14. Chapter Eleven
Chapter Eleven
Lila
B arry: You deserve someone who can make you smile a real smile.
Lila: Thank you. I’m guessing you saw photos from the premiere.
Barry: Yes. You looked miserable.
Lila: It was. But the fans loved it.
“This line won’t work,” Mia said, shaking her head. We sat in her office, reviewing the album I’d recorded. I dreaded every second of this meeting and I was right to. Sasha had tagged along for moral backup, but I didn’t know how she would fare against the hurricane that was the woman who curated every aspect of my life. “I knew you shouldn’t have recorded them without my approval first. Do you know how hard it’ll be to change it now?”
Very. But not because nothing else would fit.
The song seemed perfect as is.
All the relaxation I’d felt was gone now that she was in front of me. It was made worse by the fact that Blaze was still at my house and showed no signs of leaving.
“All the love songs are set in Nashville ,” Mia continued after my silence. “You two have never been there, not for any meaningful time. Not only that, but these aren’t the pop hits your fans expect.”
“They are pop hits,” Sasha said. “Just not mindless ones.”
Mia glared at her and I jumped in.
“We’ll figure it out.”
“Blaze has been covering for you for months . And this is how you repay him?” Mia shook her head and stepped away. “I can’t believe you.”
“He’s the one who sent me to Nashville! And I did what was asked. I made an album.”
“An unmarketable one. God, I can’t believe you’re letting down my dad because of one measly kiss.”
I winced. Rick’s death a few years ago had taken a toll on her.
And me, if I were being honest.
Things hadn’t been the same since Mia stepped into his place.
“I knew you were harsh, Mia.” Sasha’s voice was cold. “But that was too far.”
She only rolled her eyes, completely unfazed. “Whatever. I’m going to go blow off some steam. Take these and make them into a number-one hit. Now. ”
I slowly nodded, no words coming out of my mouth. She slammed the door behind her, which made me jump.
“She’s a piece of work,” Sasha remarked.
“Yeah, she is,” I muttered. “But her dad gave me my big break.”
“And you owe her something for that?”
“He taught her everything he knew. And she’s been good at what she does. My last two albums—?”
“Did well, but were repetitive.”
They were, and it hurt seeing some of my fans call it that. It wasn’t my best work—even I could admit it—but it was what the majority of everyone seemed to want.
“Lila,” Sasha said, walking toward me, “I say this only because I care about you. Nashville was where you were happier. This music is the best you’ve ever made. And you shouldn’t have to change it.”
My hands played with my hair. “You’re right. And if it were only me I was singing for, then I wouldn’t change a thing.”
“But it is only you.”
“Not where the fans are concerned.”
“The loud ones, maybe. But plenty would love to hear this.”
“So, what , I just tell them I fell for someone else? While Blaze was saying all these great things about me?”
“Great things about what he did for you.”
She wasn’t wrong, but disappointing anyone, especially those who had given me all of this, made my throat close.
But then I thought about how I felt at that damn premiere, how miserable I’d been.
“You’re conflicted,” she said, “and you have a right to be. But the music is yours .”
And Barry’s. What would he do if he were here?
A tiny spark of defiance grew within me.
“I’m . . . I’m not going to change some of them. I’ll fight harder for them.”
“Yes,” Sasha said. “That’s the right call. And I’ll fight for them too. Whether Mia likes it or not, I know more about music than her.”
I grabbed my bag and stood, determination filling me. “I’m going to go home and decide what I’m keeping. I’ll face Mia tomorrow.”
“Good idea. I’m proud of you.”
Anxiety rose in my stomach and I didn’t feel proud at all.
Just terrified.
But I knew I was doing the right thing. Worst case, we could say Blaze and I had gone on a vacation in Nashville. But I wouldn’t change the heart of it. Even if this wasn’t a “number-one hit” according to Mia, this was my work.
I said my goodbyes and walked out to the car. When I got in, my shoulders slumped and I felt like Rose Hill, not Lila.
“You okay?” Juno asked.
“I’m fine,” I said.
“You don’t look fine.”
“You were at the studio when I recorded my new album. What did you think?”
“I’m far from a music expert.”
“I don’t need an expert, just someone who listened to it.”
“Please don’t take offense to this, but I think you mass-produced hits before you went to Nashville. And sure, it worked, but it wasn’t like the stuff you wrote a long time ago when you first started. Your best work is when you’re genuine, especially your softer stuff, and lately, you haven’t been making that.”
“Until I worked with Barry.”
“Exactly. I don’t mean to make you feel bad about your last albums, but—?”
“You didn’t. You just made me feel better about what I’m about to do.”
When we got home, Juno pulled into the garage. She asked if I wanted dinner, but I was ready to pore over the album and devise the perfect plan to win over Mia. I had loads of ideas, ones to prove to her that this could be good .
Blaze’s car was here and I hoped he would entertain himself while I worked.
“Do you want me to go in with you in case he gives you a hard time?” Juno asked.
I shouldn’t need protection from my boyfriend of all people, but I nodded anyway.
She walked ahead but paused as she got to the door.
“What?” I asked her.
“I think I hear something.”
I leaned in, putting my ear on the door. I heard repetitive wet, slapping noises.
“What is that?” I asked. “Is he watching porn?”
“This loudly? In your living room?” Juno’s voice was tight and I realized just how embarrassing this was.
God, why couldn’t he be normal?
“I’ll handle this,” I muttered, readying myself to enter.
“Wait,” she said, and a second voice joined in just as she did.
One that I knew.
“Yes!” Mia’s voice said. “Go harder!”
“You know it, baby.”
I felt like I could faint.
Blaze’s and my sex life had been nonexistent for a while, even before he’d cheated. But after I discovered him with the waitress, he told me he wouldn’t do it again. He swore they hadn’t even had sex. It was only a kiss.
