Epilogue
epilogue
PLAYING ALONG
4 months later
Sitting in the back of the rehearsal space, a soundstage Char rented out for a few weeks to prepare for Brianna’s latest tour, I watch as my woman commands the entire room. It’s like Bree exchanged her diva mask for the crack of a whip.
It’s sexy as hell.
“There should be a crescendo on that last bridge as we move back into the chorus.” Brianna points to a spot on her sheet music I can’t see from way back here. “Try it again.”
She’s demanding. She knows what she wants. But she’s not being a bitch to get it.
She’s rehearsing with Citizen One, an up-and-coming band Char tapped to be her tour opener. On her last tour, a mini road-show to promote her single, Citizen One opened for her Las Vegas Show. The audience had such a great response to the band, Char signed them for the upcoming full album tour as well .
Alex Moulder, the keyboardist, is helping her hash out the arrangement for the encore. Brianna wants the band to join her on stage for the last song, a remix of Rescue Me exclusive to the tour.
Alex starts from the top and Brianna sings her heart out as he nods with a huge smile. “Yes!” he shouts as they dig into the groove, clearly liking the energy. Even from the back row where I watch, I can feel the buzz.
As soon as the song comes to a close, Char saunters onto the stage from somewhere in the wings. I still can’t get over how much she’s changed in such a short time. Bree isn’t the only one who’s shed her former persona. Gone are Char’s flowy outfits and clipboard, which has now been upgraded to a digital tablet. She looks every bit the slick music executive as she’s clacking around in severe heels and a pencil skirt. I guess she’s replaced her constant tapping against the now discarded clipboards with the noisy heels. Even her wild red curls are tamed into a low bun instead of the natural waves she used to favor.
I have to say I miss her bouncy bohemian cheerleader look, something I never thought I’d utter. Hollywood certainly has a way of changing people. Me included.
I was a nobody who couldn’t get a basic commercial job, squeaking by in a dump of an apartment with my slightly unhinged roommate. Now I’m living with a pop star, the woman of my dreams, absolutely head over heels in love.
Who knew one audition could lead to an absolute upheaval of everything in my world. And I wouldn’t change a thing.
Noise on the stage pulls my attention back to the rehearsal. As soon as she has everyone’s attention, Char addresses Bree and the members of Citizen One, who’ve all congregated around the keyboard for her instructions. I can’t hear what she’s saying from my spot in the back of the auditorium. Instead, I hear the rumble of the auditorium door being wrenched open behind me followed by the sound of pounding feet.
Next thing I know, a fool with a Big Gulp and a giant bag of Takis plops into the seat next to me. My unhinged former roommate leans back and huffs out an exasperated breath.
“I’ve got a problem,” Jacob declares before licking red powder off his fingers. His hair is askew, sporting some orange stripes from where his tainted fingers ran through it. His board shorts and graphic t-shirt have seen better days, as he’s still a starving artist. I’m not starving or an artist anymore, considering I gave up the modeling business after my last gig turned into a real life relationship.
“A problem? Just one?” I cross my arms while addressing Jacob’s mini-rant, ready for him to underwhelm me with his drama. Hollywood hasn’t changed him, yet. He’s still the diva he’s always been. In fact, I think he’s a bigger diva than Bree ever was.
“My agent called about a role.”
I wait for him to go on but he doesn’t.
“Sounds like the opposite of a problem.”
“It’s for a role in an action adventure movie. I’ve got to nail it.”
“Still waiting for a problem. That’s exactly what you’ve been working toward.”
“The ‘problem’ is that it’s the lead role. So I need to be in top shape. You’ve gotta be my trainer.”
I start to laugh, but after taking one look at the grim expression on Jacob’s face, I realize he isn’t kidding. Only the thought of physical exertion would put that dark look on his perpetually easy-going face.
“Are you ready to take on the leading role in a film?”
“Course I am.” He leans back into the auditorium seat, throwing his feet on the back of the chair in front of him. “I’ve been ready my whole life.”
“But…” I roll my hand as I speak. “You need me to prep you because you’re not ready.” I point at his Big Gulp and Takis. “Exhibit A.”
