36. Chelsi
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
chelsi
Today was one of those days when I regret being so fashionable.
Three-inch knee-high boots with a mini skirt were definitely a great look, yet completely impractical for what I was tasked with.
Who knew that styling a country artist for the first time would require countless trips to the fashion closet in the office, three trips to Nordstrom, a visit to Saint Laurent, and a quick stop in Christian Louboutin?
Not to mention corralling lunches and an obscene number of drinks.
I get that celebrities have quirks, but I never would’ve guessed this one would refuse to drink coffee that isn’t piping hot.
She easily discarded more than a dozen coffees from the café down the street.
By the end of the afternoon, the baristas winced every time I showed up with the same order.
Collapsed on the couch in the living room, I let out a groan as my body hits the soft cushions. Might stay here all evening. Not even bother to get out of these clothes. Pretty sure my feet are so swollen it’ll be impossible to remove the boots anyway.
Maybe if I whine enough, I can convince Kate to make dinner and feed it to me on the couch.
Usually, Jake insists on eating at the kitchen table and having a conversation like functioning adults, but he’s already left on tour for the weekend, so I’m thinking I can sway her in my direction.
Suggest a roomie dinner on the couch with wine, cheese, and pasta. Just like the good old days.
I smile, thinking back to the more than ten years we lived together in Chicago.
The condo we called home. The one Jake is graciously footing the bill for while I figure out my life.
It’s been a few months since I moved in with Kate and Jake, and probably well past time for me to decide on where I’m going to live.
Assuming this internship continues to go well, and I don’t die from running around the city like a chicken with my head cut off, it looks like Nashville will be my new home. I’ll need to adult at some point. Can’t live with Kate forever, no matter how much she and Jake insist it’s fine.
Draping my arm over my eyes, I make several unbecoming sounds, a cross between moaning like a ghost and the screeching of a cat being given a bath. I’m acting as if I’m a petulant teenager because I can. And because my feet hurt. And my back.
When did everything start hurting so bad?
I want to punch whoever told me your mid-thirties was technically middle-aged because my body decided to listen to that shitty statement and make creaking sounds every time I move.
“Are you okay?” Kate calls out.
“No, I’m clearly dying. Only wine, cheese, and carbs can save me now,” I reply, hoping she’ll take the hint.
Kate chuckles. “Move over.”
She nudges my legs with her hand. I begrudgingly do as requested, because it is her house after all.
“Want to tell me what’s going on, or should I guess?” Kate asks, sitting next to me, wearing her go-to after-work outfit of yoga pants and an oversized sweatshirt.
“This internship is killing me.”
Her brow crumples as concern flits across her face. “Do you not like it? I’m sure Anna would be happy to have you join her team. She won’t admit it, but I think she’s a bit miffed you didn’t want to work with her.”
Great. The blonde spitfire who could destroy my career and life by barely lifting a finger might be pissed at me. Don’t love the sound of that.
I blow out a long breath, clearing my lungs and buying myself a few precious seconds before I start bitching.
What I’m experiencing is the very definition of first-world problems. Most people would love to have spent their day immersed in designer clothes, shoes, and jewelry.
It’s my dream job. I had a horrible day because, instead of being practical with my outfit, I wanted to look posh.
Huge mistake.
“I’m being whiny because I chose fashion over function, and my old body is paying for it. Maybe I should accept that slacks and cardigans are what women my age should wear. One step closer to a muumuu.”
Kate lightly smacks my arm. “There’s nothing wrong with a classy cardigan. We have a long time before we’re in our Golden Girls era.”
“My brain knows you’re right, but my body disagrees.”
Kate shakes her head. “Wear sensible shoes next time. You don’t have to look like a model every time you go to work. I’m sure the world won’t end if you wear flats.”
I gasp, clutching my chest drastically. “That’s exactly how civilization ceases to function.”
Kate’s phone dings, followed by mine.
Alex
Just finished up soundcheck. How’s my girl doing?
My heart flutters uncontrollably as a tingling sensation races throughout my body. He called me his girl.
