Ahh! Okay, so it took me a long freakin' time, as per usual. I'm sorry! I blame myself. I had a whole two weeks of taking things easy and I blew it. I can also easily blame two certain people that sucked me in MW2, but I won't. Anyway, as promised, this is an Alex centric update with a small dash of Spashley. No worries, Spashley will prevail! (Duh.) So, this update is in honour of five of the best ladies I know. Thank you for your help in this chapter, you know who you are! And to Khaye, because I promised you a chapter and this one is yours. : )
Enjoy! I will return with more soon!
82.2 – On Location
Alex's PoV
New York City was probably one my favourite cities to visit. The crowds were always welcoming and there's always so much to see. I could explore the whole day and still find new things to discover.
Sadly I didn't have time to really explore while I stayed. I was booked with autograph sessions, press conferences, my last concert on the States side and I was helping launch a new MTV show; RJ Live. It'd be my first live interview since I started the world tour and was rather excited about it.
I stopped to sign as many autographs outside the studio of RJ Live as I could before my bodyguards ushered me into the building. It felt good to hear the screams coming from the streets of New York.
I was led to a dressing room and was thrilled that I was able to have a few moments to myself. I didn't mind the attention but it was nice to catch some silence every once in a while.
"Alex?" I heard a knock on the door and soon Rissa was entering with a sheepish look on her face. "I don't mean to interrupt but R.J. wanted to meet you personally before the show."
I smiled and nodded my head, signalling her to let the Latina TV host inside the room.
"Hi Alex." R.J. came up to me with a huge smile and held out her hand for me to shake. "I'm R.J. and I just wanted to thank you for agreeing to do the show. I was more than stoked to find out that you'd be the first guest."
"Well I'm honoured." I squeezed her hand gently. She straightened her vintage The Doors shirt and tucked her hands in her jean pockets. " So are you excited? I've heard a lot of buzz about this new show."
R.J. laughed and tossed her brown hair over her shoulder before sitting down on the couch. "I'm nervous. I've been a radio DJ for years and this kind of just snuck up on me."
"I think it's an awesome opportunity then." I grinned and sat across from her. "Thank you for having me."
R.J. nodded and leaned forward. "So," she rubbed her hands together, "I'm trying to contain my excitement of meeting you because your music has been most inspirational. It's hard acting professional."
I had to laugh and she seemed to have relaxed. "Well I'm a fan of yours as well. I think your radio show was one of the best in the city. You have pretty great taste in music."
R.J. smiled. "My girlfriend is the lead singer of Cera. She pretty much introduced me to everything I know."
I've heard the band name being thrown around quite a lot in the city but I wasn't sure if I've ever heard of them before.
"They're a local band. They've made it big but things kind of changed for them and they went back to being local. Lia's a huge fan of yours; her band covers a lot your songs."
"Oh wow," I laughed lightly and bit my lip, "very cool. I'd love to meet her some time."
"I think that can be arranged. She's walking around this building somewhere." She chuckled and stood up. "One of the reasons why I came to you before the show is to kind of give you a rundown of what'll be going on. Basically just a simple small interview and we do have a game we're introducing, 'Truth of Fail'. Questions get asked, no matter how personal and you choose to answer. If you answer them all, we'll give away money to the charity of your choice."
I held my breath and raised an eyebrow. "Wow, well I can't let a charity down now can I?"
R.J. shook her with a smile. "Also if you're up for it, I see you brought your guitar."
I glanced over at 'Samantha'. I took her everywhere with me now that Sam had returned it. I still wasn't sure why she had shipped back the guitar I gave her. I'd ask her.
Someday.
"Well I'm up for performing a song." I nodded and scratched the back of my neck.
"That'll be great, thank you." R.J. dipped her head slightly before sneaking out the door.
I had an hour before it was show time.
--
"She has sold over 12 million copies of her latest album and is now on her final journey of the last leg of her tour. I know you all are excited to see her just as much as I am. Please welcome our Canadian rocker princess, Alex Carlin!" R.J.'s voice was practically drowned out by the screaming fans from inside and outside of the studio. I made my way from backstage and was greeted by bright spotlights and the host ushering me to a huge black plush couch. "Hi," she greeted me with a soft hug before we sat down.
I glanced towards the audience and waved to them, eliciting louder screams. R.J. laughed from beside me and handed me a mic. "Wow," she sighed and sat back, "what do you think of this greeting?"
