Bristol laughed. “There’s plenty of room here. We have six bunks. Sometimes the band sleeps here when we’re working on songs. Other times Lizzy and her assistants stay here when the regular bus gets noisy. This close to the end, most people just want their own space,” Bristol said.

“Do you want your own space? Tonight seemed like a lot for you.”

“Tonight was wonderful. I’ve been emotionally rejuvenated. I’m ready to finish this God-forsaken tour,” Bristol said.

“Let me go grab my things. I’ll be right back,” Annie said.

Annie seemed nervous but also excited. There was nothing for Bristol to do except brush her teeth. She’d already showered and was wearing clean clothes. She pulled up a national news app on her phone and scrolled through the headlines. Being on tour felt like being in a different world. Days rolled together, weeks felt like months, and anything good felt like it was gone in a second.

Annie knocked on the door and peeked in. “I hope you don’t mind that I brought my guitar. Just in case you felt like playing something.”

“Come on in. Get comfortable. Lizzy said we’re taking off soon. It’s always best to get out of town when the traffic is light,” Bristol said. She felt nervous at how calm Annie looked. She was so quietly confident standing in front of Bristol. “Let me show you where everything is. The bus is divided into three sections. You can have any of these bunks. The band sleeps in the other bus.”

“Nobody else stays here? All of this is yours?”

Bristol shrugged. “Sometimes Lizzy and her assistants sleep over, but mostly they pop on after we’ve all stopped for gas or whatever. They stay up front and plan the day or figure out where I’m supposed to be. Sometimes they have me booked on a radio show or morning talk show.”

“It’s unbelievable to me how many people are needed to make this tour happen. Like a hundred people, right?”

“Around that. Half is from Top Shelf. Like the roadies and the set crew. Lizzy and her assistants are from her agency. I hire my own security, and I hire the opening act.”

“You were serious about that? I thought Top Shelf was paying me. I remember seeing their name on the contract.” She was so excited to be offered the job and relied on her lawyer to button things up, she’d never considered the logistics of the contract. Annie stopped, and a flash of irritation crossed her features.

Bristol, confused at Annie’s reaction, took a step back. “Technically Lizzy’s company pays you on my behalf. Top Shelf provides the stage, so that’s why their name was on the paperwork. Is something wrong?”