Page 18 of Mic Drop

“Of course you are.”

My brows come together in a fake scowl. “We are. Anyway, we were discussing how Jenna left the hotel and none of it makes any sense.”

“I agree with you there. What do you want me to do? Send someone out to her house? Check up on her at the clinics?”

My head shakes. I can’t outsource this recon.

“How about we post some positive stuff about her therapy?”

“Wrong track, Luke. When’s our next concert?”

“Tomorrow night in New Orleans.”

“That’s enough time.” This could work. It better.

“B, what are you cooking up?”

“I need to get to her. Talk with her. Find out what’s really going on.”

A grin breaks his face. “Never thought I’d see the day, but the great and mighty lead singer of UC has finally met his match.”

I don’t refute him. Why? He’s right. “I need her in my life, Luke. I can’t go on like this.”

“I can get the jet fueled and ready for you in an hour. But you have to promise me you’ll be in NOLA in time for the sound check at six tomorrow. Got it?”

“It’s enough time with my girl to figure out what’s happening and set her straight. She needs to be in my life as much as I need to be in hers. We’ll figure things out and make the concert—together.” I rub my palms together.

“I like your positivity. Let me get the jet ready for you.”

He pulls out his phone while I search for Elias. Our head of security stands by an exit door, his eyes on all the band members at once. Impressive. “Hi,” I approach him.

“Hello. Your phone should be here in about an hour.”

“Thanks. Change of plans, though. Can you have it delivered to the jet? I’m taking a quick trip and will need it with me.” I remember Jenna chastising me for asking the impossible. “Only if it’s doable, of course.”

“You got it. I’ll meet you at the jet with your new phone. May I ask where you’re going?”

“To get my girl.”

An hour later, the limo drops me off at the private landing strip. The UC jet is fueled and ready to head out, despite it being almost three a.m. I hand my luggage to the flight crew and watch as a black SUV approaches.

The vehicle stops, and Elias emerges holding a cell phone in his hand. He holds it up as he approaches. “As promised. All your contacts are in here, as are your photos and videos.”

I don’t ask how he managed to get all this done in such a short period of time. Or at all. “You’re a genius.”

“Don’t you forget that come bonus time.”

I laugh and shake his hand. With a wave to security, I climb the stairs to UC’s jet and we take off for the couple hour flight to the Hamptons. Because we’re on a private jet, we’ll be able to land at a private airstrip near Aroostook, and I’ll grab a car service from there to Secluded Rest.

Once again, I’m grateful I didn’t cancel the purchase when things went south with Jenna. I text King to let him know I’ll be crashing there, happy to still have the code. I’m also more than thrilled Elias is on my team. I’d hate to ever go against that guy.

As soon as I get onboard, I take my seat and am fast asleep. “Mr. Hardy. Sir.” My shoulder bounces. “Bennett, I need you to raise your seat.”

I blink, reading the flight attendant’s name tag, Ashley. My wits gather as I realize I’m going to clear the air with Jenna soon. I right my seat for landing.

When I enter the foyer at Secluded Rest, I’m struck with how empty it feels. Because I’m the only one here. It only becomes alive when Jenna’s here with me. I take the stairs carefully, so as not to aggravate my pulled muscle, preparing to crash for another few hours. While I can’t wait to meet up with the woman who has taken up residence in my heart, I can’t do anything to scare her fartheraway—meeting her in the wee hours of the morning isn’t a good look. Jenna’s as necessary to my life as air. I need her to understand this.

She has to come back with me. I won’t take no for an answer.

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