Page 23 of Broken Harmony (Heartbreak Melody #2)

“It’s weird without the guys,” I say as we walk through the studio we’re working in today. We’re working with a new producer. He’s been wanting to record something with me for a while now, and I thought, why not?

“It’s just a few songs. You're going to be fine,” Nate chuckles. “You’ve done it before.”

He means going solo. But it’s only been for a few songs over the years; for the most part, I try to have the guys involved with anything I create. Occasionally, there are times I work solo with other artists on collaborations.

“Okay, let’s do this.” I nod when we get up to the top floor. “Wait.” I come to a halt. “I need to pee. I’ll meet you in there.”

“I’ll wait,” Liam says.

I roll my eyes. “Relax, big guy. It’s literally right there.” I point to the bathroom with the woman’s image painted on it. “I’m going to be fine. Only people with clearance can come into the building.”

He stares at me like he wants to argue, but thankfully, he doesn’t. “Fine,” he huffs.

Smiling, I give him a wink and rush to use the bathroom. By the time I’m done, the guys aren't in the hallway anymore.

“Sorry, sorry.” I burst through the door, afraid I’m holding everyone up. “Had to piss.”

“That’s... that's Ally Cat!” someone squeals.

For a moment, I think a rogue fan got in here, but when I look over to see this tiny little Omega tucked under Grant, the producer’s arm, I know she belongs to him.

My face slips into a friendly smile. “Hi there. Name’s Alisha. But you can call me Ally. Ally Cat is just a stage name.” I give her a wink.

She nods at me, with this look of awe in her eyes. Something I get all the time, but I’ve never gotten used to.

“Ready, boys?” I look towards the guys in charge.

Stepping into the recording booth, I listen to what they have to say, going over what they want from me. When I know what I’m doing, I nod and get to work.

This song isn’t one of mine; it was written by another artist. But I like it. It’s a little different from my normal sound, but honestly, change might be for the better.

My eyes keep drifting over to Liam. He is standing back, the Omega whose name I think is Maya, if I remember what Nate said earlier, is talking to him.

Whatever she’s saying to him, it gets Liam smiling.

Jealousy hits me, but I know there‘s no point. Maya is Grant’s. She has a pack.

Still, I don’t like that other people can get him to smile when it took so long for me to start getting them regularly.

“That’s a wrap! Amazing, Ally. This is going to be one hell of a hit!” Grant says.

“I sure hope so,” I reply, smiling.

Stepping out of the booth, I start to head over to Nate when Grant gets my attention. “Hey, Ally, you got a moment here to sign something for my girl and maybe take a photo?”

“Of course,” I say with a smile, heading over to them. Grant hands me a CD of Rage Against the Heart’s newest album, and I sign it before standing next to Maya for a photo.

She seems like a really sweet girl, and if it wasn’t for the fan girling, I’d probably stay and talk a little while. I just don’t know how to handle fans like that. It’s weird for me.

Years of doing this, and I’m still shit at taking compliments. Maybe if I had an Alpha who showered me with them, I’d get used to it.

The thought has me looking over to Liam, who's standing off to the side, watching.

“It was nice meeting you, Maya,” I add, saying my goodbyes.

“You too,” she squeaks.

“Ready?” I ask him, ready to head back to the hotel for a nap. It’s just one of those days where I get into a funk and have to try to push through because life goes on and doesn’t stop spinning because I’m feeling blue.

Liam leans in, whispering in my ear. “I found out a secret about the bubbly little Omega over there.”

“Yeah?” I ask, raising a brow.

“Ever see the face of your favorite author?”

“Who? Marie Day?” I ask. He nods, then I shake my head. “No, she’s never shown her face online. Never been to a signing.”

“Well, now you have.”

My eyes widen, snapping over to find Maya staring at me in surprise. “No fucking way...” Is he telling me that Maya is Marie?

She narrows her eyes at Liam, most likely because I don’t think he was supposed to tell me.

“Sorry,” he chuckles. “I tell her everything.” And fuck me, my heart does this stupid little flip in my chest that takes my breath away. Why does he have to go and say shit like that?

Liam tucks me under his arm, leading me away from the gaping Omega.

“I can’t believe that‘s Marie!” I hiss. “Why are we leaving? I want to go back and talk to her.”

“Because you have a photo shoot in half an hour,” Nate chuckles.

“He can’t just drop a bomb on me like that,” I grumble.

“Who’s fan girling now?” Liam asks, a smug smirk on his face.

“Whatever.” I flip him off.

“What if I told you, you could be spending a lot more time with her?” Liam asks.

“How?”

“She mentioned something about wanting you as the lead if she were to make her book into a movie.”

“Really?” I grin, and he nods. “Huh. I wasn’t planning on taking on any new acting projects after my current one finishes up, but maybe I could be persuaded.”

“I’m sure you could,” Nate teases, a smile in his voice.

What an oddly pleasant day it’s become.

***

“Everything looks good,” Nate says. “Almost perfect. The only thing is, the time it’s going to take to do this. You don’t take lead roles for this very reason.”

It’s been a month or so since meeting Maya, AKA Marie Day.

I guess the idea of her turning her books into movies wasn’t just a thought because last week, Nate showed up with a script for her most famous book: The Girl Who Gave It All , which just so happens to be my all-time favorite book.

So, of fucking course I want to take this role. I’d be stupid not to. It’s my chance to break out into something bigger.

Nate is right, I normally don’t take too many lead roles because they are time-consuming, but this is one I want to make an exception for.

“I want it,” I tell him, no hesitation.

“Okay then.” He nods slowly. “We’re gonna do it. But there’s something I think you need to know.”

“Okay?” I ask, not sure if I like the look on his face. He looks to Liam and nods his head.

“Tell her.”

