Broken Lyrics (Book 3 of the Black Heart Series)

Thirty-Two

Bree

Between working on the album and getting stuff down for the awards ceremony, I was strung tight.

In three weeks time, we had finished seven of the thirteen tracks and had the others lined up. My band was fierce.

I was exhausted and stressed and...

Now was NOT a good time to run into Claire, in the hallway, on my way to the bathroom.

I made it soundlessly to the toilet, just in time to wretch up all of the contents I had consumed throughout the day.

When I was certain that it was over, I moved to the sink, to brush my teeth. That was when I saw Claire's saddened reflection in the mirror.

"I know, I'm stressing myself too much." I sighed.

"Bree, I think maybe-"

"No!" I snapped at her, "I just have to do this, then everything will chill out and I'll get better. I'm fine. Really."

She took a deep sigh, "You need to slow it down."

"Once this album is finished, I will."

***

Asher

It was three in the morning, when I made it home from the recording studio.

I made my way to the bedroom, to snuggle into Bree, but she wasn't there.

I instantly began to panic. Where had she gone?!

I checked DC's room and the music was alive, so she hadn't taken DC.

I sighed, relaxing a little. She wouldn't leave DC, so she had to be around this house somewhere.

"Would you like some coffee, or something to drink, Ash?" Claire asked, as I made my through the kitchen, checking the rooms along my way.

"You're up late."

"Bree is keeping late hours." She pointed toward the basement, "I was keeping a very quiet eye on her."

I took a deep breath and my panic subsided, "I'll take it from here. Thanks, Claire."

I was almost at the door, when I was called back, "Ash?"

"Yeah?" I turned to Claire.

"She needs to rest," She eyed me, "Her little body can't handle all of this stress."

"Has she been puking?" I asked.

"You know?" Her brow furrowed.

"When we were kids she'd stress herself out before big shows and stuff." I told her, "The bigger the shows got, the more she'd puke."

When I made my way into the studio, I found Bree sitting at the key pad.

"Bree?" I spoke softly, moving to her side.

"I just need to finish editing this track," She placed her head in her hands, "It's the last one for our album and it just doesn't sound right."

I listened for a moment, before I responded, "It's awesome, doll."

"This should be your opener for the awards, it goes hand in hand with ours." I told her.

"It is." She nodded and began to tear up.

"Hey, come on, it's perfect." I pulled her into my arms.

"Ash, what if I go through all of this and they hate me? What if I suck?" I chuckled as she cried into my chest.

"Bree, you have a raw talent for this. You have no idea how amazing you are." I kissed the top of her head.

"But, I've spent all this time working on this and DC has been all by herself and-"

"She has not been by herself. She's been hanging out with me, Claire, Cortney, My mom and Dad and Jake, Claire's grandson. She's in sat in while we recorded." I told her, "The kid is loving life."

"But I'm her mom," She cried, "What was I even thinking?"

"You are a mom who rocks out and, for once, you are doing something for yourself. She admires your strength.

"She's going to hate me!" She sobbed.

"Where is this coming from, Bree?" She pulled away, visibly looking around the room, as she bit her lower lip, attempting to calm herself.

"I'm just so tired."

"I know, doll. Let me help you to bed." She gave a tearful nod and I shut everything down and brought her to bed.

Once in the room, she collapsed on the bed. I pulled her shoes off and her pants, as she began to cry again.

"Bree, doll. Stop overthinking things." I assured, "Once this is over, everything will cool down."

"We're fucked, Ash." She cried.

"How?" What was she talking about?

"I just- this is so hard."

"You were a single, teen mom. How is being a musician harder than that?" I scoffed, "Listen, we go to the mountains the day after tomorrow, to work on our awards video. Come with us you could use a change of scenery."

"I have too much work to do."

"Fallen Angels can come too. You can practice with some relaxation, while Black Heart focuses on our video."

For the first time in the months we'd been back together, Bree fell asleep in my arms, nearly fully clothed.

I waited until the next morning, when I knew she'd be sleeping in, to make my phone call.

"Asher?" Lexi sounded concerned, "Is Bree okay?"

"That's debatable." I rubbed my temple.

"What's happened?"

"She's just stressed about this album stuff," I sighed, "Listen, I need you to do me a favor and not ask any questions."

"What is it?"

"Send me those videos you have of Bree and DC."