“Speaking of the tour . . .” Trent glances at the guys and back to me. “We need to discuss a few things.”
“Sure.” I glance down at the baking tray. “Mind if I pop these in first?” I dust off my hands, grab a few dish towels, and slide the pan into the oven. One of the ovens, because there are two! This kitchen, it’s a dream. Everything a girl could need and more.
I turn back and exhale deeply. Unnerving, that’s how it feels with these three men staring, but I mentally applaud myself for pulling up a barstool and sitting next to Trent without letting my hands shake once.
“So, I don’t really know how to say this. I don’t want to ask you to get involved with our mess, but . . .”
I lift my chin to study the nervous tap of Trent’s fingers across the granite countertop and then meet his stare as it darts between myself and the mess I’ve made in the kitchen.
“Oh, God, would you just come out with it!” Austin rolls his eyes and points. “You’re giving her a heart attack.”
They don’t want me to come on tour.That’s my first thought, but that doesn’t fit given how they’ve just applauded my baking.
“We don’t trust our manager,” Trent whispers.
Sean nods, his jaw working back and forth. “We have reason to believe he’s shady as fuck.”
Trent holds my stare, drawing out his next works. “And it’s really important to Lexi that we keep you away from the press. That no one knows you’re sisters.”
“Y’all don’t need to worry. I’ll stay clear.” I wave a hand in front of my face. I have no intention of causing trouble or talking to reporters.
Austin shakes his head. “We’re not gonna hide you away. That’s no way to experience your first rock tour.”
“Yeah, so we came up with a plan. A guise if you will.” Sean waggles his brows and rubs his hands together.
Trent nods, a slight smile on his lips. “I’d like to hire you as my PA. If you’ll take the position.”
“Me?” My eyes widen with surprise.
“Yeah. It’s perfect. Lex says you like to keep busy, and this way we don’t have to explain anything to Bedo, our manager.” I appreciate his kindness, and notice he doesn’t point out I could use the money, too. “Kills two birds with one stone.”
I narrow my gaze, because though I have no problem with the arrangement, I won’t allow them to turn me into a charity case. “But you’ll give me real work? I want to earn my keep.”
“She’s right out of a movie.” Austin chuckles and leans back in his seat, his gaze holding a touch of interest that causes me to squirm in my chair.
“What?” Trent scoffs and shakes his head.
“I’ve always thought Betty Crocker was sexy.” Austin winks and blows me a kiss.
And yep, just like that my cheeks ignite.
“Austin.” Trent turns and glares as if he wants to hurt his friend. I’m not entirely sure he doesn’t.
“What? Just saying.” He holds up his hands, waits until Trent looks away, and shoots me another wink.
“The thing is, people who seem friendly, who act as though they’d like to help are almost always pushing their own agenda. We thought our manager was different. We’ve been with him since before we made it big.” The corners of Trent’s eyes and the pinch of his lips hold worry.
“Loyalty is something we value,” Sean says, clasping both Trent and Austin on the back.
Trent tips his chin. “I’ll give you work. It’d be awesome to have an assistant. But you’re okay with this? No one can know you’re Lexi’s sister. Only the three of us.”
“That’s fine by me. I can’t tell y’all how much I appreciate you.” The words catch in my throat, along with a surge of emotion. My hands shake and I place them in my lap as I release a long breath. “I don’t have much family.”
“You have us.” Trent stands, walks to my side, and offers me a hug. As much as we’re still strangers, his care and concern are obvious and only drives home how much he loves Lexi. “And we’re all gonna look out for you as if you were our little sister.”
I can’t help but catch Austin’s flirty gaze, and how it’s nothing like brotherly affection. How one look from him makes me feel more womanly than Hunter Anderson ever did. And how dangerous that could be. I drop my chin and glance away.
Sean must mistake my reaction for sadness because he stands from his chair and gives me a side hug. “Don’t worry. You only have to put up with all this testosterone for a few more weeks till Lexi joins up with us.” He releases me and walks across the room to snag his keys from the counter. “We good here? I’ve got to run an errand before Deb and Jess get back.”
