Launi

The clicks are at an all-time high after Tinsley's post and I'd be stupid and terrible at my job if I didn't optimize the publicity. There's only one problem; the young female fans seem to be divided. I'm sure a lot of it is envy and jealousy, but many fans don't like the two of them together and have come out hot in the comment section. My job this morning would be a lot easier if I didn't have a personal connection to the entire situation.

As I see it, I have two viable options. The first being to ignore the relationship talk. I can release a bunch of footage of Rye and the band I've been capturing during the tour. I can focus the attention on the music and on Rye as a person. The problem with this is it doesn't pull in the energy and forward momentum of the fans Tinsley has brought to Free Pony's following. The other option is to sway the narrative in favor of her. I can work with her PR manager and see if she would be willing to make some intentional appearances on the band's social media highlighting why she would be a great partner for Rye.

I decide to focus on the last option, but also to get my head in the game and pad this plan with additional behind the scenes posts to remind the fans that Rye is human and allowed to have a love life. I send off a few texts to contact Tinsley's people and to loop Free Pony's manager in on the PR plan.

By the time we are supposed to head down to the busses, I've gotten all the necessary people onboard. Rye's manager was hesitant, however, because his contract with Tinsley had already expired. If things were going to be done safely in a legal perspective for Tinsley and Rye, new contracts would have to be signed. Tinsley's team was reaching out to Rye's to draft the contract as I packed up my gear.

Parker: Are you sure you want to do this?

Launi: It's the best option professionally.

Parker: You could just ignore it right?

Launi: That's not fair to the band.

Parker: Ok. Then you're going to kill it. Go sell this thing!

Launi: Thanks. I'll keep you posted.

Parker: Girl, you know I'll be following all day.

Launi: No! Enjoy the time with your sister.

I answer a knock at my door and find Sean standing in the hallway. He's dressed more casually today for the long drive, but he still looks very professional. Parker would lose her mind over this more laid-back version.

"Thought I would stop by to see if you wanted some help with your bags," he says, putting his hands into his packets as if he isn't sure what to do with them.

"That would be amazing," I tell him, opening my door wider.

"We have about twenty minutes before we are supposed to be at the busses," he says.

The door across the hall opens and Tinsley and Rye step out. My eyes meet his and I my heart skips in my chest. The last eight hours have been quite the roller coaster of emotions. I thought he had ran from the tour and worried he might be somewhere hurt or ruining his future, then I discovered the post with Tinsley and any hope I had that he felt the same way about me was dashed. How embarrassing for me to even think he was different. I feel the shame and embarrassment all over again.

"Launi," Rye says, "can I talk to you for a minute?"

I can't find the words to tell him no out loud, so I shake my head instead, worried if I tried to speak my voice would betray me. He looks genuinely bewildered, as if he never considered I might not want to talk to him. I reach out and put my hand on Sean's arm to guide him in my room. Rye's eyes don't leave mine as the door closes between us.

"I think you have time if you need..." Sean points in the direction of Rye's room but I shake my head.

"We'll catch up later I say," waving it off.

I trip on my charging chord as I try to move past Sean's large frame and he catches me, but the momentum causes his back to collide with the wall behind him with a loud boom. The room seems to shake and we look at each other with surprise.

With my full weight against his chest and the air knocked from his lungs, he says breathlessly, "You good?"

"Mmmhmm," I answer as he steadies me. "So good," I add with a smile.

It takes a minute for us both to register what just happened and in that moment we become teens again. "Jesus Launi, you haven't changed. Can't stay on your feet."

The laughter between us is like medicine. "I was in roller skates," I remind him.

"You broke your arm and two of my fingers," he replies holding up his hand as if I could see the results of my klutziness all these years later.

"They appeared to heal fine," I insist.

"They did," he agrees with a nod. "Your teeth look great too," he adds.

"Thanks," I laugh. "There was so much blood, remember?"

"I do," he answers as he begins to gather my bags. "No roller skates that time if my memory is correct."

"No." I agree. "That time it was a branch that my shoe got caught on," I say.

"Of course," he tells me kindly.

The smile falls from my face. Memories of my childhood at the cabin bring my thoughts right back to Rye.

"You want to talk about it?" Sean asks.

I shrug. I do want to talk about, but I shouldn't. It might not be worth the risk.

"You know I signed an NDA, right?" Sean says. He takes a seat on the edge of the bed.

"The NDA only covered talking outside the band," I say.

"Ahh," he answers. "And your problem is more of an internal one?"

I don't answer, but I do meet his gaze.

"Then you'll just have to trust me based on our history," he says confidently.

I take a moment to consider it. Finally, my need to have someone else on this trip know what I'm going through wins out.

"I'll post that you wet the bed if you ever tell anyone," I say with defeat.

"Hey! I don't wet the bed," he says adamantly.

"Your word against mine, but I wouldn't risk it. I have access to over a million followers and connections at the gossip magazines. Picture it now, 'Newest member of Free Pony's security team wets the bed and delays busses,'" I recite as if it's a major headline, using my hands to frame the imaginary text.

Sean holds his hands up in surrender. "Got it," he says. "Now please come clean about what I just saw right there," he says, motioning with his chin to the door of my hotel room.