28. Río
RíO
Iwake up next to the most wonderful woman in the world. Hayden arrived yesterday afternoon, and we spent every single moment since then in my apartment. In bed.
She plucks the blanket. “When did you buy this house?”
“About ten years ago, when the band got their first Number One album. I fell in love because of the view” Both of our gazes dart out of the sliders.
“It’s gorgeous here.”
I kiss her cheek because I need to continue our contact. “More so with you in it.”
“This feels like a dream.”
“I know where I can pinch you to prove you’re awake.” I reach for her boobs, but she pushes me away—so I tug on her hair. “It’s so much better having you in my arms instead of sexting you. Even FaceTime pales in comparison.”
She sighs. “Yeah.” Turning on her side, she continues, “But if I get this job with BTM, I’ll be on the road more often. We’ll be like ships in the night.”
Heat rises. “Not if I have anything to say about it. I can’t be without you for weeks at a time.”
She puts her hand on my cheek. “Me, neither. But I need to make money—”
“For Mila,” I supply. “Listen, Hayden, I understand your wanting to take care of your little sister, provide the money for her upkeep. You just admitted you don’t want to be far away from me for any length of time. I have money. Let me pay your bills.”
She sits up. “I won’t be a kept woman. I won’t.”
I shake my head. Joining her, I reply, “Don’t think of it like that. If I cover your bills, we’ll be able to be together. Which is much more important than money, isn’t it?”
Her shoulders lower. “I know you mean well, but Mila’s my responsibility.”
I hold her gaze. “I’m not trying to take her from you. I’m trying to stand with you.”
If she’s my wife… she hasn’t told me she loves me back, though. It’s only a matter of time. On a lengthy exhale, I let this topic drop. For the time being.
“We’ll work something out, Babysitter. But for right now, I have something better to discuss.” I kiss her willing mouth. “Deeper.”
She breaks away. “I’m down with that.”
“That’s what I wanted to hear.”
No more words are spoken for a long while.
“Can’t I get you to come with us?” I sound whiny, even to my own ears.
“I’ll meet you there, I promise. This time is for you, as a band, to prepare.” She zips up her dress, the first article of clothing that’s been on her body in nearly twenty-four hours.
I try to sweeten the pot. “Nese will be there.”
She looks around for her shoes, finally spying them under the bed. “I’ll see her when I get to the Oscars.” She squeals. “I’m so proud of you, that your song got nominated!” She rushes over for a hug.
“If you come with me, you can meet up with her and Jenna now.”
She kisses me. “No, Río. Be with your brothers. I’m getting dressed at Renata’s house. I’ll be at the awards ceremony, I promise.” She picks up the lanyard I gave her. “See? Backstage pass.”
“Fine. I will see you there.” I give her what I hope is a threatening look, even though I’m still under the blanket.
“If you’re not there by the time we step off the red carpet, I’m going to lose my mind.
I might even do something stupid, like have the audience start screaming your name.
” Hopefully she gets my oblique reference to the incident at the Trevi Fountain.
She laughs and raises her hands. “Let’s not repeat Rome, okay Big Boy?”
This right here is how I’m sure she’s the one for me. She gets all of me, including my weird sense of humor. I slip out of bed, still naked. Arms outstretched, I tease, “Big enough for you?”
“More than you know.” She kisses me. “I’m off to Renata’s and you need to meet up with the rest of UC to get ready for the Oscars.” Her head shakes. “Amazing!”
An hour later, Hayden’s texted she’s safely at Renata’s and I’ve left her sister a voicemail telling her to watch the show tonight.
Now, I’m in a large conference room at a nearby hotel with my brothers.
Bennett addresses Nese, asking the question on the top of all of our minds.
“Do we really have to wear penguin suits?”
In response, she asks, “Where are you going?”
Hands on Darren’s belt, 007 answers. “To the Academy Awards.”
“That’s right,” Nese says. “And when you’re at the Oscars, what do you wear?”
“Whatever our stylist tells us,” Tris—ever the goody two shoes—replies.
She beams. “Give that boy a golden statue!”
Amidst the grumbling and laughing, we don our tuxedos, courtesy of Versace. Holding up the shirt, I note, “This better be worth it.”
“Guys,” our manager enters the room, wearing his own black-and-white formal attire. “Darren’s scholarship fund crossed the one-hundred-thousand mark today. If ‘Refocused Destiny’ wins tonight, I bet this number will increase.”
This is all the encouragement I need to don the appropriate costume. “Let’s do this for Darren.” All the guys bow their heads, and the bellyaching ceases.
Walking to Coop, I nudge his shoulder. “The fucking Oscars. Can you believe we’re here?”
