Page 14 of The Roadie
Once back in New York, Kira fell into her old routine of burying herself in her work. She couldn’t help it. But it was no longer all consuming, and she made time to socialize. Tonight was girls’ night out, and she vowed to make it part of her new regime to add fun into her life.
She sat at a private table at a rooftop bar with her sister and two closest friends, Jessi Blade and Alyssa Diamond, and took a sip of wine as she marveled at the city skyline. She didn’t know how often the four of them would be able to get together with their busy schedules, but since Immortal Angel just finished their current tour, and everyone was home at the same time, she was going to take advantage of the opportunity.
Jessi was texting Tommy and Angel to check on the kids and smiling at the phone, obviously reading a reply from one of her husbands.
Alyssa clucked her tongue at her friend. “It’s girls’ night. You’re not supposed to be worrying about the kids.”
“I know.” Jessi put her phone face down on the table. “I just wanted to make sure they didn’t stay up past their bedtime. You know how easily they manipulate Tommy and Angel.”
“Well, are they?” Alyssa asked.
Jessi let out a small laugh. “They’re all in the great room watching School of Rock.”
As the only single member of the bunch, Kira wondered if she’d ever settle down, and her thoughts lingered on Brett. She tried not to think about him, but he kept creeping back into her head. She wondered what city he was in and if he was thinking about her. She had checked Bulletproof’s tour schedule online one night, and almost texted him, but decided it wasn’t a good idea. They had said their goodbyes in Chicago.
Audra nudged Kira’s shoulder, and she realized that her sister had been talking to her while she had been thinking about Brett. “Sorry. What did you say?”
“I asked if you signed that band you saw in Chicago.”
“Oh. Yeah. They signed the contract a few days ago.” She put her elbow on the table, rested her chin in her hand and reminisced about her time in Chicago.
“Are you thinking about that hot roadie you hooked up with while you were there?” Jessi asked.
Kira’s head snapped in her sister’s direction. “You told her about Brett?”
“Of course. I told Alyssa too.”
“Audra!”
“What? That’s what we do on the tour bus when the guys are all doing their thing. We dish.”
“Do you miss him?” Jessi asked.
“I do,” Kira answered, without hesitation. “I’m so grateful I met him. He made me see that I forgot how to have fun. I work all the time. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job, but I miss the old days.” She turned toward Audra and let out a small laugh. “Remember how we were always at the front of the stage cheering on Immortal Angel at every show? Remember how we used to crush on Angel?”
Jessi let out a small laugh. “Iremember. I swore the two of you were hell bent on turning him straight. Or at least bisexual.”
“We would have if we could have.” Kira nudged Jessi with her elbow. “But you’re the only one who could do that. Obviously.”
Jessi flashed a wide smile and waggled her eyebrows. “Persistence pays off. And boy was it worth it. It also helps if your husband seduces him first.”
Alyssa flipped her long black hair over her shoulder. “You’re still in your twenties, Kira. You’re not an old fucking bag. Get out there and live life. Take some time off. Go on a vacation.” Her black-rimmed eyes widened. “Come on the next tour with us. We’ll have a great fucking time. It’ll be girls’ night every night! Well, not every night. The guys’ll be around some nights.”
“Please come,” Audra begged. “I’d love to have my sister with me again. We can re-create some of those old memories.”
Kira searched for one good reason not to go. She could work remotely and fly back if needed. She could scout new bands in the cities they visited. It could be a working vacation. “OK. I’ll do it,” she said, before she had a chance to change her mind.
While the girls all exchanged excited chatter and discussed the details of Immortal Angel’s next tour, Kira was only half listening. Her mind was drifting to Brett again. She knew she shouldn’t be thinking about it, but what if they crossed paths? Maybe the tour would bring her to a city where Bulletproof was performing and she’d see him again. Maybe it was a sign.
She excused herself to use the restroom and stopped in an out-of-the-way corner to send Brett a quick text message.
KIRA: I’m going on tour with Immortal Angel next month. We’re visiting 15 cities. Maybe one will enable us to cross paths?
His reply was almost immediate.
BRETT: I’m so glad you finally texted! Bulletproof’s tour is over in a few weeks. I’ll be in California, but maybe I can fly somewhere, and we can hook up.
Hook up? It was the second time tonight she heard that phrase, and the joy drained from her body as she stared at the words on the screen. A hook up is exactly what she didn’t want. She knew that the words weren’t meant in a derogatory manner and that it was just an expression, but it reminded her that casual sex is all she could have with Brett when there was three thousand miles between them. She sighed and tapped on her phone screen.
