Page 75 of Royal
Local restaurant owners were also spotlighted and had the opportunity to promote themselves to the multitude of festival goers. Some, like Chase fromChase’s Diner, even had the privilege of cooking for Adrien Reed, one of the most notorious chefs of southern cuisine.
Chase made the best burgers I’d ever tasted in my life. It would be huge to have a chef like Adrien help advertise his food.
“Where are we gonna park?” Brysen asked, as we pulled into the festival. We’d arrived before it started to make sure we got a spot, and it wasstillpacked.
Ugh.
“We might have to park at the library and walk a few blocks,” I said, not looking forward to it, but not seeing any other choice.
“There!” Brysen pointed to a spot near the front where someone had just pulled out.
I sped toward it and zoomed in before someone else could snatch it up. A car that’d also wanted the spot honked its horn, and the woman behind the wheel flipped me off.
Brysen, the sassy thing, waved at her and smiled.
We’d lucked out for sure. Front row parking. After getting out of the car, we walked to the entrance and showed our VIP passes to the guy working the booth. He checked our names off the list and gave us red wristbands.
“These will get you into anywhere,” he told us after fastening them on our wrists. “Backstage and the VIP lounge in the convention center. You’ll also get discounts on merch and food. Just show the vendors your wristband. Enjoy the festival.”
Brysen was buzzing with excitement as we walked toward the tents and stages. Sick Beatwas going to perform on Stage C at two that afternoon, and even though it wasn’t for another few hours, he wanted to find the stage so we wouldn’t have to hunt for it later. He was a twink on a mission as he searched the lot.
With the news of the serial killer leaving Addersfield, I felt lighter, no longer living in a constant state of unease that someone was watching me. I didn’t look at every person I passed and wonder if they were the killer. A major weight had been lifted off me, and also from everyone else in town.
Security guards were stationed all throughout the festival, adding another layer of comfort. It was reassuring to know that if somethingdidhappen—like some fucking idiot showing up with a gun—there was a crap load of security that’d step in and stop it fast.
Brysen winked at one of them, and the guard smirked.
“Don’t even think about it,” I warned him. “These men are here to work and keep everyone safe. Not be harassed by the likes of you.”
“He can keep me safe any day of the week,” Brysen said, looking the guard up and down. The guardwashot: nice ass and toned arms, thick and muscled torso, and a head of dark hair. “I’m going to talk to him.”
“B, no.”
I tried grabbing his arm to stop him, but he was already striding toward the guard. When Brysen wanted a guy, there was no stopping him. He believed in taking charge of the moment. YOLO and all that shit. With a grimace, I followed behind him.
Yep. We’re going to be kicked out of the festival.
“Good morning,” Brysen said to the much taller man. “Nice day, huh?”
The guard looked down at him. “It is.”
Brysen played dumb and asked what life was like as a security guard, pretending to be interested in the guy’s answers even though I knew he couldn’t care less. All he wanted was what the guy had under the uniform.
“I’m going to get some water,” I said.
Brysen nodded and continued talking to his new conquest.
There was no one safer to leave him with than a security guard, so I left him to his flirting and walked toward one of the food trucks to get us bottles of water. The spring day was warm, but the light breeze helped keep the humidity down. Still, it was hot, and if we weren’t careful, we could become dehydrated.
I’m such an overprotective papa bear. Wonder who I got it from.
Grayson was protective over me, and I was the same toward Brysen. I smiled at the thought as I stood in line to get the waters. The girl in front of me turned and mirrored me, probably thinking I was smiling at her.
“You’re Royal from Channel 4 News,” she said, her brown eyes widening. “Wow. You look different when you’re not all dressed up.”
I’d worn myKC Raptorshat that represented my favorite pro football team, a shirt, jeans, and sunglasses. Usually when I dressed that casual, people didn’t recognize me. She had a good eye.
“Didn’t think my suit would go over well in this heat,” I said, keeping the smile in place.
