The Girl in the Love Song (Lost Boys 1)

“Looks good now,” he said, “but it’s the post-concert that concerns me, Miller. I’d hoped putting you on the insulin pump would have helped stabilize you, but that hasn’t been the case. I suspect that your diabetes is of the rarer kind. Labile, we call it, or brittle. Meaning, it doesn’t respond to treatment as effectively and brings higher risks.”

“Meaning I’m fucked if I tour and I’m fucked if I don’t,” I said, bitterness flooding me. “I don’t want to be reckless, Doc, but the numbers swing around whether I’m performing or not. Always have.”

“That is a hallmark of lability, but stress can raise your blood sugar levels, and it’s clear to me that you’ve been under a tremendous amount of pressure with this tour.”

“True, b

ut I feel fine now. Better than I’ve felt in a long time. What about tonight?”

“Are you asking me if you can do the show? Yes. Should you? I’d prefer you didn’t until I can get a full endocrine and renal evaluation, and check your A1C, preferably in a hospital setting.”

I grimaced. “I can’t. Tonight is a big deal. We’ll talk about it after.”

He pursed his lips.

“After. Then I’ll do whatever you want.”

“Very well. I’ll check in with you before the show, after, and first thing in the morning.”

“Thanks, doc.”

He packed up his tools, greeting Evelyn on his way out.

“Hey, Ev,” I said. “Have you eaten? I can order you something…?

“No, thank you,” she said, smoothing her skirt nervously. Evelyn was never nervous.

“What’s up?”

“Tina has your schedule for today and will coordinate with you later about meeting Brenda Rosner, the Helping Hands CEO. In fact, Tina will be taking over all of my duties from now on.” She squared her shoulders. “I’m here to offer you my resignation.”

I blinked. “What…why?”

Evelyn glanced at the closed bedroom door. “Violet’s here?”

“Yes. Is she why you’re leaving?”

“Not exactly,” Evelyn said stiffly. “I took a position with a public relations firm in Hollywood. Something I should’ve done a long time ago.”

I got to my feet and gave her a hug. “Congratulations, Ev. That’s great.” She stiffened in my arms and I let her go.

“You’ve given me a lot, Miller.”

“So have you. You held my shit together when I would’ve gone off the rails. Hell, I wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for you. I bitch a lot, but when I’m on stage and it’s just the music and me and the fans… You helped give that to me.”

“Don’t get all mushy on me now,” she said and suddenly looked less confident than I’d ever seen her. “There’s something I need to tell you. I…haven’t been honest with you.”

I leaned against the desk and crossed my arms. “Okay.”

“This is harder than I thought.” She huffed and put her hands on her hips. “And you know, I don’t even have to tell you. I did get another offer, and I could just take it and be done. But I can’t. I can’t leave my lie hanging out there in the world.”

“What lie?”

“About why I needed you to bring me with you to LA.”

My arms dropped. “You told me you needed help.”

“Because I knew you were a good guy who would do whatever he could.” She delicately cleared her throat. “Especially if he thought someone was in danger.”