Chapter 16

The bus stopped and Abigail frowned as she looked out the window and saw the arena. She walked over to where Rick was talking to AJ.

“I thought we were going to the hotel?” she asked upon reaching him.

“Change of plans.” AJ told her.

“We need to rehearse before the show so they’re going to drop us off at the venue and drop our stuff off at the hotel.” Rick informed her, “I thought I told you.”

“You didn’t.” Abigail replied sweetly.

“Oh. I must have been preoccupied then.” Rick said winking at her.

AJ rolled his eyes and excused himself.

Abigail’s calm expression vanished.

“Rick, you’re not doing a very good job of keeping me informed of what’s going on here.” She scolded, “How do you expect me to do my job if you’re not helping?”

Rick put up his hands defensively.

“Okay, okay! I’m sorry but I really did forget.”

Abigail let out her breath slowly.

“Hey,” Rick said touching her arm, “I promise not to forget again.”

His lips pouted slightly and her anger immediately vanished.

“You’re making my job very difficult, you know.” She told him.

“I know.” He admitted with a smile before taking her hand, “Come on, let me show you around the venue.”

They both got out the huge tour bus then behind the others.

“Do you still have the pass you wore at our show?” Rick asked stopping her.

“Yeah. It’s in my bag.”

“Good. Because that pass can get you access to anywhere at any of our concerts. Don’t lose it.” Rick told her.

“I won’t.” she assured him, “But how many passes like that are there?”

Rick thought for a moment before he replied.

“I think it’s about fifty. Just for our close friends and family. The band and the crew have got different passes.”

“Do you think you can get me a list of all the people that you guys have given these passes to?” Abigail asked.

“That might be kind of difficult.” Rick told her, “Sometimes our friends that we give the passes to, don’t use them and pass them along to their friends and so on. Plus, some passes go to radio stations and stuff for contest winners.”

When he saw her looking disappointed, he rushed on.

“But I can still try if you want.”

“That would be great.” She said, “We really have to work on a list of suspects here, Rick.”

“You’re right.” He agreed, “And I promise we’ll get that done tonight.” He said when someone called out to him, “I have to go.”

Abigail waved her hand in his face.

“Go. Don’t worry about me. I’m just going to look around and talk to some people.” She told him.

“Right.” He said before leaning over and kissing her cheek. When he saw the look of surprise on her face, he grinned. “For appearance’s sake.” He whispered in her ear before turning around and walking towards the others.

“Sure.” Abigail muttered, her cheek still tingling from his kiss.

She couldn’t help but notice that his lips were feather soft and now he had her wondering what it would be like to kiss him.

“Abigail.”

The sound of someone calling her name snapped her out of her reverie. She turned around and saw Sara.

“Hey.” Sara said, “I hope you’re not mad at me for what I said before.”

Abigail shook her head.

“I’m not. Don’t worry about it.” She assured her.

“Good, because I don’t want there to be tension between us especially as we’re going to be seeing a lot of each other in the next two weeks.” Sara said.

Abigail smiled. “I understand.”

“I hope this show goes smoothly.” Sara stated. “I’m sorry your first concert had to turn out like that.”

“I know. But Rick’s doing okay.” Abigail replied.

Sara nodded.

“He’s a tough kid. I’m glad they’re doing a lot more checks now before the show. I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to AJ.”

“Let’s hope you never have to find out.” Abigail told the other woman sincerely.

“Come on. Let’s go watch the guys rehearse.” Sara said, “Without all the screaming.”

Abigail laughed and shook her head.

“Why not? What else are you going to do?” Sara inquired.

Since Abigail didn’t have an answer ready, Sara looped her arm through hers and dragged her toward the stage.