“I’m glad you’re happy, then…and getting to do cool shit like go on tour with the hottest musician in the world.”
“Thanks, man.”
“Of course. Now, why don’t you tell me why you called,” Julian says, turning our focus back to the purpose of my call.
“Let’s say, hypothetically, a guy needed to find out the financial situation of someone they work for,” I say tentatively, feeling him out. “Is that something you’d be able to help with?”
“You know,” he says, the pitter-patter of his keyboard filling the background. “People always seem to call me about hypothetical situations…or ‘their friends’ who need help.”
“And I’m sure most of them offer to pay you a consulting fee for your time…”
“They sure do. However, most of them didn’t play video games with me every day for an entire semester or buy pizzas to split with me when my parents cut me off. I’d say, with interest, one consulting job would likely make us even.”
“You sure, man? I know people pay well for this kind of thing.”
“Unless you happened to hit the lottery and didn’t tell me about it, I’m not sure you can afford me without a steep discount,” Julian replies, and I’m not sure if he’s joking or not.
“No lottery, I’m afraid,” I reply.
“Ah, well, in that case, consider this one on the house.”
“Thanks,” I say, meaning it. I’m not sure I was ever in a financial situation where I could afford Julian’s help, but I know I’m not in one now.
“Tell me about this hypothetical boss of yours.”
So I do. I tell him what’s going on, giving him all Trent’s information I know and talking for over the allotted five minutes as I tell him everything I can about Trent’s personal life, business accounts, and where he may be keeping his money. I even know his social security number, since we were born at the same hospital just months apart—they’re the same but his ends with a two and mine ends with a nine.
“I’m finishing up a job for another client now,” Julian says when he has everything he needs. “But I’ll look into this as soon as I can.”
I run a hand through my hair. If it’s just Trent trying to make Kelsey look bad, he’s already accomplished it, but if it was someone testing our systems, then they may be planning to use this last concert as a chance to escalate things. Plus, I just need to know. Now that I’m considering Trent, I’m not going to be able to relax until I know one way or the other.
“Any chance you can look into it now?” I ask.
There is silence on the other end, and I’m worried I asked for too much, when Julian finally says, “It’s that important?”
“It is. I wouldn’t be asking if it weren’t.”
“Okay. I’ll get right on it, then. I have a friend who owes me a favor, so I’ll reach out to her and see if she can jump in too.”
I thank him, promising another night of pizza and video games next time I see him before hanging up the call and heading inside.
The crowds haven’t been let in yet, but the rest of the employees are there, everyone pumped about the final night of the Forever Starts Here Tour. The arena is buzzing with energy in the lead-up to the finalconcert, but my mind is elsewhere, still swirling with thoughts of my mom and concerns over Trent.
As I make my way through the backstage area, I can’t shake the feeling I’m missing something. Maybe I’m just making problems where there aren’t any, but I can’t ignore the churning in my gut.
I find Kelsey on her way to the security meeting and pull her aside, just for a moment. I know how important it is to Kelsey that we keep our relationship low-key and very professional at work, but I need the comfort of having her around me right now.
“You good?” she asks, pulling her long, blonde hair into a tight bun at the nape of her neck.
“You look like such a Marine when you do that,” I say, forcing my hands to stay by my sides rather than reaching out and tugging a strand loose. Her hair was made to be wild and free, not pulled back tight.
“This is at least better than that bob they made all the women get when we started at the Naval Academy.”
She scrunches up her nose in distaste as she says it.
I smile, imagining Kelsey’s hair cut short and making a mental note to ask her mom for pictures when we get back to Wild Bluffs. “I bet you were cute with a bob.”
She purses her lips. “I was. That was the problem. I hate being cute.”
