"The Academy can suck my ass if we aren't nominated for a Grammy," Lynn raised her beer. "To Lilly!"
Beca, Lynn, and Aubrey raised a beer bottle to clink alongside Lilly's while Chloe brought her glass of soda up against her companions.
They were at one of Lisa Vanderpump's restaurants celebrating Lilly. The drummer finished recording her parts for the album and the quiet woman was set to fly back home to her husband and children the next day. It would be a few weeks before she was scheduled to fly back and record more.
Beca selected ten of the best songs from their demos. Now the next couple of months would be spent laying down the guitar tracks and vocals and then dubbing them onto the master with the drum parts.
While the other girls were off dancing or fraternizing Beca joined Lynn up at the bar.
"It's our turn to rumble in the booth so don't expect me to take it easy on you," Lynn wiped her lips. The bottom of her empty beer bottle hit the counter of the bar with a loud thock.
"Likewise," Beca smirked then threw back a shot. She looked over her shoulder in time to see Chloe reject one of the restaurant staff's attempts to offer her a drink. Annoyed, the server put the glass back on the tray and stormed off.
Beca took a sip of her beer. "Can I ask you something?"
Lynn knocked back a shot. "Go ahead."
"Is Chloe in recovery; or like, some kind of sobriety program?" Beca wondered.
Lynn snorted. "Hell, that would require her to drink," she turned around to look at the petite music producer standing beside her. "Chloe really lives by her angel image. She doesn't drink, she doesn't smoke, doesn't get high. It's been that way for as long as I've known her. Chloe's a…what do you call it, 'tee-o-later' or is it 'teet-o-later'? Ugh, whatever. It's the word for someone who doesn't drink."
"Yeah, I don't know it either," Beca said.
"The only thing resembling a vice I've ever known her to have is she enjoys her fair share of bed-warmers," Lynn admitted.
Beca knew. She knew when she took this job just how wild Chloe was. Stories of her sexcapades littered the tabloids for years.
Sighing wistfully, Beca took another long sip from her beer before leaving the bar to go dance with Chloe.
Chloe's dancing got the producer all worked up so, of course, they caught a ride back to Chloe's house and immediately hit the sheets.
This time felt different. Much more intimate.
This was the first time Chloe brought Beca to the master bedroom because ginger desperately hoped Beca would stay the night with her.
"How come you don't drink?" Beca murmured. She ran her fingers through Chloe's hair while the redhead rested on her chest.
"You make awkward pillow talk, Beca," Chloe laughed.
"Sorry," Beca whispered. "But like, you're nothing like your image in the media. Just curious was all."
"You shouldn't believe everything in the media, Bec." Chloe leaned up to capture her companion's lips in an intimate kiss. "Most of the stuff they write about me isn't true." Chloe shifted her position causing Beca to do the same so that their positions were reversed and Chloe could hold Beca as she rested on her chest.
Once Beca settled, Chloe answered her question.
"Read a lot of my favorite musicians' autobiographies when I was a kid. Like a lot. And once you get past how self-aggrandizing they are, you start to see a pattern. Drugs, alcohol, and gambling, ruined their lives; so when I was sixteen I made the decision that I wasn't going to do that. That if I wanted to be a successful musician in a band then I needed to be at the top of my game."
"Wow. That's noble, I guess. So you've never done those kinds of things?"
"I mean, I've tasted alcohol a couple of times but never more than a sip or two. So basically no. I've never smoked or even gotten high, and I'm very proud of that."
Minutes passed before Beca spoke again. "Are you ready Chlo? We're going to make your album."
"So excited babe. You've no idea," she mumbled. "I can't wait for you to meet my son, too."
"What do you mean?"
"I'll have Connor for some of the recording sessions."
"Interesting," Beca said. "What's you and Chicago's custody arrangement like?"
Chloe snuggled Beca tighter. "My, my, my Beca. Are you moonlighting as a journalist for Rolling Stone?"
"Just curious was all."
Chloe laughed. "Oh Beca I was teasing you," Chloe looked up at Beca and saw that she was smiling. "I get him on the weekends during the summer."
