Authors Note: I own nothing. No ownership rights to Beverly Hills 90210.
Chapter Seventeen
He was uglier than I remember, or maybe that was because his good looks that had made him popular at RADA were now overshadowed by his now known lack of character and willingness to betray someone he seemingly cared about, supposedly loved for the hope of money and success. The slight dirty blonde girl standing next to him I didn't even bother thinking about her modern bohemian appearance that screamed a gentle caring soul- she was nothing like that.
"Couriers were supposed to be doing the drop off not the both of you. I didn't agree to this."
"Kitt-" My glare cuts him off. He tries again, "Brenda when we received your address last night we thought it would be better to deliver it in person. There are things we want to say."
"I don't care what either of you have to say. No words could justify your behaviours-"
And yet he still tries, it had happened every time we had met since I had found out- his attempts to defend himself. "I didn't know what Dani had done until it was too late till there was a label interested."
"And when you found out it didn't stop you from signing the fucking contract and not telling me." I stop and look at him, he isn't worth the energy, "just give me the demo and the contract, and I'll let my lawyer know if I require you to make any changes."
Danielle finally finds her innocent gentle voice- she was a better actress than me, you'd never know she was capable of stealing so much and doing it for months. She hid behind this sweet shell like one of those flowers that eats bugs. "You won't I've made sure to protect you, no one will know they are about you and what you went through."
"Do you want a thanks for being a considerate thief?" Standing here is beginning to hurt in more ways than one and I wasn't willing to keep doing it, injuring my ankle further by putting weight on it just to waste breath on people who are not worth it. "Pass me the package and leave. I'll decide for myself if you have followed the terms of our settlement."
"Actually, Dani and I wanted to see if you would be open to making some additions to the contracts. We promise that once you have heard us out we will go." He nods to the hallway behind me asking me to let them in.
Entitled heavy handed jerks- I have a type, and here I thought it was just dark hair that the three had in common. "Write it up and give in to my lawyer."
"Brenda we flew from New York to discuss this, can we just have five minutes? I promise Patrick and I will go once you hear us out, look it's important for all our careers especially yours."
Fuck she was manipulative, how did I never see it? Then again I consoled Kelly for months while she was devastated over losing her summer boyfriend, I clearly have no radar for people; no one can be trusted. "I'm not associated with this shit, that's why you are both under NDA's. Nothing you do effects my career."
"Brenda this isn't about the songs I wrote…" I give her a fucking own your shit look, "that I used your diary to write. This is about our performance at RADA's Winter Semester Showcase, a producer heard it that night and well he's been looking around for a song for his film and nothing works and he remembered us… look can we come inside and explain?"
I can tell they weren't going to leave and I needed them gone, "five minutes."
As we move into the lounge I sit but refuse to elevate my leg, it's painful as it's strapped but I don't want to emphasise my weakness- sharks can taste even a drop of blood in the water. The are suddenly all quiet, like two other brown and blonde hair people who knocked on my door years ago, at least I'm not being made to walk to a park but even with that consolation prize I'm still unwilling to sit here having a staring competition.
"The clock is ticking."
Danielle or Dani as her friends call her; I used to call her that, begins, "the producer has been looking for months gone through so many songs but nothing has captured the films emotions. They are looking for the feature track for the film soundtrack. Anyway he remembered our performance and got my details from our singing teacher, he heard the song again and gave it to the executives of the studio to hear- they all want it."
She said it with such enthusiasm like announcing something life changing for us, I didn't buy her being here to share this moment with me was one offered willingly. "You actually wrote half of that song, why are you here? You could have recorded it as a single vocalist and made the request through my lawyer for publishing permission."
Danielle's quick look at Patrick tells me everything I want to know, she tried that already. "The song works better as a duet, it's more powerful-"
Bullshit. "They are refusing to buy your solo version." When she goes to speak and counter that I stop her, "that wasn't me asking it was me telling. There is no other reason you are here, especially after the settlement you were forced to sign. The one that effectively gives you the recognition but me the lions-share of the money and copyright of those songs. Considering how fucking greedy you both ended up being I'm sure that still bites."
