Here's a snippet of the article for fun:
STAR EXCLUSIVE!
THE MYSTERY BEHIND EVERGLOW. Grammy-award winning producer and president of Indie Music Group, Beca Mitchell, reunited with ex lover (and it's not Jesse Swanson)!
Star has been following this story closely since Everglow. Rumours had been all over the place since it's release and you know what they say, when a rumour doesn't go away, it's not a rumour. It turns out the song is about ex lover, 'Chloe'.
In a leaked recording, we can hear Beca Mitchell referring to Chloe as the love of her life and If that isn't convincing enough for you, well at the end of that same recording we can hear Beca saying the only person she loved more than Chloe is her son.
Star has received confirmation from reliable sources that Beca and Chloe met each other before Beca's rise to stardom and eventually dated. We even have reports that they used to live together in New York. Here are photos of them together with a group of friends (farthest right) hanging out in NYC and another where you can see the two being cozy (top right corner). Photo credit jessica_smith.
WHO IS 'CHLOE'? Doctor Chloe Beale (middle) is a pediatric surgeon of LA Children's Hospital. Investigation by Star confirms she is popular among her peers. She is rumoured to be in a relationship with another doctor.
However, further investigation confirms that Beca Mitchell has been spotted multiple times going in and out of the hospital. There are reports that she has been visiting her old flame.
REUNION OF OLD FRIENDS OR OFFICIALLY BACK TOGETHER? Tune in to our next exclusive and we might be lucky to hear from Beca Mitchell or Doctor Chloe themselves to find out the real score!
Chapter 7
Chloe was halfway into her shift and it was one of those days where she can't even take a minute or two to sit down. She's been running around the hospital, eating in between her rounds and going in and out of the operating room.
She saw Beca's text on her way back to her office and she couldn't stop smiling. She was feeling a bit tired already before she read it, but right now her feet had a mind of their own.
"Okay. Be cool. Try not to overthink. Just be cool." Chloe muttered to herself. "Fuck I'm not cool."
When she turned the corner, she saw Scott on his desk and he gives her a knowing smile when he sees her. She tells Scott to call her if there's anything as she walk past him.
She gets in her office and thought about locking the door but that might imply something that would make Beca uncomfortable so she decided not to. She also had to remind herself she was working and she's a professional. She takes a minute to just look at Beca. With everything they've been through, she could say she was genuinely happy with her decision to try again with her. She just hopes that this time, Beca chooses to stay.
"Hey you."
"Hey. I hope it's okay that I'm here." Beca doesn't know why she was being awkward. She wanted to stand up to greet Chloe but she feels like she's waited too long now and it will just make things more awkward if she did anything. All of a sudden she's feeling shy and unsure whilst frozen in place.
"No you're alright. Wait let me just." Chloe says and walks to her desk. Beca watches her remove her white coat and hang it on a chair. "I know why you're here Bec."
Chloe picks up her copy of the magazine and shows it to Beca. Beca immediately looks at the copy she's brought with her that was still on the table in front of her and the copy Chloe was holding up to her.
Then it clicks. "Oh. I see you're up to date. Scott's doing again?"
Chloe was slightly disappointed that that was the reason Beca was here but she doesn't show it. Instead Chloe walked towards Beca and sat beside her. She shakes her head. "It was personally delivered to me by Charlotte herself actually."
"What?" Beca scooted closer to Chloe trying to read or pick up on anything that she's feeling.
"And I can see she still hasn't told you."
"No fuckin' way. Charlotte was here? Are you okay? Did she say anything to you? I swear to god if she did."
Chloe playfully hits Beca's shoulder with her own. "Relax. I'm okay and she was just being Charlotte." Chloe shrugged.
"Okay so you're really okay… This whole thing has nothing but made me anxious."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound too okay. Maybe it's just that I'm working right now, so I can't think about other things yet. Did she say anything bad about me in the article or about you or Nate?"
"Not really, but that's not the point. She crossed a line. Honestly between the two of us, you should be the famous one cause you're a hard one to crack. What do you think of it?"
"I don't know. I haven't read it. That's why I'm asking you."
"You haven't read it?"
Chloe shrugged again. "I don't really have the time Bec. I was going to after my shift. Today's been really hectic and I'm just really tired with all of this."
Beca started to panic. One day in in their relationship and already she was stressing Chloe out.
"I swear it's not always like this. This doesn't normally happen. But it really doesn't help that you're a hot doctor surgeon and I guess that makes everyone intrigued. Or maybe we look good together I don't know.
I really don't know why people are so into it." Beca's jokes are an attempt to lighten the mood.
Chloe started laughing. "Hot doctor surgeon? What the heck are you talking about?"
Beca was a bit flustered but Chloe was laughing and that's a good thing so she laughs with her. "You said you were tired with all this."
Chloe lifted Beca's arm and went to lay her head down on her shoulders. Beca slowly put her arm around Chloe, not sure whether it was appropriate. "I meant literally silly cause I've been working nonstop 'til now. Stop being paranoid. It doesn't suit you."
"Oh." Beca does a nervous laugh. "I can't make promises but noted. Next time I'll ask why you're tired first."
Chloe just nodded and shut her eyes. Beca started to comb Chloe's hair with her fingers and massage her scalp. "Did you want to tell me what you guys talked about or should I just shut up and let you rest now?"
Chloe smiled. "I forgot how funny you were." Chloe laughed again but she kept her eyes closed. "I'm just resting but we can talk. Basically she just wanted me to agree to do a sit down interview with her but I declined. That's about it really."
"I find that really hard to believe. This is Charlotte we're talking about here. She can be a little relentless." Beca says for lack of a better word.
