“Give me a second.”
Placing the phone down, I rub my temples. I could march up there and demand he pull his head out of his ass, but he’ll merely refuse.
Phoenix gave it all up for me. And not while he was still chasing his dreams…while he was living them.
And now we’re both grieving.
Only he doesn’t have to because he can still live his dream.
He just doesn’t want to.
A stab of grief arrows through me. I wish my dad was here so I could get his advice.
However, I know what he would tell me. He’d tell me to tell Vic to go fuck himself because he doesn’t get to make even more money off my song.
I snatch my phone. “Skylar? Are you still there?”
“Yeah. I’m here.”
It’s a long shot, but here goes nothing. “Does Vic know we’re married?”
I can practically see her smile right before she says, “No. Chandler wanted to tell him—and the world—but I made him promise me he wouldn’t.”
I’m sure he did. However, Chandler’s need to keep Vic happy seems more important than his promises.
“Are you sure he wasn’t just appeasing you?”
“I’m positive. Otherwise, it would have hit the news.” There’s an impish tone to her voice. “I also might have used my feminine powers of persuasion to ensure he’d keep his word. Well, that and contrary to what everyone thinks Chandler really does care about the band. He agreed to pretend he was in the dark about it all until I decided to announce it.”
“Why haven’t you?”
Although something tells me I already know the answer…and it means she’s not just a good friend. She’s the best kind of friend.
I’m getting ready to tell her that, but the phone disconnects.
A moment later, it rings. Only this time it’s a video call.
Her gorgeous face lights up the screen after I pick up.
“Because I was waiting until you were ready to have this conversation.” She chews the corner of her lip. “He stole your song, Lennon. And while I truly believe Phoenix loves you more than anything in the world and he’s sorry, I wanted to give you time to make sure that marrying him is what you really want, because once it’s out there…that’s it.”
I know.
“People aren’t going to sympathize with him stealing your song and you’ll have no grounds for legal recourse since you married the guy who did it,” she continues. “It’s why I didn’t talk you out of wanting to file an annulment and hinted that you’d either be able to claim you were of unsound mind or coercion on Phoenix’s part, given the circumstances. I talked to a lawyer, by the way, and I have his contact information if you want it.”
I do, but not for the reason she thinks.
“Thank you, Skylar. Truly.”
She gives me a sad smile. “You don’t have to thank me. I just want you to know that even though I’m a publicist, I’m your friend first.”
If I ever had any doubt about that, I don’t anymore.
“I know.” I swallow down the emotions rising up my throat because I can’t be sad Lennon right now. I have to be fuck with my husband and I’ll make you wish you were never born Lennon. “But I’m gonna need you to switch back to publicist mode, because I know what I want to do about Phoenix.”
Or rather, Vic.
Her brows knit. “Okay, publicist mode activated. How can I be of service?”
“Is there any way you can set up a meeting with Vic Dougherty?”
“I have one scheduled later this week actually. Chandler’s been talking me up to him and I think I passed my trial period and Vic wants to formally hire me to work for the label.” She makes a face. “That’s not gonna happen now, is it?”
“Not only will it happen, he’ll probably want to give you a raise.”
Because I just figured out how I’m gonna fix this shitstorm.
She blinks. “Why?”
“I’ll get to that in a second. First, I have a very important message I need you to give him from me.”
“Hold on.” She places her phone in the mount. Then she fishes around her giant purse and pulls out a notebook and pen. “I’m ready when you are.”
“Vic’s not going to sue Phoenix.”
Skylar looks up. “But—”
“I mean, he can try but he won’t win. However, he will look really fucking stupid when we both walk into a courtroom and his wife swears under oath that Phoenix didn’t steal my song…since I gave it to him.” I tap my chin, pretending to think. “Actually, I can’t believe I forgot. We cowrote it because he came up with some of the lyrics, too.”