Fallen Idol (Love and Music in Texas Book 4)

by Nikki Lynn Barrett

  "Because maybe it's time we lay old ghosts to rest." Jordan looked good. He wore his dark hair short now. He'd let his pierced ear hole close. Either that, or he didn't put one in today. Dressed in a black tee shirt and blue jeans, he seemed like he'd cleaned up his act. Her ex-boyfriend, here in her parents house. Right in front of her new... whatever the hell Matt was.

  "Maybe I already did. Why would I need to see you to do that?" she hurled at him, fury consuming her. "You didn't care to see me after the accident, so why do I want to talk to you now? And you-" She whipped her head to glare at Taryn. "Why did you bring him? Don't tell me you two have been in contact all this time?"

  From behind her, Matt touched her shoulder. She let him have it next. "Did you know about this?"

  "I only talked to Taryn. I don't know who the guy is," he swore. Kyra studied his face. Yeah, Matt was being honest. She noted the confusion in his eyes. He had nothing more to do with it, other than calling Taryn about his concerns.

  Mom and Dad stood. How awkward for them. "We'll be over at the Winters' house for a bit." Kyra tried to protest, but they hugged her and left the house anyway. What else was there to do?

  "Just so you know, I did try to come see you." Jordan approached her, looking wary. He kept flicking his gaze from Kyra to Matt. "Mark said you weren't taking any visitors."

  This again. She'd heard it so many times. Kyra hadn't been taking many visitors. She'd pushed everyone away. But she begged Mark that if Taryn or Jordan showed up to let them see her.

  And he hadn't.

  "I never abandoned you."

  "Really?" Kyra snapped. "You may have been turned down that day, but when I was being accused of causing that accident, you weren't anywhere by my side. Neither of you were. So you can tell me you tried to see me and were denied, but you could have found another way around it. If you thought anything at all about me, you would have- I don't believe this!" Kyra threw her hands up in the air. "Not that it matters now. What's the point in rehashing the past? What's done is done."

  "Because," Jordan said softly, "I remember driving that night. My memories are foggy, but I thought I got behind the wheel when we left the party. Like Taryn, my hospital stay was covered for my silence. I must have been so out of it that I signed papers thinking it was consent for a surgery, but it wasn't. When I was about to bring up what I remembered, a certified copy of that letter was sent to me with a warning. This was about three years ago."

  The same time Taryn claimed she came to see her. The same time Kyra started coming back around. The same time Mark pushed for a new album comeback. "But-" She tried to process all of this.

  "Word on the street was that Leandra Ashlyn was looking for a new manager a few years ago." Taryn folded her hands in her lap. "Her career was on a downhill spiral. Turns out she was lip syncing at a big event. That girl was always too auto-tuned."

  She put two and two together. "My direct competition. The only other teen singer to have the same success as I did at the time." And one of the passengers in the other car. She'd always found that odd, considering her band didn't associate with Leandra that often. Kyra had to avoid her, because Leandra wasn't very friendly. "Okay, but even if Leandra was behind this far-fetched idea of pinning the blame on me, to go as far as moving me to the driver's side, what does this have to do with Mark? Why would he want me to fail? If he had us both signed to his management team, he'd win all the way around." She needed to sit. Kyra practically fell on the couch. Matt moved to sit beside her, staying quiet. He seemed as bewildered as she felt.

  "Leandra didn't want to share the spotlight, or the same manager- with you," Taryn said. "You don't remember how many times she was compared to you? Leandra didn't have the live talent you did."

  "She used to hit on me. A lot." Jordan lowered his gaze.

  "It's all coming together," Kyra muttered. "I can't believe it. All of you! Did you want her, Jordan?"

  "No! It was all Leandra's doing. I never made a move."

  "But she never signed with Mark after the accident." She would have known this.

  Taryn shook her head. "No. She found bigger and better. I think that's where the blackmail came from. She still wanted to keep it all quiet, so her hot shot people made sure her plans stayed well hidden. She had a good two years, and then her career plummeted again."