No one has ever done that.
Tears start to form in the corner of my eyes. He’s so embedded in my heart that I think it might destroy me if I had to remove him. I don’t know how it happened so quickly, or how he got in so deep, but I don’t think I ever want to let him go.
Chelsi
Wore the wrong shoes to work. Paying for it.
Alex
Sorry to hear that, gorgeous. Wish I were there to help with a foot massage and get you in the tub for a long soak.
I’m assuming your bathroom has one of those ginormous soaking tubs in it.
Chelsi
It does. Big enough for two.
Alex
That image is going to be in my head all night.
Chelsi
Good. Might use it later to get myself off.
Alex
As long as it’s my name on your lips…
Chelsi
Always.
Alex
I miss you…
Chelsi
I miss you, too.
Alex
I’ll talk to you once we’re done for the night.
Chelsi
Have a good show.
Alex
Enjoy your soak. Think of me!
Damn. This man is everything I didn’t know I needed or wanted, all wrapped into one.
“Someone’s mood has certainly shifted,” Kate says, raising her eyebrows. “I assume Alex texted you after they were done with soundcheck.”
I nod, unable to contain my huge grin.
“All right. Go change into something more comfortable, and I’ll make us dinner. You have twenty minutes until you’re expected to be back on the couch with me, spilling all the details about what’s going on with the two of you.”
“As long as you supply me with fermented grapes and carbs, then I’ll abide by your request,” I tease, using my best formal tone. “You’d be surprised what that man can do to my body when I’m clothed.”
Kate’s smile widens. “Sounds like he might be husband material, then.”
My mouth drops open as she walks out of the living room into the kitchen.
How can she be talking about Alex and me getting married? It’s way too soon to think about it. We’d have to be in love for that to happen.
And I couldn’t be…
He couldn’t be…
Oh shit. We’re going to need a lot of wine tonight.
Decked out in a pair of yoga pants, a hoodie, and my slippers, I stroll into the living room, where Kate has TV trays set up in front of the couch with a large bowl of pasta on each one as well as a heavy pour of what appears to be a Chardonnay.
It boggles my mind how much she can accomplish in such a short period of time, considering it took me almost ten minutes to take my boots off.
Carrying a plate of focaccia, Kate joins me in the living room. “Grab a seat and start chatting, girl. You’ve been holding out on me for far too long.”
I chuckle, adjusting the TV tray so I can sit down and then moving it back in front of me. “That’s because your husband is nosy as fuck. I’m not ready for him to claim victory and prattle on about how he’s an excellent matchmaker or some nonsense.”
“Yeah. He would definitely do that,” Kate replies with a dreamy look on her face—the one she always gets when she thinks about Jake.
“He’s been wanting to set you up with Alex since last year.
He allegedly noticed a spark when you joined us on tour the first time. Wouldn’t shut up about it for months.”
“Huh. He might be right. Alex has supposedly been interested in me since we first met.”
Kate’s mouth drops open. “You can never tell Jake that. He will be impossible to live with if he learns he was right about it. It’s bad enough the other things he did to try to get the two of you together.” Kate picks up her fork and twirls a bite of fettuccini alfredo around it.
“Um, what exactly do you mean? What did Jake do?”
Kate waves her hand at me dismissively. “Forget I said anything. It’s nothing… I mean—”
“Start talking,” I say, crossing my arms and staring at her intently.
“Well…Jake might’ve thrown the spring barbecue so the two of you could hang out. Granted that backfired because you decided to scare the shit out of us all by flirting with Jimmy.”
“Wait a second. You organized an entire party for all the crew and their families so Alex could see me.”
“Pretty much. Max wanted to murder Jake for coming up with the idea and only giving him a week to plan it.”
I shake my head and take a long drink of wine. “Why do I have a feeling there’s more?”
Kate tugs her lower lip between her teeth. “There never was any gym construction emergency. Matter of fact, there isn’t any actual gym construction.”
“What?”
