On The Edge
Chapter 50
RADIO
With her eyes closed, Addison was lost in the music coming from her headphones. "You and me…
We can only be who we are…" she sang softly before throwing her head back and screaming out the final chorus.
"And that's why I say…
You and me
We are like anarchy
Fuck your authority
I'll make my own
If you fight me
You're fighting a whole army
I make no apologies
If you push me too far
Who the hell do you think you are?"
The crackle of the intercom filled the air, making her open her eyes.
"Sounded great, Baby."
She laughed as she watched Mason smack Zed's hand away, only for Willa to reach over him and press the same button.
"Yes, Bitch! I love a good 'Fuck You, Lacey,' anthem!"
"Dammit! Both of you! No touchy!"
Addison rolled her eyes in amusement and placed the headphones on the microphone stand before walking out of the booth. "Now you know how Daddy felt all those years when you would touch everything, Mase," she teased as she found her way into Zed's waiting arms. She looked up into his eyes and smiled softly. "Hi."
"Hi," he whispered, running his hands through her hair as he leaned down and brushed a kiss across her lips. "I missed you… you've got to stop sneaking out on me in the middle of the night."
"I didn't want to wake you, handsome…"
"You should have."
"My fault," Willa said, holding up her hand. "Couldn't sleep, needed a good orgasm."
Zed's eyes widened as he looked back and forth between them. "Seriously? You definitely should have woken me up."
"I'm kidding," Willa laughed. "You know the rules. No more playing without all parties present."
Zed let out a small laugh and shrugged his shoulders. "I wouldn't have minded."
"I'm sure you wouldn't, perv."
"You're one to talk," Mason mumbled under his breath as he continued to work.
Addison shuddered. "Willa texted and asked if I wanted to hit the studio. We walked in to find Mase and Tracey… well… let's just say we will be getting a new couch up here immediately."
Zed looked over her head towards Willa, "Is that why you told me not to sit down?"
"Yeah." She nodded enthusiastically. "Slippery when wet would be an understatement."
Mason shrugged. "You should have knocked."
"It's my studio!" Addison exclaimed before wincing and rubbing her throat.
"You need to take a break, Baby."
She waved him off. "I'm fine. I just need some water."
Zed rolled his eyes and tightened his arms around her. "Don't make me go wake up Bucky."
She narrowed her eyes. "You wouldn't."
"He told you to take a break before he went to bed."
"But I need to finish the vocals…"
He held a finger against her lips and shook his head. "No…" he leaned down and kissed her softly. "You. Need. To. Take. A. Break."
"He's right," Mason chimed in. "I can hear the strain in your voice. Last album you ended up on vocal rest for over a week. Don't do that shit again."
Addison flipped him off. "Et tu Brute?"
Mason flipped her off in return. "There's no reason to be pushing yourself as hard as you have been for the last two weeks. We've already sent off enough material on tape to fill a boxed set, much less a debut album. The first single is already mixed, green-lit, and being sent out for distribution. Hell, you guys are supposed to be finalizing the tracklist tomorrow."
"On top of the photoshoot for the album and promos we already have scheduled," Zed added. "Take a break and just fucking enjoy it."
She sighed and rolled her head back. "I just want it to be perfect… speaking of perfect, Mase, I need strings on that last track."
"You and your fucking strings obsession…" Mason mumbled as he flipped her off again.
Zed guided her face back towards his. "It will be perfect because it's us," he said with a soft smile as his thumb traced the curve of her cheek.
"You've been in the studio working on this album just as much as me… why am I the only one that's being forced to take a break?"
"Because I have like a quarter of your vocal range, I'm not singing backup for the Pack's album, and I'm not helping Mason work out new material all while recording our own album," he said with a slight shrug of his shoulders as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Addison sighed again. "Fine…" she said reluctantly. "You're right."
A smirk formed on his lips. "What was that, Gorgeous? I don't think I heard you."
She smacked his shoulder before burrowing her face into his chest to hide a large yawn.
"It's my turn anyway, Pom-Poms," Willa said over a yawn of her own. "I need to get my vocals down for that last song before Wy and Wynnie come back."
"For fuck's sake, Willa," Mason whined. "I need sleep, too! This might come as a surprise, but I do have other clients, and an entire other studio to run! I'm overbooked tomorrow because I had to clear my schedule the next day for the board meeting at Bamm!."
"Yeah, but you love us more," she smiled sweetly.
He dropped his head onto the deck. "Ugh… fine… I'm giving you thirty minutes and then I'm walking out."
Zed chuckled. "You still haven't recorded, Wills? I thought those vocals were the whole reason you didn't go with them back home for their grandmother's birthday."
"I may have used recording as a way too convenient excuse… I love that woman dearly, but if I had to listen to her ask me one more time when Wy and I were going to get married and give her grandbabies, this birthday might have become her last." She let out a huff and shook her head. "Like I need a fucking piece of paper stating Wyatt fucking owns me… And kids? Are you fucking kidding me? The last thing I ever need to do is pop out a fucking litter… Fucking stupidest thing I've ever fucking heard…"
"Wow…" Mason said in shock.
"What?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "It's just… Tracey will be so disappointed he won't get the chance to plan your wedding or baby shower," he teased.
