Thank you everyone for being so patient. Not just for this chapter, but for getting to the performance too. It's just that when I start a chapter I'm never 100% sure where it will end because sometimes other characters pop up and want to be heard too. But, as you'll see at the end of this chapter, the performance will be upon us very soon. I promise chapter 30 will start with Loren's first big awards show performance. Thanks everyone for your reading and sending me your feedback. Follow me on twitter AT amd6841. Keep the feedback coming and enjoy!
AD
Loren sat in front of the mirror staring at her reflection. She always thought her nose was too big and her ears stuck out too much. Her hair lacked brilliancy, and she was way too short, but the girl staring back at her wasn't worried about any of that. The girl staring back at her was about to perform in front of an audience of possibly millions. She had no room for self doubts.
A little voice in her head also told her that she was in danger. The people whom she loved were in danger. A woman was dead. Loren tried to wrap her mind around that, but she couldn't come to terms with it. Who would kill over something like this? That was the only negativity she would allow to creep into her thoughts, and only so she could be prepared for anything tonight.
"Are you ready?" Eddie said as he came up behind her and leaned on the back of the chair.
Loren saw he was wearing black pants and a fitted jacket that was a bit more gray but could still be called black. His buttoned-down shirt was black and the look was completed with a black and gray tie. His charming smile was ever present and still made her stomach do somersaults.
"It took you about ten minutes to put that on, right?" Loren laughed as she stood up.
"Twelve," Eddie answered. He leaned in to kiss her, but Loren pulled back.
"This makeup took an hour and a half," Loren said. "Kelly would kill me."
"I can't kiss you at all tonight?" Eddie asked with a slight pout.
"After the red carpet," Loren said as she blew a kiss at him.
"Don't you dare!" Kelly screeched as she walked into the bedroom and saw Loren's puckered lips get close to Eddie.
Loren laughed and walked past both of them into the living room. While Mel, Ian, Nora, Max, and everyone on the style team gushed over how she looked, Loren caught her reflection in the full-length mirror. Her purple dress had a deep "V" down the front and cinched with a silver broche on the left side of her waist. The skirt fell a few inches above her knees showing her shapely legs. Her matching purple heels gave her an extra five inches of height, which was much higher than she was used to.
"Are you sure my shoes have to be this high?" Loren asked nervously.
"Yes," Mel and Kelly said in unison.
More words of encouragement and praise came from everyone in the room, but Loren turned her eyes to one person for her opinion.
"You look perfect," Nora said.
Loren rapidly blinked trying to keep her tears at bay.
"No, no, no," Kelly said. "Let's get going before you ruin your makeup."
"I'll see you at the label after party," Mel told Loren as she gave her a hug. "You look fantabulous."
"Okay, let's go," Kelly said ushering Eddie and Loren out of the room. Loren was in a fog as everyone hugged her and gave her well wishes. She only came back down to reality when she was in the limousine waiting in a long car line to make their entrance on the red carpet.
"Just like the last one," Kelly said as they sat in the limo. "I'll go first and then Eddie will get out, and he will help you step out. Your job is to smile, wave, and sign autographs. Let me control the flow."
"She knows," Eddie said squeezing her hand which was laced in his. "She's a pro at this now."
"This is going to be bigger than the last one," Kelly said. "More cameras, more interviews, more fans . . . "
"Yeah," Loren said with a smile, "I'm ready."
"That's my girl," Eddie said as he kissed the back of her hand. "Tonight's gonna go by fast. Try to enjoy it."
"I will," Loren said. "I'll enjoy it more with you next to me."
"We're up," Kelly said with her hand on the door. "Paste a smile on your face, don't drop a hint about you performing tonight, and enjoy this," Kelly finished with a smile.
Loren heard Kelly step out and took in the noise and chaos just outside the door.
"We got this," Eddie said with a smile.
