We have a short stay inside the canyon, where we’re served snacks and champagne—the life of a rock star seems to include a lot of champagne—and then we’re airborne again. The sun is descending, the light is changing, and it’s stunning.
Bron watches over my shoulder at one point while I’m taking pictures. “You have a good eye.” His voice comes through my headset over the noise of the engine.
I mouth,Thank you, and am warmed by the compliment, because I was worried I was making a spectacle of myself, behaving like a tourist. The men are enjoying the ride, but they don’t seem to be dazzled by it all like I am.
Just when I think the excursion can’t get any better, we arrive back in Las Vegas just after the sun goes down and all the neon lights are on. It’s a beautiful explosion of color, both natural and man made, andI’m shocked that I don’t fill my phone’s memory with all the pictures I take.
“That was so wonderful! Thank you!” I give Conal and both of his brothers hugs when we’re back on the ground.
“Glad you enjoyed it,” Conal says. “You’re into photography?”
I shrug. “I used to be. I took a class in high school and even entered pictures in a show, but I haven’t done much with it since being in college.”
He nods at that, looking thoughtful, and the next thing I know, we’re in the limo, pulling into a largely empty, decidedly not-upscale shopping plaza, and parking in front of a camera store. It’s not the type of place that’s going to offer us champagne, but it is loaded with tons of equipment.
“What are we doing here?” I ask, though I’m afraid I already know the answer.
“We’re going to get you whatever you need to take pictures. I’m sure you’d like something better than your phone’s camera,” Bron says.
“I have a camera at home—at my mom’s house,” I add. It used to be my aunt’s, and its lens is a bit scratched, but I don’t mention that.
“You need something here.” Conal takes my hand and leads me to the counter. “Let’s see what they have.”
I try to protest, but it falls on deaf ears. Conal and Bron take the lead, and as they talk with the sales associate, equipment begins to pile up on the counter. We end up leaving with a higher-quality camera than I ever imagined owning, a few lenses, a tripod, filters, cleaning supplies, and cases to hold it all.
I thank the men, but that doesn’t seem adequate. Hanging out with them in their rockstar surroundings is one thing—those atmospheres and experiences belong to them, and I’m just along for the ride.
Of course, they’re allowed to buy things for me, and I needed clothing, but I’m uncomfortable with them buying me so many expensive things. I’m actually uncomfortableowningexpensive things, when you come right down to it.
The purchases, the experiences, and even the giant house we live in are all starting to feel like too much, and I try not to let it show, but they seem to read me like an open book.
“You’ll get used to it,” Conal says as we get back in the limo, and it seems to refer to everything abouttheir lives—the money, the attention, the ability to do almost anything except go about life unnoticed by strangers.
I feel unworthy of it all, and maybe that’s especially since it’s all been such a whirlwind. The men hardly know me, and here I am sharing their life.
I’d like to process my thoughts with Bliss, but I can’t imagine myself telling her about all the things they’re buying me, and the lavish life I’m suddenly living. I know she’d be happy for me, but it’s all just so foreign to any experience I shared with her prior to New Year’s Eve.
“Where would you like to go for dinner?” Rafe asks.
Food is the furthest thing from my mind, though I guess it has been a while since we ate. “We could have something at the house. I could whip up something pretty quickly.”
“No need to cook, but I’m fine with sandwiches for supper,” Bron says.
Back at the house, in that massive kitchen, we all end up working together to collect sandwich fixings and a few side items. It feels very domestic, and I’m oddly fascinated watching these world-famous musicians help prepare a simple meal. If my new camera was set up, I’d be very tempted to capture images ofthings like Conal cutting a tomato and Rafe fishing pickles out of a jar.
After our food settles, Bron suggests we go in the hot tub, which is outside near the pool.
“That sounds good. I'll put on my bathing suit.” I brought one with me from home in case Bliss and I had time to use the pool at our hotel.
Conal grabs my hand when I stand up. “Babe.” His eyes drop down my body, then back up to my face. “There’s no need for a suit.”
“But isn’t the housekeeper around? What if she sees us?”
“I don’t think she’s going to play Peeping Tom. Besides, no one will be able to see you when you’re in the water.”
As we make our way outside, grabbing a stack of beach towels on the way, it occurs to me that the guys aren’t planning to wear suits either.
Of course, I’ve seen them naked multiple times now, but it’s nevernotgoing to be thrilling, and currently, it’s still a bit daunting to be surrounded by all of them in an intimate setting, even though I’m very comfortable being around them when our clothes are on.
