Scorched Beats – By Arell Rivers #2
Ever since Hayden called to inform me of exactly who my contact in Los Angeles is, I haven’t been able to concentrate.
Renata Pruitt. The woman Ryan beat me to in college.
Of course, after he screwed her over, he ensured she wanted nothing to do with a man who shared more than the same last name as her ex.
One more notch on my long list of grievances against my “loving” fraternal twin.
The pilot’s voice comes over the loudspeaker, announcing our descent into LAX. My heart pounds, and not from the bumpy turbulence. After three years, I’m finally coming face-to-face with the one who never gave me a second look. Damn Ryan .
Trying to distract myself, I flip through the airline’s magazine. I see pretty pictures of far-flung locales serviced by the airline, read a write-up about a do-gooder flight attendant. And, of course, there’s a piece about the minor leagues, featuring my all-star brother.
Ryan. Born ten minutes ahead of me, he’s always been the golden child.
Going way back to elementary school, he placed first in the spelling bee and got all of our parents’ attention—never mind I came in second.
I scored the lead in crew for our high school musical sophomore year in high school, almost unheard of, but he upstaged me by being named to the school’s varsity baseball team that same year.
Senior year? Guess who was named Homecoming King? Yup, not me.
The plane bounces to a landing, and my bloodstream buzzes being this close to seeing Renata again. I grab my overnight bag and file into the terminal. Will she remember me? Is she dating someone?
Will she even show up?
Too soon, I enter baggage claim, where Hayden told me I’d meet up with Renata.
Hayden. Another college friend who was in on the drama with Ryan.
As the newest member of Untamed Coaster’s PR team, she’s working remotely until the European leg of the tour, so I haven’t had the chance to corner her in person about this. Life sure likes to laugh at me.
With every step I take, I remind myself that three long years have passed. I’m a different guy than the theater/AV nerd I was. Bulked up, got into shape thanks to the guys in the band. Maybe Renata won’t even recognize me.
Buck up . You’re here to do a job. Check out the Hollywood Bowl, observe anything that might trip up UC, and report back. Renata could be a Robert for all the contact we’ll have. Although, I’m sure Robert would be down for a drink and something fun. Renata? Perhaps not. Maybe?
My gaze scans the crowd and settles on a slight woman with straight brown hair, wearing a black slim skirt falling right above her knees. She has on a sexy cream top and is holding a sign with my name. Very put together. Renata hasn’t changed a bit.
My chest expands on my inhale. I stride forward. The instant our gazes collide, my heart skips a beat. I school my face into a smile. “Renata. It’s been a hot minute.”
“Hi, Ashton. I hope the flight was easy.”
Wow. So professional. I can be professional, too. “There was turbulence at the landing, but otherwise, it was fine. Hayden mentioned how bad things have been out here, and I’ve seen the news coverage. I’m excited to check out the Hollywood Bowl to see how UC can help out.” We walk toward the exit.
“I’m delighted Hayden was able to get the band to agree to perform, and my co-workers are beyond thrilled. The concert’s shaping up to be quite something. I’m sure UC will only add to the star power.” She points to the parking deck across from arrivals.
“Who would’ve thought way back in college that you, Hayden and me would be working together on a professional level?”
Renata stops. I follow suit. “Listen, I’m more than grateful for UC agreeing to perform at the concert. I’m even willing to take you to the venue to check everything out. But let’s not pretend this isn’t awkward as hell. Let’s just get through it and move on, okay?”
All my dreams of a pleasant reunion fall to the grimy parking garage floor. Instead of getting into it with her now, I close my mouth and follow her to a little red convertible. Nice. After putting my luggage in the trunk, I open the door. “Thanks for taking me to the venue.”
She nods and starts the ignition. “It should take us around fifty minutes to get there. But with LA traffic, you never know.”
Which means I have the next hour or so to change the dynamics between us. I wade into the shallow end. “So, I’m in charge of sound for UC, who’s never played at the Bowl before. Can you tell me about the concert?”
She switches lanes. “Honestly, I work.” Her sexy mouth shuts. “Rather, I used to work at the Palisades Branch Library. The powers that be behind the library got together with other organizations and created this concert to benefit everyone who suffered from the LA wildfires. It’s called Rise LA.”
“I like the name.” I mull over the information she shared. “Hold on. The library where you work burned down?”
“Yeah.” As traffic grows, she slows. “I also lost my house.”
