7

Once Courage finished her stepmother's dress, she had time to slip into hers and grab something to eat.

Cole arrived at 5:45 wearing a blue suit and shiny dress shoes.

"You look great." Courage said, slipping into her blue flats. "Did your mom dress you?"

Cole rolled his eyes. "Very funny, Courage. Did your stepsisters go shopping or something?"

"Nope. I made those."

Cole whistled. "How'd you manage that? Were you already working on them or something?"

"No. I guess I can thank my mother for these nimble fingers."

At 5:59 Courage's phone started ringing.

She answered. "Yes, Ian?"

"Your carriage has arrived."

Courage put her phone in her purse and stood. "He's here."

Her stepsisters squealed and raced out the door. Her stepmother opened her door and stepped out wearing a dark green dress and heels.

She frowned down at them. "Try your best not to make a fool of me."

"Yes ma'am." Courage muttered.

Courage and Cole followed and the door to the limo was being held open by an older man wearing a black suit and bowtie.

He bowed his head respectfully as each of them walked by.

Courage climbed inside and had to pick her jaw up from the ground.

The car was large and the chairs were made of leather. Instead of a carpeted floor, there was a small pool in the middle of the chairs. Next to where her stepsisters were sitting, there was a small snack table filled with nothing but junk food.

Ian was slouching in the back, his feet dangling in the water. He was looking down at his phone.

Courage sat down and slid over so Cole could sit next to her.

"Holy moly. This car is lit!"

Ian grinned. "You don't say." he winked at Courage. "You're looking lovely."

Courage ran her hands down her blue silk dress. She made it herself a few years ago.

"Thanks. I made it myself." she studied his clothes. He was wearing a black button-down shirt that was opened, revealing his abs and skinny jeans. "You look...presentable."

Cole raised a brow. "Presentable, hm?"

Karina giggled. "Your outfit looks amazing, Ian."

Janice nodded her head and whispered something in Karina's ear and they started giggling like made women.

"I'm guessing they're your stepsisters?" Ian whispered, sliding over. He pulled his feet from the pool, shaking the water off. "They don't seem all that bad. But if I'm being honest, I can't say the same about your stepmother."

Courage laughed.

Her stepmother was nervous. She'd never been inside a limo in her life and had never been to a concert to meet her favorite singer.

But to hide her true feelings she'd scowl.

Cole pulled the poster Ian had given him from his pocket. "I can't believe I'm going to meet your dad."

"And my eleven brothers."

Karina and Janice gawp at him. "Eleven? You have eleven brothers?"

"Yep. Living with them is hell. Everyday." Ian grumbled.

The limo stopped in front of a large building where crowds of people were waiting outside to be let in. A black man stood in front of the backstage door waving away people who were trying to get past him.

Janice, Karina, and their mother were the first ones out. Cole went next then Courage and Ian came last.

Before a crowd of Ian's fans could surround them, a few more guards came over and led them back.

Courage and Cole hurried over to the backstage door where Ian and the guard were talking.

"Hey, guys. This is Edward. Edward this is Courage, Cole, Karina, Janice, and Miss Fuentes."

Edward nodded. "Pleasure." he took a key from his pocket and unlocked the door. "Enjoy the show."

Ian looked back at Courage and flashed her a small smile. "You ready?"

He reached back and took her hand. Courage smiled up at him. "Ready as I'll ever be."