  "Meanwhile, my family is threatened, and I was attacked!" Kyra snapped. "And you're only coming to me with this now, six years after the fact. Everyone who looked up to me sees me as a killer now. I was charged for involuntary manslaughter! Do you know what that does to a mind even though I don't remember it? Then all the anxiety, the attacks, the-" She gasped, her chest burning with pain. Matt pulled her close to him, not saying a word, but being perfect by giving her his comfort. What must he think right now?

  "You weren't the only one threatened, Kyra. You might have been physically threatened, but those tricked papers we signed were a form of threats, too," Jordon fired back.

  That was supposed to make this any better?

  "So why now? Why be open all this time later?"

  "Because if it's Mark behind it, you should be warned. And you have a man right there who cares so much about you he's willing to dig into your past to help you cope with the future." Taryn pointed at Matt. "If it wasn't for him, we probably would never be here like this. I think it's time we find the truth so we can all be free of that night."

  *****

  Matt never imagined all of this would come up when he wanted to help Kyra deal with the ghosts of her past. He wasn't sure what to make of her manager, but the proof was laying out in the open with her ex-boyfriend and Taryn. The room was eerily quiet. So much tension lingered in the air, like fog on a cold, damp morning.

  "I can't even approach him with all of this because while there's a lot of things pointing at him, it's not concrete enough," Kyra said with a strangled voice. She held her hand against her chest. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead and neck, making her skin glisten. "Meanwhile, he holds all the cards in my future. What the hell am I supposed to do with this?"

  "Can't you split ways and find a new manager?" Jordan asked.

  Kyra laughed bitterly. "Right. In the middle of a comeback tour plan, an album launch, and everything else. Mark will want to know why. If he's behind what you think he is, then me cutting ties is only going to make things worse. I'd be blacklisted- again. No. There has to be a better way."

  Matt studied Taryn and Jordan. Could they be trusted? Were they trying to throw Kyra off the trail and pin it on a man she trusted? Or at least, trusted more than she did the two of them? What the hell had he caused by bringing a woman from her past back into her life? He'd overstepped, and now Kyra had to deal with even more confusion. He wondered how much of this Kyra's father knew, since they'd talked about this in the first place.

  "There was five of us in the car. You two had your hospital covered. What about Ralphie? Does anyone know his whereabouts?" Kyra finally spoke again.

  "Ralphie's on tour playing lead guitar for a rock band in Australia. I've attempted to call him a few times. Nothing back, so I don't know if he was paid off to keep his mouth shut or not." Jordan raked a hand through his hair. "Out of everyone in the car, he sustained the least amount of injuries."

  "Think about your apartment in Nashville. No one other than Mark and a few other people knew you lived there." Matt pressed his lips together, hating that he planted some doubt, too. Sure, he didn't get a good vibe from Mark, but that was because he felt the man pushed Kyra way too hard when she obviously wasn't ready. "And the bodyguards who never seem to be around when we need them most."

  She gasped and whipped her head to glare at him. "You can't possibly think-" Kyra jumped to her feet. "I can't take much more! I don't know who the hell to trust! Excuse me for a second." She spun on her heel and bolted toward the kitchen. The clank and clatter of dishes followed. What the hell was she doing?

  "Maybe I shouldn't have bombarded her like this, especially br
inging Jordan." Taryn wheeled her chair so she could be in front of Matt. "I spent years angry at Kyra for taking things away from me. It's obvious a lot of people haven't forgotten what happened. If she's innocent, then Kyra deserves to know the truth. I don't have to ask how much you care about her, I can see it in how you react with her and the things you've done, so please help her see the light, Matt."

  After another loud clatter and a curse from Kyra, he jumped up. "I want that for her." Not sure what else to say, he excused himself and darted toward the kitchen. He found Kyra, with her pants covered in white powder, in the middle of the kitchen. A bag lay on the floor by her feet, and she stared down at it with an expression of utter guilt, as if she'd done the worst thing in the world. A tear slid down her cheek. Matt gathered her in his arms. He wanted to laugh because of the expression on her face, instead he just held her. Kyra trembled. He thought she was crying, but seconds later heard bouts of laughter. "What's so funny?"

