Disclaimer: Universal owns all rights to Pitch Perfect.
Title: After A Cappella
Chapter 3 - Second Chances
Summary: Sequel to Solo Act. They were scattered around the globe and living out their lives but special circumstances will always bring the Bellas together. This story will follow Beca after becoming a successful recording artist.
"Seriously?" Beca held up the small note. "You expect me to take you back just because you're no longer married?" getting to her feet she flung the card at her dinner date. "This was a mistake."
"Beca...wait!" Theo grabbed her arm to keep her from running off. "Please don't go."
"Look around, asshole! Unless you want to be on TMZ, you would be wise to release me." she threatened quietly, maintaining her composure. "You have five minutes to explain yourself and then I'm leaving."
"Okay." he conceded, releasing his grip on her. "I'll tell you everything, including the real reason I'm here."
"The truth? Oh, that would be a first."
"Alright, I didn't jump ship...Interscope terminated me for losing your contract." he confessed, sitting back down. "They said my personal feelings for you compromised my objectivity, so they let me go."
"Were they right?"
"What do you think?" he answered with a rhetorical question of his own. "Khaled's been so busy promoting you that he needed someone to take over his talent scouting responsibilities, and since I was all of a sudden available, he made me an offer I couldn't refuse. The rest is history."
"Yeah...well, I wasn't exactly firing on all thrusters either." Beca admitted, taking her own seat. When a waiter came over Theo ordered a couple of Newcastle long necks, minus the glasses. "You were supposed to be a rebound to me, nothing more." she whispered. "But you let your personal feelings get in the way; you weren't supposed to fall in love."
"Don't you think I know that? Fuck! I had a wife and daughter back home with a baby on the way and found myself drooling over some smoking hot chick from America."
"You think I'm hot?"
"Well...Yeah!" he answered like it was the most obvious observation. "You're a knockout, especially when you're all gussied up and performing in those form fitting skimpy outfits." when his eyes briefly dropped to her cleavage, she rolled hers. "And then you accused me of looking like a turtle."
Having forgotten about the insult she directed at the music executive when they first met, she smirked. Humor was a defense mechanism she often used to conceal her real feelings. "Well, you do...kind of. But a cute turtle." she added as an afterthought.
Theo nearly cracked a smile at her remark but needed to stay focused. "Then you kept resisting me. The more you pushed me away, the more I wanted you. You women have no idea the power you have over us. I was literally caught under your spell."
"My what?" she questioned back, accepting an ice cold bottle off the tray. "I didn't do shit!"
"You didn't have to!" he whisper-shouted, looking around to make sure nobody was eavesdropping. "Here you were, a beautiful independent woman who played the guitar and had a voice from heaven. And then you performed with such passion and had enough sarcasm to choke a horse." he ran his fingers through his hair. "My God Beca, I fell for you instantly, and then we made love…"
"Shh…" she shushed him with an index finger to her lips. "It was just sex, nothing more. It wasn't supposed to mean anything."
"It was never just sex with you."
"What are you talking about?" she asked, taking a swig from her drink.
"You said yourself that you sucked at casual, remember?" she nodded in agreement, fixating on the beads of sweat falling down the neck of her beer. "You tried to be but were never that kind of a woman." he simply stated, chugging his own beverage.
"I wasn't looking for anything serious."
"I know, neither was I." he smiled, agreeing with her. "Before we met I was going through the motions in a loveless marriage with a stone cold woman who trapped me into marrying her, and then you came into my life and turned my world upside down. Seeing you again was all I've thought about since we broke up. Beca, I'm still in love with you..."
"Stop saying that." she squirmed in her seat while he poured his heart out.
"No." he smiled warmly. "I lied enough back then and hurt a lot of people, especially you. I'm done being that bloody ass, no more lies..."
She couldn't deny it, the guy sitting across from her wasn't the same man who deceived her a year ago. It was obvious he'd done some soul searching and she was the reason for his transformation. "You've changed."
