Page 42 of The Heartbreakers
“Stella!” Paul said when he saw me. He was standing by the revolving front door with a tall, blond woman I recognized as the band’s manager. “You’re already here, wonderful. There’s someone I’d like to introduce you to. Stella, meet Courtney. She’s the Heartbreakers’ very lovely, very hard-working tour manager. Courtney, this is Stella. She’s the new photographer I hired to work on the blog I was telling you about.”
Courtney turned to me, and her eyebrows slid up when she saw me. “I remember you,” she said with an amused smile.
“You two have already met?” Paul asked.
“In Chicago, but I don’t think I’ve properly introduced myself.” Courtney tucked the clipboard she was holding under her arm and extended her hand. “I’m Courtney Stiller, the band’s makeshift mom.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said as she shook my hand.
“You too,” she said, and then she was back to business. “Is that everything then, Paul? I’ll make sure to take good care of Stella today, but we really do need to get moving.”
“That’s fine,” he responded. “I was just here for introductions. I have a meeting in fifteen. Stella, you have my number in case you need anything. Boys, you better be nice to my new girl or else.”
“I’m hurt, Paul,” JJ said, placing a hand on his heart after he shoved the rest of the doughnut in his mouth. There was a bit of glaze left on his lip, but he quickly licked it away. “When have we ever been anything but nice?”
Paul gave JJ a look, but then his phone was ringing and he was gone.
“Okay, crazies,” Courtney said. “Move out.”
The boys grumbled and made a fuss, but they actually listened to Courtney’s direction. I was seriously impressed—this woman had the command of a drill sergeant. She got everyone outside quickly, and then we all piled into the town car waiting at the curb. I was the last to climb in, and there were only two spots left: one by Oliver on the other side of the car and the other next to the door. The car started to move and my decision was made for me. I toppled into the seat next to Xander.
“Breakfast,” Courtney said, producing four bananas from her tote bag. She gave me an apologetic look. “Sorry, Stella. I completely forgot you were joining us today.”
“No worries,” I said, waving her off. “I’m not much of a breakfast person.”
“That’s not healthy, you know,” Xander told me as he meticulously peeled away the yellow skin. “Eating breakfast gets your metabolism going.”
“Amd it’s belicious,” JJ said, half the banana already shoved in his mouth.
Courtney immediately started reviewing the day’s schedule. I tried to pay as close attention as I could, but I could feel Oliver watching me. When the car came to a stop at an intersection, he got up.
“Scoot over,” he told Xander and squeezed in between us. Once he clicked on his seat belt, he passed me his banana. “Here,” he said. “Who knows when we’ll eat lunch today. You might need it.”
“What about you?”
Oliver shrugged. “Never been much of a potassium fan myself. I’ll be fine.”
“Okay, thanks.” I tucked the piece of fruit into my camera bag where it wouldn’t be crushed, and tried not to smile. I knew it was only a piece of fruit, but I couldn’t help but feel like it was a sign of what was to come, as if we were meant all along to have more time together than just one night.
“—and after the radio interview, we’re heading across town for the sound check. If I remember correctly, a group of contest winners will be there to listen, and you’ll have to do a quick meet-and-greet. But then it’s straight to hair and makeup. Show starts at nine. Am I forgetting anything?”
“Yeah,” JJ said. “Do you enjoy being a slave driver?”
Courtney didn’t miss a beat. “I live for it. Anything else?”
“About the radio interview,” Alec said, and I turned to watch him. “Is there a list of questions? So we”—he paused and his gaze flickered to me—“um, know what to expect?”
“Oh yes! I have it here somewhere.” Courtney dug around in her tote again and retrieved a piece of paper. “After what happened last time, I insisted on reviewing the questions beforehand, and I also made it clear that you four will not be answering any questions about breakup rumors—” She stopped.
I felt Oliver tense beside me, and everyone got quiet. I had a feeling that my presence was the reason everyone was suddenly uncomfortable, because as I looked around the car, nobody would meet my gaze. Obviously I was missing something; everyone knew I was missing something; and nobody wanted to tell me what that was. I shrank back into the leather seat, focused on my hands, and tried to be as invisible as possible.
Alec cleared his throat. “Thanks,” he said, taking the sheet from his manager.
Even Courtney seemed affected by the sudden hush, and she didn’t say anything as the list left her hands. She blinked a few times before shaking her head and snapping back. “You’re very welcome, Alec. Make sure everyone looks it over. We also have to go over the…”
Courtney kept talking, but I stopped listening.
“Hey,” Oliver whispered, his elbow gently bumping mine. “You okay?”
