Chapter 1

Chapter One

To: MasonBradley

From: Nine

Subject: How's life?

Did you see the news?

Dad gave an exclusive interview, denying the allegations that he's getting married and about to be a father. Not only that, he introduced his husband and partner of thirty years. They're fixing their marriage. We're all going to family therapy and our next plan is to follow my brothers on tour.

It's going to be the vacation of a lifetime.

Are you still sitting on the couch playing video games?

Stay Safe,

Ainsley

To: MasonBradley

From: Ainsley

Subject: Christmas

Merry Christmas.

I'm guessing you spent it with your mom since Arthur was with us. In case you're wondering, we spent it in Albany. Jacob and Matt played Santa Claus and the silly elf. Our nieces and nephews were over the moon. I wish you were here celebrating with us. Yesterday, we went skating at the pond. A family tradition since Dad was a kid.

I had the best time while my parents skated around holding hands. My grandparents showed us a video of us skating at the age of three. It's adorable.

I love big families, maybe I'll have one like my grandparents—five children. I'm too young to be thinking that, aren't I?

How's life?

Ainsley

To: Nine

From: MasonBradley

Subject: Holidays

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

I've been working on a project that'll keep me away from home for at least another six months. I'm glad you had a nice Christmas. Stay safe during the tour. Dad promised he'd have an extra detail for you.

Mason

To: MasonBradley

From: Nine

Subject: Valentine's

Valentine's sucked. My brothers had a gig in France. There's nothing more romantic than spending the Day of Love in the City of Love, right?

Nope. I ate escargot and almost died of food poisoning. I've never celebrated Valentine's. Unless you count the parties we organized for the kindergarten class. I got a lot of My Little Pony, Care Bears, and Blue's Clues cards with candy and cookies.

I miss those days.

Did I tell you I plan to open a music academy in Seattle? If things work well, I might start a preschool and grow it slowly until it becomes a K-12 school. My parents think it's an ambitious project, and they support me.

I'd ask when you're coming home, but I'm not heading to Seattle any time soon.

Stay safe,

Ainsley.

PS Next year, you should take me out on an Anti-Valentine's non-date.

To: Nine

From: MasonBradley

Subject: Where are you?

Funny that you mention it. I'm in Seattle. Only for a couple of days. We're heading out soon. Next year I'll take you out on Valentine's Day.

How's the tour going? I hope you're taking care of yourself.

Talk to you soon,

Mason

To: MasonBradley

From: Nine

Subject: I get longer emails from my real estate agent

In the past eleven months, I've gotten thirteen emails from you. Only two of them have had more than three words. What is it that you do? Are you some kind of bodyguard? Are you part of the Secret Service? Give me some clues.

Tours suck. I'm glad I didn't become a rock star. We've been on and off the road for almost a year. We're in London, where my brothers made Chris and I play with them last night. Yep. You heard it right. I played live to an entire stadium. It was fascinating, different, and the only time I'd ever do it.

I'm tired. It was a once-in-a-lifetime event. I'll find out if they recorded it so I can send you a copy.

At least send me a text so I know you're okay.

Ainsley

To: Nine

From: MasonBradley

Subject: Are you okay?

Did you guys make it out on time? I can't reach Dad. The last time we talked was when I sent him the information about the cyclone down in Queensland.

Thinking of you,

Mason

To: MasonBradley

From: Nine

Subject: We're still alive.

We landed in Indonesia and flew to our next stop—South Korea. My brothers rescheduled their Australia-New Zealand dates for next April. I don't know when we're going to be home. June?

Keep sending me texts with the sunrise and the sunset. I'm enjoying them.

Ainsley

PS I might've found a house in Seattle.

To: MasonBradley

From: Nine

Subject: You were hurt on the job?

I learned from one of our bodyguards that Arthur had to leave because his son got hurt on the job… What happened? I'm praying that it's nothing serious.

Sending you a healing hug,

Ainsley

To: Nine

From: MasonBradley

Subject: I'm okay

Will it make it better if I tell you that the other guy didn't make it? Dad didn't enjoy the joke. I'll be staying in New York with a friend while I heal. Sorry for the short message but I'm still weak.

Mason

To: MasonBradley

From: Nine

Subject: No visitors?

We spoke to Arthur, and he says you're not receiving any visitors at the moment but that you'll be fine. I understand if you can't write me back, but I'll be sending you messages every day—and thinking of you. By the way, I found a house. We're dropping by Seattle next week to do a walk through.

My fathers might buy the house next door. They swear it'll be just a vacation home (I don't believe them). Once we're back in the US for good, they plan to live in California.

Ainsley

To: MasonBradley

From: Nine

Subject: How are you?

It's been two months. Your dad says you're doing a lot better. What happened? I hope to hear from you soon.

By the way, I'm closing escrow today. The contractor arrives tomorrow. We're going to do some renovations. In the meantime, I'm going to be living with my brothers. Please, send me proof of life.

Ainsley

To: Nine

From: MasonBradley

Subject: I'm alive

Things didn't turn out the way I expected. It took longer to recover. I'm sorry I missed the housewarming party, but I promise to visit you soon. Well, as soon as I'm allowed to travel. I asked my team to install a security system in your home and your parents'. Call it a present from your friendly neighbor.

Mason