7
CHAPTER SEVEN
TRAVIS
InudgeKatelyn with my elbow during Andi’s performance and raise my eyebrows at her. “Can I pick them or can I pick them?”
“Let’s see how the audience responds to her first before we go getting all cocky, Travis.” Katelyn dismisses me.
“Come on. She’s amazing and you know it. They’ll eat her up.”
A makeshift stage has been erected for our practice today, but our actual touring stage is much more intricately designed. When we get to the first stop, we’ll do a full sound check several hours before the actual show time. Since this is Andi’s first tour, we’ll do a full rehearsal to help her feel more comfortable. After the first time, she’ll be an old pro and know what to expect so it won’t be as intimidating for her.
Andi wanted to bring her same flair and style from her karaoke skits on the road with her, so I’ve made sure that Katelyn has accommodated her as much as we can. Her band will be various studio musicians that’ll meet us at each location. They’ll be set up to the side of the stage, allowing Andi to be the full focus of the audience.
“We’ve started distributing the media packets for the tour. Everyone already knows your band and Fireflies,but there have been a lot of questions about Andi,” Katelyn says, a little too nonchalantly.
“What questions about her?” I ask defensively.
“The normal questions. How she got this gig, if she’s good enough to tour with you, and if she’s your girlfriend.”
“They think she’s my girlfriend?” I ask, surprised that Katelyn is sharing this with me.
“Most do, yes. They’ve seen the commercials the two of you have shot together. They say you have great chemistry. When they realized you’ll have two duets with her, they were adamant about wanting the scoop on your relationship.”
“Which outlet wanted the scoop?” I ask, clarifying which media outlet she’s referring to.
“Almost every single one of them, Travis. You’re big news, and if your girlfriend is touring with you, that’s also big news,” Katelyn gives me a pointed look.
“Don’t use her, Katelyn.” My tone and expression warn her.
Cocking her head to the side and pulling her head backward, she openly gapes at me. “You care about her.”
She’s not asking, she’s not guessing, and she’s not amused. I return herdon’t-fuck-with-mestare for several long seconds before turning my attention back to Andi.
“Travis,” Katelyn starts.
“Don’t, Katelyn. Just. Don’t.” I stop her.
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” she mutters to herself.
Andi has taken control of the stage. It is hers to master and command. Her routine is high-energy, with dance numbers, costume changes, and her signature skits. She only has a handful of songs, but she believes in doing it right. She moves from one side of the stage to the other side with completely fluid movements. She was obviously born to perform, and she clearly loves doing it.
“Maybe we should make her set longer,” I muse, mostly to myself.
“No,” Katelyn replies emphatically.
Slowly turning my head, I pierce her with my eyes. “What?”
“We can’t change the timing on the sets. There are too many things that have to happen at specific intervals. Besides, Sound Bar is the main draw. The majority of the crowd doesn’t even show up until just before you come on anyway,” she argues.
“Hmm, you’re right,” I say as I stroke my chin with my thumb and forefinger, deep in thought.
“What was that? Did you say I’m right?”
“No, you misunderstood me. I’d never say that.”
“What are you planning, Travis?” she asks tentatively. She knows me far too well, and it makes it hard to hide anything from her.
