Bree
My thoughts had been darting around rapid fire until Benny’s confession a moment ago, and now they’ve all died to a steady, warm hum. The two remaining questions bouncing in my brain are pressing on me, though. Why me? And why didn’t he tell me?
“So much for real estate,” I say flippantly.
“I have a portfolio of properties too. That wasn’t a lie.” He takes a step closer, concern swimming in his blue eyes. “You have a right to be mad.”
“I’m not mad, just confused.”
“Okay, what can I…how can I make you feel less confused?”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask.
“I haven’t told anyone.”
“You’ve written like half of my catalogue, Benny. Mine. Don’t you think I deserve to know that?”
“We weren’t exactly talking. I thought of it like a business transaction.”
“It’s a little more personal than that.” I scoff, thinking about some of the lyrics I’ve sung that he’s penned. “You wrote about breakups and first loves and being the person you’re meant to be. Those all meant so much to me, but they mean more knowing you came up with them.”
“I can appreciate that now. When you showed up at my house, I had a moment where I thought you were here because you’d figured it out.”
“Were you testing me?”
“Not at all. But you know how important it is to me to keep my quiet life. If it leaks that I’m the songwriter, I worry it’ll blow up what I’ve created here.
I can’t…you know how sick my grandma was.
She loves all this celebrity stuff, but she wanted to drive all those paparazzi out this morning on her own with a broom.
I can’t afford to invite any of that back.
Not for my sake, but especially not for hers. ”
Nancy’s heart. I didn’t even consider the other reasons Benny might have for keeping things quiet, or how valid they are.
I lean against the back of the Bronco, nodding. “I understand. It hurts that you didn’t trust me, but I can see why you kept the secret.”
“It’s not you I don’t trust. I debated telling you when you first arrived, but we were still getting reacquainted. It didn’t really come up until today, and we were surrounded by people.”
“Reacquainted?” I tilt my head, taking all of him in. “I like the sound of that word. If we got back together, do you think people would call us Brenny again?”
His body is frozen in place, like he’s not sure if he should move or not, but an amused smile plays over his lips. “I’d hope by now they could come up with something better.”
“I can see all the reasons this isn’t going to last, Benny,” I say, my voice small and quiet. “Or Ben. Sorry. It’s just a habit.”
“You can call me Benny. You officially have my permission.”
There’s strain in my smile. “I understand why you can’t really be publicly associated with me. I’m not interested in being the center of attention anymore, but I’m not sure I can be done with music entirely. I know we aren’t logically compatible, but that doesn’t make me want you less.”
He takes a measured step toward me, shaking his head slightly.
“I’ve spent ten years quietly watching you from far away, Bree, and it’s never felt satisfying.
It’s nothing like having you close, hearing your laugh, sharing my days with you.
It was clear to me yesterday that if I had to choose between a quiet life and you, I’d choose you a hundred times over.
” He swallows hard. “But my grandma has taken care of me. She’s been there for me. I can’t…she has to be my priority.”
“I understand.” The two small words hurt so much because of how true they are.
If I was in his shoes, I’d feel the same way.
I do feel the same way. Nancy has come to mean something to me, too, and I can’t imagine doing anything to jeopardize her health in any way.
I certainly can’t ask Benny to leave her and follow me around the country while I flit from place to place, touring and singing shows and making appearances, especially when I know how deeply he dislikes that whole world.
In the last week, since my song released and all the fans came to Jaida’s defense, I realized how brittle and hollow their support really felt.
Yes, I had fans who guessed my release day earrings, and we made a game out of it together.
But what do those things even matter compared to loving someone real and warm and solid?
“What if I leave it all behind?” I whisper.
“Bree, you can’t.”
“Maybe not entirely. But I don’t need to sing in sold out stadiums. After all this, I’ll be lucky if I sell out another stadium ever again. I mean…I can live a more private life too. I can try, at least. We can hire more security, and things could find a semblance of normal.”
His smile is indulgent. “Nothing about having a security team is normal.”
“Okay, that’s fair. I’m brainstorming, Benny. I want to be with you.”
He grows serious. “I want to be with you, too.”
Benny grips my waist, lowering his mouth to mine with the faintest brush of his lips.
