Chapter 37 #2
My heart drops to my stomach. My knees buckle. I barely hear Austin’s panicked curse over the ringing in my ears as he swoops in to catch me, carefully lowering us both to the ground.
The tiled floor should feel cold on my bare legs, but the chill barely registers. “How?”
Austin’s the only person I’ve told, and I know he would never betray my trust, so how did—fuck. “The performance on Saturday?” Liam warned me it was risky. Hell, I knew it was risky, and I did it anyway.
“Yeah. Someone you work with—Molly something—posted a video of you singing. It might not have been a big deal since she’s not got many followers, but she captioned it ‘This bitch thinks she’s Melody Night’ and because other people on the internet aren’t as fucking dense as she is they realised that you really are Melody. ”
Oh. My. God. Fucking Molly. I’m torn between the urge to rage and scream that I’ve done nothing to deserve her hatred and wanting to laugh that, if she hasn’t already, the bitch is about to realise she’s been bullying her so-called favourite singer this whole time.
“You and your boyfriend’s bar are trending all over social media.
I’ve been calling you all morning. If I didn’t have an audition this afternoon and a cover shoot scheduled for tomorrow morning, Bailey and I would already be on the way.
We’re going to leave as soon as the photoshoot’s done, so you can expect us to be in Pine Grove around seven. ”
A sob breaks free. “You mean you’re—you’re both coming?”
“Of course we are. Bailey’s at home packing for both of us. She told me to tell you hi and big hugs from her whenever I got through to you.” He pauses then, in a softer voice, adds, “We won’t be the only ones coming to pay you a visit.”
A cold sweat breaks out across my skin. “Miranda.”
“I’m sorry, Cassie. There’s no way she hasn’t seen the video.”
“Fuck, I–I can’t do this.” Floundering, I look up at Austin. “Can you?” I’m unable to form a full sentence, but he still understands what I need.
Gently, Austin takes the phone from my hand. “This is Austin.” A short pause. “Yes. What’s going on?”
I need to move, but I can’t make my legs work. There’s so much to do, so many people who deserve an explanation, but my mind won’t stop racing long enough for me to formulate any sort of plan. I can’t believe everyone knows—that my mother knows. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this.
I’m not sure how much time passes before Austin ends the call with Liam and picks me up off the floor.
“Where are we going?” I’m not sure why I ask. I don’t care. Everything’s ruined because Molly’s an insecure, jealous little bitch. Damn it, I can’t even place all the blame on her because I’m the one who lied to everyone around me.
Frustration burns hot in my veins. The peace I’ve found here is about to be invaded, and for what? Because some people think that my music putting me in the public eye means they’re entitled to know every little thing about me, about my life?
“Upstairs. I’m going to grab a quick shower, then run you a bath.”
“A bath?”
“To help you relax.”
I scoff but don’t stop clinging to him like a koala as he climbs the stairs. “Seriously?”
“Seriously. I know there’s probably a ton of stuff you need to do now that your secret’s out, but you were blindsided by this. Give yourself a chance to recentre before you take on the world.”
“Fine.” I don’t think a bath is going to do shit—other than get me physically clean—but I don’t have enough fight in me to argue.
Austin gently sets me down on the edge of the bed. “Wait here. I’ll come and get you when your bath’s ready.”
“OK.”
He hovers, watching me as if he’s debating whether I can be left alone. Whatever he sees must reassure him, because he turns away without another word.
Needing to know how bad it really is, I pick up my phone and open my official Melody Night social media in search of the video Liam mentioned. An incomprehensible number of notifications await me, but I ignore them for now, looking up Molly’s account instead.
Her most recently posted video is of me performing on Saturday night after Austin left the stage. Bowman’s is tagged as the location and, like Liam said, the caption reads ‘This bitch thinks she’s Melody Night or something’. The video has over a million views, and there are thousands of comments.
