Reputation (Mason Family 2)

He rolls his eyes.

“I was kidding.” Kind of. “Look, I told him to go focus on his work. He has come contract and agent issues.” I mentally throw fireballs at Meadow. “He needs to take care of that.”

That’s all true. None of that is a lie.

“And I told him that once it’s taken care of and that he knows that he can come home or if he’s touring or … whatever,” I say, searching for words, “that we could maybe try again.”

And that’s also true. Mostly.

I see a shadow cross Dad’s face, and I worry he thinks I sent Coy away because of the appointment yesterday. Because of him.

“There was a picture leaked of the three of us—Coy, you, and me—from the hospital yesterday,” I say as nonchalantly as possible. “I don’t think I’m ready for that kind of life.”

True. Totally.

Mostly.

Kind of.

“What would that do to Bree?” I ask, strengthening my argument. “Could I watch her if there was a chance of someone taking her picture and putting it in the Expose or some other rag magazine?”

“Well, I didn’t think of that,” Dad says.

I sigh, relieved.

“Me either. There are things I didn’t think of that could have a profound impact on our lives. I shouldn’t jump into things, right? Didn’t you teach me that?”

Dad looks at me like he’s not sold on my argument entirely.

“If this is the case,” he says, “then fine. You should wait to jump head-first when you’re sure. Because you should never commit to someone’s heart unless you’re ready to take care of it in every way.”

I nod.

“But if you’re lying to me,” he says, pointing a finger my way, “then when that boy comes for you, you better take him back.”

“If he comes at all, it’ll be a long time from now.”

Probably never.

Dad chuckles. “Bellamy, listen to me. He’s going to come back. You better be ready.”

“How do you know that?”

He grins. “You told me.”

“I did not,” I scoff. “You’re losing your mind. Do I need to order a head examination?”

“No. You don’t. You told me that he’ll come back when you gave him your heart.” He smiles sweetly. “You wouldn’t have done that if he didn’t deserve it.”

Tears well up in my eyes as I try to stay calm. To not cry. To stay strong and hard and unbendable.

Like I used to be.

But it’s harder now. Something has changed. And I think it might have to do with what Dad just said.

I gave my heart to Coy. No amount of staying stoic or going forward or playing hardball will get it back.

So, I guess I have to live with it.

“I’m going to bake those pears,” I say, sniffling. “Brown sugar or white?”

Dad laughs. “Brown.”

“Okay.”

I wipe my nose with the back of my hand.

“Bellamy?” Dad calls.

I stop at the doorway and turn to face him. “Yeah, Daddy?”

“A life without tears is a life unlived.”

I nod, tears flowing down my cheeks freely, as I turn and walk away.

Seems like I’m living life all right. Way too many tears though.

Twenty-Six

Coy

“I look like a monkey.”

No matter how much I mess with my tie, it’s crooked.

That’s the least of my problems.

My eyes are bloodshot. My hair is a mess and refuses to cooperate, no matter what I do. Couple all of that with the fact that I have the temperament of a wounded badger, and you have a very moody artist headed for a meeting with an agent he’s probably going to fire.

Bellamy didn’t take my call last night. In her defense, I wouldn’t have either. A part of me hopes that she just turned it off so she could get some rest, but the other, bigger part of me knows that’s not true.

She hit me with the Fuck You Button.

And I deserve it.

“Meadow,” I say to my reflection in the mirror, “I don’t give a shit what happens today. I’m going to Savannah this afternoon. So fuck. You.”

Holt’s stupid advice—that isn’t so stupid—kept me up last night. Around and around, his words rolled in my head, and I couldn’t quiet them until dawn.

Life doesn’t have to be this way. I shouldn’t be a puppet in some fucked-up puppet show in conference rooms.

I shouldn’t have to give up my life and my rights to make music.

It’s bullshit.

The only way around this mess is crazy and could totally backfire. And, if I’m honest, I’m scared of it. What good would I be to Bellamy if I couldn’t take care of her?

I mess with the tie for one last time before saying to hell with it and heading into the kitchen.

My house feels like a rental. The inspiration I usually find here is gone. The stillness that I typically relish only makes me crave the laughter in a guest house in Georgia.

There’s no part of me that wants to go to this meeting. And, when I think about the reason I’m going, it’s hard to pinpoint it. Sure, Meadow said that I would lose my contract, and I’ve worked so fucking hard to get to where I am.