Chapter 27 Alexander
Saturday
“Ithink we got it!”
Freddy cheers, his hands raised, as the chords of the outro play out over the speakers.
The track is beyond anything I could have imagined. The backbeat Freddy added perfectly complements the acoustic guitar, keys, and base. Then he added more magic with some ambient sound and synths to tie it all together.
“You, my sweet prince, are the best,” I say, high-fiving Freddy.
“And don’t you forget it,” he says, flicking his long dark hair back over his shoulders and giving me a chef’s kiss.
“Let me bounce it out so we can listen to it on our way to the venue, just to make sure we like it before we sign it off. Then I’ll fire it across to Nathan for mixing and mastering.
” Freddy grabs a handful of sour candies from the table and demolishes them in one go before washing them down with a swig of water.
“We gotta go, boss.” Rob jerks his thumbs at the door.
“Freddy, you good to meet us downstairs in five? I’ve got something I need to do first.”
Freddy nods as he clicks export on the track and fires up his email.
Rob looks at his watch, then up at me.
“We don’t have time. It’s already seven fifteen.”
“We’ve got plenty of time. It takes what, forty minutes from here to the O2? And I’m not on till nine, right? That gives us plenty of time. Plus, I’m already ready.” I point at my hair and face, which Erica came and did an hour ago.
All I need to do is change into my first outfit and Hey presto! Rob shakes his head but waves me out, heading along the hallway and down the elevator to the ground floor.
I quickly check my phone to see if there’s any more updates from Christopher, but thankfully nothing has happened since the mini-fire accident he messaged about three hours ago. I slide my phone back into my pocket when I notice the wedding planner standing at the bottom of the grand staircase.
I march toward her, Rob standing guard as I ignore the fans who are loitering in the area.
“Have we missed the speeches?”
“I believe they’re just about to start.” She lowers her clipboard to study it.
“Great. Is there a way you could slide me inside without anyone noticing?”
Her gaze flicks between me, the entrance, and a side door.
“Err. Well, there is this side room.” She points to the door to her right, inconspicuous to passers-by. “That leads into a holding area for the bride and DJ.”
“Alexander, Alexander!” The small gaggle of fans calls out, trying to get my attention. But Rob ensures I’m left unbothered.
“I’m not staying for long. I just want to catch one of the speeches,” I say.
“Okay, follow me,” she says, sliding the clipboard under her arm.
I leave Rob to fend off the fans while I head through the door and into a small room that looks eerily similar to the backstage dressing rooms I’ve been in over the last year.
I head to the door on the other side and slowly crack it open, to look out into the ballroom, lit with a beautiful lilac tone.
The guests are working their way through the last bits of their meals.
Opposite of me, a DJ sets up his decks, and in front of him, a technician appears to be working on an LED dance floor.
I scan the room, looking for Christopher, like a metal detector searching for treasure. The sound of clinking glass grabs my attention, and I spot him grabbing cue cards and a microphone before rising to his feet at the middle table next to his sister.
My heart instantly warms at the sight.
“Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, and of course, the happy couple Kelly and Daniel. If I could have your attention for just a few brief moments. I promise to keep this brief, unlike one of Kelly’s infamous retail therapy sessions.
” Christopher coughs twice as the room erupts into laughter.
I open the door slightly to get a better view, feeling safe with everyone’s back turned toward me.
“My name is Christopher Foster, and as many of you know, I am the proud brother of the stunning bride, Kelly. I must say, standing here today, I feel like Aunt Brenda at an all you can eat buffet—overwhelmed and yet inexplicably joyful.” He points his cue cards at who I assume is the aunt in question.
There’s a lightness to his voice, a sense of calmness in his posture.
His effortless charm lifts the corners of my mouth upward.
“Kelly, when you first told me you were getting married, I was momentarily concerned. I mean, who would take care of your extensive skin care regime? Pluck your facial hairs for you, squeeze your zits?” Christopher pauses as Kelly whacks him in the leg, to more laughs from the crowd.
“But then I met your beloved, Daniel, who I must say is the perfect match for you. I mean, he’s no match for me, but is a perfect match for you nonetheless. ”
That cheeky grin of his rises as he shrugs his shoulders like—Hey what can I say?
“Daniel. Remember marriage is about compromise, and when I say compromise, I mean agreeing with everything Kelly says. Just think of it as a learning exercise in patience. After all, you are doing the Lord’s work.”
