away. I’m happy as hell I gave her a second chance, and a third and a fourth. It was all worth it, kiddo.”
Leo runs into his arms. Brett high-fives Evie and then kisses Emma. They’re the perfect family.
Brett takes my hand. “Grief is different for everyone, and healing can be a slow, arduous process. Then one day, one moment even, when you aren’t expecting it, everything changes.”
I wonder if that moment will ever happen for Crew. More importantly, I wonder if I’m willing to stick around to see if it does.
Chapter Forty
Crew
I stand outside the barn, like I have every day this week, hoping she’ll show up. I keep making excuses for why she’s not here. But it’s been a week of zero contact, and it’s Friday. We have two shows this weekend. Liam calls out to me, and I kick the side of the barn.
I go back inside. I’m not even sure why we’re rehearsing without Bria, but Jeremy insisted on it. He’s here today too, which is unusual.
Liam turns on the amps, and I adjust the volume on the mic. When the door opens, I eagerly turn around, but it’s Ronni, and she’s not alone.
She strolls across the floor, a young woman in tow. “This is Tiffani. She’ll be rehearsing with you today.”
I stare down Ronni. “What the fuck?”
“Someone want to explain what’s going on here?” Garrett says.
“He hasn’t told you?” Ronni asks.
Brad steps forward. “Told us what?”
All eyes are on me. I sit on my stool and rub my face. “Bria isn’t sick, and I’m not sure she’s coming back.”
They immediately stop what they’re doing and swarm me.
“Tell us,” Liam says.
“We kind of got in a fight.”
Liam shakes his head over and over. “You mean you were being an overprotective ass, and she called you on it.”
I feel all kinds of stupid.
“Shit.” Liam goes to the couch and sits down. “So she’s done?”
“No. I’m giving her time.”
Ronni steps forward. “Well, time is running out, boys. She has until Monday, at which time she’ll be officially severed from the band.”
“Monday? That’s not enough time.”
Jeremy joins the conversation. “Whatever your issues, you’d better resolve them quickly or things will change.”
I look at the new girl, not even remembering her name. “If we have until Monday, there’s no need to audition anyone now, right?”
“We have to move forward,” Ronni says. “Tiffani is not auditioning. She knows your material. She’s agreed to my terms. She’ll be replacing Brianna.”
I stand up so fast, I knock the stool over. “No fucking way.”
“Whoa now,” Garrett says. “It’s our band. Don’t we get to say who’s part of it?”
Ronni gives Tiffani a push toward the mic. “I think you’ll find her extremely capable, and I’m not about to cancel two more performances.”
“We’re not Reckless Alibi without Bria,” Liam says.
“Look around you,” Jeremy says. “She’s not here. She hasn’t been here for a week. We have to be proactive about this. You can’t wait around for her. If she isn’t professional enough to put her personal feelings aside for the band, you shouldn’t want her singing with you.”
I get in Jeremy’s face. “It’s not her fault. It’s mine.”
“Either way, the show must go on.”
Ronni says, “Time is money. Let’s get started. Stick to the regular stuff. Nothing new.” She hands us each a playlist. “Here’s what you’ll play this weekend. Tiffani has learned all of these songs.”
I peruse the list. “No.”
Ronni comes closer. “What did you say?”
I glance at the new girl. “I said I won’t sing these with her.”
“Oh, but you will, or have you forgotten the part where every one of you is replaceable?”
“What if we refuse to play?” Garrett asks.
Ronni belts out a mutinous laugh. “Then you’d be in breach of contract, and IRL will sue you for a million dollars.”
“A million dollars?” Brad asks, turning ashen.
“That’s what it takes to buy your way out of the contract. Unless you have that kind of money, I suggest you get your asses over there and meet your obligations.”
I turn to Jeremy. “Is that true?”
“I’m afraid so.”
Brad herds us in a huddle. “Listen, it’s one rehearsal. Let’s just get through it and then we can figure out how to get Bria back. We have all afternoon to come up with something.”
“What else can we do?” Garrett says.
I let out an exasperated breath. “I fucking hate this.”
“Then do something to fix it,” Liam says. “But right now, we don’t have a choice.”
We take our places. I hesitate. Tiffani strolls over to me. “I know this isn’t