18. Hayden #2
He motions for me to continue, letting me pat the stain for few minutes before snatching the napkin out of my hand.
Placing it on his shirt, he says, “There. It’s dry.
All good. However, you saw I didn’t get to drink more than a sip of that drink.
Let me have a do-over.” When I remain quiet, he says, “Pretty please, with an orgasm on top.”
How can I refuse him when he’s being so adorable? “Fine. Get a replacement. But be careful with it, alright?”
“Sure thing, Babysitter!” He leaves me to hit up the bar.
“Things are looking pretty chummy between you two. I saw this before with Jenna and Bennett. I’m calling it—you and Río got something going on.” One pierced eyebrow raises as Nese drinks a Pomegranate Martini.
“We’re not a couple,” I correct the stylist. “After the stunt he pulled at the Trevi Fountain, I’m here to manage the fallout. PR. Remember, my job?”
“Sure. Let’s go with that for now.” She scans the crowd. “Speaking of, what’s he doing?”
“Huh?” I search for Río but my vision is taken up by Kieron talking up a group of clubgoers.
He leaves one group and goes to another.
Ignoring him, my gaze lands on Río, who is chatting with the DJ.
A drum set has been procured out of nowhere.
Of course, the drummer is all up in that. “Oh boy. I better check this out.”
“Good luck!”
Leaving my friend, I approach the pair who are working out the live addition of drums to the music. Didn’t Río get enough of the drums onstage tonight? Watching him handle the drums, though, it’s clear the answer is definitely “no.” His love for the instrument shines through.
The DJ takes the mic, introduces Río, and they launch into a set that is stadium-worthy. All of the patrons scream and jump, even those unable to see UC’s drummer at his craft. Doesn’t matter. The entire club can hear him.
I make sure to have two waters at the ready when he finishes. Everyone, including the other members of UC, cheers when the set ends. When Río walks away from the makeshift stage, he grabs the waters and is surrounded by a bunch of adoring fans.
After a short while, he looks around and points at me, then motions for me to join him. Smiling, I go to him and we spend the rest of the night dancing and having a wonderful time.
The next day we wake up in another hotel room, this one near the famed Plaza Mayor. I’m about to get the room service menu when my phone rings. “It’s Nina,” I explain to Río before answering it.
My boss doesn’t waste a second. “I’ve read the band went out to a club in Madrid after their performance last night. Lots of positive press about the concert and the boys at the club. With one major exception.”
My eyebrows crease. “What do you mean? I was there every second and nothing bad happened with the band. Río even played drums to the DJ’s music.”
“Yes, I read that. I also read he was drunk, with several people quoted that he smelled like alcohol. Didn’t Luke talk with you about not letting him get so out of control?”
“He did. But—”
“According to several articles, Río was plastered and making a scene.”
“No, he didn’t make a scene. The DJ invited him—”
Nina doesn’t let me get a word in edgewise. “Because of his antics, and your inability to keep him under control, Platinum Records is threatening to replace him on the tour.”
Her words ricochet throughout my brain. “It’s not true. Río had two drinks last night. Two. A woman spilled his drink all over him, which is why he smelled of alcohol. But I watched him all night, and I swear he wasn’t close to being drunk.”
“Honestly. This doesn’t change anything.
You know how marketing goes. It’s not the truth that matters, it’s people’s perception of the truth.
These articles make it seem like Río was being the typical Río, drinking and partying.
The label is fed up. I managed to mollify them, this time. There won’t be another. Am I clear?”
I sigh. “Yeah. Very. But, honestly, he wasn’t drinking last night.” He couldn’t have given me those orgasms if he were.
“I’m happy to hear that. Through the remainder of the European leg of the tour, you have to keep him squeaky clean. More than that. He has to be a model citizen. If you have to, use your PR skills to make Coop the fall guy, since that one never colors outside the lines.”
“Right.”
“I won’t be able to keep the band’s label quiet another time. Make it happen.”
With those wonderful words, she clicks off. I stare at the screen of my phone.
“What did Nina have to say?” Río lumbers in, wearing only a pair of workout shorts and his UC pendant, with a towel thrown over his shoulder.
I gather my strength. “Turns out, the press is covering UC at the club last night as out of control.”
“We weren’t,” he scoffs. “No one got drunk, we all danced and played nice with the other clubgoers. Stupid media.”
“Yeah, well I would agree with you except Nina had a disturbing phone call with your label. She talked them off the ledge, but the band has to toe the line, at least through this leg of the tour.” I keep my mouth shut about their threat to replace him—that’s Luke’s job, thankfully.
“Whatever. We know the truth.”
“Yes, we do. But you know how it goes. If it’s printed in the media or on socials, it must be true.”
“God, I hate this side of the business.”
“Let me handle it. All you need to do is make amazing music. Just promise me you’ll stay in control more now than ever before? We want this brouhaha to calm down.”
He sits next to me and snuggles me on his lap. “I promise you, Hayden Vaughn, the only bad things I’ll get up to will involve you.”
I stifle a laugh. “This is serious, Río.”
“So am I.” He latches onto my ear and nibbles.
Before I let him have his wicked way with me, I push back. Holding up my phone, I say, “Deal. To show you how much I trust you, how about I disconnect our phones?”
“Think that’s wise? You never know what I could get up to.” He grins.
“I think I’m safe.” He leans in, but I turn my head away. “At the first sign of trouble, I’ll reconnect them. Got it?”
“Oh, I love it when you’re all ‘stern mistress’ with me!” He kisses me and my thoughts scatter like my clothes.