"Only summers? Seems kind of harsh."
"Yeah…" Chloe said.
Beca detected a hint of regret in Chloe's tone so she decided to drop the subject. Pushing the power button, Beca's phone lit up. It was past midnight and the producer was too tired - and too content to leave.
So she didn't.
The Next Morning…
Beca found herself staring at the dozens of pictures decorating Chloe's wall. Photos she was denied the opportunity to look at properly because Ashley practically threw her into Chloe's office for their first meeting.
She stood on her tiptoes to get a better look at one particular photo. Chloe was with an older man with stone white hair with a headband. The man had a white beard and jovial glasses which made him look like a cool old grandpa. He was smiling while posing with Chloe and holding a guitar.
Beca felt a set of arms wrap around her and a soft kiss pressed to her neck. "Hey you," she smiled.
"Morning!" Chloe beamed. "Whatcha looking at Becs?"
"Oh, just this one picture. Say, Chloe, who's that guy with you?" she asked while pointing at the photo she'd been studying for a couple of minutes.
Chloe looked up at the picture, "That's me and Bob Seger," she smiled.
Beca turned to look at Chloe. "Who's Bob Seger?" she asked, completely clueless.
Chloe grinned. "I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that!" the musician giggled then walked down the hallway.
"Well Chlo, I think I'm gonna bounce."
"Aww," Chloe pouted.
Beca chuckled then made her way towards the front entrance.
"Wait Beca!"
Beca turned to face Chloe.
"Have dinner with me tonight. We can do my place, or yours or I could take you somewhere nice."
"You mean, like a…date?"
"Yeah silly. A date," Chloe smiled.
Beca looked around nervously, "Why do you want to go on a date with me?"
"Cause I think we'd be really good for each other," Chloe said.
Beca scratched the back of her neck. "I'm not sure that's a good idea, Chlo."
"W-Why not?" the ginger asked, worriedly.
"I don't want to be another notch on your bed-post. I know you're always traveling and there's a lot of sexy people on the road; I just think…you know it wouldn't work out."
"What are you saying, Beca?"
"You like to have a lot of fun; and…I-I wouldn't; you'd get bored."
"I'm still not following what you're trying to say Beca. Tell me what you're afraid of."
"Oh my god!" she groaned. In frustration, she rubbed her temples before the word vomit became too much to contain. "You're promiscuous Chloe! There. I said it."
Chloe crossed her arms over her chest. How could Beca ever think that of her? The smaller woman's comment cut her to the bone, and now her brain was all over the place. A waterfall of emotions washed over her before one, hurt, finally claimed the rockstar.
"I've had a lot of partners Beca. Sixty-three as a matter of fact, and I am not going to apologize for that. But the few of my partners whom I've dated; I've never cheated on. Ever!"
Chloe hated the stereotype associated with her. Just because she was a wildly successful rockstar, just because she was wealthier beyond her wildest imagination, just because she liked to dance and party and play to thousands of screaming fans; doesn't mean she didn't believe in monogamy.
It was a concept she held near and dear to her heart. One she believed in with every fiber of her being.
Sure, when she and Chicago were married they occasionally invited other people into their bedroom, but only under the complete and total consent and consideration of the other person. They never crossed boundaries, and never stepped outside of what they agreed to do or not do with the other party.
Respecting each other's wishes and comfort was crucial. If one told the other that they weren't cool or didn't have a good feeling about the situation then the subject was dropped. No hard feelings or thoughts about wasted opportunities.
Their relationship wasn't in peril - at least not then, and certainly not for reasons such as those. They weren't some couple looking for a third as a last-ditch effort to save a marriage.
On the contrary; it was fun. Hot little adventures for them to experience as a thriving couple.
What Chloe experienced with Chicago differed from her other relationships. It never once meant she was any less devoted as a partner or any less happy.
To listen to a beautiful, funny, smart, and an incredibly talented person whom she desperately wanted to share her private life with saying something like that was, well…Chloe was offended.
