Page 4 of The Break Out

My eyes snap up to hers. “You’re kidding.”

She shakes her head, “Nope. Told you there were rumors about that happening, but I didn’t think he would actually end up with the Dragons. How do you think your brother is handling that?”

“I’m sure he’s handling it a lot better than I would,” I tell her and it’s true. Brent is able to keep his cool a lot easier than most people.

“And anything new from my asshole ex?”

“Nope, he’s being suspiciously quiet.”

“Hm,” she hums, “maybe he’s accepting that I’m happy and will move on with his life.”

We are both silent for a second before bursting out laughing so loud the driver looks back at us with raised eyebrows.

“Don’t worry, Spence, I told you I have this.”

“I know you do. I just worry that sometimes I put too much on you.”

“Stop it, focus on you being your beautiful talented self on that stage tonight.”

“You’re amazing,”I tell Spencer as she gets off the stage. She’s handed a towel to wipe her sweat while myself and Laura, Spencer’s manager, greet her.

“What did you think of that new song?” she asks, referring to a song she just wrote that she performed for the first time tonight.

“Amazing, as always,” I gush. Which is true, I never lie to her. If she plays me a song and it’s not the best, I’ll tell her. She appreciates my honesty.

“Agreed, and you’re not going to be happy, but you have a quick interview. It’s just over the phone,” Laura tells her.

Spencer instantly groans, “Please tell me you’re just making an excuse and Jared is here to surprise me again.”

Laura winces slightly. “Sorry, not this time.”

Spencer groans even louder. She hates doing interviews after shows, but Laura knows it's sometimes the best time to get her nailed down with her busy schedule. The schedule that will be much freer after the tour is over and she’s taking some much needed down time to regroup, write, and record a new album.

“It’ll be quick,” Laura reassures.

“Fine, let’s get it done.”

Once I’m backat the hotel, even though it’s late, I text my sister, Bailey. She doesn’t talk to any of us that often, but I still try to reach out. After we lost Brandon, I want all my siblings to know I’m there for them.

Brent may have been the one taking care of us, but I’m determined to be the glue that keeps us together.

Brynn: Hey, how are you doing?

Bailey left our hometown as soon as she could and hasn’t looked back. She moved around a bit; it was hard to keep track where she was for a while. Recently, she settled in a little town in Washington called Amity. I did ask if it was the same place asAmityville Horror, but she said it had nothing to do with it. I’ve seen pictures of the picturesque mountains; it reminds me of Colorado, just with more trees. I tried to ask about her moving to Denver, but she says no. She has said she refuses to belandlocked again and will only live in places with the ocean nearby but won’t go into more detail than that.

Bailey: Hi. I’m fine. You?

While I’m glad she replied, this is pretty typical with what I get from her. Short responses without much substance.

Brynn: Good. When Spencer has a show in Seattle, I was wondering if I could see you?

Bailey: Seattle isn’t close to where I live.

Brynn: I’ll come to you. Please.

I watch the gray dots appear and disappear. I haven’t seen Bailey in a couple years, and I don’t like the distance she’s putting between herself and all of us, but I’m not going to push it. With a sigh, I toss my phone aside and get ready for bed. By the time I’m settling into the cool sheets, I check my phone one more time slightly shocked by the one-word reply.

Bailey: Fine.

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