me think that she’d talked to him about it. I wanted to know what he’d said, but I didn’t ask. It was her brother and I didn’t want to put her in an uncomfortable position.
“No. He didn’t. He was probably waiting to see what I said about it, but I didn’t say anything about it because I didn’t even know about it until my phone charged and I opened up my texts.”
“Well, I don’t know if you want to hear this, and it’s sort of gross because I’m talking about my brother, but it looked like a very hot kiss.” Harmony fanned herself. “Like five alarm fire hot kiss.”
Cara agreed, “It did.”
“Yep.” Destiny’s chin dipped in a decisive nod.
I started to feel my cheeks heat. Not out of embarrassment about the kiss. I was blushing because it was embarrassing how upset I was that I didn’t remember it. I felt like I was seriously missing out. “I’ve seen the pictures.”
“You haven’t seen the video?”
“There’s a video?”
“Oh yeah.” Harmony pulled it up on her phone and handed it to me.
I sat and watched as the photographer said that she wanted to get a picture of both of us. I gasped when instead of posing like a normal human being, I jumped on Beau like a cat in heat.
“Where did you get this video?”
“I took it. I did it because Beau has a rule about never participating in the garter toss, so I thought I better get it on tape for posterity.”
“Have you uploaded this?” If the press got a hold of this, things were about to get a ton worse.
“No.”
“Please don’t. This really complicates my life and—”
“I won’t I promise,” she interjected with a sincerity and warmth that put me at total ease.
A Google alert popped up on Harmony’s screen and I saw that it was a story with Beau’s full name in the headline. “Oh no. They know who he is.” I knew it was just a matter of time, but I hadn’t seen him named before now. “I can’t believe I did this. I feel so bad.”
“Don’t.” Harmony sat up straighter and retrieved her phone. “I’m glad that this happened. He’s been hiding out too long. I think this is exactly what he needed.”
Looks were exchanged between the three girls that went right over my head.
“He’s been hiding out?” I repeated.
“For over ten years.” Harmony held up her hands showing the number ten.
“Why?”
“Rachel.” All three said in unison.
“Rachel?”
They all nodded.
“She was his fiancée. Then the night before their wedding, he caught her in bed with his best friend.”
“Oh my God,” I gasped.
I thought I had it bad. That was nothing compared to what he’d experienced.
“I don’t think he’s picked up his guitar since.” Cara kissed her baby on her head.
His guitar. The one I’d seen behind the seat of the truck. “Did he used to play a lot?”
“When he stopped, he’d just got off a European tour opening for Gwen Stefani.” Harmony offered.
“His song was number one on Billboard for six weeks,” Destiny announced proudly.
“What song?”
“You’re My Heartbeat.” Cara smiled widely.
“Beau sang ‘You’re My Heartbeat’?”
“He wrote it, too.” Harmony confirmed. “And that’s not even his best song.
“I loved that song! I used to play it on repeat on my iPod.” As soon as I said it, I remembered the name Beau Briggs on the album art. I didn’t think I’d ever actually seen a photo of him.
“Everyone did,” Destiny chimed in.
“His album made all sorts of most anticipated lists, but he never released it,” Cara explained.
“But now that this is all coming up, maybe he will.” Harmony said with the same attitude Gam had when she’d said, “Too bad. So sad. You’re comin’ in.”
“Why? Why would he?” I still wasn’t following what one had to do with the other.
“His song is trending.” Harmony showed me the Yahoo front page where it listed “You’re My Heartbeat” at number eight.
“I hope it makes the iTunes charts.” Cara said excitedly.
I sat there listening as the girls talked about what his reaction would be if he got charted in the iTunes charts. My head was spinning. Why did I have to kiss someone who was famous? Or more accurately, who was famous and no longer wanted to be.
“Do you guys think he’s going to be mad?”
Harmony glanced out the window. “I don’t know, but you can ask him. He’s coming this way.”
“He’s here?!” My heart was pounding like the police knocking on the door. I hadn’t been this nervous when I’d auditioned for