Page 30 of Lost Lyrics

“Do you like organizing the wedding stuff?” Beckett took a sip of his hot coffee.

“Yes and no.” I licked some burger grease off my fingertips. “It brings back nightmares of being married to Luther.”

“Understandable. That guy was a psychotic, narcissistic prick.”

“So . . . you really liked him?”

“Uh, no.”

“Good.” God, I loved Beckett and his wife, Opal. They’d helped me through some difficult times. “But Sutton and Flint are like two loved-up squirrels. They’re excited and know what they want, which makes life easier. Although Sutton gets pissed and frustrated with Flint. He wants nothing to do with the finer details. He wants to leave everything up to her and Quill.” I took another small bite of my burger and talked with my mouth half-full. “Their wedding planner knows his shit. He knows everyone in town and where to get the best deals on anything you need. He has dozens of venues, function centers, fashion designers, stylists, top-end suppliers, and hotel managers on speed dial. This guy is the bomb. The wedding is going to be huge.”

“So, why are you involved?” Beckett quizzed as he picked a piece of lettuce out of his teeth.

“Sutton is so busy with work, filming late most days. Quill CC’s me in on everything so I can discuss things with her when she’s home. He’s often running other weddings or events in the evening, so it’s easier for me to relay any updates.”

“You’re the middleman?”

A little giggle escaped me. “That...and so much more.” But what I did really dawned on me. I drew in a deep breath and my chest swelled. These people had entrusted me and placed their lives, personal details, and everyday existence into my hands. I didn’t take the responsibility, their privacy, or the honor lightly. I was in my element. “Nothing happens with anyof The Flintlocks without me knowing about it.”

He let out a low laugh and waved a fry at me. “You always liked to be in control.”

I couldn’t argue. He was right.

He popped his fry into his mouth and chewed. “Have Flint and Sutton found a venue?”

“Yes. Thank God.” I put down my burger, grabbed the ketchup bottle, and squished sauce over my fries. “It’s going to be at Romans, that wedding venue on the beach at Santa Monica.”

Beckett pinched his eyebrows together. “Isn’t that place old, decrepit, and rundown?”

“Yeah, it is...was.” The old art deco place had been built in the fifties and hadn’t been maintained. “It was recently sold to Eriksons, a high-end restaurant group. They’ve closed it and are doing a full renovation.” Sutton wouldn’t even consider the place at first. It wasn’t modern and stylish or to her liking. But once Quill had shown her the designs and concept artwork for the restoration and rebuild, she’d fallen in love with it. Romans was on the beach, which was what Flint had wanted. And since they’d had so much trouble finding a venue with availability within their desired twelve-month timeframe, they’d jumped at the chance to have the wedding there. “It reopens in April next year. Sutton and Flint have secured a date in May.”

“Wow. In eleven months?” Beckett’s eyebrows shot skyward. “I didn’t think they wanted to wait that long to tie the knot.”

“Neither did I. But they’ve been realistic about setting a date. They want to enjoy being engaged. So unless something more amazing comes up beforehand, that’s it.” One item off the long to-do list.

Beckett tilted his head to the side and smirked, puffing air through his nose. “So there’s no chance of you quitting and returning to security anytime soon? Sam and Wells would takeyou back in a heartbeat.”

“Nice try. But no. I love my job. However, so many of the things the band is planning are subject to Slip coming home.”

“Do you think he will?” Beckett licked the salt off his fingertips.

“I hope so. But life changes. We all know that.” I was no different. I had changed careers. Was dating Cole. Had full custody of Josh. I never had to deal with my ex ever again. Some changes were for the better. “You know Slip as well as I do. You’ve covered him more than I ever did. He’s no doubt scared of succumbing to booze and drugs again. He wouldn’t want to go back to rehab. Or re-injure his hip. He adores Maddy and doesn’t want to jeopardize his relationship. He seems happy and content with where he is. If that’s what he needs to live a good, clean, healthy life, I’m all for it.”

“Me too.” Beckett nodded, then lowered his chin. “But I miss covering him. The random people and events we’re working on during the band’s downtime aren’t as entertaining or exciting as The Flintlocks were. I miss traveling, and the fun the guys had, and the commotion we ran into everywhere we went. I look forward to every outing they have to attend. Those guys take the fans, the fame, and madness in their stride.”

“Well...” I threw him a sly smile. “Maybe everyone but Slip.”

“True. He got a bit messed up. But I’m glad he’s doing okay.”

“Yeah, he is.” I picked up my burger and took a huge bite.

“And you?”

Oh, there it was. My diversionary tactics had come to an end. And Beckett knew it.

A big grin inched across his face. “How’s Cole?”

The topic I’d wanted to avoid.Damn it.“How’s Opal?” Could I deflect the subject? Talk about his wife instead?

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