Page 22 of Dirty Like Seth
“Let me know when you’re coming back from Kauai,” Brody said behind me, but I didn’t even answer. I hadn’t yet told anyone exactly when I’d be back, for a reason. I didn’tknowwhen I’d beback.
Right now, I felt no obligation to be anywhere other than on that beach. My only pressing commitment was to Dirty, finding a guitarist and finishing the album, which had been put on hold, again, while we filmed this thing. I’d come back for that when I wasneeded.
Until then, I was onvacation.
On my way out, there was one more person I hoped to see, though. I knew Jude had to have let Seth into the bar, because no one got past Jude and histeam.
But no one knew where hewas.
I told Joanie I was ready to leave, and on our way out, Flynn appeared. A longtime member of our security team, Flynn had been “promoted” this year—assigned to me, as my personal bodyguard and driver; ever since my solo album launched me into an even higher level of the megastardom stratosphere a few years back, Jude no longer let me go anywhere withoutone.
The three of us, Flynn, Joanie and I, headed out back. Jude’s bike was still here, but he was nowhere to be seen, and I wasn’t going back inside to look forhim.
I’d just have to talk to himlater.
Liv was outside, her crew loading equipment into a couple of giant trucks. “Elle,” she said, falling into step with me. I didn’t even stop. “Can I ask you about Seth? On-camera?”
“Not right now.” That was my polite way of sayingNotever.
“Just a teeny, tiny soundbite?” she pressed. “Something. Anything? I need a reaction fromsomeonein the band. Just a fewwords?”
“She said not now.” That was Flynn. Somehow, he managed to angle his broad shoulders in-between us and stop Liv in her tracks as I slipped into the SUV withJoanie.
“Sorry, Liv,” I said, again to be polite. I wasn’tsorry.
I was accustomed to cameras, but I was done with this whole documentary experience. Cameras and crew in my face all day, every day for the last three weeks. First, interviews with all of us, then behind-the-scenes stuff with the band, playing at the church, doing what we do on a daily basis. They’d filmed me working out, getting my hair and makeup done, eating lunch with Dylan—as if that was somehow interesting?—whatever they could get. Then the two straight weeks of auditions, with insanely long hours everyday.
I liked Liv, but I’d hadenough.
Flynn shut my door and went around to the driver’sseat.
“Don’t worry about Liv,” Joanie said supportively. “We’ll schedule another interview, if and when you’re ready. If not, I’ll talk toBrody.”
That had become her mantra oflate.
I’ll talk toBrody.
I’ll talk toJesse.
She’d even gone so far as to step up withI’ll talk toZane.
The woman was fearless. She took her job seriously and she’d come through for me, big time, since the breakup with Jesse. Taken it upon herself to deal with shit she really didn’t need to, just so I didn’t haveto.
These days, I didn’t know what the hell I’d do withouther.
“It’ll be fine,” I told her as we pulled out, a statement that was neither here nor there. Did I want her to fight my battles with Brody forme?
No.
Would I lether?
Possibly,yes.
I sighed and sank into my seat, trying not to look at Liv standing there in the lot, watching me drive away. I could feel the question in her eyes, following me:What are you allhiding?
What are you so afraidof?
Liv really missed her calling as an investigativejournalist.