Willa rolled her eyes as he started laughing. "Ha Ha, laugh it up… he'll just have to be content with Bree's and then yours," she looked over to Addison and smirked. "At least I know I've got you in my corner."
Addison gave her a tight smile.
"I think it's a little too early for us to be planning a wedding or baby shower," Mason said.
Willa turned back to him and raised her eyebrows. "You know he has it planned already… FYI, the baby shower will be jungle-themed… I've seen the binder."
Mason chuckled to himself and shook his head. "He's definitely enthusiastic…" a small smile spread across his face. "...and he would make cute kids…"
Zed faked a loud yawn. "...I think I need to get this one back to bed," he said tightening his arms around Addison and kissing the top of her head. "Night guys," he added, not waiting for a response as he pulled Addison out of the room and down the hall towards the stairs.
As they began to climb the stairs up to the third floor, Addison broke the silence with a soft whisper."You know you don't have to do that." s
"Do what?"
"Pull me out of the room anytime someone mentions the word 'baby'."
Zed stopped walking. "You noticed that, huh?"
"Yeah… I noticed…" She let out a breath, shrugging her shoulders. "Z… I'm happy for Bree and Bonz, really… I'm fine… I wasn't for a long time, but…" she shrugged her shoulders again, hoping the right words would come to her. "… I've had a long time to process losing Penny."
"I haven't."
He said it so quietly she wasn't sure she had heard him correctly.
"I'm happy for them, too, it's just…"
Addison walked up to the step in front of him so they were eye to eye. "I'm sorry…" she whispered.
He gave her a half-smile that didn't reach his eyes. "You know, I never thought about having kids… like ever… I mean, it's not like I had the best father to emulate and I'd probably be more fucked up than even he is… But then when I found out about Penny…" he closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers, unable to finish.
"You couldn't help but wonder what it would be like…" she said for him.
He nodded, not trusting his voice yet.
"Yeah… I know that feeling all too well. I had a lot of time to imagine what life would be like with her… and even longer coming to terms with the fact that it would never be," her voice cracked as a single tear fell from her eye. "Dammit…" she laughed, wiping it away. "Just when I think I've run out of teardrops over this."
Zed wrapped his arms around her. "Please don't cry, Gorgeous."
She nodded, burying her face into his shoulder. "I'm fine… you?" she asked, pulling back to look into his eyes.
He nodded. "Yeah… I will be."
Her fingers found their way into his hair as she pulled him in for a kiss. "For whatever it's worth… you would have been a great dad."
He sniffled back the start of his own tears. "And you would have been a great mom."
"Doubtful," she said with a sad smile. "I'm way too selfish and fucked up… it's probably for the best kids aren't in my future…" She let out a ragged breath and closed her eyes, fighting back a fresh round of tears. "We've never talked about it… but if you want kids, and I can't… I understand… If..."
His lips crashed against hers, cutting her off. "You… I just want you…" He kissed down her neck. "Fuck that, I more than want… I need you. Forever. And. After." His teeth sank into her shoulder, making her gasp.
"I'm all yours."
"Vy di I agee tu dis?"
Addison popped her head out of her closet to find Zed standing in the doorway of the en-suite bathroom brushing his teeth.
"What?" she laughed, buttoning up her black blouse.
Zed held up a finger and disappeared back into the bathroom for a second before reemerging sans toothbrush. "I said, Why did I agree to this?"
"To what?"
"Voluntarily waking up this early," he groaned, padding across the bedroom to retrieve his jeans from the floor. "I hated doing this shit when I was in school and had to."
Addison laughed and walked up to him wrapping her arms around him from behind as he buckled his pants. "Because your sister has you wrapped around her little finger."
"She does not…"
She reached up and grabbed his chin, turning him towards her. "Yes she does… all she has to do is give you the big eyes and poke out her lower lip and you are putty in her hands, my dear."
He laughed and leaned down to kiss her. "Yeah, well…"
She suddenly pulled back.
"What…."
"Shh…." she whispered, placing her finger on his lips and leaning towards the door of the bedroom. "Do you hear that?"
"Hear what?" he mumbled around her finger.
Her eyes widened and a large smile spread across her face. "Have I ever mentioned how much I love your sister!"
"What?" He shook his head and laughed as he watched her run out of the room.
Addison flung Zoey's door open with a flourish. "And he's got my name…" she sang along loudly to the song coming from the speakers.
Zoey jumped and grabbed her chest. "Jesus, Addison…"
"Tattooed on his arm, his lucky charm…"
Zoey looked behind Addison to where her brother was now standing. "Why does your girlfriend know the words to this god-awful song?"
"...Trying to make remarks, keep us apart
But I don't even hear
I don't care…"
Zed shook his head. "I wouldn't insult Britney…" he mockingly whispered.
Addison ignored them both."'Cause mama I'm in love with a criminal…" she pulled Zed along, turning to look up at him as she continued to sing.
"And this type of love isn't rational, it's physical
Mama, please don't cry, I will be alright
All reason aside I just can't deny, I love the guy."
Zed shook his head again and pulled her into him. "You know… this song gives me an idea."
"And what would that be?"Addison asked, going up on her tip-toes to kiss him.
"I need your name tattooed on me."