Never read the comments. That’s something I learned very early on in my career. It’s not helpful, nor is it good for my mental health. Yet I can’t stop myself from tapping that little icon so I can see what people are saying about me.
alexis_june who’s gonna tell her
melodysnights OMG!!! @melnightfangirl
genesis_draws_stuff going from an arena tour to surprise bar gigs. An icon.
marcusmakesmusic I’m going to hold your hand when I say this…
countrygirl33 girl… that IS Melody Night
jackiencoke1998 the brown hair omg I’m obsessed
lukelikescountry This new look is everything @andy.b.jones
holly.g.rhodes where tf is pine grove and why don’t I live there
The comments go on and on. From the amount of people who recognise me, I’m surprised I managed to keep my secret for so long.
Most of the comments are nice. Some are a little weird.
The mean ones seem to be making fun of Molly for not recognising me rather than attacking me, which is a pleasant surprise.
While I’d never wish the trolls of the internet upon anyone, I can’t deny feeling a smug sense of justice that Molly’s getting a taste of her own medicine.
Her caption makes it obvious that she only posted that video to embarrass me.
Instead, she’s the one who ended up looking like an idiot.
It serves her right. Besides, if the rule of spineless bullies on the internet is anything to go by, Molly will take down the video and make her account private before the day is over.
Knowing putting it off won’t change the outcome, I exit the app and open my texts. The group chat I’m in with the girls is going off. At first, they’re asking if I’m still joining them for coffee, then one of them must have heard the news because the thread changes completely.
Phoebe:
Girl, are you a secret superstar? If so, I’d check your socials.
Daphne:
This is wild. 14 people have already come into Beans asking if I knew. It’s only 9am. Probably a good thing you didn’t join us for coffee.
Mei:
I fucking knew it!!!
Also, are you OK?
Daphne:
Realised how that sounded You’re obvs always welcome!
Erin:
She just means you’d feel like a zoo animal if you were here today because everyone’s being nosy AF.
Daphne:
Yes, that.
Erin:
We’re here if you need anything.
Mei:
100% and if you want me to ‘accidentally’ spill a tray of drinks on Molly at work later, just say the word
Erin:
I’m not serving her if she comes into Beans. Lowkey wish I could have seen her face when she realised she was trying to troll her favourite singer though.
Daphne:
Normally I’d say we should keep personal stuff out of our business, but honestly, same. Bitch can make her own coffee.
Gem:
I have so many questions, but I’ll start with one: what do you need from us?
I can’t believe it. They’re not mad. Every single one of my new friends is on my side.
Relief hits me, sweeping through my entire body.
Laughing, I flop back so I’m sprawled out on the bed.
I haven’t lost everything. Sure, I’ll have some serious explaining to do, but these texts make it clear that they’re willing to hear me out.
“Your bath’s ready.” Austin stands in the doorway, a fluffy white towel clinging to his hips. His wet hair is already curling at the ends again. Droplets of water fall onto his bare shoulders, and I’m momentarily distracted as my gaze trails over their path down his broad, firm chest.
Shaking my head to clear it, I move to a sitting position, letting my phone fall onto the duvet beside me. “Thanks.”
Austin tilts his head like a curious canine. “You seem less…”
“Despondent?”
Self-consciously, he rocks back on his heels. It’s so out of character it almost makes me smile. “Are you—do you feel better?”
I nod. “The shock is wearing off. There’s so much to do, but I know I’m not in this alone. The girls are surprised but they’re not angry with me. Liam and Bailey are on their way, and I have you.”
Austin walks forward and pulls me into his warm arms. “You’ll never have to face anything alone again.”
Turning my head, I place a soft kiss over his heart. “Love you.”
His hand strokes down the length of my hair as he tightens his other arm around me. “Love you too, Trouble. Come on,” he says, stepping back but taking hold of my hand so he can lead me towards the bathroom. “I’m going to take care of you.”
My already full heart warms knowing he doesn’t just mean until my friends arrive. No, Austin Bowman wants to take care of me forever, and I’m going to let him. Whatever happens next, we’ll be OK because we’ll support each other through all of it.