Page 33 of Animal Beats

My finger tugs her chin upward. “I can.”

10

HAYDEN

We’re backstage, and UC’s performing for the sold-out crowd in Barcelona. They sound as amazing as ever, and the photos I posted of our outings earlier have already garnered thousands of likes and interactions. At least my job doesn’t require I also respond to comments. That’s the social media manager’s responsibility.

Nese approaches me. “You’re looking mighty fine in your new dress.”

I run my hands down my sides. “I had a … mishap this afternoon. Río bought this for me.”

“Someone with good taste must’ve picked it out for you.” She bumps my arm. “They get better every night.”

Happy not to be talking about my unaffordable attire, I agree, “Sure do.” I point to the stage. “I love their new performance wear.”

We watch the call-and-repeat, still being led by Río. “Except Río. He refuses to perform in his new shirt.” Nese watches the crowd respond to him. “Or any shirt.”

Shirtless, he cuts an amazing figure. “True. However, have you watched his workout behind the drum set? I swear, he doesn’t have to hit the gym.”

As if to prove me right, Río scrambles up the riser and takes his seat once more. The band launches into Tris’s song, “Take a Ride with Us” and the stadium goes wild. Coop steps forward, his guitar taking center stage. “I wish I could get him to take those sunglasses off,” the stylist notes.

“They’re his thing,” I remark. “Like Bennett’s black leather pants, and Río performing without a shirt. Even 007 wears that studded belt all the time.”

“Because it was Darren’s.”

I turn toward my friend. “Really?”

She nods. “I tried to switch it, and that’s when he told me they were tight ever since elementary school. This is why he and Jenna don’t mesh as well as she does with the other band members. I think he’s harboring some bad juju against her because he remembers she was dating Darren when he overdosed.”

I had wondered, chalking it up to personality differences. “I didn’t realize.”

“They’re better now, don’t get me wrong. Just not as close as the rest of them. Tris and she are the closest, which makes sense since he’s new to the band.” She fiddles with some towels. “He did walk her down the aisle at their wedding.”

We watch the performance, this image replaying in my mind, a soft smile on my face. I’m pulled out of this happy place when an email pings on my phone from the Philadelphia Drummers Society. Must be something forwarded from Río’s phone. “Excuse me, I might have to respond to this.”

Leaving Nese on the sidelines, I return into the greenroom and sit down, then open the email. I skim through the preliminaries, then jump to where they’re waiting to hear back if he’ll be able to accept their award in person.

Award? What award?

I read the email more thoroughly. Seems like Río’s been named the Drummer of the Year, and they want him to come to their awards ceremony this Thursday. As in the day after tomorrow? The email chain shows they’ve been reaching out to Río for several months. Why didn’t he reply already?

I check UC’s calendar. He would be able to make the ceremony, thanks to the private jet, since there’s a short break in their touring schedule. Figuring he didn’t realize the timing could work, I reply he’s thankful for this award and will be honored to attend.

I swear, this man never replies to emails. I go through about fifty unopened ones before giving up. This is his job. Mine is to make sure he doesn’t get into any mischief. Or alcohol.

My mind returns to the small place we went for lunch. He literally wasn’t doing anything and a whole bunch of people surrounded him. Things could’ve gotten much worse, but we managed to get out of there with only a promise I’d post the photos, which I did. For the first time, I realize perhaps not all of the antics covered by the media are generated by him.

Still. The drinking doesn’t help.

Truth is he’s been one hundred percent sober for a few days now.

I circle back to his drum award and do some research into the host. This is more prestigious than I imagined. Río’s from New Jersey, outside of Philly. I bet his family would love to support him. Pulling up their info from the PR portal, I shoot off a quick email to them. If they come, I’m sure he’ll be excited since he hasn’t been home in ages.

His mother is listed as living in Texas, so I leave her off the invitation. Notes indicate the two sides aren’t friendly. Still. She should know about the award her son’s won, so I send her an informational email.

Next, my PR hat falls into place. Better get a press release and blog post ready, so I write both and shoot them off to the PR team. Within minutes, I get their go-ahead, send the press release out to our media contacts, and post the blog to the website.

Río’s mother responds. She says she’s excited for him to receive this award, but cannot make it due to the long distance. Understandable. The next line of her email gives me pause: