Bentley glared at Izzy before his eyes made it back to me. Much like Mia and Andi, he was thinking the worst. Izzy had set me up again whether she had planned to or not. Mia would never believe me when I told her the truth. After what she saw . . .

Why in the hell had she come to my suite anyway? When we spoke earlier, I didn’t get the feeling she wanted me around. Of course, I’d asked her one last time if she had cancer before asking if she was pregnant. I was sure she was tired of my shit.

“Izzy, you need to leave, and you better listen this time. Do not test me.”

She huffed as she stood and adjusted her clothing. After she smoothed her shirt, she backed to the door. “You know where to find me if you change your mind.”

“Get. Out.”

I heard her scoff before walking out of my suite. Bentley didn’t waste any time closing the door behind her or turning to glare at me. “What the hell were you thinking?”

“Ben, it’s not the way it looks. I swear to you.”

“So you weren’t about to get a blowjob from your crazy ex?”

“No!” I shook my head. “If you had arrived five minutes sooner, you would have seen me telling her to leave. When I tried to shut the door, she pushed her way inside.”

Bentley folded his hands behind his back and paced in front of the door. He stopped after the third pass and faced me again. “So she pushed her way inside. Then what?”

Slumping my shoulders, I rubbed my face as I thought back to the moment Izzy came into my suite. “She did her best to convince me that Mia and I aren’t meant to be together. When I told her she was wrong, she unzipped my jeans and went straight for my dick. I tried to push her away again, but she dropped to her knees and attacked me.”

“And that’s when Mia showed up?”

“Yes. I heard someone gasp right as I pushed Izzy away from me. I know it made me look guilty, but I swear I’m not.”

Bentley pinched the bridge of his nose and shut his eyes. “I won’t lie. What just happened doesn’t look good.”

“Tell me about it. I don’t know if Izzy did this on purpose or if it was a coincidence. After chatting with Mia earlier, the last thing I expected was for her to show up at my suite. I’d still like to know why she came.”

“Good luck finding out the answer.”

His words made my blood chill. My relationship with Mia was not ending like this. I refused to let it happen. Izzy wasn’t controlling my life anymore. Before the night was over, Mia would know the truth.

“Where did Andi take her?”

Opening his eyes to look my way, Bentley shrugged his shoulders. “I have no clue.”

“Text her. I want to know where Mia is. No way in hell am I leaving things like this. She has to hear my side.”

My friend clenched his phone in his hand and stared at it like he was debating to text or not. I needed him on my side in this. If the roles were reversed, I would do what I could to help him.

“Ayden, I want to help you, but—” His phone vibrated. When he glanced at it, he grimaced. After typing a reply to whoever had texted, he looked at me. “Andi just sent me a message. Mia passed out again.”

“What the hell?”

He motioned for me to stop talking. “Chris is with her. Andi is waiting for him to finish his examination. She wants me to join her.”

“Where is she?”

Bentley slipped his phone into his pocket and avoided my gaze. “She’s backstage in one of the dressing rooms.”

I strode toward the door and grabbed the handle. Before I pulled it, Bentley placed his hand at the edge, preventing me from opening it.

“Where are you going?”

“Where do you think? I have to see her.”

When I tried opening the door, he shut it back. “Don’t do this, Ayden. There is no way in hell Andi will let you in the room. Have you forgotten how protective she was at the hospital?”

“I have a right to be there. I love Mia, damn it. I want to know she’s okay.”

Bentley patted my arm. “I get that, man. I do, but it would better if you waited. Give Mia some space. She may have to go back to the hospital.”

Stepping back from the door, I glared at my friend. “You’re right. She may have to go back. That’s why I need to be there.”

As Bentley pressed his back against the door, he faced me. “I promise I will call you if it comes to that. For now, let’s diffuse the tension. Stay here until I get back to you.”

“But what if something bad happens?” I didn’t know if it was the stress of what Mia saw that caused her to faint again. It could have something to do with whatever caused her to pass out at the hospital, but I felt like it was my fault. If something happened to Mia because of me . . .

“Bro,” Bentley left his spot near the door and approached me, “if anything happens, I will call. I give you my word.”

All I did was nod. It was enough to satisfy my friend. He thanked me for my decision and turned to leave. As soon as the door closed, I began counting. It would take Bentley a few minutes to reach the backstage. Once I was sure he had, I’d put the second part of my plan into action.

Music filtered through the arena as Andi blocked the entrance to the dressing room. I could see Bentley’s shirt and the sleeve he’d rolled up to his elbow. Both had remained in the same position since Chris finished my exam and opened the door.