  "I was all about to go crazy because I dropped stupid sugar on the floor," she sputtered. "I mean, really? Of all the things to cry about..."

  Matt chuckled. "You totally looked like you lost your best friend for a second there."

  "It's kinda how I'm feeling. I know all of you are unsure about Mark, and yes, it's making me question things. He pushes me, but that's because he's my manager and keeping me ahead is what he's supposed to do. To most of you, it sounds cruel and harsh, but this is a business. Mark's also been a big part of my life. He was one of the few who stuck by me after the accident and my breakdown. It's hard to accept the fact that he might not be doing this for my own good. Of course, a manager has to look out for himself, as well." Kyra ran a hand through her hair. "I don't know what to do. I don't want to believe he had any part in framing me, or keeping it under wraps that I really wasn't driving. Jordan and Taryn showing up like this..." She tapped her fingers on the island counter.

  He only had himself to blame for adding to her stress. "I really thought I was helping." Matt had no right to butt in. None. This wasn't a situation he could just walk in and attempt to fix like he could with Andrew.

  "I know you did," Kyra said softly, stepping over the sugar to kiss his cheek. "I have to figure out my next move. I don't like all this uncertainty."

  Chapter Thirty-One

  "Okay, so you have a few radio interviews, a local TV station interview..." Mark rattled off his list to Kyra over the phone two days later. She still hadn't said anything to him, and both Taryn and Jordan continued to call, text, and email in an attempt to talk to her.

  "You do know I'm here to be with my family, right?" Kyra snapped, losing her patience. One or two things, she could handle, but Mark was going way overboard. Dad and Mom were sitting at the table going over some papers, and both looked up at her when she raised her voice.

  "I know, and I understand. But I thought a few things wouldn't hurt, especially after the dance and the concert issues."

  The way he said issues really irked her. "Issues?" she seethed.

  "Now calm down-"

  "I'll do a few more. That's it. And I swear if anyone else asks about my problem with crowds, I'm gonna lose it. I've been patient, but this is supposed to be my time with family."

  "That's why you spend so much time with this Matt character, right? The one who's in all these photos and rumors about you?"

  Oh, so he wanted to play that way, huh? Mark's comment struck a nerve.

  "I'll have you know, Matt is a close friend of my family. So yes, that's why he's been around, too." She rolled her eyes, turning away from her parents. "I'm asking for a little more time so I can wrap things up here. I know you all are anxious for me to get back, but I just want a little more time. It's been hard because of these threats. Can't you understand that, Mark?"

  A hush fell over the line. Then a sigh. "Okay, fair enough. All I'm trying to do is make your comeback a success. With everything going on, it's harder to keep the shitty rumors from flying. I'm doing my job, Kyra."

  "Well, you can also be a friend. Have a little sympathy. I'm trying to work through a lot at once. What happens if I can't get up on that stage and perform, huh?" Mark knew of her stage fright, if that's what you want to call it. It wasn't the stage itself that was the problem. It was the crowd. She'd done okay sitting in the stands at Baby Stetson's concert, but that's because Matt was there. She couldn't take Matt with her everywhere she went. The best thing Kyra could think of was to go find a crowded place and get in the middle of it without Matt. Stupid move? Maybe, but it was the only way she could find out for sure that she could do this without him.

  Otherwise...

  No. No otherwise. If Kyra was to make a comeback, then she'd have to fight for it. Fight herself. Fight her enemies.

  "Believe in yourself." Mark's words interrupted her thoughts.

  "It's not that I don't. I have a real paralyzing fear of the crowd, and it hits at random times. Look, I need to go. I'm going to spend the afternoon with my parents. I'll do these interviews, but stop setting up so much. I'll be back in Nashville in a week or two, and you can work me to the bone if that's what you want." She hung up. When Kyra turned around, her parents were wide eyed.

  "Come sit, Kyra." Dad patted the chair beside him.

  She did. "Sorry to be dramatic and get so loud." Kyra shifted her gaze from her mom to her dad.