My hand flies across my right pec—she’s been left with nothing. “I didn’t know. I am so sorry. Did you have any insurance?”
She laughs. It’s a brittle sound. “I was a renter, so the payout was small. I’m one of the lucky ones because I managed to snag an Airbnb.”
I process what Renata’s shared. She’s stronger now than I ever imagined. “Good.” Lame . “What about a job?”
“I’ve been looking.” She stops the car along with everyone else on the 405. “I count myself fortunate, though. I escaped with my car.” She taps the Miata’s center console.
“Renata.” I turn toward her. “What can I do to help?”
“I’ve got things under control.”
The need to break through her hard exterior pushes me to say, “I remember you were an English major in college. Makes sense you ended up working at a library.”
A small smile plays around her lips. “I always loved books. When the job opened, I didn’t hesitate.”
I need to keep her talking. “How did you get out here from North Carolina?” Where we went to college.
“Well, I’ve always been interested in movies, which is what drew me out here. At least ten storylines are always going on at the same time in my head, so I’ve been taking screenplay writing classes out here.”
This makes sense. She always had a great imagination. Hell, she had to since she dated my brother. “Have you written anything that’s been picked up?”
“I wish.” The cars inch forward. “Not yet.”
I run through my mental rolodex but come up empty on anyone who could help her in the film industry. “You’re living in the right place. I bet you’ve made amazing contacts.”
“I have some. My teachers are great. Most have films under their belt or shows on Netflix.”
“How cool. Can’t wait to see your name in the credits.”
“Me, too.” Traffic opens up, and the car approaches thirty miles an hour.
She hasn’t mentioned a boyfriend or roommate. “Do you have any friends out here who can help out?” At least I didn’t say boyfriend. Not ready for that answer yet.
“Most of them are in the same boat as me. We’re all pitching in together, helping with everything from fire recovery to jobs, as we are able.” She pushes her car up to forty.
“Well, I have faith that your screenplay will be made into a major motion picture. The girl I remember from college never would’ve taken ‘no’ for an answer.”
“Thanks, but that’s not quite true. Ryan?—”
I rush in. “He gets over on everyone. You handled him about as well as anyone I’ve ever seen. Better than our parents, to be sure.”
We drive in silence until she asks, “So, Ashton, what have you been doing for the past three years besides getting in with Untamed Coaster?”
I jump into this new part of our conversation. “After college, I took some classes to hone my sound engineering skills, and this job opened up. It’s pretty awesome.”
“What’s the band like?”
“Everyone is cool. The members of UC are nice. True professionals, you know? The rest of the crew and roadies are fun, too. We work hard and play hard. I really enjoy my time with all of them.”
She flips her blinker. “Sounds like an excellent work environment. Assuming, of course, you don’t mind touring and not having a homebase.”
“I keep a small apartment in North Carolina. But you’re right, we’re on the road for the better part of this year plus with this tour. It’s fun seeing new places all the time, though.”
“I can’t imagine. I’ve always been stuck in one place.”
Stuck? I don’t question her word choice, simply tuck it away in the dark recesses of my mind.
“This isn’t to say the constant moving doesn’t get under my skin.
The performing members of UC sleep in hotels but the crew and roadies?
We have our buses with a rotation in hotels.
Which is why I jumped at the chance to scout out the Bowl. ”
She smiles, and her whole face lights up. I stifle the urge to reach out and touch her. “Single hotel room?”
“Exactly!” I’m used to flying or driving from place to place, but a hotel room all to myself is a luxury I don’t often receive. Although, I might be persuaded to add a plus one on this trip. “I’m also getting a stipend for my meals. It’s as good as a vacation for me.”
“Did you know?”
She doesn’t continue, so I prod, “Know what?”
She swallows. “That I was connected to the concert?”
I shake my head. “No. We got a message from Hayden asking if anyone would be interested in doing recon for the gig. I put my name into the ring. I only learned of your involvement from Hayden’s itinerary.”
After a minute, Renata nods, then points. “There it is.”
I follow the direction of her graceful finger and the sign for the Bowl looms. I rub my hands on my thighs. “Awesome.”
We turn into the venue, and soon we’re walking through a series of hallways and end up in the open-air amphitheater. A different setup from the stadiums we’re been frequenting, but with a capacity of 17,500, it’s a very respectable venue. With a more than respectable cause.