Chapter 36
Rhys
“Arianne’s vision is coming to life,” Keira says. Her face is kissing the window in her attempt to catch the action outside.
“Tonight, is the big night,” I say. “It seems like only yesterday I was sitting in a meeting with Beckett when she made her presentation. Although punishing and fast-paced, I can’t even wrap my head around the fact it’s only been three weeks since Flint’s photoshoot. Things are moving at lightning speed.”
“Michaela and I had the same conversation last night. I’m amazed it’s only been six weeks since I landed in LA. It seems like a lifetime ago, yet it went by in the blink of an eye. So much has happened.”
“All good stuff, though?”
“Mind-blowing stuff,” she says. “The best being… you.”
“That goes without saying.” I grin.
She rolls her eyes. “Someone has a big ego.”
“I was agreeing with you, dimples.” I lean into her and drop a soft kiss against her forehead. I don’t want to mess up her beautiful face. “For the record, you’re the best thing to happen to me, too.”
“I love hearing you say that.” Her lips stretch into a warm smile.
My heart flips. It’s been doing that a lot lately. Like always, I suppress the feeling. My head needs time to catch up with my heart.
We’ve been dating for a month. This is the first time I’ve lived with a woman. I thought I might feel suffocated or trapped, but I don’t. I always look forward to seeing her beautiful face at the end of the day when I get back home.
Contrary to when she arrived, my girlfriend no longer has time to sit idle around the pool.
Her days are packed with meetings, photo sessions, and a long list of things related to being a spokesmodel.
I’ve had to travel to Dallas and Silicon Valley since we’ve been together.
Being away from her was harder than I expected.
Returning to LA meant a hot and steamy reunion where I fucked her hard enough to forget my own name.
“I’m excited and nervous at the same time,” she says.
“There’s nothing for you to be nervous about. The press and the public love you.”
“So far, it’s been a handful of selected media outlets with Joey as my chaperone-slash-bodyguard. Tonight, the dogs are out.”
“Stop worrying. You’ll do––”
My phone vibrates.
I fish for it inside the pocket of my suit jacket.
Beckett.
Beckett
Arianne and I are pulling up to Building 22. Joey gave me the heads up. Her team is ready. Security is in place. Where you at?
Rhys
Fifteen minutes away from launching a freaking rocket into orbit.
Beckett
Love the analogy. SCORE will rock LA tonight. Try not to steal all the attention away from me when you step onto the red carpet with a woman who will most certainly outshine me.
I smile at his response.
Rhys
Can’t make any promises I know I’ll break. My girl will be the center of attention. Suck it up, pretty boy. See you soon.
I tuck my phone into my pocket.
“Is everything okay?”
I meet her gaze. “Beckett is worried the press won’t pay him attention since they’ll be so focused on me because I’m the lucky bastard who gets to accompany you—the face of SCORE Yours, a soon to be ‘Greatest Women in Music’, and world’s bestselling music artist.”
A cloud of sadness darkens her hazel-green eyes.
“It’ll all be sorted out soon,” I say.
Once her old record label knew where to find her, they made sure to forward a copy of the contract she signed. Eagerness blinds you when you’re a new artist hungry for fame. You’ll gladly sign your life away.
“Once again, I royally fucked up,” she says. “I finally get what I want, but I can’t reach out and grab it, and it’s all my fault.”
“Enough of the self-loathing.”
“No point in downplaying it,” she says. “I brought this on myself. I screwed up. Again.” She crosses her arms over her chest and averts her gaze.
“Look at me.”
She ignores my command.
“Come on, Keira, look at me.”
Her eyes meet mine.
“Holt’s lawyers in London are on it,” I say.
“I was na?ve and arrogant to think I called the shots. This recording contract with Holt might end up being nothing more than a pipe dream at this rate. I haven’t even signed on the dotted line and already, I’m trouble.”
“You’re not trouble.” I want her to shake this crazy idea out of her head. “There’s a reason Holt has badass lawyers in the US and in London. You think you’re the first artist to go head-to-head with a recording label? Hardly. It’s only been a week. These things take time.”
Not surprising, record labels came knocking at her door. The offers were tempting, but she trusts Holt. So do I.
She lets out a heavy sigh. “I’m too impatient, I guess.”
“With good reason.” I cup her nape and look deep into her eyes. “You get to sing the type of songs you were born to sing.”
“It would break my heart if this deal with Holt fell through––”
“It won’t. Holt will wait.”
She nods.
