Chapter 24
TWENTY-FOUR
Fisher
I thought a walk would clear my head and allow me to think. But heading to Worth and Sophia’s new brownstone on foot hasn’t helped at all.
Jack opens the door. “You look terrible,” he says.
“Thanks. Are you Worth’s butler now?”
Jack chuckles. “I just got here. Everyone’s already here.”
My body instantly sags with relief. I need to see some friendly faces tonight.
We both head through to the back. This house is only slightly bigger than Worth’s last one. I’m not sure why he and Sophia moved. But they did.
As I walk into the back room and see that it’s not just my best friends, but some of the wives and girlfriends, too, I can’t get the image of Juniper out of my head. It’s like she’s here without actually being here.
“Hey, Fisher.” Sophia holds her arms out to greet me.
I smile and bend for a hug.
We all greet each other, and with every touch and hello, I relax. Thank god for this found family of mine.
“Wasn’t expecting to see you for a few weeks,” Worth says. “What brought you back so early?”
Typical Worth, figures out that something’s off immediately.
“There’s stuff going on at work.”
He hands me a beer and gestures for me to follow him out to the garden. “Come on, everyone, let’s go and sit outside.” He lowers his voice. “What kind of stuff?”
The garden is so much prettier than I expected. It’s walled, with a huge dining table in the middle with a dozen chairs around it. One for each of us and our significant others. That’s no coincidence. Worth and Sophia will have been very deliberate when picking the outdoor dining furniture.
I sigh. “I’m not sure.” How do I describe it? I’m being professionally stalked and then sabotaged.
“Use your words,” Jack says, like he’s talking to a toddler as he takes a seat opposite me.
“Ha. You’re funny.”
“It’s an affliction. But I’m at peace with it,” he deadpans. “Tell us your woes, Fisher, my friend.”
“Oh, no biggie, someone’s trying to professionally destroy me. That’s all.”
Jack nods. “Okay then. Who’s next? Worth, what’s going on with you?”
Worth shoots him a don’t-be-an-asshole look, but I don’t mind. I need the levity that Jack’s providing. I’ve been in my head too much, ever since last night and my meeting with Benny.
“The Homecoming Kings are signing with Re Records.”
“Can they do that?” Bennett asks. “Legally?”
“Yup. They’re out of contract. Stupidly, I assumed they were going to sign back up with Right Records. I knew other labels would try and get them to switch but…”
“But you found those guys,” Leo says. “You made them. They can’t just sign with someone else.”
“Well, they can,” I say. “And what’s worse is that… do you remember me telling you about Gerry Banks?”
“The one you thought was stealing your artists when you were still at EMG?” Worth asks.
“That’s the one.”
“Wait, who? What? I feel like I missed something,” Jack says.
Worth relays the story to the rest of the table as if I’d told him yesterday. How I always thought Gerry was targeting me personally but I could never be sure.
“This all happened before we were at business school. Before I knew any of you guys,” I say. “Maybe I’m just being paranoid—”
Jack cuts me off. “Trust your gut. And as if he would just find the lead singer at his gym. There’s no way that’s a coincidence. I think you’re right. He’s targeting you.”
“But why?”
“Because you’re the best at what you do,” Worth says.
“I’m small fry in comparison to the major labels.”
“But you just signed Vivian Cross,” Bennett says. “You’re not small fry. Actually, was Vivian signed to Re Records before? Is this payback for that?”
I shake my head. “No. She was at Universal.”
“Is it worth you asking him for a meeting? Like a lunch or something? See if you can figure out what’s going on?”
“I’ve thought about it. But he won’t give anything away. He never did, even when we were in our early twenties. He’s got this strange… he’s always been a popular guy. Everyone liked him. But I just couldn’t connect with him somehow.”
“Probably because he was stealing your artists,” Worth says.
“Maybe,” I say. “I don’t know what it is, I just think it’s more than just about the artists. It feels personal.”
“Have you looked into his background?” Jack asks.
Immediately, I think of Juniper and her quoting The Art of War. “A little,” I confess. “I found out that he’s also from Pennsylvania. He’s slightly younger than me.”