The warm feeling inside my heart washes all over my body as I watch Christopher get the crowd to eat out of the palm of his hand. He takes a short pause, allowing the laughter to ring out.
I desperately want to catch his attention before I have to leave, but this is his moment in the spotlight. His turn to shine, not mine. And so I patiently wait, holding on to the doorframe with my hand.
“I’d also like to remind you that all sales are final, and you won’t be able to return or exchange Kelly now that you’ve signed on the dotted like. So, good luck with that.” Christopher turns his attention from Daniel back to Kelly.
“Kelly, as I look at you today, I know our father would have been proud. Proud that he no longer has to fund your limited-edition handbag collection. But, all jokes aside, I wish he was here to see how beautiful you look today.” Christopher reaches for Kelly’s hand, lifting her up for everyone to see.
I manage to catch Christopher’s eye as his gaze moves across the room in my direction. I wave at him crazily, like one of my fans in the front row. He acknowledges me with a nod and a smile before returning his attention to Kelly.
“Before I wrap this up, I just want to leave you with a quote from an ancient philosopher. Love is like one of Kelly’s farts. You can’t see it or feel it, but you always know it’s there.”
The crowd bursts into applause as Kelly shoves her brother into his chair. He puts his arm around her before grabbing his glass of champagne, lifting it high.
“To the happy couple. May your marriage burn strong and bright and not go up in flames like Kelly’s wedding dress.” Christopher drops the mic and his cue cards and knocks back the champagne in one.
As everyone turns to talk with one another, Chris gets out from his chair. He works his way through the tables, giving high-fives to various people before he slides into the room with me.
“That was amazing. I don’t know why you were so worried about your speech,” I say, closing the door and hugging him.
“Well, what can I say, move over Alexander, there’s a new star in town.” He stretches his arms out wide as he steps back from the hug.
“You never told me you were a stand-up comedian.” I dust off bits of ash from his suit jacket.
“Well, if there’s one thing us Brits can do, it’s humor,” he says, taking a bow.
“Well, I can think of another thing,” I say, grabbing at the band of his trousers.
Christopher coughs and I let go as Stacey reenters the room.
“Don’t you have a show to be getting to?” he asks.
“Yeah, but I didn’t want to miss your speech, and I’m so glad now I didn’t.” I reach out to adjust his bow tie.
God, he looks so handsome.
“What time will you be back?”
“I’m not sure. They want to do an end of tour wrap party for the crew, but I’ll message you when I’m en route, okay?” I grab his shoulder and shake him.
“Okay,” he sighs.
I don’t want to go either, but after this last show we can spend more time together.
“Right. Go enjoy yourself.” I tap my finger on his nose and motion him back out the door into the ballroom. Then I turn back to Stacey, who walks me back out to Rob. He’s standing with Freddy, who is ready to go.
One more show.
One. More. Show.
The backstage bar is a buzz afterward. There’s a celebratory atmosphere now that the tour is officially wrapping. I get several hugs and high-fives from the band and the crew, along with a few tears.
Nathan is jubilant at the studio version of Stolen Moments.
Lucy and Erica are both excited to finally get back to their own beds.
My parents are happy to be off to see Windsor Castle tomorrow.
Paul pauses us mid-conversation to gather everyone around and have one final team talk.
“One hundred and twenty-two shows, over ten months, across five continents, with nearly one point eight million tickets sold. None of this would have been possible without every single one of you in this room. So, thank you,” Paul says, to cheers and raised glasses.
Paul motions me to come forward as Lucy brings out a plaque from behind the bar.
“Alexander, you are the hardest working person I’ve ever met, and I know this tour and I have been tough on you, but I’m so proud of the work you’ve put in, and for the man you’ve become.”
Paul shakes my shoulder.
This breadcrumb of praise stirs up emotions in the pit of my stomach.
I swallow down the feeling, not wanting to get overwhelmed in the moment, or too comfortable and familiar with Paul’s praise.
Why can’t he be like this more often?
Like fifty-fifty percent asshole, rather than ninety percent asshole and ten percent caring.
I sigh and let my shoulders drop as Paul continues.
“This plaque is in acknowledgment of the amazing achievement you’ve just pulled off, and what I hope will be eclipsed when we all head out on the road again in the future.” Paul wraps up to cheers from everyone.