"I know what you're going to say," Ally pre-empted defensively, brushing past Rez as she went into her dressing room. "So save your breath."
"Oh, here we go again," Rez said, matter-of-fact, as quietly he closed the door after him.
She scanned quick eyes around the room, her heart sinking when it was clear that Jackson wasn't there either.
"And what am I going to say, huh?" Rez went on.
Refocusing, she turned around. He was watching her expectantly, a smug look on his face. "That Jack hijacked the interview. That in a roundabout kind of way, it became about him – about us and our private life, instead of about the album. That I should have promoted this album instead of the next one, which isn't even written yet, let alone recorded." Her voice rose steadily, angrily as she talked – anger directed at Rez for being there and at Jackson for not – and grabbing her purse she took out her cell. It showed eleven text messages and with a sigh she unlocked it.
"Well," Rez said, "All of it is true, isn't it?"
Frowning, Ally distractedly opened her messages. They were from her father and Ramon, congratulating her, nothing from Jackson, and letting out a long breath she texted him a quick Where are you? "And now he's fucking disappeared!" she snapped despairingly, looking up and angrily waving her cell at Rez. "I can't find him anywhere."
"And what?" Rez levelled. "You think I have something to do with that?"
She took a step closer to him. "Well, don't you? What did you tell him?"
Rez registered a look of surprise. "When?" he asked, stepping back defensively. "I didn't tell him anything."
"Don't lie to me, Rez," she said tersely. "You spoke to him after the performance. When you were both backstage. I saw you. You put your hand on his shoulder and said something to him."
Rez smiled.
Her expression hardened. "I want to know what you said to him, Rez."
"Why?"
"Because I don't trust you. Because you have an agenda." She checked her cell, but Jackson hadn't replied, then fixed Rez with a dark look. "Don't fuck with me, Rez. Do you know where he is?"
"No, I don't," he replied calmly, adding when she stared at him with disbelief, "I don't know where he is, alright? I haven't seen him since that stunt Ellen pulled."
"Because you've got to fucking understand one thing," she said, pointing her cell at him, "The only reason you're still my manager is because of Jackson."
Rez's brow rose. "Is that so?"
She stared at him coolly, steadily, spoke through gritted teeth. "You'd better believe it, because if it was up to me, you'd be long gone."
"And who'd manage you, huh? Jack?"
"Why not?" she challenged.
He smirked. "He knows nothing about the pop world." His gaze narrowed perceptively. "And I don't think he wants to manage you either, does he? Or else you'd have already fired me."
She clamped her jaw shut. "What did you say to him?" she asked again, shouting when he didn't reply, "Tell me!"
Rez scoffed, then shook his head and gave a sad laugh, and she looked away. She hated that she was so transparent to him, that her worry, her panic over Jackson's mental wellbeing right then was so utterly obvious and a sign of weakness he could use against her.
"I didn't say anything…bad to him, if that's what you're worried about," he replied after a beat, his voice low and steady. "I was just…agreeing to something he'd said to me earlier."
She frowned. "Jack spoke to you?"
Rez nodded. "He was right." He shrugged, and her confusion intensifying she watched as he moved to the table and picked up a bottle of water. "You were both right," he went on quietly, turning around toward her. He twisted the cap and took a sip.
She could feel a headache developing and closing her eyes she gave her head a shake. "About what?" she asked, trying to make sense of what was happening. Why would Jackson deliberately talk to Rez? Why would he put himself in that situation if he didn't have to? Feeling lightheaded all of a sudden, she rubbed her hand to her forehead and went to sit down on the armchair. Closing her eyes, she bowed her head and wiped a weary hand down her face.
"You alright?" Rez asked, sounding concerned.
Startling, she looked up. "Sure."
"You want some water?"
With a sigh, she nodded her head, and Rez opened a second bottle which he emptied into a glass he brought over. She took a sip, and then another. Rez took a seat across from her on the second armchair and studied her closely, intently. She put the glass down on the nearby table and for something to do bent down to take off her shoes and massage her sore feet.
"You were right," he said again and waited for her to look up to add, "to do the song at the piano the way you did. It was really beautiful."
Shock registering on her face, she could only stare at him with disbelief, with suspicion.
"Don't look at me like that," Rez said, chuckling uneasily. "I mean it." He sighed, shrugged his shoulder somewhat awkwardly. "And that's what I told Jackson. Right before you started playing, he told me to trust you, to trust your instinct, that you would blow me away – blow us all away – and you did."