He leans back to look at me, then he returns, his kiss eager and his hands tightening around me.
He presses me against the back of the Bronco while he pours every emotion into kissing me, showing me that he feels every bit the same way I do.
Time doesn’t matter. Our waiting family doesn’t matter.
All the reasons we shouldn’t be together are moot while I’m in his arms. I don’t know where this is going to lead, but I know I want it to be both of us against the world.
“I care about you so much, Bree,” he says.
“You have no idea.” I pull him in and kiss him until I can’t remember what we were ever talking about in the first place.
It’s Tuesday morning, and Benny and Colby snuck over through the backyard so they can be here when my new song and video drop. Nancy’s supposed to come, too, but she hasn’t shown up yet.
Olive pads out in her pajamas, and Zoey’s wearing yoga pants and an oversized T-shirt, yet both of my sisters still look Instagram-worthy. Olive sits between Colby and Zoey, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
“Isn’t it like ten in the morning your time?” Colby asks.
“Yeah, which means half of the country has seen Lonnie’s segment already.” She turns to face me, where I’m sharing a large chair with Benny, his arm draped around my waist. “How are you feeling?”
“Like maybe I should have dropped the song at four this morning when GMA actually aired on the East Coast. Why did we wait?”
Benny leans in, and I’m pretty sure he inhales, too. “Partially because Justin put the release time at seven-thirty. Also, so you could be awake when it happens.”
“I’m glad it’s almost time.” I lean my head back against him.
The hosts on GMA are giving the morning news now. We know Lonnie’s segment begins at seven-thirty, based on what Chip told Benny, so we’re ready.
Although I doubt I’ll ever be fully ready for this moment. It almost feels worse than releasing the diss track, except this time I’m surrounded by people who care about me.
The music video Colby put together is amazing. Once it hits my social media pages, everything posted about Lonnie’s tell-all will be overridden, and his five seconds of fame will be squashed.
I hope.
“It’s almost time,” Zoey says. She’s on her phone, probably texting her fiancé, Tag. “Since we have a minute, how does everyone feel about a lobster-themed engagement party? Patricia wants to hold it at the Hamptons house and do everything red with light blue.”
“You don’t like lobster,” Olive says.
“Most people do. We’ll offer steak to those who want it. I like the invitations.” She turns her phone and shows us an image of a lobster with a white and light stone blue striped background.
“It’s tasteful, and Tag’s Hampton house is a great venue,” I say, my eyes dragging back to the TV before settling on my sister again. “But you’re the bride, Zo. You get to say if you want something else.”
“Lobsters mate for life,” Colby mutters.
“Exactly,” Olive agrees, pointing at him. “Might want to choose something a little less permanent.”
Zoey throws a pillow at her.
“I’m kidding. I like the theme. But I wouldn’t choose it if I didn’t like the food.” Olive shrugs, leaning back on the sofa.
“There he is,” Benny says, picking up the remote and turning the volume up. His deep voice rumbles against my shoulder blade where it’s pressing into his chest. “Son of a—”
“Save it,” Colby suggests.
We fall silent as Lonnie takes a seat on the white couch beside two of the hosts. He looks handsome, which I hate. His dark hair was recently cut, and I can’t help but wonder if his new girlfriend did it.
Which doesn’t ignite the jealousy I would have expected it to. Honestly, nothing about his face inspires anything within me except rage.
“Good morning,” one of the hosts says. “Today we have Alonzo Williams, former assistant to Bree Belacourt. We have an exclusive look at what it’s like to work for the famous Belacourt family, and an inside scoop about her recent song, which swept through the nation like a wildfire.”
“Thanks for having me,” Lonnie says, smiling broadly. His white teeth gleam in the bright lights. He probably whitened his teeth all night for them to get like that.
I hope he eats ice cream after this and it hurts.
The other host steps in. “We’ve had a few Belacourts on the show in the past, and they’ve always been such kind, charitable people. I imagine working for them wouldn’t feel much different.”
“Not at all. Bree was a wonderful employer and a good friend. We parted on great terms. It was just time to go our separate ways.”
I scoff.
“But you can’t argue with love, and after I found the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with, I couldn’t devote my life to another woman, even if it’s just for a job. Bree understood that.”
