Mars's nerves prickled as she stepped into the venue, the cool, sterile air of the hallway doing little to calm her racing heart. Maggie had been relentless: "You need to tell Billie. You owe her the truth." It was simple logic, but the weight of it felt unbearable. Every part of Mars wanted to turn back, to retreat to the little bubble she had been building with Zaine over the past week. But if she didn't do this now, it would only make things worse.

She adjusted the hood of her sweatshirt, fidgeting with the rings on her fingers as she approached the green room. From down the hall, Mars could already hear bursts of laughter—a sound that should have made her smile, but tonight, it only made her stomach twist tighter. Billie had just finished another sold-out show, and the last thing Mars wanted was to darken her night with a bombshell revelation.

She lingered at the edge of the doorway, rubbing her hands together anxiously. One week. One week since Zaine showed up in her life, since her entire world shifted. And now here she was, about to do something even scarier than being handed a kid—she had to tell Billie everything.

The second Mars stepped into the green room, Odessa's voice rang out like an alarm bell.

"MARS TOSIN HAS STEPPED INTO THE BUILDING, PEOPLE!"

Mars winced, glancing around like a deer caught in headlights. Everyone in the room turned at once, their eyes landing on her like she'd just been spotlighted on stage. Zoe gave a slow grin, catching the shift in Mars's body language immediately.

"Well, well. Someone's got that guilty look." Zoe leaned back on the couch, crossing her arms over her chest. "What's the matter, Mars? You forget to bring Billie flowers?"

Odessa snorted, clearly enjoying the moment far too much. "Maybe she's here to propose," she teased, waggling her eyebrows.

Mars tried to force a chuckle, but it came out awkward, stiff. "Funny," she muttered, shoving her hands into her pockets. Joking around used to be easy with Billie's friends, but tonight it felt like dragging herself across broken glass. She glanced around the room, and there she was.

Her heart gave a traitorous thud at the sight of her. In the soft, hazy glow of the room's dim lights, Billie looked radiant. She was sprawled casually on an ottoman, wearing an oversized black hoodie that dwarfed her small frame, her dark hair tousled from the show. Her sneakers were kicked off in the corner, and she looked the way Mars loved her most—relaxed, unguarded, just Billie.

Mars knew she should say something, but all the rehearsed words vanished from her mind. The plan had been simple: Tell Billie the truth. But standing in front of her now, the reality felt infinitely more complicated.

Billie's eyes lit up the moment she saw Mars, a grin spreading across her face. "Mars!" she called, her voice warm and full of surprise. She jumped up from the ottoman and crossed the room in just a few steps, throwing her arms around Mars without hesitation.

The hug hit Mars like a wave. Billie's arms around her, the familiar scent of her perfume—something floral and sharp—it felt like home. For a moment, Mars forgot everything. The fear. The anxiety. The impossible situation waiting to be explained. All that mattered was this, the way Billie held her like she didn't care how long it had been since they last saw each other.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" Billie asked, pulling back just enough to meet Mars's gaze. Her hands lingered on Mars's arms, her touch light but grounding. "You could've at least sent a text."

Mars swallowed hard, nerves tightening her throat. This was it. No more stalling.

"I needed to talk to you," Mars admitted quietly.

The shift in her tone wasn't lost on Billie. The easy grin on her face faltered, replaced by a flicker of concern. "What's going on?" she asked softly, searching Mars's eyes as if she could find the answer written there.

Before Mars could respond, Alex leaned over from the couch, shooting them both a mischievous look. "Uh-oh. Serious conversation alert. Did you finally mess something up, Mars?"

Nat chuckled beside him, nudging Alex playfully. "Maybe she's here to confess something scandalous."

Billie rolled her eyes but smiled at the two of them. "Cut it out, guys." She glanced back at Mars, her brow furrowing. "Come on, let's go somewhere quieter."

The night air outside the venue was cool and sharp, a welcome relief from the stifling heat of the green room. Billie led Mars out a side door, the sound of the city murmuring in the distance. They stood under the glow of a streetlamp, just far enough from the noise of the tour bus and crew chatter.

Billie folded her arms over her chest, tilting her head slightly. "Okay, Bubba. What's going on?"

Mars shifted on her feet, chewing the inside of her cheek. How did you even begin to explain something like this? She rubbed the back of her neck, her fingers brushing over the chain of one of her necklaces—a nervous habit she couldn't seem to break.

"I—" Mars hesitated, then forced herself to just say it. "I have a son."

The words dropped between them like a stone, heavy and irrevocable.

Billie blinked, her expression shifting from curious to stunned. "What?"

"His name's Zaine," Mars continued, her voice quieter now. "He's four. I... didn't know about him until a week ago. His mom... she passed away."

Billie's lips parted, but no sound came out. Her blue eyes widened, disbelief flickering across her face. She stared at Mars like she needed a moment to process the words.

Mars stuffed her hands into the pockets of her hoodie, her heart pounding in her chest. "His grandparents brought him to me," she went on. "They gave me a choice. I could sign some papers, walk away... or I could take him." She swallowed hard. "I couldn't walk away, Billie."

Billie's jaw tensed, her arms tightening around herself. The silence between them stretched uncomfortably, heavy with things unsaid.

"So... you're a... dad now?" Billie asked finally, her voice quiet.

Mars winced at the word, though she didn't correct her. There wasn't exactly a term for what she was, but 'parent' would have to do for now.

"Yeah," Mars murmured. "I guess I am."

Billie let out a slow breath, rubbing her hands over her face. She looked overwhelmed—like she was trying to make sense of something impossible. And Mars hated that she was the one making Billie feel this way.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Billie asked, her voice edged with hurt.

Mars's shoulders sagged. "I wanted to," she whispered. "I just... I didn't want to throw it all on you right before your shows. I didn't know how to say it."

Billie exhaled through her nose, shaking her head slowly. The hurt in her eyes cut Mars deeper than she could've imagined. But Billie wasn't yelling. She wasn't walking away. And for that, Mars was grateful.

"You're an idiot," Billie muttered, but there was no anger in her voice—just tired affection.

Mars let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding. "I know."

After a long, tense moment, Billie took a step closer. She reached up, her hand brushing lightly against Mars's cheek, grounding her. "We'll figure it out," Billie said softly. "Together."

Mars's heart clenched at the kindness in Billie's voice. She didn't deserve her. Not after all this. But here Billie was, standing beside her anyway.

Mars leaned into the touch, closing her eyes for a moment. "I love you," she whispered.

Billie smiled, her hand lingering on Mars's cheek. "I love you too, Bubba."

When they returned to the green room, Billie's fingers remained intertwined with Mars's, a silent reassurance. Whatever happened next, they'd face it together.

Odessa looked up as they walked in, a smug grin spreading across her face. "What'd I miss?"

Zoe arched an eyebrow. "You two good?"

Billie gave Mars's hand a squeeze, glancing up at her with a small, private smile. "Yeah," Billie said. "We're good."

And for the first time in a week, Mars believed it.