"You already have my name tattooed on you," she smiled, nipping his lower lip.
"Not visible for the whole world to see…" he grabbed her hand and placed it over his heart. "I want your name right here… before we do the album shoot… I want everyone to know my heart is yours."
"Gods, you're such a romantic..."
"...And I've seen and heard enough," Zoey muttered, standing up to turn the music off.
Addison laughed and jumped up onto Zoey's bed. "If you're not a fan of Britney, why the early morning listening party?"
Zoey sighed and plopped back onto the bed next to her. "Homework."
"Homework?" Zed repeated, giving her a confused look.
"Yup… Mr. Morrison said we should listen to music that was 'outside of our comfort zone', or some bullshit like that. I don't frickin know why he thinks it'll help me with this stupid writer's block."
"Writer's block?" Zed questioned.
Zoey nodded her head. "Yeah. Spring Music Revue is in a week and I've still got jack shit." She dropped her head into her hands. "I feel like such a fucking impostor… I don't belong there."
"Okay…" Zed said cautiously as he sat down next to them on the bed. "There's clearly a lot to unpack here." He rubbed a hand down his sister's back, trying to comfort her. "Firstly, you do belong there."
She lifted her head and glared at him.
"Don't give me that look. I know it feels like you're an outsider, but trust me… everyone there feels the same way."
"I doubt it."
"He's right," Addison said, trying to help him out. "Everyone in that school is fighting to prove that they belong."
"But not everyone got in mid-year because of an overly generous donation and several phone calls to the admissions board by like six very persistent alumni."
Addison sighed. "Zoey… we wouldn't have done any of it if we thought for a second that you couldn't do it. That donation was to get you an audition. You got accepted all on your own. You belong there just as much as everyone else in your class."
Zoey gave her a doubtful look. "And what about my writer's block?"
"That's the next thing," Zed said. "Mr. Morrison is right. Listening to different types of music does help you get out of your own head and think about music from a different perspective."
"Well, it's not helping," she snapped.
"It doesn't for everyone," Addison said with a shrug. "The key is to find what helps you."
"And how am I supposed to do that?" Zoey threw her hands up in the air as she looked over at Zed. "What do you do when you're stuck?"
"No bullshit?"
She nodded her head.
"I think of Addison."
She rolled her eyes and grabbed her notebook, smacking him with it.
"What?" he said with a laugh. "It's true… she's been my Patty Boyd since the moment I laid eyes on her. Even when we weren't together, she was still a part of damn near everything I wrote."
Zoey rolled her eyes again. "Ugh… I can't even with you, big bro…" she looked over to Addison and shook her head. "I'd like to apologize for my brother. He clearly has issues… and has for a very long time."
Addison laughed. "Who doesn't?"
"True…" Zoey said. "What about you?
"Me? I've got more issues than Vogue."
Zoey laughed. "Clearly. I mean you are dating my brother… but I was asking about writing songs. What's you're secret?"
Addison smiled and stood up from the bed. "I think it's probably easier to show you. Come on." She grabbed Zoey's hand and drug her out of the room and down the hall.
"Adds…" Zed warned. "You're supposed to be taking a break."
"Yes, dear…" she replied, batting her eyelashes at him as she opened the door to her music room and walked in.
He leaned against the door frame and crossed his arms. "I'm serious. I don't want you hurting your vocal chords. Bucky and Mase have both told me how bad it was last time."
"I'll be fine. You worry too much."
He smirked and raised an eyebrow, making her roll her eyes.
"Can you please go make me a cup of coffee?" she asked, poking out her lower lip and looking up at him through her lashes.
Zed sighed, shaking his head. "That pout is lethal…" he walked into the room and kissed her pouty lips. "I'll be right back."
"Thank you, Baby."
His thumb traced her cheek as he smiled. "You're welcome, Gorgeous."
"Can you get me a cup while you're at it?" Zoey asked with big eyes and a pout of her own.
Zed looked over and laughed before looking back at Addison. "You were totally right."
"I know," she said with a triumphant smile.
He kissed her again and looked back at his sister. "Extra pale, extra sweet?"
"Just like me!"
He chuckled and nodded as he walked out of the room.
"Thank you…" they both called out.
When she was sure he was on the stairs Addison clapped her hands together. "Now that he's out the way, let's get to work." She grabbed a guitar off the wall and plugged into one of the cabinet amps. "You're taking the whole concept of writing a song too seriously," she said as she began to pluck out a catchy rhythm. "Songwriting should be organic… easy… if you get too far in your own head you're bound to get stuck."
Zoey sat on the piano bench. "And how am I supposed to get out of my own head?"
"Just listen to the music," Addison replied, continuing to play. "Let it soak into your soul and settle into your bones…" The tempo picked up. "And then just sing whatever pops into your head."
Zoey gave her a skeptical look. "I don't know…"
"Trust me," Addison smiled. "You can do this."
With a heavy sigh, Zoey closed her eyes and let the music wash over her. "Really, I've got nothing."
"Then sing about that."
Zoey huffed. "Nothing here to see
Just a kid like me
Trying to cut some teeth
Trying to figure it out
Nothing better to do
When I'm stuck on you
I'm still in here trying to figure it out."
