Chapter 58
“ H ave a seat.” Melinda ushers me into the same conference room the men went into earlier. While she takes a seat at the head of a long glossy black table, I roll back a high-backed leather chair beside her. “How’d your sister seem to you?” she asks me.
“She’s doing well, I think, all things considered.”
“I sense reservation.” Melinda arches an inquiring brow.
“She’s being stubborn about going to rehab.” She was evasive about whatever happened with Carson too.
“I don’t think your parents are going to give her a choice.” Melinda places her cell on the table display side up.
“Yeah.”
Her cell lights up with one notification after another.
“But Harmony is just as stubborn as Dad.”
“That’s hardcore.” She winces.
“Exactly.” I nod and almost smile. Despite the fact that she’s my boss, I like Melinda. She gets all my family dynamics, and she seems to get me. “You mentioned a new assignment,” I remind her to keep us on track.
“Right.” She flips her phone over. I guess those rapid-fire notifications are distracting her as much as they are me. “Shooting Star is going to be your sole focus this summer.”
“I already started on their bios. Before all this happened.” I update her on my progress. “I’m almost finished.”
“That’s good. Very proactive.” She nods approvingly. “But something more urgent than updating their social media has come up. Shooting Star is weathering a potential band-destroying storm. Theirs isn’t too different from the one Tempest weathered early on in your dad’s career.”
“Because of drugs.”
“There’s that similarity for sure,” she agrees. “Plus, a near-death experience. Did your dad ever tell you about Lace almost overdosing?”
“Yeah,” I reply. “He’s very anti-drugs.” Thinking about his past, I realize that what’s going on with Harmony might be bringing back a lot of those old fears.
“I have scheduled some time at a local network station tomorrow morning. I want everyone involved to record an anti-drug and anti-violence message.”
“Sounds like a solid PR strategy.” I nod reflectively.
“Your dad and Bryan already agreed.” She drums her fingers on the tabletop. “Bo and Carson too. I just need you and your sister on board.”
“I’ll do it.” It’s messaging I support. It’s part of my job. Plus, I’d do anything to help Bo. “I’ll talk to Harmony. She might fuss at first, but I’m sure she’ll agree.”
“Thanks. Now to the more difficult part. Bo.” She watches me closely after saying his name. I grip the edge of the table, trying not to give anything away. “I’m pretty sure you played a big part in the charges against him being dropped.”
“If I answer you”—I tilt my head—“does what I say stay between you and me?”
“Absolutely.” She reaches across the glossy surface of the table and squeezes one of my hands. “You’re not in any trouble, Peace.”
“But is he?” I clarify as she withdraws her hand. “Bo, I mean.”
“Some.” Her brow furrows. “The optics are pretty bad with him being arrested.”
“Bad for him and his band.” I understand. “But the situation isn’t insurmountable.”
“Depends.” Her lips twist. “On what the media does. They can make perception and even lies seem like facts.”
“I get that.” The crafting part of marketing intrigues me.
“This is a big story with a young and beautiful actress, a band on the rise, and Tempest children involved.”
“They’re speculating that Bo is having sex with Harmony and me.” My cheeks warm. “They were asking a bunch of leading questions outside.”
“Is he?” she asks, her gaze holding mine. “Having sex with you?”
“No.” I shake my head adamantly, but just the idea of being naked with Bo makes sparks dance along my spine. “Carson was the one with Harmony that night. It wasn’t Bo.”
“Who was Bo with that night?” She doesn’t seem surprised by my explanation.
“Me.” The heat in my cheeks increases.
“But you’re not involved with him?” she presses.
“We’re just friends.” I feign a casual tone, but the feelings I have for Bo aren’t casual at all.
“Friends who’ll do anything to protect the other. Even risk the wrath of a father. A record label. And go to jail?”
“Yes.” My eyes widen at her insight.
“Bo needs someone caring like you looking out for him. Someone steady to keep him focused. He and his band are done if they don’t successfully finish out this tour.”
Oh, no. “What can I do?” I ask.
“I’m sending you on the road with Bo and the band.”
“But…” I trail off, scrolling through a list of excuses while ignoring the way my heart leaps at the idea of being with Bo. “I already rented an apartment in Vancouver for the summer.”
“Black Cat will cover that expense.”
“Okay. I guess.” My pulse racing, I pull in a needed breath and wonder out loud. “What did Bo say when you told him?”
“I haven’t told him yet.”
“He might be mad.” I pin my lip between my teeth.
“He might be.” Her lips curve upward. “But that’s where we’ll find out if you’re as adept handling him as I think you will be.” She leans back in her chair, and I try not to squirm as she seems to consider me. “He can be strong-willed and volatile.”
“I know that.”
“I figured you did.” Her lip curve becomes a knowing smile. “I believe you have some experience dealing with a difficult personality like his.”
“My dad.” I wrinkle my nose.
“Yes,” she agrees. “Bo is a lot like War was back in the day.”
“You mean before he met my mom?”
“Before Shaina, War was angry.” She nods. “He lashed out at practically everyone around him. He torpedoed the relationships he had because he thought he wasn’t worthy of them.” She presses her palms together and points the tips of her fingers at me. “That’s where I see Bo at right now. He’s at a crossroads. I don’t want him going down the wrong path. I don’t think you do either.”
“I want the best for Bo.” I sit up straighter in my chair.
“I believe you do.” She knocks on the table once. It’s decided. “And I believe you’re the right person for this job.”