"Yeah…" Theo nodded. "I did it for you." as he spoke from the heart he took her hand in his. "Will you please give me another chance?"
It was a decision she didn't think she'd have to make but there they were in a public restaurant with all eyes on them. "I don't think it's a good idea."
"Why not?"
"Well...for starters, we both work for Khaled now and second, we have way too much history." she paused to let her words sink in. "It'll never work."
"You're wrong!" he whisper-shouted again, becoming more intense. "Besides, I'm not your agent. You're holding back because you've been hurt and now you're too damn afraid of letting yourself love another man other than that college boyfriend of yours."
"Leave Jesse out of this, he and I are just friends."
"Does he know that?"
After their conversation from earlier Beca didn't really know what to think. It was obvious that Jesse still had feelings for her but they decided not to pursue a relationship of that nature. "We're just friends." she reiterated.
"Then prove it and give me a second chance." he practically begged, squeezing her hand. "Stay with me tonight and let me show you how much you mean to me."
The offer was tempting but Beca needed to consider the consequences of hooking up with a man who previously lied to her. "No." she pulled her hand away. "That's a terrible idea."
"Why? What're you doing? Why do you keep resisting when you know how good we are together?"
"Because…" she lowered her voice and looked around to make sure nobody was listening. "When it comes to you, I don't trust myself!"
Theo grinned like he'd just won a gold medal. The woman he loved still had a thing for him. As he bulldozed through her walls he could see her slowly coming around. "Then you do have feelings for me."
"Of course I do but it doesn't mean I'm going to act on them." she chugged her beer as her defenses were breaking down. "Besides, how I feel is irrelev-."
"-No it isn't!" he interrupted, taking her long neck away to make his point. "I know how lonely it can be in this business and how difficult it is to connect with another." taking her hand, he placed it on his heart. "This belongs to you, it always has and always will. I made a colossal mistake in lying to you; it won't ever happen again."
"Don't make promises you can't keep." she spoke softly.
"I failed you once before and hurt the only woman I've ever loved. I've learned from my mistakes and like anyone else, I deserve another chance to redeem myself. I know you don't trust me now but I'm asking for an opportunity to earn it back."
With Theo spilling his guts, Beca couldn't deny what she was feeling. He made a valid point about how people deserved a second chance, and he was no exception. With her eyes drifting to his lips she felt a burning desire growing deep inside but resisted with every last bit of her being. "This is wrong." she was slowly losing the battle as her body craved his touch.
"No it isn't." he whispered, gazing into her eyes. "We belong together."
"I can't do this again." she struggled with mixed emotions while gravitating forward. With her mind saying no her heart was calling the shots.
"Yes you can." he spoke softly meeting her halfway. "It's already working."
Without any regard to their surroundings she closed the gap and accepted his lips on hers. The contact was tentative at first but escalated quickly, and when he cupped her jaw and slowly worked his way between her lips, she let out soft moans that spurred him on. Tasting each other's desire, they longed for more until becoming aware of the gossiping voices and snap shots being taken, capturing their actions for the world to see.
When they finally separated Beca looked down to their intertwined hands. In an instant her demeanor changed from being a smitten woman to fully enraged as she internally condemned herself for being weak. Slowly she raised her head and locked eyes with him. He didn't know what to think when her nostrils flared and eyes grew dark.
"You had no right to do that." she finally spoke, touching her lips. "You're five minutes are up."
"What?" he was dumbfounded by her behavior. "You're leaving? Didn't you feel it?"
"Goodbye Theo." she grabbed her satchel and made a beeline for the exit.
Tossing some money on the table to cover their drinks, Theo sprinted after her. When he caught up with her at the front of the restaurant he grabbed her forearm. This time she didn't hesitate when she turned around and landed an open handed slap to his face. What happened next neither expected as she pulled him by his jacket lapels and crushed her lips to his. The kiss was full of desperation as they held each other and gave into desire.
