He grinned at me as I winced at the strength of alcohol in my drink, but as soon as I took my third or fourth sip, it didn’t seem as strong. I felt the warmth begin to spread through my system.

I heard some noise in the hallway outside of the Flashing Light dressing room, indicating to me that my dad’s set was done. It was nearly time to get ready to leave, but the warmth of the vodka in my chest was preventing me from wanting to move from my spot in the chair next to Parker.

I felt his lips press to my temple, and the warmth in my chest blossomed to my entire torso. Alcohol always managed to intensify feelings, but it was the love I felt for him without the liquor that was diffusing through my system.

Before I knew it, Parker was standing and pulling me to my feet. My dad always treated on the last night of the tour, and that night was no exception. As we walked out behind the venue toward our buses, a line of SUV limousines waited for the members of Flashing Light, Pure Adrenaline, and Black Shadow—plus their guests, of course.

We’d missed the fireworks lighting up the night sky on the Fourth of July, but I was happy as long as my hand was clutched in Parker’s.

Parker and I were sharing a car with Fitz, Garrett, and Vinnie. All three men had also brought along the women they’d been talking to. I was shocked that Vinnie hadn’t ditched the blonde he’d been making out with in favor of hooking up with someone new at the bar, but I supposed he’d already gotten his start with this one. Considering she’d watched him up on that stage, and he’d be relatively unknown at the bar, she was probably his best bet.

I glanced around the limo. It held bench seating across one side of the stretched interior, capped at each end with a luxurious looking leather seat. The other side had a long bar that was stocked with beer, wine, champagne, and plenty of spirits.

Parker guided me all the way to the far end, closest to the driver, and the others trailed in behind us. A glass partition separated us from the driver, and I couldn’t help but be thankful that this was my life. I tended to take a lot of my blessings for granted, but for some reason, limousine rides always reminded me what money could do for people.

And then I thought about the fact that Randy was after us, that my dad was in some sort of trouble with him, that my dad married Jadyn and I still didn’t trust her…and I was reminded once again of the downsides to the many blessings we had.

I wished that Parker and I had taken a different car. I liked my time alone with him, and I didn’t like watching Vinnie play his disgusting games despite the vast area of the limo. I snuggled into Parker, who wrapped his arm firmly around my shoulders. I tried to psych myself up for the night ahead. I tried to block out Vinnie and thoughts of Randy and all of the issues that had surrounded us on this tour. I tried to focus on the feel of Parker next to me. I tried to be happy that I didn’t have George or Bruno on my ass for five minutes. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

But I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. A sense of foreboding pierced my abdomen.

Parker unwrapped his arm from around me and I sat up, my eyes wide at the fear I felt permeating through me. He left me for just a moment to fix us both a drink. He was only about a foot away from me. He handed me my second vodka drink of the night. This one was as strong as the first, and it lowered my inhibitions just enough to help alleviate some of my anxiety.

We arrived at the bar after about a twenty minute drive. Bourbon Street was only about a four minute drive from the venue, but traffic was heavy. The concert had been over for at least an hour, but fans were insane and waited around long after the show to catch a simple glance of one of the band members. If only they knew that we were headed to a bar just down the street.

Parker’s hand firmly clutched mine as we exited the limo. He only let go to put his arm around my shoulder, and I wasn’t sure if it was a gesture of intimacy or a gesture of protection. It didn’t really matter either way. I liked being cocooned in Parker’s arms.

We headed up some stairs and entered Bourbon Balcony, a bar with an obvious name and a balcony overlooking Bourbon Street. Music pumped through the place, led by a deejay set up on a stage in one corner. The bar was decorated in golds, purples, and greens—Mardi Gras colors—but it was dim inside and more than a little run-down. Rebecca had handled the details for the final after party before she’d taken her leave of absence, and I briefly wondered what had made her choose this particular bar. It was a little shoddy compared to the places my dad usually booked.

I watched as my dad made a beeline for the stage, George following close behind him. He huddled together with the deejay and some other men standing around.

“You want anything?” Parker yelled in my ear over the music.

I shrugged, and he grinned. “Typical.” He grabbed my hand and led me to the bar, where he ordered us each another round.

A mixture of exhaustion and anxiety filtered through me, and I knew taking the drink wouldn’t be a good idea. I wanted to have a good time, but knowing this was our last night and not knowing what awaited me in California the next day was eating away at me.

So I sipped slowly. And, of course, I was teased for it.

“You want me to get you a nipple for that bottle?” Parker asked with a grin as I looked anxiously around the bar, not knowing what exactly I was looking for but sure that there was something.

“Hey, are you okay?” he asked when I didn’t respond to his bantering.

I shook my head.

“What’s up?”

I shrugged—not to be a smartass, but because I really didn’t know. I just knew what I felt. “Something feels off.”

“Do you want to leave?”

I shook my head as guilt washed over me. He was so sweet, always looking out for me and giving up anything and everything in order to protect me while he was on tour with one of the biggest bands in the world.

I couldn’t take more from him despite the strange anxiety I felt. “I don’t want to take away the last after party from you. It’s fine.”