“Yeah, it’s like a country music Woodstock but every year. Last year they clocked forty thousand attendees.”
The crowd scared Goldie a little. It was massive. She was happy when Joe’s truck was fully obscured by the backstage area. This was just as chaotic, but it wasn’t the press of humanity on the other side of the stage.
“Well, I don’t think Irish Hills can handle an influx of four thousand, much less forty, but if my plan works, we’ll get some buzz going.”
“Okay, so edify me here. We were disguising you before, making sure everyone didn’t know you were in town. And now,well, you look like a movie star, and we are very squarely in Lenawee County, Michigan. Anyone sees you, aren’t you in the same boat as the other day?”
“Here’s the thing, I’m not a country star. These fans are going to be looking for Dolly, not Goldie. Those fanboys were stalking me specifically. Here, hopefully, no one’s looking. And I have to look like I belong backstage, right? I mean, security has to believe I’m Goldie Hayes. Do I look like Goldie Hayes?”
“Spitting image.”
Joe parked in a section where his truck looked like half a dozen others. There were food trucks, electrical equipment trucks, satellite trucks, and others. There were dozens of service vehicles needed to put on this kind of event without a hitch.
There were also tents and trailers for the performers. Goldie was zoning in on a specific tour bus. She’d never traveled in it. But she did know it when she saw it.
“I think you’re going to want to hang here by your truck.”
“I agree, not keen on letting you wander off, but if someone realizes I don’t have credentials, I think they’ll tow me.”
“Back in a flash. I hope.”
Goldie left Joe and headed for the deep red tour bus. She’d help select the logo. It looked great emblazoned on the side of the enormous bus. Sometimes the band traveled in it, sometimes it was a diversion, but for this event, she hoped they’d be in there. At least while they waited until their time on stage. She’d checked the schedule. They were performing on the main stage tonight and then again, midday Sunday.
She fixed her best movie star haughty, entitled, let me in without checking, attitude.
She knocked on the Burgundy Four tour bus door. Drake’s tour manager answered. She’d met him multiple times, but it took a second for him to register who she was. Casey Long’s job was to get Drake where he was supposed to be, on time, and to be sure whatever Drake needed was at the venue. Whether it was food orfemale companionship. She never caught Drake cheating when they were together, but then again, she never tried to.
“I, uh, Ms. Hayes, what are you, uh.” He looked confused, and for a second, panicked.
“I’m in the neighborhood, here to see Drake.”
Goldie put her hand out for him to help her up the high steps. He did, as she expected, without thinking.
“GREAT TO SEE YOU, GOLDIE,” Casey Long said, announcing her presence as loud as he could.
Goldie was one hundred percent clear on what Casey was doing. His boss, Drake, was likely canoodling with someone. Something that Goldie did not care one lick about. But that was another one of the jobs the tour manager had on his plate. He was charged with making sure the boss didn’t get caught with his leather pants down.
She smiled as Casey walked toward the back of the bus and knocked loudly.
“Drake, hate to disturb your Zoom call, but you have a visitor.”
“Zoom call?” Goldie tried not to roll her eyes but failed.
He knocked again, and midway through, Drake opened the door.
“What the?” He was shirtless, and his pants were on, but barely.
“I see you’ve got some fresh ink there, Drake.”
“Goldie.” He moved forward and appeared genuinely happy to see her, and then looked back, realizing that his Zoom call had come to life and followed him out of the bedroom.
The Zoom call was a beautiful young thing. Goldie thought she recognized her from somewhere.
“Hello, I’m Goldie Hayes,” she said to the young lady.
“No way, no WAY!”
“Way. Listen, I’m so sorry to just drop in, but I’m taking a little break here in Michigan. And saw you were on the North of Nashschedule, and well, I wanted to invite you to a get-together just up the road. You and the band, and?—”