"You're only saying that 'cause you're worried I'm going to fire you."
Rez laughed. "What you did today, the way you sang The Cure, well, it reminded me of when I first saw you perform Always Remember Us This Way. You took me back to that place, and I enjoyed it. Your fans have already heard the album version a thousand times; you were right to give them something new."
Stunned for words, Ally opened her mouth, then shut it again. "I don't know what to say."
"When Jackson spoke to me, it seemed like…it was like he was trying to…reach out and make peace, I guess." Rez shrugged. "With me and…also maybe what I represent. I don't know, but he genuinely has your best interest at heart, I can see that now, and believe it or not I do too, even if we don't always see eye-to-eye."
Rez's words gave Ally pause. She still didn't fully trust him – she didn't think she could ever again – but he sounded genuine enough and so she found herself hesitantly thanking him.
"I am sorry," he went on, "What I did, speaking to Jackson behind your back was wrong. I can see that now too." He paused. "What you said to Ellen about what the new album's about, is it true?"
Wary of the sudden change of tack, Ally nodded her reply. "Jack's...working hard, very hard, so that what happened at the Grammys never happens again. But it could, that's the nature of addiction. And if it does, then I'll be right there by his side, doing whatever it takes. Jack and I…we're in this together, Rez, for better, for worse, in sickness and in health. Whatever struggles he's going through we're going through together, and I won't let you or anyone or even my career come before that."
His gaze averting, Rez nodded his head slowly. "Okay," he said, looking back up, and then with another more forthright nod, "Okay." He stood, put his glass down on the tray on the table then made to leave before thinking better of it. "Oh, and by the way," he went on, and she braced herself for some acerbic comeback. "Today's performance is going straight online, on Ellen's YouTube channel, well after it's aired tomorrow. That's what the chat to the producer before was about."
"Really?" she mustered, once again caught off guard.
Rez nodded. "It's not unusual. But," he went on, pausing for effect, "I'm in talks now with the show's producers and the record label to release this song, just as you sang it, as a single available for streaming on the various platforms."
Her face lit up at the news. "Oh, my God!"
"We still need to finalise the details, sign on the dotted line and so on, but it's a done deal, Ally. Just next time, talk to me first about your plans, so I don't look like a total prick who doesn't know what's going on."
"I didn't think you'd listen."
"Yeah, well, you might have been right, but I promise that from now on…I will. You did well today."
This was just too much to process. Reaching for her glass, she drank from it and took a moment to let the news sink in. "You're not mad that Ellen hijacked the interview and made it about Jackson?"
He shrugged. "I was expecting that. I mean, come on, she's after ratings as much as the next man. That's Jackson's first TV appearance since the Grammys. It's a scoop for her. But Jackson, well, he handled it well, like a real pro. He did just enough to stop the rumour mill and play in your favour. He came across well actually, honest and heartfelt, as you did. And I think the viewers will respond to that, relate to that, especially after what you said in the interview afterwards."
Rez's turnabout was still unnerving, and she wasn't sure how to respond. "Thank you," she just said, for want of something better.
He flicked his eyes from her face to her abdomen and then back up again. "Listen, Ally, before I go. I wasn't going to mention it, but well…there's some gossip going round on social media, and you know normally I wouldn't―"
The door opened suddenly, cutting Rez short, and a grinning Jackson walked in.
"Where have you been?" she exclaimed, her face brightening as setting the glass down she sprung to her feet to greet him. "I looked all over for you."
Jackson slid his arms around her and kissed her lips. "Sorry I took so long." Pulling back, he pushed a strand of hair back from her face and watched her tenderly. "I got talking to this old buddy of mine, from years back. Didn't know he worked on this gig now. Anyways, he played the recording of the song back for me, you know, so I could watch you from every angle and…" His smile broadened gleefully as he licked his lips. "You were fucking amazing out there. Magnificent."
"Jack―" she protested, somewhat embarrassed in front of Rez.
"She was, wasn't she?" Rez said.
Jackson's hold on Ally seemed to tighten as he turned toward the manager with a start.
A smile on his face, Rez moved toward the door. "I need to go talk to the producer some more, so I'll see you tomorrow? My office at ten?"
Ally gave a stiff nod.
"Don't forget to tell Jackson the good news."
Glancing at Jackson, Rez dipped his head once, then walked past them and let himself out of the room without a backward glance.
"What good news?" Jackson asked, his eyes narrowed as the door closed.
She told him about the release of the single, and whooping Jackson lifted her up in the air and twirled her around. She laughed.