Jacob rolls his eyes. “I’m ready mentally. You can get me ready physically.” He proceeds to take a giant gulp of soda. I grab it and the bag of snacks out of his hands.
“Okay, let’s start now.”
“Hey!”
“This isn’t going to help you get into shape for a leading role in an action adventure film. You need a six pack. The kind on your abs, not the kind filled with carbonated syrup. Half of the film will probably be you with your shirt off.”
Jacob wiggles his eyebrows. “The ladies love a hot bod.”
I actually roll my eyes. “Maybe, but you’re leaning more into dad bod than hot bod.” I elbow him in the arm. “And stop thinking with your dick. It’s going to get you canceled one of these days.”
“They can’t cancel me until I’m a name. No one cares what busboy Jacob does.”
I lean over and say my next words slowly. “You’ve made yourself a name with the starlets of this town.”
“That’s what she said.” He smirks. I frown. He’s missing the point.
“Yeah, I don’t think you used that phrase right.”
“He doesn’t use most phrases right,” Char says from the aisle causing both Jacob and I to whip our heads in her direction.
I watch Jacob out of the corner of my eye. He and Char haven’t seen each other since the morning I left town with Bree when we drove to my family’s ranch. I don’t know what happened between the two of them, but something tells me it wasn’t good.
Jacob’s brow furrows as he looks Char up and down, from her slicked back hair to her tablet and pencil skirt.
“Who…who…who are you?” He waves his hand from her head to her toes.
“What happened to Char? Where did she go?” His voice gets higher and more distressed with each question. Char, on the other hand, looks like she drank straight lemon juice, her mouth is pursed so tight .
“Why…why are you so serious?” Jacob asks with the tone of a little kid who just found out the tooth fairy is really his mom.
Char crosses her arms. “Why are you allergic to responsibility?” she counters. “I’m a serious woman with serious things to accomplish and serious people to manage who have serious things to do.”
Jacobs eyes pop wide. “Damn. Someone sucked aaaaaaaall the fun out of you. All of it. Seriously . See,” he points at himself, “I can be serious.”
Char leans down, arms still crossed. “Said exactly like the little boy you are. I only make time for grown ups.”
With that she stands straight and resumes her path through the auditorium door.
“That’s what she said,” Jacob mumbles.
“Still aren’t using it right.”
“Anywhooooo,” he hums, “When should we start lifting?”
“Lifting? Like, weights? Or are you talking about the kind of lifting that gets you five to ten at the state penitentiary?”
Jacob’s entire face wrinkles as he tries to work out what I said. I might as well help him out. Otherwise we’ll grow old before understanding dawns.
“Stealing, Jacob. I was asking if you meant stealing.”
“Ooooooooh.” His mouth drops as he drags out his understanding, late though it may be. “Nah. Weights.” He sticks his chin out. “Stealing won’t help my situation.”
“Wrong attitude,” I stand with the junk food in my possession. I give Jacob the stink eye when he does indeed try to steal it from my grasp. I have to eye him hard to get him to stop. Still not as effective as Mom’s. I make a mental note to ask Char for pointers. She’s nailed that look. I have a feeling it’ll come in handy while I’m training him.
“Gimme my food.” Jacob crosses his arms and pouts like a toddler.
“Oh my God, Char was right. You are a child.”
“You told me I had the wrong attitude about stealing, so I thought I’d try a different one. ”
“I meant you need to be determined to steal the part , dumbass.”
“Oh.” He relaxes his arms and wipes the pout from his face. “That does make sense.”
“Good. And no, I’m not giving you the food back, which doesn’t actually qualify as food. From now on, you’re my bitch. You don’t eat it if it’s not on the list.”
“What list?” He squints at me.
“The list I’ll email to you later tonight. I’ll dump this backstage so you can’t dumpster dive for it.” He opens his mouth to protest but I cut him off. “Don’t try to deny it.”
“Fine. You’re bossier than Char.”
“No one’s that bossy.”
Jacob gets a devilish look in his eye. “Very true. It’s so fucking hot.”
“Back off. She’s not one of your audition groupies. She’s a good friend to Bree.”
He throws his now empty hands in the air. “Okay, jeez! I was just saying.”
