Page 29 of Rebooting Conor Flynn

“I’m sure Ashley and Orlando are not paying attention to some Five2Go fan account.”

“You’re probably right.” She sucked on her vape. “Let’s nail this press meet and greet at the rehearsal tomorrow.”

I flopped onto the couch, dislodging Jane, who was still mourning the departure of Matt. “I’m ready for that, and so is Conor. That’s what we were discussing this afternoon.”

“How’d you end up at In-N-Out together?”

Dina obviously didn’t buy my explanation as easily as Matt did.

“Conor wanted to have a look at the bus, too, and just...long story. Short story—we were hungry.”

“Just don’t be too hungry, Noelle.”

As Dina ended the call before I had a chance to respond to her cryptic statement, I checked the time. I was supposed to meet the girls for drinks at a trendy bar on Sunset, but I didn’t have the energy—and I still had raw onions on my breath.

I curled one leg beneath me and reclined on the couch, staring at the ceiling. How had my life gotten so complicated in under a week?

A month ago, I found out 92 West had acquired PR for a summer tour after another agency pulled out due to bankruptcy. Dina had me working another gig, so I didn’t pay much attention to this last minute one—until she pulled me into her office and announced my involvement.

I couldn’t complain. She snagged the role for me as a favor. She’d been looking to get me promoted for the past several months and pounced on this vehicle to make it happen. She had faith in my organization skills and efficiency to rein in this last-minute assignment—she just didn’t know the history between me and Conor. The entire history.

I needed to suck it up and perform. I had to put Conor’s baby blue eyes behind me...or not behind me, but rather way off to the side, like way far away. Or at least on the other end of the tour bus.

Groaning, I doubled over. My buzzing phone stopped my groan from becoming a wail, and I snagged it from the arm of the couch. My mouth went dry when I saw Ashley Bennett’s name. What now? If she told me she was missing the rehearsal tomorrow, I’d...send her a strongly worded text message.

I licked my lips. “Hi, Ashley. Everything okay?”

“You tell me, Noelle. Are you trying to steal my man, or what?”

I think I needed that drink—despite the raw onions.

Chapter 8

CONOR

I finished the song on my terms—no lip sync, no dancers twerking behind me, no throne—just a little beach sand under the soles of my shoes.

After the last chords from my guitar died out, I spun toward the band and gave them a thumbs up. Odyssey had not skimped on the back-up band—pure gold. Several of the crew members and dancers clapped and whistled at the side of the stage.

I could maintain my rep on this tour, despite Ashley’s theatrics and Ji-yoon’s overly energetic set. At least Ji-yoon sang live, but the vibe of her music didn’t match mine. Not sure why my manager booked me for this gig.

That was a lie.

Toby jumped at this booking because every other promoter had passed on the previous tour we’d tried to stage. They kept suggesting smaller and smaller venues until I was afraid the next suggestion would be the opening of a new Costco in Van Nuys.

As I pulled my guitar strap over my head, Noelle stormed the stage tapping her clipboard. Her distance today conflicted with our time under the airplanes yesterday.

After my parting comment, she obviously didn’t want me to try harder this time around—or try at all.

“That was fire, Conor.”

When did Noelle start using trendy words?

“Your set was great...” she inserted the end of her pen between her teeth before she continued with the big but I heard in her voice “...just one addition.”

My muscles tensed, my jaw practically cracking. “And what’s that, Noelle?”

“Odyssey really wants you to add a Five2 song.” She patted my arm as if to remove the sting of her words. “Your choice. So many good ones.”