"That's great," he said, planting a kiss on her lips as he put her down. "That's fucking great. I'm so glad it's all working out, you know?" His smile faded, and he shrugged his shoulder a little diffidently. "I've been…feeling so guilty for what I put you through…well, you know, at the Grammys and also for what happened afterwards when I came home after rehab―"
"It's okay," she said in a whisper, brushing her hand to his cheek, "I know."
"―and the way you put your career on hold for me like you did…" he went on, talking over her, and blew out a long breath. "Well, it's been weighing on me. You really deserve to come back stronger. I'm so fucking happy for you."
She watched him solemnly, lovingly. "Thank you."
Smiling again, he stroked her face. "So, everything okay between you and Rez?"
"I don't know." With a sigh, she moved away and grabbed her purse, found the packet of saltines inside and took one out. As an afterthought, she turned and held the packet out to Jackson, who took one too. "He was nice to me," she said, wincing at the thought as she bit into the cracker, "Too nice. It was just fucking…weird. Unsettling almost, you know? I didn't know how to…respond. How to act around him. I―I'm not sure what to make of it. All I know is that I don't…trust him."
Jackson gave a thoughtful nod, then began to eat the cracker. "You feeling sick?" he then asked suddenly, concernedly.
She shook her head. "Just hungry."
He looked around the room. "I can go get you something more―"
"Nutritious?" she asked, teasingly. They shared a smile, and she finished her mouthful. "No, this is fine. I can feel my energy levels picking up already. Rez said you spoke to him?" she went on when Jackson reached for a bottle of water.
Nodding, he averted his gaze and after sitting down in the seat Rez had vacated drank from the water thirstily. "Don't be mad," he said, refocusing on her afterwards. "I just…wanted to smooth the waters a little, you know?"
"What, like? No hard fucking feelings?" she said, her tone curter than she'd meant as she dropped down into her chair.
With a sigh, he put the bottle down and motioned for the packet of crackers she passed over to him. Slowly, and she knew he was stalling and picking his words carefully, he eased a cracker from the packet and then another, which he gave to her, and ate it his silence. "This is a tough industry," he finally said, holding her gaze steadily. "Right now, Rez is the guy who's taking you places. You got to work with him. I wanted to show him that I'm fine with that, but that I'm around. That I have your back. Always."
Her expression softened lovingly, gratefully.
"Come on," he said, putting the last of the cracker in his mouth as he pushed to his feet, "I'm hungry and crackers won't do it. Let's get out of here."
"What about Dad and Ramon, the guys?"
"Let them enjoy the rest of the show. They can meet us at home afterwards."
"Home?"
The ghost of a smile twitched at his lips. "I may have organised a little something. But it's supposed to be a surprise, so act like you don't know."
She pretended to lock her lips and throw away the key.
His smile broadening cheekily, devilishly, he touched his finger to her nose, and she pulled a face at him. "You did more than kick ass out there," he went on quietly, repeating words she'd spoken to him that very morning.
"You did too."
He scoffed. "Yeah, well, sorry about that. I didn't want to steal your thunder."
"You could have said no."
He paused. "Did you want me to say no?"
"No, not at all. That's not what I meant. I think what you did was real brave. I think it was a step you needed to take. I just worried it would be too soon."
He gave a nod. "Me too."
"I was real proud of you. I'm proud of you," she amended in a whisper, smiling softly. "But why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't want to worry you, distract you from your performance, you know? You were already so nervous. And I didn't want Rez to get wind of it." He laughed. "And that way it kind of…looked more genuine. Not like we were pulling a fucking stunt. The look on your face, Ally, when you thought I was going to…just come on set. That wasn't rehearsed."
She looked away self-consciously. "Yeah, well, like I said, I was worried about you."
"I know," he replied, coaxing her chin up so he could look at her face. "Seeing the care, the love on your face like that for everyone else to see, well, it made my heart…" He took a breath and touched his hand to his chest, fishing for a word that seemed to elude him before finally settling on, "Soar, you know? I don't know, it gave me confidence and courage. Anyways, enough about me. Today's about you."
"Okay. Well, if it's about me, then I'd like to go for a walk on the beach somewhere. Away from all this, away from everyone for a little while."
His face lit up. "Now?"
"Why not?"
"Dressed like this?"
"Why not?" she repeated. "What's stopping us?"
Jackson laughed. "Nothing."