“Tell me what?” I look between the two of them. “What’s going on?”

“We didn’t know this until talking more with the movie producer, Phoenix. He gave us Marie’s assistant’s information so we can send over the contract for them to have a look at.”

“Okay, and?”

“It’s someone you know,” Nate says.

“This is Hollywood. I know a lot of people.” I give him a blank look.

“This person isn’t in the entertainment business. She’s just as tucked away as Marie’s been, working behind the scenes,” Nate keeps going.

“Tell me who it is, because clearly it’s someone important if you’re tiptoeing around it,” I demand, leaning back into the couch of the hotel room I’m staying in.

“It’s Lulu,” Liam says cautiously.

I blink at him slowly, wondering if my ears are hearing him right. “I’m sorry, what?”

“It’s Lulu,” Nate repeats.

“As in... my Lulu?” I ask slowly.

They both nod.

“Lulu works for Maya?” They nod again.

I blink, looking away. So that's what she’s been doing with her life. I’ve been trying my hardest to let Lulu go, to move on. My therapist said obsessively stalking the love of my life wasn’t healthy. But what would she know?

Still, I did as she suggested and haven’t done any deep dives into her life in a long time. Do I still stalk her socials? Yes.

Fuck. Now that I think of it, I’ve seen Lulu post Maya on there a few times. And I remember being jealous as hell over whoever the fuck was with her.

How could I be so stupid and not put all this together?

“Thanks for telling me.” I swallow hard. “But this doesn’t change anything.”

“Are you sure?” Nate asks, not sounding convinced.

“I am.”

“Alright, then. Read this over again, just to make sure. And if it’s good, sign it, and we’ll get this sent off.”

“Sounds good.” I pull my feet up on the couch, suddenly feeling vulnerable. I hate it. It’s been a while since I’ve felt like this.

They get up to leave, but Liam pauses. “You okay?”

“I’ll be fine.” I give him my best reassuring smile.

Because keeping secrets can get messy, I’ve told the guys, Liam, and Nate about my past with Lulu, mostly due to the fact that it was largely why Julia had so much control over me.

They know my past with her, my feelings regarding her, and everything in between.

And I love them for thinking about how this would affect me and not blindsiding me.

Liam nods, looking like he doesn’t want to leave, but sensing I need to be alone with my thoughts right now.

By the time I’m done reading the contract, I’m not sure if it’s a good idea. And when I place it down on the table, I look at the contact information and see her name.

Contact: Lucinda Carter, Manager. Phone: 555-333-4444.

My eyes fixate on the number, heart racing, palms sweating.

It’s right there. I could pick up the phone and call her. I could hear her voice for the first time in six years.

Licking my lips, my mind races with a million different things that could happen.

I’ve been doing so good. I shouldn’t do this. She’s happy. She has a life. Friends. Maybe even a pack. Let her move on. Let her go.

Let her go. Let her fucking go!

“Fuck it,” I rush out, grabbing my phone.

With shaking hands, my fingers fumble to put in her number as I race against my own mind, doing it now before I chicken out.

When the phone starts to ring, my heart starts to beat crazy fast. I think I might pass out. Maybe puke. Both? Fuck. What am I doing?

Hang up. Hang the fuck up!

“Hello?” The sound of her voice has my damn heart falling into my stomach. “Lulu Carter, how can I help you?”

It’s her. It’s fucking her. And god, help me, her voice makes me start to cry, tears spilling down my cheeks as I bite my hand, keeping myself from letting the sob slip free.

“Hello?” she asks when I don’t say anything.

“Hi,” I manage to force myself to say, the word coming out broken.

I clear my throat. “I’m, ahh, I’m Rachel.

Part of Alisha’s management team.” I lie because like fuck I’m gonna let her know it’s me.

If I do, I’m going to go all crazy bitch and start confessing my love for her again, telling her how much I missed her, how I’ve never stopped thinking about her.

That I regret not being there for her when she needed me the most and wishing I could take back that dreaded night.

“I’m sorry, who’s management team?" Lulu asks shakily.

“Alisha, oh, sorry, Ally Cat’s.” My hand goes to my chest, feeling how hard my heart is beating.

“Oh.” The word is so soft, I almost didn’t hear her.

“Yeah,” I laugh lamely. “Just wanted to call and say Ally is thrilled to be a part of Marie’s new movie. She’s signing the contract now and will send it over right away.”

“Oh.” Her voice is still lowered. “That's, ah, that’s wonderful. I know Marie will be thrilled. We’ll be looking forward to getting the contract and getting things started.”

Does she think about me like I still think of her?

Has everything that happened between us affected her as much as it did me? Does she recognize my voice like I would always know hers down to my soul?

Does she still want me like I desperately want her? Or does she hate me because I’ve been gone and never came back?

“Yeah,” I say again, this time not sure what else to say. “Anyways. I gotta get going. Bye.” I hang up quickly in a panic, groaning as I throw myself back onto the couch.

“Stupid girl,” I scold myself. “Now you’ve done it.”

After hearing her voice... it’s like something inside me shifted. All the walls I’ve been building up towards her come crumbling down.

I’ve never wanted to see her, to touch her, to fucking kiss her more than I do right now.

Grabbing my phone again, I dial my therapist's number, signing my name on the dotted line as I wait for her to answer. “I need so much more help than you can offer,” I tell her when she picks up.

“Oh, boy,” she sighs. “What did you do now?”

“Well... let’s just say...I fucked up. Big time.”

And I did. Because now I’m not only taking this job because I get to be a part of making my favorite book come to life, but because I’m hoping by some miracle I’ll get to see Lulu again. Even if it’s just the smallest glimpse from afar.

God, it’s like I’m a druggie and she’s the fix I need to take off the edge.