“A little.” I’m not even lying. Judging from her appraisal, Nancy seems to sense this. I pick up a blueberry muffin from the cooling rack and pinch off a bite. Steam rises from it while I chew. “Why didn’t Colby do anything to this house? It doesn’t really feel like him.”
“It’s a time capsule, isn’t it?” She looks around at the faded oak cabinets and tile floors, her mind tripping back in time somewhere I can’t follow. The window coverings, furniture, and rugs have all been here for at least two decades. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was even longer. “His mother raised him in thishouse, and he inherited it when she died, but I don’t think renovating is high on his list of priorities.”
Died. That certainly makes me want to be less flippant about speaking to my mom. I really owe her a phone call, but I can’t face her. I can’t face any of them.
You represent the Belacourt name in everything you do, Bree.
Make us proud in your dealings. You can’t un-burn a bridge, and you never know when you’ll need to cross that river again.
Protect your name—our name. It’s something they can never take away from us without our permission.
Pretty sure my mom paraphrased that last one from Eleanor Roosevelt’s quote, but I get what she meant. Our family has been centered in the spotlight for as long as I can remember. As much as we’ve been a source of entertainment, we’ve used our platform as leverage for good, too. I headed up an entire movement a few years ago to help women’s shelters in New York, and we raised a lot of money for the cause, but that only does so much.
The entire thing felt cheapened when Mom turned it into the Thanksgiving special for our show.
Either way, from the time I could walk, my parents have reminded me of the importance of representing my family well, and I let them down. Yes, Mom approved the song, but I don’t think she really understood what was going to happen. She compared it toBad Blood,like I have a horde of women behind me, when in fact, I’m a lone island.
“Benny mentioned Colby travels for work,” I say weakly, trying to keep the conversation going as I slide into a chair at the kitchen table.
“Colby has been all over the world recently, photographing the most beautiful things. You’ll have to take a look at his portfolio sometime.”
“I get the feeling Colby isn’t my biggest fan.”
Mrs. Rhodes stopped washing the batter bowl and glanced over her shoulder. “Why do you say that?”
“Just vibes, I guess.”
Her eyebrows screw together, lines fanning over her forehead. “He’s protective of his cousin. They’re more like brothers. I can see Colby being wary, but don’t let his grumpiness fool you. He’s a sweet, thoughtful man behind that tough shell. But he’s not the reason I’m here.”
“No,” I agree. “That would be me.”
Nancy’s eyes twinkle, and I want to melt into a puddle on the floor. Draw up those adoption papers now. I’m getting more motherly care from this woman than I can remember receiving in my entire life. She puts a banana in front of me and slides over the plate of hot muffins and a bowl of fluffy scrambled eggs, which makes me want to cry.
Yes, people do things for me all day, every day—but they’re all on my payroll.
This is different. This woman and her kind ocean eyes are different, even if she’s giving me a no-nonsense look. “You’ve wallowed, Bree. It’s time to pull up your big girl pants and get to work.”
“I have three more weeks in this house, and I don’t plan on wasting a single day.”
“You don’t need to leave, honey, but pretending your life didn’t explode isn’t going to help mitigate any of the damage. When your break is over, what do you plan to do?”
“Enjoy the career death and live out the rest of my days in angry threats and public hatred.”
Nancy pulls out two glasses and fills them with water, and that’s when I notice my phone on the counter, plugged into a charger. She follows my attention, and her resolve seems to harden. “You don’t need to respond to anything, but don’t you think it’s about time you let your family know you’re safe? They love you, young lady. Even if escaping and pretending you don’thave a care in the world is helping you right now, it’s selfish to ignore the people in your life and leave them to pick up the slack. Your song made a giant splash, and you’ve left your family to field the fallback, but you’ve also failed to give them any hint that you’re okay.”
My cheeks burn. She’s right. She’s one hundred percent right.
“I don’t want you to leave, Bree.” Nancy’s voice softens. “I certainly don’t want you to reveal your location and be forced into retreating to a bodyguard-reinforced gated home or something equally safe—not before we’ve had more time together. But your family deserves a little peace of mind, don’t you think?”
“My sisters do,” I concede. “And possibly my brother.”
Him most of all, actually, but I can’t admit that out loud, or I’d have to explain my cowardice in running away in the middle of the nightand leaving my precious dog behind. Nancy’s been so blunt, though. If I can be honest withanyone, it’s probably this formidable woman in her capris and chipped hot pink toenails.
I still can’t believe this is the same woman who was awed by me a few days ago.
“Noah deserves contact,” I say. “You’re right. But once I break that wall and initiate a conversation, I’ll be dragged into everything. I’m just…it’s hard to breathe just thinking about it.”
Nancy reaches across the table and takes my hand. “I’ll be here. We can do it together, put your phone away again, and then you can go out. Put on your cute little disguises and head to the beach. Have you tried the saltwater taffy? It’s good. Or Benny can take you to his board meeting tonight. Sierra won’t mind. She’s a darling girl, and being around other people will be a good distraction for you.”