Page 86 of Rebooting Conor Flynn

Chapter 21

NOELLE

I kept my phone in my hand throughout Ji-yoon’s set on the campus of the University of New Mexico, but Louise didn’t come back to answer our question.

After she indicated that she had, in fact, changed my number in Conor’s phone once she completed the data transfer, we had one question for her: Why? Or maybe a second question: Who?

But she went radio silent after that. She didn’t have to explain. There’s no reason she would’ve done that unless ordered to do so, and the only person with the clout to make that demand was Gordon Cooper.

But why? I understood he didn’t want Conor to have a public girlfriend at the beginning to play into the image of the cute, available boybander that every girl could fantasize could belong to her, but why to those lengths?

I mean, I was in the business. He could’ve just explained the situation to us. I could’ve gone down under, under cover. Conor and I could’ve kept things quiet.

Yeah, like we were doing now? We couldn’t keep our hands or eyes off each other today. In the throes of first love and at our tender ages, we never would’ve been able to do it back then. Maybe Gordon realized that.

But he had no right. If he had presented it to us, we might have been able to work out something. He stripped that opportunity and agency from us.

Conor still wanted to confront Gordon, but I didn’t see the point. We had it under good authority, Louise, that he made her change my number, and we had an idea about his motive. What was Conor going to do about it? Yell at him? Punch him in the face? What good would any of that do?

Ji-yoon ended her set and bolted off stage, right into my arms. “They liked it. They like me—all on my own.”

I hugged her tightly. And so it started. The insecurity. What would her manager get her to do to maintain this high? How would management twist her desire for fame and success so that she’d allow them control over her life and choices.

If I could warn her, I would, but as I didn’t have the first-hand experience, I don’t know if my advice would carry any weight. Maybe Conor could talk to her. She’d listen to him. He’d been through it all. But Ji-yoon might see his success as worth the sacrifices.

Did he still think they were worth it?

“You sound amazing out there, Ji-yoon.”

“Thanks, Noelle. I’d love to stick around tonight, but I have a meeting with my manager to go over tomorrow’s schedule. I wish I could hang out with everyone more.” She bit her bottom lip. “I-I feel like I’m missing out on all the fun of my first big tour—I mean, without the other girls.”

She already had regrets.

Patting her arm, I said, “I’m sure you’ll have plenty of tours to experience. Honestly, the only adventures you’re missing are loud video games, drunken pool parties, and cramped nights in the bus.”

“Sounds fun.” She squeezed my hand. “I’m watching Jade’s behind the scenes videos on social media, so I’m getting it all second-hand.”

I watched her dash off stage to her next appointment when she should be relaxing and having fun with the rest of the crew. She shouldn’t be living her own concert via videos on socials.

Conor appeared beside me. “Don’t look so sad. I’m gonna get every detail out of Louise.”

I rubbed my nose. “I don’t think that’s gonna happen, and I don’t think it matters, Con. We got our proof. We kinda figured it out anyway, but having Louise tell us point blank that she changed my number is all we need. Can we move on now?”

His eyes glittered dangerously. “I’m not moving on from shit, Noelle. Gordo has to know that we know, and that it’s not okay. I’ll expose his ass.”

“Now isn’t the time, not when you’re trying to put together a reunion tour.”

“He’s not involved in that. We’re not using Baker Street or any of his associates.”

“Gordon Cooper has fingers in all kinds of pies. He will make the comeback tour as difficult as he possibly can for you—maybe even try to sabotage it. He may try to do that anyway once he realizes you’re cutting him out. He doesn’t even need your threats of exposure. You have to tread lightly around Gordo.”

“I’m done treading lightly—around Gordo and everyone else.” At the announcement of his name from the stage, Conor slung his guitar over his neck and strode in front of the crowd, waving.

“How ya doing, Albuquerque! Let’s start this off with a banger from Five2Go. I know you know the words, so let’s get lit!”

When he launched into one of Five2’s early hits, the fans went crazy—no boos this time. They were too busy singing along to their teenage memories.

If Conor chose that song to start the set to distract from the online gossip, he chose well. He even had me dropping my clipboard and singing and dancing in the wings.