Patrick looks at Danielle and I can see he is trying to get her not to snap at my remark- they both had tempers when pushed, when called out on their disgusting behaviour. "K- Brenda you are right. They all want the song but they want it with both of you. Dani and I have recorded it even as a duet where she sings both parts in different tones but it still isn't working for the producer. He wants both of you." I give him an I don't care look, why does this concern me. He breathes out, "the producer and the studio they are big deals. The director on the movie is a Oscar winner, the movie has an A list cast, the song would have a chance to not only be a commercial hit but being attached to this movie it might have a chance at earning you your first big film awards."
"Don't act like it's about me, you want that success and you both want those awards."
"Brenda it's a thirty minute at most a sixty minute recording session. Even split on all of it- writing and vocal credits for you and me, Patrick will be the producer. He's already recorded the musical accompaniment to our voices, it is an hour of your time but could be huge for your career."
When she see's that I'm still not won over she passes me the golden envelope and I pull out the contract. Fuck the studio, the producer, and the fucking director were beyond big deals. If they want this that badly and I say no it could damage a lot of future relationships for me in this industry- Fuck!
I count to ten, then twenty, I end up needing all sixty counts to figure out if my emotions or head is leading me today. I go with my head.
"I haven't sang since the vocal classes at RADA it's been months."
They obviously realise how tentative my entertaining of this arrangement is because neither looks like they have won, "I have my guitar in the car we can practice now and see if it's even a possibility. They want the song immediately, the film is scheduled for release in two weeks, if we can't deliver it in the next couple of days the Studio say's they'll go with the back up- though they don't want to."
I don't know which is worse for my career, me refusing these important people or them finding that my voice isn't up for the job. When I performed that night with Dani, we had shared a dorm for months we had be constantly singing. I wasn't a natural singer but a theatre actress who can't sing well it limits your roles- it was a requirement I learn. Dani was gifted vocally but her emotional range as an actress was her downfall, though considering she was a manipulative exploitive witch it makes sense. Anyway for months as best friends roommate's she'd help me practice and grow my voice and I'd workshop scenes with her to help make her characters more authentic. It had been over six months since we shared a room and over four months since I had left RADA, who knows if I could still even reach those notes.
Patrick stands, "are you okay Ki- Brenda to try now?" I nod my head.
Once he's out the door Dani looks at me, "he still doesn't know. Us not going to court has meant he has never seen the photo's of your diary, he's never read it. He thinks… well you know what he thinks. You are the one that-"
"I did nothing. He was a friend a guy we hung out with daily… Patrick it was just friendship me thinking he'd be good for me, that I should try for the nice sweet caring guy for once. We may have been seeing each other but we weren't officially together, we weren't serious. I didn't owe him my life story-"
Finally her sweetness rescinds, and she bites back with one of her justifications for betraying me, "he loved you-"
"This," I point at the envelope of contracts and the demo sticking out of her bag, "is not love."
Before we can say more he is coming back through the door. We spend the next ten minutes warming up our voices- Danielle never sang on a cold voice. By the time we tried the song I didn't realise how late it was. I was so on edge with these two that I disappeared completely into the character in order to make it through the song, it meant I didn't realise we'd had a fucking audience. It meant I didn't feel him, it meant I didn't know he heard me… I hate LA.
The deliveries were done and the club was ready for the night, it gave me a few hours off to relax before having to get dressed and head back in there. When I was in The Pit saying bye to Nat I had bumped into Steve who was grabbing a takeaway piece of Honey Pie, he was attempting to use it as a thank you and softener when he tried to get Brenda to cook for him again. As I pull up at our house under the basketball hoop he parks next to me, he's wearing his trickster smirk the one he thinks that no one knows means that he's about to put on the charm to try and get what he wants. Everyone knows.
"It's not going to work, she's in training."
"For the fifth time Val, it's Saturday she said at the beach apartment that she indulges on Saturday. This is me offering the treat-"
"So she make's you food. You could just ask rather than manipulate."
"That's not the Sanders way."
As the blonde fool refuses to listen to reason two more fools arrive, these two aren't as harmless as the current one I'm verbally sparing with. "Brandon I thought you were at the Rose Court?"
"I got enough for my part of the article and Susan is finishing the rest off. I don't want to leave Bren alone too long."
Finally the anxious moody fool speaks, "any idea who's car is parked across the street?"
