What Might Have Been

By Maya Black

They say you know you're in love when nothing else matters. For Bree and Jason it sure seemed like their love was made for movie screen. Lights, Camera, Passion, and Action. Then it all went horribly wrong.

 

Bree Levis had everything the American life could offer a girl of her status. A once in a lifetime job singing to millions of fans. A love that will last the ages and defy the odds. Nothing could go wrong…until he did what he always does.

 

Jason Ackworth finally had crawled out from the gutter he grew up in. He has an amazing career, a loving woman, and is even starting his own little family. Until he does the one thing he swore he never would do…he sabotages not only his life, but the life of someone else too.

 

Life throws them together, for how long? No one really knows but one thing that will always be up in the air, will the love they shared in the past stay in the past or will they find love in each other again?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Maya Black
• Release date: Sep 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223167754

Book preview

Chapter One

D id you hear they’re making a movie about you?

Groups close enough to overhear the question quieted, catching the attention of other nearby tables until the entire restaurant was silent. It seemed everyone wanted to hear Bree's response, even if they didn't know the question. Of course, she knew … She’d been dodging interviews with filmmakers for the last year. After all these years, nobody could deny how well their relationship would look on a big screen. The heat that brought them together, and the flaming tragedy of their eventual breakup. How they’ve been since. Every moment, dramatic enough to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

Bree had always hated schmoozing, and with experience and success, she was the one being schmoozed by the younger stars. Sure, she remembered what it was like to be in their shoes … but dear God, this was annoying.

I couldn't have been this annoying, could I?! The thought made her cringe.

Uhm, Bree? What’s wrong?

Shaking her head, she blinked and shifted her attention to the two young girls in front of her.

A gathering of celebrities this large with almost no security and the worst lighting for photos shouldn't be able to get any worse. Then, of all people, he had to show up. Without realizing where her gaze or thoughts were, she saw him. Her throat constricted, effectively preventing the deep breath she desperately needed as that familiar feeling of anxiety washed over her.

Bree?! Another interruption by the girls, who were staring at her with furrowed brows.

Excuse me, girls.

Taking off, she meant to exit the room. Her feet had other plans. Bree recoiled at herself as her steps took her closer to him.

The man she once loved.

At least, that's what she kept telling herself.

It was an unspoken rule in the country music world that if Bree Levis, the angel with a voice from gods, received an invitation to any big event, Jason Ackworth didn't.

That’s just the way it was.

Until now.

There he was, as dashing as ever, in a partly unbuttoned dress shirt and jeans.

She watched as his eyes searched the crowd, stopping the moment they met Bree's.

Though they were only a few feet from each other, she felt his warm embrace, his breath on the nape of her neck as he enveloped her with those long arms, and the whisper of fingers as he stroked her hair.

The memory of him caught her off-guard, stopping her in her tracks until his eyes met hers and widened. With a friendly smile, he waved her over.

She didn't budge. It was the first time they'd been in the same room since ...

Well, since he'd ripped out her heart and stomped it into dust.

His eyes widened, and with a big smile, he waved.

It was so sudden and unexpected that it struck Bree in the heart and made her stop in her tracks. Her eyes darted, searching for an escape just in case he came over. She didn’t really know how to react, or what to do. This was the first time they’d been in the same room since THAT night.

He dashed toward her like he didn’t want her to escape.

Shit!

Gulping down a deep breath, she tried to push aside all the discouraging thoughts that played out in her mind. She didn’t really have the time to run away and hide in the bathroom until he gave up.

She’d have to face him sooner or later, though never seeing him again would be seeing him too soon.

He was only steps away when his pace slowed. His smile faded before being replaced with an awkward smirk.

Breathe, Bree, breathe!

Hi, Bree!

Her large honey-colored eyes resembled saucers when he was close enough to speak in that soothing husky voice. The one that melted her insides and made her want to do anything he asked. It’s what took him to the top of the charts in mere months.

Hello, she answered, avoiding using his name.

She was almost afraid of saying his name, and what feelings it would invoke. It was hard enough when others said it, and she heard that name all the time. He was a public favorite, after all.

Jason’s intense eyes claimed hers as if she were the only person in the room. Everyone else blurred into the background.

Sounds stopped.

Her heart dropped.

He betrayed me. I hate him.

No, he's the only one for you. You love him.

As Bree's inner thoughts swirled in a vortex of argument and uncertainty, the pair stood in an empty arena, beyond time and space, frozen for an eternity.

Until Jason averted his eyes, breaking the spell.

The air grew thick with aromas, sounds, and lights, making her head spin.

What was she thinking? Why'd she let him get so close!?

Not wanting anyone to notice the panic working its way through every fiber of her being, Bree stood in place. She waited to see what would happen, but Jason appeared to be just as distraught.

His hands had made their way into his pockets so he could fidget with whatever item he'd brought to keep those fingers busy in difficult situations. It was one of the quirks she used to adore about him.

Stop it! Her brain screamed, begging her to remember what he'd done.

Keep it together. Everyone that's anyone is here tonight. Don't give them a show.

There was a reason the two were never invited to the same events after he'd publicly humiliated her. After the way he…

And the award goes to… anticipated silence claimed the room. Everyone held their breath through the pause to hear the winning name being read aloud.

BREE LEVIS!

A massive round of applause and cheering overtook the gigantic theater.

Her name was shouted out. Bree heard it, but didn’t acknowledge why it was being yelled. As far as she was concerned, even being here was surreal, she’d much rather be at home, curled up on the couch, alone.

Her ears roared, drowning out the excited crowd as reality settled in.

She was receiving an award. By herself. Alone. Without him.

The award would last forever, unlike her botched marriage and uncertain future. But, nobody knew. They only knew she was the one. It was her name.

Bree, hello!?!

Her body shook from an outside force. Good, it wasn't sobs, it was another singer trying to get her attention.

It's you, girl! If you don't get that award, I will, she teased with a bright smile, pushing the dazed woman to a standing position.

She hadn't known. If she knew, why would she smile and joke? Nobody knew. As realization dawned, her face warmed with humiliation.

They all think I'm nervous. I'll be ridiculed for sitting here like this.

Attempting to shake off the intrusive thoughts buzzing around her head, she reminded herself why she was here instead of in bed with a pint of Ben & Jerry's.

She'd busted her ass for this award. Nobody deserved it as much as her. The lack of sleep, days of not speaking to preserve her voice, weeks living in a tour bus ... It was all for this moment.

She smiled the brightest smile she could, given her self-doubt of what Jason had done to her. After confidently walking down the stairs, she walked up to the podium. The anchorman kissed her on each cheek and handed her the award. It was a fancy silver statue in the shape of a gramophone. He congratulated her a final time before walking off stage.

Now, standing in front of hundreds of people in person, not to mention the millions watching from home, Bree was getting nervous. Nobody could tell of course, since she had always been good at keeping her cool, and looking like she was born for the stage.

I will first thank everyone that made it here today and of my fans watching from home, without whom I wouldn't have had a career in the first place!

Everyone cheered and applauded while she paused before continuing.

Next, I’d like to thank my mom, who’s always been my biggest supporter. Mom, if you’re watching this, which she probably is, she paused for a chuckle from the audience before continuing, I love you!

When the crowd settled down and she didn't add a thanks to their other beloved shithead, she