“Toast, no butter, and I’ll pass on the side,” Bristol said.

“It comes with it.”

“I’m fine.” She handed Suzy the colorful oversize menu and waited while everyone else ordered. Security in the booth diagonally across from them ordered black coffees. Bristol listened to the table discuss the concert and what they were looking forward to the most on the tour. She tuned them out. While she appreciated Lizzy’s attempt at providing for her a normal environment, it was hard to ignore the booth of four men dressed in black saying very little to one another or how Suzy and the other waitress spoke in low volumes. Even the rest of the crew outside was wandering aimlessly but close enough to swoop in and get everyone back on the road.

Lizzy held up her hand. “Please don’t take our picture,” she said to the other waitress, who was cleaning an already immaculate counter across from the booth. Bristol had never seen color explode on someone’s face before that quickly. Red blotches fanned out across her cheeks and crept up from the collar of her shirt. The waitress mumbled something and turned on her heel, obviously desperate to be anywhere but here.

“Sorry about that. We don’t get a lot of famous folks in our diner,” Suzy said as she swooped to the booth with everyone’s order. She set Lizzy’s plate in front of her and quickly dealt the remaining plates stacked across her outstretched arm. It was an impressive talent. “Let’s see. You’ll need maple syrup. What else?”

“Extra napkins,” Lizzy said.

Bristol ate a few bites of her steel-cut oats and a piece of dry toast. It didn’t take long for people outside of their circle to starting filing in and giving them curious looks. “It’s starting to get crowded.” Several people were taking photos of the buses and of them.

“At least you got a little taste of the normal world.” Lizzy linked her arm with Bristol’s and escorted her out the back door while one of the assistants paid the bill.

Bristol gave her a weak smile. “Thanks for trying.”

Lizzy didn’t understand. She tried to, but she couldn’t see past the money they were making when they toured. It was a grueling twenty-four-hour seven-days-a-week job, and they were all getting paid very well.

“Go to sleep.” Lizzy patted her arm. “I’ll wake you up when we’re checked into the hotel.”

The adrenaline rush from the concert and the warm food in her belly made every part of her feel heavy. She crawled onto her bed in the back of her bus and fell asleep without even pulling up the covers.

Chapter Seven

“Baby, I’m going to miss the shit out of you. Please behave.”