Quiet Little Truths

1 Year Later

After quite a long break, Willa couldn’t wait to be back with the gang, doing what they did best.

However, she couldn’t help but reflect on the past year, especially with David.

Willa didn’t think they’d ever get this far, and it wasn’t easy by any means. There were a few complicated bits that Willa expected when dating a guy like David.

Their time in Tuscany was unforgettable. They spent quite a lot of time there exploring, bonding, and trying to stay out of camera view. But ultimately, they stopped worrying so much about it.

People were going to find out eventually, and David didn’t seem to care whether they knew. Not the way Zane did. Public displays of affection were still on hold, though, and Willa was grateful.

She was even more grateful for waiting six whole months before they decided to cross the line and experience their first night of intimacy together.

David was nothing like Zane. Instead, he was soft and attentive, and he didn’t just focus on his own needs. He pleased her in a way she didn’t know was possible. Her body felt alive anytime David touched her, but in that moment, she was truly awakened.

Even as they lay cuddled close, Willa was at peace. David was everything she could have ever wanted, and she was sad that he didn’t give himself enough credit.

“Did I ever mention how amazing you are?” She smiled, resting her chin on his chest as she looked into his eyes.

David chuckled, drawing tiny circles against her back. “Please,” he denied. “You only say that because it was our first time.”

“Why would I lie, Davey?” She sat up, pulling the sheets close to her chest.

He shrugged his shoulders, keeping his hand on her hip. “I don’t know. I mean, you did keep your feelings for me secret.”

“That’s not even relevant.”

“Andddd you were with Zane for three years,” he reminded her. “That’s nothing to brush off.”

Willa understood what he meant but felt it had no bearing on her words. What she did with Zane when they were together was nothing like when she was with David.

They were different people bringing different energies to the table, and Willa liked where she was sitting.

“Are you always going to compare yourself to Zane?” She wondered. “It’s been half a year already.”

“It’s hard not to when he was your only long-term partner.” His insecurities spoke loudly. “I just want to be enough for you, Willa.”

Her hand ran through his darkened strands with a soft expression on her face. “You are enough for me, David.” Her tone was sincere. “I wish you would see that.”

She truly did wish David could see what she saw. That he could feel what she felt, but it wasn’t something she could force upon him.

There may have been some validity to his words, though, because three months from that moment, David was back in rehab.

Willa felt like it was her fault for not closely monitoring him like she used to. She had been so caught up in being more than just his friend that she failed to notice he slipped up.

She visited him once a week like clockwork, the last time Jeremy tagged along.

“We’re zeroing in on the Pretty Little Disaster tour ending,” he said straight to David. “We need you back and better.”

David let out a frustrated breath. “I know. It’s been on my mind heavily.”

Willa blew on his nails as she was painting them. “As it should be,” she said. “We’re finally back in the studio next week, and we can’t do it without you,” she added. “I can’t do it without you.”

David’s brows twitched. “It’s nice to know you two feel that way.” His eyes looked around the room. “I guess Zane had better plans.”

“He’s been spending a lot of time with Carly.” Jeremy rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m sure he wanted to be here to support you.”

Willa sarcastically laughed. “Yeah. Right.”

Even though they seemed fine, Willa knew Zane was still holding on to her leaving him. She hadn’t talked to him since they’d been on break, and David rarely heard from him either.

It was safe to assume they were on his shit list, but Willa admired Jeremy’s optimism.

“It doesn’t matter,” Jeremy brushed off. “Point is, we’re all gonna come together and create an album that can succeed Pretty Little Disaster.”

“Yep. We’re totally gonna do this drama-free,” David said sarcastically.

Willa smirked up at him, in full agreement that things were going to be messy.

Jeremy rolled his eyes. “Can you two not be such Debbie-downers?”

“Sorry. I like to be realistic,” Willa defended. “I mean, I’ll keep the peace. It’s David and Zane you have to worry about.”

David looked at her with a gentle smile. “Gee, thanks, babe.”

She paused, arching her brow. “Babe?”

“Yeah, you liked that?” David jokingly teased.

“A little bit.” She played into it.

They both laughed as David leaned forward, pressing their foreheads together.

Jeremy gagged. “Why was I invited again?”

David laughed, nudging his head. “Cuz you’re my brother, and it’s always great to see you.”

