Page 15 of Trouble Walked In

“Plumbing?” Renic looked confused, then shook his head and launched into an obviously rehearsed speech. “Look, Della, I’m here because you were so upset the night you left. You worried everybody. I want to know what happened.”

“Well, now you know,” Lizzie muttered. “You heard the whole thing.”

Renic ignored her snipe and continued, “It’s stressful getting a tour up and running, and award season is exhausting. An extended break can be arranged over the holidays. That’ll give you a chance to rest up before the main part of the tour.”

“It’s not that,” Della said. “I’m not that kind of tired.”

“What’s it about, then?” Renic spread his hands. “What can I do to make this right?”

“Nothing.” Della shrugged.

“Nothing.” Renic blinked. “Let’s see if I understand this. From all accounts, including your own,nothinghappened thenight of the party. Nobody attacked you. Nobody provoked you.”

“No.” Della bit her lip.

“It seems to me thisnothingis a lot ofsomething.”

Della stared at him. “It isn’t.”

Renic rubbed the back of his neck. “Then why would you put so many people’s jobs in jeopardy? What reason could you possibly have for running out on your crew?”

Renic’s words echoed Lizzie’s from earlier that day, and it bugged her she and Renic had similar takes on this situation. She wanted to be mad at him in peace, and it was hard to argue with someone when they agreed with you.

“I’m going to pay the crew.” Della stuck her chin out.

Renic paced to the door, turned, and paced back. “Wake up, Della. You can’t just throw money at a problem and expect it to go away.”

“Why not?” Della said. “It’s my money. I can do what I want with it.”

Renic glared at Della. “Whether you have money isn’t the issue. It’s about the people. Don’t you get it? The crew depends on you. They support you. Theybelievein you. They’ve been by your side for years, and this is how you repay the loyalty? By throwing money at them like you would a beggar on the street?”

Della’s eyes glistened, and she pressed her lips together in a hard line.

Lizzie held up a hand to stop his tirade. “Hey, ease up.”

Renic shook his head at Lizzie. “For a second there, I thought she’d grown up, but I guess the past three years haven’t taught her a damn thing. Here, let me show both of you what this is really all about.”

Renic pulled his phone out of his back pocket and tapped it a few times. Then he started to read, “‘Just scored twotickets to Della Bellamy’s Rush tour in Atlanta. Been following her since I was little. Can’t wait to see her!’”

Renic looked up at Della, whose jaw was now set in the stubborn expression Lizzie knew all too well.

He looked down at his phone again. “Here’s another. ‘Me and my friends spending the year’s babysitting money to rock the front row at Rush!’”

Della stifled a groan. “Come on. That’s not fair.”

Renic continued, relentless. “‘Played Della’s new song at my wedding. Not a dry eye in the house.’ ‘Met my best friend at the last tour. Hope I meet a bunch of new friends at Rush.’ ‘One of the best days in my life, can’t wait for the next one.’ ‘Della’s new song helped me make up with my mom. We are closer than ever now. Thanks, Della!’ ‘Just got my first tattoo…Rush! Bellamy Girl for life!’ And this one’s my favorite: ‘Della’s last concert was such a powerful night for me, as a dad—just me and my girls, singing our hearts out. I’ll never forget it. Can't wait for Rush!’”

Della put her hands over her face.

Lizzie's protective instincts fired. “Stop it.”

Lizzie put an arm around her sister’s shoulders and glared at Renic. “You don’t have to be such a jerk.”

Della said something, but her words were too muffled to make out.

Renic rubbed his face and avoided looking at either one of them. “I don’t like being the asshole, but coddling her isn’t going to make the truth go away. This tour is about more than just you, Della. It matters to a lot of people.”

Lizzie glared at him. “I think you’ve made your point. You can go now.”

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