"Don't worry about it. She was just doing her job. Speaking of which, as much as I am happy to see you here, you didn't have to come just for this."
Beca bit her lip. "Well any excuse to see you really."
Chloe chuckled anyway but she took a deep breath and opened her eyes as she turned to look up at Beca. She was serious. "But seriously. You know what I mean."
"I know I'm sorry. It's just that you didn't choose this. The last thing I want is dragging you into all this and it being a little too overwhelming for you and scare you away or something. Or that you think that I'm abandoning you when things get hard."
Chloe grabbed Beca's hand and started playing with their fingers. "But I did choose this in a way. I knew what I was getting myself into when I said I wanted to give this a try. Trust me. And I don't want to become a burden to you. I know how busy you guys are in the office too. A call or text would do."
Beca admits she liked this whole handsy plaything going on and it was also distracting her. "Okay I'm sorry. I'll lower it down a notch and back off a little. But promise you'll tell me if there's anything at all that bothers you, no matter how small."
"I promise." Chloe smiles up at Beca but stops playing with her fingers. "And you too."
Beca nodded. "I can do that. And don't think you're a burden. You are not a burden; never. I really was available. I just panicked a little. Do you want me to go?" Beca was afraid she's overstaying. She had to remind herself this was Chloe's workplace first of all.
But all those fears vanished when Chloe shook her head and wrapped her arms around Beca and hugged her tight. "No. Stay. You're already here anyway and who knows how long my break is. I am happy to see you. Unless you have to go?" Chloe looked up to Beca with a pout.
"No I can stay for a little bit." Beca didn't even care that she was staring but she looked at Chloe as if memorizing every feature in her face again. She couldn't resist stealing a kiss and kissed her forehead. "I missed you."
Despite Beca being Beca, Chloe saw right through it. She sighed. "I didn't mean to make you feel bad for coming here. It's just that I think my training is kicking in. You see I can't work properly if I'm anxious. There's almost no room for mistakes with what I do and I guess I just learned to switch it off when I'm working. I didn't mean it to sound as if I'm not happy to see you."
"No I understand. I wasn't really thinking. And okay I admit I was feeling guilty again. All I know is that I had to see you and make sure you were okay. I was available and so were you so I just went for it. I did come here mostly because I was worried about your reaction to the article and I'm sorry for that."
"Hey it's okay. Like you said, we won't figure everything out right away. I'm not mad but I am seriously considering taking away your access to my calendar or something."
Chloe was teasing and Beca knew it but you can never be too sure. She pulled away from Chloe. "Don't you dare Chlo."
"Why? What are you going to do about it?"
Chloe was teasing Beca some more. She was looking at her as if challenging her and Beca knew this. Before she could stop herself, Beca looks at the door long thinking about how bad it would look if anyone walked in on them…
This did not go unnoticed by Chloe and she knows she shouldn't be teasing Beca right now. "I'm sorry. You know what I always say. Don't start anything you can't finish."
"I am very much aware of that. And you should be telling that to yourself. I can't with you sometimes." Beca playfully pushes Chloe away and they both started laughing. "I really like this, the talking and stuff. But be honest. Is it really okay that I'm here? I'm really sorry if it's not."
"It's not the first time you're here Bec."
"I know but it's the first time I'm here as.. your uhm… your girlfriend?" Beca winced. She doesn't know why it was so hard to say.
"So?"
"I don't know. I'm being silly again. Is this okay? Am I distracting you?"
"You've always been a distraction to me but the good kind… most of the time." Chloe winked to Beca. While Beca was busy being flustered, Chloe suddenly remembered she forgot to do something. She stands up and walks to her white coat hanging on the chair to get her phone. "Sorry I forgot to send a text to one of the interns."
Beca just shakes her head. "No it's okay." She watched Chloe sit back down next to her. "And you are one hell of a distraction yourself just so you know."
"I know that." Chloe was smug but didn't look up from her phone.
Beca was just watching her. "By the way, have you even eaten?" She was starting to feel paranoid that she was taking time off Chloe's break.
"Sort of, what about you?"
"Sort of?" Beca raised an eyebrow then she starts looking around. "You don't finish 'til tomorrow, right? Are you sleeping here then? I don't see an overnight bag."
"I honestly don't know yet where I'm sleeping or if I am at all. But don't worry I'm ready, my overnight bag is in the car."
"Well if you need me to drive you or anything I wouldn't mind. I'd love to do that for you actually."
"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you. Nate still isn't sleeping at yours?"
"Not for this week, just letting everything die down you know. I miss him. But we're going to hang out later after school."
"That's great. Anyway what about you? How are you? You can't avoid interviews forever. It's kinda part of your job."
"We have a big collaboration coming actually and when that happens, the promotion will be full on. It's making me anxious already."
"Which is making you anxious, the collab or the promotions?"
"Promos. Cause I know one way or another they're going to ask about you and I don't know I might give it away you know. It's like I'm torn, I want to keep us private but I also want to let the whole world know. But I don't want to start anything especially now that we're pretending not to be in a relationship, which I totally get." Beca was rambling again and Chloe usually lets her.
Chloe puts her phone down. "Will it make you less anxious if I told you that when the time comes we stop pretending, I don't really mind either way?"
"It will actually."
"Then I'm telling you now when the time comes whether you talk about us or keep it secret, I don't care. At the end of the day, I have you and you have me."
"Thank you. To be honest I think I kinda like keeping it to ourselves first. Let them speculate all they want."
Chloe nods her head agreeing with Beca. "Yeah I can see us having fun with that. How's work otherwise?"
