Page 41 of Rock Strong

“Ugh, look at my arms.” They looked like two baby redwood tree trunks.

“That’s what you have to say? About your thick arms?”

“Did I say they were thick, Ma?”

My mother mumbled something under her breath. Then, “Abby, you have Samuel here. You don’t need to be gallivanting with that punk boy.”

“Mom, he’s not a boy. He’s the lead singer of the band and actually very talented. He treats me well, in a way that Samuel never did. Besides, I don’t know how long it will last, but that’s nobody’s business.”

“It’s everybody’s business now, Abby! Look at that headline. Abby, you need to be discreet. You need to stay focused.” She sighed, regaining control of her emotions. “You have an audition at the end of summer.”

I kicked a concrete parking curb. “Like I need reminding? Ma, I know what I’m doing.”

“Be careful what you do and in front of whom. That’s all I am asking.”

“Yes. I know, but I don’t see the big deal. Especially if I’m having a good time,” I said, to my own surprise. I was having a good time with Liam, was I? Did I mean that in a superficial way, as in I was having a summer fling, or was I developing long-term feelings for Liam? “I have to go now. Stop trolling the Internet, okay? It’ll drive you crazy.”

“You make me crazy, Abby.”

I smiled, spotting Rosemary in the doorway waving at me to let me know the break was over. I gave her a thumbs-up. “That’s my job. I love you. I’ll talk to you again soon.”

“If you gallivant in front of the paparazzi again, wear a different top that doesn’t make your arms look fat, okay, Abby?”

I said nothing. My mother. God love her. I swear.

“Abby?”

Phone in pocket.

I had no idea Vancouver was so beautiful. The sunset view from our L’Hermitage Hotel room overlooking downtown’s West End and Vancouver Harbor was simply amazing. Because we had the night off, Rosemary wanted to stay in and order room service, but I was restless. I thought about trying to find Liam, though he could, conceivably, be anywhere. It was not a night for staying in.

Standing at the window, watching the sun go down, I received a text from “unknown.” I knew exactly who it was. He must’ve finally gotten my number from somewhere.

He wrote: Go for a walk, get a bite to eat?

How’d you get my number?

Employee payroll. Yes or no.

I bounced on the edge of the bed like a little girl before a big party.

Rosemary glanced over my shoulder. “What’s that smile for? Is that him?”

“Maybe.” I swiveled to block her and fired back a reply: I only walk and dine with famous rock stars, sorry.

“God, I still can’t believe you’re fucking Liam Collier,” she said, rosining her bow.

I reached across the bed and smacked her leg.

The ellipses indicating a reply came on, making my heart skip. He wrote back: You’re in luck then. Meet you downstairs in ten?

Sure.

“You’re going to dinner with him, aren’t you?” Rosemary clucked her tongue. “Abandoning your best friend for a guy. How typical.”

“Oh, stop,” I said, checking my hair in the mirror. I grabbed my purse and sweater. “I promise I’ll be back soon.”

She gave me a wide-eyed look. “If you come back to this room, I will be sorely disappointed. How am I supposed to live vicariously through you if you’re lame? Go have a good time, damn it.”

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