Page 8 of Loved Out Loud
As I always do, I pulled my anxiety and dark thoughts inward. Sierra’s going to have a lot on her plate over the nextcouple weeks helping organize something like this. Fuck, so will I for that matter. How do you even pack for something this massive?
“Can you email me the NDA when you get it? I will have my attorney look it over before I sign.”
“Absolutely.”
“What should I pack for this?” This might not be the most important question, but it feels the most easily answered. “How will I do laundry?”
“Most nights before and after the concerts you’ll be at hotels, so they can handle laundry.”
“What about my signings? I should probably have different outfits for each, right?”
“Yes. I’ll call a few of my contacts and see if we can get a stylist to help pull options that mix and match for the first part of the tour. Then as the season changes from summer to fall, I’ll bring a second set of options. Or something. We’ll figure it out.”
Our conversation settles as the server brings our food. The flavors of the salmon burst over my tongue, giving me a slight reprieve from the onslaught of worries. I’ve never been away from my mom or Grams this long. I’ll have to fly them both out for a few of the signings. Maybe we could even turn a few days into a little vacation.
This doesn’t have to be a bad thing.
Despite it being frightening, it is an incredible opportunity. I’ve only traveled around the east coast, there’s so much I’ve never seen. Who knows? Traveling could unlock my muse, and I might be able to write the book I’m so behind on.
Sierra begins rattling off information for the following week, including a few interviews. I listen as she goes through everything, the sound of her voice filling my mind is enough to hold off the negativity that will inevitably come creeping back in.
Four
STONE
Xander collapsesonto the leather couch in the bus, tossing his hand over the backrest while a joint hangs from his lips. Darren and Jade walk up the stairs, talking about logistics for the first night. One of Tobias’s feet sticks out from behind the curtain covering his bunk. I’ve no doubt that we’ll be hearing his snores within ten minutes of the bus moving from the warehouse in Jersey.
I grab an energy drink from the fridge and sit down at the table across from Jade. She flashes me a smile and sets her tablet down.
“Ready for this?”
I look around the bus, noticing things I’ve never paid close attention to before. How brilliantly laid out the floor plan is. The smart and convenient features hidden away that I’ve used before but always taken for granted.
“I hope so. Being completely sober is like seeing everything through a new lens.”
“A clear one.” She arches an eyebrow.
“Exactly.” I tip the can in her direction. “When do we pick up the author?”
“She’ll meet us in Boston. Her first book signing is up there tonight.”
“I can’t believe we’re doing this,” Xan says from the couch. “Does she have any idea what she’s in for on this trip?”
“Doubt it.” Jade leans back and pulls the joint from between his lips, stubbing it out and tossing it in the trash. “No drugs on the bus. You four are going to be on your best behavior during this tour.”
Darren looks at her with wide, innocent eyes. “I don’t know why you’re including me in that warning. I’m a consummate professional.”
She scoffs and rolls her eyes.
“Not even weed? It’s legal in like half the states now,” Xan grumbles.
I catch his eye and give him a slight nod in agreement. I don’t want my issues to be an inconvenience for anyone. His answering nod puts my worries at ease. He drops the bill of his cap over his face and stretches out on the couch, propping his feet on the back of the seat next to Jade. She rolls her eyes in irritation and elbows them off.
The two of them are always fighting; usually it’s humorous, but Xan can be a dick when he wants to. Even though I’ve known him the longest, I didn’t meet Jade until after we formed the band and signed a deal. She’s his step-sister, but their family dynamics have remained a mystery to me. I don’t even know how old they were when their parents got married or subsequently divorced.
Blue Sunday wouldn’t be where we are now without her, though. She started two social media accounts for the band on all platforms, one an official Blue Sunday account and the second is the BS Acolytes, which is a fan club account. I never thought much of the power of social media until she took us from playing concerts with five thousand fans to selling out stadiums.
When we signed with the label, they tried to force one of their own in-house PR specialists on us, and we damn near walked. It’s Jade Maxwell or no one.
