Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 691(@200wpm)___ 553(@250wpm)___ 461(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 691(@200wpm)___ 553(@250wpm)___ 461(@300wpm)
Okay. Fair enough. That did sound exhausting. “So what do I need to know?”
“Oh, honey. I can’t possibly prepare you for what you’re going to experience but I will tell you a few things that might make the transition a little easier.” She took in a deep breath, rubbing her belly. Reaching behind her, she tossed me a notepad and pen. I got the hint, relinquished her swollen foot and the second my pen was at the ready, she started, “Every morning, you need to be in their rooms by seven. Sometimes the suite will be an absolute mess, sometimes it won’t. They will leave dirty clothes outside of their doors and you’ll make sure they get cleaned, folded, and returned to their rooms.” I nodded as I wrote. Okay. That sounded easy enough. “They don’t label their clothing, so it might take you a while to work out each guy’s style, but you’ll get there.”
That’s all? “That sounds okay.”
“Emily.” Amber chuckled. “That was the easy part.”
Oh.
“Every morning, you’ll enter the suite as quietly as you can, get four glasses of juice ready for them and set them on the counter. The night before you’ll order their breakfast, which needs to be delivered by 7:30 a.m. and not a second later. Now, they don’t drink coffee but energy drinks are a must, even at breakfast time. A late lunch will follow. They rarely eat dinner on tour. You’ll have to make sure their dressing rooms are stocked with all their favorite snacks in case they get hungry. After the show, you’re likely not needed because they’ll be busy with groupies, but—” She licked her lips. “—you’ll be needed the next morning,” she uttered rather cryptically.
And my brow knitted.
“What does that mean?” I was confused.
“Well,” she muttered. “Some mornings, you’re going to need to clear out the riffraff.”
I wasn’t catching on. “Riffraff?”
Amber laid it on me. “Groupies. Women. Band bashers,” she stated, watching for my reaction. When I didn’t give her one, she went on. “The boys will bring girls back to the suite. They’ll spend the night with them and then, because they’re great big cowards, you’ll likely be expected to clear them out.”
I don’t think I liked that. “Oh.”
“Yeah. Oh,” Amber stated sympathetically. “Been there, done that. Not a great part of the job. However, after the shows, you’re free to do as you like. You’re officially off duty unless they call which, in my experience, they won’t. The next day, you’ll do it all over again.” Her grin was wide but her tone was weak, “Hooray.”
Oh gosh. The question came out tentatively. “And h-how long is the tour?”
Amber tipped her head back and laughed openly. “Oh, honey.” She reached out to pat my shoulder. “You’re going to do fine. If you need anything at all, any help or you’re unsure what to do in a particular instance, you can call or text me. I’ll give you all my numbers.”
Yes. I was starting to like Amber.
“Thank you.” I was grateful for the show of support. “I don’t know a lot about the band.” I felt like a snoop. “Maybe you can tell me a little about them?”
“Sure. Let’s start with Noah. Lead singer, guitarist,” she stated as I took her foot back in my hands and began to massage. “Noah Gamble is like the dad of the band. If it weren’t for him, Left Turn would be nothing and the guys know it. He worked his butt off to get them to this point. Serious by nature, each guy plays an important part, but Noah is like their CEO.
“Next, we have Lee Vegas, bass and backup vocals. He and Noah grew up together, went to the same school and both graduated music. He’s got this cool little boy-next-door thing going on. Keeps to himself mainly but can’t stand injustice to women and sometimes gets involved where he isn’t needed.” She whispered co-conspiratorially, “He’s working on that.”
“Then comes our big teddy bear, Helmer Novak, on drums. You saw him, he’s huge. But he’s the sweetest of the bunch. So easy to talk to. If you get the chance, spare a minute and get to know him. Hell is an open book, very loving and affectionate. And oftentimes—” She smiled, wide-eyed. “—you’ll have to clear more than one woman out of his room. He swears he’s not into the multiple partner scene, so I don’t know what they do all night. All I know is that those women leave looking like heaven is Helmer Novak’s tongue.” She winked. “If you get what I mean.”
I read romance.
I got what she meant.
“Last but not least is our ever-ornery Connor Clash.” Her lips thinned. “Don’t expect much from him. He’s got issues. Never had a real relationship, loves his groupies. He doesn’t pretend to be more than what he is. He’s not only sarcastic but he’s a cynic to boot. Hopefully, he’ll stay out of your way and let you do your job. Just a warning though—” She looked at the closed door and opened her mouth to speak, when said door opened.