"I'm very flattered, thank you." I smiled over towards the fans again. "Hi!"
"I heard you had a pretty good concert last night. I wanted to make it but I had other arrangements." I could tell she was loosening up a bit and it helped me to relax as well.
I hadn't done a live show before. It wasn't commercialized either so that made it a little nerve wracking. "You know the fans make it worthwhile. I had such an amazing concert last night, it was packed, probably one of the loudest crowds ever."
"We take our music very seriously." R.J. winked. "So when is your last show?"
"Well tonight is my last concert in the US and I'll be flying to Vancouver tomorrow. I have five more to go and we'll actually be finishing off the tour in Midtown which is a huge deal for us." I said proudly. "I remember having to go into the city of Toronto just to catch a concert so it's nice that my hometown is kind of opening up their arena."
"Wow, that is a big deal. I bet you're looking forward to heading home. Anything new you're planning on working on after this?"
I paused at the question and grinned towards the flashing cameras. "Well I do have a few things lined up but nothing I can talk about." I finished with a laugh.
"Okay, now I'm really curious. Can you give us a hint?" She asked me, her blue eyes sparkling.
"Only that it involves music." I crossed my legs and adjusted my black tank top briefly as I made myself more comfortable on the couch. "Once it's in solid stone, I may come back and spill."
"Fair enough." She nodded and glanced over towards the audience. "So how was travelling around the world?"
"You know, I don't think that could ever get old. There are times I'll be able to explore the area I am in for a bit. When I was in Sydney, Australia during the beginning of my tour I was able to check out the art galleries and museums. It was very cool."
"Have you been able to check out much of New York City?" She asked me.
"Not this time around, no. I was able to explore it a bit the last time I was here. I'd love to take a whole week off and just explore this place. I grew up in a smaller town and Toronto was only about forty minutes away and once my sister got her driver's licence, she let me go with her and there'd be times we'd get lost. It was fun." I laughed at the memories of Spencer trying to find her way around the city. We eventually knew our way around to certain areas.
"Ah, the infamous sister. How cool is it that you two were able to accomplish your dreams? I mean she did play for Team Canada and I read that was a huge deal for her."
"Oh yeah," I nodded, "my sister always knew she'd be on the team. She was that good! I'm very proud of what she's accomplished with her career. I've always wanted to be involved in music and I guess I have her to thank for that."
"How so?"
"Well she was the one that started out with an interest in music. My parents bought her a guitar one year and she would write songs with lyrics, sometimes she'd sing. She would never admit that she was good at it though. One day she was at a hockey practice and left her guitar out. I picked it up and I knew at that moment I was going to like the feel of it in my hands." The crowd had picked up some noise a bit and I waved at the fans that I could see outside in the streets of Time Square.
"And that's when Alex Carlin was born." R.J. grinned and patted my leg.
The rest of the interview went rather smoothly. Same questions that have been asked before but I didn't mind.
"Okay, so we're sadly coming to an end of this lovely interview. I know, it's tragic." R.J. was faced towards the camera man while I sat in a blue bean bag chair that I was asked to sit in. "We do have a few more questions for Alex and this is something we like to call 'Truth or Fail'. Basically what will happen is Alex will be asked five questions total and if she happens to answer them all without passing, we will donate five thousand dollars to the charity of her choice. Are you ready?" She turned to me and grinned, a hand on her hip.
I was slightly nervous because I knew how important people wanted into your personal life. I braced myself and put on a brave smile. "Bring it on!"
"Alright, this first question was emailed in from Kari in Massachusetts. What is your inspiration to write your songs, what drives you to share them with the world?"
"Oh wow, that's a good one." I chuckled and picked at the rip in my jeans. "Um, well my inspiration is obviously the people in my life. In my experiences I think you should take those moments very seriously. I think it's also important to share those things as well, it's therapeutic. I write about them and it makes me feel lighter somehow. When they're being shared with the world and I can help others through painful or happy things, I know I'm doing my job."
"Very well answered, Alex. I can tell you've been through a lot just listening to some of the lyrics, you're very good at that." R.J. said softly.
I smiled and said my 'thank you' in the mic softly.
"Alright, we have a phone call question. Wow, this one's coming in all the way from South Africa! Hello?"
"Hello!" A woman on the other end answered. I had to say I loved her accent.
