Page 133 of The Song We Lost

He runs a hand over his jaw. “You weren’t… clear,” he says finally. “It’s probably better you don’t…”

“What did I say?” My voice cracks.

Dave studies me for a moment before nodding and stepping closer to me. “What you said isn’t the important part,” he says. “What she said was that she didn’t want to hear from you anymore and that she was done… moving on.”

The words hit harder than anything else he could’ve said.

Done.

Moving on.

I look away.

Back at the TV.

At her.

Still singing.

Still steady.

Still…

Dave follows my gaze again, then reaches into his pocket, and pulls out his phone, taps through a few screens and then turns it toward me. Another clip, a different angle. Bailey laughs in between Jackson and Rhett Hayes. They are all standing so close to each other, she looks so comfortable with them…

Jackson across from her with a guitar.

My chest tightens so hard it hurts.

“They’ve started feeding this for the album,” Dave says casually. “Little drops. Teasers. It’s working.”

Working.

I stare at the TV.

But it’s off now…

No…

Where’d she go?

“They’re building a narrative,” he continues. “And right now? You’re the obstacle they had to move out of the way.”

I shake my head. “No.”

Dave’s voice doesn’t change. “You see the comments?” he asks. He scrolls and doesn’t wait for my answer. “‘She looks happier.’ ‘He never deserved her.’ ‘Finally with someone on her level.’”

Each one hurts…Why is he doing this?

“You see?” he says softly. “She’s already moved on. ”

Something in my chest caves in and I lie on my side, I feel so tired.

“And you,” he adds, just as calm, “are the villain in her story.”

I look at him, really look at him, and for the first time… It doesn’t feel like a strategy. It feels like the truth. But Bailey wouldn’t make me the villain in her story… would she?

The studio is worse now. I haven’t gotten a single song recorded properly and the label is pissed. People talk quieter around me. Like they’re waiting for something. Like they don’t know which version of me they’re going to get.