Jeremy rolled his eyes again, but Willa knew he felt the same.

Unfortunately, Willa had to leave Tuscany earlier than David, and soon she was back home, standing outside the studio.

After the longest year of her life, Willa was happy to be back in her element. There were so many songs to record, not all of them making the album, but possibly being used as singles.

She was there before everyone else, but she couldn’t help how eager she felt. The public was still chatting about Misconstrued, but she wanted the conversation about them to shift from her and Zane to them finally being in the studio.

So, she slid her phone out of her pocket and took a picture of the studio building for her story. The likes pouring in were endless, a reaction she cherished.

“Posting stories again?”

Zane’s voice questioned from behind her.

Willa turned around, surprised by Zane speaking to her. He looked a lot happier than he did before the tour ended, but she didn’t think he’d speak with her unless it were necessary.

She also had a lot of questions about him spending time with Carly, but decided to save it for another time.

Her arms folded over her chest, the corner of her lip pulling up. “As a matter of fact, I am.”

Zane approached her gently. “Classic, Willa.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

His hands went into his pockets. “You’re always posting things,” he paused. “I couldn’t help noticing you haven’t posted anything with David, though.”

Her body tensed, unsure of how to respond to his observation.

They hadn’t posted anything because of the backlash they might face. But Willa was enjoying not having to worry about that side of their relationship. David hadn’t even formally asked her to be his girlfriend. She wasn’t going to pressure him to post about it.

“Yeah, well, we were enjoying each other’s company,” she breathed. “There’s no rush for anything.”

He hummed. “Except with me, right?”

She hated his condescending tone, showing just how not over the situation he was. Maybe she came across as hypocritical, but she was with Zane for years before asking to share their relationship with the world. Not like the year she’d been with David.

“Anywho,” she changed topics. “Any ideas about sound for the album?”

Zane took the hint, looking at the studio building. “Jerm will be happy. I think we should go a bit heavy on the jazz undertones.”

Willa’s eyes sparkled. “And this is your judgment without hearing a single lyric?”

“It’s what I do,” he bragged.

“How much of that has to do with you spending the whole year with Carly?”

She wasn’t going to bring it up, but he brought up David first. There was probably nothing going on, but Willa wasn’t going to be surprised if they did have a secret fling. That was Zane’s strong suit, after all.

His lips pursed, avoiding her gaze as much as possible. “We’re just friends.”

“You and I were just friends,” she reminded him. “Hell, Davey and I were just friends too.”

He dropped his head, a cocky grin forming on his face. “That’s the difference between you and me,” he said, catching her gaze. “When I say I’m friends with someone, I mean it.”

Willa hated the way he said that. It made it seem like she couldn’t be friends with guys she was close to, which wasn’t true.

She thought his anger over how their relationship ended was making him a bit snarky. Willa wasn’t mad at him for how he felt, but they had an album to record. Whatever issues they had, she didn’t want that to affect the way they worked together.

Thankfully, they didn’t have to be alone forever, as Jeremy and David arrived.

Willa’s heart immediately swelled watching David exit the car. She’d just seen him last week, but knowing he would be home and not locked behind doors made seeing his face all the better.

Not long after, David spotted her, rushing over to engulf her.

Willa wasn’t far behind, wrapping her arms around his torso with her face pressed against the cozy sweater he wore. She couldn’t help but let out a breath, feeling the most like herself whenever David was around.

His hands cupped her face, leaving quick kisses against her lips while his thumb caressed her cheeks.

“I missed you so much,” he said between kisses.

Willa giggled, gripping the back of his sweater to stabilize herself. “I’m glad you’re home.”

“And I don’t plan to go back.”

She rose on her toes to initiate the kiss this time before being interrupted by Jeremy. He hated whenever she was affectionate with anyone in front of him. Willa sometimes did it on purpose.

“Excuse me, there are people out here,” Jeremy joked.

Willa giggled, separating from David, but only a little.

Then Zane said something he probably should’ve kept to himself.

“I hope you’re ready to work,” he spoke to David. “We’re really gonna have to rely on you during this process.” He smirked, being the first one in the door.

Willa watched as David’s expression changed and he swallowed hard. Zane described the new sound he wanted to achieve, but he didn’t mention relying on David.

She didn’t know if he said that to get in his head, but knew that’s exactly what David was going to do.