"So I'm guessing this is costing you a lot of money?" R.J. laughed.
"It's worth it."
The crowd laughed. "What's your name and your question?" R.J. played with the rings on her fingers.
"My name is Trace and my question is if you had to choose a song from any band or artist to best describe your life, what would it be?"
"All these questions are refreshing so far," I snickered and tucked hair behind my ear. "Well Trace, first of all I love your accent. A song that would best describe me or my life? I'd have to say..." I paused and scratched my head. "Hate Me by Blue October. Definitely an old song but it stuck with me."
"May I ask why?"
The crowd quieted down as R.J. looked at me curiously. She gave me a slight nod and I cleared my throat. "There are things I'm not proud of in my life with choices I've made. This song just kind of describes how I've hurt people and I'd understand if they resent me in some sort of way. I hope that they don't go as far as hating me but it is safe to say I hated myself."
"I don't think it's possible for anyone to hate you." R.J. spoke and thanked Trace for calling. "Okay, we have an in audience question." She moved towards the center of the audience and stopped on a light brunette. "What is your name and where are you from?"
"My name is Tarah and I'm from here in New York." Her icy blue eyes caught mine and she licked her lips. "So we hear your big sister is back with her high school sweetheart Ashley Davies who helped you put out your first two albums. During that time, they were estranged. Was there ever a time that you took it upon yourself to fill the void your sister left in her heart and in her bed?"
"Yeow!" R.J. hissed into the mic and the crowd gasped, booed and cheered.
I caught the woman's glance and she shared with me a cocky smirk, just waiting for my reaction. I had to raise an eyebrow and smile a little bit. I shouldn't be surprised by the question, especially during a live show that millions were possibly watching.
"I want to send out congratulations to my sister and Ashley on their recent engagement, they deserve the best. And no, Tarah, I've never once tried to fill any void in Ashley's life during our time of working together on my albums. She is so completely in love with Spencer, it's sickening. I know for a fact Ashley would never allow that to happen and I would never do that to my sister at all. We're best friends and that's all we ever were."
"So you weren't in love with her in any way?" Tarah asked.
"No. I was never in love with Ashley. I had a girlfriend back then that I was crazy about as well." The last part of my answer kind of sped my heart up a bit. I was having slight flashbacks of my break up with Sammy and how it had gone public within hours. She had to hide out for a while until it all blew over and I felt so bad for her. I couldn't have blamed her if she never wanted to see me again. I also knew that my answer to her question would rouse up new ideas of her. How I broke her heart. How it all went down.
"Pretty brave in answering that question." R.J. laughed, before she introduced the next caller with a question. "We have Erin from London, Ontario. Welcome Erin, what is your question for Alex?"
"If you could go back and change something major that happened in your life, would you do it?"
"You know they say you shouldn't live without regrets but I don't believe in that. You just have to learn from the mistakes you've made and hope for the best in the future. However, I guess there'd be some things I would like to change. A part of me would be sceptical about it because whatever path I chose to go down in the past, helped me realize that I didn't like who I was becoming. I've made stupid mistakes and I'm just thankful I'm still here and talking to the ones I love and being accepted in spite of everything." I smiled softly and placed the mic gently in my lap while R.J. mentioned the seriousness in my answers. Maybe she was surprised I was more of an open book than most artists would be, especially on a live show that couldn't be edited.
"Okay, last question and you're off the hook. Think you can handle it?" The host teased before scouting someone else out in the crowd. "Hi! What's your name, where are you from?"
"Hi Alex," the younger female smiled warmly, "my name is Whitney, I'm from Tennessee. It's been news that you and Tracey had broken up a while back. I was wondering if you had any new love interests in mind?"
"I knew this question was coming. I could feel it." I laughed and bit my lip briefly before thinking of a way to word the answer. "First off, props to Tracey. She's an amazing woman with such an incredible heart and deserves so much in this world, I truly do wish her that best. As for a new love interest; does my guitar count?" I teased and inhaled with a smile. "I haven't really been focusing on that part of my life. I've been busy with touring and the woman I want to be with deserves every ounce of my attention. I want to be able to offer her that."
"So there is a woman?" R.J. raised an eyebrow, making her way back towards me and the stage.
"Perhaps." I answered with a blush and was thankful it was the last question. Being on the hot seat wasn't all that fun.
