Rock All Night(90)

He scribbled down her information on a piece of hotel stationary, then excused himself.

“See you soon, Shanna!”

“Thank you so much, Derek!”

“Don’t mention it,” he said, then gave me a kiss before heading out the door.

“…are you alone now?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“Okay, for real: how was he?”

I sighed blissfully. “Incredible.”

She squealed on the other end. “Oooh, I’m so jealous! You bitch!”

“Hey!”

“It’s a term of endearment. Tell me everything – I want length, girth, duration, kinky fetishes, everything.”

I wasn’t exactly that forthcoming, but I did tell her enough to make her even more jealous.

“Damn it, now I’ve got to go score some mushrooms and find somebody to f*ck,” she pouted playfully.

“Yeah, just don’t go walking in the desert first.”

“Oh HELL to the no. No wonder you had a bad trip. So are you glad I talked you into going?”

I paused, not wanting to give her the satisfaction… and then I relented. I couldn’t keep from smiling. “Yes.”

“HA! See? You had SO better dedicate your book to me.”

“It’s an article, Shanna.”

“Just wait till Random House hears you slept with him, they’ll want a book. By the way, how’s Ryan?”

I smiled fondly. “He’s good. He’s really cute, by the way.”

“Ooooooh, really? Maybe you won’t be the ONLY one who sleeps with a band member.”

As soon as she said it, something weird sparked up inside of me.

Like, I didn’t want her to sleep with Ryan…

…but why?

It was silly.

“Maybe,” I said, then grinned wickedly. “Just watch out for the drummer.”

“Isn’t the drummer a chick?”

“Yes.”

“Well… it’s been awhile… but I could definitely switch hit again…”

“Shanna!” I gasped.

“It was a phase. Hey, maybe you, me, and her could have a threesome,” she teased.

“Ewwww!”

“You homophobic bitch,” she teased some more.

“It’s not that – well, yes it is that – but more that she’s totally gross.”

“So you’re saying just you and me?”

“Shanna – ”

“You’re uncomfortable. I get it. Maybe throw in Derek and Ryan, too? Group sexy times?”

“I am not continuing this conversation.”

“Fine, fine,” she laughed. “I’m really happy for you, Kaitlyn. And I’m proud of you. You really DID go out and take a chance.”

“Thanks,” I said humbly. “And thank you for pushing me to do it.”

“Aaaaand…?”

“And for getting me the job in the first place.”

“Ha! Never thought I’d hear that one. You owe me!”

“I know.”

“Well, if Derek flies me out there, we’ll call it even. Is he serious?”

“Oh yeah.”

“Wow… well, tell him I said thank you.”

“I will. I’m looking forward to you coming!”

“Oh, I’M looking forward to me ‘coming,’ too.”

“Ew, Shanna – ”

“Get Ryan ready for me.”

“I’ll tell Riley instead.”

“Is that the drummer?”

“Yeah.”

“Tell her she can have my body, but my heart belongs to you.”

“I’m hanging up the phone now, Shanna.”

“See you soon! Be naked when I get there!”

The trouble with Shanna is, I couldn’t exactly tell if she was kidding or not.

I hoped she was.

But you never know.





74




The second call – which I was not looking forward to – was to Glen, my Rolling Stone editor.

“Finally,” he said with a little too much snark in his voice for my tastes.

“I’m sorry, it’s been a busy couple of days.”

“Are you getting good stuff?”

“Um… yes… you could say that…”

“Why do I detect a note of hesitation in your voice?”

“Uh… because… I slept with Derek Kane.”

I winced and waited for the yelling to start.

It did – but it turned out to be yelling of a different kind than what I was expecting.

“Are you KIDDING me?! That’s great! I mean, of course, you’ve got to handle it correctly…”

“What do you mean?” I asked, shocked that he hadn’t bitten off my head.

“Well, don’t piss him off, we don’t want any problems with getting a photo shoot.”

You could have knocked me over with a feather.

“Aren’t you mad?”

“Yeah, you should’ve called me earlier. When I call you, CALL ME BACK.”