Ally kept the dress on, just swapped her red heels for her more comfortable black ones and packed up her case again. She knew she should take the stage makeup off, that in the real world it would look out of place, but she didn't want to waste time. She just wanted to be out of there and spend some alone time for her husband. After greeting a small group of fans that were waiting backstage, signing a few more albums, T-shirts and autographs, and posing for a few pictures, with and without Jackson, they got inside the SUV and Jackson told Phil to take them to Malibu beach. They were almost there when undoing his seat belt Jackson leaned forward.
"Can you pull up over there?" he told Phil.
Ally frowned. "I thought we were going to the beach."
"Where exactly?" Phil asked, glancing in his rear-view mirror as he began to slow down.
"Outside the burger hut on the left," Jackson said, pointing, and checking his mirrors Phil did as bid.
"What are you doing?" Ally asked, looking around uncertainly.
"I told you; I'm hungry. I'll just grab a burger or whatever and we'll be on our way. You want something?"
"I'm okay."
"Phil?"
"I'm good too, thanks."
Phil parked up and, opening the back door, Jackson checked his pocket to make sure he had his wallet before leaning forward to kiss Ally on the mouth. "I won't be a minute."
"Maybe grab me a soda, okay?" she called before he shut the backdoor.
Ally caught Phil's eyes in the rear-view mirror and they shared a smile.
"How did it go?" Phil asked.
"How did what go?"
Phil laughed. "Ellen?"
"Oh." She gave her head a shake. "It went well, I think." She shrugged. "They're going to put the segment on YouTube, so you can see for yourself if you want."
"I will." He turned around on his seat so he could look at her directly. "Jack's looking good," he went on a little cautiously, nodding toward the burger hut.
Ally looked through the window toward where Jackson stood ordering from the menu on the wall. "He's doing real good actually," she replied, refocusing a soft smile on Phil.
"I'm glad to hear it. He's a great guy."
Ally's gaze narrowed. "You two known each other long?"
Phil pursed his mouth as he pondered his reply. "Twenty years maybe?"
"Twenty years?"
"Give or take. I used to be his roadie."
"Shut the fuck up."
Phil laughed. "I did, I swear. Ask him when he gets back."
"What happened?"
"I got married, then kids came along and the touring, well, it became too much so I stopped. We met up again about five years ago when I got this gig."
"My father's a driver," Ally remarked.
"I know."
She smiled. There was a knock on the window and Ally opened the door. "There's your drink," Jackson said, and she grabbed the can that was precariously perched on top of his food. She slid over to the other side and Jack got in. While Phil drove on to Malibu Beach Ally sipped at her drink while Jackson inhaled his burger and fries. "It's really good," he said, chewing, "You sure you don't want a bite?"
"I'm okay." She glanced at the fries on his lap and grabbed a few she quickly shoved into her mouth. Laughing as she chewed, she reached over to wipe a little mayonnaise from the corner of his lips before bringing her finger to her mouth and licking it off.
"Oh, you're so sexy, Mrs Maine," Jackson mouthed, winking before checking the rear-view mirror to make sure Phil wasn't watching.
The day was still overcast, the beach not as busy as it might have been on a sunny day, and while Phil waited for them in the parking lot, they took off their shoes, Jackson his socks too, and hand-in-hand walked down the beach to the water's edge. The tide was out, and gentle waves lapped at their feet, the water cold and reinvigorating. Jack rolled up his pant legs to his calves and they set off at a leisurely pace along the sandy shore. Lost in their own thoughts, they didn't speak for a long moment, simply content to enjoy the scenery, the walk and peace and quiet, a much needed reprieve after all the excitement of the last few hours. Only Charlie was missing.
"You know, I don't think I commented on your hair," he said, as reaching a rocky outcrop at the end of the beach they stopped to sit down.
The onshore breeze was blowing said-hair about her face and, smiling, she pushed it out of her eyes. "You like it?"
"I like it. Bet it pissed Rez right off."
She laughed. "He didn't say if it did. Didn't care much for the dress though, that much was clear. You know," she went on musingly, "if I'd had a beard, I'd have shaved it off too."
He laughed. "Glad we're on the same page."
He held her gaze for a moment longer before, a soft, contented smile on his lips he reached up his hand to her face and stroked it tenderly. Then he leaned over for a gentle kiss and the smile lingering on his lips turned to stare at the ocean stretching out before them. Smiling softly, she watched him watch the ocean for a long moment, watched the sky and bobbing waters reflected in his sunglasses, wondered at his thoughts.
