Brody Read Online Free Page B

settling. If you’re not happy with him anymore—”
    “It’s not that easy,” she said, running a hand through her long, wavy hair. “We work together. Without him as a partner and collaborator, I’m not sure what would happen to my career.”
    Macy was one of the most talented people I knew. Not only did she have an amazing voice, but she wrote beautiful music and played several instruments. They’d been supporting themselves by selling their songs since moving to Nashville. Several had been recorded by top country music artists and topped the charts, paying them a tidy residual.
    “You can do anything you set your mind to,” I reminded her. “If it comes down to it, you’ll pursue your dream on your own. I know you love Brendan. He’s been a part of your life for the past six years. But don’t think for a second that you couldn’t do it without him.”
    “He doesn’t think I could,” she said, her bright blue eyes brimming with emotion. “And I don’t know. Maybe he’s right. Maybe I couldn’t do it without him, sis. He’s the one who motivates me, ya know?”
    I couldn’t deny that Macy hadn’t always been the most self-motivated person. She’d dropped out of college after a year, claiming she didn’t need a degree to be a musician and didn’t want to waste any more of our parents’ money.
    “But if you want it badly enough, you’ll be motivated to carry on without him. Come on, I watched you teach yourself how to play guitar at thirteen. It took you months, but you got the hang of it. You didn’t give up, because you were hooked. Music is a part of you.”
    “It is,” she said, shaking her head slowly. “But the grind is starting to get to me. Playing a different bar or club every night. Going out on the road with other bands, trying to make a name for ourselves. Some days it feels like we’re making headway, but other days it feels like we’re just spinning our wheels.”
    I could relate. Starting my own business had been one of the hardest things I’d ever done. It took me at least two years before I gained traction and turned a decent profit. But I didn’t give up on my dream, and I couldn’t imagine my sister wasting her talent either.
    “Maybe you just need a little break,” I suggested. “From Brendan and from music. Have you thought about coming home for a couple of months?”
    “It’s not that easy,” she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “We have a lease, and Brendan can’t or won’t do gigs without me. Besides, we both rely on the income from those gigs to survive.”
    Their lives really were inextricably linked, even more so than those of some married couples, and I couldn’t help but wonder whether Macy was only staying with him because she felt trapped. “You could both still write music, even if you’re apart for a while, right? Selling a couple of songs might give you some breathing room.”
    “Song writing has always been a collaborative effort for us. I can’t imagine doing it without him.”
    I frowned, disturbed that my strong sister, who’d always had a stubborn streak, now seemed to believe she was dependent upon a man to do something that had once come so naturally to her. “You haven’t always had Brendan in your life, Mace. You wrote songs before you met him.”
    “Yeah, but I never sold any of them. They weren’t good enough.”
    “Who told you they weren’t good enough? I’ve heard them. They were amazing!”
    Why was she selling herself short? Who’d given her the impression she wasn’t good enough? Brendan? If it was him, I’d be on the next plane to Nashville to knock some sense into him. No one treated my baby sister that way!
    “Enough about me,” she said, hiding her face in her hands as she shook her head furiously. “I’m sick to death of my problems. Tell me what’s going on with you. Have you heard from Stephan since you broke up?”
    “Please, I don’t want to talk about him any more than you want to