29—Hershey （Catering）
Larinda slips her palm into mine as we approach the door to catering. Plenty of voices can be heard, so we know the room is packed. How is she so calm about this?
Despite my pledge not to check my phone, I did. As expected, it flooded with notifications, and that’s when I shut it off again because I’ve committed to following Larinda’s lead on this, and there was no way that was happening if I spent an hour being publicly and privately eviscerated.
I get it. I’m a fraud, a cheater, a gold digger, a horrible human being for breaking up the fairy-tale romance of the country music royal couple. I am the devil incarnate because I’m a poor nobody and not Jarvis McKinnley.
“I love you,” she says, squeezing my hand.
“I love you too,” I say, squeezing back.
“I choose you.”
“I choose you too.”
We exchange a quick smile, and I try to breathe through the violent pounding in my chest. I don’t even know why I’m scared. She’s the one who’s poised to lose everything over this. I had nothing for my entire life. Going back to nothing is, well, nothing. But maybe that’s the problem. It’s not me I’m worried about. When you love someone, their pain is infinitely worse than yours. I don’t know if I’ll be able to survive watching her get crushed because of me.
But it’s her life. Her career. Her choice. And I meant what I said. I will support her no matter what she decides.
We step through the door, and the room goes silent. Over a dozen sets of eyes land on us, then drop to our joined hands. I force myself to breathe through the thumping in my veins.
It doesn’t matter. None of it does. Even if you end up back at your sister’s kitchen table with nothing, so what? You still have this amazing person.
I do. And that’s everything.
I grip her hand, and she grips back.
Steve is the first to push up from his table.
“Hey, good for you,” he says, clapping my arm.
He moves to Larinda and kisses her cheek. “Love you, Larry. You’re an effing warrior.”
Hang on. What?
Bruce is next, and is that… a smile?
“Hang in there,” he says, patting her arm. “We got you. We support you. Let us know if you need anything.”
Larinda and I exchange a confused glance. Soon the room is buzzing, but this time with utterances of support for us and rants against… Jarvis?
What the hell is happening?
“It’s criminal what he did,” Mallory spits in disgust.
Mallory?!
I blink to clear my vision, certain I’m hallucinating. But no, that’s definitely Jarvis’ personal assistant standing in front of us with a look of sympathy.
“I’m so sorry for not saying something sooner,” she says. “I wanted to, I just… Gosh, Larinda, I’m so sorry. And I’m so glad you found someone you deserve.”
She turns her attention to me and offers a weak smile. “You’re a good guy, Val. I’m sorry for how he’s treated you as well.”
Okay. I’m so lost right now.
Before I can ask, her gaze locks on something behind me, and my stomach sinks when I spot what she does.
The absolute last thing we need in this baffling moment is…
Chad.
He throws his arms around me and pulls tight.
“I’m so sorry, mi amigo,” he says, rubbing my back. “So, so sorry. Cry it out if you have to. I’m here for ya.”
“Uh, thanks?”
“Don’t be strong! There’s strength in tears!”
“Yeah, um, it’s… fine.”
Maybe? I have no idea what’s happening.
He transfers his hug to Larinda.
“You too, our precious little hummingbird.”
Her expression is great for showing me what mine must look like.
“He’s a monster,” Chad hisses. “A diabolical wildebeest, and I shall not rest until you are avenged. I should have trusted you from the beginning,” he directs at me.
He moves back to me and cups my face. “The blood code, brother. The fucking blood code, and I failed you. But I swear on Mr. Reedweather himself, I won’t sleep until I make things right. Follow the condom trail.”
And he winks.
And walks away.
And I guess… that’s it?
Yep. He’s gone.
Somewhere in this great big earth there’s a hidden artifact that explains the relationship between winking, condoms, and octopuses but I’m not confident I’ll uncover it in my lifetime. I guess that’s something for our future mini Larindas to tackle.
“What’s going on?” I mumble under my breath.
“No idea,” Larinda whispers.
Her phone rings, and she goes pale.
“It’s Rena. I should take this.”
I swallow hard and force a nod. We already know what’s coming and have agreed to face it. Might as well get it over with so we can start the recovery process.
She grabs my hand and leads me back into the hall.
Once we’re out of sight, she answers the video call and angles the phone so we’re both in the frame.
“Larinda, hi!” Rena says, as cheery as we’ve ever seen her. “And Val! What a pleasure.”
What the hell? Is the bar already open at 6 AM in LA?
“Oh. Uh. Hi,” Larinda says.
I take her other hand and lace our fingers.
“Just wanted to check in and see how you were. We heard the terrible news, of course. We’re so sorry. Just know you have the full support of all of us here at Lakebend.”