"Not here." Beca pried her lips from his and looked down. He didn't need to be told twice, by her flushed skin and dilated eyes she was just as emotionally compromised as he was. When her vehicle pulled up they clambered into the back seat. Forgoing their seatbelts, as soon as the door was secured he captured her lips in a bruising kiss and pressed her into the soft leather.
"Fuck! I want you." he mumbled between kisses. Reaching between her thighs, he felt heat radiate from her g-string covered center.
"Oh god!" she cried out while he massaged her. With his lips forming a seal over hers she felt the build up quickly approaching until...
"Um...excuse me?" the chauffeur asked after clearing his throat. "My apologies for interrupting but we're drawing a crowd. Where to?"
"Shit!" Beca cursed for the inconvenience. "My place is too far."
"Are you sure about this?" Theo asked, stroking her hair. "I don't want you having regrets."
"I won't." she murmured against his lips. "I want this too."
"Driver!" he wasted no time. "Take us to the Mercer Hotel!"
Several hours later...
After a night of unadulterated passion, Beca and Theo were basking in their afterglow, wrapped in each other's arms.
"Now, wasn't that worth it?" he smugly asked, disposing a condom.
"Mmm…"
Theo couldn't conceal his grin if he tried. He'd accomplished what he set out to do which was pleasure Beca in ways she only imagined. "For the record, you were very tasty."
"And I stayed awake this time." she joked, recalling their first night together when she passed out from her intoxication. "You're much better than FRED."
"What?" Theo was caught off guard. "Who in bloody hell is that?"
"Oh...relax." she propped herself up on his chest. "That's my Feminine Rotating Electrical Device."
"You're talking about a vibrator?" he asked, thoroughly enjoying himself and surprised that she would bring that up.
"Not exactly, its my personal massager." she chuckled to herself. "It was a gift from my friend, Stacie after you and I parted ways."
"Is she a Bella?"
"Yeah." Beca beamed, remembering the girls with fond memories. "I miss them."
Picking up on her sadness, Theo held her closer. "Tell me about Stacie."
"Well...she's beautiful, very tall with big boobs. You'd like her because she's a sex addict. The girl has more mileage on her than a set of Michelin's." Theo cracked up at her description. "But she's also brilliant; the girl graduated Summa Cum Laude."
"Holy shit!"
"Yeah...I know! You'd never know it by looking at her. She's also got the biggest heart of anyone I know and always there for us." Beca gave it a moment then went on. "Stacie was eight months pregnant at the time of last year's USO tour and couldn't make the trip."
"So, what happened to the father?"
"She has no clue who he is and couldn't give a damn." Beca chuckled because her friend was such a free spirit, even after getting accidentally knocked up, it didn't phase her one bit. She explained that Stacie had been living with a guy she thought she loved who would've been a good father to her little Bella but then got bored with him sexually and kicked him to the curb. "She's raising her daughter on her own."
"Wow! She sounds like a hoot." Theo replied, kissing the top of her head. "I'd like to meet her someday."
"You will, actually she's going to be here in a couple of months."
"Shit!" Theo remembered that he was only there for a short time. "I'll be back in London by then."
"That's right, I forgot about that." Beca sighed at the thought that their hook up was only temporary. "How much time do we have before you return?"
"Well, I'm supposed to return next week but let me see what I can do." Theo pressed his lips to Beca's. "Now that we're together, I'm in no hurry to go back."
"What about Allison?"
"She lives with her mother but I can see her whenever I want."
"Hey, don't get me wrong. I'm thrilled about all this, but if being together interferes with your relationship with your daughter, then I won't have it. She needs you more."
"And you wonder why I love you so much." flipping them over Theo kissed her passionately. "You don't have anything to worry about. I made a promise to be there for her and I intend to keep it."
"Good." Beca murmured against his lips, then felt his arousal pressing against her. "I'm very happy to hear that."
"I know you are." he moved on to her neck then nibbled his way down to her chest. "Are you up for another round?"
"Mmm…" she moaned in response to the attention her breasts were receiving then gave him access down below.