Loren let out a long steady breath as Eddie stepped out of the limousine. A roar erupted, and Loren could hear Eddie's name being called from all directions. She looked up and saw his hand reach into the limo waiting for her. She placed her hand in his and stepped out, adjusting her dress as she balanced on her five inch heels.
"You look beautiful," Eddie said in her ear and then kissed her cheek. He lingered a second longer than usual so the cameras could get a shot of him kissing her. Flash bulbs went off at a frantic pace as his lips were on her cheek.
"Yeah, we got this," Loren whispered as Eddie led her, his hand laced in hers, to the throng of paparazzi, reporters, and fans.
"I need your advice about something," Max said as he and Nora sat on the couch in their condo.
"Okay," Nora said as she ran her hand through his hair. "But my services are not cheap."
Max leaned in and kissed her. "Consider that a down payment."
"Mmmmm, okay," Nora said. "Now what's up?"
"My PI found something out, and I'm not sure if I should tell Eddie about it," Max said.
"What is it?"
"This actor that Eddie knew was at the gala the other night. He and Eddie were very good friends a few years ago, but had some sort of falling out. I never knew what it was about, but Joe told me that this man's sister died right around the time he and Eddie stopped talking. It seems as if he blamed Eddie."
"How did she die?" Nora asked.
"Apparently she overdosed," Max said.
"Oh, that's so sad," Nora said. "Is that why they weren't on speaking terms?" Nora asked.
"I don't know to be honest," Max said. "There was a period after Katy died that Eddie was acting out and distanced himself from me."
"I never knew that, Max. I'm sorry," Nora said with genuine sympathy. She couldn't imagine being estranged from Loren. "What's your concern about this man now?" She asked.
"Don't you think it's strange that he's back in Eddie's life?"
"Maybe he wanted to reconnect with an old friend," Nora offered.
"Maybe, but Joe also told me that this guy, Mitchell is his name, had a PI look into Eddie's private life."
"Whoa, okay that's odd," Nora agreed. "What are you going to do?"
"That's my question," Max said. "Should I tell Eddie?"
"What do you have to tell him right now?" Nora asked. "Just a suspicion. Even so, it's a weak suspicion. You don't know what he was trying to find out. He could have wanted to know where Eddie was so he could look him up."
"So you don't think I should say anything?"
"It's a tough call, but I would wait until I knew more. I mean, Eddie is so busy with Loren right now, I don't see how this Mitchell will play a big role in his life."
"You think?"
"Yes," Nora said reassuring him. "Both of us are close to our kids. We would see if there was a bad influence there. Maybe he'll be at the after party tonight so I can meet him. I'll give you my gut feeling about him."
"Sounds like a plan," Max said. "We better get moving if we're gonna make the awards show. Don't you want to see your baby girl on a stage in front of millions?"
"I think I'm more nervous than she could possibly be," Nora said as she stood. She was wringing her hands as she walked into the bedroom.
"She'll be great," Max said as he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. "You'll see. Her career is really going to take off now."
"I agree," Nora said. "I guess it's inevitable."
Max let out a pent up sigh causing Nora to turn in his arms and look him in the eyes.
"What's wrong?" Nora asked.
"I'm so thankful to have you in my life," Max said. "Back when Eddie was going through his Chloe drama, I sat up many nights wondering if I was doing the right thing, and I didn't have anyone to talk to. I thank God I have you."
Nora smiled and kissed him. Words couldn't express how thankful she was to have him too.
Loren worked the red carpet, smiling, nodding, posing, answering questions, and signing autographs. She was having fun. Every so often she would look over at Eddie who was a few feet over and see how comfortable he was. For a moment, he was Eddie Duran international pop star, and she was in awe of him. A few times he walked over to her, put his arm around her waist, and they would pose for pictures. Each time he would whisper something in her ear that made her smile and then he was off on his own working the crowd again.
"Loren," a reporter said as she vied for her attention. Kelly steered here over to the reporter.
"Loren, you look great," the reporter said.
"Thank you," Loren answered.
After a few benign questions about the upcoming tour and album, Eddie joined them.
