“Charlie.” I let out a long sigh. “That’s not what’s going on.”
He scoffed loudly.
A knock on my door interrupted us as Felix walked in with my lunch.
“Just hold on a second. Can you speak to Neo and tell him I need to talk to him urgently? Cancel whatever you need in my schedule to make it work, but I’m not to be disturbed for the next half an hour.”
“Of course,” he replied, closing my office door as he left.
“Oh right, so you can rearrange your day for Neo and block out a whole half an hour, but you can’t even call me back.”
“Charlie, I’m blocking out half an hour for you, you idiot. I’m sorry about this week. It’s been a shitshow. We have had so many fake news stories about the bands. Prostitutes, under age girls, drugs… you name it, there has been a story leaked about it. Luckily, the press knows not to print anything without evidence or we’ll sue their asses, but I’ve not stopped.”
I heard him swallow before he spoke again. “Shit, sorry, Princess. I got in my head. Where are the stories coming from?”
“One guess.”
“James?”
“Probably. That’s why I need to speak to Neo. He’s using the label to make me look bad, so I lose my job.”
“They wouldn’t fire you.”
“You and I know that. James doesn’t.”
“I wish I was nearer.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got it under control. Now, enough about me… How’s life on the road?”
“It’s like the love train—it’s sickening. Arch and Nee and then there’s something going on with Fox and Dawson. They’re all falling in love or fucking like rabbits, and I can’t even get my girlfriend to call me back. I really thought you were calling today to dump me.”
I took a sip of my coffee, opening my sandwich, my stomach growling loudly. “You know, it’s hard to dump you when we’re not officially together.”
He hissed. “Kick a man while he’s down, Princess. I told Arch and Fox about us.”
I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my lips. “You did, did you? Well, if you told the boys about me, then I guess we should probably make it official.”
“What?”
“You wanna be my boyfriend, Charlie?”
“Hell, yes.” I could hear the change in him instantly.
“But no more pouting. I have a busy job. If I tell you I can’t talk, then there’s a reason. I would never knowingly ignore you.”
“Okay.”
Kicking off my shoes, I took half my sandwich and my coffee to the sofa and curled up in the corner. “Right, Myth Maker, tell me all the gossip from the tour. What’s this about Dawson and Fox?”
And, for the next thirty minutes, I chatted with my rock star boyfriend and ate my lunch.
Charlie
Me: Morning girlfriend. I miss you. 10 days till I’m home.
Princess: It’s afternoon here, but I like the good morning text.
Me: I’m hard.