"You remember Emilia? We're almost done with her album. It's going to be so good. Cynthia Rose and I have been working with her a lot on it. We're actually releasing her second single from the album soon. I'm really looking forward for you to hear it."
"I liked her. I can't wait for it too but why are you excited for me to hear it specifically?"
Beca suddenly became shy and couldn't meet Chloe's gaze. "No reason." She was starting to blush again.
"Don't tease me like that. You're very bad at it. Now tell me. Are you featuring in it?"
"No nothing like that. It's just that it's for you, the song."
"Why? Did you write it too like Everglow or something?" Chloe continued to tease but Beca remained quiet and Chloe picked up on it right away. "No. Then I don't want to wait for her version. I want you to sing it to me." She squeezed Beca's shoulder.
"Look if I find the time I will record it for you."
"You can just do it a cappella. I don't' mind."
"Look she really did a good job on it. You should really give her a chance first."
"I don't care. I want your version." Chloe answered back.
"Fine. Sheesh. Me and my big mouth; I shouldn't have said anything."
They smiled at each other then. Chloe didn't say anything more cause she knew she's already won. Meanwhile Beca was mustering up the courage to lean in and just kiss Chloe and she was just about to do just that when Chloe's phone rang.
"Hello, Doctor Beale speaking."
Chloe mouthed 'sorry' to Beca. Beca just smiled shaking her head and leaned in to kiss Chloe on the cheek anyway. She stood up and prepared to leave since she had to go back to the office too.
Chloe walked towards her white coat and was trying to wear it with one hand on her phone. Beca was following closely behind her and could see Chloe struggling to put it on. She gently grabbed the white coat from her.
She almost melted from the smile Chloe gave her as she helped her wear her coat one arm at a time. Then she pointed to the door to indicate she was going. Chloe nodded but couldn't get off the phone.
She was still talking to whoever was on the other end when she grabbed Beca by the wrist. Beca turned around to see Chloe was looking expectantly at her while tapping her lips with her finger.
Beca rolled her eyes but couldn't stop smiling as she leaned in to peck Chloe on the lips. Chloe pulled Beca in again asking for one more and Beca easily complied leaning in again to give her another peck and another.
"Bye. I love you." Beca whispers to Chloe's other ear before she could stop herself. She went wide-eyed when she realised what she just said and panicked again a little but Chloe didn't seem to mind. She even gave Beca the sweetest smile before she started scribbling something on her notepad.
"Yes and what are his vitals?" Chloe asked on the phone.
Beca took that as her cue to leave but before she turned to do so, she stopped for a second time when Chloe lifted her notepad up for her to see. Beca was confused at first but as she looked closely at Chloe's cute handwriting.
Love you too.
They just stand there smiling at each other as Chloe continued to talk to the other person on the line.
"What? Are you telling me there's no anesthesiologist available? Are you kidding me? Surely someone is on call somewhere. Yes find me someone."
Beca went to grab the notepad and ripped off the page. She gave Chloe back her notepad and showed Chloe how she folded the note in half and put it in her back pocket. Chloe then playfully shooed her away.
Beca waved one last time before turning to leave. She forgot for a second where she was she stepped out and bowed her head down as soon as she realised she was at the hospital. She sent Fred a text to meet her at the same area where he dropped her off.
It was a fair bit of a drive back because the traffic was starting to build up but Beca was in some sort of a trance. If it wasn't for the note she had in her pocket, she would think all of this was a dream. She had to bite her lips a couple of times to keep herself from smiling.
When she arrived back at the office, she went straight to the studio. She wanted to review a couple of tracks before the artists arrived tomorrow. She also joined Cynthia Rose and Emilia while recording. When Emilia finished, Cynthia Rose was surprised when Beca announced she was staying back for a bit to record a demo of Everglow.
She was wary of the time cause she had plans with Nate. So when it was close to dinnertime, she transferred whatever she had on her USB to play around with later when she gets home.
Beca stepped out of the lift and did not expect to see Stacie at the reception area. She thought everyone would've left by now. Stacie didn't see her as she walks past Stacie since she was talking to someone on the phone. She went to grab a few files from her office and was surprised to still see Stacie at reception.
"What are you still doing here? I hope you weren't waiting for me?" Beca asked.
"Nope not really. I'm just waiting for Katie and then we're meeting up with Cynthia Rose for dinner."
"Oh she's still here too? Where are you guys off to?"
"Just the one across the road. You want to come with?"
"No no I can't. I have dinner plans with Nate." Beca was about to continue to walk back towards the lifts.
"I see. Is that all?"
"What do you mean?" Beca stopped in her tracks.
"No other plans?" Stacie shrugged.
Beca just looks at Stacie. She was a bit confused by the question and the tone Stacie used and how she's asking her but Beca just shakes her head 'no' anyway.
Stacie then took out a tablet from her messenger bag. Beca recognised it to be her tablet.
"What are you doing with that? Why do you have my -"
"Lets see." Stacie cuts off Beca. "Since when did you have to prepare for surgeries?" Stacie asked her with eyebrows raised.
"To prepare for what now?"
"It says so right here." Stacie held up Beca's tablet and kept tapping on the screen. "Prep for Riley's operation at 2pm. Conference call with Doctor Rhubarb 6:15pm. Meeting with Anesthesiologist 7:30pm. Riley's operation 9:30pm. Should I keep going?"
"Stace hand me that." Beca tried to snatch the tablet away from Stacie but Stacie pulled it safely close to her chest.
"Why do you have Chloe's calendar synced with yours?" Stacie asked while clutching on to the tablet.
