by Pratt, Lulu
But I was willing to let that all go. She had finally made time in her schedule, and if nothing else it would look good to corporate. She posted a photo of us in the studio together, and her fans were ecstatic. Of course, they didn’t know she didn’t sing a word, and there wasn’t one song recorded for our highly anticipated album.
It was the way that she spoke to Sadie that sent me over the edge. There was no way she could know what was going on between me and Sadie, but even if she did, that was no reason to be so rude. From the moment she arrived, she was mean.
It was unlike my sister. She’d always been territorial, but I had never seen her be downright nasty to someone just because she thought they liked me. I knew there had to be something else bothering her, but I wasn’t sure what it could be.
“What the hell, Billie?” I asked after closing the door behind Brad and Sadie. Sadie had looked like she might cry, and that pissed me off. I didn’t want anyone making her feel bad, even if that someone was my sister.
“Oh, don’t act like you care about me or that girl! She’s just another one of the people paid to make you feel better about yourself!”
Her words felt like knives. I couldn’t remember anything I’d done to make her so upset with me. “What are you talking about? Of course I care about you. And Sadie was hired for us, to help us make the new album.”
“Is there even an ‘us,’ Wyatt?”
“Of course there is,” I argued with confusion. We’d been a duo long before we began creating music together. Twins had an indescribable bond, best friends before birth. For my entire life, my sister had been by my side. Hearing her words now were more than hurtful.
“Hmm, let’s think about that,” she pulled out her phone, tapping the screen a few times before turning it to me so that I could see the headline.
It was an announcement for a nomination I’d received from the songwriters guild. My agent had sent me the official announcement the previous day, but I didn’t think much of it. Every year, I received a few nominations, but the award ceremonies were very formal and niche, so I never attended as we were often on tour.
“What’s that got to do with anything?” I asked my sister, still confused.
“This is what I mean; you don’t even get it. There’s no mention of me anywhere in the article, Wyatt! We’re not a team or a group. You’re a star, and I’m your sister.”
It had never occurred to me that she felt so strongly about this type of thing. Billie liked the spotlight, and when it was shown, she was always invited. Whenever we were nominated for awards, she basked on the red carpet while I stalled behind nervously.
We were always nominated as a group then; it was only when it came to songwriting that we were separate. My sister barely showed up to studio sessions, so when she did, it was mostly towards the end of the creative process. She didn’t add anything to the lyrics, but she was brilliant at adding depth to the vocals.
“Billie, you’ve always been the star of the family. Everyone loves you, especially me. How could you think I wouldn’t want you with me throughout this process? It’s always been the two of us.”
“No, it hasn’t, Wyatt. And I’m sick of pretending it has. This is just another thing you’re forced to bring me along to. At this point, I’m like a prop to you, and that’s how the label treats me. You’re the talent and I’m the eye candy. I’m sick of this shit!”
She was livid. I could tell from her choice of words. Billie never cursed, but she never yelled at me, either. I couldn’t believe my ears. I had nothing to say, no rebuttal or explanation.
When we were little, I used to be tasked with taking Billie everywhere. I might have only been a few minutes older than her, but my parents always treated me like a big brother. Billie would bounce behind me, following my lead wherever I went. I’d never considered that my music career was another time I’d taken her with me. After the success of my debut album, she seemed interested in it all, sometimes even more than me.
She liked the attention, and even began to enjoy the studio sessions. Everything was fun for Billie until it was mandatory. Then it felt like a job, and that wasn’t ideal for her. Rather than trying to understand why she didn’t like the studio process, I just continued without her.
I wrote the songs without her input and told her what and when to sing. I wouldn’t call her a prop, but she was far from my equal as far as the label was concerned. Recalling a recent conversation with Mitchell, I remembered how he spoke of her like she was bait for the audience rather than a musician.
I felt like I’d let her down as a bandmate, but more importantly as a big brother. She deserved more than she’d been given. I should have taught her more and protected her, but I’d been too focused on myself to even notice she needed me.
“If you want, we can involve you more in the writing process of this album,” I offered.
“Are you kidding?” She laughed, but there was no humor in her tone. “Wyatt, isn’t it obvious? I don’t care about this! I don’t care about the label! I don’t care about the album! None of this shit matters to me!”
She threw her hands in the air, and I saw the tears welling in her eyes. Both the women I cared about were pushed to their limit in the space of fifteen minutes. My head was spinning.
At that moment, Brad stuck his head back inside. It was obvious he had heard everything.
“Okay, sweetheart, I think you’ve had enough,” Brad took my sister in his arms. Normally, I’d be annoyed, feeling as though he was overstepping a boundary. After all, I was having a conversation with my sister. But this time I was grateful for Brad, needing a buffer between me and my sister.
It was clear for the first time that he was closer to her than me. The two of them had a relationship I couldn’t challenge. She loved him, and he loved her.
I could never see it before, because I hadn’t experienced it myself. Now, with Sadie, I knew what it felt like to have something you cared about more than your career. I didn’t care about the label, the fans, the critics, or anyone else when it came to Sadie. None of them could come between us.
