Page 119 of The Song We Lost

Jackson gestures toward the property. “Behind the scenes.” He nods toward the studio building farther down the hill.“Writing sessions. Recording. Setup.”

The producers exchange glances and Jackson continues. “Film some of it. Drop the clips right before the album launches. The fans loved what was shared while we were touring, all the behind the scene stuff.”

Rachel’s mind is already calculating, I can tell. “That could actually redirect the narrative.”

I lean closer to her. “Look into where the leak came from,” I ask quietly. “I don’t want anything upsetting Sadie.”

Rachel nods once. “I already started.”

Sadie sniffles again, then suddenly freezes. “Oh shit.” Her eyes lift and widen.

I follow her line of sight… Straight to Rhett. He’s still leaning against the SUV like the entire scene is the most normal Tuesday he’s ever had. That effortless country-rock swagger that makes half the internet lose their minds.

He tips his cowboy hat to Sadie with a grin, revealing a mess of wavy dirty blonde hair.

Blue eyes bright with amusement.

He lifts a hand, when she stays standing there frozen. “Hey.”

Sadie continues to stare, her mouth actually falls open as she turns a bright pink. “Oh my God.” She tries to step backward. “I am so sorry I didn’t realize…”

Jackson immediately pulls her gently into his side. “Relax,” he says, smiling. “This is Sadie, Bailey’s sister if you couldn’t tell by their uncanny resemblance." He gestures toward the group. “She’s my new best friend.”

Sadie looks mortified, but she doesn’t pull out of his hold. If anything she sinks into him and Cole just looks amused.

Jackson nods toward the studio. “You want to come watch a sound check?”

Her eyes go wide again. “Ermmmgod…. Really?”

Cole laughs. “That’s a yes.”

Jackson starts introducing her to everyone. Everyone is warm and polite with her. Sadie looks like she might pass out.

“I’ll be there in a minute,” I tell her. “Go on with Jackson and the crew.”

She nods quickly and lets Jackson guide her toward the studio.

Rachel waits until they’re out of earshot. “Did you hear about Luke?” she asks quietly.

I shrug. “Not much. He… he got a DUI?”

Rachel nods. “Yeah.” She crosses her arms, adding, “He spent the weekend in jail.”

I blink.What?

“Dave didn’t get him out until Monday morning.” She confirms.

The information settles somewhere deep in my chest.

“How are you holding up?” Rachel asks.

I stare down the hill where Sadie is laughing nervously while Jackson explains something about different microphones. Then I sigh. “The man I thought I would spend forever with burned our marriage to the ground,” I say quietly. “And now he refuses to sign the divorce agreement.” Rachel doesn’t interrupt, as I continue, “He’s being photographed with different women every week and he seems to be on a downward spiral.” I sigh and get to the part that feels impossible to say out loud. “My sister is dying and will leave behind a heartbroken family and a baby girl.” The words keep tumbling out, like I have opened the floodgates and now they wont close. “The world keeps speculating about every detail of my life.” I glance toward the studio. “And I have to record an album so my label doesn’t come after everything I built here.”

Everything I sacrificed for.

Rachel sighs. “I don’t even know where to start with any of that, Bailey.”

What could she say?