“Well, don’t.” I turn to check the progress on stage to find Brianna nowhere in sight. I know Clinton is sticking close to her, and we’re in a secured location, but I still hate when she’s out of sight. “Rehearsal must be done for the day. I’m off to find Bree.”
“Okay, Dad. Tell Mom I said, hi.”
I wave him off as I head down the aisle and up the side stairs to stage right. Still no Bree but the Citizen One guys are all standing together backstage, except for their drummer, Curt Wainwright. Something about the guy doesn’t sit exactly right with me but I know Clinton is keeping tight tabs on the band.
“How’d rehearsal go?” I ask the group. Ryan Christianson, the lead singer, smiles.
“Sweet. It’s gonna rock.” He fist bumps his bandmates before looking back at me. “By the way, Brianna wants you to meet her in her dressing room.”
I nod and thank him for the message before moving back stage to the hallway. Bree’s got the room closest to the stage, at my request. The potential of a clogged up hallway preventing me from getting to her isn’t something I’m willing to chance.
I knock once on her door which flies open soon after. Brianna grabs my shirt at the chest and drags me inside, slams the door and bolts the lock. Then she climbs me like a tree, her legs wrapped around my hips and her mouth slamming against mine as hard as the door a second ago.
“Hot damn, I love your commanding side.” I manage to speak between kisses. “So much better than the diva pout.”
Brianna pulls away and looks into my eyes as I hold her up by the ass. “I pouted?”
“You did. But you don’t anymore. I love seeing you shine. I love watching you lead. I love you.” I kiss her long and hard, showing her just how much.
Bree tilts her head back as I let my lips trail down her neck. “I love you, too. I can’t imagine my life without you.”
I walk us back to the small loveseat in her dressing room. I drop her onto it and fold myself over her. It’s a tight fit but it’ll have to do.
“My home is only a home because you’re there with me. I’m so glad you’re coming on this tour with me. I couldn’t do it without you.”
My arms pull her closer. I drop a forehead to hers as she continues professing her love.
“Baby, I don’t want to do this life without you.” I look into her eyes, ready to ask her for more. Truthfully, I’ve been thinking of more since we spent our first night together in the ranch outbuilding, the world storming around us while we held onto each other. I knew then I’d want her next to me for the long haul.
Forever.
“What do you say we plan on doing the rest of life together?”
“Together?” Her question is tentative, nervous. But fearful? No. Not my Bree. Not anymore. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” Her eyes are bright with the possibilities of a future together.
I nod, then whisper. “Will you marry me? Will you spend the rest of time with me? Will you let me take on the world by your side?”
“I’d love nothing more.” She holds my gaze, about to give me the greatest gift I’ve ever received. “Yes.”
I lean in and take her mouth with mine. She opens to me, granting me entrance. Before I can take things further, before we get carried away, Brianna presses her palms against my chest. I pull back immediately, searching her eyes for answers.
“But,” she says.
I furrow my brow in question. “But what?”
Brianna looks down, eyes searching my chest or my neck, but refusing to meet mine.
“What, baby?”
“But can we make this just for us? I don’t want the most important part of our life together to be splashed across headlines and picked apart by gossip mongers.”
I breathe a sigh of relief, only now recognizing that I was afraid of her reaction to my proposal. But this? I can do this.
“Of course. I don’t want to share you, baby.”
She gives me a single raised brow in response. “That means you can’t tell Jacob.”
A challenge.
I answer with one of my own.
“And you can’t tell Char.”
“The less people that know the better, right?”
I laugh, remembering it was Char who insisted on secrecy from the beginning. “Very true.”
“Maybe we should tell Clinton. Just so he can keep an eye out for trouble or drama.” Bree suggests.
“If Jacob and Char don’t know, there won’t be drama.”
She snuggles into me. “Things have a way of leaking.”
“True. So for now, just you and I. ”
Bree laughs. “I guess we’re fake dating again until we’re ready to tell the world we’re engaged.”
I kiss her tenderly. “I’ll fake date you forever, as long as you’re mine for real.”
“Always.”
Thank you so much for reading Zack and Brianna’s story!