The Rocker's Muse

“This is Doug Elias from the interview today.”

“Oh…” My heart skipped a beat. “Hi.”

“I’d like to offer you the position, if you want it.”

What? “Wow. Um…okay. I wasn’t expecting that. You gave me the impression it was a long shot.”

“Yeah, well, apparently, you ran into Tristan in the bathroom, I’m told? God knows how that happened. But am I right?”

“Yes.” I licked my lips.

“He liked your…trepidation. Said it proved you cared. He also liked the fact that you didn’t know who the hell he was. He said that was refreshing. So, even though I personally wouldn’t have chosen you—no offense—it’s his preference that I offer you the job.”

Holy shit. My throat felt ready to close. I forced out the words. “I…don’t know what to say.”

“I can give you a day or so to think about it. Maybe take the time to go online and become familiar with the band? Just get back to me by tomorrow night. I can’t wait much longer than that, since we leave in two weeks.”

My eyes widened. “Two weeks? Wow.”

“Yeah. Take that into consideration, too.”

“How long is the tour? I never asked.”

“It’s four months. Again, this job only encompasses the North American leg. You wouldn’t be working in Europe. So it’s a temporary position.”

Four months.

I can handle four months, right?

Am I actually considering this?

“Okay, well, I appreciate the opportunity. I promise to get back to you tomorrow with an answer.”

“Call me back at this number.”

“Will do.”

I hung up in a daze. What the hell did I get myself into?

After taking a long, hot shower to clear my head, I was no closer to a decision.

I decided to call Leah. We’d grown up together in Shady Hills, Missouri, and she still lived there. Leah was the only person from home I still talked to regularly besides my mother.

Since no one knew the real reason I’d ventured out to the desert today, when I started my story I told Leah a white lie about hoping to meet the band after getting a tip about a hidden recording studio out there from our mutual friend Ryder.

“I can’t believe you lied to that manager guy,” she said. “But what’s the harm if he believed you, right? I mean, you have been looking for a job. Maybe this is fate. Besides, it’s only four months. Do you know how fast that will fly by?”

“Are you saying you think I should take it? Go on the road with them?”

“You have nothing better going on, right? Seriously, this is the best way to kill some time while you’re trying to figure your life out.”

“If I don’t get killed first.”

“You’ll be fine. You’ll be surrounded by people. Nothing is going to happen to you. Think of it as an adventure. Do you know how many people would die for this job?”

“I feel kind of guilty that I don’t appreciate it more. It should go to someone who does.”

“Like this girl, Stacia, I work with,” Leah agreed. “She has a tattoo of Tristan’s face on her side. But that’s not even the crazy thing. When he was in Missouri once, she found out he’d gone to a local salon for a trim. A woman who worked there knew how much Stacia loved him, and she swept up his hair and gave it to her. Stacia keeps it in a jar! Let that sink in.”