Page 21 of The Masks We Wear

“Brody, you’re irreplaceable. They’re also your best friends. They’ll come to their senses and see they were wrong. They would never kick you out,” I reassure her and I say it with such raw conviction that I think it helps her even if only a small amount.

Before I can say anything else, the door opens and Selene Stone storms in with Aria and Ivory behind her. Brody wipes her cheeks and I rise to my feet, my eyes on Selene who’s watching me with a suspicious look in her eye. She looks between Brody and I as if she wants to address what she walked in on, but thankfully she doesn’t. Instead, she says, “What is all the yelling?”

Brody doesn’t respond but Aria does. “Brody’s been fucking up her parts all day and then refused to sing the lyrics I wrote.”

Selene glances at Brody and raises a brow. “Brody, what’s going on?”

Brody scoffs, “The song was called ‘Cum and Get It’ and it’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. If we got on stage and sang a song about cum, we’d be a laughing stock in the media the next day.”

Selene groans and for a split second it looks like she’s gonna side with Aria and Ivory. I clench my jaw, ready to speak up when Selene frowns at Aria, “She’s right, that’s the dumbest song I’ve ever heard, and I haven’t even heard it. Do not write anything stupid and from now on I approve whatever it is you put out. At least until the legal problems go away.”

Aria opens her mouth to protest but Selene holds up a hand. “The three of you cannot be arguing when an album has to be made and a tour is right around the corner.”

This grabs all of our attention. Nobody told me about a tour which means nobody told the girls either. Brody falters, “Whattour?” I watch as about a dozen emotions cross her face. First she looks excited then sad and that expression contorts into anxiousness.

Selene crosses her arms over her chest, looking the pristine businesswoman in her black pantsuit and stiletto heels. “I talked to the legal team, and they think that a small tour in the country with the three of you on good behavior would be a good idea. All you have to do is put on good shows with the material from the last tour and keep your noses clean to show the press and the state that you guys have changed and have left the bad behavior in the past.”

Hearing Selene’s explanation actually convinces me it isn’t a bad idea at all. She has a point and I think it could be a good opportunity for the girls if Aria and Ivory are capable of staying sober for five minutes. Brody throws her head back and groans. Selene doesn’t miss a beat, “What’s the problem, Brody?”

Brody rants, “I don’t understand the point of all that when I’m the only one being held accountable for getting sober and clean. I have a fucking babysitter for Christ’s sake, and you want us all to clean up our acts but I’m the only one doing it and you know it. So, forgive me Selene, for not wanting to go on tour sober while my friends are having fun without me.”

Selene sighs, “Brody-”

Brody holds up a hand to silence Selene, “Do not ‘Brody’ me. Fuck this, I’m done.” She snaps as she tries to step around me and walk out of the room.

Selene blocks her path. “Stop,” she commands and then leans into Brody so the other girls can’t hear. “I have a reason for everything I do. You know that. I just need you to trust me.”

Brody doesn’t respond. She just looks at Selene with dead eyes and a hardened jaw. Selene raises her voice and points at the other two girls. “You two, you’re clean and sober for this entire tour. And I will be drug testing you so don’t think you’re gonnafool me.”

Ivory protests, “Selene!”

Selene ignores her. “I mean it.”

Aria snaps, “And if we don’t?”

Selene lowers her voice so it comes out stern and threatening. “If you don’t, I’ll tell the lawyers to step off and I’ll let the prosecutors throw you in a little four by four prison cell. Don’t test me, Aria Kane.”

Selene Stone is one badass lady. It takes a special kind of talent, patience, and precision to manage these three and somehow, she does it. It’s impressive, really. Aria mutters under her breath something to Ivory and Selene speaks up again, “What other lyrics have you written?”

“That was all we had.” Ivory admits, shrugging as if she doesn’t have a care in the world.

Selene sighs audibly, “Need I remind you that your deadline is in three months? Get writing and figure it out.” She demands before turning on her four-inch heels and storming out of the room leaving a cloud of Chanel perfume in her wake.

Brody traipses back to her drum set and sits down. She takes the sticks out of her pocket and starts playing a beat she hasn’t played yet. It starts off slow but then she pauses and slams the sticks down on the toms while her feet hit the bass drums. Aria and Ivory watch her and I notice that Ivory taps her thigh to the beat while Aria’s head bobs to the beat. It’s fascinating and enamoring to watch as Aria and Ivory have their guitars around their chests in seconds, playing different melodies that pair perfectly with Brody’s. The beat is good, I can’t deny. Even for someone who hates music, I have to admit they sound good.

I stride back to my seat and sit, watching Brody the entire time she plays. I thought watching her in her room that one time was captivating but actually hearing the sound that goes with her movements while she drifts into her own little world ofmusic notes is mesmerizing. The way her head bounces to the beat and her eyes close as she plays. I realize at this moment that I could watch her for hours and never get bored. I also realize that I find myself curious to know what it feels like to be as freeing to her as her music.

Chapter 12

Brody

I haven’t spoken tothe girls since our issue at the studio five days ago. We’ve had arguments before as all best friends do but it hasn’t been that bad before. Aria and I have never physically put our hands on one another, and this feels like it’s put a rift in our entire relationship. I haven’t called or texted them to talk about anything, ranging from our fight to just life, and they haven’t called me either, but I’ve seen on social media that they’ve been out publicly and hitting the clubs. I never harp on what people say about me or my music on social media but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t sit and read comment after comment asking where I’ve been and if I’m still relevant the other night for three hours.

The fans are getting used to Ivory and Aria being alone together without me present. Some have theorized that we aren’t friends anymore, some even said that I got pregnant and fell off the face of the earth because my baby bump started showing. Totally untrue but creative so I didn’t reply to the comment.

Now, I’m in my basement in the studio, coming up with new beats because we’re on a time crunch. Usually, we can make about five songs in three months’ time without any contracts or labels rushing us or reminding us of contractual agreements, but now we have to double that in the same amount of time. So, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t stressing me out, especially when Aria and Ivory keep coming up with shitty lyrics.

I do what I do best. I allow my emotions to escape me, flowingout of my body and into my music. That’s why I’m not surprised when my song comes out angry. It starts off slow and basic, an uncomplicated beat, and I keep it going, not sure what to make of it. Thoughts rise to the surface of my brain as I create the song, Harvey at the forefront of them. I think of the way he consoled me the other day and did his best to reassure me even though it required him to step out of his comfort zone so completely. He did that for me and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me feel something aside from hate and irritation for him.

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