“I agree. Look at that. Let’s cancel.”
I elbowed Cooper. “You have made your opinions known.” I kept my gaze on Noah. “They look forward to this every tour. We only do a handful of them.”
“And now is not the time for it.”
Lindsey came up to join us. “We pride ourselves on staying in contact with our fans. Most of the bigger acts don’t do that or they charge exorbitant fees for it. We’re not going to show fear, and we’re going to prove to whoever this is that we aren’t going to be cowed.”
“Yeah, well, you’re not the one going in there,” Cooper said darkly.
“If I hadn’t just done the last one, I would. And turning Jamie loose right now isn’t the best option.”
“Definitely not.” Noah’s voice was tight with anger.
“And Zane is definitely off the list with his current media attention. And Cooper, while charming, isn’t quite delicate enough to do it alone.”
Cooper folded his arms and stood next to me. “Not sure anyone has used that word for me.”
“Unless we’re talking about your tong—” I flushed. “Yeah, we’re just going to pretend I didn’t open my mouth. Besides, I like doing them. And I really want to.”
“It’s no worse than the stage. Your people will be there.” Lindsey came over and looped an arm around me. “Bailey will take care of her too.”
“Oh, she’s a sweetheart.”
Noah lifted a clipboard. “Bailey Gilbert? Head of the fan club and your liaison?”
Lindsey nodded. “She’s sweet. She’s been with us since the beginning.”
“The perfect mole,” Noah muttered.
“If we think this way with everyone, we’ll never get out of freaking bed.” I stomped toward Noah. “I get that you are the reality check that all of us needs, but you,” I turned to Cooper, “and you cannot keep us in glass bubbles. If we’re off tour, we’re just as vulnerable. At least on tour we’re all together. The only way we’re going to get through this is together.”
Noah folded his arms around his clipboard. “Point made, shortcake.”
“You ruined that by using a little sister name.”
Noah gave a rare half-grin. “Take what you can get.” He nodded to one of the extra security guys standing at the front of the bus. “All right, let’s roll.”
I turned back to Cooper and gripped his near-vibrating forearms. “Stop. I’m going to be fine. Then we all can play Monopoly tonight.”
Cooper sighed. “Jamie always wins.”
“Jamie is a shark,” Lindsey said as she dropped into a corner of the U-shaped couch. She pulled a glittery purple guitar into her lap.
“Where is she anyway?”
“Sleeping.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Teagan.”
“Coming.” I stopped beside Cooper and gave him a quick kiss. “I’ll check in. Keep your phone on.”
He gripped my hip then looked over at Noah before he covered my mouth in a stupidly hot kiss. Finally, he stepped back. “See you in ninety minutes.”
Twenty-Two
Noah’s version of security was fairly hardcore. I was expecting him to stick me into a laundry basket and roll me into the venue incognito like the bands from the eighties. Surprisingly, he led me to the front entrance with me flanked by four guys all over six feet.
My heart raced a bit as we headed for the stairs to the Philadelphia arena. It was a massive place that housed sports franchises and music aplenty. Today, the parking lot was nearly empty save for one lot. Our music pumped out of speakers, and a crowd of people were tailgating.
Posters, streamers, cars slathered in window markers—it was a free for all of uber fans. And because we were inconspicuous—yeah, right—we got noticed.
A trio of girls rushed the barricade that security had set up.
“Oh, my God! It’s Teagan.” Two of the girls started jumping up and down and waving.
My heart tripped. I often felt like the backup dancer to the band, and it was always a surprise when someone recognized me. As much as I liked being inconspicuous, this was nice too.
The hum of excitement rolled through the group like a wave as shock turned to glee.
“Can we stop?”
“Keep it moving, Daly.”
I waved back and the chattering turned to laughter and a few screams. “Oh, come on. Look how excited they are.”
“They’ll be just as excited inside where I can keep things under control.”
I sighed. “You’re right.” Even without the crap we were going through, it was a security disaster. People got too excited and others got hurt, not even just me.
With one more wave, I followed the two linebacker-sized security guys through the double doors. The arena was empty except for our crew setting up our equipment. Normally, we didn’t have two days to get ready, but the fan club events were done around four times a year, and we had deals with certain arenas to do the special soundcheck, fan club only merch, and a special hour with one of the band.
This wasn’t my first time, but it was the first event that I’d had a hand in creating.
Nerves climbed up my shoulders the closer we got to the tunnels that led to the backstage area. A hive of people was waiting for me, including a small video crew we used for those who wanted to pay for a copy of the entire event. We had all different levels of fan coverage. The main package would get the rehearsal, and the second tier would get time with me.
“We’re setting you up on the B-stage for the event. Jefferson brought out your Steinway at your request.”
“Thanks.”
There would be a crowd of fans staring at me. I wasn’t Lindsey. What the hell had I been thinking with this? I should have just gone for the awkward question and answer session.
“Do you need a little time to warm up?”
I nodded. “Yes, just a few minutes. I can do it in the ladies’ room.”
“Perfect.” Noah hustled me out of the hallway to one of the larger bathrooms. “Cole will be right outside.”
I gave him a brave smile and nodded to Cole as he held the door for
