Chapter 33
ELLIE
The constant chiming of my phone forces me from my slumber.
Olivia:
Hiiii
Olivia:
heyyyy
I smile, thankful it’s my bestie girl and not one of the guys needing something. I’m not ready to face the world yet. It’s been sixteen hours straight of traveling, and I just checked into my hotel a few hours ago.
Ellie:
Hey babe
Olivia:
What room are you in?
Ellie:
216…??
I straighten, hoping like hell she isn’t giving it to the guys for some godforsaken reason. She doesn’t know what happened, and I’m not planning on telling her, she’ll just worry. I don’t want to ask her to lie to Penn. I’m keeping my “big mouth” shut this time.
When she doesn’t respond for a few minutes, I tap her contact, ready to call her, but there’s a knock at my door. I rush over, checking the peephole, and sigh when I see it’s not the guys, but a delivery person.
I open the door and take the coffee and white paper bag, thanking the girl. I drop the bag on my bed and peer inside. It’s a donut. A plump boy, some type of juicy filling inside, no doubt.
My lip wobbles, the urge to cry hitting me fiercely.
I’ve been so emotional since the other night.
For a split second, I thought Travis was dead.
My whole world flipped upside down in that one second, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.
Or picturing him slumped over the toilet with that empty look in his eyes.
My feelings are a tangled web of worry and anger.
First, kicking me off the bus, then his false confession of what I thought was…
something, then accusing Liam and me of sleeping together. What a douche nugget.
I wolf down the donut because, yes, I eat when I’m overly emotional. It was delicious, too. Powdered sugar sprinkled on top with a strawberry cream cheese filling. I could probably eat a dozen of these right now.
Ellie:
Thank you for the heavenly donut! It was one of the best things I’ve ever put in my mouth!
Olivia:
I know some guys that would be really offended by that statement LOL
Ellie:
Truth hurts ;) Love you!
Olivia:
Love you more!
Feeling a little better now that I have some caffeine and a sugar high, I slip into the shower and get ready for the day.
“Can I get everyone’s attention?”
When no one responds—likely because they can’t hear—I speak up, “Guys!” They stop what they’re doing and turn around.
“I wanted to remind you about the media interview today at three. I texted you the sample questions they sent over. I’m sure they’ll stray slightly, but it shouldn’t be too difficult.
Penn, be prepared to field questions about Olivia, even though I told them the topic was off the table. ”
My gaze moves to Tanner. “Same for you. I’m sure you’re already aware Katie has been posting more about your relationship, so they’ll probably think you’ll be more apt to answer since she’s an influencer.
” I check my phone again, making sure I’m not missing anything.
“Oh, and I think it would be cool if you guys came by the venue early tomorrow and signed stuff for fans waiting in line.”
They agree.
“That should do it. Let me know if you need anything.” I avoid looking at Travis as I march toward the exit, but unfortunately for me, I bump straight into Calvin before I can make my getaway.
“Watch where you’re going,” he snips.
God, I really hate him. But instead of wasting my lingering sugar high on him, I strut past without a word. He’s right on my ass, though.
“Wait a minute,” he says, grabbing my arm.
I yank free and shoot him a nasty scowl. “What?”
“I wanted to talk to you about the other night.”
“What about it?”
He glances behind me, probably seeing if we’re alone. He doesn’t like the fact that he can’t say whatever he wants if the guys are within earshot.
“I heard about your friend drugging Travis. That’s pretty dangerous, don’t you think?”
I stiffen. “Excuse me?”
“As manager, and the person who has the guy’s best interest in mind, I think you need to separate your personal life from your job.
You’re supposed to be a professional, aren’t you?
I mean, I know how you got the job, but still, chasing random guys—not professional.
Maybe you should keep your legs closed until this tour is over. That too much to ask?”
My nostrils flare. He has the guy’s best interest at heart?
Bullshit. He only cares about the money they make for him.
I grind my teeth together, and a load of horrible remarks claw at my throat.
I swallow them down. I won’t stoop to his level.
Even though I really want to step on his dick with a spiked heel.
“Nothing to say for yourself?” he pushes when I stare at him, refusing to respond.
“I think when hell freezes over, I’ll listen to you.”
He laughs. “Well, we’ll see what Tanner has to say about it.
I think you’ll find he’s going to agree with me.
So I’d be careful, Ellie, before you find yourself unemployed and on the next flight home.
” He turns, walking away, and I glare at his back, sending every bit of bad energy I have his way.
Hoping he’ll trip and break his fucking nose or something.
Once I realize that’s not going to happen, I continue back to my hotel.
I’m digging through my outfits for something to wear when my phone starts ringing. Shit. It’s Jordan. Again.