  Mom laughed. "I think we're very used to it, but that's not what we want to talk about. It's the comments we heard you saying we want to talk about."

  "Like your fear of the stage. How come you didn't tell us?" Dad covered her hand with his. Warm, concerned eyes studied her.

  "I didn't realize it until I helped chaperon the dance with Matt. Amy and Sharon were fighting, the music was loud, and I was upset. I fainted. The dance was the first large crowd I've dealt with since the show I was attacked at six years ago." Kyra cast her eyes down, focusing on the pattern of the table. She didn't want to talk about this again and again.

  "Are you sure you're ready for a comeback?" Dad asked gently.

  Kyra had to think about it. The plans were already in place. She'd worked on the record for years. But... "I'm ready for most of it. I'm proud of the new music. It's my most heartfelt album. I just don't know about the publicity side: the interviews, the questions, and the crowds. It comes with the territory, though."

  "Your safety and health should come first. Mark needs to recognize that." Mom said, siding with her father.

  "I know. He does." Even Kyra had a hard time saying that. Mark didn't seem to. He was doing his job. Or was it something else? All the doubts and worries about him crowded her mind.

  "Are you sure? We're not trying to plant any self doubt, but I know that's what you, Taryn, Jordan, and Matt were talking about the other day."

  Did they know everything? "I want my music back," she insisted.

  "We're not doubting it. You were born to sing, and the career you've had proves it." Mom covered the papers she'd been looking at and leaned close. "We worry about you. The last thing anyone wants is for you to break down and not be ready."

  "I know. I appreciate it." Kyra lowered her voice. "Matt's trying to help me through it."

  Dad smiled knowingly. "I always wondered how you two would get along once you met."

  "You were rooting for Matt and I long before I even knew he existed?" Kyra shook her head. "You're weird."

  "I might be weird, but I know a good man when I see him. Obviously you do too, or you wouldn't be spending so much time with him. Matt's come to mean a lot to us since we moved here."

  "I don't know what to do about him. Once I go back to Nashville, the next year or so will be full. We're too new to manage that long apart." Her heart ached just thinking about it.

  "You're the first woman Matt's been spending time with since we moved here. I've never seen him open up like this," Mom said. "You obviously know how he feels about singers, but you changed his mind, Kyra."

  "You guys are really hoping for something betw
een us, huh?" Everyone around her seemed to.

  "You've had an outstanding music career. You've grown up to be an amazing young woman. It's time to complete your life with a good man." Mom's eyes crinkled as she smiled.

  "I'd be surprised if he waited a year for me, even if we get to know each other as friends." Kyra realized she'd never mentioned to her parents the idea she had. "I do have something I want to tell you. After my tour and the rush from this CD release is over, I want to move to Texas. I want to be near you guys again."

  Both Mom and Dad gaped at her. "You do?"

  She nodded. "I want to get my life back. I spent years hiding because of the anxiety and breakdown. I pushed you all away because I didn't want you to see me at my worst and missed out. I could have lost you guys in that fire, and I wouldn't be able to forgive myself!" Tears choked her voice.

  "Honey..." Mom's eyes filled with tears. "We'd love to have you near, but what does that do for your music?"

  "I don't need to stay in Nashville to do my music. I might have to travel to record, or for meetings and other stuff, but so what? I can buy a house out here near you. Then, if Matt and I do manage to make it through a year without him finding someone else, who knows?"

  "Well..." Dad exchanged a look with Mom.

  "What? What's going on?" She panicked.

  "If I can't find a good job, we'll have to move," Mom said quietly.

  "What do you mean? What's wrong with your job?"

  Dad slid the papers across the table. "The fire. Your mom's boss, the man who owns the clinic, couldn't pay the premiums on the insurance and last month let it lapse. There's no way to pay for the damages. It's a family run business, been here for years, but they don't have any way around it."

  Kyra gasped. "How horrible!"

  "Yeah. We found out today. Your father's job is great paying, but we won't be able to keep this house and everything else on just one income. Despite what everyone says, the market is still struggling."