"It's not Chloe's." Beca muttered just enough for Stacie to hear.
"Really? Let's see. Oh this is my favourite. Don't forget to pick up Jamie. Thursday 3.30pm." Stacie showed Beca the screen for emphasis. "What's going on?"
Stacie knows. Beca had to think fast. Stacie was on to her. "Okay fine it is hers but it's not what you think." Beca spoke fast and raised a finger to stop Stacie from saying whatever it is she was about to say. "I wanted to make an appointment for Nate so I asked her when she was available, then she was in a rush so she sent me a link to her calendar instead."
"Really…" Stacie was not very convinced.
Beca was very proud at herself for being able to think of that on the spot. "Yup. Really really."
"So this has nothing to do with you being in such a good mood despite everything, smiling like a fool, singing to yourself and even whistling around the halls when you arrived? And don't think I didn't notice you started recording again."
Beca just smiles at Stacie and shrugged. 'Am I really that obvious?' She thought to herself.
"See you're doing it right now. You can't stop smiling; it's really putting me off. Wait, did you work it out with Chloe? Are two okay again?"
She moves her hand as if to lock her lips and threw away the key. She turns around and starts singing Ariana Grande's Into You. "See ya Stace."
"You can't hide this from me forever!" Stacie shouts but Beca doesn't even look back. "Hey your meeting with Charlotte is on Friday morning!" Stacie called out to her.
Beca just gives her a thumbs up. She kept singing to herself until the doors of the elevator opened and it was a rushing Katie that stepped out. In her rush, Katie bumps into Beca.
"Oh my god. I'm so sorry Miss Mitchell."
"Oh hey Katie. Watch where you're going there." Beca playfully said as she enters the lifts and smiles at Katie as she pressed on the elevator buttons. "See you tomorrow. You guys have a good night. Have a beer or two for me." She says to her before she resumes singing.
Katie was shocked. She has not seen Beca like that ever. She looks to Stacie who was watching them.
"Something's wrong. That's not Beca Mitchell. Whoever that was is definitely some sort of impostor."
Stacie just shrugged.
"Seriously I've never seen her that happy and I was there when her son was born." Katie continued.
"What can I say? You're witnessing first hand the magic of one Chloe Beale."
"Oh my god is it true then? They're back together?"
"I think they're friends again. To be honest, I think Beca is just happy to have Chloe back in her life in whatever capacity."
"Look." Katie lifts her arm to Stacie. "I still have goose bumps from seeing her that happy."
"They both deserve it. But wait I think I may have an idea." Stacie takes her phone out and messages Chloe.
"Hey Jesse thanks for letting us hang out here."
"Are you kidding Becs? You're always welcome here. Also, that guest room is for you whenever you need it. I mean it."
"Thanks again."
"Are you staying for dinner? I'm cooking." Jesse wiggled his eyebrows.
"Yeah, why not."
When Jesse disappeared into the kitchen, Beca was left with Nate sitting in front of the TV. Beca grabbed her laptop and headphones. Nate looked a defeated cause he knew his mom was about to work. He kept his attention on whatever was on TV when Beca turned the volume down and looked to him with a smile.
"How've you been Bud?"
"I'm fine. What about you mom? Busy with work?" Nate asks looking at the laptop.
"Just the usual."
"Are you okay? Have you been sleeping well? Are the cameras still outside our place?" Nate referred to the paps as cameras.
"Aww my sweets." Beca puts an arm around Nate and kissed his head. "Yes I'm sleeping well and I miss you a lot but I'm okay. And yeah they're still there."
"What are they waiting for?"
"A story. The usual."
"I don't like you being alone in there. Can you sleep here tonight? Please?"
How was Beca supposed to say no? "You know what, what the heck. I'll have Fred bring some clothes over."
Nate was so happy he hugged Beca and showered her with kisses. "Thanks Mom."
"Wow Bud, you really missed me. Sorry if I've been a little checked out lately."
"It's okay Mom. I know you're busy."
Nate could tell his mom was in a weirdly good mood. She was joking around with him and she kept messing with his hair. His heart almost leapt out of his chest when he realised Beca was putting her headphones over his ears.
"I did this today. I want you to be the first one to listen to it."
Nate doesn't even remember the last time they did this. All he could do was nod. He recognised the song as soon as he heard it.
He listens for a while. "Do you have a copy of the lyrics?"
Beca just smiles at Nate and playfully rolled her eyes. "Duh." She grabs her notebook and opens it for him.
Nate looks down on the pages and tries his best to read it. "But Mom. Your handwriting is terrible."
"Ask your dad to print out the lyrics for you then."
Nate continued to bob his head with the music. "You have a whole band now."
"Yeah, not just me and the piano this time. You like it?"
Nate nods his head happily. He pulls the earphones down to hang around his neck. "Everglow, what does it mean?"
Beca buys time by fixing his hair.
"It's that feeling when you realise sometimes losing someone doesn't always mean you've lost them forever. The memories you shared and all that you've been through together will always be with you and remembering those moments is what makes you feel that everglow."
Beca waits for Nate to process her explanation and she can see his cheeky grin slowly appear on his face. Beca was just about to ask what he was thinking
"Is it about you and" Nate looked over his shoulder then leaned closer to Beca and whispered. "Doctor Chloe?"
Beca doesn't know why she was defensive. It was just Nate. "Not just. It could be about anyone and anything. It's about you actually."
Then Nate laughs. Beca couldn't believe it. Her own son was laughing at her. "I overheard Aunt Stacie and Aunt Cynthia Rose. I know mom."
