Free The Book of Love by Lynn Weingarten Page B

and fished out a couple of vinyl straps. “These are all-access bracelets. Put these on and show them at any of the restricted areas, like the backstage pavilion or the jam tent.” She cocked her head toward a large white tent off behind the stage. “It’s this corny idea the organizer had, supposed to foster collaboration or something.” She waved her hand. “Anyway, wrists.” Gil and Lucy stuck out their arms, and Vicky snapped the bands around them. “Technically these are only supposed to be for the ‘big names,’ but whatever. Most of them think they’re too important to have to wear them.”
    “Thank you so much,” Gil said. She leaned in and gave Vicky a hug.
    “It’s nothing,” she said. But behind her grimace was a hint of a smile. “Just promise me you won’t fall in love with any rock stars.”
    “Oh, trust me,” said Gil. “That is the very last thing that would ever happen.” Gil slipped her arm through Lucy’s again. “Good luck with the guy, by the way. He doesn’t deserve you.”
    Vicky stared wide-eyed as Gil led Lucy away.
    “What was that about?” Lucy whispered. “What did you put in your ear?”
    “A Listen Between the Lines Plug,” Gil whispered back. “Turns down the volume on what doesn’t matter, turns up what does. And it turns out our new buddy Vicky over there thought she was going to run off with the guy from Monster Hands and . . .” Gil stopped. “Lucy, LOOK.”
    Without another word, Gil pulled Lucy toward the jam tent, and as they got closer, Lucy realized someone she recognized was standing outside. She’d last seen his face in a puff of smoke. And before that, in a million ads for his album. Standing right there, talking on the phone, was Beacon Drew. Gil pulled Lucy forward. Her stomach tightened.
    “Shouldn’t we go get Liza?”
    Gil shook her head. “By the time she gets here, he could be gone. And she doesn’t have a bracelet. Besides, look. . . .” Gil motioned to two girls approaching from fifty feet away, surrounded by the Heartbreaker glow. “Magic or no, when a moment presents itself, you grab it and you hang the hell on.” Gil smiled, but there was something fierce in her eyes.
    She started toward the tent again. Lucy followed. An enormous mountain of man stood in front of the tent flap, blocking their way.
    “Bracelet, girly,” said Mountain.
    “Oh, sorry, of course.” Gil pointed to hers and then moved like she was about to enter.
    Lucy glanced to the side. Beacon was still on the phone.
    “No,” Mountain said. He held up his laser scanner like a gun. “I need to scan it.” And he held up his scanner gun like he was getting ready to shoot. Gil glanced at Lucy and shrugged. She held out her wrist, and Mountain flashed a red line of light across the band.
    Then he gazed in the back of the scanner and shook his head. “Well, I’m sorry , Mr. Deruth , but I believe you’re already right over there enjoying our delicious selection of microbrews.” He pulled back the curtain and pointedtoward a short round man draped in gold chains, drinking a beer.
    “Oh, oops,” Gil said. “We must have gotten the wrong bracelets or something.” She smiled.
    Mountain leaned down and lowered his voice to a soft growl.
    “Listen, groupie, if you belonged inside, I’d recognize you. I don’t know how you got those,” he said, “but it’s time for you to move along.”
    “No, you don’t understand.” Gil smiled again. “My friend is a performer. So I’m sure there is some mistake. . . .” As she spoke, Gil reached into her purse.
    Mountain stood back up and crossed his arms. “The only mistake here is the mistake you’re making in not getting out of my sight before I stop feeling so generous and get you kicked out of the damn festival.”
    Lucy felt herself blush and her heart began to pound. Beacon was off the phone now, and he was walking toward them. If Gil was going to do anything, she was going to have to do it damn fast because