Page 66 of Love Deep

I let out a cynical laugh. “The irony is that Gerry’s engineered a friendship to gain Damien’s trust. Damien was never just chatting to a mate. He was talking to the CEO of Re.”

“Maybe,” Benny says.

I don’t say anything. I’m pretty certain that Gerry knew exactly which gym he went to and joined to force a meeting. But what’s the point in wasting energy?

What I don’t understand is why Gerry can’t operate in a straightforward way. Why didn’t he just approach the band and suggest a meeting, like every other record company would have done? Through the correct channels. But that’s not Gerry’s style. He plotted and schemed and pursued The Homecoming Kings relentlessly until he got what he wanted.

And what’s worse, I’d bet, he doesn’t even want them. He just doesn’t wantmeto have them.

The Homecoming Kings. The first band I signed at Right Records. A band I discovered. A band I made. And he’s taken them. There’s no way he’s not targeting me personally.

Well, I’m taking this personally. Very personally.

TWENTY-FOUR

Fisher

I thought a walk would clear my head and allow me to think. But heading to Worth and Sophia’s new brownstone on foot hasn’t helped at all.

Jack opens the door. “You look terrible,” he says.

“Thanks. Are you Worth’s butler now?”

Jack chuckles. “I just got here. Everyone’s already here.”

My body instantly sags with relief. I need to see some friendly faces tonight.

We both head through to the back. This house is only slightly bigger than Worth’s last one. I’m not sure why he and Sophia moved. But they did.

As I walk into the back room and see that it’s not just my best friends, but some of the wives and girlfriends, too, I can’t get the image of Juniper out of my head. It’s like she’s here without actually being here.

“Hey, Fisher.” Sophia holds her arms out to greet me.

I smile and bend for a hug.

We all greet each other, and with every touch and hello, I relax. Thank god for this found family of mine.

“Wasn’t expecting to see you for a few weeks,” Worth says. “What brought you back so early?”

Typical Worth, figures out that something’s off immediately.

“There’s stuff going on at work.”

He hands me a beer and gestures for me to follow him out to the garden. “Come on, everyone, let’s go and sit outside.” He lowers his voice. “What kind of stuff?”

The garden is so much prettier than I expected. It’s walled, with a huge dining table in the middle with a dozen chairs around it. One for each of us and our significant others. That’s no coincidence. Worth and Sophia will have been very deliberate when picking the outdoor dining furniture.

I sigh. “I’m not sure.” How do I describe it? I’m being professionally stalked and then sabotaged.

“Use your words,” Jack says, like he’s talking to a toddler as he takes a seat opposite me.

“Ha. You’re funny.”

“It’s an affliction. But I’m at peace with it,” he deadpans. “Tell us your woes, Fisher, my friend.”

“Oh, no biggie, someone’s trying to professionally destroy me. That’s all.”

Jack nods. “Okay then. Who’s next? Worth, what’s going on with you?”