42.
Chapter forty-two
Kameron
Icouldn’t remember the last time I saw Jack wearing something the world would consider unfashionable. Yet, he was sitting in front of me with frizzy hair, an oversized sweater, and a pair of sweats that had clearly seen better days.
“Didn’t realize you were planning on visiting today,” Jack said as he settled into a chair. “Yeah…” I said, “I called ahead, and while I wish it was a Happy New Year kind of visit, we have a giant problem.”
“Stop being dramatic; I’m sure whatever it is, Mel can fix it,” Jack chided, only to look at me with suspicion as I shook my head no.
“Is your phone synced to your laptop?” I asked, and my twin looked at me like I’d lost my mind. And maybe I had, but this was the only lead I had to go on.
“Yeah? Why?” he asked, blinking a few times. I was jealous Jack was so blissfully unaware of everything going on right now, but his confirmation was everything I needed.
“Does Stef still have access to your laptop?” I asked, as understanding dawned on my brother’s face.
“All the leaks happened after I started treatment,” he whispered, his eyes wide as he looked at me.
“She would’ve been able to see you stopped using your phone,” I nodded, “And would’ve been able to put together that you wanted to bring RaineFall back, and easily tell those songs weren’t your best work.”
“You’re allowed to say they sucked,” Jack scoffed, “which would be reason enough for her to leak them.”
“What happened that made her hate you this much?” I asked, “To the point she’s trying to destroy everything we’ve built. I don’t think I did anything to her; I only met her twice.”
“A lot of things,” Jack sighed, looking at the floor, “it boils down to we never should have gotten married in the first place. I was hurt from Natalie leaving, and immediately getting engaged. So I wanted to prove I was fine. Stef was there, and I think she saw me as a way to further her career. Not a recipe for a successful marriage. We’d been fighting nonstop for the past year, and Matt was the final straw.
It was a matter of time before she left anyway. ”
“Stef does realize people talk, right?” I asked, shaking my head. “And we’d be able to figure out it was her? If she’s on the warpath, she’s being sloppy. Plus, people talk.”
“I doubt it was her idea; Matt’s been trying to end my career since before he got with Nat,” Jack muttered, rolling his eyes.
“And what exactly did you do to him?” I sighed.
Ever since Jack had first brought the man up, I knew there was a story.
But if there was ever a time for him to tell it, it was now.
“Don’t give me that look; it was justified,” Jack defended.
“He’s the lead singer of one of those alt-bands that thrive on controversy.
Constantly says the most problematic stuff, just to go viral, and then plays the “out of context” victim card.
And behind the scenes? He’s worse. His band was supposed to open my first solo tour, and then he said something super racist, and I threatened to either cut them or cancel the tour.
We’d already sold so many tickets that no manager would risk me canceling, so his band got cut, he believes his actions don’t deserve consequences, and he’s hated me ever since.
He likes to accuse me of destroying his career, but he’s ruining it just fine on his own. ”
“If it was only the video for the CelebScoop leak, this would have made sense,” I sighed, before giving Jack a short rundown of everything that had gone viral this morning.
“You know, someone hating you and Nalini together more than me wasn’t what I’d expected to hear today,” Jack shrugged after I finished, “but I don’t think Stef and Matt would go after you.”
“I know, it feels like we’re still missing something. Maybe if you give me your keys, I can check your apartment. And at least get your computer out of there,” I suggested.
“I doubt it’s there; I changed the locks. But you’re free to check it out. Just know it’s definitely a mess. Expect whiskey bottles everywhere,” my brother grimaced. “I was planning on getting it professionally cleaned before I went back.”
“Okay, I’ll keep in mind not to judge too hard, and I’ll see if I can figure out where the leaks are coming from,” I said, not looking forward to the long drive to the city. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Too late, I’m already worrying,” Jack teased, “but if anyone can figure out what’s going on, it’s you and Mel. So, I’ll worry, but I also know you’ve got it handled.”
“Just one more thing before I go,” I said, “are you ready to say yes to RaineFall coming back? For real this time?” I watched my twin’s face light up, and I already knew his answer. That was one brother down, and one to go.