She winces. “According to my husband, the two of you weren’t getting the picture, so he thought convincing you our home gym wasn’t fit to use and having you go work out every morning with Alex might speed things up.”
“Let me get this straight, I could’ve had more sleep and worked out here this entire time.”
“Yeah. Sorry about that.” She smiles nervously.
I sigh. “Your husband is lucky he’s right. But I’m never going to tell him that.”
Kate chuckles. “Agreed. He will become insufferable. Now, tell me what’s happening with you and Alex.”
I take a bite of my pasta, letting out a soft moan as the buttery cream sauce bursts across my taste buds, amping up the sound a bit to annoy Kate.
“He’s different from any other guy I’ve dated. Clear with his intentions. Honest. Slightly possessive—in a hot way, not a creepy way. He’s funny. Charming.”
“Sounds like you really like him.”
“I do. I’m terrified he’ll wake up one day and realize he could do better than me. I don’t understand how he’s been single for so long.” After tearing off a piece of a focaccia, I pop it into my mouth and chew. “Or why he’d want to be with me.”
“Oh, Chelsi. That’s because you’ve only dated assholes. Ones that make Jimmy look not so bad, and that’s a pretty low bar.”
I laugh, almost choking on my wine. She’s not wrong. It’s sobering to think of Jimmy as being a bar for anything.
Kate’s face softens as she puts her hand on my arm.
“You’re one of a kind. Alex would be lucky to have you in his life.
From everything I know about him, he’s a pretty wonderful man who seems to adore you.
He would’ve gladly lived his life alone until you came into it.
You made him want to open up for the first time.
Even Jake has mentioned how much Alex’s demeanor has relaxed since you two started dating.
He’s lighter. Happier than Jake has ever seen him. It’s all because of you.”
I swallow hard, knowing deep in my soul that what she’s saying is true. That I’m impacting his life just like he is mine. That what I’m feeling for him isn’t one-sided. Everyone can see it.
“Do you remember when I was contemplating whether I should give Jake a chance?”
I nod, thinking back to how much Kate agonized over letting her childhood best friend into her heart. She was so concerned about getting her heart broken that they almost remained friends, which would’ve been a tragedy. Their love story is one for the ages.
“You pushed me to open my heart. Told me he could be the love of my life.”
My stomach falls because I know exactly where she’s going with this. “I don’t think it’s the same. You and Jake are different.”
“We are. But that doesn’t mean you and Alex aren’t meant to be.
What if he’s the love of your life, Chelsi?
What if every single asshole you’ve dated was leading you to this point?
” She pauses, taking a breath before continuing, “What if you were meant to go through all the horrible first dates, the weirdo with a dozen cats, the men who brought their moms with them, and the ones who asked about your baby-making skills so you would know when the right man stood in front of you?”
“But—”
“What if losing your job and moving in with us was all part of the universe’s plan to get you and Alex in the same city? What if he’s been waiting a lifetime for you? Ever think about that? He hasn’t dated anyone in forever. Not until you.”
Tears fall down my cheeks. “I’m scared, Kate. I’ve fallen so hard for him that it would destroy me if we didn’t work out. If he didn’t want me anymore.”
Kate leans over, gently wiping away one of my stray tears. “He wouldn’t do that. Alex is the kinda of guy who never gives up on a commitment. He’s dedicated for life. I believe that’s what he wants with you, assuming you’re willing to take the leap.”
“What if he hurts me?” I ask, a hint of trepidation in my voice.
“He won’t. It would kill him to bring you any pain. But if by some weird twist of fate, he does something super stupid, then Jake will kick his ass. Followed by me and probably the rest of the band.”
A small smile slides across my face, knowing I have so many people here who would stand up for me.
“Give him a chance. Tell him how you feel. I promise you it’ll be worth it.”
Maybe it’s talking to my best friend. Maybe it’s finally saying my worry out loud. Maybe the wine is giving me the courage. It doesn’t matter because all I know is I’m ready to let Alex into my heart.
To tell him I’m falling for him.
That I want a future with him. Whatever it looks like and wherever it takes us.