Lost Avalon: A Finding Nolan Novel Read Online Free Page B

ready to take off tonight as well. We’ve got one more stop and then we’re headed back to L.A. You guys going to be out west for a while? Maybe we can meet up.” I forced myself to part ways with the comforts of the couch and went to peek out of the window. I could hear the crowd roaring inside the stadium. Pretty clear indication the guys had just walked back on stage for the encore. Wouldn’t be much longer now and I’d have to go and chaperone the after party.
                  “We’re going straight across from here. Wyoming and Nebraska. Illinois after that, and I think Wisconsin. You’re welcome to come and join us though when you’re done following Blaise around.” There was a distinct bitterness in his voice. It was no secret Lee disapproved of my friendship with Blaise. In his mind I was disrespecting him by having a close relationship with another man. Even if that man had been my best friend since I was eight. But I didn’t expect him to understand that any more than he really expected me to end my friendship with Blaise.
                  “I’m not following anyone around, Lee. You know damn well this is my job.”
                  “It’s a joke, Ava. What do you really know about managing a band as big as Finding Nolan? No offense to you, but everyone knows they should have signed with Braxton Management last year when they pitched the boys after the Grammys.”
                  “What are you talking about? Mitch Braxton never pitched them.” It had to be a mistake. No way had Blaise or any of the guys ever entertained another offer. Not after everything I’d done for them.
                  “He sure as shit did. They had a sit down with him and everything. Word was they were about to sign and then backed out at the last minute. Nobody seems to know why, but don’t kid yourself, sweetheart. Everyone, including your precious Blaise, knows they could do better than some twenty-three year old who isn’t qualified to manage the band’s social calendar, much less their careers.”
                  I stumbled back until I found the couch with the back of my calves and fell down into it.
                  “You’re an ass, Lee,” I hissed through clenched jaws. “Enjoy your next fucking show at the county fair. Maybe if your manager was half as qualified as I am, you would have graduated from playing redneck barbecues by now. So you can just fuck off. We’re done.”
                  I hung up by throwing the phone across the bus. It hit the back wall with a loud smack and I was fairly confident that I had busted it.
                  Unable to shake the conversation, I pulled my knees up to my chin and laid on the small couch curled up in the fetal position. I was biting into my knee caps trying to keep from crying, but it was useless. The tears were already falling.
                  A knock on the door only added to my apparently ongoing humiliation. Thank God I had locked it. Still shaking, I got to my feet, wiped my eyes with the tips of my fingers to ensure minimal make up malfunctions, and then proceeded to open the door.
                  It was Darrel, our main security guy.
                  “Show just ended. Gary wants to know how long to hold the girls at bay before he lets them into the big room.”
                  Like I fucking gave a shit. “Is the room stocked and ready?”
                  He nodded.
                  “Then he doesn’t have to wait. Just take them back there now and they can get started without the boys. We need to hurry this along tonight anyway.”
                  “You got it, boss.”
                  I laughed dryly. “Yeah, that’s me. I’m the boss.” Maybe I didn’t want to be anymore.
     
    ***
                  “Hey Gary, where’s