Chapter 30
Melody
“Play is a hit!” Lindsey sits back in her chair, a complicated looking set of spreadsheets is up on her computer screen. “We haven’t seen this many downloads since you were working with Susan. Not even Girl’s Got Game had this retention level, and our consumption rates are off the charts!”
“I don’t know what any of that means, but I like it!” I’m going through my bedroom, taking dirty clothes out of my bag and putting clean ones in it.
Hesitating, I look down at the FU shirt Knox got me for Christmas, turning it in my fingers.
My voice is quietly thoughtful. “I’m doing it on my own terms. Not by hurting anyone or rage baiting or luring subjects in under false pretenses…”
“You’re hilarious together,” she hollers to me. “The best part is you keep it just close enough that it’s not considered explicit, which would seriously hurt our ratings.”
“What’s explicit about it?” I walk into the room, carrying a load of dirty clothes. “We’re simply talking about the game as it’s played.”
“Uh-huh.” She cuts her eyes at me. “Last week you said Armstrong was coming down his face.”
“I tell ya, if he hadn’t put that pressure on his behind, Haywood might not’ve taken the whole package.”
“Oh my God.” She holds her fist in front of her nose, snorting. “It’s just coming naturally to you now.”
“And now you’re doing it!” I continue to the laundry room, stuffing my clothes into the washer as I call to her. “Are you coming with us to LA? Knox teamed up with Fonz and Baker so the box is big enough for everyone.”
“I’m actually headed to Fireside. I’ll be watching the Big Game with your dad and your uncle and Coco and Jesse.”
My best friend started dating my first cousin Jesse when she moved back to Oceanside after college. We’d all grown up together, but somehow the two of them had never crossed paths long enough to realize they had chemistry.
Returning to the living room, I cross my arms, pouting my lips. “It’s our big moment. I want you to be there.”
“You’ll be surrounded by Bradfords, and they all love you. Besides, Coco and I plan to perform a Fireside Ladies ritual to ensure the Saints win.”
“Just don’t conjure anything evil.” I return to my bedroom, and she stands at the door watching me pack. “That Annabelle doll broke ten guys out of prison and burned down an antebellum home when she was in town.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll be far, far away from the mischievous spirits in the French Quarter.” Lindsey’s brow arches as she picks up my FU shirt. “Still, I wouldn’t mind if some mischievous spirit decided to visit a little justice on two deserving people.”
“No.” I take the shirt from her hands. “We only use our powers for good, not evil.”
“You’re one to talk. You don’t even believe in them.”
“I don’t know.” I shrug, hauling my suitcase off the bed and thinking about the day I approached a skinny house in Arkansas. “Maybe I’m starting to believe in a lot of things I used to mistrust. Myself included.”