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She clears her throat. “I hear you’ve been asking questions about me.”
My fists clench. When I turn my eyes on her, I try to stay composed and neutral. “I’m asking questions about everyone.”
“Jane said you asked the entire band about me.”
She’s right. I did. “I’m not going to apologize for it. I’m doing it for everyone.”
“And yet you started with me first. Why?”
“No reason. I had to start somewhere.” I lie.
Shea takes a step forward, her eyes narrow. “I would never hurt Birdie.”
“Who says you would?”
“By you asking around about me, it implies that you think I would hurt her. That’s what the stalker keeps saying anyway.”
“You’re the one implying it. I’m simply doing my job, Shea. I’m sorry if it offends you. But if you care about Birdie as you say, you shouldn’t care that I’m checking everyone out. Again, I’m doing my job.”
“Are you doing your job by sleeping with her too?” she says under her breath.
Anger bubbles up. If she were a man, I would have punched her lights out, or at least gotten in her face. But we’re backstage, Birdie is on stage singing her heart out, and I’m a fucking professional. So instead, I remain calm.
My gaze hardens. “It’s comments like that that make me think you would want to hurt Birdie.”
Shea’s demeanor shifts at my words, and she takes a step back. She’s said shitty comments before, but now that I’ve called her out on the implications, her tune changes. “I shouldn’t have said that.”
“You’re right about that.”
“Look, I’m just angry. You denied my advances and then I found out you’re having me checked out. I love Birdie. I would never hurt her.”
I search her face to see if maybe there’s some kind of truth there—but I don’t believe a word she says. It’s usually the guilty ones that try hard to prove their innocence.
“There’s really no excuse for your words or actions. If you have an issue with me or anything for that matter, you should take it up with Birdie—she’s your boss. I’m just doing my job, that’s it.”
“Does Birdie know you’re asking questions about me?”
“She’s aware I’m doing my job.”
“You never answer questions straight. It’s frustrating.”
“Like I said, I’m doing my job. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to do that job.”
For a moment I think she’s going to say more, but then she huffs and stomps away in a flash. It takes only a second for Eric to fill the spot she’d just left. He claps me on the shoulder as I go back to watching Birdie rock out with Kevin on stage.
“You good, man?” he asks.
“All good.”
“I’m sorry about Shea. I heard what she said. She’s young and I don’t think she gets how serious this all is.”
“It’s fine.” Even though it’s not fine.
Eric stays quiet for a few more moments before he speaks again. “It’s true what Shea said, about you and Birdie?”
“I didn’t realize I signed up for the third degree today,” I clip.
“I’m just watching out for Birdie, she’s like a sister to me.”
