Page 31 of Rebooting Conor Flynn

Then when the celebrity of the band came to a crashing halt—the loneliness, the anxiety, the insecurities. Damn. I’m surprised we made it out alive.

And through it all, me always thinking about the one girl who got away.

The trailer door banged open, and I jumped two feet out of my chair.

“Oh, sorry. Didn’t know anyone was in here. I suppose I should’ve knocked first.” A tall woman with beaded braids crossed the small space with two long strides, extending her hand. “I’m Shanice Brown, Ashley’s stylist for the tour, although I’m here to help all of you.”

“Hiya, Shanice. Conor Flynn.”

She cocked her head, sending her beads into a clacking frenzy. “Yeah, I know that. Just popped in to pick up a make-up bag I left here earlier.”

“Right.” I scooted my chair forward, so she could get by to reach the table in the back, littered with a lighted mirror and trays of makeup.

On her way, she flicked her fingers at the lunchtime trash left behind. “Ugh, this is Ashley’s. She’s such a...”

Drumming her lips with her long fingers, Shanice said, “Oops, sorry. Don’t mean to rag on your woman.”

“My wo...” I swallowed my words. The more people, including the tour personnel, who thought my relationship with Ashley was real, the easier for Noelle and her scheme. “Yeah, she can be a slob, but she’s well meaning.”

I caught Shanice rolling her eyes before she gathered some makeup and stuffed it into the blue case. If I couldn’t imagine dating Ashley for real, I really couldn’t imagine working for her.

I asked, “Do you work for Odyssey Promotions?”

“No, I’m an independent contractor.”

“How’d you land this gig with Ashley?” I hoped she was getting a bundle. She’d earn it before this tour was over.

“She requested me, and I made sure to jack up my price.” Shanice must’ve read the astonishment on my face because she winked as she walked out the door and said, “Ashley heard I had a reputation for taming divas.”

Taming divas or tigers? The only benefit I had over the people who worked for Ashley was that she needed the stunt relationship more than I did. Yeah, it would create buzz for me and the tour, but Ashley had to have it if she hoped to work in this industry again.

I was hoping Shanice grabbed that makeup to get Ashley ready for the press meet and greet. She’d better not be late or unprepared or insecure or on the defensive.

Ashley was already giving Noelle a headache, and Noelle didn’t need another temperamental popstar on her hands.

I spent the next thirty minutes reviewing my set list and figuring out which Five2 song to sing and where it would fit best. Maybe I should check in with Ian to find out which ones he sang on tour, so we didn’t duplicate.

Someone knocked on the door. “Press is here.”

I snapped my laptop shut. Technically the reporters, vloggers, and bloggers were here during the rehearsal, but they must be like sharks circling the water now looking for blood, ready to pounce. Did sharks pounce? I was about to find out.

I tucked my computer into my bag and shoved it under the table with the toe of my trainer. I exited the trailer, following the buzzing and clicking sound—unmistakable—I’d heard it all my adult life and most of my teens.

Rounding the corner, I slowed my gait when I saw Ashley holding court, flirting, primping, tossing her hair. Peak Ashley behavior. She embodied the diva image, took it by the teeth and devoured it.

Suddenly nervous, I smoothed my hands over my hair, my guitar-calloused fingers catching the long strands.

Ashley occupied center stage with Ji-yoon, looking a bit anxious, to her right and Noelle standing on her left and slightly behind Ashley. A few photographers noted my approach, but most kept their lenses aimed at Ashley.

I took my place on the other side of Ji-yoon and waved. “Thanks for coming today. Hope you enjoyed the music.”

A few of the reporters took the hint and swiveled toward me, shouting some questions.

“Are you singing any new music, Conor?”

“Do you have something coming out soon?”

“Do you agree that Crashing Into Me was your best album?”