Always Rayne (The ALWAYS SOMETIMES NEVER Rock Star Romance Series) Read Online Free Page A

want to start crying in front of my boss. I try to stifle my emotions but I only make it worse. I try to take in a deep breath but end up heaving instead.
    “Please don’t cry.” Luke looks genuinely concerned. “It’s only ten days and all the expenses are paid. And if the circulation goes up as much as I hope, I’ll give you a raise when you get back.”
    I sniffle. “How much of a raise?” If it’s enough to cover my student loans, I’ll do it. Then I won’t have to get another part-time job.
    “Twenty percent.”
    “Done,” I reply.
    “Good.” Luke looks relieved. He hands me a folder. “I’ve already got your plane ticket and travel itinerary ready. All you need to do is pack.”
    I can feel my heart start to race. “When do I leave?”
    “First thing tomorrow morning.”
     
    ***
     
    “You’re what?” Brooke screams even though I know she heard me.
    I’m throwing every halfway decent piece of clothing I own into my old ratty suitcase. I’ve had the suitcase since I was in eighth grade and my parents made me go to summer camp. What I didn’t realize until I got back from camp was that they were thinking about getting a divorce and needed some time with me away to get things sorted out. I’m happy to report that they didn’t end up getting divorced. They ended up renewing their vows instead.
    “I’m going away for ten days for work.”
    “I heard that.” Brooke grabs a pink sweater out of my hands and throws it into the trash can. “What you haven’t told me is where you’re going and why?”
    “I love that pink sweater,” I state as I try to retrieve it from the ga rbage.
    “I remember that pink sweater from our freshman year in high school. You’re now a college graduate. I think it’s time to get some new clothes.”
    “But if it still fits and it’s not worn out, why can’t I still wear it?”
    Brooke places her hands on her hips and glares at me. “I know both of your parents. I spent so much time at your house, they practically raised me. They both wear nice, fashionable clothing. How did you not inherit any sense of style whatsoever?”
    “I have style,” I protest. “It’s a classic look.”
    She frowns. “Wearing clothing that wasn’t even fashionable a decade ago is not classic, it’s outdated.”
    “Fine, I won’t take the pink sweater.”
    Brooke rummages through my suitcase and heaves a huge, exaggerated sigh. “If you tell me where you’re going, I might be able to give you some pointers about what to take.”
    I really don’t want to tell Brooke where I’m going , and I definitely don’t want to tell her why, but I know I have to. We’ve been best friends since third grade. We tell each other everything.
    “Fine,” I sigh. “Los Angeles, Phoenix, Chicago, Atlanta and New York.”
    “Seriously? You’ll need much nicer clothes than any of these.” She starts to pull everything I’ve packed right out of my suitcase. “No. No. Definitely no.” She holds up my favorite pair of jeans. “No one should ever wear these. These make Mom jeans look sexy.”
    “I’m leaving first thing in the morning for LA. I don’t have time to go shopping for new clothes. And then I’ll be on the road with…”
    She narrows her gaze at me. “You’ll be on the road with whom?”
    “With Nic Rayne and his band,” I admit.
    “What?” she screams again , even though she’s standing right next to me.
    “I’m going on tour with Always Rayne. I’ll be like an imbedded r eporter, but instead of being imbedded with troops, I’ll be imbedded with a rock group.”
    “And this was something you volunteered to do?”
    “How long have you known me?”
    “Almost fourteen years.”
    “After all these years do you honestly think I volunteered to go on a seven city tour with a rock band fronted by a guy I can’t stand?”
    “You’re right. Stupid question. Better question: Why couldn’t you get out of going?”
    I plop down on my bed. “My boss gave me an