Page 109 of Rebooting Conor Flynn

As I walked through the door, I called over my shoulder, “I quit.”

Chapter 26

CONOR

I strummed the last chord and raised my fist. “Brilliant, bro.”

TJ leveled a finger at me. “I like it, I like it. Infusing that country twang with an Irish lilt. Whatever’s going on in your life right now, you got it down in this song.”

I felt it, too, but TJ’s acknowledgement made it real.

“Who are we going to get to mix it?” I drained my beer and checked my phone. We had the day off today, but I wanted to find out what happened at Noelle’s meeting.

The pictures of Ashley and Tomo absolved me of any guilt or responsibility. I didn’t care how they fixed it as long as they left me...and the fake relationship...out of it. And as long as the solution allowed Noelle to keep her job and get the promotion she deserved.

“I’ve been working with Brock Huntley. I’ll have him listen to it. He’s going to be working on that Charlie Beck-Devon Craig song.”

“Sounds great, TJ. Thanks for having me out here. The session was next level.” I stood up to pack my music and guitar.

“Looks like you’re not gonna take me up on my offer for some Texas barbecue.”

“We’re hitting the road to Dallas tomorrow morning, so I want to rest up and get ready.” I brushed off the toe of my cowboy boot, which was required footwear for a session with TJ Wallace.

“Those tour buses are brutal for sleep.”

Maybe brutal for sleep, but pretty fucking great for...fucking. Not that Noelle and I would have a chance on the daytime trip tomorrow—but we had tonight.

She shut me down last night but today would be different. She’d solve the Ashley problem, be back in Dina’s good graces, and be ready to party—a party for two.

TJ ordered me a car from his service for the 40-minute drive from Austin Lake to the hotel just outside downtown. I texted Noelle as soon as I climbed into the back seat.

The meeting should be over, but I stared at my phone—not even a bubble of response appearing. On the off chance the meeting was still in progress, I didn’t want to interrupt with a phone call, but the consummate professional, Noelle would have her phone on silent.

I took the risk and called her. It went straight to voicemail, but I didn’t bother leaving a message. She’d call once the meeting ended.

I noticed a voicemail from Gordo, but I didn’t want to deal with him right now.

That session with TJ totally elevated my mood. We really dug in, and the song lyrics reflected so much of what I’d been feeling since Noelle came back into my life.

Later, as we rolled into the hotel parking lot, I directed the driver around the side entrance. I grabbed my gear from the back and slipped inside, the AC hitting me all at once, giving me chills.

I texted Noelle again on the way up to my room. Nothing. I didn’t remember where she and Ashley were going for the Zoom meeting, and I didn’t want to barge in anyway, although I should, to make sure the team PR wasn’t setting me up for any more garbage stunts. Noelle wouldn’t do that to me—again.

I reached my room without running into anyone from the tour. I leaned over my balcony, peering at a crowd at the pool. Was there a barbeque someone forgot to mention?

My gaze stumbled across Ashley in a bikini holding court with a bunch of dancers, Tomo front and center. The meeting ended? I studied each group of people but didn’t see Noelle.

I glanced at my phone again, and it almost slipped from my clammy hands. Noelle still hadn’t responded. Maybe she had to stay on to sort out the details of the new PR direction.

I took a quick shower and slipped on a pair of board shorts and a white T. I glanced at my phone before shoving it into my pocket.

On my way down to the pool, I stopped at Noelle’s room and tapped on the door. I pressed my ear against the heavy slab, listening for the slightest sound.

As I turned, I almost bumped into the housekeeping cart rolling down the hallway. I jumped back. “Sorry.”

The housekeeper smiled and nodded. Then she pointed at Noelle’s door. “No está aquí.”

“Uh...como?”