Page 175 of Knot So Social

Jeremy finishes a song and holds a pretend microphone. “At this time, I’d like to invite my brother Joel up to play a song for us to close out the concert.”

Joel shakes his head but gets up with a smile. The brothers swap and Joel haltingly plucks out a tune.

“He did learn,” Jeremy whispers in my ear. “But he never liked practicing.”

I chuckle and applaud loudly when he finishes. To play an instrument at all is a marvel, in my books.

The brothers bow side by side and Alessandro and I rise to give them a standing ovation amid a bunch of whistling. The backstage pass is really just a chance for Jeremy to eat something as we chat about his music lessons as a kid before we get back on the “bus” for our next stop.

The “spa” has been set up in my nest, and involves a recliner chair, aromatherapy, and foot and hand massages. Plus some lovely mood music in the background.

“You guys,” I say as I sit down, out of words and completely blown away by how much effort they’ve put into this.

Alessandro grins as he hands me a mug of steaming tea.

“We want to spoil you, cara mia,” he offers shyly. “Show you how precious you are.”

I smile.

My phone rings, the sound harsh amid the soothing background of running water and harp playing. I check the caller. It’s my personal assistant.

“Sorry, I’ll just let her know I’m not free to talk,” I tell the guys apologetically as I answer. “Hey, Kylie. Can I get back to you tomorrow?”

“No,” she says bluntly, devoid of tone and enthusiasm.

“Oh. Is something wrong?” I wriggle upright in the recliner.

“Yeah.” She sighs heavily and my stomach sinks. “I’m sorry to bring bad news, but someone’s called your bluff about the shoot in Luxembourg. I hid the comment, but it kept popping up. And suddenly there were a dozen more, and it just all blew up.”

“What do you mean, it blew up?” I demand.

“You’ve been cancelled, Willow. It happened so fast I couldn’t do anything about it.”

The mug slips from my fingers, bouncing on the carpet. The tea pours out in a steaming rush all over the floor, like all my hard work.

My life is over.

Chapter fifty-four

Willow

I struggle out of the chair, my heart stuttering beneath my breast. I’ve seen enough influencers get canceled. AI accusations, counter-cultural beliefs, one wrong remark.

But I’m a household name. I’m too big to fail, aren’t I? The voices swoop in.

“You? Your worth, Willow? Well, I suppose it’s something . . . when you’re with us.” Laughter, cruel not because they were trying to be but because that’s their deep-seated belief, the one that clung to me until it became my own. “Did you see this?” Phil holds up my sticky note.

“No!” I call, shame filling me.

Grins full of teeth flash around the room. “She can’t even spell right.” Snorts. The warm place within me that thought it would be a good idea to include a love note in his lunch box dies an icy death. I can’t do anything right. So why bother?

I fling my hand out blindly. The room’s fuzzy, speckled with gray. Fuck! I got greedy, and I forgot what happens every time I reach for more than I deserve. Something always drags me back into the pit.

“Willow? What’s wrong. What was the phone call about?”

Color resolves. Three alphas. Jeremy reaches for me, but I snatch my trembling hand away. My brand’s moved forward for four years. So why fall apart now, unless . . .?

I cross my cold hands over my chest. “If one of you caused this, I’ll never speak to you again. No, more than that, I’ll . . .”