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“We really need to get in there and find out what’s up,” Nash says. “You can’t go in, for obvious reasons, but maybe I can give it a shot? Technically, I worked on Jarvis’ Sandeke pitch for five minutes. He might not hate me as much. Doubt he even knows I was involved.”
“He knows you’re close with Larinda, the focal point of whatever this betrayal is. That’s enough to get you booted.”
“Yeah, good point. Shit, what do we do?”
“Maybe it’s time to activate my in with my touring bestie.” I grab my phone and pull up the text stream with Chad.
“Who’s your touring bestie?” Nash asks. “Wait, what is a touring bestie?”
“Chad, and I have no idea.”
“Chad’s in on this?”
“I don’t think he knows he is, but yeah.”
Nash huffs a laugh. “Sounds about right. Oh hey, look. The guest of honor has arrived.”
We watch through the window as a large, souped-up SUV double-parks in front of the store. No less than six people climb out, two of which are Chad and Jarvis.
I see why Chad hasn’t responded to my text when he marches behind Jarvis with the laser focus of a man who takes unwanted-belt-holding seriously. Let’s hope he likes to brag about his clutching privileges just as much.
“Can I get you anything else? Would you like a refill?” our server asks, drawing our attention from the events outside.
Her question comes with a smile that’s not quite flirty but a tad above friendly. Maybe she’d be interested in helping us?
“A refill would be great. Thanks, Kim,” I say. “Hey, do you happen to know what’s going on across the street? We thought we just saw Jarvis McKinnley.”
“No way. He’s here?!”
She leans forward to look through the glass like he might still be standing on the sidewalk.
“Pretty sure it was him,” Nash adds, following my lead. “I heard he’s really into… belts.”
“Totally! He’s in town for a show tonight. A few of my friends are going, although, if I’d been able to afford tickets, it would have been to see Larinda not him.” She leans close. “Between you and me, his music is okay but he sort of seems like a jerk.”
Yep, she just earned herself a hefty tip.
“Sorry, that was mean,” she says with a wince. “I’m sure he’s not what he seems.”
He is.
“Anyway, I’ll ask the owner and see if she knows anything about what’s going on.”
And there’s an even bigger tip.
“That would be great. Thanks,” Nash says.
We continue scouting the street after she leaves, the gravity of our situation sinking in as evidence mounts that this conspiracy runs even deeper than we thought. If Rena is here, that means Lakebend is involved. Since Lakebend is Larinda’s label as well, why isn’t she being included in whatever this is? And why all the secrecy?
It only takes a few minutes for Kim to return with wide, excited eyes.
“This is top secret,” she whispers. “Sam said they’re shooting a music video. One of our employees is even an extra in it! So freaking cool!”
Nash and I exchange a look before forcing a smile.
“Wow,” he says in a somewhat believable impressed voice.
“I know, right? Sam also said the big order we’re filling now is for them! I wonder which drink is Jarvis’.”
