Free Hillbilly Rockstar by Lorelei James

see.”
    Properly chastised, he said, “What kind of gun is that? It looks small.”
    â€œIt’s a Kahr Arms PM45. It’s compact with the stopping power of a forty-five.” Liberty changed the subject. “What do you usually do first when you get off the bus?”
    â€œTrack down Crash and Sarge and see if there were any problems with setup. Then the event staff shows up.”
    â€œEvent staff. Who is that?”
    â€œThe head honcho responsible for bringing acts like mine into the venue. His or her assistants.”
    â€œAnd your security.”
    â€œThey take me backstage. Show me the food service room and my ready room.” At her blank look, he said, “A ready room is just my private room. I require one at every venue—regardless of the size of the venue. The room can be decked out like a five-star hotel room or a canvas tent, or anything in between.” He pointed to the suit bag and the duffel. “Since I can’t send my guitar guru, Check, to the bus anymore to get things I’ll need in my room, that’s my clothing for tonight and tomorrow night.”
    The bus slowed down. While Liberty was taking in the sights of Salt Lake City, Devin leaned back with his eyes closed. She couldn’t imagine how much pressure he was under, playing to a sold-out crowd two nights in a row. She wanted to ask him if he ever got nervous before going onstage, but he radiated that “back off” vibe, so she stayed quiet.
    Once they’d parked in the back of the lot between the other two tour buses, Devin stood and put on his cowboy hat. “You ready for this?”
    â€œNot really. How about you?”
    He bestowed that million-dollar grin on her. “Darlin’, I was born ready. I live for this. Come on, let’s hit it.”

Chapter Six
    L iberty acted cool, like being backstage at a Devin McClain show was no big deal. But secretly she was as excited as the first time she shot a grenade launcher.
    The preshow activity had put her on edge. Luckily, Devin had two escorts as he entered the back door of the event center and two more inside. She didn’t think the big events would be the problem anyway, but the smaller county fair venues. When Garrett had suggested canceling the preshow or the aftershow party, the promoter had refused. Devin agreed. Interactions with his fans were a big part of the tour. He wouldn’t disappoint people who had paid extra for their tickets for a chance to meet him.
    Devin had a no-contact rule prior to the performance. When she’d asked him about it, he said he needed time to get his head on straight and warm up before he walked onstage. So tonight he’d shooed her out of his ready room and she’d prowled the halls, watching the multitude of people it took to put on a show this size. From the catering staff to the media personnel, the roadies, the tech guys, the crew who traveled with the opening act.
    She finally understood why he needed solitude. He had to be overwhelmed by everyone who wanted a piece of him. She wondered if it’d be a zoo tonight at the after-party that kicked off his headlining gig.
    The crew removed the last of the opening act’s equipment, and Devin’s roadies had the switchover completed in ten minutes. The arena went dark. The crowd started chanting, “Devin, Devin, Devin.”
    Devin’s band took the stage under the cover of darkness. Liberty peeked around the corner and saw the two security guards escorting him.
    He’d changed into tight jeans with a metallic sheen and a black and silver button-up shirt open to his sternum, revealing a gray tank top. He’d rolled up his sleeves and donned a black cowboy hat. Those tempting curls ringed his face when he put on his hat. She smiled when she saw the same pair of scuffed-up boots he’d been wearing since this morning.
    He adjusted his microphone, his earpiece and the strap on his guitar before he said,