“Like maybe I should have dropped the song at four this morning when GMA actually aired on the East Coast. Why did we wait?”
Benny leans in, and I’m pretty sure he inhales, too. “Partially because Justin put the release time at seven-thirty. Also, so you could be awake when it happens.”
“I’m glad it’s almost time.” I lean my head back against him.
The hosts on GMA are giving the morning news now. We know Lonnie’s segment begins at seven-thirty, based on what Chip told Benny, so we’re ready.
Although I doubt I’ll ever be fully ready for this moment. It almost feels worse than releasing the diss track, except this time I’m surrounded by people who care about me.
The music video Colby put together is amazing. Once it hits my social media pages, everything posted about Lonnie’s tell-all will be overridden, and his five seconds of fame will be squashed.
I hope.
“It’s almost time,” Zoey says. She’s on her phone, probably texting her fiancé, Tag. “Since we have a minute, how does everyone feel about a lobster-themed engagement party? Patricia wants to hold it at the Hamptons house and do everything red with light blue.”
“You don’t like lobster,” Olive says.
“Most people do. We’ll offer steak to those who want it. I like the invitations.” She turns her phone and shows us an image of a lobster with a white and light stone blue striped background.
“It’s tasteful, and Tag’s Hampton house is a great venue,” I say, my eyes dragging back to the TV before settling on my sister again. “But you’re the bride, Zo. You get to say if you want something else.”
“Lobsters mate for life,” Colby mutters.
“Exactly,” Olive agrees, pointing at him. “Might want to choose something a little less permanent.”
Zoey throws a pillow at her.
“I’m kidding. I like the theme. But I wouldn’t choose it if I didn’t like the food.” Olive shrugs, leaning back on the sofa.
“There he is,” Benny says, picking up the remote and turning the volume up. His deep voice rumbles against my shoulder blade where it’s pressing into his chest. “Son of a?—”
“Save it,” Colby suggests.
We fall silent as Lonnie takes a seat on the white couch beside two of the hosts. He looks handsome, which I hate. His dark hair was recently cut, and I can’t help but wonder if his new girlfriend did it.
Which doesn’t ignite the jealousy I would have expected it to. Honestly, nothing about his face inspires anything within me except rage.
“Good morning,” one of the hosts says. “Today we have Alonzo Williams, former assistant to Bree Belacourt. We have an exclusive look at what it’s like to work for the famous Belacourt family, and an inside scoop about her recent song, which swept through the nation like a wildfire.”
“Thanks for having me,” Lonnie says, smiling broadly. His white teeth gleam in the bright lights. He probably whitened his teeth all night for them to get like that.
I hope he eats ice cream after this and it hurts.
The other host steps in. “We’ve had a few Belacourts on the show in the past, and they’ve always been such kind, charitable people. I imagine working for them wouldn’t feel much different.”
“Not at all. Bree was a wonderful employer and a good friend. We parted on great terms. It was just time to go our separate ways.”
I scoff.
“But you can’t argue with love, and after I found the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with, I couldn’t devote my life to another woman, even if it’s just for a job. Bree understood that.”
The hosts nod. “We expect nothing less. So, tell us about this release. It’s nothing like the music she previously put out. Some would even argue that it sounds like she was trying to start a war.”
Lonnie laughs jovially in the fakest way possible. “A war? Bree?Never.”
“Was that sarcasm?” I almost screech.
“Sounded like it,” Zoey says.