Page 13 of Firecracker

“You're up.”

“Shhhh. You don't have to talk so loud,” I whisper.

“You good? Are you going to be able to make it this whole weekend?” Izzy says sarcastically with a laugh.

I look up feeling nauseous. “God, I hope so. I’m not used to partying since Bella was born.”

“You’ll be fine.” She turns to go back into the room she stayed in, but I stop her.

“Are you alone in there or do I need to close my eyes when I come in?”

Izzy turns slightly to look over her shoulder at me. “It's only me.” She smiles. “Now.”

Sneaky little bitch.

I fucking love it. Shit, I wish I had got some. I need to get laid, but I guess it was a good thing I didn’t because I would want to remember it. It’s been months, ever since it all went bad with Brody.

Don’t think about it. Get up. Get ready. It's my time.

I push my chair back thinking I need to put my big girl panties on and start my morning pep talk.

It’s going to be a great day!

* * *

Three hours later we’re sitting in a studio listening to Izzy’s music. I was introduced to Luc Mancini, the owner of Spin It Inc., right when we arrived. Izzy has spoken of him so much I feel like I know him but one thing she didn’t tell me is how good looking he is and about his accent. Jesus, I love accents. And then when his wife Mia came in, I could see why Izzy thinks of them as family. Mia’s so sweet and motherly. I felt right at home with her.

After meeting with them, we headed up to a studio so Izzy could work on some music. We talked about Alexandria, who is Luc’s daughter, and Maddox, her boyfriend, being on tour with another couple that DJs called X-Ray.

“Being in the studio, does it make you miss it? Does it bring back memories? I’m sure you went with Brody a lot of the times when he was recording at the label company,” Izzy asks while playing with some switches but not making eye contact.

Just get it over with and tell her everything. I take a deep breath.

“Once you left I went everywhere with him. I became the bands so-called manager.”

Izzy turns her head to face me. “You have always been their manager. If it wasn’t for you, they wouldn’t have gotten half of the gigs they did back in the day. I’ve always told you that,” Izzy exclaims.

I smile, ignoring her comment and keep going.

“I know you know all of this but let me get it out.” I pause. “Brody’s a huge manipulator, or really he’s a verbal abuser.”

Izzy grabs her chest in shock.”No. Way. Not Brody.”

I laugh. “Will you let me finish?”

She throws her hand in the air making a ‘carry-on’ gesture.

“He got in my head making me feel like I needed him. When in actuality he needed me more. I enabled him and did everything for him. I put all my time and effort into him and the band once you left.”

Izzy crosses her arms, and I can see the tension across her face. She never did like Brody, but I always thought it was because she hated him taking me away from her but in reality, it was because he was an asshole.

“Ruby, I could see that a long time ago, even before I left he was like that. Why do you think Brody and I always fought. He couldn’t handle that I would always tell you, ‘not’ to do everything he needed you to do. It was all manipulation. I saw how he was controlling you. I couldn’t take it.”

I nod, understanding now what she saw back then.

“I know, and I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you back then. But, we were married and like I said once you left things started to change. He started being even more possessive, demanding and just an overall asshole. He knew with you gone I was vulnerable. Little by little he tore me down, to the point I depended on him for everything.”

Izzy stands up to pace the room. “I fuckin’ hate him. I knew when I would come home he would either schedule something or take you away so we couldn’t see each other. The phone calls becoming shorter and shorter. I felt it, but I didn’t want to fight with you.” She stops to look at me holding her chest. “I knew in my heart Rube that no matter what, you would come back to me. You’re too much of a fighter to let someone control you that much. I felt if I gave you space you would finally see that instead of seeing me fight with him.”

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