"McKay you are so paranoid these day's there's always cars parked on the street." Dylan ignores Steve and looks at Brandon.
"D never seen it before but I doubt it's for here, she was just expecting a courier from what I understand." As Brandon speaks I take note of the car, it's nothing special and nothing I've seen on the street before but the car indicating into our driveway is.
"Who invited them?" I don't even bother looking at McKay he's not speaking to Kelly nor Brandon who is finally learning to keep his distance.
The tall blondes smirk leaves his face, "umm me. Clare and I have a maths session this afternoon and well I bumped into the girls on campus after their tryouts. I may have said Bren is staying with us because of her injury and is an amazing cook."
Thankfully it's Dylan who points out the obvious, "Steve two nights ago Bren called them out for their treatment of Val. Last I heard Val hasn't received an apology and the girls were still defending their behaviour believing Bren was wrong and didn't understand the situation. Do you think either want them in their home?"
"McKay it's us the gang and this is Casa Walsh, Bren understands everyone is always welcome as this has always been our second home. She won't mind." At that he moves to say hello to the new comers.
The three of us share a meaningful look, it's no wonder she doesn't see this place as her home. None of us say hello to the others and instead move to the back door. As we approach we hear the sounds of a guitar, but it's not until we step into the kitchen that we hear someone start to sing. It's as we walk into the dining room and see a petite blonde chick sitting on the coffee table playing a guitar do we hear Bren's voice start from the couch in front of her. Wow my girl can sing!
The others obviously curious themselves surprisingly had brains enough to stay quiet as they approach the three of us- Clare must have told the blondes to be quiet. The duet they are singing almost a line each is good, really good but as I hear the words I look over at Dylan. He's an open book when it comes to her, how did no one ever see how he pines for her? How did Kelly ever think she had a chance?!
As they finish up we are all quiet, shocked by her talent and maybe the meaning of the words. It's probably why we didn't register the third person in that room.
"Kitten you sound incredible. Though ladies I still think you need to work on that last line it was not crazy of me to take off my coat and give it to kitten." Wait who the fuck is kitten? The unknown guy's ramblings are cut off by my angry girl.
"Stop calling me that." What the fuck? The song was about this guy and not McKay? I look at Dylan he's both crushed and looking ready to lose his shit.
The idiot not realising the danger from both the fools standing next to me but also my girl sitting across from him uses a panty dropping tone "why? Do you no longer stretch like a kitten when you wake in the morning?" I immediately hold both fools back as they begin to step in the direction of the hidden idiot, while the blonde with the guitar looks over to the armchair in the corner.
"Patrick." It's a warning that he heeds. She then turns back to my girl, "Brenda so what do you say? This is a great opportunity for you-"
Obviously that was the wrong thing to say, "please you don't care about me neither of you ever did. This is a fucking great opportunity for the both of you, you just are being forced to share it."
The idiot stands at that, "never cared. I fucking loved you. For months I followed you around looking for any scraps I could get. Any that the fucking great Roy Randolph would let me have. And then when I finally think we are getting somewhere your fucking ex shows up." It was Donna's gasp at that that finally announced our presence. It had this Patrick idiot swing around to look at us- fuck he was hot! His piercing sea green eyes were definitely song worthy.
Bren immediately goes pale and then in seconds has hidden as usual behind her mask of strong and calm- void of all feeling. "The two of you leave the papers and get out. Now."
He might be hot but he was dumb or had no self-preservation instinct, he turns back to his ex?, "Ki- Brenda I'm sorry I didn't mean to snap. Let's just discuss-"
Holding Dylan back was impossible when the guy didn't instantly move to the door, "she asked you to leave. Get the hell out."
As Dylan enters the lounge room the pretty idiot turns back around and attempts to calm the situation, "man I have no idea who you are but this has nothing to do with you."
Shit. Brandon and I move quickly in, Dylan won't react well to that. The small blonde jumps up from the table. "Pat this is Iris' son-"
Maybe he's not as dumb as he seems as he quickly gets a spark of recognition, "oh Kitten's twin brothers best friend, the guy whose like a brother to Brandon." This guy has no idea. Dylan is momentarily speechless by that description, "your Mum is awesome. When she came to visit in January she-"
"Patrick we should go." While the rest of us have been stunned by this idiots ramblings the blonde had put her guitar away and passed Brenda two large envelopes. She was now moving between the two guy's, "Pat we've gone over our five minutes."