"Now that I have you two together," the reporter started.
Loren fully expected the reporter to ask about tonight's performance since all the other reporters were trying to get her to dish about it.
"What is your reaction to the news that Chloe Carter got married?"
Loren looked over at Eddie with a confused stare. Eddie let out a chuckle then said, "I wish her and her new husband all the best."
Other reporters heard the question, and suddenly Chloe's name was being heard all around. Kelly quickly ushered them on through the rest of the red carpet mainly signing autographs and posing for pictures. Once they were inside the MGM Grand Arena, Loren let out a long sigh.
"All your wardrobe changes are backstage," Kelly said. "Producers will come get you when it's time to get ready for the performance."
"We're performing second, right?" Loren asked nervously.
"Yeah," Eddie said. "We won't be in our seats long."
Kelly grabbed Loren's hand and squeezed it before she walked off.
"I am already exhausted," Loren laughed. "And what was that all about on the red carpet?"
Eddie put a finger up to his lips as if to shush her while he grabbed Loren's hand and led her through the throngs of people. He nodded his head to a few people, some of whom were celebrities, as he led her to a quiet corner.
Eddie cupped her face with one hand as he kept their fingers interlaced and kissed her. It was a slow lingering kiss that turned more than a few heads.
"People are looking," Loren said as her lips still hovered close to his.
"I don't care," Eddie said as he closed the gap between them once again. He pulled back and said, "This may be my last moment alone with you the rest of the night. I just wanted to make sure you knew how much I love you."
"Of course I do," Loren said. "I love you too."
"And whatever Chloe does with her life," Eddie said, "Has nothing to do with us. I know they were trying to get a reaction for the cameras, and you handled it like a pro."
"I have a great teacher," Loren smiled.
"I guess we better take our seats," Eddie said. "You doing okay?"
"Absolutely," Loren said. Eddie led her to their seats as Loren nervously awaited their cue to perform.
Ian sat on the couch waiting for the live telecast of the Billboard Music Awards to start. Mel walked out of the kitchen with a bowl of popcorn and sat down next to him.
"I thought you had a photo gig tonight?" Mel asked.
"I did," Ian said. "But I wanted to watch my friend perform. If I was working that gig, I would already be out shooting the party."
"Oh," Mel said a bit disappointed. Part of her had hoped that Ian had given up his photo gig to be with her. It made sense that Ian would want to see Eddie perform.
"So what songs do you think they're going to do tonight?" Mel asked.
"I have an idea," Ian said, "but I want you to be surprised."
"That's not fair," Mel pouted.
"Who said life was fair?" Ian asked as he swiped the bowl of popcorn from her lap.
"Hey," Mel said as she reached for the bowl. Ian kept it out of reach causing Mel to cross his body to try and grab it. Mel stopped giggling when she realized she was spread across Ian's chest. Her face was inches from his. Her breath quickened and her heart beat a faster rhythm. She put her hands on his chest and pushed herself off of him inching a safe distance away.
"I'm sorry," Mel said.
"I'm not," Ian said. After a few seconds he said, "What's going on here?"
"What do you mean?" Mel asked.
"I mean, you are unlike any girl I've known," Ian said. "You're spirited, fiercely loyal, beautiful, witty . . . shall I go on?"
"If you must," Mel smiled.
"You're all of that, yet I feel a hesitation from you," Ian said.
"I guess there is," Mel said as she looked down at her hands. "It's just that – "
As Mel was talking a news report came on about the murder of a woman in a hotel the night before. Mel turned to look at the story and recognized the name of the woman as the one Jake said he was with. She had been a local resident and former dancer at one of the hotels. Mel saw the picture of the woman on the screen and furrowed her eyebrows.
"Wait, that's not right," Mel said.
"What isn't?" Ian asked turning to the screen.
"That woman they're showing," Mel said, "She's not the one I saw with Jake last night."
"What?"