"Good! Keep going!" Addison encouraged as her fingers slid down the frets, changing the beat.
She opened her eyes and smiled. "I said I'd go, put myself on show
But I'm still trying to figure it out
Nothing here to see
Just a kid like me
Trying to cut some teeth
Trying to figure it out."
Addison popped the strings to silence them and then started to clap. "See! You did it! You're a natural." She unplugged her guitar and hung it back up on the wall before joining Zoey on the piano bench. "So… you wanna maybe tell me what's really holding you back?"
"Am I that obvious?"
She laughed and shrugged her shoulders. "I have years of experience reading your brother… and you two can be pretty similar at times."
Zoey sighed and dropped her head down to the keys, making them sound out loudly. "I'm scared."
"Of?"
"Writing the song I want to write… I know what I want to write, but… what if it's not any good?"
"Then you try again. I write loads of shit I end up not wanting to sing… I usually just give those to Mason."
She looked up from the keys. "But it's my first revue… Zed's first revue performance was like the stuff of legend. Did you know Mr. Morrison still talks about that night?"
Addison smiled. "That song will always be one of my favorites, but your brother also had almost a full year at Seabrook under his belt by that point, not to mention the fact he'd been playing piano, guitar, and singing for years. You've only been at Seabrook for a month and have never had lessons…" she leaned in closer to add in a whisper, "And you're so much better than he was."
Zoey laughed quietly. "Even if you're just telling me that to make me feel better, thank you."
"You're welcome."
"I'm still nervous as hell though."
"It's natural. Even your brother was nervous before his first revue."
"What? No way."
"Way," Addison giggled. "I saw him before the play started. He had just finished puking."
"Eww…" she laughed. "Were you nervous for your first revue?"
Addison nodded. "Oh yeah. I was a ball of nervous energy. Mason made me do back handsprings across the parking lot before he would let me go inside."
"Seriously?"
"100%."
Zoey shook her head in disbelief. "I can't even imagine you being nervous about anything."
"I get nervous all the time." She shrugged her shoulders and gave Zoey a soft smile.
"What was your song?"
"For my first revue?"
Zoey nodded.
Addison's smile widened. "You know your brother is going to be pissed if I sing right now…"
Zoey stuck her lower lip out and widened her eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah… put the pout away kid…" Addison's fingers began to move across the keys of the piano, building a haunting lullaby.
"I pirouette in the dark
I see the stars through the mirror
Tired mechanical heart
Beats til the song disappears
Somebody shine a light
I'm frozen by the fear in me
Somebody make me feel alive
And shatter me…"
Her hands stilled as she looked over towards Zoey. "Of course, I had to be extra and decided to play the violin… Maybe Mason is right… I do have a strings obsession." She quietly laughed at herself and shrugged her shoulders.
"Addie?"
"Yeah?"
"If I write the song I want, will you help me?" Zoey asked in a small voice.
Addison smiled. "Of course."
Zoey threw her arms around her and hugged her tight. "Thank you."
Addison was momentarily shocked, but quickly melted and hugged her back. "You're welcome."
A voice cleared from behind them.
They both looked up to find Zed standing in the doorway holding their coffee.
"One travel mug of sickeningly sweet, and another of twisted black heart," he said with a smirk. "Just the way I like my two favorite women."
"And just how long have you been standing there, Jacobs?"
He laughed and walked into the room. "Long enough to hear you sing." He leaned down and kissed her.
Zoey snatched her coffee from him and stood up. "I'm going to go grab my backpack and a pop-tart before you two start making out and I lose my appetite. Meet you in the car. Don't make me come back up here to get you!"
He took her seat on the piano bench next to Addison. "Your coffee, Beautiful," he said, handing Addison her mug.
"Thank you… sorry I sang."
"No you're not," he said softly, leaning in to steal another kiss. "I know asking you not to sing is like asking you not to breathe… I'm just trying to keep you safe… I kind of love you and stuff."
"I kind of love you and stuff, too." Her nose scrunched up as she smiled and kissed him back.
"You know, for someone so selfish and fucked up, you're really good with her," he whispered, resting his forehead against hers.
"So are you."
They sat there together, enjoying the rare moment of silence.
"This is nice," Zed finally said quietly.
"Yeah… it is… A girl could get used to this."
He chuckled and nipped her nose. "Is my wild girl starting to settle down?"
Addison threw her head back and laughed before straddling his lap. "Hardly… although these last couple weeks have been a nice preview of how things could be in the very, very, oh so very distant, far away future… I miss the shit out of being on stage. The adrenaline rush when the lights come on and the crowd at your feet goes wild..."
"Oh, thank fuck," he sighed in relief. "I thought it was just me."
"Nope. I can't wait to get back on the road… But this has been a nice sort of calm before the storm… even if you have gone all soft on me lately."
He grabbed onto her ass hard and bent her backward, biting down on her neck. "There's no part of me that's soft when you're around, Baby," he growled, sending chills down her spine.
"ZED!" Zoey shouted from the stairs. "I'm going to be late! Let's go!"
He closed his eyes, resting his head on her shoulder. "We're getting out of here tonight."
"What?" She giggled, pulling his face up to hers and kissing him.
"You. Me. Away. For. The. Night." he said in between kisses. "I need you all to myself."
