Roadie: A Summer Set FanFic

Chapter 9: San Diego

*I don’t own any bands, Connor, songs, etc…*

Chapter 8 recap:

"Roadie, your assistance is needed backstage immediately. Several code orange emergencies that may or may not collectively equal a code red emergency are currently taking place."

"Code orange?" I asked Connor.

"Not bad enough to be considered code red, but pretty bad," he explained.

***

“You know,” Max told me as I rejoined him backstage. “You handle stressful situations well. Getting called up onstage at both shows so far, everything in the dressing room, handling a drunk and hungover Stephen. You’re a tough one.”

I smiled woefully, “I was raised to be.” I didn’t add why. My reply reminded me that I should call my mom soon.

***

“Aww, thanks guys,” I smiled as I hugged Jess. “A song dedication, a thousand YouTube views, and ice cream?” You guys are so sweet!”

***

I sighed and rolled over, my nose mere inches from…another nose!

“AHHHHH!!!!!” I screamed, leaping out of the bed. “STEPHEN!!! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!?”

“I DON’T KNOW!!!” he yelled back. “I guess I fell asleep here last night.”

***

“You had another nightmare,” Stephen said softly. “It sounded like the same one you had in Scottsdale.”

I took a few deep breaths and cleared my head. It had been the same one I’d had in Scottsdale.

“How many times have you had that dream?”

I sighed. “Once or twice a month for the last nine or so years.”

“Next time I have it, I’ll tell you about it. Deal?”

***

“No,” Stephen told me firmly, but with a smile. He put more money on the table. “The guy is supposed to pay. Especially on the first date.”

“This wasn’t a date!” I repeated, though I couldn’t fight a smile. I shook my head at him. He smirked back.

***

“Hide…and seek…” Josh huffed between breaths. “John…is it…everyone’s…playing…you guys…should, too.”

***

Jess spoke, “I’ll make you a deal. I’ll let you go, untagged, if you tell me where you went with Stephen and what happened.”

I glanced at the door. “He called it a date,” I admitted quickly. “He took me to a diner for breakfast, and paid for everything, even when I insisted on helping. We learned a lot about each other.”

***

“How strongly to you favor the ‘no kiss on first date’ rule?” he murmured.

“Uh…I suppose I can be persuaded either way,” I replied softly, surprised by the flirtiness in my voice and body as my hands grazed his chest, up to his collar, around to the back of his neck.

“Allow me,” he whispered, leaning toward me.

“Stephen,” I said softly. “Wait.”