"Fine yes. I did write the song for Doctor Chloe and when I look back at our past, I do feel that everglow. But now looking at you and realising how much you've grown, I feel an everglow too when I remember the times I used to cradle you in my arms." Beca messes with Nate's hair. "Don't grow up too fast please."
Beca considered if this was the right time to tell Nate about her and Chloe but she couldn't bring herself to say it.
Nate looks at Beca suspiciously. "Something's up…"
"Nah. Everything's good. I'm just really happy to be spending time with you like this."
"Me too. Any more new music in there I can listen to?" Nate nods towards the laptop on Beca's lap.
"Of course. Wait let me queue some stuff and you let me know your favourites."
Beca watches Nate listen to her music. He was really taking it seriously and Beca loved the look on his face. She playfully nudged his shoulder making him look up to her. "I really missed you too." She says and kisses him on the head.
She sneaks a peek at her phone and sees no message from Chloe; no anything from Chloe. She sighs and mindlessly taps her fingers on her laptop.
Chloe sent a text to Chicago before her shift ended confirming that she can pick up Jamie today. Last night she didn't get much sleep but there was no way she was going to ditch the little guy.
It was especially worth it when she saw Jamie's whole face literally light up the moment he saw her standing outside. Chloe can see him quickly saying goodbye to Nate and ran to her. Chloe also gave Nate a quick wave and saw Fred waiting for him on the other side. She noticed a couple of people watching them but she ignored them and focused on the little boy running towards her.
"You made it. You're here." Jamie says hugging her by the legs.
"Hey little guy. I missed you too."
"I'm so happy you're here."
"Me too. Now come on, let's get you home."
On the drive home, Jamie gave Chloe a rundown on everything under the sun from his teachers, his classes, his friends, Nate, soccer and Chloe loved every bit of it.
Jamie was very animated in his story telling and Chloe will never get tired of seeing the twinkle in his eyes. "When can I sleep over again? You owe me three movies now."
"Three? It has not been that long since I moved out."
"You owed me a movie even before you moved, Chlo." Jamie whined.
Chloe just laughs at him. "Alright alright. Do I get to choose at least one?"
"Yes but just one."
"We will have to ask your dad about that sleepover. I'm working this weekend but let's look at something next week. Any soccer this weekend?"
"Practice on Saturday. Games start next week. One movie for every game you miss."
"Hey hey hey. What about for every one I watch?"
Jamie just crossed his arms and wiggles his eyebrows at her. Chloe always found it adorable when he's being playful. Jamie then turns the volume up on her car stereos and they start singing along to whatever was on the radio.
Once parked outside their house, Jamie turns to Chloe before stepping out of the car. "Thanks for spending time with me today. I really did miss you."
"What? You think it's over already? You're not rid of me yet."
Jamie almost squealed in delight.
"Come on, let's say hi to your Dad and Auntie Aubrey." Chloe winked at him.
Earlier at pick up, Chloe didn't see her but Beca was in the car to pick up Nate. She spots Chloe from where she was seated in the car as soon as Chloe walks closer to the school gates. No one would have been able to guess that she just came from a 30-hour shift too.
Beca couldn't take her eyes off her and held her breath when Chloe looked her way briefly even though she was well aware that there's no way Chloe could have seen her trough the window tints.
Then all of a sudden Beca found herself wishing she could be out there standing next to Chloe. Maybe hold her hand as they greet Nate and Jamie.
Beca sighed. "If only…" Instead here she was hiding inside a car. She took one last look at Chloe and Jamie with her smile being back on her face as soon as Nate gets in the car.
"Surprise."
"Mom? What are you doing here?"
"Well hello to you too. Since you enjoyed last night so much, I thought maybe you wanted to listen in on some recordings live this time."
Chloe should have known something was up when Chicago asked Jamie to prepare for bed, as it was a school night after all.
"I promise I'll say goodnight before I leave." Chloe says to the little boy before he made his way upstairs.
"I'm just gonna help him out with some things. I'll leave you two."
Chloe missed the knowing looks Aubrey and Chicago shared and just reached for her glass of water and stifled a yawn.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to be rude." She says to Aubrey.
"No it's alright. Have you even slept yet? You went straight from the hospital to pick up Jamie didn't you?"
"Yeah but don't worry about me. I'm not working 'til after lunch tomorrow. I'll just sleep in. What about you? I know you've been trying to catch me all day since yesterday. Sorry it's been a really hectic shift but how are you?"
"I'm good and I understand. I saw how busy you were. That was one crazy shift, huh?"
"Tell me about it."
"So there was something that I've been wanting to tell you." Aubrey finally said.
"Of course, anything. I promise no more interruptions."
"I've actually talked to Beca about this too."
"Oh." Chloe was not expecting that. All she could think of was that Aubrey knows about them. "I swear you two and your secret meetings."
"It was by accident. I was waiting for you yesterday in your office and she just happened to show up."
"Okay." Chloe could already see where this was going. Aubrey isn't Beca's biggest fan.
"Right. I don't know how to say this so I'm just gonna go ahead and say it."
Chloe braced herself. She was going to face the music one way or another.
"I leaked the recording." Aubrey said so low that Chloe barely heard it.
"What?"
"I didn't know what I was thinking that night. I wasn't expecting to see her and I was dictating my notes for work when I answered the door. I recorded our conversation by accident. The more I listened to it, the more this idea in my head sounded good. I convinced myself it was the right thing to do."
Chloe stood up from the couch and walked to the other corner of the room. She needed to step away. She was looking out the window trying to distract herself from her thoughts. Aubrey stayed seated and gave Chloe space but kept trying to explain.
