Mason Dell.He must have left Pushing Limits for a reason. A reason that kept him from performing for the past several years.
Which means he might not be interested in performing with his old band again…or they might not want him to join them onstage.
Still, it’s worth a try. I phone George and ask him for their manager’s number.
“I hadn’t expected the band to agree to help out when I originally called David,” George explains. “And I only did that because my teenage daughter wouldn’t stop bugging me to try. She’s in love with their lead singer. And their guitarist. And keyboardist. And bassist. And drummer.”
I chuckle. “So basically, the whole band.” Christ, will Nova be like that once she’s a teen?
“Yep. You sure you don’t want me to contact David?”
“I’m sure. It needs to be me this time who talks to him.” Since the festival is my baby. “Hopefully, Colton is looking down from wherever he is and can help pull some strings for us.”
“That certainly would be helpful. Well, good luck. I’m rooting for you, Troy.”
I end the call, step out of my truck, and walk over to where Lance is busy nailing a two-by-four into place. “I’m heading back to the office,” I tell him. “Call me if you need anything.”
“Will do, Boss.”
The company office is dark when Butterscotch and I step inside it twenty minutes later. I flip on the overhead lighting. The space feels empty without Jess. Even after she dumped me last month so she could help Violet and Sophie, and I came in early and late to avoid seeing her, the space didn’t feel void of Jess’s presence. It was the little things, like Bailey’s spare chew toy Jess kept at the office, that made it feel like Jess was with me. All those things are now gone.
I go to my desk and listen to the voice messages. There are a few more booking cancelations using the same ignorant reason the others gave. “Fuck,” I mutter.
I pinch the bridge of my nose, attempting to chase away the headache that’s building, and dial the number George gave me.
A woman answers. I explain who I am and that I’m hoping to talk to David Dixon. I’m sent through to his line.
“Hello, Troy,” David says, his voice upbeat. “How can I help you?”
“It’s about Pushing Limits needing to pull out of the With Hope Festival. First, I want to say I’m sorry about what happened to Tomas. I hope he feels better soon.”
“Thank you. I’ll be sure to pass that on to him.”
“Is he the only reason the band had to cancel from the festival?” I close my eyes, praying the answer is yes. That Stephanie hadn’t been right and Jess’s involvement with the festival had nothing to do with the band’s decision.
“That’s right. They were looking forward to participating. They support what you plan to do with the money raised. Especially Nolan.”
“So their pulling out of the festival had nothing to do with Savannah Townsend living in Maple Ridge and the media circus that has caused?” I hate saying that name since it’s not who Jess is anymore. That was her past. It’s not her present or future.
“No, it had nothing to do with Savannah. It seems like she’s already been through enough. But if there’s anything the guys can relate to, it would be bad press. They’ve all had their share of it.”
“That’s good to hear. About it having nothing to do with Savannah…who now goes by the name of Jessica.” I pause, not sure how to pose the next question. “Does the band’s old drummer, Mason Dell, still talk with the guys?”
“Absolutely. They’re all still friends. But Mason and his family don’t live in LA. They come up to visit, but it’s not their hometown.”
Damn. It’d be one thing if they all lived in the same place, but if Mason doesn’t live near his old bandmates, it would be difficult for them to rehearse together.
“Why are you asking?” David doesn’t appear particularly put off by my question.
“I was wondering if Mason could fill in for Tomas so the band could perform at the festival. But that doesn’t sound logistically possible now that you’ve told me he doesn’t live in LA.”
“Sorry about that.” David attempts to make his voice sound cheery again, but sympathy dangles from his tone. “I wish I had better news.”
I thank him for his time, end the call, and dive into my paperwork.
An hour later my phone pings with a text.
Olivia: Are you still coming over to visit with Nova today?