I’ve dodged all of his texts asking if I’m okay. I feel kind of bad ignoring him. I’m not fully convinced he or his friend had anything to do with Travis’s illness the other night, but still. It’s not like I’ll ever see him again.
I settle on a pair of black slacks and a red button-up with nude pumps. I throw my hair in a claw clip, grab my bag of supplies, and slip out. My job should be easy—set the phone on a tripod and hit record, while silently praying the guys keep their composure for a half hour.
They’re starting to wear thin. I see it more and more each day.
They’re tired. Hell, I’m tired. Being away from home is mentally draining, and I’m not sure I want to do this again.
Not that I think they’ll ask, but after this tour, I seriously need to reevaluate my life.
I thought I landed my dream job, but working with Travis is becoming more challenging.
Maybe everyone was right to begin with. I thought we could be friends, but the lines are starting to blur again.
“Hey, Ellie.”
I finish situating the phone on the tripod, then turn around and find Liam. “Hey.”
He shifts, rubbing the back of his neck. “Uh, can we talk?”
“Sure.” I walk to the corner of the room that’s slowly starting to fill with media people. “What’s up?” I haven’t talked to him since he and Travis left my room.
“I wanted to check on you. I know the other night was scary for you.” His voice grows quiet, and he gives me a sympathetic smile.
“I’m fine,” I assure him.
Was it scary as fuck? Yes. Am I about to let anyone know that I’ve had nightmares every night since?
Hell no. I’m working on erasing the memory completely.
It’s better than facing the fact that the thought of losing Travis nearly sent me into a tailspin.
I don’t want to dive too deep into those feelings.
“Ok, good,” he says, sounding relieved.
“Everything’s fine,” I say dragging him into a hug and patting his back.
“Liam, come on.”
As I step back, I see Travis staring at Liam. My heart squeezes, and my blood pressure kicks up. I don’t understand how he gets to act like I don’t exist. I’m the one who should be mad. He scared the shit out of me, and he’s not even sorry. Does he even realize? Probably not.
Half of me wants to grab him by the ear and scold him, and the other half wants to kick him in the motherfucking balls.
Liam gives me a full smile, then he and Travis disappear down the hall. I go back to setting up, then drop down in a chair with my notebook and pen. Even though I’ll have everything recorded, I want to take notes on what works and what doesn’t, for future reference.
Everything is going so well that I’m equal parts proud and shocked.
The questions they’re asking the guys are on par with the sample they sent me, and the guys are answering them with ease. It’s been twenty minutes, and time is almost up. I can tell they’re tired and over it, but they’re hiding it well.
“Penn, we know you have a girlfriend back home…Olivia Whittington, is that right? How is she handling the distance?” the main guy, Phillip, asks.
My eyes quickly move to Penn, gauging his reaction, but his face is completely blank. His tone is easy as he replies, “We’re great. It’s hard, but we manage.”
I smile proudly, but it quickly falls when he turns to Travis and says, “Travis, it seems like you’ve built a reputation as the playboy of the group.
My sources found a video of you from a few nights ago being helped into a hotel by one of your bandmates, and what appeared to be”—he turns and points to me—“your PR manager. Bit of a wild night, was it?”
My eyes go wide. What the fuck? I haven’t seen a video. I was on high alert that night, too. I never saw anyone recording us. There was barely anyone in the hotel at that hour.
Travis doesn’t even flinch, but my heart is pounding. I have to remind myself to play it cool.
“I don’t know what you’re referring to.”
Phillip chuckles. “Right, it does appear you were heavily intoxicated. Is it hard to balance the partying with the playing?”
A relieved breath quietly escapes me. I thought he was going to pull out the video and make us watch. I risk a glance at the others, and they’re all acting completely unbothered. Tanner’s left eye twitched a little, but it was hardly noticeable.
“Not at all. Playing is the most important, but sometimes we celebrate. We deserve it, we work hard.”
“Of course, but is there ever a time when you’ve overdone it? We see so many tragic stories of fame derailing someone’s life. How do you all make sure it doesn’t happen to you?” he asks, looking at each of the guys.
It’s Tanner who answers. “We take care of each other. We made a promise to put each other first, and that’s what we do. Music is important but not more important than our friendships.”
My heart flutters a bit at his sweet response. It’s clear by his tone he means it. He may come off like an asshole, but he cares deeply about his bandmates, not just his band.
Phillip nods, but I can tell he was searching for something more dramatic. Before he can keep going, Calvin claps and tells them time’s up.
Tension starts to dissipate from my body now that it’s over. I end the recording and start packing up the tripod as fast as I can, and get the hell out of dodge.