Page 83 of Rebooting Conor Flynn

“We are.” I tried and failed to wipe the smile off my face. “Maybe the best way forward is to admit that the publicist cooked up the fake relationship between me and Ashley and just move on. Everyone comes out of that whole—nobody can blame Ashley or me.”

Rhys’s eyes widened. “The publicist. As in Noelle. She’s not gonna come out of it whole. Her company is not going to want to be exposed like that. You need another way, mate.”

“You seem PR savvy all of a sudden—which is weird for a drummer—you come up with something.”

“I’ve learned a thing or two working on so many different tours with different acts. I already told you—counteract Ashley. Run interference.”

“Ashley Bennett seems to be one step ahead of everyone. Looking back, she set up me and Noelle one night at that club in San Diego. Noelle was afraid Ashley would be upset that the paps caught us together, alone, but Ashley’s the one that made it happen.”

“Yeah, she’s a master, that one.” Rhys tapped the side of his head. “But I just might have an idea.”

“If you come up with something, let me or Noelle know. She’s dead worried about all this. I’ve got another issue I’m dealing with.”

“How’d life get so complicated, Con? Remember when we were just young lads bounding onto the stage to make music?”

“That was a long time ago, mate. That was just the beginning.”

Years ago, someone managed me right out of the strongest love of my life, and it seemed as if nothing had changed. Except me. I changed.

I was ready to confront the person who destroyed me and Noelle. And I wasn’t going to let it happen again.

***

By late afternoon, the tour crew crowded the pool area to descend on the barbecue lunch Jermaine ordered for us. Buttes hunched outside the hotel reminding us we were in the Southwest, and the dry heat punctuated it.

I loaded one plate with a cheeseburger and crisps and the other with greens and fruit and straddled the chaise lounge where I’d been camping out all morning. I kept an eye out for Noelle, but I must’ve really worn her out on the bus.

Ashley had flown into Albuquerque later this morning and appeared fresh and rested...and smiling like the cat who’d nipped the cream under everyone’s noses. Which she had.

I’d be happy for her if her success weren’t impacting Noelle’s job. I could make this all right if I pretended to hook up with one of the backup dancers. Then both Ashley and Noelle could claim foul, and I’d take the hit.

I didn’t mind taking it on the chin for Noelle, but it didn’t sit right that I had to rescue Ashley too when she’d engineered this whole shitshow.

I stabbed a bit of lettuce on my plate and glanced up when Jade sat on the edge of my lounger.

She held up her phone. “You don’t mind if I get some video of you, do you? Thought I’d show your adoring fans what Conor Flynn likes to eat for lunch.”

“Adoring fans?” I held up my fork with the lettuce dangling from it. “I think they’d rather I stab myself in the eye with this fork.”

She tapped her phone. “I am not recording that part. Your stans will love you, regardless.”

“It’s the rest of the fandom I’m worried about.”

“Any particular reason?” She fluttered her eyelashes.

“Okay, I’m sure Rhys already told you about the Five2Go reunion tour we’re discussing, so yeah, that’s it. I wanted this summer tour to position me for a comeback with the group, not make me the most hated member.”

“Are you as far as auditioning a backup band yet?” She plucked a crisp from my plate and bit off the end. “Cuz Rhys would really like the opportunity to play with you guys again.”

“We’re not, but Rhys would be at the top of our list for drummer, if he’s available.”

Jade popped the rest of the crisp in her mouth and wiped her fingers on my towel. “I’m sure he would be...and don’t worry about your rep. It’ll all work out. Noelle knows her job. She’ll fix everything.”

“That’s what concerns me. Noelle will fix it for everyone else and fuck herself over.”

Jade raised her phone. “If you’re done using the F word, I’ll start recording the sweet, lovable Conor Flynn. Everyone’s baby in the band.”

I gave her a cheesy smile and held up my burger. “Hello, everyone in social media land. I’m Conor, and I like cheeseburgers.”