“Wyatt, I’ll call you later,” Billie said as she left the studio. It was a kind gesture, though I doubted she would follow through on it.
I was confident Brad would help her work through all she was feeling. They left together with their arms entangled, and I was genuinely happy for her. Billie had finally spoken up for herself and made it apparent why she had been behaving as she had the past few weeks.
Needing a breath of fresh air, I followed them out of the studio, deciding to go for a walk. One of the benefits of using a studio so close to downtown was the close access to everything. I needed a distraction, something to help me get my mind off the explosion I’d just witnessed.
I needed a break from music, because it was at the crux of my problems. Between Sadie worrying about anyone knowing about our relationship and my sister not caring anything about our album, I’d had enough.
The breeze felt good against my warm skin. I walked aimlessly, hoping to clear my head and find the solutions I so desperately needed.
Chapter 27
SADIE
“IF YOU DON’T get it, I will!” Gayle warned me as I debated whether or not to get an antique brooch I was holding in my hand. We had been rummaging through the baskets of jewelry for a while when I spotted the colorful piece buried deep in the pile. It had a heavy beveled three-sided green glass in the center with little green glass leaves on the outside with gold accents.
My mother had always liked brooches. I thought I could get it for her upcoming birthday. After a quick debate, I decided it was perfect. The woman who owned the booth wrapped it delicately in tissue paper before placing it in a small square box. I thanked her as I gave her the money before following Gayle to the next booth.
Walking through the flea market had been one of our favorite past times for as long as I’d known Gayle. We’d help each other find good deals, and talk to each other out of the purch
ases we didn’t need. Usually, I needed more of the latter, because money was tight.
That had all changed recently since I had taken the gig she referred me to, working as the pianist for Wyatt and Billie. When I arrived at the audition, I had no idea what I would be getting myself into, both professionally and personally.
I had been overwhelmed on both fronts. Professionally, it was a great learning experience. Wyatt was so knowledgeable about the music industry and making music. It seemed I learned something new from him every time we were together. But his sister hated me from the gate.
Even before I fell for him, Billie gave me a hard time. I’d heard people speak of a connection between twins. Those two appeared to have it, because Billie knew I had a thing for her brother even before I did. And she was not happy about it.
After our latest studio session two days before, things had gotten weird between us. Billie’s outburst was enough of a scare for me to pull back. If she reacted that way because she thought I liked him, I didn’t even want to think of what she would do when she learned the full story.
Things had been getting hot and heavy between Wyatt and me. But I think he even knew it was too much too fast. When I began ignoring his calls, he didn’t show up at my house unannounced as he had the first time I tried to call things off. Instead, he gave me space.
And because we weren’t scheduled for any studio sessions, it was easy to avoid each other. It had been a few days since I last saw him or spoke to him, and I was fine with that. I wasn’t sure what I would say to him anyway.
“Look at this!” Gayle gushed as she held up a distressed leather jacket.
She loved vintage fashion. Even I couldn’t deny the allure of this piece. The leather was worn, but far from destroyed. It was, as she would say, indicative of the better materials they used back in the day.
I smiled, watching my friend model the jacket in the three-way mirror. Turning one way and then another, she checked herself out. Gayle was my closest friend, but I hadn’t even told her about Wyatt and I getting together.
There was just too much at stake. And besides, she was the reason I had the job. The last thing I wanted to do was admit I had messed it all up because I lacked self-control.
After she bought the jacket, we walked past a few more booths without anything catching our eye. “I’ve got some good opportunities coming up for festival season,” Gayle said.
“Really? Like what?”
“You know, maybe we could get a few of us together and hit a couple of shows,” she shrugged. “Now that we’re free to travel without Rose Aurum commitments, once your studio sessions are finished we could really make some money.”
I hated to think of our band and its recent demise. I’d always wanted us to make it even though the writing on the wall said differently. We had too many members, half of which looked at it as a hobby, which meant they were unable and unwilling to drive further than thirty minutes for a gig.
“I don’t know,” I said, unable to see how we could possibly put a group together and be good enough to impress the right people to let us play festivals.
“Oh, come on!” Gayle slapped my shoulder. “Playing festivals is your dream! If I’ve got the opportunity, I don’t see how or why you’d turn it down.”
“And what exactly is the opportunity?” I turned to her, calling her bluff.
“I don’t have the details yet, but listen!” She grabbed my arm when I began to turn away. She always did this, teasing an idea before she had officially landed it. She’d tell me all about it to see if it was even worth her pursuing.
We both knew I loved the idea of playing at a festival, but I wasn’t sure even Gayle could pull that off. She knew everyone there was to know in the Tennessee music scene, but this would take a miracle.
“You don’t have an opportunity to play festivals,” I giggled, seeing the amusement dance on her lips.
“Not yet, but now that I know you’re down to play with me, I can close the deal when it comes my way.”