Hold up.
Larinda stiffens and sends me a confused look.
I shrug back.
Maybe we’re still asleep on her bus. If an accountant walks by railing against the IRS for punitive tax evasion laws, it’ll all make sense.
“I guess you just never know with people,” Rena says. “We were as shocked as anyone, of course.”
“You were?” Larinda asks.
“Oh yes. Who could have guessed Jarvis would do such a thing? He seemed like such a wonderful, devoted partner.”
I manage to contain my snort.
Now I know this is a dream.
“He… I’m sorry. What are you talking about?” Larinda asks.
Rena’s eyes grow three sizes as she quiets and looks ready to throw an assistant at us.
Instead, she clears her throat and shifts uncomfortably in front of her stash of tiny cactuses.
“The report, darling.”
“The report?”
“It leaked last night. It’s everywhere. No one knows who wrote it or why, but apparently there’s been a mole on tour this whole time. Someone’s been documenting everything, including the years-long affair Jarvis was having with Sage and Coriander.”
Oh.
Shit.
Larinda recoils, and my heart breaks for her at that last revelation. I know she didn’t love the guy, but still. To learn your pretend boyfriend was banging your most faithful… well, I still don’t really understand what they did. To learn they have been banging your pretend boyfriend behind your back while he tried to frame you for banging your real boyfriend who you actually weren’t banging until last night… that’s a lot to take from a woman in a potted succulent forest thousands of miles away.
“Larinda,” I say gently, tugging her hand.
She glances over at me… and bursts into laughter.
“Oh my gosh. Are you serious?” she cries.
Rena looks like she’s not sure if she is as she blinks back. “Yes. Um. Well, yes. As you can imagine, we will be terminating our relationship with Jarvis. This kind of behavior goes against our core values here at?—”
“Right, yeah,” Larinda interrupts, waving her quiet. “Okay, well, thanks for the update. That’s very helpful information. And you have no idea who this ‘mole’ is?”
“Not a clue. No one seems to know but the report is incredibly detailed and comprehensive. It must be someone intimately related to the tour, so I’d suggest you be careful who you trust.”
Larinda nods, and… hang on.
No.
Freaking.
Way.
I think I know who the “mole” is. Somehow I manage to contain my raucous laughter as images of my “blood brother” meticulously removing fairy lights from our hotel room and sorting bags of mints on our bed flash through my mind.
Did he… Is the world’s worst spy actually our unsung hero?
Wow. I don’t even…
“Okay, well, I’m sure you have a lot to deal with,” Rena says. “Just know that we?—”
“Yeah, yeah. You support me. Whatever,” Larinda says in the sassiest tone I’ve ever heard from her. It’s actually… really hot. “Except you don’t, though, do you? If the report hadn’t gone public and ruined Jarvis’ reputation, it would be me on the chopping block, wouldn’t it?”
Rena shrinks back with a horrified expression. All that’s missing is a dainty hand to her heart. She should give Rhonda a call for a demonstration on that.
“Larinda, I don’t?—”
“Save it, Rena. We know, and you know we know. You threatened Val with everything you had because he learned the truth. Well, guess what, the truth is still the truth, and you know what that means?”
Her expression tells us she’s afraid she does know and she doesn’t like it.
“It means you’re down two country stars. You better go start damage control with Jarvis, because Larinda Scott is pulling on her own new boots and walkin’, walkin’ away.”
“What?! Larinda, please?—”
“Don’t even bother. Just do yourself a favor and make all our lives easier by quietly severing our relationship. We have all the evidence we need to expose Jarvis and Lakebend. The song, the video, the engagement plot—everything. Give me the rights to my unreleased songs, and let’s try to move on with at least a modicum of dignity.” She tosses her hair and narrows her eyes. “That’s right, I said modicum because I’m effing smart and know so many words you never even dreamed I know in your efforts to stuff me in your ditzy pop-tart mold! Our lawyers will be in touch.”
She hangs up.
Looks at me.
And that right there is the woman of my dreams, the love of my life, the queen badass of badasses, reminding the world, yet again, that it’s way too small to contain us if we don’t want to be contained.
“We’re signing with Smart Play Records,” she tells me.
She’s already on her way back to catering when her words register in my brain.
“I’m sorry, what?” I say, pulling her around.
“I’ve been talking with them since I found out what Lakebend was planning. We’re signing with them.”
“Oh. Cool. And, um, who is that? I’ve never heard of them.”
“Exactly. They’re a startup. More importantly, they’re thrilled to have me on board, and I’m thrilled they’re giving me full control over my career and my music. Win. Win.”
