Lovestruck

21. Allie

CHAPTER 21

Allie

I shocked every person in this room, including myself, but I had to say it. Teddy was the love of my life. I couldn’t listen to this shit about him anymore. I wanted Scott to publish his story and set the record straight. I knew it wouldn’t stop the gossip rags, but hopefully most people would put this nonsense to rest and let me never hear Josiah’s name again.

I hated reporters. My entire career, they always had an angle they worked when they talked to me. It was to belittle me as a woman, make fun of me for my dating life, or downplay my talent as a singer-songwriter. But Scott just reminded me that there are still good ones out there. It must be because he’s an Allie-Cat. So funny.

“What is next for you two?” Scott asked.

“Well, my season is over, so I’ll definitely spend some time with my kids’ cooking club. I love cooking, and it means a lot to me to share my passion with our younger generation,” Teddy said.

“I will go back on tour in a few weeks. I have several months left of the Lovestruck tour,” I answered.

“And will you be joining her on the rest of her tour?” Scott asked Teddy.

“As much as I possibly can,” he answered. “There’s nothing I love more than watching her do what she loves.”

“And as far as your relationship?”

I looked up at Teddy. Our gazes locked and I felt the answer, knew it in my bones, just like the night we told each other we loved each other for the first time. But this was not the time, and I was not the person who was going to give that kind of information to the public. Some parts of my life had to be kept for just me.

“That’s between us, but when we’re ready to share what is next in our life, you’ll be the first to know,” Teddy said, turning his attention to Scott and winking at him.

“Fair enough. People are obviously clamoring for information about you, and you’ve been called the next royal couple. What do you make of that?”

Teddy laughed. “Did you hear that, Mal? We’re royal now.”

I shook my head. “We are not royal.”

“Well, you’re a romance novel in real life,” Scott said. “People of all ages are tuned in to what happens when you show up at a game or he goes to your concert. Social media posts every single angle of every interaction you have and anything you wear.” Scott indicated my necklace, and I put my fingers on it. “Rumor has it you will walk the red carpet together on Sunday also.”

It was a big deal for me to have someone walk with me on the red carpet. In my entire career, the only person who ever walked with me was my mom. It was the biggest statement I could make that Teddy was it for me.

“You’ll have to tune in,” I said. “Better yet, why don’t you come? You can be my guest.” I wasn’t sure what the hell had gotten into me, but I liked him.

Scott’s eyes widened. “Seriously? I planned to be there, but of course just as a reporter.”

“You’ve been great with all of this.” I motioned between Teddy and me. “I appreciate you letting us control what we feel comfortable with. And plus, as the official Allie Witt reporter, you should report me breaking a record from the front lines.”

“I cannot tell you how much that means to me,” he said. “I will take you up on that for sure. I will freak out once I leave, so you don’t see me as unprofessional.” We all laughed, and he stood. “Thanks so much for your time today. I appreciate you giving me the chance to tell your story. I will get everything together and send it to you for approval before it is posted anywhere.” He nodded at Zoey and Jamie. “And I guess I will see you Sunday!”

The SUV rolled to a stop, and I looked over at Teddy’s handsome face. He had cut his beard short and gotten his hair cut today, and between that and yet another custom suit, this time pinstriped, I could definitely get used to these fancy events with him. He people-watched out the window, seeing all the celebrities getting out of their vehicles and heading for the main area.

As far as I was concerned, Scott was the new Allie Witt and Theo Nolan reporter. I would never work with anyone again if I had a choice. He did amazing and exactly what he said he was going to do. Integrity in a reporter—imagine that.

The pictures of us were stunning, the piece he wrote perfectly said and not sensationalized. The videos clearly showed two people madly in love, and it brought tears to my eyes to see it. We didn’t have him change anything. He published them on Friday, and our story was now everywhere.

News stations across the world played our video, and every social media page shared and reshared our pictures with our story attached. People were feral for the story of us, and Josiah was long gone from the attention of the media. With Scott meeting us tonight, the positive press would only continue. Obviously people had nonsense to say no matter what I did, but at least I could get on the right side of it, for the most part.

People were everywhere, and it was almost our turn to get out. I wasn’t nervous at all—I was ready. I was up for five awards tonight, and it was anticipated I would win most, if not all, of the categories. I loved these events because I got to catch up with a lot of people I normally didn’t have time to see. Sadly, Bailey would not be here tonight, as she had prior commitments, but I had many other friends who would be. I would get to introduce Teddy to most of my colleagues and show him off to the world on the red carpet. Plus, I loved the songs. It was like getting to go to a concert of all the people I admired. At heart, I was just a music girl.

Juan opened the door and Teddy stepped out. Teddy always sat by the door now so he could help me out of the car. In his mind, that was his job and his job only. He turned and held out his hand, and I took it, sliding out carefully.