"I thought it was a way Beca could prove how much she wanted you back. How much she meant it."
Chloe wasn't sure what to think or what to feel and Aubrey was starting to panic. She was about to lose one of her oldest friends.
"I wanted to see how she would react and how she would protect you."
"You've gotta be fuckin' kidding me." Chloe couldn't hear any more of the nonsense. "This isn't some social experiment. You can't just decide to do that cause you want to 'see' what would happen. Are you hearing yourself?"
"I wanted to take it back as soon as I did believe me. And I did try to take it back. I deleted it and I thought it was gone. It was stupid and I just wanted to see both my friends happy."
"At what cost Bree? You put a child in the frontlines and fed him to the wolves. I'm sorry but I don't really want to hear anymore. I'm gonna go." Chloe started getting her stuff to leave.
"Chloe, I'm sorry. I am very sorry to you, to Beca. I know you hate me right now but you have to know, I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt."
Chloe took deep breaths and kept walking towards the door. She just had no words for Aubrey right now.
"Talk to me when you're ready. I'll wait." Aubrey knew better than to run after Chloe now.
She was glad Aubrey didn't try to follow her or talk to her some more. She was just about to open the door when Chicago caught up to her.
"Chloe wait."
Chloe thought about just walking away but she didn't want to be rude. Chicago didn't have anything to do with this. So she stopped and turned to look at him.
Chicago held the door open for her. "Come on let me walk you out. After you."
Chloe mumbled her thanks.
Chicago didn't waste anytime and talked to Chloe as soon as the door was closed. "Hey. Aubrey told me about what she did."
Chloe rolled her eyes. "If you're going to try to convince me to talk to her, I'm sorry but not tonight."
"No I know. You're obviously upset. I just wanted to say that people do crazy things for the people they love and Aubrey loves you so much."
"That's not an excuse Chicago." Chloe snapped back at him. She wanted nothing more than to leave and be left alone.
"I know it's not. I just. I'm sorry." Chicago decides to drop it. "Will you be okay to drive?"
"Yes I'll be fine. Thank you."
"Text me when you get home, please?"
"I will. Thank you again and for dinner."
"You're always welcome and you made Jamie very happy today."
"Fuck. I didn't get to say good night."
"It's okay. I'll take care of it. You drive safe." After accepting Chicago's offer of a half hug, Chloe turned to leave.
Beca knew Chloe wasn't working that night and that she was spending time with Jamie. Since Nate was still staying over with Jesse, Beca decided to pay Chloe a visit after she left Nate at Jesse's place. She sends Chloe a text asking if she was home and to let her know she was on her way to see her. She noticed Chloe was not replying. Actually, thinking about it now she hasn't heard from Chloe at all. She tried not to overthink it and decided if it turned out Chloe wasn't home, then Beca thought she'll just drive home herself as well.
Her phone rang and she answered it without checking who was calling her. She jumped a little when she heard Aubrey's voice.
"Are you with Chloe?"
Beca cleared her throat. "Is everything okay? I'm not with her but I'm on my way to see her now."
"It's not good Beca. She wouldn't even look at me."
"You told her…"
"Yes earlier today. She's already left a while ago." Beca could sense Aubrey had already been crying when she called. "She was really upset and I'm worried. She was supposed to message Chicago when she got home and she didn't."
"Just give her time. I'll make sure she's okay."
"Thank you. Message me when you can?"
"I will."
"Thanks, Beca."
When their call ended Beca let out a long exhale. She still hasn't been able to talk to Chloe since her visit when the article came out yesterday. They had both been so busy with work and the kids she tells herself even though she knows deep down it was a lame excuse.
She wasn't sure why she was hesitating to message Chloe or give her a call. But Chloe was the same, she hasn't texted or called either. They were both probably still testing the waters of their new relationship. Beca gripped the steering wheel tighter as she wonders which Chloe will she be seeing tonight.
Chloe knew she needed something to take her mind away from what happened earlier and decided to distract herself the only way she knows how… by studying surgeries. She set up her laptop and notes on the kitchen counter. She grabbed ice cubes from the freezer and poured herself a glass of Jim Beam then she looked up the hospital's database for archives on splenectomies. She considered whether she would watch something of her own but chose one of Doctor Harrison's instead.
She was in the middle of the video when she thought she heard someone ringing her doorbell. She paused the video and pulled out her earphones to listen. She was just about to put them back on when she heard the knock on her door and someone ringing her doorbell once more.
Beca has been waiting for a good five minutes. She's already left text messages and tried calling twice. She was starting to get worried and her knocks were getting louder by the minute. The moment Chloe opened the door Beca had her rant ready about how Chloe was ignoring her but something in Chloe's eyes stopped her.
"Hey. Can I come in?" Beca ended up asking instead.
Chloe just nodded and opened the door wider for Beca to come in. Beca was half way in when she took it to herself to close the door. She noticed how Chloe was almost leaning on the door.
Beca sighed as she closed the door and offered a hug. "Come here."
Chloe leaned into her hug wrapping her arms around Beca's neck and sinking her head in between Beca's neck and shoulders. Beca's heart melted. She liked being there for Chloe. She swayed them for a bit back and forth while rubbing her back.
"It's okay. You're alright. I got you."
Chloe just nodded and held on to Beca tighter.
"We both know she means well. She's a good friend to you Chlo." Beca continued.
Chloe pulled back. "How do you? Aubrey called you." Chloe's stepped away from Beca. There was something in her tone.
"She did."
"Did you know this whole time?"
Beca could clearly hear the betrayal in Chloe's voice so she quickly assured her. "No I didn't. I only found out that day I came to see you at the hospital. She wanted to be the one to tell you."
