Dean paused and took a moment to survey the room before continuing. “Typically, we will arrive in town on a Monday or Tuesday and perform on a Friday or Saturday night. That means you will definitely have free time each week to explore the cities you’re in. Of course, I will cover all your travel expenses. We will be flying via private jet.”
“Yes ma’am!” Sean snapped his fingers with a twirl.
“Jordan will book everyone’s hotel accommodations, and we will have meals together. Everything will be taken care of. You’ll only spend your own money if you decide to go shopping or out to a meal on your own.”
“Oh, honey, you best believe I am going shopping in Paris!” Jax exclaimed with a finger snap.
“And Rome. Don’t forget about Rome.” Dean laughed before checking the room once more. Everyone was breathing again and seemed more settled into the idea.
“Does anyone have any questions?” He was met with silence and head shakes.
Dean smiled as hope blossomed in his chest. “This will be a lot of work, but it will also be a lot of fun. I’m excited for this adventure, and I’m happy you’ll all be with me. Now…go enjoy your day.”
Chapter 13
Colton
“What do you think of this?” Sophie lifted a green minidress for Colton to see.
“It’s fine, I guess.” Colton shrugged half-heartedly, already holding five bags full of clothes she’d bought from other stores. He felt like they’d been shopping for several days, but in reality, it had only been an hour. And it didn’t seem to be ending anytime soon.
Sophie was in town for a photo shoot for Vogue, staying with Colton while she was there.
When she had said "I’ve got a great idea! Let’s spend the day hanging out around town!" that morning, being her couture jockey was not what Colton had envisioned.
“Do you really need me here for this?” Colton huffed, exasperated and exhausted from carrying her bags.
“We’re spending time together. Aren’t you having fun?” Sophie batted her eyes with a little pout.
Fuck no! Dental surgery is more fun!
“Sure. It’s nice to spend time with you,” he whimpered with a shrug.
Sophie smiled and gave him a light peck on the cheek.
“There’s this great new club in town I want to go to tonight. Serena and Chastity are going and asked us to meet them there.” Sophie said, still holding up garments in front of a mirror while admiring herself, ducklips in full effect.
Colton did his best not to roll his eyes. He’d already gone over this several times with her.
“We have dinner reservations at eight.” He reminded Sophie, again. “And Dean invited us for drinks before dinner at his loft.”
“Ooh! I’d love to see his loft! Will his dancers be there?” Sophie grinned and turned away from the mirror for a split second.
“Probably not.” Colton chuckled, remembering Dean’s words from backstage at his concert. “But they do live in the building, so I’m sure he would invite them up if you wanted to see them.”
Sophie cocked her head, a confused look spreading across her face. “They live in his building?”
Colton smiled. He realized it was his first genuine, happy smile of the day. The thought of Dean, and what he did for his staff, brought some joy to this mind-numbing day.
“Yes. Dean actually owns the entire building. He gives all his staff their own apartment, and they pay significantly cheaper rent than they would anywhere else in the city.”
Sophie stopped admiring herself and the garments in the mirror and made eye contact with Colton's reflection, “That’s probably the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.”
Colton smiled again. “It really is. And it’s a beautiful building. I can’t wait for you to see it.”
Sophie paused for only a moment, then returned to thumbing through the clothes racks. “Okay, so…drinks with Dean, then dinner at eight, and then the club after dinner?”
Colton sighed, feeling his entire body deflate. He didn’t have the strength for this anymore. “Fine, but I cannot be out late. I have a game on Sunday afternoon.”