We laughed together as we maneuvered through the growing crowd. We liked to come early, but now the market was overrun with shoppers. We were just getting ready to leave, satisfied with our few purchases, when I heard his voice.
“Sadie!” Wyatt called. I turned to see him, feeling the ice I’d built around my feelings for him melt instantly. He was so handsome, I could feel the women around us staring. “I thought that was you!”
“Hi,” I smiled, unable to pretend for another second that he didn’t affect me. He made his way through the crowd with an urgency that made me blush.
“How have you been?” he asked, his hazel eyes glaring into mine.
“I’m okay.” I felt the lie in my tone. And from the way Wyatt’s eyes narrowed, I figured he knew the truth.
“I’m sorry,” he turned his attention away, and I missed it terribly. “My name is Wyatt.” He extended his hand to Gayle, who happily accepted.
“Of course,” she smiled. “I know who you are. I actually think we might be able to work together.”
Wyatt looked from my best friend to me before turning back to her. “Is that so?”
“Yeah,” Gayle nodded, embodying the confidence I’d always admired about her. When I first met Wyatt, I could barely speak. Here she was, pitching herself. “I work with promoters and booking agents. And I have some new ideas that might interest you.”
“Typically, I let the label handle that,” he answered with a smirk tugging at his lips. I could tell he too was impressed by Gayle’s confidence.
“Yeah, but they typically work with the same small group of promoters. They’ll limit your opportunities and cut into your profits.” Without missing a beat, Gayle reached into her back pocket before extending a black business card. “If you ever want to hear more, just give me a call.”
“Will do.” Wyatt accepted the card before sliding it in his back pocket.
“I’ll leave you two alone,” Gayle excused herself with perfect timing. I wondered for a moment if she knew that something was up between Wyatt and me.
Wyatt’s glare felt like a spotlight. Standing in front of him, I had a mix of nervousness, excitement, and curiosity. What did he want to talk about? And why hadn’t he reached out to me? Had he felt the same way I did after Billie’s reaction at the last studio session? My mind raced with these thoughts until his lips parted.
“I’ve been trying to respect that you don’t want to talk to me, Sadie, but I need to know if there’s something I did.”
My heart hurt thinking that he could blame himself for this. Sure, in a way the fault was on both of us, because we knew better when we decided to cross the line and take things beyond the professional realm. We knew it would lead to complications, and we both tried to fight the urge.
But there was no reason for him to feel my decision to take a step away from our budding relationship was because of a misstep on his part. I just feared the inevitable, especially after he stared into my eyes in the studio. Billie had shown me how unforgiving she would be, and that was before she knew just how serious things had gotten between me and her brother.
“I’ve tried calling and texting.” He reached for my hand. “If I did anything…” He moved closer so that the tips of our toes touched.
“You didn’t do anything,” I answered quietly. “Well, nothing we both didn’t do.”
Wyatt looked confused, his brows rushing together in a handsome frown.
“Your sister is right, Wyatt,” I continued. “ Things have gone too far. We’ve thrown professionalism out the door, and that’s not okay.”
He watched me intently as his thumb rubbed circles on the back of my hand. Staring deep into his eyes, I tried to explain the thoughts that had been dominating my mind for days.
“We tried and it’s just not possible. Billie hates the idea that I might like you. And we both know Mitchell wouldn’t approve. The timing just isn’t right, Wyatt. Maybe we should just focus on the music and forget this secr
et relationship thing we’ve got going on.”
“Are you kidding me?” Wyatt looked angry, stepping forward before reaching for my other hand. With my hands in his, he looked deep into my eyes. “This relationship is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
My heart skipped a beat, totally caught off guard in the best way. I’d never expected him to respond that way, or care that I wanted to call things off. He was rich and famous, and drop-dead handsome. Why would he care so much about a relationship with me?
At that moment, I felt more special than ever, realizing that Wyatt was as deeply affected as me. He wanted things to work, and cared about my feelings. It was a dream come true, but I feared how brutal things could be when I was forced to wake up.
Chapter 28
WYATT
SADIE WAS TRYING to be strong, though I wasn’t sure who it was for. I could see in her eyes that she still cared for me. I knew that was the case when she didn’t resign from the position. If we were nothing more than casual sex, my sister’s outburst would have been enough for her to walk away, or at least break things off for me.
It was clear that dealing with me was becoming a headache for her. But she didn’t resign or break up with me. She just took a step back. That much I could understand. And while it was difficult, I gave her the time she needed. From the look in her eyes, I knew she had missed me just as much at that moment.
“Sadie, are you not attracted to me?” I asked, already certain of the answer. I’d noticed her checking me out while I talked to her friend. The mutual attraction to us was deafening.
“You know I’m attracted to you, Wyatt,” she whispered, her cheeks reddening to a pretty blush.
“If none of this noise existed, would you not want to be together?”
It was the question I’d had to ask myself. The truth was, I wanted to be with Sadie whether or not my sister or record label supported the decision. The way I felt when we were together was enough to drown out their bullshit.