Chloe took a deep breath and nodded. "Okay." But she didn't move. She had her brows furrowed looking at Beca and it was making Beca nervous. "Is that why you're here?"
"No no. I was already on my way here to see you. I promise. You can even check your phone."
Chloe sighs. "I'm sorry. It's just that I didn't want that to be the reason why you're here."
Beca took that opportunity to walk behind Chloe and wrapped her arms around her waist slowly pushing Chloe to walk inside her house.
"Come on. Tell me what you were up to and where the hell is your phone."
This did make Chloe laugh a little. "Fine. Let's come on in." and she lead the way. "I think I left my phone up stairs?"
"Wow. I didn't know you were allowed to do that? Seriously."
"I'm not on call tonight."
Beca could see Chloe's set up in the kitchen. She raised her brow when she saw Chloe was going with the hard drinks too. Then she stared closely at the laptop screen to figure out what she was looking at and looked away as soon as she realised it wasn't red soup.
"I think I'm gonna be sick. What the fuck was that Chlo?"
"A spleen." Chloe answered simply and Beca made a face that made Chloe laugh some more. She shakes her head and shut her laptop. She also grabs her drink.
"Want some? I'll pour you a glass. This night is perfect for some of this."
"Sure I'll have one."
Chloe put her glass down on the coffee table and walked towards the fridge. "Just one?" She asked with a raised brow.
Beca sat down on her side of the couch as she watched Chloe. "You're obviously upset. Why didn't you call me?"
Chloe was pouring Beca her drink. "I'm sorry. I was just trying to let it all sink in first I guess. I don't know. I was trying to work out my feelings about everything."
Chloe handed her her drink. "Here you go." And took a seat next to Beca.
"Thank you. Cheers." And they clinked their glasses together.
Beca chuckled at the memory after she took her first sip.
"What's so funny?"
"I just remembered I've been banned by Stacie to have this drink specifically."
"Jim Beam? How so? Why?"
"Let's just say the night I released Everglow was the same night when I was fuckin' hammered with this guy."
"Were you really? I didn't know that."
"Remember that night I came to see you to apologise, you were hurting so much and I just didn't want to cause you any more hurt so I decided maybe it was time to back off."
"You mean you were going to walk away again?"
"And it seemed like you were ready."
"I told you I was having a tough day at work. But yeah I was ready. I really thought you were going to. But anyway really the ultimate goal that night was to have farewell sex with you."
"What?" Beca choked on her drink and it wasn't pleasant. "Why? I mean, what?"
Chloe laughs but she doesn't take it back.
"Why I was ready to let you go or why farewell sex was the ultimate goal?"
Beca blushed so much. It took so much effort to stop the mental images in her head.
Chloe cleared her throat and looked away from Beca. "I don't want a repeat of what happened so I made sure I was always going to be ready for the worst. It's not that I expect you to leave every time things get hard but I just want to be ready for it when it happens."
"You're totally expecting me to bolt any time now. It's okay we can work on that. I'm not going anywhere. I am in this for the long run." Beca grabbed Chloe's hand and kissed her knuckles.
"Work on me getting ready for you to take off or work on the other thing."
"Honestly, both."
Chloe loves seeing Beca all flustered and distracted.
"Stop."
"I'm not doing anything." Chloe said being all innocent.
"You know Nate asked me last night what Everglow meant then I realised it was the first time I was saying it out loud."
Chloe nodded her head, happy with her new distraction for the night. She loved hearing Beca talk about Nate.
"Not even you asked." Beca was looking at Chloe waiting for her to respond.
Chloe smiled back. "I didn't cause I already knew what it meant. I feel it too. Your song actually reminded me of all the good times we shared and we had a lot of them."
Beca was not even surprised. Of course Chloe would know. "Yeah. We did."
Beca was about to ramble again. "I slept at Jesse's place last night with Nate by the way." She blurted out all of a sudden. "I couldn't say no to Nate when he asked me to and he didn't want me to be lonely being all by myself at my place without him. So I decided to stay there with him." Beca wasn't sure why she was telling Chloe all this.
"Do you feel lonely?"
Beca chuckled. "I used to."
There was that urge to kiss Chloe again but Beca stopped herself and blinked. They had more important things to talk about first. Beca cleared her throat and Chloe knew just from the look on Beca's face that she wanted to talk about Aubrey.
Beca cleared her throat again and Chloe was already shaking her head.
"You are such a buzzkill."
"I know and I'm regretting this already but."
"No no no. I don't really want to talk about it Bec." Chloe beats her to it as she takes another sip from her Jim Beam.
Beca scoots closer to Chloe. "I know you're upset but can I just say one thing?"
Chloe looks down her glass. "Just one."
"Okay maybe two things?"
Chloe turned to Beca and rolled her eyes. "Just get it off your chest already."
Beca didn't hesitate. "Okay so ultimately this is my fault so please don't be too harsh on Aubrey."
Chloe had to stop her there. "No. Don't even try to take the blame for this Bec. This was all her."
"But somehow it is because of me. It could've been anyone Chlo, anyone could have done that, and anyone could have overheard us and leaked it. It doesn't matter."
"I understand that and I know that but it does matter. It matters to me at least. This wasn't just anyone this was Aubrey. Bottom line is she shouldn't have done that." She insisted.
Beca was just about to open her mouth but Chloe cut her off again. "This is not okay. Yes anyone I wouldn't care but this is Aubrey we're talking about."