"ADDISON MEGAN DONNELLY GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE NOW!" Bucky screamed.
Zed shook his head. "Without the siblings around…"
"Sounds like heaven," she whispered kissing him again.
"I'm guessing Bucky just found out about the changes we made to the shooting location."
"ZED!"
"ADDISON!"
She sighed and bit his lower lip. "Definitely without the siblings."
Zed chuckled and picked her up, walking them towards the door. "Come on, Baby… we've got a sister to drop off, a brother to avoid, and a new tattoo to ink!"
"Sometimes, just sometimes, I wish I could possibly understand what your thought process is!" Bucky yelled as he paced back and forth.
Addison rolled her eyes, doing her best to ignore him as the makeup artist continued to apply her makeup. "Can somebody please calm him down before he has a heart attack? I think we'd all appreciate our manager living to see the album drop."
"Oh no… this is me as your brother being pissed the fuck off with you!" he shot back.
"Bucky…" Eliza said as calmly as she could while trying to hold back a laugh. "You really need to calm down." She couldn't hold it in any longer and started laughing.
"This isn't funny!"
"Oh, it's waaaaay funny," Tracey snickered.
Bucky pulled at his hair in frustration. "First I get an email from the photographer confirming that you changed today's location from his studio to a fucking cemetery and a morgue! Why didn't I know about this?!"
"Because we knew you'd react like this…" Addison mumbled.
"Our band is called Zombies and the album is called Back From The Dead," Bonzo said with a shrug. "It made more sense than the solid black setup that was originally pitched and that you approved without talking to any of us. Thank Christ, Bree helped us come up with something new."
"And we didn't do away with the plain black background entirely," Tracey added. "We're still using it for additional photos… just not the really big important ones."
Bucky ignored them both and glared at Zed. "Then you show up late..."
"We were not late," Zed corrected. "We pulled up exactly at eleven"
"I said to be here at 10:30! But nooooo… you had to go and get another fucking tattoo first!" he yelled at him.
Zed looked down at his bare chest where Addison's name was now tattooed across his heart. "It's perfect, isn't it? Should have gotten it done ages ago."
Bucky threw his hands up in the air and turned back to his sister, catching her eye in the mirror.
"And you… Why do you always have to be naked?! Why can't you just shoot an album cover with clothes on?!"
"Because sex sells, Brother-dear. I might hate her, but my mother did pass down a genetic masterpiece… might as well use it."
"Zed?" Bucky whined. "Back me up here…"
"Not a chance."
"What? Why the hell not?"
"Um… because a) she's the one who gets to decide what she's comfortable showing, b) I'm sure as shit not telling her otherwise, c) she looks hot as hell, and d) because she's right, sex sells… besides, we came up with the album art concept together… as a band. Unlike you, when you agreed to the photoshoot without asking us."
Bucky let out a breath. "I was trying to let you focus on the music."
"It wasn't your call to make."
He nodded his head. "You're right. I'm sorry…" he took a deep breath and glanced at Addison before looking back at Zed. "And you're fine with everyone in this room seeing her naked?"
"Everyone in this room has already seen me naked, Bartholomew," Addison reminded him.
"What about the photographer? Or the lighting team?"
Zed shrugged his shoulders. "As long as they don't touch her, yeah."
"And you're fine with everyone who buys the album, or looks up the album on the internet, seeing your girlfriend naked and doing god only knows what to and with those images?"
Zed smirked and looked over to Addison, throwing her a wink. "You okay with that, Baby?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
He looked back at Bucky and held up his hands. "Any further questions?"
Bucky let out a frustrated groan and dropped his head into his hands. "… never thought I'd miss you throwing punches at anyone who would even look at her."
Zed laughed and patted Bucky's shoulder. "If it makes you feel better, everyone is going to think your girlfriend is naked too."
Bucky growled. "She's at least going to be covered."
He held up his hands and backed away. "I'm just saying, when we're all laid out on those cold ass silver tables in the morgue, no one is going to be able to tell that she's wearing something underneath that little half sheet."
"Are you trying to get me to punch you in the face before these pictures?!"
Zed laughed and wrapped him up in a tight bear hug. "Not at all. I'm just trying to get you to ease the fuck up. So what if Adds is naked on top of a grave on the cover of the album? No one is going to see anything more than what the rest of us are showing off on the inside jacket. We're all good with it. Cut your sister some fucking slack and get back to being our manager, because when you do, you'll realize that this is a smart move."
Bucky pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a deep breath. "I swear I'm going to smother you all in your sleep."
Zed patted his back once again. "Well, it's a good thing we won't be home tonight, then."
His eyes flew open. "What do you mean? Where the fuck are you going? We have a board meeting tomorrow!"
Addison threw up her hands and stood up, apologizing to the makeup artist before turning on her brother.
"Eliza, can you please explain to your boyfriend, my brother, why I might need a night away with my boyfriend without our siblings around before he ends up on the receiving end of a low kick?"
"I would think it would be pretty obvious," she said with a shrug of her shoulders. "But I'll try…" Eliza took Bucky's hand in hers and smiled up at him sweetly. "Babe, your sister needs a night away so that she and Zed can…"
Bucky held his hand over her mouth. "Do not finish that statement… If you love me at all, please… just, don't."