“Did you know him? Cross paths with him when you were younger?”
I shake my head. “No. Not as far as I’m aware.”
“Did you fuck his wife or something?” Jack asks.
Now it’s my turn to give him a don’t-be-an-asshole look.
“What?” Jack exclaims. “I’m being realistic. Is anyone saying Fisher is still a virgin?”
“I haven’t fucked his wife,” I say. “He’s been married since I’ve known him. I’ve met his wife. We definitely haven’t fucked.”
“I can get my people on it,” Jack says. “There must be a reason why he’s targeting you.”
“Your people? What does that mean? Are you part of the Mafia now?” I ask.
“Uh, yes. The Mafia otherwise known as the establishment of New York City.”
I laugh. Jack’s not wrong. Being from the Alden family means Jack’s grown up in a world I know nothing about.
He’s got generational connections with anyone worth knowing in America and probably the entire world.
The six of us are all wealthy. We’re all successful.
But Jack’s from old New York money. And there’s nothing so powerful.
“So who exactly are your people?” I ask.
“Just the security people my family uses,” Jack responds.
“Well, if you let me have a number, I can contact them.”
Jack narrows his eyes slightly. “It doesn’t work like that. They’re not going to take your call. But it doesn’t matter. I’ll speak to them and one of them will call you.”
“What are they going to do?”
Jack shrugs. “Probably pick him up outside his apartment. Bundle him into a van. Take him to an abandoned warehouse in Jersey and ask him some questions.”
I pause, waiting for Jack to crack a smile and tell me he’s kidding, but he doesn’t say anything. I glance over at Bennett and Worth, but their expressions are blank. He’s got to be kidding. I don’t want Gerry Banks kidnapped, for crying out loud.
“Jack,” I say. “I don’t want—”
“I’m kidding. They’ll just poke around. No one’s getting taken to Jersey. Dad won’t work with anyone who’s ever set foot in that state.”
“Okay, but no kidnapping either.”
“Scout’s honor.” He puts up his three fingers. “Not unless we really need to.”
I roll my eyes. “So how’s the hotel coming, Worth?” I want to change the subject. I want to feel a little lighter. More hopeful. I can’t shake the feeling that Gerry won’t stop at The Homecoming Kings. He wants more.
“It’s good. Poppy and Avril are running the show. I’m just along for the ride,” he says. “What about your place?” he asks.
“Actually, I’m thinking of selling it.” I hadn’t been thinking about it until just now. I get offers on the hotel all the time. It’s in a great location, and I really don’t make the best of it. I love my five best friends but I don’t love the hotel business.
“What?” everyone around the table choruses.
“I get offers all the time. It was a great idea when we left business school. It bound us together. But for me? It’s not my passion. And I like the idea of a simpler life.”
“Are you serious?” Bennett asks.
“Yeah. The reason for us having those hotels was to maintain our bond, but we don’t need hotels to do that.
Not anymore. I’m not sure if we ever did.
There’s no way any of you are drifting away from me.
I wouldn’t allow it. And anyway, it’s not like I ever win, anyway.
You always win, Bennett. You’re always going to win. ”
“Not true,” Bennett says. “Byron’s always going to win. If we allow the Colorado Club to qualify for our little competition, that is. It’s a controversial topic. Is the Club really a hotel? I would argue it’s not really within the original scope of what was agreed.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “Sounds to me like you don’t wanna be a loser. Maybe you need to up your game.”
“Are you going to buy something else?” Worth asks. “You know I had the Boston hotel before Ninth Street. It’s much better having something in the city. But I guess that’s not your problem.”
“Right. It’s not the actual hotel or the location that’s an issue. It’s the fact I don’t want a hotel. Life is… I know I have people to run it, but… life in Star Falls is really simple, and it’s made me realize how complicated things are back here.”
Jack gasps. “Fisher! You’re not thinking of moving there permanently, are you?”
“You’re moving to Colorado?” Sophia appears, carrying a plate of cheese and meats and sets it down on the table.
“No, I didn’t say that.”
“I’m not losing you too,” Jack says. “Not you and Byron. No way will you survive in Colorado.”
