Page 61 of Half Notes and Highlights
“I don’t care what you call it, as long as it’s greasy sausage with peppers and onions on crunchy Italian bread.” He searched the various food trucks and tents with his eyes. “Where’s the sausage and peppers stand?”
Ethan glanced around briefly. “I don’t think they have that here.”
“What do you mean? Sausage and peppers are a given at every festival.”
“Not in California.”
“We’re in Nevada.”
Ethan smiled and scratched at his fake goatee making it look extra sexy. “That’s a technicality. Come on.” He draped his arm over Tyler’s shoulder. “Let’s walk around and see what they have before we decide.”
They ended up having burgers and giant spiral potatoes on a stick, which they ate standing up after waiting 10 minutes to get their food.
“I can’t say I’m enjoying this,” Ethan complained.
“The burger’s amazing and the potatoes are hot and greasy. What’s not to like? I don’t eat like this often.” Tyler jutted his hips to one side. “Obviously, I watch my figure, but it’s nice to indulge once in a while. We can eat healthy next week.”
“Not the food. The waiting in line and nowhere to sit down. And there’s not enough shade. It’s too hot. How do people live like this?”
Tyler rolled his eyes. “Excuse me, Mr. Fancy Pants. We’re not all rich and famous.”
A frown darkened Ethan’s expression. “We should have more amenities for the guests.”
“It’s the desert. No one expects amenities. Most of these people are sleeping on the ground in tents.”
“Yeah. I guess. I don’t know. It doesn’t seem right.”
After they finished their food and got a cold drink, they walked around the festival some more. When they got back to Ethan’s RV, a woman was waiting inside. Tyler pulled off his hat and sunglasses to see her more clearly, wondering who she was, and she looked at him intently.
“Oh. You’re Tyler.” She extended her hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you. I’m Ruby Vasquez, Wolf Pack’s PR agent.” Her brows pinched together as she eyed Ethan. “Who’s this? You can’t bring strangers into Ethan’s RV. Where is he?”
“It’s me!” Ethan took off his sunglasses and hat. “I guess my disguise worked.”
Surprise made Ruby’s eyes open wider as she inspected Ethan’s face. “Wow. I didn’t even recognize you. I hope you still took security with you.”
“Of course. What are you doing in my RV?”
“Bad news. You’ve been spotted.”
“In this disguise?”
“No. I meant Tyler. A video of him arriving has been posted all over social media, and the comments aren’t exactly pleasant.” She shook her head with frustration. “I told you this was going to happen. The fans are pissed off he’s here.”
“Too fucking bad,” Ethan shot back. “They’re going to have to get used to it, because Tyler’s going to be around a lot more from now on.”
Ruby was about to protest, but Ethan cut her off. “I don’t have anything else to say, so you can leave now.”
Ruby’s shoulders fell, and she pressed her pretty red lips together. “It’s not personal.” She turned to Tyler and touched his upper arm apologetically. “Really, it isn’t. You seem like a nice guy, and we all know how happy you make Ethan. I’m only trying to stave off bad publicity.”
“My boyfriend isnotbad publicity,” Ethan snapped back. “That’s a rude thing to say, and I’m not putting up with it. The label needs to support our relationship, and as PR agent for the band, it’s your job to find a way to make the fans embrace it. And that’s all I have to say on the matter.” Ethan scratched the back of his head. “If you’ll excuse us, I want to get out of this get up and shower.”
Tyler felt kinda bad for her as he watched her leave. “It’s not her fault. It’s part of her job,” Tyler commented.
“Don’t stick up for her,” Ethan scolded, then softly rested his hands on Tyler’s shoulders. “You’re too nice.” He cupped Tyler’s cheek and caressed it with his thumb. “I love you, and I want us to be together all the time. That means, on tour and out in public. I never felt this way before, and I want the world to know it. The fans are going to have to get used to it.”
“But they don’t like it.”
“I don’t care.”