My horror climbed to impossible heights.
Was this the steam she was letting off?
“Lila,” Juno said, “maybe we should—?”
I threw open the door.
Blaze was buck naked and Mia’s pantsuit was strewn around the apartment. Her legs were in the air.
“You’re always so tight!” he grunted.
Always.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I yelled.
Blaze turned, covering himself in a useless attempt at modesty. Mia yelped and tried to hide under the nearest blanket.
Which had our faces on it. A fan had given it to him years ago.
“Lila!” he said.
“You and Mia ?”
“It’s . . . it’s not . . .?”
“It’s not what?” Mia asked, crossing her arms. Juno came in behind me, the door shutting. “Great. The mountain is here.”
“Why are you in Lila’s house?” Juno boomed. “Last I checked, neither of you are on the deed.”
Mia rolled her eyes before she settled on me. “Aren’t you supposed to be working?”
I wanted to scream. Maybe throw up. She was just caught fucking my boyfriend and she was asking why I wasn’t working ?
“Fuck you,” I snapped.
“You two need to get out,” Juno instructed.
“Lila,” Mia said, ignoring Juno, “it’s not that huge of a deal.”
My eyes widened.
“Mia,” Blaze said. “Maybe that’s not what we should say.”
“Who are you to lecture me on what to say?” Mia snapped. “I let you handle her and she wound up in Nashville with some other guy!”
“How long?” I croaked out.
“Not long,” Blaze said.
“Oh my God !” Mia snapped. “Lila, it’s always been a thing, okay? We’ve always been together.”
“S-since . . .?”
“Since the beginning, yes.”
“What? But—?”
“Your first song about him made you a mainstream pop star and then Dad told me you two were the selling point.”
“So, it was all a scheme ?” I asked.
“I mean, like the sex parts were good,” Blaze said.
“And it worked,” Mia added. “How do you think I feel seeing you two together all the time?”
“Don’t make this sound like a sacrifice .” I felt like I couldn’t breathe. “How dare you?”
“You wanted fame. I made it happen and let you fuck around with my boyfriend.”
“He’s my —?” I stopped, realizing how petty I sounded. He was my boyfriend, but I didn’t want him to be.
My rage turned into conviction. Sweet, sweet conviction.
Suddenly, telling them I wasn’t changing my damn album wasn’t enough. I was done with all of it.
“You can have him, then,” I said. “Juno, get them out.”
“Gladly.”
“Wait, what?” Blaze asked, sounding panicked.
“You’re not coming anywhere near me again.”
“We have to.”
“Fuck you both. Mia, you’re fired.”
“Excuse me?” she hissed. She dared to look offended. “I have a contract.”
“Who cares? I’m done with it.”
“And the contract doesn’t cover you being in her home when she’s not here. Get out or I will drag you out myself.” Juno started toward them and Blaze finally got up. He threw on his underwear and a shirt.
“You can’t—?” Mia began, but Juno grabbed her by the arm, pushing her to the door. “I’m not even dressed!”
“Too bad. Wear your shame like you deserve.”
When they were gone, I let out a shaking breath.
“Lila, I—?”
I held up my hand. I expected the normal feeling of guilt to settle in, but I was only angry this time. And I would use that anger for as long as I could.
“So, I am going to be changing some lyrics,” I began slowly, “but not in the way I thought. Can you go to the car and get my notebook?”
“Yes, why?”
“I’m about to work on my revenge song again. It’s time to update it. Can you call Sasha for me? I’ll need to be at the studio once I finish.”
“Of course.” She went to grab the notebook but then paused. “Are you okay?”
“Right now, I’m pissed. But everything else will hit me later, I’m sure. And by that time, I’ll have a new song and be on my way to Nashville.”
“To see Barry?”
“Yeah, it’s time to go back to where I’m my happiest.”
Barry
I was getting ready to go down to the bar for the night when I heard a loud knock at my door. I checked my watch, wondering if Liam or Audrey had already encountered a problem.
But then I opened the door and my heart skipped a beat when I saw Lila instead. At first, I thought this had to be a dream come true, but then I caught sight of her red-rimmed eyes and how her lips trembled.
“What happened?”
“Can I come in?” Her voice cracked.
“Of course.” My eyes slid to Juno.
“I’m going to ensure reporters aren’t around so you two can have privacy.”
I let Lila into the apartment as Juno descended the steps. That was when she broke down. She sank to the floor, tears escaping her. For a moment, I froze. I was terrible when it came to people crying. The Murrays didn’t do well with emotions that didn’t drive us to improve. I was reminded of when Ruth cried about how much distance was between us.
But I couldn’t just let her sit there.
I knelt to be on her level. “What happened?”
“I walked in on him fucking my manager.”
I had to take a second to process her words. “You what ?”
“They’re ‘in love’ and always have been. I feel like such a fucking fool.”
“Why wouldn’t he just be with her, then?”
“Because Blaze and I sold music.” She let out another sob. “He wasn’t the best man, but he told me it was one time. I never thought he would cheat on me for so long.”
Rage clouded my vision. I never wanted to pummel a man more than I did him.
But I wanted to be there for her more.
“He never deserved you,” I said slowly.
She nodded and wiped a tear from her cheek. “I rewrote the revenge song.”
Now that I didn’t expect. “You did?”
“And I’m releasing it at midnight. I don’t know how I’ll hype it up, but I have to do something .”
“And the album?”
“I’m releasing it as is.”
It hit me then that she was a free woman, which changed everything. She’d come back in her darkest moment to be with me . There was a chance this could be something more. “I think you’re doing the right thing.”
“I knew you’d say that,” she said with a smile. “It’s why I came back.”