Page 35 of Rebooting Conor Flynn

“I sent you a couple of texts you didn’t answer. I thought I’d see you before the first show.”

I heard Ashley’s voice behind us. She couldn’t find me and Conor in deep conversation again. I took two steps back from him. “Sorry, a bit busy. You did great at the presser. That kiss with Ashley sealed the deal.”

I dove behind the curtain just as Ashley started to climb the steps to the stage. Problem number three. Check.

I almost stumbled into several dancers warming up, including Jade, the dancer who had twisted her ankle at the first rehearsal. Tomo caught my arm.

“Whoa, we don’t want a repeat of that first rehearsal when you almost brought down the entire set.” His eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, and I understood how hard it would be for Shanice to resist another go-around with him.

“Ugh...” I covered my face with my clipboard “...am I ever going to live that down?”

“Before the...crash, your moves were heavy on the beat. Maybe you should think about changing careers.”

I peeked at him over the top of my clipboard. “Okay, yeah. Now you’re just taking the piss.”

He threw back his head and laughed, his man bun almost coming unraveled. “I like that phrase. You must’ve picked that up from Conor. You two seem...close.”

Oh no. Not another one.

“I worked with Five2Go in England about a year after they first formed the group. I was with them on their first big UK tour—right when things got crazy. So, I know all of them well...or I used to. I’m sure they’ve changed since then.”

Conor sure had.

“That explains it.” He nodded toward the stage. “We’re going to work out a few staging issues.”

“Good luck tonight. You guys are killing it.” I nodded at Jade. “The ankle doing okay?”

She stuck out her leg and rotated her foot. “Perfect. Make sure Ashley knows it, so she doesn’t threaten to can my ass again.”

Then she followed Tomo onto the stage with a lot more gracefulness than I had, her phone in front of her. “Hold on, Tomo. I’m going to record this.”

Jade could dance and record at the same time? A lot more talent than I had.

I poked my head from behind the curtain to make sure the path was clear of landmines and then scurried off stage to check the press area.

I chatted with security, who assured me that the space could accommodate enough people and cameras to guarantee we got some good shots of the stage.

Jackson, the head of security, smacked the side of the stage. “One thing we can’t police completely is people recording with their cell phones. It’s gonna happen. It does happen.”

I held up my phone and tapped the record button, catching a few of Ji-yoon’s vocals. When I played it back, Jackson loomed over my shoulder to watch and listen.

Flicking my fingers, I said, “It’s pretty bad. I can’t imagine someone recording an entire concert or set and then uploading that to YouTube. I mean, they can try, but I don’t think it’s going to hurt ticket sales or anything.”

“Yeah, that’s exactly why we don’t do much to monitor it. Just wanted to make you aware.”

“Thanks, Jackson. It’s all good when a few concert pictures get out on social media. Creates a buzz.”

The noise surging from the back of the venue signaled the gates opening to the fans.

I said, “Let me know if you have any problems with the press. I’ll be just off stage during the show.”

Jackson and I bumped fists, and I returned to the stage to set up camp for myself off to the side of the action. Comfy chair, a few bottles of water, snacks, plastic cup filled to the brim with...white wine.

Wait. What?

Conor leaned over the top of my chair, and I had to tip my head back to look into his face.

He squeezed my shoulders. “I had one of the stage crew bring you a wine. You seemed so stressed, I thought you could use a little alcohol to calm your nerves. Once the show starts, it’ll be clear sailing for you. Sound check was great.”