Chapter 37
brODIE
Iwatched Van as we prepared for the call with Greg. We’d had a lengthy discussion and agreed to a plan.
A lot was about to change in both our lives, hopefully for the better.
He hadn’t said much in the past ten minutes, though, and I could see the tension in every line of his body.
Like always, Van kept asking if I was okay.
The man never once stopped to think about himself. It just made me love him more than I already did. And it made me even more determined to take care of him the same way he took care of me.
I wasn’t lying when I said I’d contact my lawyer. I texted her for an emergency request, outlining the gist of what had happened. I didn’t give a shit if it was nearing midnight. That’s what hefty retainers were for.
Not long after I sent the text, she replied and requested to join the call.
I’d also group texted the guys about what was going on. I didn’t want to burden Faise, given the situation with his brother, but he had to know.
My issue wasn’t the publicity around my relationship with Van or even the fact that Greg had purposely sic’d that reporter on us.
It was Van.
It wasn’t right to pressure or force anyone to come out. Ever.
And Holls, Faise, and Ronin understood that.
We’d all come out at different times, but always by our choice and on our terms.
So, I wasn’t surprised when they texted back in agreement and were willing to stand beside me on this issue. Even if it meant putting our recording contract renewal in jeopardy.
We had enough popularity and power in our brand, and that gave us leverage. If this business had taught me anything over the years, it was to stand up for myself.
Or risk getting run over.
I was curious to see how Greg would spin his reasoning for such a shitty decision. Thank fuck we weren’t in Nashville, or there would be a brawl in his office for sure. And I would have no hesitation in throwing the first punch.
“You ready?” Van asked as he tapped on his tablet.
I nodded and offered my hand, linking it with his, holding on tightly.
Zoe and Greg popped up on screen, and then my lawyer, Lila Stevenson. I saw Greg’s frown deepen when he recognized her name.
Van squeezed my hand.
“This isn’t the way Brodie and I wanted to announce our relationship, but given recent events, here we are. And for the record, we’re in a committed, exclusive relationship. That’s all I’m going to say about it.”
I leaned forward and willed myself to speak slowly and not yell as loud as I wanted to.
“And before you speak, Greg, I want to say that forcing Van to come out by having a tabloid reporter tail us in our private moments is the shittiest thing I’ve ever been witness to in the four years I’ve been with this label. Lila?”
I glanced at the screen. She adjusted her glasses. “While it’s clear that Van’s personal relationship with Brodie violates the terms of his contract, it’s also unethical for an employer to force any employee to disclose their sexuality.”
“I didn’t force anyone to do anything. I assumed Van was already out,” Greg replied. “And you can’t prove otherwise.”
“Bullshit!” I snapped.
“I’ve never talked to you about my sexuality, so I’m also calling bullshit on this one,” Van bit out.
“Your word against mine,” Greg challenged. “Suffice to say, I have nothing more to add to that. Except to say that the story of your relationship is now breaking news.”
I glanced at my phone and perused the notifications I’d silenced.
Zoe had sent a link with the article and the pictures of me and Van. They were all taken when we were down on the beach—holding hands, kissing, hugging. Despite my anger, I couldn’t help but notice that Van and I looked damn good together.
“Zoe, set up interviews for Brodie and Van with national and international entertainment news sites. I want full press coverage,” Greg continued. “Let’s spin the work relationship angle.”
I shook my head. “I’m not saying shit to anyone unless you formally apologize for what you’ve done. And since our contract is up for renewal next year, I think it’s safe to say that Wayward Lane will be looking to make a new start elsewhere.”
Greg was silent for a moment, and then he began to laugh.
“Yeah, right. I’m the biggest label there is, so good luck with that. Still, you do what you feel is best for your business, and I’ll do what’s best for mine. Anything else?”
“Yeah,” Van interrupted. “I quit.”
“What?” Greg snapped, his surprise showing.
I took great satisfaction in watching Greg’s shock.
Van and I had discussed this. He wanted to work on his songwriting full time, and if he freelanced, he could set his own schedule and tour with me. If he continued as a manager with another band, we’d rarely see each other. Neither of us wanted that.
But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned.
I wanted Van to thrive, and there was a lot of uncertainty ahead. A new relationship, a new job, and he’d be under the media microscope with me.
“You heard me. Consider this my official resignation from the label,” Van declared.
“But—”
I tapped end and cut off the call before Greg could finish his thought. I didn’t care to see his stupid face anymore. Or hear his corporate bullshit.
I sent Lila a text to call me back.
Then, I turned my notifications back on. My phone and Van’s began to chime like we’d won the biggest jackpot in Vegas.
Me making headlines was nothing new. But me and Van?
Suddenly, I was terrified that it would be too much for him, and he’d be ready to call it quits.
“It’s late, and it’s been a long day. Let’s call it a night.”
Van stood up and held his hand out. I was nervous like I never was and hesitated.
Until I saw the vulnerability in his eyes that mirrored mine.
Both of us were stepping into an unknown situation. I hoped we would walk through it and come out stronger, together.
I could never lose Van. I don’t know that I would survive that kind of loss.
I stood on shaky legs and reached up, cupping his face in my hands.
He gave me that rare smile, and I felt his dimple under my palm.
“It’s okay, mon coeur. We’re gonna be okay,” Van assured me, and I nodded in return.
I leaned up and took his lips.
The kiss we shared was unlike any other—soft, sweet, and achingly tender.
Then we moved in unison towards my bedroom.
Our bedroom.
We hadn’t discussed things like living together, but I already knew I wanted Van with me.
Always.
As our kisses grew frantic, we stumbled down the hallway, our clothes tossed aside.
“So beautiful,” Van moaned as he teased my neck.
Him calling me beautiful made me light up inside. Because I knew Van and he wasn’t just talking about my looks.
“Honey,” I whispered and watched Van’s eyes darken.
Then, there were no more words exchanged.
Just sighs and touches and whispers, our bodies reaching for each other in a way that was totally instinctual.
Van manhandled me, and the next thing I knew, I was face down on our bed, and he was licking a path down my back and over my ass.
His confidence—and dominance—in the bedroom had grown over the past two weeks.
He was growing more vocal about what he wanted and was curious about. I, in turn, was only too happy to be his tutor.
But he wasn’t the only one learning new things.
I’d discovered that intimacy with him meant letting my guard down. Showing him the side of me that others rarely saw.
It gave an added depth to our sex life, to our music making, to everything.
Now I understood the intensity of being with your other half.
Van was mine. No question.
I wanted everything with him: a home, a future, a family.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked as he slid his body over mine, his hands running up my arms until they grasped mine, our fingers interlocking tightly.
My heart was running at a furious pace.
“I want everything with you,” I admitted in a shaky voice. “I love you so much.”
“I love you more,” he countered.
Then, we showed each other exactly what we meant.