He held me until I smoothed my dress and made sure I was stable. I wore a floor-length strapless red evening gown slit up the right leg. Diamonds lined the slit. My hair was down around my shoulders and curled. A diamond clip held up one side. The back of my dress dipped low, just above my ass. The front dipped low enough to show some cleavage but not low enough to have a wardrobe malfunction. It fit me like a glove, and I knew I looked like a goddess. Of course I wore red stilettos in my signature brand.

Teddy then reached behind me and helped Zoey out. Juan and Rico led the way as the SUV drove off. We walked in silence toward the red carpet, where we would make our debut. The second bystanders noticed us, the volume increased significantly.

“Stay close,” Juan said. Rico dropped back behind us as the crowd got louder. We made our way through the countless people screaming our names. The red carpet area wasn’t quieter, but I at least recognized a lot of faces. I introduced Teddy to many people as we walked by, but we didn’t stop.

“You ready for this?” I said, referring to the spectacle we were about to enter.

“Ready to be on the red carpet with the hottest woman here? Bring it fucking on.”

This man, always good for my self-esteem. I linked my fingers with his as the cameras started flashing. We walked up to the step and repeat area and Zoey fixed my dress. We posed in every way they wanted, and I would’ve thought we were at my sold-out concert rather than an awards show if I didn’t know better. We waved at the people yelling for us as we turned to walk inside.

“Geesh,” I said. “I need a drink now for sure. That was chaotic.”

“They all want to see Allie Witt,” Teddy teased. He looked me up and down. “I don’t blame them, you’re hot as fuck. But only I get to see what is under that sexy dress.”

“That’s right,” I said. “And you will definitely get to take this off me later. Now let’s go have some fun.”

Teddy held my hand as the announcer talked about the most prestigious award of the night, Entertainer of the Year. If I won, I would break the record for the number of times it was won by the same artist. I was favored, but you just never knew what would happen. Scott sat on the other side of Zoey. He hadn’t stopped smiling the entire night.

I had some stiff competition, so I would be okay if I didn’t win. I took home three out of the other four I was nominated for tonight, so it was a great night already. Plus, Teddy being here with me made it perfect, even if I won nothing at all. He made everything better. The buzz throughout the room was palpable.

The announcer read the list of names, the pictures of the nominees flashing on the screen behind him. When my picture appeared, it was me on the cover of Lovestruck , lying on a bed with hearts spilling out all around me. When I wrote this album, I had no idea I would really live it. I thought I loved Josiah. Ha. What a joke. There was nothing in comparison to this love.

“That picture is fucking hot,” Teddy whispered in my ear. “Remind me I need that album autographed on my shelf.”

Scott snapped a picture of us with his phone, and I smiled.

“Just for you,” I teased, my leg bouncing in nervous anticipation. He rested his hand on my leg and I stilled.

“You got this, angel. There’s no one else it can be.”

His confidence made me smile.

“And the winner of Entertainer of the Year is ...”

God, I hated this part. The pause for dramatic effect. Teddy squeezed my hand.

“The unstoppable…Allie Witt.”

Thunderous applause and screaming made me jump to my feet, my hand over my mouth. No way. I really got it.

“This is Allie’s third Entertainer of the Year award, breaking the tie she held with two. She is now the record holder.”

Theo stood next to me and wrapped me in his arms, lifting my feet off the ground temporarily. “That’s my fucking girl,” he said in my ear. “You’re such a queen. Get up there and accept your award.”

I pulled away and put my hand on the side of his face, my eyes brimming with tears. I hugged Zoey and then made my way to the stage, the room standing for me and the applause still echoing throughout the room. I saw Scott taking pictures, but for once, the intrusion was welcome.

I stepped up to the microphone, my smile so big it could crack my face. The award was thrust into my hand and I hugged the announcer, an up-and-coming country star who knew Bailey well.

“Thank you,” I said, my voice echoing throughout the room. “I am thankful every single day that I get to live my dream of writing and singing songs and people liking that I do so. I will never stop because it is who I am. My fans, my Allie-Cats, continue to be there for me and allow me to live this life. I love you guys so much. This tour and the Lovestruck album changed my life, but even more than that, I am in love with the best man I’ve ever known, and he changed me forever. Teddy, thank you for helping me live out the lyrics I write about. Here’s to the next year.”

I lifted the award up and smiled down at Teddy. He stood during my entire speech, as he did for every award I got tonight.

I love you , he mouthed and blew me a kiss.

“I am so glad we’re home,” I said as the SUV pulled into Teddy’s driveway.

He grinned at me.

“What?” I asked.

“You just called this home,” he said.

“ You are my home,” I said, “and this place allows us to be alone, so yes. Home.”

He kissed me softly and slid his hand up my bare leg. “How did I get so fucking lucky for you to be mine, Mallorie Witt?”

“The same way I got lucky that you’re mine,” I said against his lips. “What do you say to starting our first night home with a shower? I feel disgusting.” I wanted a shower, to love my man, and to curl up in his amazing bed.