Eliza's shoulders shook with silent laughter as she kissed his cheek.
"Knock, knock…"
Addison looked over in disbelief. "Are you two ever actually in the office?" she asked as Jamie and Harrison walked into the room.
"Very funny kid," Jamie said as he kissed her cheek.
"I was seriously asking."
"Don't worry," he answered with a smile. "I'm sure the label is running just as smoothly as it was when we left twenty minutes ago… But I do like that you seem to be taking more of an interest lately. I would like to retire at some point."
"If by some point you mean in the next fifty years, then sure," she said with a large smile. "But for right now, I'm doing exactly what I've always wanted to be doing."
"Since when is posing naked what you've always wanted to do?!" Bucky exclaimed.
"Jesus, just get the fuck over it!" Addison snapped.
Jamie and Harrison both exchanged a look before focusing back on her.
"Um… what?" Jamie asked.
Addison closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. After silently counting backward from ten she opened her eyes and smiled. "My brother is being his typical overprotective, over-reactive self. He's pissed we went behind his back and changed the album concept art from the boring-ass generic bullshit he approved to something that more accurately expresses us as a band."
"Naked?" Harrison asked.
"Last time I checked, they didn't perform autopsies with clothes on."
Harrison's eyes widened. "Oooookay…. Um…" He held up a file folder. "We need you guys to review these."
"What is it?" Bucky asked as he walked over to him.
"The tracklisting and the single release order," he said handing Bucky the folder.
Zed snatched the folder out of Bucky's hand.
"Hey!"
"Our album," Zed shrugged as he opened the folder and set it on the vanity table in front of Addison for them to review together.
"The first single is already being sent off for radio distribution," Harrison said as Zed and Addison began to read through the proposed lists. "And as soon as you guys settle on the cover art, we'll press for sales and digital release."
Addison nodded. "I agree with the single order, but I want to do this old school. Everything done on vinyl as well, including the singles. And I want unreleased tracks on the B sides."
"I love the way you think," Zed whispered, leaning down to brush a kiss on her lips, careful not to mess up her makeup.
Tracey clapped excitedly. "That would be so bad-ass. Imagine someone creating a full Zombies vinyl collection!"
Harrison nodded. "I like it… Let my office know what songs you want as your B sides and we'll put it together. Any other changes?"
Addison held up another piece of paper. "What's this?"
"Oh, that…" he looked over to Jamie.
"The Recording Academy reached out to us," Jamie said. "Every year they put out a compilation album with a few of the performances from that year's induction ceremony."
"This isn't for a compilation album," Addison stated matter of factly, pointing to the paper.
"No… Given the unique nature of your performance, and the interest the Recording Academy has received in regards to it, they would like to release your set as its own EP."
"With all proceeds going towards Music Cares?"
"That's what they're proposing," Jamie answered. "We're welcome to counteroffer or reject their proposal altogether."
Harrison held up his finger. "I will add that I think we should counter offer. There's a lot of buzz around that set. You guys could make some serious money."
Addison rolled her eyes. "Guys…" she looked around at the rest of the band. "Would anyone oppose if we kept the deal as is and gave the money to charity?"
"Dollface, it was your Daddy's tribute. That's not for us to decide."
"Yeah, but you guys played that set with me."
"So…" Bonzo said with a shrug. "Besides, if there's that much buzz about it, it'll translate to album sales for our actual album, right?" he asked, looking over to Bucky.
"He has a point," Bucky said with a shrug. "And Dale was always an advocate for Music Cares… It would feel all kinds of wrong to take money from them."
"I agree," Eliza added looking at Zed. "What about you, Stretch?"
He smiled down at Addison. "I was just stoked to play. I don't need the money."
Jamie clapped his hands together. "Perfect! I was hoping that's what you guys would say."
"And I think you're missing a huge opportunity," Harrison said. "But, your band, your lost money… Any issue with the tracklisting?" He asked, changing the subject.
Addison read over it once more and frowned.
"What's wrong?" Zed asked quietly.
"Nothing really… It's a great list, great order, it all flows well together…"
"But…"
She smiled up at him. "FOMO."
He shook his head and smiled. "I get it."
"What?" Harrison asked with a confused look on his face.
"I'm just worried that we haven't yet recorded the perfect song."
Jamie bit back a laugh. "You're such a perfectionist… you remind me so much of your Dad… always working to get the perfect track." He sighed and shook his head. "I've heard the album, Addison. Saying it's amazing would be an understatement. Stop stressing about it."
"See! I told you so," Zed said triumphantly.
She rolled her eyes but smiled. "Fine." She looked back up at Zed. "What do you think? It's your band's debut album."
"Our band," he corrected, nailing her with a serious stare. "And I think the tracklisting is perfect… Just. Like. You." he said, kissing her between the words.
Harrison let out a sigh of relief. "Great! Now all that's left is pictures today so we can get them to the art department ASAP and then a video shoot. I'll have someone in my office coordinate schedules," he looked over to Bonzo, "I know there's a wedding coming up soon, don't want to interfere with that… and we'll get a few proposals for treatments from a few directors and then we'll be good to go!"
