Page 110 of Hard Rock Tease

I glanced at the camera operator and it dawned on me.

“Oh! You must be part of the film crew.”

“I’m the assistant producer.” The man eyed me up and down and sneered. He beckoned over the closest person with a headset. “Can somebody tell me why there’s a groupie hanging around?”

“I’m not a groupie,” I told him through gritted teeth. “I’m—”

“You’re in my way,” he interrupted.

The person he’d grabbed stared at me with a blank expression and shrugged, continuing on his way. He’d had no idea who I was, but I had a staff badge, so I was safe.

“Just find somewhere else to take your groupie pictures.” The producer pulled out his phone and starting tapping at it, ignoring me completely.

I fumed inwardly but didn’t want to cause a scene, especially not on my first official day. “I’ll just go do my job somewhere else, then.” I turned on my heel and stalked off in the opposite direction.

Life had been too good to me lately. Scoring an awesome internship working with my favorite band, getting to follow them around all summer and using my social media skills to promote them—there had to be a catch. Of course it was egotistical industry execs with big heads and holier-than-thou attitudes abusing the lowly intern.

The man had been more handsome than I would have expected from some pompous music executive, though, and he didn’t have a staff badge. I glanced back at him, but he was speaking with the camera operator, who seemed to be listening. Not a model, then, and probably telling the truth about being on the film crew. It didn’t bode well for me if that guy was any indication of the people I’d be working with on this tour.

I pulled out my phone and typed furiously to Neil. He would understand, being in the film business himself. I was sure he’d run into his fair share of self-important jerks.

@AudioAiley:Turns out there are assholes in every industry.

Afew minuteslater I got the reply:

@PointShootNeil:Something happen?

Just some pompous ass mistreating the lowly intern.

Ignore those pricks. You’re amazing, Ailey. I don’t know what kind of job you’re doing, but I know you’ll be awesome at it. Don’t let those jerks get you down.

Thanks, Neil. I’ll try.

If you ever need a boost of self-esteem, just let me know, and I’ll sing your praises.

I don’t think you need to go that far.

But it’s true. I think you’re an amazing girl. They’re lucky to have you.

My insides floodedwith warmth at Neil’s words. He always knew what to say to cheer me up. He was such a great guy.

Anyone would belucky to have you.

Iflushedand didn’t know how to respond. I’d been wondering if Neil felt as strongly about me as I did about him.

I guess I’d find out when summer was over.

***

TRAVELINGCROSS-COUNTRY by bus wasn’t an ideal way to spend the summer, but I had one small consolation—we wouldn’t have to sleep in one. Deena told me we’d be staying in hotel rooms, only sleeping in the bus if we were behind schedule or in a hurry to get somewhere. That was a relief. My mild car sickness would have made sleeping on a bus every night an unappealing prospect.

“I thought all the band members and crew slept on their tour buses,” I asked Deena.

“Kell refused. Said sleeping on a bus was trashy.” She threw her hands up. “That boy is going to be the death of me.”

When Deena guided me to my assigned bus to drop off my suitcase, I was surprised to see an interior just like a normal living room, with wide leather sofas and squishy cushions, a table and chairs for dining, and a fridge, stove, and sink. I’d half expected to be assigned some sort of bus with bucket seats that maybe reclined back to lay down.

It also had a full-sized bar, complete with two barstools that also had cushioned seats. There was one big screen TV, but also multiple little screens, so each person could watch their own movie. There was a ceiling fan, floor lamps, carpets, and drapery on the windows. It was, in essence, a full living room you could find in any home.