“You don’t feel disgusting,” he said, his fingertips touching the edge of my underwear. “But yes, we can take a shower after I show you a surprise.”

“A surprise?” I sat up. “You got something for me?”

Teddy stepped out of the vehicle, extending his hand to me as usual. The warm Florida sunshine made me smile.

“I did,” he said. “I hope you like it.”

“How could I not?” I said as he opened the front door. “You know me better than anyone.”

He closed and locked the door. What I noticed first was—silence. No one was in the house with us, in our world, that didn’t happen often.

“We’re alone?” I asked.

“Alone. Security will be outside. But just us inside.”

I wrapped my arms around him and melded my body to his. He tilted my head back and kissed me softly. “I love you, angel. Come on. I want to show you. I’ve been waiting a long time for this.”

He took my hand and led me through the front of the house to the back. He had a large sitting room off his formal dining room. It had large windows to the expansive backyard and was one of my favorite places in his house.

“Close your eyes,” Teddy said as we approached the entrance to the room.

I obliged, my stomach fluttering in anticipation of what it could be.

“No peeking.” He held my hips as we moved into the room.

“I’m not peeking,” I said. “But you’re killing me.”

“Open your eyes, angel.”

His gruffness made me shiver. I loved the timbre of his voice. It usually meant amazing things for me.

I opened my eyes, and it took me a second to realize what I was seeing. An identical piano to the one in my Florida house sat in the middle of Teddy’s sitting room. I knew this wasn’t the same one because it had my Lovestruck logo on the lid. I attempted to say something, but no words would come. Next to it was a custom guitar in my favorite brand with the same logo. And covering the piano and the floor? Hearts. But not just any hearts. The hearts from my show.

“Teddy,” I said. “What is all this? Where did you get all of these?”

I stepped farther into the room and saw there were hundreds of them all over.

“Seems I have a connection with the supplier,” Teddy joked.

My mom. Of course. I couldn’t stop staring. He did this—for me. He remembered what I said about loving my room in my Florida house, so he re-created it in his. He even had shelves put along one wall, and I watched as he took the awards I just won from a bag by the door and put them on one of the shelves.

“This is amazing. I love it so much. Thank you, baby.” Tears stung behind my eyes. He was the most thoughtful person I had ever known.

“Go sit at the piano. It’s the same one you have at your house, just done with your logo.”

I sat on the bench and lifted the fallboard. Four hearts lined the keys, and I looked down at them. I furrowed my brow as I read them, one word on each in his signature block letters, and then read them again. I put my hand over my mouth and turned, and that’s when I saw him behind me on one knee.

“Mallorie Rose Witt,” he began, and I gasped. “I love you so much. I never saw you coming, not in a million years, but now I can’t imagine one second without you. I have no idea how I lived before you, but I don’t want to ever live without you again. Every single thing we’ve gone through has gotten us here. I want you to be mine forever. I want to wake up next to you when we are both in the same zip code and look forward to it when we aren’t. I want to be the one you come to for everything. I want to be your husband and the father to your children. I want every up and down of life with you. Forever. Will you marry me?”

Tears fell steadily as I looked into the eyes of my soulmate. The love of my life, on his knee in front of me with a giant diamond sparkling in front of him. The man I never knew I needed and now could not live without. The one who showed me what true love really was. Who showed up for me at every turn and amazed me more every day with who he was at heart.

“Yes,” I said. “A fucking thousand times yes.”

Teddy grinned and slid the ring on my finger. I threw myself on him, and he fell backward, me on top of him. We laughed together, and he grabbed my face and kissed me, the tears from both of us mixing as we registered that this was for real. Teddy just asked me to marry him. I was going to be his wife. After almost thirty years, I had someone who saw me for who I was and loved every part of me. I could love him out loud and not worry about what he thought. He was mine. I was his.

“I love you,” I said against his lips. “You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

“I love you,” he echoed. “We’re going to be so happy together. I promise.”

“Are we really engaged?”

Teddy sat up and I bracketed his hips with my legs. He lifted my left hand, the large diamond glittering in the soft light of the room. “We really are.”

“This was so perfect,” I said. “Thank you for this.” I loved that he knew I needed this to be private. It wasn’t that I didn’t love our unpredictable life together, but I wanted this for us.

“There was no other way. I have had this planned for a long time.”

“A long time?”

“I knew I was going to marry you a long time ago,” he said. “I just had to wait for the right time to not scare you off.”

“You’re perfect,” I said.

He laughed. “I’m not anywhere close to perfect, but we’re perfect for each other.”

“We should send Scott a pic of us with the ring and see if he notices,” I said. We’d decided we liked Scott and had exchanged numbers. He was a good one.

“We will,” Teddy said.

He stood while holding me. I would never stop being amazed at how strong he was.

“But first, I promised you a shower,” he continued. “And the only thing I want you wearing is that engagement ring.”