Everly
The Lost Boys.
My stomach sinks.
Oh no, remembering what just happened between Hendrix and me.
Then I remember the recent news reports over groupies selling their stories. It mentioned something about gang bangs, copious amounts of drugs and alcohol, and all the basic rock star stuff. I guess they have gone off the rails. They lost their bandmate recently in a motorcycle accident.
To be fair, it was shocking when I heard the news, and I couldn’t believe it. The outlets went crazy. Then add in the hysterical groupies—vigils by candlelight out the front of the boys’ home, the mountains of flowers and teddy bears attached to their gate—who lost their minds over Brodie’s death. It’s no wonder Hendrix has a disdain for groupies. I’m a big fan of the boys’ music, I pump it loud as I work out, but I’m glad I never told Hendrix that. Otherwise, he would truly think I was a groupie.
“We’re asking a lot from you, we know. Jackson reassures us you’re the best person for the job. And honestly, I don’t know if we could trust anyone else to do it,” Vanessa explains.
“You’re talking about The Lost Boys, aren’t you?” I ask, wanting to clarify my suspicions.
Vanessa and Christian both nod in answer.
Shit.
“Is that going to be a problem?” Christian asks, noticing my hesitation.
“No, not at all.” I need this job, and one stupid kiss with Hendrix will derail nothing.
“And you think you can handle the three of them?” Christian asks.
“They can be difficult,” Vanessa adds.
No shit. Hendrix was a jerk in the garden. “What man isn’t,” I say, cracking a joke, hopefully masking my thoughts.
“We haven’t had much luck with assistants. I’m sure you’re aware of what their last assistant is telling the media,” Vanessa says with a sigh.
“I saw.” There’s no point denying I’ve seen it as it’s everywhere today.
“You understand what we are dealing with then?” Vanessa adds angrily.
“Are you wanting me to be their assistant?” I ask, clarifying what role they see me playing. It’s not what I do, but the job has elements that cross over.
“Not on a full-time basis. We would run all of that from our office, but we would need your help at the start. Fewer distractions, the better. Each assistant we have had seems more interested in sleeping with the boys than doing their job. That’s not the assistant we are after,” Vanessa explains.
Oh shit. Am I just as bad as all those previous women who have worked for The Lost Boys? No, he kissed you. And that was before you knew about this offer. I thought they wanted me to work with Dirty Texas or any other number of bands but not them. What are the chances?
“We have a non-fraternization clause in the contract. Will this be a problem?” Vanessa asks, arching a curious brow at me.
Technically, Everly, you fraternized before signing the contract.
“No. I have the same clause in my contract. You are not very accountable if you’re sleeping with a client,” I explain, and that’s the truth. I’ve worked with some hot clients and never once crossed the line with any of them. Hendrix won’t be any different.
Vanessa smiles, her shoulders sagging with relief as she nods in agreement. “This would be an unusual job, working irregular and long hours, which might be different from what you’re used to.”
“The life of rock stars, hey?” I chuckle.
“Yes. Exactly. We would ask a lot of you in a short amount of time,” Vanessa reiterates.
“I’m up for the challenge,” I tell her confidently. I can do this.
“Good to hear that. We would require you to move into their home. They need constant twenty-four-seven monitoring.”
Um, what? This gives me a moment of pause. I wasn’t expecting that. Not living with Hendrix.
“We don’t trust them on their own, not yet anyway,” Christian adds.
“We will compensate you well as we are asking a lot from you,” Vanessa states. She scribbles on a bit of paper and pushes it toward me.
I open it up, and my heart almost leaps out of my chest. They want to pay me this much to be a glorified babysitter?
“We are looking at hiring a full-time chef who will work with you regarding their nutrition. A drug and alcohol counselor will need to be seen once a week to get them clean again. We want them fit and healthy so they can finish their second album. We know you can do all these things too, but I think keeping them motivated will be hard enough, let alone counseling and cooking for them on top,” Vanessa explains.
“You don’t have to give us an answer today. We understand we are asking you to give up your life for the foreseeable future,” Christian adds. “But, please say yes. We’re desperate.” Christian pouts, which makes me smile.
“I have a question ….” Vanessa and Christian nod for me to continue, “Do you think Los Angeles is the best place for their recovery?”
The room falls silent.
“All their triggers, vices, and temptations are here.”
Vanessa and Christian look at each other and stay quiet.
“Maybe they need to get away from here. From the memories,” Christian comments.
“Like a fresh start?” Vanessa asks, mulling over my question.
“Yes. Somewhere far away from the excesses of being a celebrity. In this town, people won’t say no to them, no matter how much they should. They need somewhere they can focus on recovery, healing … give them space to focus on their music without their normal crutches of women and partying.”
The room falls quiet again as Vanessa and Christian think about my suggestion.
I hope I haven’t pushed them too far.
Maybe it’s a stupid idea.
Vanessa claps enthusiastically. “I love it. You’re right. This city is one enormous temptation for them. We could send them up to our place in Big Bear,” Vanessa says, turning to Christian.
“Or we can shove them in the dungeon at Olivia and Axel’s castle in England.” Christian chuckles.
Sounds a little extreme but it could be an option.
“I think Everly might be thinking of Montana? Don’t think you could get more remote than your family’s ranch,” Jackson suggests as he turns and looks over at me.
He’s not wrong. It’s an idea that popped into my mind as I thought about The Lost Boys and what their needs might be. Moonlight Falls is remote, and my family’s home is on the outskirts. If I got into any trouble with the boys, I have people to call on who would be there in an instant, like the Price boys. My oldest sister, Faith, is best friends with Lacey Price, their sister, and we’ve grown up around them. They are true country boys. Jesse is an ex-football star and now cattle rancher, and Austin, his younger brother, is a rodeo star. I know they could rustle up these city slickers if I need them too.
“My family has a ranch in Moonlight Falls, Montana. It’s in the middle of nowhere. Your closest neighbor is miles away. The fresh air, the rolling hills, and the tall peaks of the mountain ranges provide solitude. We hardly use it anymore since everyone’s moved out and away from Montana. It’s one of my favorite places in the world, though.”