Rye

Security knows we're back and they send out a few people to help us get up to our rooms. I step out and slide the door open for Launi. Before I can reach in to help her out, a man who appears to be only a few years older than us approaches.

"I got her sir. You have to go with Mike," he says, signaling to a larger man with our security team. I don't have time to argue. As soon as we're spotted, there will be chaos. I nod and head in that direction, pulling my hood up over my head.

"You have a visitor," Mike says.

"I do?" I ask. I'm not expecting anyone. I glance behind me and watch as Launi is helped from the van by the young guard. Her eyes are on mine for the briefest of seconds but then look past me to the back entrance of the hotel. I swivel my head to follow her gaze. Tinsley is doing her best to hide her identity as she waits with another member of the security team. It hasn't even been twenty-four hours, and she's already snuck back into my life.

The flash of a camera begins the wave of fans and paparazzi spilling around the corner of the hotel and into the back lot. My heart freezes. I look back one last time at Launi. If anyone had captured Launi and I together this whole thing might have blown up. The tabloids would drag her good name through the dirt and people would destroy her for potentially being the girl who helped break Tinsley's heart. I almost fucked this up. I almost got both of us fired. I never should have followed her to the club. She shouldn't be here. I know she wants nothing to do with band life and her inexperience being on the road could make this whole thing go sideways fast.

I pick up my steps, racing towards Tinsley and scooping her up. My mouth meets hers as she squeals and kicks her feet.

"I missed you baby," I say loud enough for anyone recording the moment to capture.

Tinsley plays her part, but there's a chance she isn't playing. I don't think she meant to be seen here, but we are doing the best we can with the cards we've been dealt. We will figure out a plan to spin this tomorrow. I don't look back again. I won't make that mistake.

My brain is running a mile a minute. What is she doing here? What does this mean for the tour? Her career? Her arms wrap around my neck as I carry her into the back door and head for the elevator.

I let my lips touch her ear and softly whisper, "What the fuck, Tinsley?"

Her arms loosen and her back goes stiff. I pull back to look her in her eyes. She's hurt. But we both knew the rules. We both signed the contract. And yes, maybe I did think about her meeting up for sex here and there, but tonight? Night one? That seems a bit sudden.

"I didn't like being compared to her," she tells me softly.

"To who?" I ask, trying to catch up with her line of thinking.

"The girl from the restaurant. She's pretty Rye. People are saying they don't blame you. It makes me look stupid." She smiles up at me as we enter the space where guests can see us. Her acting blurs the lines of reality and make-believe. Is she serious? As soon as we step into the elevator, I set her down.

"Tinsley what's the plan here? We were supposed to break up. You have a shoot to be at. I have a tour," I ask confused.

"I just needed you to pick me. We can stage another fight while you're on the road," she rests her palm against my chest, and I try to relax a little. This could be a good thing. Tinsley can keep my brain and hands occupied when I'm not playing music. This could work. This might actually be exactly what I need.

"Ok, babe. A few more weeks," I agree. Her smile lights up and for a second, I forget that I'm the world's biggest asshole for using this woman. I tell myself there is something in it for her—that she is the one requesting this, but the way she is looking at me I know it's already gone too far. There are real feelings involved from her side. I lift the fake glasses she's wearing to the top of her head. "I don't want to hurt you," I say as a warning and maybe even a plea.

"It's a new contract. A re-write!" she says. And there's the Tinsley I know.

"Did you get a room?" I ask. I don't know what I'm hoping her answer will be.

"That would look suspicious, silly," she tells me. Her googly eyes from before are now locked on her phone screen as she types out an email. Had I read that all wrong? Is she just here to save her reputation?

We exit the elevator, and I show her to my door. Her eyes haven't left the screen, and her fingers are typing a mile a minute. Sliding the key over the fob, I open the door to the room I thought I'd be sleeping in alone. Tinsley slips past me. I hear the faint ding of the elevators at the end of the hall and watch to see who is exiting on my floor.

"Who was the blonde?" Tinsley asks.

The blonde? I have no idea what she's talking about.

The doors at the end of the hall slide open and Launi and the security team member step out of the elevator laughing. Her giggle is like warm butter in a hot pan, the way it melts and seems to coat the walls around her with joy.

From inside the room I hear Tinsley still speaking, "The video on TMZ, have you not seen it?" she asks.

I don't like the way the man seems so familiar with Launi already. Do we know him? He is young like us so there is no way possible he's been a part of this security detail for a long time. Where is the professionalism?

"RYE!" Tinsley calls to me annoyed. "The girl. Who is she?"

Launi and the security guard look up to the sound of Tinsley's shrill voice. It snaps me out of my thoughts. If I'm not mistaken, Launi smirks. What did she do?

I step inside my room and close the door. Tinsley is holding her phone, so I lay my palm out flat in invitation for her to show me what she's talking about.

I can hear the music from earlier playing through the phone speakers as a grainy image of me dancing with the girl from the club plays on the screen. The caption reads, "Like father, like son?" It takes everything I have to not throw the phone. This is all part of the plan, but seeing it is hard. If only I could tell everyone I'm nothing like my father.

And Launi? Clearly, she can't be trusted. She is being paid to tell a story, and I need to remember her loyalty will be with the band and our brand.

**Please remember to vote and comment if you enjoyed the chapter. If you've read my other stories, what are you thinking of this one? I wrote Rookie in Love so long ago sometimes I feel rusty trying to capture the angst of a good love story.