Page 10 of Animal Beats

“You’ve seen him. He came into the room there in a toga. How do you think he doesn’t need a babysitter?"

My index finger traces my lips. How can I avoid this? I’ve gone to school and learned from the best about PR. I never envisioned myself as a blasted, entitled, drummer’s babysitter. He’s a grown man, for heaven’s sake—my father was younger than he is now when I was born. “He just needs to grow up.”

“He’s done such a great job of it so far.”

My butt plants against the wall, and I resist the temptation to bang my head against the concrete. “To be honest, it seems like most of the guys stopped their growth in high school.” I chew on my lip. “Well, except for Bennett. Jenna and he make a great couple.”

A small smile plays around Luke’s lips. “She’s good for him. But you’re right. When the band blew up is when they stopped having to play well with others. Bennett would snap his fingers and at least three women would surround him. That sort of adoration goes to people’s heads.”

“Tris seems to be normal.” The newest band member is a very nice guy. He never loses his temper and goes with the flow. Why couldn’t Río be more like him? “How about pairing him up with Río?” Problem solved. Bonus—it doesn’t involve me.

“Tris is finding his footing with UC. He doesn’t want to rock the boat, so I’m not about to saddle him with our stupid drummer. Before you ask, 007’s still coping with Darren’s death and can’t handle another responsibility. As for Coop, his demons have wrapped themselves around him so deeply that he wouldn’t be a good babysitter. No. Río needs someone outside the confines of the band to watch over him. Someone who doesn’t kneel at the stage he plays. You’re perfect.”

“Ha!” I let out a chuckle. “I’m many things, but not perfect. As for the drummer in there”—I point to the door—“I’ve only met him a handful of times. He usually was going onto the stage or to one of the band’s media appearances I had set up. I don’t know him from Adam.”

“Which is exactly why you’re the right person for the job. You never knew Río before, so you can’t make any comparisons with how he used to be. You’ll only be able to judge his actions on a going-forward basis.” He swipes his hair away from his forehead. “Against those of a regular guy.”

My head shakes. “I don’t have any therapist training. Besides, my hands are full handling all of UC’s PR obligations.”

“I’m not asking you to stop doing them. You can release press releases, work on strategy, arrange interviews and the like. You’re great in PR.”

I push away from the wall. “Which is full-time work,” I remind him, confident I’ve pleaded my case.

“True.” He’s quiet for a moment. “What were you doing when you found out about Río’s antics today? I mean, you are working full-time for UC, right?”

The fact I was in the bath will not leave my lips. Instead, I say, “I was taking the afternoon to prepare for our next concert.”

“I’m sure you earned the time off, I’m not saying you didn’t. However, how much of your time in Europe has been spent working PR for the band versus being ‘on call’ in case you were needed?”

This has been a relatively cushy job for me since I joined UC in Nice. All the heavy lifting was done stateside. If I’m being honest, this part of the tour has been pretty easy. I’ve been collecting a paycheck—most of which goes to my sister—and waiting for the next shoe to drop. Thanks to Río, more than his shoes dropped.

“I can read your face, Hayden. You have more than enough time to see to your PR duties and watch over our wayward drummer, don’t you?”

I don’t want to! Río represents all that’s wrong in this rock star world. He’s privileged, narcissistic, rude, and has the development of a high schooler. How can I get out of this? “I’m sure Río wouldn’t want me tagging along with him.”

“I don’t care what Río wants or doesn’t want. After talking with you, I want you to watch over him more than ever. I know you’ll make sure he doesn’t get into any more trouble. Besides, other crew members either worship him or would be swayed by his antics. I don’t think you will.”

I collapse onto the wall. If there is one thing I’m well acquainted with, it’s how to color within the lines. Can I do this? “Río’s not the only member of UC. All of them need my attention.”

Luke leans next to me. “I hear you. How about this? I keep the rest of them under control so you only have to deal with the drummer?”

Bennett and Jenna seem to be settled, finally, so he’s not offering much there. The other guys get themselves into trouble once in a while, though. How can Río be my sole focus?

I turn my head toward Luke. “He’s more than a handful. What if I need extra help?”

“I have faith in you.” He pauses. “I’ll throw another five hundred a week into your paycheck for doing this.”

My mind wanders to the drummer wearing a toga. Am I up to whipping him into shape?

Do I really have a choice?

If he thinks I’m going to let him run wild, he’s about to learn otherwise.

The extra money, though, seals the deal. I exhale. “Fine. I’ll do it.”

Their manager springs off the wall and extends his hand before I can take my next breath. “Done.” We shake.

I don’t have time to reconsider before Luke swings the door wide open and saunters into the conference room. I follow him, my eyes on the floor, unsure how this will all go down.