Page 44 of Hot Irish Halloween

“Hm, a new flame. I’m sure she’s the love of Dennis’s life.”

Penny and Squeeze exchanged glances and laughed. Jack’s face was somewhere between pleasant and stony like he couldn’tdecide if he should relax or be annoyed that they’d become an unexpected trio.

“Nah, in all seriousness, he seems happy. Who knows, she might be the one for him after all,” Squeeze said.

“Aw, well. Would have been good to see him here too.”

“You wouldn’t have to hope to run into us if you just came home at least every once in a while,” Squeeze suggested, raising his palms and dropping them.

“Yeah, yeah,” Penny sighed.

“How long are you guys staying? Till the end of the festival? We’re playing tomorrow at a hotel in Athboy. Obviously, you get a front-row seat,” Squeeze said hopefully.

With another guilty sigh, Penny shook her head. “No. We’re just here overnight. I’m hoping some of the artists will be in the mood to chat for the book.” She held up the all-access pass on its cord and flipped it.

“Ooh, yeah. Your book. You’ll be finished any day now,” he said dryly, and she stiffened again. “You’ll find people. If I were you, I’d avoid Carter Stillwell tonight, though.” Squeeze frowned, the lines in his cheeks deepening.

Penny stilled. “What’s the issue with Carter Stillwell? I just did a really nice fluff piece on him.”

“Fluff? I read it and I wouldn’t exactly call it fluffy. Fluffy is my granny’s biscuits. What you wrote had ‘he’s an asshole’ all over it.”

Stunned, Penny halted mid-step. She put her foot down, hard. “Ishecomplaining about it? Because I tried really hard to humanize him despite how arrogant he is.”

“Complaining? Um, yeah? Sis, he’s telling everybody that you only did that ‘cause you —we— are washed-up musicians who never reached…what were his words…” Now Squeeze looked pissed, and he never got pissed. “We never reached a tenth of his abilities or his success, and that’s why he’s headlining here,and we ain’t. Also, Brendan was the only decent artist in our band, and he’d be ashamed to see what we’ve done with ‘his legacy.’ Also, nobody should buy your book when it comes out because you’re not a real writer, and you’re only doing it because you failed as a musician. Also, nobody else should agree to be interviewed for the book because that will prove they’re has-beens.”

“Fuckingwhat? He said all that?” Penny fumed loudly, making heads turn. “Oh,hellno. Where’s his trailer or tent or whatever? I need a minute with him.”

“There’s no point. He’s just a lil’ bitch trying to make himself look good. Nobody believes any of that shit, Penny. Everybody I’ve spoken to has said they still support you,” Squeeze said quickly, but the damage was done.

Penny turned to Jack. “Sorry, but I’m gonna have to find Carter and have some words with him.”

Jack looked grim. “Not without me.”

As Penny took off toward the tents, she heard Squeeze start questioning Jack in her wake.

“So, when did this happen?” Squeeze must have meant her and Jack there together.

“It’s a recent thing,” Jack answered. “But if Penny doesn’t come back to the States for a while, at least you’ll know why.”

“Wow, wow, wow…”

A group of teenagers passed between them, momentarily drowning out whatever Squeeze and Jack were saying. Penny kept marching toward the tents, finally reaching the last in the row and looking around for clues as to where that asshole Carter could be.

She found a smaller grouping of tents. Penny recalled being here the last time she attended Púca, and they’d played a set. This must be it. Weaving in and out of the backstage traffic of costumers, event staff, and tour managers, she was momentarilyspun in circles. Squeeze and Jack were still several paces away, but their conversation drifted toward her. Jack’s face…he was staring at her with even more concern than when Squeeze had mentioned Carter’s fuckery.

“… the La Roque fight? I heard on SportZone this morning that he’s publicly calling you out, and you guys are in contract negotiations. Said you’re close to a deal with management of the league. Fight’s in February or March. Is it happening? If it is, you gotta hook a brother up. I need to be there front row to see you kick his ass….”

For a grown man in his late thirties, Squeeze became a kid when in the presence of his favorite athletes. Now this was the second time someone had mentioned Jack being back in the ring. She’d let it go the night before because she was not in the frame of mind to pursue the topic, but she was perfectly lucid this time. When she’d settled this shit with Carter, she’d ask Jack if he was actually considering it. Then she ceased to hear what they were talking about as she marched onward to find that bastard, her shoulders tensed and ready for battle.

A girl with a headset and tablet came racing out of one of the tents with her pretty face pinched with aggravation. That might be a clue. Penny flagged her down with a fake cheerful wave.

“Excuse me. I’m scheduled to have a quick interview with Carter Stillwell before he goes on tonight,” Penny said, showing her the pass. “Can you point me in his direction, please?” Here’s hoping her smile didn’t look like she was baring fangs.

The girl pointed to the small tent on the left that she’d emerged from and rolled her eyes with disgust. “He’s in there. And good luck with your interview. Are you American?”

“I’m from New York,” Penny answered.

“Close enough. Do us a favor. When you go back home, could you please take him with you?” the girl implored, then stomped off.

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