“Mr. Patterson!” The reporter yelled over the crowd.
“Luke.” He grinned as he stepped closer to the mic.
“Luke.” She smiled back at him. “This is the band’s third platinum album. A huge success by any standards.”
He smiled and waved as fans screamed his name from behind the barriers. “Thanks, it was a group effort.”
“Well, that’s just it.” She leaned forward, putting the microphone closer to his face. “You are the lead writer on every song but two on this last album and you’re still listed as a contributor on those.”
“What inspires you? How do you write such amazing songs? What’s your thought process?”
"I hate when people ask me to explain my thought process.” He laughed. “Like hell if I know."
The interviewer laughed but stayed leaning toward him. He was going to have to say something. God he hated this part of going to an awards show. Even when he and the band were up for this many awards.
“As far as how it’s like I said. It’s a group effort.” He looked down the reception line spotting Alex with Willie a few reporters away. Reggie and Carrie were already out of sight. He hated that they couldn’t stay together but their manager liked them to talk to as many people as possible and they could cover more ground if they split up.
“As far as what inspires me.” He glanced over at Julie talking to the reporter next to him before turning back to the reporter with his best camera-ready smile. At least Julie stayed close. It was always hard to know what to say when it came to her, because she was the answer. Had been the answer since the beginning.
But that was a secret to everyone but their family.
“Life is inspiring.” He spread his arms wide. “A song can be found anywhere, in anyone. You just have to know where to look.”
“Thank you Mr. Patterson.”
“Luke.” He winked and chided the reporter again.
He felt a hand on his arm as he turned away. Julie smiled up at him as her hand slid into his. “Ready to go in rockstar?”
He laughed and waved at the reporter and the crowd behind her as she led him down the red carpet. They paused for pictures with the rest of the band and he couldn’t help leaning in to whisper in her ear. “Next time we have to do this I’m not talking. It’s stressful.”
“It’s because you can’t keep a secret to save you life,” she said through a grin.
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“It’s not, but we promised Andi we’d make a proper announcement.”
“Fine.” Luke leaned into Julie’s hair practically feeling the blush on her cheeks. “Mrs. Patterson.”
