Page 61 of Movers and Shakers

“Fuck you both. Mia, you’re fired.”

“Excuse me?” she hissed. She dared to look offended. “I have a contract.”

“Who cares? I’m done with it.”

“And the contract doesn’t cover you being in her home when she’s not here. Get out or I will drag you out myself.” Juno started toward them and Blaze finally got up. He threw on his underwear and a shirt.

“You can’t—‍” Mia began, but Juno grabbed her by the arm, pushing her to the door. “I’m not even dressed!”

“Too bad. Wear your shame like you deserve.”

When they were gone, I let out a shaking breath.

“Lila, I—‍”

I held up my hand. I expected the normal feeling of guilt to settle in, but I was only angry this time. And I would use that anger for as long as I could.

“So, Iamgoing to be changing some lyrics,” I began slowly, “but not in the way I thought. Can you go to the car and get my notebook?”

“Yes, why?”

“I’m about to work on my revenge song again. It’s time to update it. Can you call Sasha for me? I’ll need to be at the studio once I finish.”

“Of course.” She went to grab the notebook but then paused. “Are you okay?”

“Right now, I’m pissed. But everything else will hit me later, I’m sure. And by that time, I’ll have a new song and be on my way to Nashville.”

“To see Barry?”

“Yeah, it’s time to go back to where I’m my happiest.”

Barry

I was getting ready to go down to the bar for the night when I heard a loud knock at my door. I checked my watch, wondering if Liam or Audrey had already encountered a problem.

But then I opened the door and my heart skipped a beat when I saw Lila instead. At first, I thought this had to be a dream come true, but then I caught sight of her red-rimmed eyes and how her lips trembled.

“What happened?”

“Can I come in?” Her voice cracked.

“Of course.” My eyes slid to Juno.

“I’m going to ensure reporters aren’t around so you two can have privacy.”

I let Lila into the apartment as Juno descended the steps. That was when she broke down. She sank to the floor, tears escaping her. For a moment, I froze. I was terrible when it came to people crying. The Murrays didn’t do well with emotions that didn’t drive us to improve. I was reminded of when Ruth cried about how much distance was between us.

But I couldn’t just let her sit there.

I knelt to be on her level. “What happened?”

“I walked in on him fuckingmy manager.”

I had to take a second to process her words. “Youwhat?”

“They’re ‘in love’ and always have been. I feel like such a fucking fool.”

“Why wouldn’t he just be with her, then?”

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