Page 88 of Rebooting Conor Flynn

Conor finished the song on his own, to scattered boos, and the band picked up the tempo of the closing notes to end it and get the hell out of there.

Ashley just used the stage to further her childish agenda. She did it because she couldn’t sing anymore and exploited that unfortunate fact to shit on Conor—in front of everyone.

Conor smiled and waved, ever the professional, and walked off the stage, his head held high. When he got clear of the audience, he slammed his fist into some scaffolding.

“To think I felt sorry for that...that...snake.”

“Totally unacceptable.” I spotted Rhys and waved him over. I was sure Conor didn’t want to hear any platitudes from me as I’m the one who got him into this mess. Then I dug us both in deeper by not staying away from him.

Rhys tucked his drumsticks into his back pocket. “That was fucked up, mate. At least when you’re back on stage with the lads, you don’t have to worry about any of that shit happening.”

I shot Rhys a sharp look, and he shrugged.

“I cannot believe she did that.” Conor tugged at his hair. “You know what it was all about, right? She can’t sing for shit. Instead of playing along with me, shouting out to the crowd, or doing a few of those cringe dance moves she does, she used the chance to drive home her Conor is cheating on me stunt.”

“I’ll talk to her. I’ll talk to Orlando. Maybe he can convince her it’s not the way to go.”

“You’d have better luck talking to Dina. Orlando works for Ashley and Ashley’s interests only. If he reckons this is a good look for her, he’s just going to encourage it. You know how this works, Noelle. You’re the one who came up with it.”

“I...”

Conor turned his back on me, and Rhys followed him down the steps.

I hugged my clipboard and swallowed my tears. I’d done everything wrong since that very first meeting. And I knew why I’d done it.

Sure, the stunt relationship was a guaranteed method for amping up the publicity and interest in a tour, and I knew Dina and Orlando would eat it up. But the real reason?

I wanted to pretend to Conor that I cared so little for him and what we had that I could easily partner him with another woman in a stunt relationship without a single regret.

I fucked up.

We had to end this, and if my career with 92 West ended, then I deserved it for initiating the kind of PR that I typically hated. I allowed my personal feelings for Conor to disrupt my normal business sense.

Jade broke away from the dancers. “Whoa, what was that about?”

“Ashley wasn’t feeling well, but at least she won’t be on the ten-hour bus ride to Austin with us.”

“Sounded ugly out there—and I’m not talking about the boos. Is she gonna be able to finish the tour with that voice?”

“We’ll figure it out.” I blew out a long breath. Maybe everyone thought the boos were for Ashley’s voice. “I’m heading back to the hotel. Do you want to ride with me.”

Jade looked up from her phone. “Uh, some of us are going out. You’re welcome to join us. Conor already left for the hotel, and Rhys went with him.”

“I’m wiped, Jade. But thanks for the offer.”

I went out back and searched for an open car to the hotel. This hotel couldn’t accommodate all of us, so some of the crew decided to bunk in the bus. Quinton had parked it behind the hotel, so I joined a car back to our lodgings already stuffed with crew members.

I searched for Ashley amid the people swarming cars, but she’d vanished. Good thing. I had hot words on my tongue for her that probably needed to melt there.

The people in the car had their own concerns, and they discussed missed cues and tangled rigging and speaker issues. It’s just what I needed to hear. My problems didn’t overshadow theirs...they were simply different.

One of the guys poked my leg. “You okay, Noelle. The tour’s going great. So many freaking people. You must be doing something right. Someone said Austin’s already sold out.”

I mustered up a smile. “I’m fine, just tired. You guys are killing it—so professional.”

Wish the talent could match the crew’s professionalism.

When we reached the hotel, the guys headed for the bus, and I scuffed off to my room. As my lock clicked, Conor yelled my name down the hall.