He adjusts his sunglasses. “It’s amazing. I even got new diamond studs for the occasion.” He points to his earrings.
“Looks good, my man.” I adjust my cufflinks. “At least we don’t have to wear these clothes when we perform our song.”
“Damn straight. Although I haven’t gotten my luggage from the tour yet. Have you?”
“Sorry dude, I have.”
“I better bug Luke about it again. Hey, is Hayden coming tonight?”
“Yeah. She’s over at her friend’s, getting dressed. She promised me she’d meet us after the red carpet.”
Coop nods. “Makes sense. If I could avoid walking the gauntlet, I would, no questions asked.”
I shrug. “I don’t mind those things. Make a game out of it, like I do. How about a friendly wager?”
He fiddles with his new earring. “Like what?”
“The band member who gets the most selfies—”
Bennett barges into our conversation. “Has to donate ten grand to Darren’s scholarship fund.”
“Didn’t you already do that,” Tris asks. “When you lost the bet about Río?”
I stand straighter. “Yeah.” My lips turn downward. “That score’s been taken.”
“What am I missing?” 007 walks over to our group.
“A bet to make the red carpet go faster,” I explain. “The stakes are the most selfies.”
“Did I hear ‘selfies’? I’m not sure we’re going to be able to get selfies with the audience at all,” Luke announces. “The powers-that-be want to keep the crowd separated from the talent.”
“Well, shit.” I voice how we’re all feeling.
007 suggests, “How about the person who mentions Darren’s scholarship fund the most wins?”
Coop says, “I like that. How about the prize being the last one having to show up for the jet when our break ends in a month.”
Murmurs of agreement rush through us. Tris shouts, “Good one, Coop!” I simply punch my buddy in the arm.
When we’re all set—with Nese’s approval—we climb into a limo to take us to the awards ceremony. The entire ride is taken up by variations of “unbelievable” and “I’m gonna win the bet!”
En route, I text Hayden to tell her where I am and I expect her to be waiting for me inside. Her reply is typical Hayden:
I’ll be the one ready to give you a glass of water.
Smiling, I can’t help responding:
I could’ve used that line back in Lisbon for a certain babysitter I know. Finally get over your hangover?
A gentleman never brings up such unpleasant subjects.
Who said I was a gentleman? Even though I am wearing a shirt, at the moment.
Ichuckle, which gets Coop’s attention. “What’s so funny?”
“Not this traffic, for sure.”
“You were texting with Hayden, weren’t you?”
“You bet your tuxedoed ass. She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met before.”
“Be careful,” the guitarist warns. “Have fun with her and everything. Just don’t let her have your whole heart. Hold back a piece for yourself.”
I’m not so much in love not to hear the pain in my best friend’s voice. I give him a nod. “I promise.” I offer this for his sake, not mine. Hayden never will do me dirty like he endured.
After being mired in traffic for what seems to be forever, our limo finally reaches the drop-off point. Nina’s advice about the red carpet keeps us all in line. This is nothing like the Grammy’s, or even the grand opening for Untamed Coaster Unleashed. It’s exponentially more intense.
The door opens. “Alright boys, I’m ready to tear this carpet up. Let’s go!” Without a backward glance, I leap out of the limo and onto the pavement where lightbulbs flash in all directions. It’s blinding.
Tris, 007, and Coop are out next. “Eyes on the ground if you ever want to see again,” I warn. They follow my instructions.
Bennett joins us and the audience noise raises in decibels, which he shrugs off. That’s why UC works so well—no one lords their popularity over the others in the band. We’re all in this together. We begin the trek to the doorway, and my waiting girlfriend.
Along the way, we’re stopped every few feet to discuss who we’re wearing, how we feel, and our excitement at playing ‘Refocused Destiny’ at the Oscars.
We take turns responding, with each of us mentioning Darren’s scholarship.
I try to chime in with the website whenever I can.
Not for the bet, but for the cause. Although, getting “last to arrive” status on the jet holds its appeal.
Visions of a naked Hayden dance in my mind.
We round a corner, and even more people are lined up. We’re called to speak with Eddie Tapp, the ultra popular evening show host of Evening With Eddie. When Tris finishes answering a question, Eddie points down the line. “Quinn Walker! Quinn Walker! Come join us!”
We turn, and Quinn and Callum approach. Giving our friends warm hugs despite being on TV, the host tries to regain control over the situation. “How do you like being reunited with the subject of your film?”
Quinn, wearing a full-length, form-fitting black dress, smiles at us. Behind her, Callum is in his formal tuxedo—a kilt. Gotta love the Scottish.
“Untamed Coaster is the best group of men I’ve ever met,” she replies. “They’re super talented and have been through hell but are back on top. I was lucky to do their rockumentary.”