The hosts nod. “We expect nothing less. So, tell us about this release. It’s nothing like the music she previously put out. Some would even argue that it sounds like she was trying to start a war.”
Lonnie laughs jovially in the fakest way possible. “A war? Bree? Never.”
“Was that sarcasm?” I almost screech.
“Sounded like it,” Zoey says.
“You don’t want to mess with a Bree scorned, if you get my drift.”
“I think the whole country got your drift, Alonzo,” the host says.
This makes me want to pull my hair out. He knows nothing.
He doesn’t understand why I wrote the song or released it.
He wasn’t even around when we went to that meeting in LA.
He’d stayed behind in New York for his mom’s birthday.
Yes, maybe I vented a little, but I didn’t tell him everything.
I’d been fuming too much. Then, shortly after that, Lonnie made it clear he was into Abby and I let him go.
My boyfriend doesn’t flirt with another woman repeatedly in front of me and get away with it. I have more self-respect than that.
“It’s out,” Colby says, looking at his phone.
My heart goes wild. Benny opens Instagram on his phone and I watch him navigate to my page, where the video is already gaining likes at a speed I wouldn’t have thought possible after that diss track lost me so many fans.
He moves over to X, and it’s showing the same thing.
His phone buzzes with a text from his agent.
Justin
It’s a hit, man. I knew it would be the moment you sent me the files, and I’m not surprised at all. I take back what I said. You and Bree would make a killing if you stuck to collabs.
“What did he take back?” I ask.
“When ‘Hashtag Medusa’ dropped, he wondered if I should accept another collaboration request from Jaida. I turned it down.”
I nestle into his side, finding myself able to relax for the first time in ages.
We finish the rest of Lonnie’s segment, but it’s more of the same, snide, backhanded comments about my propensity for being dramatic, selfish, and wanting everything to go my way.
“He’s lying through his teeth,” Benny says.
“He doesn’t know you at all,” Zoey adds.
Colby frowns. “He sounds like a tool.”
Olive nods. “That’s exactly what he is.”
I’m grateful for each of these people, coming to show their support, sacrificing their weekend to lend their help, coming out to Bodega Bay to warn me. A wave of appreciation washes over me. “Thanks, guys.”
“We’ve got your back,” Olive says.
“Check YouTube,” Zoey says. “How many views are we at now?”
We spend the next thirty minutes watching the views rise across all platforms. The thing I didn’t expect? I hoped for it, of course, but I didn’t know if it would happen.
People are leaving comments in support of me.
I knew Bree would do something like this. This is class.
We’re on your side. Whatever Jaida did, you’re the bigger person always, queen!!!!
Give us details! I need to know what happened!
Follow for follow! Bree’s biggest fan. Heart heart heart.
The comments keep rolling in, and there are some on Jaida’s side, of course. Her video was convincing. But the support my listeners send to me is received, and my chest swells with the reminder that maybe I made a stupid mistake, but all is not lost. It’s always possible to come back from stupid.
The only person who isn’t showing her support like I expected is Nancy. Which is weird.
I snuggle against Benny. “Have you heard from your grandma?”
“No.” He frowns. “Did she call you, Colby?”
“Mom’s been calling nonstop,” Zoey mutters.
I can’t deal with her yet. I’ll handle that later. “Should we call Nancy?”
“Probably a good idea.” Benny finds her number and calls. She must answer, because he speaks. “Hi. Yeah, we’re all together. We were wondering where you—oh.”
I sense his body tightening, and alarm bells immediately go off in my head.
“You okay? You sure?” he asks.
I reach for the phone, and Benny relinquishes it. “What happened, Nancy?”
“Nothing, honey,” she says, soothing me, but she sounds tired. “Just had a hard night, that’s all. I wasn’t feeling up to a walk this morning.”
“We can come to you.”
“Stay put. I’m fine, I just need to rest. I love the video, and I think Lonnie is a good-for-nothing scoundrel.”
“Agreed.” I hesitate. “Can we at least bring you lunch?”
“Not today. Maybe tomorrow.”
“Okay. Here’s Benny.” I hand the phone off, but I don’t have a good feeling about it.