Tracey's eyes widened. He stood up and walked over to Addison, pushing Zed out of the way. "This is really happening… isn't it Honey Bunny? Like, we recorded an actual album, and we're actually about to shoot the cover, and we just discussed music videos, and… and… and oh my god I think I need to sit down…" he rushed out, starting to lose his breath.
Addison stood back up and wrapped her arms around him, planting a loud kiss on his cheek. "Yeah… this is really happening."
Tracey was silent for a moment before letting out a loud, high-pitched shriek of excitement.
Addison sat in the passenger seat of her car furiously scrubbing at her forearm as they waited in the Seabrook High pick-up line.
"Baby, you're going to take the skin off if you scrub any harder," Zed said with a slight laugh in his voice.
Addison threw the cotton ball at him and stuck her tongue out. "Seriously, what the hell kind of witchcraft makeup did they use to cover my tats?"
He grabbed her hand and placed a lingering kiss on the top as he met her eyes with a heated gaze. "How about I help you clean up tonight? It's been way too long since I've had you in a bubble bath."
She sucked her lower lip between her teeth and ran her tongue along his name. "Cleveland…" she whispered breathlessly.
"Like I said… way too long."
"I swear I should have had you two drop me off at the salon first," Bonzo grumbled from the backseat.
"I'm not complaining… I'm hoping for more of a show, so… do continue," Tracey said waving a hand towards the front seat.
Addison turned towards them both and rolled her eyes. "Zoey will be out any minute. There's not enough time for us to even start putting on a show."
"You know I could do a whole hell of a lot to you in that short of a time…" Zed said as he guided her face back to his and flashed her the smile that had always belonged just to her. "...I'd just prefer to not be arrested for doing them on school property."
"Then maybe you should stop looking so cute… you're making me want to sit on your face."
Zed shook his head, laughing. "Anytime, baby… anytime." He pulled her in and kissed her.
Bonzo rolled down the window and pretended to vomit out the side.
Oooh, ooh, oooh...
"When did Mase send you the final copy?" Tracey asked all of a sudden.
Oooh, ooh, ooh...
Addison pulled away from Zed's lips just far enough to ask, "Final copy of what?"
"Um… the final mix of the single?" He said, pointing to the radio. "And by the way, he was totally right, that intro is catchy as shit."
Every time you come around, you know I can't say no…
Zed's eyes widened as he reached over and turned up the car stereo. "Mason didn't send us anything…"
Every time the sun goes down, I let you take control…
"Holy shit…" Bonzo whispered in disbelief.
Slowly, Addison and Zed turned back towards one another. Both wearing nearly identical looks of shock on their faces.
I can feel the paradise before my world implodes…
"Baby…" he whispered. "That's your voice…"
And tonight had something wonderful…
A tear slipped from her eyes. "That's us… we're on the radio!"
He turned the radio up even louder as Addison started to sing along.
"My bad habits lead to late nights endin' alone
Conversations with a stranger I barely know
Swearin' this will be the last, but it probably won't
I got nothin' left to lose, or use, or do…"
Zed opened the sunroof as Tracey screamed out of his window. "We're on the radio!"
"My bad habits lead to wide eyes stare into space
And I know I'll lose control of the things that I say
Yeah, I was lookin' for a way out, now I can't escape
Nothin' happens after two, it's true, it's true
My bad habits lead to you…"
As the heavy guitars sounded Zed grabbed Addison's face, crashing his lips to hers.
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
My bad habits lead to you
Zed pulled away and rested his forehead against hers as a wicked grin spread across his face. "Come on…"
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
"What are we…" Addison started to ask as he got out of the car, running around to her side and throwing open the door.
My bad habits lead to you
"Every pure intention ends when the good times start…" he sang as he took her hand and pulled her out of the car.
"Fallin' over everything to reach the first time's spark…"
His hands brushed through her hair as he stared into her eyes.
"It started under neon lights, and then it all got dark
I only know how to go too far…"
Addison's nose scrunched up as she stole a quick kiss.
"My bad habits lead to late nights endin' alone…" she sang as she took his hand in hers and led him to the front of the car.
"Conversations with a stranger I barely know…" she stepped up onto the hood, challenging him with a sexy wink to follow her.
"Swearin' this will be the last, but it probably won't
I got nothin' left to lose, or use, or do…" she continued onto the roof of the car, careful not to fall into the sunroof.
He climbed up behind her, wrapping his arms around her as he took over.
"My bad habits lead to wide eyes stare into space
And I know I'll lose control of the things that I say
Yeah, I was lookin' for a way out, now I can't escape…" he kissed the side of her neck, his nose skimming along until his lips were by her ear.
"Nothin' happens after two, it's true, it's true
My bad habits lead to you…"
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Tracey and Bonzo had climbed onto the hood, singing along at the top of their lungs.
My bad habits lead to you
"Oh my god!" Zoey screamed as she ran up to the car. "You're on the fucking radio!"
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
"Get up here, Baby Zom!" Tracey exclaimed as he helped her climb up onto the car.
My bad habits lead to you
Addison turned around in Zed's arms. "We took the long way 'round…" she sang as she smiled up at him. "Still burn, our fire never ran out."
His thumb traced the side of her face and across her lips as he joined in. "Yeah, we took the long way 'round… Still burn, our fire never ran out."
