Page 32 of Firecracker

Gus leans forward placing his elbow on to the table. “Lass, your crown needs to be check. That boy doesn’t do anythin’ he doesn’t want to do. I was in charge of watchin’ over ya, not him.”

“Well, what could he want from me? He doesn’t know anything about me, and I’m damaged goods with a shit ton of baggage, and so much drama to deal with. I wouldn’t even want to be around me. I can’t handle any attachments right now, and I’m sure he doesn’t want a headache either. I’m here for the weekend. It’s just a good time.”

Both Izzy and Gus sit back in their chairs sipping their coffee.

I can’t handle any more attachments. He was just some fun I needed to help me forget Brody.

Needing to change the subject I ask, “So what’s the plan today and tonight?”

Izzy smiles. “Well we’re going to head to my place and get changed and come back. We need to help get ready for the party tonight. I told Ginger I would help her get the food and stock the bar. Plus you need to practice for your dance tonight.”

I choke on my coffee. “My dance tonight?”

Gus laughs. “You said ya were goin’ to dance for us tonight.”

* * *

We spent most of the day running around with Ginger and Eva getting stuff ready for the party at the clubhouse tonight. Quick occupied my mind all day, which is a good thing considering I called my aunt right when we left the clubhouse this morning. Izzy wouldn’t give me my cell phone back, but she let me use hers instead. I called my aunt first to get the low down on what all happened with Brody.

He lost his shit when she handed him the papers. She said she waited until Bella was in her room playing. He went mad crazy trying to get information out of her about where I went. Once he called his parents, she felt better about leaving. She assured me Bella was okay and in good hands.

After I got off the phone with my aunt, I called his folks and spoke to his mom before talking to Bella. Hearing her voice put an instant smile on my face, reminding me why I’m leaving him. She told me her daddy had a meeting but was picking her up today. I cringed, praying he better follow up and not flake. I felt complete after talking to her, getting my love over the phone. His mom reassured me he would be around, and that Bella was going to be fine.

His parents love me and completely understand my reasons why I want out of the marriage. I’m the only reason he speaks to them, which is sad because his parents are great. They actually care about him, and they have supported him all these years. They come from money but are invested in their kids, not like Izzy’s parents who only care about money and themselves, which is kind of like Brody, who only cares about his music and himself.

“Got them!” Eva screeches, opening the door. She throws me a packet.

Ginger and Izzy are in the front seat chatting about something, but I’ve been sitting back here letting my mind wander waiting for Eva to return. She ran into the office for some demos and stuff. We’re all going to help her filter through them since she’s so behind. When she started talking about the job opening, both Ginger and Izzy chimed in saying I should take it. Eva went crazy loving the idea, so here we are at the label. I had to explain to them I’m not divorced yet and have a life in LA.

“What is this?” I question, leery of opening the package.

“It’s your job application.” She smiles, closing the door and placing more bags between us.

“My what?” I shout.

Laughs come from the peanut gallery in front while Eva just ignores my yell, moving bags around, situating herself before grabbing her seat belt. “I told Luc you were interested-”

“What the fuck?” I interrupt her. “We just, not even, five minutes ago spoke about this. How did you talk to him already?” I choke out.

“Like I was saying, I told him you still had things to figure out in LA but really wanted the job. He told me to give you the application and that we could work something out if you’re qualified,” she finished, smiling at me like she didn’t just rock my world.

I don’t know if I should be mad or excited. It is all happening so fast.

Izzy turns around smiling big, and that’s when I know she had something to do with this. I throw the package between Eva and myself, crossing my arms over my chest. “You had something to do with this, didn’t you? I don’t want any handouts, Iz,” I seethe.

Izzy laughs putting her hands up. “Relax, I didn’t have anything to do with Luc, but I did tell Eva that my best friend was going through a divorce and was one of the best music managers I knew and that she would be here this weekend.”

Ginger pipes up next. “Also, the reason why we’re saying you should take it is that you can work from LA. Shit, Alex worked from Spain the first few years. It’s an amazing job opportunity. Izzy has mentioned you’re a great manager and you know your shit. So, I don’t see why you're so upset. It’s the perfect job for you.”

Everyone gets quiet in the car, staring at me, waiting for my response, which makes me cry. The girls all start to try and calm me down, saying it’s going to be okay.

I can’t believe this. I wipe under my eyes trying to contain my tears. “Is this for real?”

The girls say yes in unison, laughing.

Eva starts rambling about the job, what I need to do while she’s foraging through the bags, I reach across grabbing her into a death grip hug. She squeals her high pitch laugh hugging me back. When we pull away from each other, she says softly, “Everything is going to be okay.” She pushes my hair away from my face. “You deserve to have the best, and we’re here to help you get that.”

My heart feels like it’s going to explode with all these emotions. I'm not used to people going out of their way for me. Especially people I just met.

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