Page 121 of Movers and Shakers

“I mean this in the nicest way, but you’re not the most important person here, Linda.”

Silence on the line again. I closed my eyes, knowing where this was leading.

“Guys, don’t fight.”

But it was too late.

A sob erupted from Mom. “Archie, how could you say something like that?”

“Linda—‍”

But she hung up.

“I’ll call to apologize,” Dad said, sighing. “Give me a minute.”

They were gone and I felt like the worst person in the world. My phone burned a hole in my pocket. In the silence, I was finally able to remember what Blaze and my parents had said. Biting my lip, I redownloaded a social media app. The curiosity was killing me.

Once I got back into my account, I was able to search my name and see what people were saying.

And my heart stopped at what I saw.

Lila Wilde’s Newest Single

By Perez Adder

“Goodbye, Good Riddance” came out with a bang. We’ve never heard Lila quite like this. She’s been a pop phenomenon with a hint of deeper lyrics until even that faded away. Now she is back and better than ever. This new style of pop rock is incredible. I only hope she does more of it. We are eagerly anticipating her newest album,Goodbye, Hello.

Unfortunately, her rabid fans do not agree with me. They do not like that she’s dumped Blaze Matthews, nor are they happy she’s got a new sound. They’re the same as all fans, always wanting the same old, same old.

At least I finally have a Lila song I like.

5189 Comments

BiggestLilaFan:The song is NOT her! There is no way she would do this to Blaze, and there is no way he would hurt her! This is all a PR stunt for this new album. I’m so disappointed in her.

BlazeandLilaforever:How could she do this to us? How could our parents be broken up?

BlazeStan:She’s manipulative, I bet. Just like Blaze said. I for one will NOT be listeningGoodbye, Hello. #lilawildesucks

RealLilaFan247: This is . . . something ig

RealLilaFan247: I TAKE IT BACK I CAN’T STOP LISTENING

Barry

LA was different from Nashville. The warmer weather aside, the traffic alone was enough to give me a headache, but then I saw the houses. Nashville had its nicer neighborhoods, sure, but they were nothing compared to the sprawling mansions that LA boasted, especially as I got closer to Lila’s home.

The man who picked me up at the airport was a part of Lila’s security team. He seamlessly weaved through traffic as if it were nothing. Meanwhile, I wondered how we didn’t get into a wreck. Even in the back neighborhoods, people were not paying attention while driving.

Lila’s house was massive. Todd would have choked just at the sheer size of it. I knew I came from money, and I’d left it behind for the bar, butthiswas huge, even for me.

If Mom were here, she’d be telling me to marry this woman immediately. I grabbed my bag, refusing to be intimidated in the face of Lila’s well-deserved success, and thanked the driver.

Juno answered the door on the first knock as if she’d been waiting on me.

“Hi, Barry,” she said, gloves over her hands.

“Do I even want to know?”

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