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“No, they are reluctant, but the choice isn’t theirs. They need you and they will realize it soon enough,” she says.
“How the hell is this going to work? How are we supposed to work together when they can’t even acknowledge me?” I rush out.
She smiles and wraps her arm around my shoulder, leading me toward the door. “Let’s go have dinner.”
Dinner is at the hotel I’ll be staying in, so she decided to drive me instead. I was hoping it was because she was going to give me some inside information or tell me they are always like this, but no nothing. She sits quietly the entire drive.
My confidence is slipping, and I haven’t even started. This is not what I expected at all. When she said they were having a hard time with it, I just figured it was change. No one likes change, but this is something completely different. This is anger and I’m not even sure it’s all toward me.
I need to use this dinner to my advantage. Get them to see I’m not someone who intends on changing them, just keeping them out of the negative headlines and helping them with everything along the way.
I can do it. I can charm these guys. I saw how they were when I walked into that room. They were having fun, laughing. I think this is just to see how I can handle them. From both Jennifer and them. This must be a test. And I don’t fail any test.
When we get to the hotel, Jennifer has the bellboy grab my bags and take them up to my room. She’s so in control and very well known. Everyone is stopping to talk to her or wave as we walk by. Shit, this is a test. I need my confidence to show.
We are led into a private room and, of course, the guys are in there already. There are two seats open. One next to Kegan and an empty one next to that. Shit. I know they are waiting to see where I’ll go, so lift my chin and pull out the chair next to Kegan.
He doesn’t even bother looking my way, so I pick up my menu. I need a drink, like now.
Once we order and I have a drink in my hand, I clear my throat. Lane looks at me, but the others keep talking. I do it again, louder and they all finally turn my way.
I smile as my hand tightens on the glass. Having all their eyes on me, burning into me, is intimidating as hell. Especially, because Kegan’s scent is wrapping around me and distracting me from what the hell I should be doing.
“You wanna say something?” Kegan asks, lifting an eyebrow.
Oh right, shit. “I understand that you guys are used to doing things a certain way. I’m not coming in to change all that. I’m coming in to help with that. I have no intention of changing who you are,” I reply, forcing a smile.
“Great,” Everett mutters. The rest just stare at me.
“Do you want to ask me anything? I’m willing to answer anything,” I offer.
Kegan smirks again and I sip my drink to keep from biting my lip. He makes me nervous.
“You fuck musicians?” he asks, giving a wink.
The others laugh and I feel my face flush with embarrassment.
“Kegan, what the hell?” Jennifer yells.
“What? She said we could ask anything.”
This is how the entire meal goes. They ask one ridiculous question after another. They ask my bra size, if I prefer boxers or briefs, if I’m into girl-on-girl action. The more they talk, the more I drink. I’m failing this test. I find no humor in their words. I’m frustrated with them and with Jennifer. She’s been on her phone the entire time not saying a word. I know I need to figure this out, but I didn’t expect this much hostility. This much anger and resentment.
They can’t wait to get out of here, so when we’re done eating, they begin to stand.
“I guess we’ll see you around,” Remi says, heading for the door.
“Hold on,” Jennifer finally speaks. “You guys are to be on that bus at nine in the morning. Do not go get trashed and be hungover.” She looks at me and sighs. “You should be saying this to them. They need to listen to you.”
I laugh as I stand up. “I don’t even have their schedule, how the hell am I supposed to tell them where to be when I don’t know.”
“You don’t need to know our schedule, angel. We know exactly where we need to be,” Kegan says, moving past me.
“She’ll have your schedule because I’m emailing it right now. She’ll be in charge because that is her job. You will listen because that is what we pay you for. You will be on that bus at nine and you will see Lorelei waiting because she’ll be there at eight.”
“Coming to see us off,” Lane says, putting his arm around me.
We both laugh, but he immediately stops and pulls away with one look from Kegan. Oka