Picking up his hand, she scooted closer to him and when instinctively he put his arm around her she leaned her head on his shoulder and watched the ocean too. It wasn't long until, just like him, she was entranced. His face lighting up suddenly, he pointed his hand to a point over to their right. Ally turned and watched as a silhouetted sailboat glided across the horizon way off in the distance. Its sails were full, the sea wind urging the boat southward along the coast.
"Do you ever think about leaving it all?" she asked, thinking how easy it would be to buy a boat and just leave all their troubles behind. "Like, sailing off into the sunset without looking back?"
"I get fucking seasick," he deadpanned, turning toward her, and she laughed.
"Seriously," she went on.
With a sigh, he turned back to the ocean. "No," he replied after a beat and shook his head. "Never." He turned to look at her and smiled. "Despite how fucked up I am inside right now, I'm happy here with you, with Charlie. I wouldn't want it any other way. Things are looking up, right?"
"Right."
"Your career that I derailed is back on track, and then there's the baby to look forward to." His smile widening, he looked down and lowered his hand to her abdomen. "This tiny life we've created. This second chance you're giving me."
Turning her attention back to the ocean, she gave a thoughtful nod.
"Why?" he then asked. "Do you think about packing up and leaving?"
"No," she replied simply, looking over to him. "Everything I want in life is here."
The breeze blew harder, fresher suddenly, causing her to repress a shiver, and he tightened his hold around her shoulders. "We should head back," he said. "Before it gets too cold."
She gave a soft nod, and after she'd brushed sand from her dress they set off again, retracing their long line of footprints in the sand.
"You going to be okay tomorrow?" he asked as they reached the car lot where Phil was waiting.
She frowned. "Tomorrow?"
"With Rez and the radio interview and stuff. I mean, I can change my plans―"
She stopped dead in her tracks. "Absolutely not. You need this time alone with Bobby, it'll be good for the both of you. I'll be fine on my own." She smiled. "Besides I have Charlie to keep me company."
"I'm going to miss you."
Her expression softened. "I'll miss you too."
His door open, Phil was sitting at the wheel, watching something on his cell when they got back. Intent, he didn't see or hear them approach and motioning for Ally to keep quiet Jack leaned inside the cabin to take a look at what Phil was watching. Turning toward Jackson with a start, Phil shut off his cell.
"One of these days you're going to give me a heart attack!" he exclaimed, his head shaking in disbelief as he pulled the buds out of his ears.
"So now you're watching videos of my wife?" Jack asked, nodding toward the cell in Phil's hand.
Looking a little sheepish, Phil glanced at Ally and nodded his head. "I was just checking out the Ellen YouTube channel, but the song's not there yet. And then I got sidetracked."
Jackson's face pinched with suspicion, or was it jealousy?
"Jack! Stop it!" Ally whispered, her head shaking in disbelief as she nudged Jack's arm, and then addressing Phil, "The video won't be put on until tomorrow at the earliest. Sorry, Phil," she went on, giggling as Jack opened the backdoor for her, "but we're going to put sand everywhere."
Phil let out an overlong, overdramatic breath. "Just…keep your feet in one place, will you?" he said, feigning annoyance.
The journey home took hardly any time, and Phil pulled up behind the two black limos her father, Ramon and the guys had travelled in. Bobby's truck was parked in front of them, and shaking her head Ally looked over at Jack. "How many people are coming?" she asked.
"Just them, I promise, and Phil if he wants to." Jackson turned toward Phil. "Come in for an alcohol-free drink and a bite to eat. It's only a small…gathering to celebrate Ally's return to the limelight."
"Oh, I don't know, but thank you."
"Please, Phil," Ally insisted. "It's the least we can do after we dirtied the car."
"Oh, alright, then. But I won't stay long."
Ally and Jack picked up their shoes while Phil got her case out of the trunk and walked barefoot down the path leading to the kitchen. The contractors had finished for the day, and everything was just a little too quiet.
"Remember to act surprised," Jackson whispered in her ear as she reached the open sliding door, and she smiled.
Charlie came rushing over to her, and she bent down to return his greeting. When she stood up again, everyone had gathered around and began cheering and clapping. She scanned her eyes over all the joyful faces and overwhelmed by all the love and affection she saw reflected back at her couldn't stop tears forming in her eyes despite the wide grin on her face.
"Sweetie, what's wrong?" Lorenzo asked with concern as he stepped forward.
"Nothing's wrong, Dad." Smiling a little shakily now, she looked at everyone again, reached down her hand to stroke Charlie who had jumped up on her. "I'm just…happy."