33. Epilogue - Sonny
Epilogue - Sonny
I cut the engine, the rumble of my Hellcat going quiet before I open the door and step out of the car.
I haven’t been here in longer than I’d like to admit.
Before I could blame it on the distance or my busy schedule but now that I have moved back to Chicago, I have nothing to blame but myself.
In total, I’ve only been here a handful of times but today I felt compelled to make the trip.
There are fresh flowers by the headstone, probably left by my mom or one of my sisters on one of their recent trips.
I place my hand on his headstone, feeling the coolness of the granite on my fingertips. “Hey dad.”
It’s cloudy and the air smells like rain is on its way, but I sit in the grass in front of my dad’s headstone and just talk.
I talk about everything and nothing at all.
I tell him about the album. The success it’s seen since it was released a few months ago.
A couple of the songs charted well with one of them taking the number one spot and staying there for five straight weeks.
So much success that I’ve been nominated for two awards, something that hasn’t happened since my first album.
I tell him about how grateful I am that I came back home and how I’m thinking about selling my house in Los Angeles and buying something more permanent here.
Finally, I tell him about Laila.
I reach into my pocket and pull out the ring box I just picked up from the jeweler this morning. I rub my thumb across the black velvet of the box before I flip it open. Nestled in the cushions of the box is a three carat oval diamond engagement ring. Even in the dim light it sparkles.
“You would’ve loved her,” I say, closing the box and putting it back in my pocket for safe keeping.
I stay a while longer, lost in thoughtbefore it's time for me to leave. I place another hand on my dad's headstone, promising him that I'll visit more often before I turn and walk back to my car.
***
Laila hasn’t noticed me yet.
She’s standing as still as a statue as her glam team moves around her, doing this and that to finish off her look for the award show tonight.
Her dress fits her to perfection, a black strapless gown with a plunging neckline that shows off just enough but isn’t scandalous. Her hair is pulled up into a sleek updo. The look is all brought together with her diamond accessories and gloves that go up to her elbows.
“You’re beautiful,” I say, making my presence known.
A smile instantly comes to her face as she looks over to where I’m standing.
“Thank you. You clean up well yourself,” she says, her gaze taking a slow perusal down my body.
My stylists and I decided on a burgundy monochromatic suit look with shiny black shoes and I was happy with the outcome.
One of the women working on Laila rubs some sort of makeup stick along her shoulders and collarbone and then buffs it in with the largest makeup brush I’ve ever seen. Whatever it is, it leaves her body glowing as if she’s out in the sunshine and not inside my spare room on a gloomy day.
Satisfied with her work, the woman takes a couple quick pictures and videos before she exits the room, leaving Laila and I alone.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Laila says.
“Like what?” I ask, feigning innocence.
“Like you want to destroy all of the hard work it took to get me to look like this and instead take me to bed.”
I give her a devilish grin, happy that she knows me so well because that’s exactly what I want to do.
“I mean…,” I say, raising my eyebrows.
“Bryce!”
“Okay, okay we’ll go. But once we get back, that ass is mine.”
She rolls her eyes but I can tell she wants me just as much as I want her.
Traffic to the arena is terrible as usual but we eventually make it to the area designated for our drop off. I step out of the car and then extend my hand to Laila to help her out.
We make our way to the carpet but before we continue on, I stop and turn to look at her.
“Are you sure about this?” I ask, squeezing her hand.
It’s loud, the buzz of people in conversation and the constant clicks of cameras but I want to be certain that this is what she wants.
I told her that she didn’t have to walk the carpet with me, sure that she wouldn’t want that much attention drawn to her, but she’s been adamant that she will walk with me.
“I want to do this for you,” she says. “This is a really important occasion and I want to be by your side for it.”
My heart swells at her words and I’m reminded just how much I fucking love her.
One of the event assistants ushers us on to the carpet and guides us to the first mark to get our pictures taken.
Once those have been taken, we continue our way down the carpet, stopping for more photos both together and some of just me alone.
I do two quick interviews and Laila stands off to the side beaming at me with pride as I talk about my look for the night and the success of the album.
All of it is a blur of light and sound and I’m happy when we’re finished and can go to our seats.
I glance around at the few people already seated at our table, some acquaintances I haven’t had much interaction with, until my eyes land on Dez.
He pulls me into a one arm hug. “Thank God. I was gonna be bored out of my fucking mind with just those other people.”
I chuckle at his sentiments before stepping back and introducing him to Laila. They greet each other and then we all take our seats.
Shortly after, the show begins.
My first nomination is one of the last awards presented, song of the year. The nominees list is stacked with talent including myself and Dez.
The presenter of the award comes on stage with the envelope.
“And the award goes to…,” the presenter opens the envelope and leans into the mic.
“DEZ!”
I stand and clap, a big grin on my face, genuinely so happy for my friend. He daps me up and we hug before he makes his way through the audience and to the stage to accept his award and give his acceptance speech.
When he walks off stage, a commercial break starts and the crew starts to set up for the next performance. Everyone talks and mingles with the people around them while we wait.
Laila squeezes my hand to get my attention and I look over at her.
“I’m sorry you didn’t win,” she whispers.
I shake my head and smile. “Don’t be. I already have everything I’ve ever dreamed of.”