Beca sighed defeatedly. "Chloe, I-,"
"What? Say it, Beca."
Beca dropped her shoulders and stood fearless with her posture rigid, yet defensive. "I know that's not true. I know all about you and Tom!"
"Wow." Chloe huffed, it was a chore for the musician to roll her eyes right then and there. Not that Beca deserved that kind of respect at the moment. "I can't believe you Beca. You of all people, I'd never expect this from."
"Well, you fucking just lied to my face Chlo!"
"Get out!" she yelled. "I'd like for you to leave now."
Beca scoffed indignantly, "fine," she made a show of stomping off towards the door.
"And just so you know Beca, what happened between Tom and me, didn't fucking happen the way you think it did. Maybe you should've asked me like an adult instead of insinuating that I'm a slut! I told you that most of the things people write about me aren't true. Did you know that Fat Amy has defamed me several times? I've even got a lawsuit against her."
Beca's hand stopped mid-air as she was attempting to reach for the door. Guilt surged through her. Her shoulders slumped and she was trembling.
"What happened?" she asked. "Between you and Tom."
"I don't owe you an explanation, Beca, especially after this. Now please leave my house."
Two weeks later…
Beca's phone pinged.
Chloe: Beca. What you said to me hurt my feelings.
Beca: I'm sorry Chlo. You were right. I didn't know what I was talking about. I hope you can forgive me.
Chloe: I do. I'd like to give you another chance.
Beca: I'd like that :)
Chloe: I would too. Let's have a lunch date. Are you free Saturday? And yes I said 'date' Mitchell lol
Beca: It would be my pleasure.
Chloe: Might be. Depends on if you play your cards right. ?
Chloe spotted Beca on the patio connected to the restaurant. The producer was chilling out at a small table for two, headphones wrapped around her neck. Chloe stopped dead in her tracks when she saw her date take a long drag from her vape pen.
Well, that won't do. The ginger thought.
Beca looked up and saw her date approaching the table. Chloe looked exceptionally beautiful, she was wearing dark-blue Levi's and a light blue v-neck.
If anyone recognized them, nobody either had the time or cared to bother them. It was refreshing. Not that the two didn't adore their fans, they did, but it was refreshing to know that most of them abided by a code of honor and respected their privacy.
Beca and Chloe's lunch date went off without a hitch. The two were naturally compatible with each other. When Chloe was sarcastic or dramatic Beca would laugh until tears pooled in her eyes.
Same for Chloe.
The shorter girl realized that her friend was right. Maybe they were perfect for each other. Beca couldn't remember the last time she had this much fun on a date.
Meanwhile, Beca would occasionally take hits from her vape while Chloe watched like a hawk. After a while, the rockstar tuned out Beca's talking because all she could focus on was the fact that Beca liked drugs. Liked getting high.
Chloe would tolerate it…for now.
After a hearty lunch, the two walked to the parking lot where they could have some much-needed privacy.
"I had a wonderful time Beca. I really want us to do this again," Chloe smiled.
"Yeah. I'd like that too, Chlo," Beca blushed which in turn made Chloe giggle.
Chloe brought her lips to Beca's. She waited for the shorter girl to bridge the gap, Beca did and the kiss nearly took Chloe's breath away.
"Um. What uh, what would you say about maybe wanting to be girlfriends, Chlo?" she asked, nervously once the kiss ended.
Chloe squealed in delight. "I'd love that! I'd love that so much, Bec." Chloe wrangled her companion into a tight hug and then affectionately attacked the shorter woman's face with kisses.
"Stop it!" Beca laughed. "You stop it right now," secretly hoping her new girlfriend never stopped the barrage of kisses. When Chloe finally did she stared into Beca's eyes before meeting her lips in one final kiss.
"Oh, and if we're going to date I just have one condition," Chloe said as their lips broke apart
Beca chuckled. "Yeah, what's that?"
"You have to stop smoking weed or whatever that is," she gestured to Beca's…device. "Oh and if you drink, try to limit that too!" Chloe said, and Beca knew she wasn't kidding.
Chloe was dead serious.