After a year of not being together they were making up for lost time and her body wasn't prepared for the attention it was receiving or soreness it would be enduring. But like Theo indicated earlier, it was definitely worth it.
The following morning Theo drove Beca home. For the most part they were quiet but needed to address the elephant in the car.
"Before we're public knowledge we need to say something to Khaled." Theo broke the silence.
"That is if it hasn't already happened."
"Do you really think anyone gives a shit about us?"
Glancing to his passenger, he smirked. "You're a celebrity now with fans who want to know everything about you, especially who you're shagging."
"I didn't think about that." Beca sighed. "I'm not used to being in the spotlight."
Just as Theo was about to comment a call was coming in on the vehicle's hands free system. When they saw who it was both grumbled in perfect synchronization.
"Hey boss, what's up?"
"Theo…my man! Is Beca with you?"
"Yes Sir." she cleared her throat. "I'm here."
"Good, because I wanted to speak with both of you." he paused to let the suspense build. "You fucked up and now we need to do some damage control."
"What do you mean?" Beca asked. "Why do we have to do anything?"
"Because you're my investment and your reputation is at stake."
"For going on a date?" Beca questioned back. "It's nobody's else's business!"
"I agree but how the general public perceives you effects record sales, and if they think you're a slut, they'll boycott your music."
"Hey!" Beca protested. "I don't fucking believe this. I'm being slut shamed for having two partners in my life."
"Shh…" Theo tried to calm her down then whispered. "You're not a slut."
"Thanks!" she mouthed back, crossing her arms in defense. "Glad you think so."
"Guys...I don't care what's going on between you two, in fact I'm happy for you, but I've seen the footage and it's incriminating."
"What footage?" Beca inquired.
"That doesn't matter. We're going to say that you've been secretly dating since last year and got engaged last night."
Beca nearly lost her shit. "What the fu-"
"-No way Khaled!" Theo cut her off. "That's not fair to Beca."
"Then you should've thought about that before you made out in public and was seen carrying her to your hotel room. The associated press is having a field day with you two and waiting for our statement before going public."
"Shit! I'm sorry Beca, this is all my fault."
"No it isn't, we're both to blame." letting out a sigh Beca gave it more thought. "Fine, say what you need to say but I need time to let my family and friends know the truth."
"You've got one hour." Khaled warned.
Ending the call they were quiet until Beca broke the silence.
"Why the hell is everyone trying to get me to do the one thing I don't want to do?"
"Because your pure wife material." Theo joked.
"Fuck you!"
Unable to contain himself Theo busted up. "I might just take you up on that offer." he continued to laugh.
"It's not funny." she tried to keep a straight face but ended up laughing along. "Everyone's going to freak out when they find out we're back together."
"And engaged."
"Shut up!"
"So…" Theo stopped at a red light and turned to his passenger. "What kind of ring would you like?"
Rolling her eyes she couldn't believe their predicament.
Pulling up to Amy's mansion Beca gave Theo the code to access the electric gates. When she told him about her friend's inheritance, he was floored.
"You go inside and start making those calls. I'm gonna go shopping."
Beca shuddered at the thought but knew it was something she needed to go along with to protect her reputation.
"Alright, I'm going to stay home today. You know...keep a low profile in case the paparazzi decides to come by."
"That's a good idea." Theo leaned over and pressed his lips to hers. "Can I see you later?"
"Sure." she smiled, opening her door. "Text me."
With a final kiss Beca got out of the car and approached the front door. As she fumbled in her bag for the keys the door opened to reveal a very perturbed redhead. Yanking her inside Chloe slammed the door shut.
"What the fuck, Beca!" she didn't hold back, running her fingers through her messy hair. "You're engaged?"
"What? No!" was her only response then saw a still of her and Theo on the TV screen. "Shit! That wasn't supposed to go live for an hour."
"Well, see for yourself." picking up the remote control Chloe unmuted their gigantic high definition television to watch the BBC Morning Show report news of a possible engagement.
"Oh fuck!"
A/N: Tune in next time for the fallout of their actions.