I roll my eyes. “You haven’t lost Byron. He and Rosey spend most of their time in New York.”
“But he’s in Colorado a lot. He’s got a choice between Colorado and New York, and Byron picks Colorado. A lot.”
“It’s where he grew up,” Worth says. “And it’s beautiful.”
“Yeah. The Grand Canyon’s beautiful. I don’t see any of you moving there.”
“He’s got the Club there,” I say. “And Worth’s right, it is beautiful. That’s partly because life is slower. Less complicated.”
“New York is energy. It’s life. And it’s different to everyone. You can set your own pace in New York.” It sounds like Jack’s defending his honor. As if New York is his town and I’m personally insulting him by saying something nice about another part of the US.
“I agree with you,” I say. “I’m not saying I’m moving. I’m just saying, it’s nice getting back to basics sometimes.”
Sophia splutters into her drink. “Don’t let Byron catch you saying the Club is basic.”
“I don’t mean the Club. I mean…” I can see Juniper on the bench on her porch, two glasses in front of her and a bottle of wine.
Some of the best evenings of my life have been spent sitting there with her.
Sharing our thoughts and lives. Having her nestled in my arms. Feeling her lips on mine.
There’s nothing better. Not even in New York.
“You mean what?” Jack says. “The fresh mountain air?”
“Well, yes, now you mention it. But also, I’ve been going into the studio with Vivian. I’ve enjoyed it. I haven’t done it in a long time. There’s always other stuff to be dealt with that seems more important when I’m in New York. Being in Star Falls with Vivian… well, it’s forced me to slow down.”
“It’s good to get a fresh perspective,” Worth says.
“I like the authenticity of the place,” I say. “No one’s trying to get ahead. No one’s trying to make a connection with you so they can get in front of someone you know. Life is very simple. I’d forgotten how peaceful that is. You know?”
“Ahh,” Jack says. “Who wants peaceful?”
Everyone laughs, and I raise my glass and Jack clinks his against it.
“Did you meet anyone, Fisher?” Sophia asks. “A woman, maybe?”
“What makes you say that?” I ask. “I just like how life is simpler there. It forces you to think about what really makes you happy.”
“Well, if there’s no one in Colorado, then I have a friend you might like.”
I chuckle. “Thanks, Sophia.”
“I’m serious. She’s super cute. Just your type. She’s a lawyer. A real ballbuster.”
“You think I like ballbusters?”
“You like strong women,” Sophia says. “And Samia is gorgeous and powerful. I think you two would be perfect together. I’m going to do a dinner when you’re back in New York for good. I’ll play a little matchmaker.”
I smile but don’t tell her my stomach is churning at the thought of being set up. I can’t remember the last time I was exclusive with a woman, but I don’t even want to sit opposite someone at a dinner if that person isn’t Juniper.
Worth and Bennett start talking about how being with the women in their lives made everything better, and I want to listen, but I’m interrupted by Jack.
“But seriously, you’re not moving to Colorado, are you?” he asks in a whisper.
“No plans,” I say. It’s true. I’m moving back to New York in three weeks.
But I can’t help thinking that something inside me will have shifted by then.
“But I’m going to reprioritize. I want to get into producing more.
I might even start training up a successor.
I can see myself stepping away from the CEO role.
Maybe I can be chairman and then go back to discovering artists.
I loved doing that. It felt like I was creating something.
I’ve seen the way Juniper looks when she’s painting, and I want to love something that much. ”
“Juniper?” asks Jack.
“Oh, one of Byron’s old school friends. I introduced her to Grace Astor.”
Jack nods. “And did you also introduce her to your penis?” he asks formally.
I can’t stop a laugh from erupting. “You’re ridiculous.”
“You’re hypnotized by pussy.”
“I am not!”
Jack shakes his head. “You gotta get her out of your system. Make the rest of your time in Colorado count, and then come back and do business the way you want.”
He says it like I’m considering an alternative. I’m not. It’s not like I can move to Colorado. My business is in New York. My business that needs my attention. My friends. My life. Everything I’ve ever known. Except Juniper.