She pulls us to a stop just before the door, and her gaze softens as it rests on my face.
“One more thing.”
“Yeah?”
“Check your phone.”
Confused, I pull it out and stare at the blank screen.
“I meant to turn it on,” she says in a dry tone.
“I know. It’s just…”
“Do it, Val.”
I suck in a deep breath and obey, bracing for the barrage of notifications. Yep, saw that coming. So many flashing banners, but before I can sort through the messages, Larinda tugs it from my hand.
She scrolls through them, snorts a laugh, and hands it back.
“I knew it,” she says.
“Knew what?”
“That one. Look.”
I glance down at the screen. An unknown number? What’s she talking about?
Unknown: Val, this is Randall and Ruby Scott.
Oh. Well. Damn.
We just wanted to say thank you. We heard the news and are ecstatic (also relieved) to learn our precious girl chose you over that used tissue of a man, Jarvis. Take care of our daughter and welcome to the family, son. What’s your favorite meat? We’re grillin’ as soon as you two get your rear ends back in Texas. Also, what’s your shirt size? We need a sixth for the Scott Family team at this year’s second annual Block of Blocks Block Party. The grand prize is a trip to the indoor waterpark at Candle Ridge Casino and Ruby already has her heart set on it. Oh, and don’t tell Larinda I sent this. She doesn’t like when we meddle.
I glance up, having no clue what to say as my girlfriend grins and crosses her arms.
“You… How did you know your dad messaged me?”
“Because I know my dad. They absolutely love you. I knew the second they learned the truth, they’d reach out to welcome you into the family.”
“I… what? What do you mean they love me?”
She grunts and pulls out her phone. After scrolling for a second, she hands me a text stream of what looks like a group chat. An old one, based on the date.
Mom: It was so great seeing you for brunch, sweetie. We always love spending time with you. Please don’t take this the wrong way but are you ABSOLUTELY sure about Jarvis? I mean, maybe just think about it a little more?
Dad: That idiot is a drop of melted wax.
Mom: Randall!
Dad: What? It’s true. We all know it.
Mom: Yes, but if he’s our daughter’s beloved, then we will belove him.
Dad: I’m just having a hard time accepting our beautiful, intelligent daughter would choose an empty snap pea pod over that other boy.
Larinda: Which boy?
Dad: The one you brought with you today. Val.
Larinda: He’s my producer.
Dad: So? That never stopped you before.
Larinda: Dad!
Mom: Randall! He WAS very cute though, Larinda. And so polite and sweet.
Dad: Tiara is going to marry him if you don’t.
Larinda: Stop!
Dad: What? If neither of you do, I’m adopting him.
Mom: That’s a good idea. What are the laws about adopting adults? Would that be weird for you, sweetie?
Larinda: I have to go now. Great seeing you. Talk soon.
Larinda is downright smug when I look up and return her phone. I shake my head, fighting like hell to block the smile that will betray how incredibly good it felt to read that.
“Told you,” she says.
“Whatever,” I mumble.
“They love you.”
“They don’t even know me.”
“They want to, and when they do, they will.”
She unlocks her screen again.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
There’s no response as she types something into what looks like a text message.
“Larinda… what are you doing?”
I have my answer when my phone buzzes a second later.
I pull it up to see a message from Larinda—to a new group chat.
Larinda: Get him an XL, preferably a green shirt because that color looks amazing on him.
Within seconds there’s a response.
Unknown: Perfect! Does he like chocolate mousse? Oh, he’s here. Do you like chocolate mousse, honey?
I stare at Larinda.
“Mom asked you a question, honey. Do you like chocolate mousse?”
I swallow hard as I stare back at the strange message.
Um…
Larinda reaches over and squeezes my arm. “Make her day and say yes. She’s been waiting twenty-six years to impress her daughter’s boyfriend with her chocolate mousse. Trust me, none of the other guys I brought home would let a grain of sugar near their face.”
I mean… I guess I could handle that much.
I love chocolate mousse, I type out. Thank you, Mrs. Scott.
Larinda’s eyes are glistening when they rest on me. My own chest is heavy with a new kind of ache. Happy tears? Is that a thing?
Our phones buzz again, and we glance at the displays.
Unknown: Fantastic! Please come visit as soon as you can. We’re dying to show you Larinda’s 8th-grade yearbook photo and we need to pick out your Christmas stocking design so there’s time to embroider it before Christmas. Oh! And the chickens! We have to talk about the chickens. So much to do!
Unknown: Also, call us Randall and Ruby, son. We’re family now.
I swat at my eyes as I stare at words I never thought I’d see.
Yup.
Happy tears.
Who knew?