"Exactly these are your friends and you know how crazy protective they get. They're all psychos and I mean that in the best way. Aubrey loves you, she would never want to hurt you. Me definitely but never you. This was her crazy way of looking out for you."
"But why go to that extent? Why not just send me the damn recording? Or lock me up somewhere and put it on loud speakers or something? This is more than you and me too. She didn't even think about Nate. To be honest if it wasn't for Nate, maybe I wouldn't care." Chloe's voice was rising as well. Her cheeks were also getting kinda red, which Beca would find cute in different circumstances.
"Don't get me wrong, I was worried about that too. And I love that you care for him. But he's okay. Nothing bad happened to him."
"So we wait until something bad happens before doing something about it? That's just great." Chloe buried her face in her hands in frustration. "I don't want to fight Bec. Can you please just drop it, just for tonight."
"Hey we're not fighting. I get it. I hear you. Now come here, I'm sorry for pushing. I'm always on your side you know that right?"
"Really? For a second there you were team Aubrey."
"No. I mean we're friends now but that doesn't mean –"
"Relax Bec. There are no teams; no sides for you to choose from."
"Doesn't matter. I'm going to be always on yours anyway." Now that Beca got that off her chest she finally went for that kiss but Chloe wouldn't budge.
Chloe didn't move from her spot and crossed her arms. "Am I being irrational? Should I not feel this way? Am I wrong? Be honest." Chloe said pointing a finger at Beca.
Beca sighed and pulled on Chloe's arm. Chloe slowly gave in and uncrossed them. "Come here please."
Chloe pouted for a bit and lunged herself at Beca, falling almost on top of her. Beca fell back from the impact and hit her head on the arm of the couch.
"Ow ow ow." Beca winced but kept her arms around Chloe. Chloe propped herself up right away when she heard Beca.
"Oh my god. I'm so sorry. Are you okay?" Chloe wanted to get up and pull Beca up with her but Beca just tightened her hold of her.
"No no no, let's stay like this for a little while longer. I'm fine."
"Are you even comfortable?" Chloe hesitated to lie down on Beca.
"Of course I am. But that really hurt." Beca snorted.
After having a good laugh about it, Chloe rests her head on Beca's chest and Beca's thumbs are drawing circles on Chloe's back. Chloe focused on Beca's heartbeat to calm herself.
They stayed like that for a while until Beca was brought back to Chloe's question before she hit her head literally.
"You're not being irrational. It's okay for you to feel that way and you're not wrong."
Chloe huffed. "I know you've always been scared of Aubrey but come on tell me how you really feel." Chloe rolled off of Beca and helped her sit up too; mainly because she wanted to reach for her drink.
Beca watched Chloe grab her drink and she does the same. She sits closer to Chloe and put an arm around her waist. "I mean I am still scared of her now. She is fuckin' scary. But recently I really think we're getting somewhere and honestly Chlo, whatever she did worked." Beca shrugged.
"Hmmm." Chloe hummed her response. She took another sip.
"Fine. You wanna know how I really feel?" Beca continued and held Chloe's hand making Chloe look at her. "I'm happy. I'm just so happy."
Chloe nodded. "I am too." She says as she squeezed back.
"When you said you wanted to pretend, I get it. But I don't think I want to pretend anymore."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean I'm not going to announce it to the public or arrange a press conference or something but I do want our closest friends and family to know. Nate always stays with my parents on Sundays and if you're fine with it, I'm planning to tell them then. Of course, only when you're ready. I just wanted you to know that I'm ready when you are."
Chloe pulled her hand away from Beca to finish the rest of her drink.
"I think we should hold off telling the boys."
Beca was quiet.
"And it's not cause I don't think we will make this work it's just that I think it's a much harder conversation trying to explain to them that we tried but just didn't work out."
"I understand. I was just putting it out there. And the invitation stands, we do it every Sunday. I can wait until when you're ready, whenever that is."
Beca finished the rest of her drink as well.
Chloe stretches. "I'm beat. You're sleeping over, right? Be my big spoon?"
Beca looks to Chloe with a smirk. She grabs her by the neck as she goes for the kiss. She kissed Chloe hard on the mouth and she could still taste the Jim Beam as she moans into the kiss. Her hands then slowly found their way around Chloe's waist. Chloe had her hands over Beca's neck.
Beca then pulls on Chloe's hips trying to make her move on her lap and get her to straddle her. Chloe allowed herself to be pulled in and positioned her self on top of Beca.
Beca bit her lip when she pulled back. "Sorry I've been wanting to do this."
"Don't be sorry. I like being here."
Beca tapped Chloe's hips. "Ready for bed?"
"Are you kidding?" Chloe shook her head with a grin. "Not quite." She leaned down to meet Beca for a kiss again. Her kisses were much lighter than what Beca would have preferred. Beca finds herself reaching to meet Chloe's slow kisses and lets her hands relax on Chloe's lower back.
Chloe pulls away. "Just one more thing." Chloe looks up and away from Beca as if thinking about something then meets Beca's eyes again. She rolls her eyes slowly cause who was she kidding. "I'm working this Sunday. Maybe next Sunday I can come with you." Chloe tells her.
"Yeah?" Beca reached up to kiss Chloe again. With their faces only inches from each other, Beca stared at her favourite blues. "I love you." She whispers.
They smile at each other. "I love you too." Chloe replies.
"Now I know you're tired. Let's get you to bed."
As much as Chloe wanted something more to happen tonight, she felt like she was about to pass out. She opts for one more kiss and leaned down one last time before heading off to bed with Beca.
How are we? Any thoughts on the length of the story so far? Not too long yet? I swear I tip my hat to anyone who can write one-shots. I always get carried away.