I skim her cheek with my knuckles, brushing my way to her chin. I lift it, forcing her eyes to lock onto mine. Her soft plump lips are tempting, but her nude lipstick is too perfectly applied to smear. I fight the urge to kiss her. “No one is going to take away your dreams. I won’t let it happen.”
“You’re an amazing man, Rhys Hartford. I’m so lucky to call you mine.”
“No more than I’m lucky to call you mine.” I tap the tip of her nose. “To keep things into perspective, SCORE—and tonight—would never have happened if it wasn’t for my own collection of screw-ups, and Beckett’s.”
She offers a small smile.
I’ll take it.
Keira never mentioned she owed a substantial amount of money to her former record company.
Nor did she mention she never sought legal advice before walking away from her contract.
The only reason they didn’t come after her sooner is because they had no idea where she was hiding.
Until the legal matters are sorted out, she’s still their artist, therefore she can’t sign under Holt’s label.
I didn’t have the heart to scold her for holding back on me, but I was royally pissed off.
Open-ended loops can come back to bite you in the ass.
I appreciate her unwillingness to take advantage of me, but what’s the point of having an obscene amount of money at my disposal if I can’t help my girl?
Since finding out, I used my power and influence to deal with this shit.
“Mark my words, the face of SCORE Yours will win an American Music Award trophy and a Grammy.”
“Rhys, that’s dreaming big,” she says.
“I know it in here.” I tap against my heart. “It’ll happen.”
For the few remaining miles, we ride in silence, fingers interlaced, eyes focused outside, lost to the scenery.
“Oh gosh, this is it. We’re here,” Keira says when Building 22 comes into view.
“As we discussed, Mr. Hartford, once we get out of the limo, Officer Dalton and I will flank you and Miss Weatherly,” Officer Kaminski says.
He’s been so quiet since we drove away from the Rodeo Drive high-end jeweler’s shop, I almost forgot he was sitting in the passenger seat.
Almost. He’s one of the two armed police officer-slash-bodyguards assigned to make sure nothing happens to the bling.
“We’ll stand back just enough for photo ops, but we can’t give Miss Weatherly too much leeway.
We need to keep our eyes on the jewelry at all times. ”
“I understand,” I say.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Kiera says. “I’m walking lunch money.”
I chuckle.
Given the press presence tonight, it’s no surprise a well-established Beverly Hills jewelry designer wanted to steal a little bit of the limelight.
From the stunning necklace to the wide bracelet at her wrist to the dazzling cocktail ring, and the spectacular earrings, Keira is dripping in diamonds. The security detailing isn’t optional.
As the car creeps closer to the red carpet, I pull out my phone and text Joey to tell her our limousine is the next in line.
When the car comes to a stop, Officer Dalton, who was riding in another car we were tailing, opens Keira’s door.
He extends a hand and helps her out. Officer Kaminski gets out next and I follow.
As I close the top button to my black suit jacket, I catch sight of Beckett and Arianne working the press line. Collin and Shane Dennison aren’t too far behind. As usual, Collin is calling too much attention to himself.
I shake my head.
To make a big splash, you need headliners. Within the next half hour, Building 22 will be bursting at the seams with Hollywood movers and shakers. The illustrious list also includes many of our close friends. Pride washes over me.
Then, I struggle for a second when my throat tightens as an unexpected wave of emotion threatens to overwhelm me.
These events are a reminder of how far Beckett and I have come––from the lows of rehab to the pinnacle of success.
Whenever we step out like this, the realization always hits me full force. Tonight, is no exception.
As I round the vehicle to meet Keira, I search the crowd. Glamour hangs around us like an overripe fruit. I spot Joey. I nod, answering her silent question. I know the drill.
My eyes lower to the beautiful woman standing next to me with a mixture of awe and excitement at the prospect of embarking on a new journey together. “Ready?”
“Ready. I think.”
“I’m right here. You lean on me if you need to.”
“Okay.” She offers a brilliant smile.
We take a step forward.
Earsplitting cheers break into the night.
A man waves at her. “Keira, we love you.”
A woman screams, jumping up and down. “Oh my God, it’s Keira Weatherly.”
“Keira! Keira! Keira!” A group of people chant their devotion.
Some hold signs with hearts and fan messages.
My girl waves and blows kisses.
A cacophony of sound swells from the crowd in response.
With one simple request, Flint changed Keira’s life.
A smile tugs at her lips when her gorgeous eyes connect with mine.
“I can’t believe this is all for me,” she says.
“Get used to it, dimples. It’s just the beginning.”