Page 50 of Falls From Grace
“Baby girl,” her mother’s voice broke. “I have always loved you. I just want you to have a good life.”
“Then let me decide what that looks like, mom.” Brynn wiped her eyes, trying to still her shuddering breath.
“But- no, okay, let me finish darling - music? That isn’t a steady option, or something you can make a solid life from-”
“Some people do.” Brynn rolled her eyes as she took in her opulent surroundings.
“Yes, some very exceptional people do, that is true.”
“Is it so hard to think I might be exceptional?” Brynn whispered, speaking out her deepest fear. “After all,” she said, “Savannah thinks I am.”
She thought of the look on Greta’s face after the recording session, of the standing ovation from the band. She thought of Noah looking at her like his head might explode; of Savannah grabbing for her like Brynn might evaporate in front of her like a hallucination; Savannah telling everyone in the studio that Brynn was worth the wait; Savannah’s eyes when Brynn sang. She straightened her spine and took a breath. Maybe she did have a plan for her life after all.
“Well darling, that is a very high compliment indeed,” her mother acknowledged. “I look forward to seeing what you can achieve.”
“Yeah… me too, mom.”
That night at dinner, Brynn was determined not to let Savannah slip away on her without at least the promise of a conversation. If the singer needed time, that was okay by Brynn, but she at least wanted her to have all the relevant information.
As the band and all the other musicians and industry friends of Savannah all piled into the dining room, Brynn expertly finagled her way to a seat that was not exactly opposite Savannah, but not far off it either. She saw the singer wince slightly as she found herself in close proximity to Brynn, which hurt more than she cared to admit. But like the star she was, Savannah turned on her practiced charm and sparkled and shone throughout the dinner, all the while carefully ensuring to avoid Brynn’s eyes.
The dinner was exuberant as always and the talk on everyone’s tongues was the new album and tracks. There were many toasts to Savannah’s beyond rock’n’roll performance today and excited exclamations about what it would sound like belted out live in a sold-out stadium.
“And then this one over here,” Travis pointed his finger at Brynn. Every head swiveled her way and glasses were raised again. “What a fucking voice. You’re a dark horse, Brynn, why the hell did you keep that on the down low?”
Brynn hesitated. This was normally the point Savannah would jump in, glowing and telling and retelling the story of her discovery, but tonight Savannah stayed quiet.
“I, uh, I never really sang much in front of anyone,” Brynn told them again. “I didn’t think my voice was anything all that special to tell you the truth.”
“That’s insane.” Coral shook her head. “I’ve played in a lot of bands, heard a hell of a lot of music… and there’s just nothing like you.” She waved her wine glass around in emphasis.
“Why didn’t you point it out?” Travis swiveled to look over at Noah, who was sitting next to her. “You’re her husband, and presumably you have ears,” he ribbed him.
Noah scratched the back of his neck. He’d been taking a lot of heat for this the last few days.
“I mean, she doesn’t really sing around me,” he said truthfully. “I swear to god, I didn’t know,” he gave her a rueful glance.
“Never?” asked Coral incredulously. “How the hell long have you been married?”
“Just over a year,” Noah said awkwardly. All of a sudden Savannah looked up at him, a strange expression on her face. She looked from him to Brynn and all the blood rushed from Brynn’s face.
“A year?” Savannah spoke up for the first time. “I thought it was four years.”
Noah looked confused and then worried.
“Oh yeah.” He tried for a chuckle. “It only feels like a year, you know how it is.”
Coral made an aww noise that might have been sarcastic, but Savannah just looked bewildered. She looked at Brynn and saw the panic in her face and a muscle ticked in her jaw.
“What was your wedding like?” Her voice sounded tight. Brynn tipped over her soda water, both in panic and in the hopes of a diversion, but sensing the odd tension, no one looked away.
“Savannah-” she tried, but the singer ignored her. Noah seemed uncomfortable but somewhat oblivious, already blurting out his story even as Brynn whacked him with her elbow, trying to get him to stop.
“Ouch!” he exclaimed. “It was pretty casual,” he went on quickly, “just the two of us and a couple of friends, down on the beach. We’re pretty down-low, you know.”
Savannah stared at him, then at Brynn, heat rushing up her neck.
“Why are you lying?” Her voice was small. “What’s even happening right now?”
