Reid dragged his hand over his face. “No fucking way. I’m zapped. Turn the lights on. I’ll stay longer and sign autographs, but I can’t stand one more minute under those lights without fans.”
“Fair enough.” Tom signaled for the crew to hit the lights; the disapproval from the fans was evident. “Reid, your dressing room is all set up. Guys, you can head to the signing room now unless you want to change.”
Greer tugged on Chloe. “Come on. You don’t need to change, gypsy princess. Let’s go find a beer.”
Reid’s eyes narrowed, and for the first time since the beginning of the tour, he broke from his routine. “I’ll come with you guys.”
Everyone froze in shock and stared at him openmouthed. Reid rolled his eyes. “I said I was going to stay longer to sign autographs since we didn’t play an encore. I might as well go now to get in as much fan time as possible.”
His explanation was plausible. To an extent, it even held some truth. But deep down, Reid knew the real motivation for skipping his dressing room had nothing to do with the fans and everything to do with staying close to Chloe. In the back of his mind, Reid knew the way he was beginning to feel was a dangerous path to travel, but even that knowledge didn’t deter him from taking step after step.
The soft hum of the bus engine did little to calm Reid’s slowly fraying nerves. His conversations with Jess had been strained since videos surfaced online of his performance in Finland. He’d watched it more than a dozen times, and if it wasn’t for the fact that he knew better, he’d swear the couple on stage kissed. Jess swore she believed him, that she wasn’t angry, but Reid still felt uneasy. Add the fact that Greer was busting his balls every chance he got, any time he saw Inky she wore a knowing smirk, like she knew every thought running through his head, and Reid was nearing the end of his rope. He needed a break.
His cell phone vibrated by his side, causing his already taut muscles to strain. With a weary hand, he grabbed his phone, his eyes widening when he saw the number.
“Will?”
“Reid, my man. I got your message. How’s the tour going?”
Reid pushed his hair back with his free hand. “Things are all right. I’ve hit a few bumps here and there, but nothing I can’t handle.”
Nothing I can’t handle without Chloe, he thought.
Chloe.
She was the only bright spot in all his internal struggles. He didn’t have to worry if he’d hurt her or if she was upset. She wasn’t on his case or trying to get in his head. She was just Chloe. She was a breath of fresh air in a suffocating room.
“So what’s this about that hot little violinist moving to LA?”
Reid clenched his jaw but held his anger in check. The last thing he needed to do was piss off the guy who could help him get Chloe to LA. “Nothing’s set in stone, but I told her I’d put out some feelers. If I come up with some strong prospects, she’s considering the move.”
“Why don’t you just offer her a permanent place with you? Or are you trying to keep your business and pleasure separate?” Will joked, his tone suggestive.
Reid paused, his mind still hung up on the possibility of keeping Chloe indefinitely before he processed the rest of Will’s comment. “It’s not like that, man. We’re not dating. I’m back with Jess.”
“I didn’t say anything about dating. You can’t expect me to believe you’re with that girl day after day and you haven’t hit it. Come on, man.”
“That’s exactly what I fucking expect. Just because most of you assholes have no problem fucking around doesn’t mean everyone is like that.”
“Whoa, dude. All right. I got it. I mean, I don’t get it because I’ve seen her, but I hear ya.”
“Look,” Reid exhaled, exhausted from the constant speculation about his relationship with Chloe. “I know where you’re coming from. I also know we’ve hung out in the past, so you’re not totally off base with your assumption. I’ve just been dealing with a lot of shit lately.”
“No sweat. So you’re looking to get a line on some upcoming gigs for her?”
Reid relaxed his shoulders, grateful to have the conversation back on track. “Yeah. Do you think you could ask around? See what’s out there? Pass around some footage from the shows?”
“Yeah, man. I can do that. I can tell you, though, she’s not going to have any trouble getting work out here. She fits the vibe in LA way more than I imagine she does in New York.”
“No doubt,” Reid agreed. “Thanks for doing this. Let me know if you get any bites?”
“Will do. Hit me up when you get back, we’ll catch up. Have a beer.”
“Sounds good. Later.”