Another car came to a screeching halt beside them with windows open blaring their song. "We're on the mother fucking radio!" Bucky and Eliza spilled out of the car and raced to join them.
Zoey jumped up to the roof and hugged them both tight as she jumped up and down. All of them singing the chorus as loud as they could, ignoring the honking of horns from the other cars in the pick-up line.
"My bad habits lead to you…" Zed screamed into the sky with his head thrown back.
"My bad habits lead to you…
My bad habits lead to you, it's true…" he grabbed Addison by the waist and dipped her low.
My bad habits lead to you." He kissed her hard, pouring every overwhelming emotion he was feeling into it, knowing she felt the same.
"Miss Donnelly! Mr. Jacobs! Miss Jacobs! Mr. Bucchanan! And… all of you other people that matriculated elsewhere!"
They all silently turned their heads toward the sidewalk to find Principal Lee standing before them.
Zed and Addison started to laugh. "Sorry, Principal Lee…" they both said in unison.
She crossed her arms, shaking her head. "Some things never change… Clear this traffic jam up at once!" She started to walk away but stopped, turning back to them she smiled. "By the way… congratulations! I always expected great things from you."
As she walked off, Zed looked back to Addison. His hand traced the curve of her face. "I am so fucking in love with you, Addison Donnelly."
Her breath caught as the heated look in his eyes set her insides on fire. "And I'm so fucking in love with you, too, Zed Jacobs."
"Zoey…" He said, not taking his eyes off of Addison.
"Yeah, Big Bro?"
"Bucky's gonna take you back to the house."
"I am?" Bucky asked.
"Yeah…" Addison answered, still staring into Zed's eyes. "… everyone else, too."
"Could you not go all fucking Zeddison at the moment…" he grumbled as he shook his head.
"Leave them alone, B," Eliza said with a large smile as she nudged him playfully. "They've got a lot to celebrate and it's probably for the best if you're not around when they start."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah...Alright, everyone in the car. It's going to be a tight fucking squeeze." He looked back up to the roof of the car where Addison and Zed were still standing. "By the way, you dented the shit out of your car… but it was kind of worth it," he said with a smile. "Can't believe you guys are finally on the radio." With that, he got back into his car with everyone in tow and drove off.
Addison looked back up into Zed's eyes. "We're on the radio…" she whispered as a large smile spread across her face, ignoring the honking of horns and shouts coming from the other cars in the pickup line as they drove around them.
"So unfucking believable…"
"Not even they can stop me now
Boy, I'll be flying overhead
Their heavy words can't bring me down
Boy, I've been raised from the dead…" she sang softly, making Zed laugh.
"Spoken like a true Zombie, Gorgeous."
"No one even knew how hard life was
I don't even think about it now because
I've finally found you…" she kissed his lips and jumped up, wrapping her legs around his waist.
"Oh, sing it to me
Now my life is sweet like cinnamon
Like a fucking dream I'm living in
Baby love me cause I'm playing on the radio
How do you like me now?
Pick me up and take me like a vitamin
'Cause my body's sweet like sugar venom oh yeah
Baby love me cause I'm playing on the radio
How do you like me now?"
"I can not wait to get you to the hotel…" he snarled, biting onto her lower lip. "You need to rest your voice… you're going to be doing a lot of screaming tonight," he said as he set her on her feet, nailing her with another heated stare. "And if we don't get going soon, Principal Lee is probably going to call the cops on us."
She giggled and pulled him back down for another quick kiss. As they started to climb down off the roof, Addison got a good look at her car. "Oh crap… we really did do some damage… Oops," she giggled, again.
"Bucky was amazingly chill about it though," Zed said with a shrug as he helped her down to the ground. "Probably won't be when he gets the bill for repairs."
A wicked smile played on her lips. "I'm not fixing this thing. I fucking hate it."
"Uhoh. I know that look… what kind of trouble are you about to get into?"
"The expensive kind!" She hopped into the driver's seat before Zed could.
Zed shook his head and laughed as he walked around to the passenger side. "You know your brother is going to be pissed if you show up with a new Ferrari."
"Well then, I guess I'll be getting something different…" she pretended to ponder for a moment. "Hmmm… Bugatti or Maserati?"
Zed threw his head back and laughed. "You don't do anything small, do you, Baby?"
"Nope! That's why you love me!"
"One of the many reasons…" he said, taking her hand and kissing it. "Now let's hurry up and get you a ridiculously obscene car before I take the wheel and drive us straight to the hotel."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: 50 chapters! Ahhhh! I totally had to rewrite the majority of this chapter because I lost the first draft in the great computer automatic update/restart of 2022 (I lost soooooo much stuff… lesson learned, I'm saving everything obsessively as I go from now on). I know the last couple chapters have been slow, but I promise we're moving toward more exciting storylines! Thank you, as always, for sticking with my seriously sporadic and slow updates and for continuing to love this story as much as I do!
MUSIC USED IN THIS CHAPTER
Anarchy, Lillith Czar
Criminal, Britney Spears
Shatter Me, Lindsey Sterling ft. Lzzy Hale
Bad Habits, Ed Sheeran ft. Bring Me The Horizon
Radio, Lana Del Rey