Break It Up by E.M. Tippetts Read Free Book Online Page A

rent out a whole floor and we stayed with all the musicians and roadies and everyone.
    Kyra: At least you got to know your crew.
    Zach: Nah, we never talked to them. Never had any time.
    Kyra: That is crazy.
    Zach: I guess. I don’t know what’d be normal.
    Kyra: True. Being in a boy band is abnormal.
    Zach: Hey!
    Kyra: In a good way.

    Zach: Ben wants to try writing songs.
    Kyra: Do you guys normally write your own songs?
    Zach: No way. Never. I don’t know anything about composing music.
    Kyra: Really?
    Zach: Logan does a little. He writes poetry. He’s the only one, really.
    Kyra: Oh, okay. I know nothing about music.
    Zach: That kind of makes two of us. First time I read a tabloid report of myself, it was all about how I wasn’t a real musician and had no musical talent. It was pretty accurate.
    Kyra: No it’s not. You’re one of the most famous singers in the world.
    Zach: Autotune
    Kyra: No way.
    Zach: And doubling and aaaaall kinds of tricks.
    Kyra: You sing live.
    Zach: With a sound engineer and all kinds of special equipment, sure.
    Kyra: I bet you sing just fine.
    Zach: I don’t sing without a whole lot of technical help. Ever. You’ll never hear me on an unplugged album.
    Kyra: You wouldn’t be as famous as you are if you didn’t have some talent.
    Zach: Or a lot of luck.

    Ben: Hola chica ;-)
    Kyra: Tu aerodeslizador esta lleno de anguilas.
    Ben: What?
    Kyra: Thought you were trying to start a conversation in Spanish.
    Ben: What did you just say?
    Kyra: It’s an ancient proverb of my people.
    Ben: What’s it mean?
    Kyra: It’s too complicated to explain.
    I’d typed, “Your hovercraft is full of eels.”
    A week later, I get a phone call from Aidan Greer, the quiet guy who came out with us to the restaurant with Triple Cross. “Kyra, I just lost my intern,” he says. “The band leaves on their European tour in four days and I need someone to come work on the movie with me. You game?”
    “What?” Okay, not the most articulate response.
    “I need a production assistant. Preferably someone who knows a thing or two about film. I know this is a desperate move here, but are you available? I can pay expenses but no salary.”
    All I’m hearing, though, is that he wants me to do something with the band for an extended period of time, and that makes my head spin. “I, um… uh, I need to talk to my parents.”
    “Yes, of course. Any chance you can get me an answer in twenty-four hours?”
    I could give him an answer now. I know what my parents will say.

“Huh, okay. Well, should we talk to Jason about this?” is my dad’s response when I ask if I can go on tour with Triple Cross in Europe while they film their concert movie.
    Jen, who’s parked herself at the table, shakes her head. “Jason’s got all kinds of stress right now. I’ve never seen him like this. We could probably talk to Dave, though.” Dave is Jason’s personal assistant. “Or no,” she goes on, “what am I even saying? We just call Mom. She’ll know what questions to ask.”
    “Wait,” I say. “Back up. Are you guys actually considering letting me go?”
    They both look at me. “Do you not want to?” asks Jen.
    “Yeah. Yes , of course I do. I just…why would you let me?”
    “Because it’s a good opportunity,” says my father as if he doesn’t understand the question. “You’ve expressed an interest in film and the entertainment industry before.”
    “I’ve expressed an interest in everything,” I protest. “Remember me? I never stick with anything I say I’m interested in?”
    “You’re eighteen,” says Jen. “Nobody’s asking you to sign up for a long-term career right now. You’re exploring, and this is a good avenue to explore if you’re interested.”
    “Do you think you shouldn’t go?” asks my father.
    “Of course I shouldn’t.”
    “Why?”
    I look at him, then Jen, then him again. “I can’t be trusted.”
    “Kyra,” says Jen, “you may be very attached to this idea that