Their voices were low enough that I couldn’t hear them, but I knew they were discussing me. Why else would they whisper?

Shifting my focus across the room, Chris sat at the vanity writing some notes inside my chart. He’d taken care of me since he began working at Music Haven years ago, but my chart was thin. I never had any medical issues in the past. Now I’d fainted twice since getting pregnant.

The sound of Andi’s voice caught my attention as I heard her speaking to someone beside her. “Hey. Thanks again, for earlier.”

A lower voice replied, but I couldn’t hear what they were saying. From what I could see, Andi was filling in whoever it was about my condition. I knew it wasn’t Ayden just by the tone of her voice. It held no hostility.

She peered in my direction a second later. I noticed Bentley doing the same. Then I saw D.

Relief swept over me to know he was the one standing outside the door instead of Ayden. I wasn’t ready to see him. The mere thought made my chest tighten.

Chris placed his pen inside his shirt pocket and closed my chart. He clutched the folder, putting it in the bend of his arm before doing the same with the fetal heart Doppler. After he motioned for Andi to shut the door, he walked toward me.

“I didn’t find anything abnormal in your exam, and the fetal heartbeat is perfect.”

“So what’s wrong? Why do I keep passing out?”

“It’s not unusual for women to have syncope during pregnancy in the first and second trimester, but I’d like you to swing by my office as soon as possible. I want to do a sonogram.”

Placing my hands on the couch cushions, I pushed myself into a sitting position and lowered my feet to the floor. “Why do you want to do a sonogram? You said the baby’s heartbeat was perfect.”

He sat beside me as he nodded his head. “That doesn’t mean there isn’t an issue. I’d like to see what’s happening inside there.” He pointed toward my belly. “It’s possible that your uterus is pressing on blood vessels. It would explain why you’ve fainted twice.”

“Is that going to harm my baby?” I wrapped my arms around myself as if doing so would protect the child inside me.

“No, it won’t be a problem, but I suggest you sleep on your side as much as possible. Do not lie on your back when you sleep. You can compress a major vein in your body called the vena cava. Doing so makes you sick, and it interferes with blood flow to the baby.”

His explanation alarmed me. I didn’t want to do anything to harm my child. “Okay. I’ll be in tomorrow.”

“Good. I’ll consult with your obstetrician before you arrive. He can tell me if there are any other tests he’d like me to do.”

“Can I resume my normal activity?”

“You should be fine. Just don’t push yourself.” Chris gave me a tight-lipped smile as he stood from the couch. “If you need me before then, just call.”

“Thank you.”

He turned to leave as I sighed a breath of relief. At least the baby was okay. The news decreased my anxiety. So did hearing the rapid heartbeat of my child.

When Chris was halfway across the room, he stopped and turned toward me once more. “I have to tell you, Mia, I was shocked as hell when you confessed you were pregnant. I’m happy for you, but can I ask a question?”

“Of course.”

Chris glanced at the door then back to me. “Is Ayden the father?”

His question had me tensing my shoulders. I wasn’t sure why he wanted to know, but I nodded. “Please don’t tell him.”

I didn’t miss the way he frowned. “The man has a right to know, but don’t worry. I won’t tell him. It’s your business to tell, but I urge you to do it. The less stress you have, the better your pregnancy will be.”

“I know. Thank you for your help.”

Nodding once more, he turned toward the door and exited the room. Andi said goodbye to him as he left then hurried to my side. “What did Chris say?”

Before I answered, I noticed Bentley was still hanging out by the door. He wasn’t looking inside the room, but I had a feeling he was listening. I had to be careful about what I said to Andi.

“Everything is okay. My exam was normal. Chris wants me to stop by his office for another, uh, test, but he cleared me for the evening.”

“Thank God. I’ve been so worried about you.”

She wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me. I hated worrying her. This mess with Ayden was affecting my other relationships. I had to figure out a way to stop the madness. Maybe it was time to leave for a while. I could go someplace where those closest to me wouldn’t worry about my safety.

“Mia, you’ve been taking on too much. Don’t worry about the concert tonight. I have everything under control.” Confidence was evident in Andi’s voice and posture. She was in work mode. “I think it’s best for you to go to your suite and rest. Then you can follow up with Chris in the morning.”

“I appreciate that, but I’m not going anywhere. I promised Stevie I would watch her performance and I’m not going back on my word.”

