Page 15 of Treble

12

VICTOR

Keri’s audition went great, so did the concert. As promised, Paul and I have kept our distance, which has proved to be difficult for both of us. She didn’t show for string rehearsal today, and I’m worried she won’t be here for full ensemble later.

“Fuck,” Paul snaps as I’m putting my bass away. “She’s at the airport.”

“Airport? How do you know?”

“How do you know?” he mocks. “I put a new location tag in her cello case at the concert.”

I’ve never been so grateful for him invading her privacy and tracking her. “Is there anything on her social media?”

He scrolls his phone for a moment, then a wide grin splits his face. “She got it this morning.”

“Fuck yes! I knew she would.”

His face falls. “The company is based in Los Angeles; that has to be why she’s at the airport.”

I quickly check flights from San Francisco to Los Angeles, there are three leaving within the hour, only one has seats available. I quickly book two overly-priced tickets, maxing out my credit card.

We’re going to get our girl.

13

KERI

Iland at LAX and click the little airplane icon on my phone to turn on the Wi-Fi and cellular network. Less than three seconds pass and I have a slew of text notifications.

Paul

Don’t get on the plane.

Victor

We’re on our way.

Henry

Heads up, your stalkers are boarding the next flight to Los Angeles.

Also, congratulations on Baker!

I check the location tags I put in Paul’s bag and Victor’s jacket he left unattended at the concert. Sure enough, their last location was SFO. I had a feeling they’d find their way back to me as soon as I didn’t show for string rehearsal and can’t help my smile. I type out a quick reply, asking when they’re landing, but it’s unlikely they’ll text me back if they’re mid-flight.

I make my way to baggage claim to retrieve my suitcase and cello, then order a rideshare. I chuckle to myself—time to see exactly how well these men work together. It’s tempting to remove the location tag from my cello case that Paul thought I didn’t see placed in there at the concert. I pull it out of my case and stuff it in my back pocket.

As I get in the rideshare, I commit to chaos and drop the round metal tag under the seat of the car. I doubt the boys put the work in to rent a car, and they’ll be sending a rideshare driver on a wild goose chase. I smile at the thought.

I arrive at the hotel and check in. There’s still no word from Victor or Paul, and after two hours in my hotel room, I’m getting restless. I begin pacing and jump at the sound of someone knocking. There’s no way they found me. I check the peephole, and gasp, flinging the door open.

“How? How did you find me?”

A sly smirk tugs at Victor’s lips. “I’ll always find you.”

“So… Can we come in?” Paul asks with an undeniable twinkle in his eyes.

Any sane woman would turn them away, but I open the door wider. The click of the door makes my breath hitch; this has to be the stupidest idea I’ve ever come up with. I swallow thickly and ask, “What? No pie to celebrate?”

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