"Right before you walked up to him, I saw a woman walking with Jake, and that wasn't her. This woman was African-American, and the woman I saw him with last night was not."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm positive," Mel said. "And if she was local, why was she in a hotel room?"
"I don't know," Ian said. "But I'll call Max and have him relay your information to his PI."
"This is getting absolutely . . . " Mel stopped and looked over at Ian who was on the phone waiting for Max to answer when she finished with, "scary."
"I don't suppose you're drowning your sorrows."
Oz Silver had sat next to the open bar chair next to Tyler. Tyler was in no mood to speak to anyone. He had come to Las Vegas hoping . . . It didn't matter now. He was tired of getting trampled on. When would be ever learn?
"Why would I be doing that?" Tyler asked as she threw his head back and finished his glass.
"Give my friend another, and I'll take a scotch neat please," Oz said to the bartender. He turned back to Tyler, "You found out Chloe got married. Don't you think I know the look of a man who's heartbroken?"
"To be heartbroken implies having a heart," Tyler said.
"You don't have to pretend with me," Oz said. "I saw the two of you together. I know I pressured Chloe to stay with Eddie, but that was purely selfish. What you and she had was . . . "
"What?" Tyler asked.
"You two were like Rhett and Scarlett. Your problem wasn't love, it was timing, or mindset, or something else on the outside influencing you two."
"What does it matter now?" Tyler said as his drink arrived and he took a long swallow. "She's married."
"If you still care for her, she may need your help," Oz said.
"I'm done with her," Tyler said. "I have been for a while now."
"Then why are you here in Vegas?" Oz asked as he took a sip of his drink.
Tyler slowly turned his head to Oz, "Okay, why does she need my help?"
"I don't know exactly what's going on," Oz said, "But I think Dylan Boyd may be looking to cause her trouble.
Loren had endured her first backstage-major-awards-show-wardrobe change fairly well. Everything was chaotic and completely wild. She was wearing a black sequins dress that hugged her figure. She convinced Kelly to lower the height of her shoes; Loren didn't want to fall flat on her face in front of millions. The pins were out of her hair so her curled auburn locks would flow around her face as she performed.
Eddie was going to start the performance sitting at the piano, so he needed to be out on the stage before they began. This was the only negative about their medley; he couldn't stand next to her and encourage her out onto the stage.
Eddie was about to take his position when Loren grabbed his hand. "Don't walk out without a good luck kiss."
Loren gave him a chaste kiss and smiled when she pulled back. "I love you, Eddie Duran."
"Back at cha, Loren Tate," Eddie smiled. He turned and disappeared onto the dark stage.
Kelly waited with Loren on the side of the stage. Loren could hear mild rumblings in the crowd as everyone waited for the network to come back from commercial. She took a couple of calming breaths as she tried not to strangle the microphone in her hand.
"You'll be fine," Kelly said. "You've been waiting for this moment. You and Eddie will do this together, but trust me Loren, you could do this alone. You've done it alone. There's no reason to be nervous."
"I know," Loren said as she exhaled a long breath again. "This is just so huge."
"It is," Kelly said. "But you're ready."
Loren's head snapped when she heard the host begin to introduce the next performer, Eddie Duran, and a special guest. A huge applause erupted from the crowd.
"Oh my God, that's me," Loren said.
"Yes, it is," Kelly said. "Loren, focus."
"No, I'm fine, I'm fine," Loren said looking over at Kelly. "You think I'm gonna faint, don't you?"
"It's happened before," Kelly muttered.
Loren turned back to the stage when she heard Eddie begin to play the piano. His voice filled the arena, and Loren closed her eyes waiting for her cue.
Kelly quickly reached into her waistband and pulled out a flask. She poured a shot and tapped Loren on the shoulder, "Here, take this."
Loren turned, "What is it?"
"Just take it," Kelly said. "Trust me."
Loren took the shot and threw her head back and downed it. The liquid slid down her throat and instantly warmed up her insides.
All she had time for was one more deep breath because her cue was seconds away.
This was her time.
