Reality Check by Kelli London

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    â€œYes, and it seems Marlow is too. I think she’s sad that you’re holding another dog.” He turned his body sideways, sticking his rear her way. “There’s a note for you in my pocket,” he explained.
    Charly shifted Doll to one arm and took the note.

    To: Ms. Charly St. James (of The Extreme Dream Team cast)
    From: Lola
    Message: See you in the Chi!!!

    Charly crinkled her nose. How did Lola know her itinerary just minutes after she’d found out herself? “Mr. Day, I assume?” she said aloud.
    Sully shrugged. “I got that from one of the studio runners who saw me and stopped me on my way here.” Charly raised her brows, indicating she didn’t know what a studio runner was. “You know, one of the people who run around the studio, and we don’t quite know what they do or who they are. Pay attention. There are a lot of them—the ones who you don’t really really know who they are, and not necessarily studio runners either, and you know who I’m talking about too. Be careful with him . Now let’s switch pups. I’ll give Annison’s to her people.”
    â€œOkay. You got it, Sully. I’m paying attention,” she said to appease him and to acknowledge his warning about Liam. She didn’t feel the same way about Liam as Sully. To her, Liam seemed genuine, but she decided not to get into that with Sully. “Here.” She swapped out Doll for Marlow, then paused.
    Sully began to walk away, holding Doll. “Well, c’mon, Charly. It’s time to go. The tour bus awaits.”
    Â 
    It wasn’t Greyhound or any other type of bus she’d ever seen, Charly noted, holding Marlow. The tour bus was the Air Force One of all passenger carriers on the road with wheels and axles, she decided as soon as she boarded. Two plush leather loveseats and chairs, mounted flat-screen televisions, and a mini gourmet kitchen she could see tucked in the back through theater-like curtains, met her eyes and spread her lips into a smile. Charly’s eyes darted back and forth, looking for where she was to lay her head. The space was elegant, not palatial, so there were no designated bedrooms.
    â€œBack there, through the curtains, is what you’re looking for.” Sully’s deep voice came from behind, almost making her jump out of her skin. Before she’d boarded the bus, Sully had walked to the bus behind the one she was on, so she didn’t expect to see or hear him until they reached Illinois.
    Charly turned, drawing her brows together.
    Sully pointed his tattoo-covered hand. “You’re looking for your bunk, right? Well, you can’t see it from here. The curtains are hiding them, but trust me, they’re there. Two on each wall—two too-narrow ones, if you ask me. You’d think the studio would’ve done better, with all the money we’re going to make ’em.”
    Charly stopped herself from rolling her eyes at Sully’s unfounded complaint. How was the studio supposed to do better, widen the bus? “Impossible,” she muttered as her shoulders relaxed. At least she’d be comfortable. With four bunks, two on either side, she and Annison and their dogs would have plenty of room. “Cool. That gives me and Marlow our own bunks. I guess Annison and Doll have theirs too. I wonder if Annison will want a particular side.”
    Sully made something like a snorting noise, then moved past her. Charly noticed his shoulders trembling with silent laughter, and didn’t see what was so funny. Then she noticed he had a leather travel bag in his hand. A big one, she noted, watching him walk toward the back, then lift the oversized case and place it on what she assumed was one of the bunks. “Do you want top or bottom?” he asked, loud enough for her to hear.
    â€œExcuse me?” she asked, finally setting Marlow on the floor and watching her race around in small circles.