“Stevie will understand.” She hesitated when I shook my head. “Mia, listen to me. Don’t push yourself. You’re in a fragile position right now.”

Standing from the couch, I fisted my hands and placed them on my hips. “I’m not a delicate flower that will fall apart at the first sign of stress. Chris explained to me what he thinks is wrong. If it’s what he suspects, nothing bad is going to happen.”

“Maybe so.” She left the couch and stood in front of me. “But if you want to avoid Ayden tonight, your best bet is to go to your suite. I have a feeling he’ll come looking for you.”

“Why?”

Andi glanced toward the door again as she answered, “Bentley said Ayden wanted to check on you. He convinced him to leave you alone, but I’m not sure how long that will last.”

“Then I’ll stay backstage in the wing. I can watch the performance from there out of Ayden’s sight. I’m sure he’ll be in the bar in a little while if he isn’t already.”

“You’re so stubborn, Mia.” Andi crossed her arms and observed me. “Fine. I can’t make you leave, and I will do what I can to make sure Ayden doesn’t find you but I can’t promise anything.”

“Go enjoy some time with Bentley. I’ll be all right.”

Just mentioning his name was enough for her to look his way. He must have heard me speaking because he was gawking inside the room. Seizing the moment, I moved past Andi and made my way out the door. Bentley acknowledged me, but his eyes went back to my best friend.

Thinking I was in the clear, I pivoted in the direction of the left wing when someone grabbed my shoulder. My fear sprung to life as I imagined the worst. Had Ayden found me?

“Where are you off to in such a hurry?”

The sound of D’s voice chased away my fear. I met his gaze as he walked around to face me. One brow shot up in anticipation of my answer.

“I’m going to the left wing to watch the performance, and please keep that information to yourself.”

Remorse burned in his eyes. “I hate that we’re at a point where you don’t trust me again. I’m sorry for betraying your trust, Mia.”

My guilt set my face on fire. It was my fault that I was caught off guard. I should have answered the few texts Ayden sent while he was on tour. Maybe then he wouldn’t have felt the need to wear a disguise to get close to me. D got caught in the middle of our drama.

“If you want to earn my trust, don’t divulge information about me to anyone, especially Ayden.”

“I thought I was helping.”

“I know, but I can handle this.”

He raised his hands to his side as if to surrender. “Okay. I won’t interfere with your relationship again. Do you accept my apology?”

Nodding at him, I listened to the sound of Stevie’s voice as she began a new song. It upset me to know I’d missed the first one, but my health and my child’s health outweighed every other obligation. That included any kind of obligation I had to tell Ayden I was pregnant.

“Did Chris figure out why you fainted?”

Shrugging, I scanned the backstage, praying Ayden’s face wouldn’t come into view. So far, it hadn’t. “He thinks he knows why, but he needs to do another test. I should know something tomorrow.”

“Good, because personally, I’m getting tired of carrying you around every time you faint.”

My face scrunched as confusion spun inside me. “You’re the one who carried me from the parking lot?” When he nodded, my cheeks stung with heat. Twice he’d been nearby when I fainted, and both times he carried me to the closest room for a doctor. He was caught up in this crazy life of mine. I didn’t want it to damage him like it had in the past. D deserved to be happy, but he’d never find that life with me. I didn’t think Ayden would either.

“Do you want to join me in the wing for the concert?”

D shook his head. “As much as I’d love to, I’m meeting up with a couple of friends that are in town. Thank you, though. I appreciate your forgiveness.” He grabbed my pinky finger with his and lifted our hands. “Friends for infinity?”

I chuckled at the pact we made while I was staying with him in L.A. “Friends for infinity.”

Giving my hand a quick peck, he released it before he waved to me. Then he jogged toward the staircase that led to the bar. I continued my journey toward the left wing.

As soon as I reached my destination, I found the perfect spot where I could watch the show and remain out of view to anyone in the bar. Most of the people backstage wouldn’t see me in this spot either. I clung to one of the stage drapes near a stack of trunks where we kept extra bulbs for the lights.

Stevie was hitting the chorus of her song. The notes she hit blew me away. Her voice was beautiful, and at moments, haunting. I admired her talent much like my mother had.

When the guitar solo began, I heard footsteps on the other side of the props my team had set up for the show. Perhaps it was one of my security guys on their way to escort the girls in the ticket booth to my office. I didn’t give it much thought until cologne penetrated my nose. The scent was familiar, but I didn’t realize why until I turned around to see who was behind me.

My heart dropped when I came face-to-face with Ayden.