Page 13 of Lost Track

“Learning her routine and following her around,” Piper finished, dry as toast.

Dave snickered and Shawn scowled.

“Whatever.” Shawn opened the cupboard and began to place all the different coffee roasts on the counter.

“Tutor for what?” Dave asked Piper.

Piper grunted and swiveled her laptop to face him for a second before spinning it back to her. “I’m failing English of all things. If I don’t get my grade back up, they won’t let me play basketball.” She rolled her eyes.

“And Hannah found someone she trusted?” Dave asked, half-joking.

Hannah Lee James was notoriously paranoid. It took months before Dave was allowed to know her true identity. And it had felt like being read into an Eyes-Only file for a top-secret mission.

Which he was fine with. It made him feel like his occupation was more badass than it really was.

And finding out that the success of his sophomore album was due in large part to one of the greatest artists of their time had helped him to feel like it was a legitimate win, instead of…something else.

“Sabine tutors rich kids,” Shawn continued. “She’s used to being around celebrities and having to keep quiet.” He motioned for Dave to come closer to the coffee bar. “All set up and ready for you.”

The aroma of the coffee roasts assailed his nostrils and went right to his head.

He loved that smell.

It was like diving headfirst into happiness and brain cuddles.

He danced over to the counter and started mixing, measuring, and enjoying.

“What’s that song you’re singing”

“Hm?” He looked over his shoulder at Piper. “Was I singing?”

She laughed like he was being ridiculous, and he just shrugged.

“I’ve had that song…uh, by Zara Lorna?”

“‘Good Intentions’?” Piper guessed.

“Yeah!” Dave pointed a finger at her. “It’s everywhere.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “But you weren’t singing that song.”

He sucked in a thoughtful breath as he measured the grounds into the filter cup. “Nah, it was more of a remix of sorts.”

“Dude, that would be so cool if you collaborated with her,” Shawn spoke up.

Dave nodded and checked the water level.

“Unfortunately, I dated one of her besties a couple years ago and she has not forgiven me.”

“Oh right. The Mandy Incident.”

The Mandy Incident.

Dave grimaced.

“Mandy was a great girl. She didn’t deserve to have her shit put out there.”

“Is it true what they said?” Shawn asked.

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