“What was I supposed to do? I didn’t want to upset you. You getting better was more important.”
“What did she say?”
Jacob smirks. “She was pissed, but in the end, I think she understood.”
“You’re an asshole.”
“You’ll like Thom,” Garrett says. “He’s already smoothed things over with the record company for us. He’s got the details of the Vicious Vandals tour ironed out too.”
“You sure were busy.”
Jacob has the nerve to clap my shoulder and give me a smug smile. “You were right. Everything became so much clearer once I embraced sobriety.”
It’s probably a mistake, but I need to pay Val a visit. I can’t find her at her office. I finally track her down at her house.
“Chaser.” Her posture’s stiff as she opens the door wider. “I didn’t expect to see you ever again.”
“I didn’t know what they were planning, Val.”
She cocks her head and spears me with a get serious look.
“I didn’t.” I hold up my hands. “I swear. I just got back into town and found out.”
“I figured.” She eyes me more critically. “You look better. Healthy.”
“I know it was shitty timing, but I had to go home and get cleaned up.”
“Good. I was worried about you.” She bites her lip. “Jacob used the opportunity to clean house too.”
“I’m sorry they fired you behind my back, Val.”
“It’s fine.” She flicks her wrist at the door. “I probably took Kickstart as far as I could anyway. You’re going to be at the level where execs won’t want to deal with a female manager. I would’ve held you back.”
She worked her ass off for us for years. Took a chance on a young, unknown band when few people would take us seriously. And yet, she’s probably right. “That fucking sucks, Val.”
“It is what it is.” She shrugs. “As much as I think Thom Woodworth’s a vile snake, he has deep connections in this industry. He’ll be able to open doors for Kickstart I’d need a crowbar to pry loose. You guys don’t need me anymore.”
I don’t know about that. Jacob’s always leaned toward the type of advisors who kiss his ass and tell him whatever he wants to hear. While Val did her fair share of massaging our egos, she wasn’t afraid to dole out an ass-kicking when we needed it either.
“Jacob’s been a handful these last few months.” She pats the top of her head. “Given me my first gray hairs. I still worry about him, though. I’d definitely keep him away from Mallory.”
Jacob’s said and done some questionable shit, but I don’t see him making a play for Mallory. “That’s rich coming from the woman who tried to hand my girlfriend over to Davey Revolver.”
She snorts and shakes her head. “You really think a sexist pig like Davey would talk business with me? He and Jacob cooked up that plan on their own. He told me about it, but it wasn’t my idea.”
I blow out a breath because, honestly, her version makes more sense than Jacob’s. “Why didn’t you say so at the time?”
“And throw more gasoline on that fire? No fucking way. I was afraid it would rip the band in half and you guys worked too hard to throw it all the way over—”
She stops herself and I groan. “Over a woman?”
“Well, yeah.”
“Mallory wouldn’t let me do that.”
“I understand that, Chaser. I meant it when I said I was sorry. It was a shitty thing to do.”
“It’s done, Val.”
“I’m glad you cleaned yourself up.” She scowls. “I’ve heard through the grapevine Jacob and Garrett are sober too. I doubt that will last.”
I can’t even disagree because I have my own doubts. “I’ll do what I can to help them, but I have to guard my own sobriety.”
“If anyone can inspire them, it’s you.” She bites her lip and looks away for a second. “You’re all excellent musicians, Chaser. From the first time I saw you guys live, I knew you’d be huge one day.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s how you introduced yourself to us.” I stick my hand out and mimic an enthusiastic, younger Val. “Hi, I’m Val, and I want to make you bigger than Van Halen.”
She laughs. “I was an eager little beaver, wasn’t I?” More seriously she adds, “You’re all special in your own way, but you’re the anchor, the cornerstone of the band. Hate me for saying it all you want, but if Garrett or Alvin left, the band would probably still be able to fill their slots and soldier on. If you or Jacob leave, Kickstart’s finished.”
“Come on, Val.”
“It’s the truth.”
“No one’s leaving the band. I think we’ve all accepted that we’re bound together until the end of eternity.”
“Have you? You have other stuff outside the band. They don’t. You told me a long time ago you always planned to go home and take over your father’s motorcycle club. Music has been nothing but a fun diversion for you.”