I finish up at work and head back to my place. I run upstairs and take a quick shower, throwing on a matching black short-sleeved pajama set, and head back downstairs to my kitchen. I pull out a bottle of white wine from the fridge and open up my cabinet to grab a couple of stemless glasses, placing them on the counter. I throw together a quick charcuterie board as Lydia comes barging through the door without bothering to even knock.
“Looooo!” she screams, running up to me and throwing her arms around me in a tight hug. She’s so touchy-feely,sounlike me. But for some reason, it never bothers me coming from her. Lydia’s presence is always a welcome one, albeit sometimes slightly suffocating, but welcomed nonetheless. She’s the sunshine to my storm clouds.
“Hey, Lyd. How was your day?” I ask, pulling back to look at her.
“Oh, ya know. Just the usual elite of Hollowcrest drama. Carly Joe and I were cackling over this one client who told us that the ice machine on her private jet only makes crushed ice.” Lydia pauses, containing her laughter. “She said that she specifically asked forcrescent-shapedice, and that now the aesthetic of her cocktails was ruined.”
“Wow, talk about first-world problems. Geez,” I say back, laughing along with her. “Who knew that crescent-shaped ice was even a thing?”
“Right! That’s what I said. But like I said, they pay well. I’ll sit there and listen to them rant about the shape of an ice cube all day long.” She pauses, pulling something from her purse. “But anyway, here’s that invite you wanted, weirdo.” She hands me the cardstock, and I flip it over, noticing an insignia on the back of it. I recognize it from Sanctum Studios. That’s the same place we went to for the meet and greet. Maybe they also happen to record there?
“So, what did you want it for?” Lydia asks, interrupting my thoughts.
“I thought I noticed a symbol on the back, and I just wanted to see it again to make sure.”
“Anndddd?” she pushes, knowing there’s more.
“Okay, fine. Come on, grab the wine and the glasses. I’ll grab the food,” I say, heading to the sofa. We sit down and get comfortable as she pours us each a large glass, handing one to me.
“Spill,” she says, turning to me with a wild excitement filling her deep blue eyes.
“Do you want professor drama or Reverb drama first?” I ask, taking a sip of my wine.
“How do I even choose? Wait, this is a ‘why choose,’ isn’t it?” She wiggles her eyebrows at me suggestively. I slap her arm.
“What? No! God, you read too much smut,” I tease.
“Is there such a thing astoo muchsmut?” she asks, a knowing smirk on her face.
“No, probably the opposite.” I laugh, causing her to nearly spit out her wine.
“Wow, look at you. Those two mustreallyhave you all hot and bothered, then.” She reaches over and grabs a grape from the charcuterie board, popping it into her mouth. “Start with Reverb drama. I have a feeling that the professor drama is hotter, so we’re saving the best for last,” she says.
I snort. “Okay. So, the story that I’m working on right now is on music theory. I’m trying to get an interview with Van. I think this insignia is the same one I saw at the studio during the meet and greet,” I say, holding up the cardstock so she can see it. She reaches over and grabs it, getting a closer look. She flips it over in her hand.
“Yep. That’s the same one. Wait … interview?!” She shoots her eyes up to mine.
“Mhm. I want to interview him about that song they played. Find out the deeper meaning behind it, and maybe behind the anonymity thing, too.”
“Whoa. So, you’re gonna get up close and personal withtheVantros?” She grins maniacally.
“God, you’re ridiculous. But yes. If I can manage to get the interview.” I leave out the part where I’ve already been more than up close and personal with Van. Especially that time he had his hand wrapped around my throat. The image that I can’t manage to keep locked away in my mind.
I do want to tell her. I haven’t felt like it’s the right time yet. How exactly do you say, “Hey, by the way, Van actually had me pinned up against a wall a couple of weeks ago, and then took me to a remote facility to be tested as an ‘outlier’ for his band that also happens to be using mind control on people against their will?” I just don’t think that would go over too well with Lydia,and I find myself oddly wanting to protect Van. It’s a thought that I haven’t even given myself a chance to process.
“What do you meanif? You’re Sloane Keenan. If anyone can figure out where they record, and how to get in on the inside, it’s you.”
“Yeah, I suppose I am sort of a bad ass, huh?” I joke.
“Yes, andsohumble, too.” She places a hand over her heart to drive home the sarcasm.
“Ha ha. Anyways, do you wanna hear about the professor or what?” I ask.
“You mean thedessert? YES!” she shrieks, jumping up onto her knees.
I grab a throw pillow and smack her with it. “Chill. Maybe I shouldn’t tell you,” I tease.
“Lo, you better tell me right now. I need this gossip like I need air to breathe.” She exasperates. So dramatic, as always. I shake my head at her disapprovingly.
