Page 38 of Rebooting Conor Flynn

“Just trying to get a different perspective.”

And hide out.

“It’s a good show. Crowd’s loving it.” He swept his arm to the side. “It’s not so bad now, but people were going crazy taking pictures during Conor’s set. Usually, they were quick snaps. I didn’t see them recording a lot of long videos.”

“I’m sure it’s fine. Nothing wrong with a few pics of the show making it to social media.”

As Ashley headed into her final song of the night, I slipped through the pit area barriers. “Thanks for all your help tonight. I sure hope security at the other shows is as professional as you guys.”

“I hope so.”

I made a run for my car. I wanted to sneak out the back way before the concert ended. I’d done my part and would leave the rest to Jermaine and his team. Besides, if I got to Charlie’s place early, we could have a chat before the party started. I sent him a card and flowers when his mum passed last year but hadn’t spoken to him since—and definitely not since he got together with his childhood sweetheart.

The almost hour-long drive to Malibu gave me plenty of time to think. Why had Conor decided to sing that song, “No Contact,” tonight? Was it some kind of message to me?

In the song, the no contact phrase referred to the woman in the relationship who’d ghosted her man when he had to leave. But that’s not how it went. I texted Conor daily at the beginning. I even called him, and those calls went straight to voicemail.

Was he trying to tell me that he was sorry for going no contact? Was he trying to romanticize this whole second chance thing between us?

Now was not the time or place for that. He had to pretend with Ashley, and he’d done a shit job of it tonight. At least she hadn’t seemed to notice.

Maybe it would never be the time or place. He did me dirty. He hurt me so much, I had a tough time trusting anyone after that relationship. Just because he was Conor Flynn it didn’t give him the right to waltz back into my life, sing me a love song, and expect to pick up where he left off.

Then what?

I was so deep in thought, I almost missed the exit for Las Virgenes Road down to Malibu.

The gossip sites would go wild if they knew Charlie was throwing a party for his Five2Go bandmate. Any publicist worth her salt would’ve ignored Conor’s pleas for privacy and placed a few strategic phone calls.

Noelle Martine’s burning ambition, my ass.

***

I pulled my Prius alongside the valet parking cart stationed on Pacific Coast Highway up from Charlie’s house. The homes along this stretch didn’t look too impressive from PCH, but once you walked inside, the whole house opened to the Pacific Ocean.

The valet parking attendant flicked his cigarette to the ground and jumped to attention when he noticed my car. Good. That meant I was early.

He rushed to the driver’s side and opened my door. Did I need a ticket? A secret handshake? A thumbprint?

I went old school. “I’m here for the Beck party.”

“Of course, miss. Just follow that path down to the road below.” He glanced at my pointy-toed black flats, which I’d substituted for the sneakers I usually wore running back and forth between the stage, trailers, and pit. “Do you need any help walking to the house?”

I eyed the grade of the incline. “I’m good.”

I only slid a little bit on my way to the lower road where several large houses blocked the view of the ocean. I didn’t need to check my phone for the address. Blazing lights spilled onto the road from only one home in the row.

The door swung open before I even reached the porch, and Charlie spread his arms. “Fookin’ hell—if it isn’t Noelle, our little savior.”

My face split into a wide grin despite Charlie’s moniker. My ears and heart had missed that accent. I flew into his arms, and he picked me up and swung me around.

“Fucking brilliant to see you, Noelle.”

Pinching his cheek, I said, “You too, Charlie. I love all the new songs you and Devon are writing.”

“Come on inside and tell her yourself.”

Charlie ushered me into his house, and the view took my breath away as I faced a solid glass wall overlooking the ocean.