Skylar grins wickedly. “Talk about a boss bitch move. It’s a shame you’re already married because I totally just fell in love with you.”
That gets a laugh out of me. “Then get ready to wine and dine me because you’re really gonna like this part.”
Her face lights up. “I’m all ears.”
Phoenix loves me, but it doesn’t mean he has to give up other things he loves.
However, I’m glad Skylar released a statement proclaiming he was taking some time off for his mental health.
Because even the sun can burn out.
Phoenix needs to recharge and fall in love with music again.
And when he comes back—because I’ll make sure he does—his career will no longer be tainted with guilt because he’ll know everything he has going forward is solely because of him.
He’ll have a fresh start.
“First, I have a few questions.”
She pulls a water bottle out of her bag and takes a sip. “Shoot.”
“How long does it take to record an album?”
I remember reading that the new album was scheduled to come out at the end of January. It’s the middle of September now so her answer will tell me just how long he’ll have.
“It depends. Once the music is written and the songs are chosen, it mostly comes down to studio time.” She chews the end of her pen. “The first album took the longest because they were new. It was a little over a month. The second album only took them two weeks to record.”
“So, for this next album, they wouldn’t have to start recording until…”
“The day after new year’s,” she supplies. “That should be enough time.”
New year, clean slate. Sounds perfect to me.
“In that case, tell Vic to book studio time for the beginning of January. Phoenix will fulfill his contractual obligation, record the album, and do all the press that goes along with it. But until then, he’s on vacation.”
Something he desperately needs.
She winces. “I’ll tell him, but he might decide to cut his losses and replace him. Phoenix is amazing, but this new guy doesn’t have the bad press.”
This is the part that’s going to require me to be sneaky, because Phoenix won’t like this one bit…given it will undo everything he did.
But I love him. Way more than the song.
“I’ll be doing an interview a week before the album drops.” This way it will get a buzz generating. “I’ll tell everyone we’re married, and that Phoenix didn’t steal my song…he cowrote it. Only he didn’t tell anyone because I specifically asked him not to. I didn’t…”
A wave of grief catches me by the throat.
Sorry, Dad. I’m gonna need you for this.
Along with the nerve to disclose my own truth.
“I was afraid of being compared to my dad and not measuring up.”
Skylar stops writing. “Lennon—”
My eyes burn, but I keep going. “Phoenix was only doing what I asked, but the guilt he felt for not giving me any recognition kept gnawing at him, so he decided to come clean.”
“You know Phoenix isn’t gonna go for that.”
“That’s why we’re not going to tell him until after.”
Then he won’t be able to do anything about it because how could he? His wife, whom he claimed he stole a song from, is publicly telling everyone he didn’t.
His status will be restored, and the world will go back to thinking he’s a god again.
Because he was born for this.
“That should take care of his reputation.”
“Oh, it definitely will.” She makes a face. “But if for some crazy reason Vic doesn’t go for it…what then?”
Then I do exactly what my dad would want me to do.
“Tell him this small-town pussy from back home will be the one suing him and him alone. For every penny he made off my fucking song.” I sharpen my gaze. “In other words, he has two choices. He can either play nice and we’ll all have a spot on the chessboard…or I’ll light the fucking thing up and watch him burn.”
Vic might be power hungry, but he’s not stupid.
She throws her notebook. “That’s it. I wanna be you when I grow up.”
There was a time in my life when I wanted to be someone else, too.
I find myself smiling. Now I’m married to him.
“Are you sure you’re gonna be okay dealing with the Memphis and Gwen baby extravaganza until January?”
It’s a lot to ask and if she tells me it’s too hard, I’ll understand.