Page 8 of Loyalty (The Salvation Society)

“Be surrounded by a bunch of hot musicians,” Blair says. I glance at her and she shrugs. “Like you haven’t Googled them.”

“Of course, I have. I need to know everything before I get to work.” They both laugh and I frown.

“I’m jealous as hell. They are all sexy and talented, but holy shit Kegan makes me need to change my panties,” Blair says, fanning herself.

I roll my eyes and turn to finish packing. “I can’t think of them like that. I will not gain any respect if I’m drooling.”

“I’d say you’d gain a great deal of respect if you get him moaning your name,” Blair says, sighing wishfully.

“Blair!”

“What?” she asks, laughing.

I shake my head as I turn toward them. “I’m their publicist. They will respect me as much as I do them. Now, let’s order pizza.”

The night goes by all too quickly, and while they are both feeling the full effects of all the wine, I’m stone sober. I didn’t want to get drunk and be hungover in the morning. It’s too big of a day. However, sitting here laughing with my best friends, makes me sad. I’ve been so excited that I never really stopped to think about how I will be on my own. I won’t have them with me to talk me off the ledge or have my back when I need it. There will be no late nights of celebrating and early mornings of regretting it. Not with them anyway. I’m going to miss them so much.

They are right, though. I know in my soul I am ready for this and I am determined to prove my grandfather and everyone else wrong.

My leg is bouncing as I wait for the flight to take off. It was harder than I expected saying goodbye to Haven and Blair, but they stayed with me until the very last minute. Now I’m on my own. I’m as excited as I am nervous.

I put in my earbuds and listen to Loyalty. I figure the best way to get to know them is to know their music. They won’t take me seriously if I don’t even know what they sing. I close my eyes and let song after song wrap around me. I’m beyond impressed. They are unbelievably talented, and their lyrics are amazing. Some songs are angry, some are happy, and some are even heartbreaking. It’s a fantastic mix.

Kegan’s voice sends chills through my body. It’s powerful, demanding, deep, and rough. It’s sexy as hell. I can see why they have gained the fame they have. I read online that they write their own songs and I wonder if that is true. You can’t believe everything you read online.

Their music distracts me to the point that I don’t even realize we’ve landed until passengers start moving around me. I pull out my earbuds, tossing them into my purse as I stand up. I grab my carry on and follow the crowd out.

I visited New York a lot when I was in college. It was just another bonus to going to school in New Jersey, being so close to the city. I smile thinking of all the fun I’ve had here, and I’m so grateful for the memories.

I head to pick up my luggage and I’m so thankful when my suitcase is right there. I grab it and wheel it behind me. As I head for the exit, I see Jennifer from JRJ waiting for me.

“Lorelei,” she yells, waving.

I smile as I walk toward her. “I didn’t realize you’d be here to pick me up.”

“We’re on a tight timeline, so I figured it was the easiest way. Come on, I’ll tell you everything on our ride to JRJ,” she says.

I follow behind her and when we walk outside, I take it all in. The busy crowded sidewalk packed with business professionals. The fast pace everyone moves as if there is no time to slow down. The loud chatter, blaring horns, and the wind whistling. The tall buildings, bright lights, and the world in front of you. You can feel the excitement, the anticipation, the ambition. This is my dream finally coming true. It’s a surreal moment and one I will never forget. I tighten my hold on my suitcase as we walk down to a black town car.

“Here we are. We can put your things in the trunk, and I’ll have a driver grab it all before he brings you to the hotel later,” she explains.

Damn a driver. I have arrived. “Great,” I say, putting my bags in the trunk.

We climb in and she pulls out into traffic. She doesn’t seem to notice or care that cars are trying to pull out in front of us. She just pushes through and I grab onto the handle of the car, a bit nervous. She’s swerving around cars, cutting them off, and once we are on the highway, she hits the gas so hard, I push back into the seat. My eyes are wide as I watch the blur of cars as we rush past them.

“We are going to meet Loyalty at JRJ. They are aware that you are now in charge, so don’t let them give you any shit. I chose you because I know you can do this job. They aren’t looking forward to the change, but I think once they meet you and you all have a chance to talk, they will come around,” she warns, glancing at me with a smile.

I want to scream for her to keep her eyes on the road, but I force a smile instead. “Change isn’t easy for anyone. We’ll be fine,” I say, hoping I make it alive to actually meet them.

“I spoke to your grandfather this morning,” she says, peeking over at me.

I roll my eyes, but keep facing forward. “Oh yeah?”

“Between us, I have no idea how he still is able to keep clientele. His thinking is very old fashioned when it comes to you,” she comments, annoyed.

I clear my throat as I shake my head. Of course, he called talking shit about me. “It’s just me he’s like that with. He’s great with clients and even better with his employees. I’ve yet to prove myself in his eyes, so I guess he’s having a hard time with me getting this position,” I say, embarrassed that he would do this to me.

She laughs as we pull into a parking garage. “Well, I guess we both have a lot to prove here. Two women taking on the world.”

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