Page 16 of Animal Beats

More guffaws ensue.

“I don’t need this shit.” I walk to the back of the plane and barricade myself in the bathroom. This part of the tour is what? Three months?

Three months without a drink.

This is going to be the longest three months of my life.

6

HAYDEN

Idebate following Río to the back of the plane, but really? What damage can he get into on a private jet high above land? There’s no bar. I return to my seat.

Coop claps his hands. “Guys, guys. We need to take a bet on this. How long before Río gets shitfaced. The person who comes closest without going over wins.”

The guys throw out dates, some of them giving their drummer until tonight while Coop is more generous and says he’ll last two full weeks. Geez. I might have more than a handful with him.

Bennett stands up. “How about we make this more interesting? I bet ten thousand dollars that our girl Hayden cannot keep Río sober for the entire European tour.”

The plane goes quiet with the exception of the whir of the engines. The amount of money is staggering. From my seat, I raise my hand. “If I do what seems to be the impossible, you’ll pay me the ten thousand dollars?”

Bennett’s head bounces.

“And if I can’t keep Río drinkless—” I allow my question to hang in the air.

“Then I’ll deposit it into Darren’s scholarship foundation,” the lead singer pronounces. A win-win. These guys probably sneeze that much money. Me? Ten grand could change my life. Or at least my sister’s.

Unable to contain myself, I leap out of my chair. “You’re on!”

The band claps while I try to strategize ways to keep the entitled rocker sober. No offense to potential recipients of Darren’s scholarship, but I’m going to win this money. In spite of the drummer.

Before Río comes back, I ask the flight attendant to bring two bottles of soda. Might as well start as I intend to continue. When the drummer finally returns to his seat, his eyebrows raise, but he follows my lead and pops open the drink. At least he guzzles it without comment. I’ll take this as a victory. We land thirty minutes later.

Outside the hotel in Spain, Luke hands out our keys per usual. What is not usual, though, is I’m given a key to Río’s suite. Both of us accost the manager at the same time, “What is this?”

Luke appears unaffected. “Your room keys.”

“They’re to the same room,” I protest, pointing to the rock star. “I don’t have to stay with him to make sure he doesn’t take a drink.” Well … Even to my own ears, I’m not convinced. This boy can get into more trouble than anyone I’ve ever known. Still. I never thought I’d have to share a room with him to keep him on the straight and narrow. Ish.

“Don’t worry,” Luke says. “Río has a two-bedroom suite. You’ll each have your own rooms, with doors. I think it’s better for all concerned if you room together.”

“Seriously,” Río complains. “I agreed to a babysitter, not be attached at the fucking hip.”

“You said you could do this back at the police station.” One of the manager’s eyebrows lifts. “Didn’t you?”

“That was before I realized everything you meant. What if I bring a groupie to my room?”

Luke shrugs. “Then close your door.”

My stomach turns. I bet Río does this on the regular. No way do I want to be subjected to seeing or hearing that. “Luke, I’m sure I can keep an eye on Río from my own room.”

“Three or more flights lower?” Luke’s jaw twitches.

I do a quick calculation. If I’m not close to Río, he would be unsupervised. Despite what he’s said, I can’t trust him to behave any farther than I could throw him. “Well, when you put it that way, I guess you’re right.”

“I’m so happy you two have come to an agreement,” Río points between us. “However, I’m the person most affected by this ridiculous decision, and I say she gets her own room, like she always does.”

The manager appears ready for battle, but I feel I should take this. Maybe it’ll get Río on my side? It’s worth a ten-thousand-dollar shot. “Listen, I agree this is unusual.”