At that he finally looks back over at Bren, "you know how to get in touch with me-"
"She won't need too."
"Dyl-" Brenda is cut off by the idiot.
"What? Man this brotherly routine is cool but you have no idea about Bren-"
"Brot-" I instantly see the panic in my girls eye's it's my turn to cut this off.
"Look I think you should follow your friends advice and leave. Bren is not in a position to force you out but I am. Steve can you grab the door for these two it may help them find their way out?" The inner joker has completely left my blonde roommate and he is instantly moving to the door while I stare this idiot down. He at least gets that there is no other option and nods his head at me.
Once he has walked up the steps back towards the front door and the blonde is already moving past Steve he looks back at Bren. "Sorry for the drama, take care of your leg, hopefully we can see each other tomorrow Kitten."
At the kitten both myself and Brandon need to hold back Dylan.
I'm not even processing all I have just heard, I'm just seeing red running off rage. He has woken up next to her, he has seen how she stretches when she wakes, has he felt the curve of her spine against his chest too? Has his feet been mixed together with her's as she points her toes out before she opens her eye's?
As Steve slams the door behind the dead man I finally find my voice. "Who the fuck was that guy?"
"D calm dow-"
"Brandon do not tell me to calm down. Brenda who was that jerk?" I hold my girls eyes.
"That is none of your business Dylan. It doesn't concern you."
"Doesn't concern me? Are you serious right now?"
"Drop it. It's none of your business."
I give her a look everything about her is my business, like everything about me is hers. "You were with that that asshole in London? He's met my mother? He's been in your bed-"
She has a look of indifference like she thinks I'm being ridiculous like my feelings don't matter here, it gets me even angrier. "Yes, yes, and yes. Happy now?"
"No." I stare at her, "you wrote him a love song?" I had thought it was about me until he made light of the last line. I was thinking finally she's opening up a little about how she felt last year but I was wrong. He must have meant something for her to write that song.
"Danielle and I wro… it was for a semester showcase for RADA it's not important, and still none of your business."
"He thinks I'm your brother?" I ignore the snort from Steve and the giggle from Val.
"Honestly, I don't know what he thinks about you, I never discussed you. One doesn't really discuss their ex's when in bed with someone else." Okay she was getting beyond pissed now, if I was working with a clearer head and not running images of all the ways she is like a kitten in the morning I may have heeded the warning in her tone that I was crossing lines.
"How long were you with him for? Why is here?"
"Dylan you have no right-"
At that I finally lose the little control I had left, "I have every right. You're mine."
Her laugh has no amusement in it, "I'm yours? I'm yours?… I'm not a fucking toy. Just because we once had a relationship does not mean you own me. Just because I gave you my virginity does not mean I signed my life away to be your possession that you can pick up and put down whenever the mood strikes. You are so fucking entitled, you haven't wanted me for years but you refused to let me go-"
"Haven't wanted you? All I have done is want you, all I have ever wanted was you. I wanted you so badly your Dad had to threaten me to even let you go for a few weeks, and even then he knew that threatening my trust, my house, my reputation would only buy him a few weeks- even he knew there is not enough money in the world that could make me give up you."
"No not money, you believe you have too much integrity for that but you'll happily give me up for just one blonde or Val, or Betty, or the countless women you had last year. Your revisionist history is always such a joke-"
"I have never given you up, even when you betrayed me, even when I lost my family because of your lies. Every time I have always taken you back, junior year, that cardio guy, at the end of the senior summer when you told me about the other brunette idiot from Paris. In the last three years I have offered myself up so many times but you refused me over and over again but still I'm the one who gets blamed who gets punished because I took one easy way out. Baby or should I say kitten? Remember who out of us always leaves. You leave me. You left me in sophomore year, you left me in senior year, you left me for London, you left in the middle of the night four weeks-"
"Dylan that's enough." As Brandon moves into my eye-line I remember the world isn't just the two of us. Shit most of the gang is here with us. It's like cold water being thrown on me, my rage is instantly washed away. I look past my brother to my girl- oh fuck this is bad. I start going over everything I just said, and then the knowledge sinks in I've just self-sabotaged again.