She’s right. “Agreed.” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “But Storm and Memphis have nothing to worry about because Phoenix would never let Vic replace him.”
Not without one hell of a fight.
“Actually,” she says. “Phoenix encouraged the guys to have a meeting with Vic’s new protégé to see if they have chemistry.”
My stomach drops. “He can’t…they’re not…”
Holy fucking shit.
“They don’t want to,” Skylar says. “But Vic will sue them for breach of contract too if the next album isn’t made. Their hands are tied.”
As scary as that sounds, there’s something even more alarming in that statement.
“What do you mean sue them, too?”
If Vic wants to replace Phoenix so bad it’s not a breach of contract.
“Please don’t repeat this to anyone because Chandler will kill me, but today he told me that Vic’s planning on taking Phoenix to court in February. Not only for breach of contract in regard to the albums, but for every cent they made off Sharp Objects…the song.”
My heart folds in on itself and my chest knots. That’s insane.
“He can’t do that.” My shock quickly morphs into outrage. “For fuck’s sake, it’s not even his. It’s mine.”
“I know, but Phoenix publicly admitted that he lied about writing it and Vic signed and financed them based off that song. It’s his reputation and label at stake. Chandler’s hoping Phoenix will agree to come back and they can work something out and do damage control, but Phoenix doesn’t want to.”
“I’ll convince him.”
Hell, at this point, he doesn’t have a choice.
“I don’t think you’ll be able to, either. Storm called him yesterday and flat out begged. Then Memphis got on the phone and they tag teamed him. They were hoping to make him cave, but it didn’t work. Phoenix doesn’t want anything to do with Sharp Objects or music anymore.”
“Give me a second.”
Placing the phone down, I rub my temples. I could march up there and demand he pull his head out of his ass, but he’ll merely refuse.
Phoenix gave it all up for me. And not while he was still chasing his dreams…while he was living them.
And now we’re both grieving.
Only he doesn’t have to because he can still live his dream.
He just doesn’t want to.
A stab of grief arrows through me. I wish my dad was here so I could get his advice.
However, I know what he would tell me. He’d tell me to tell Vic to go fuck himself because he doesn’t get to make even more money off my song.
I snatch my phone. “Skylar? Are you still there?”
“Yeah. I’m here.”
It’s a long shot, but here goes nothing. “Does Vic know we’re married?”
I can practically see her smile right before she says, “No. Chandler wanted to tell him—and the world—but I made him promise me he wouldn’t.”
I’m sure he did. However, Chandler’s need to keep Vic happy seems more important than his promises.
“Are you sure he wasn’t just appeasing you?”
“I’m positive. Otherwise, it would have hit the news.” There’s an impish tone to her voice. “I also might have used my feminine powers of persuasion to ensure he’d keep his word. Well, that and contrary to what everyone thinks Chandler really does care about the band. He agreed to pretend he was in the dark about it all until I decided to announce it.”
“Why haven’t you?”
Although something tells me I already know the answer…and it means she’s not just a good friend. She’s the best kind of friend.
I’m getting ready to tell her that, but the phone disconnects.
A moment later, it rings. Only this time it’s a video call.
Her gorgeous face lights up the screen after I pick up.
“Because I was waiting until you were ready to have this conversation.” She chews the corner of her lip. “He stole your song, Lennon. And while I truly believe Phoenix loves you more than anything in the world and he’s sorry, I wanted to give you time to make sure that marrying him is what you really want, because once it’s out there…that’s it.”
I know.
“People aren’t going to sympathize with him stealing your song and you’ll have no grounds for legal recourse since you married the guy who did it,” she continues. “It’s why I didn’t talk you out of wanting to file an annulment and hinted that you’d either be able to claim you were of unsound mind or coercion on Phoenix’s part, given the circumstances. I talked to a lawyer, by the way, and I have his contact information if you want it.”
I do, but not for the reason she thinks.
“Thank you, Skylar. Truly.”
She gives me a sad smile. “You don’t have to thank me. I just want you to know that even though I’m a publicist, I’m your friend first.”
If I ever had any doubt about that, I don’t anymore.
“I know.” I swallow down the emotions rising up my throat because I can’t be sad Lennon right now. I have to be fuck with my husband and I’ll make you wish you were never born Lennon. “But I’m gonna need you to switch back to publicist mode, because I know what I want to do about Phoenix.”
Or rather, Vic.
Her brows knit. “Okay, publicist mode activated. How can I be of service?”
“Is there any way you can set up a meeting with Vic Dougherty?”
“I have one scheduled later this week actually. Chandler’s been talking me up to him and I think I passed my trial period and Vic wants to formally hire me to work for the label.” She makes a face. “That’s not gonna happen now, is it?”
“Not only will it happen, he’ll probably want to give you a raise.”
Because I just figured out how I’m gonna fix this shitstorm.
She blinks. “Why?”
“I’ll get to that in a second. First, I have a very important message I need you to give him from me.”
“Hold on.” She places her phone in the mount. Then she fishes around her giant purse and pulls out a notebook and pen. “I’m ready when you are.”
“Vic’s not going to sue Phoenix.”
Skylar looks up. “But—”
“I mean, he can try but he won’t win. However, he will look really fucking stupid when we both walk into a courtroom and his wife swears under oath that Phoenix didn’t steal my song…since I gave it to him.” I tap my chin, pretending to think. “Actually, I can’t believe I forgot. We cowrote it because he came up with some of the lyrics, too.”
Skylar grins wickedly. “Talk about a boss bitch move. It’s a shame you’re already married because I totally just fell in love with you.”
That gets a laugh out of me. “Then get ready to wine and dine me because you’re really gonna like this part.”
Her face lights up. “I’m all ears.”
Phoenix loves me, but it doesn’t mean he has to give up other things he loves.
However, I’m glad Skylar released a statement proclaiming he was taking some time off for his mental health.