"Okay well you're not off the hook yet. You mentioned your guitar; would you be willing to play us something? Perhaps maybe your encore song?" She glanced at me knowingly and I smirked, nodding.
A couple of guys set up a stool and mic for me onstage quickly while I grabbed my guitar, holding it close to me.
It wasn't long before I was up on that stool, tuning my guitar out of habit. "So I bet everyone's wondering why I always chose this song as my 'encore' piece. It's been with me since high school and out of everything that has happened, this incredible woman has never lost faith in me. This song keeps me grounded because she does as well." I looked back at the one guy who was on drums and nodded him to count me in.
White snowflakes all around
The sky is high, and with you the
Stars fall down
All day I've been dreaming,
Killer blue,
Raging red,
The things you do
The things you've said
So come lie with me in this bed
Of white snowflakes
Come and melt the world with me
I'll do whatever it takes
I'll expose my deepest layer
I'll show you how to breathe,
Samantha Taylor
Crystal raindrops touch the ground
Every ripple is another desire,
A part of me I have found
I can feel you within me
Your eyes so breathtaking
Your lips so tantalizing
In the things you do,
The things you've said
So come lie with me in this bed
of mellow raindrops
Come and soak up this love with me
Until my heart stops
I'll expose my deepest layer
I'll show you how to breathe,
Samantha Taylor
It doesn't hurt to want you this much
I can only think about your burning touch
The way your smile is the best part of you
And how you make it so easy to fall in love with you
Oh oh Samantha Taylor,
I'll expose my deepest layer
I'll treat you with so much desire
We'll have this love up in fire
Samantha Taylor
Come and lie with me in this bed
Of white snowflakes
Come and melt the world with me
I'll do whatever it takes
I'll expose myself in every layer
Because I'm so in love with
Samantha Taylor
Once I was done, I was overwhelmed by the cheers and whistles. I bowed my head in thanks and placed my guitar down beside me, getting up to join R.J. near a huge picture window.
"Well Alex Carlin, you've been an awesome guest. I just want to thank you again for dropping by. I'll keep my end of the bargain. We're more than happy to donate five thousand dollars to any charity of your choice." She wrapped an arm around my shoulder and waited for my answer.
"The Children's Development project." I said without hesitation. "I think it's in their best interest to build a friendlier environment for all of the group homes, foster homes and centers while children of all ages are waiting for that one family to provide them love, safety and security." I nodded seriously and smiled when the crowd cheered.
"I agree." R.J. nodded and clapped. "Well I wish you all the best with the remainder of your tour and your mysterious project and love life." She laughed and turned to the cameras hovering around us. "And thank you to the viewers who stuck around to watch us. I'm R.J. and tune into R.J. Live again tomorrow, same place, same time."
--
I spent two hours at a booth signing autographs and getting pictures taken with fans. I was exhausted but I couldn't contain how happy I was with the way the day turn out.
One teenage boy had asked me if I missed Sammy. I couldn't lie to him or myself so I told him the truth. I missed her more and more each day but knew walking away that last time was the best choice for the both of us. I've emailed her a few times and she kindly replied but it was all work related; nothing too personal in fear of making things worse.
"Alex!" R.J. caught up to me at the small after gathering and handed me a beer. "I think I need to have you on my show every day." She laughed softly and took a sip of her own drink. "I've never seen a crowd that crazy, not even when Carson Daly had his show."
"Wow, I wasn't even high school yet when he was on air." I chuckled and savoured the bitter taste in my mouth. "I think you're going to do great with your show. You made me feel very comfortable, thank you."
She waved her hand slightly and shook her head with a smile. "So my girlfriend is dying to meet you, would that be okay?"
"Yeah, of course." I laughed and allowed her to drag me to the other side of the greenroom. I noticed a woman with long black hair and dressed all in the colour, laughing with a guitar in her hand. She seemed to have sensed us walking towards her and she hopped up, placing said guitar on the leather couch.
"Hey baby," she husked softly, pulling R.J. in for a kiss, wrapping her arm around the woman's waist. Her hazel eyes caught mine and she smiled widely. "Alex Carlin. It's finally a pleasure to meet you. You are one talented musician." She held out her hand for me to shake. "I'm Lia."
"You know, your girl is extremely proud of you." I offered and she blushed slightly.
"She tends to exaggerate." She laughed and glanced at her girlfriend. I knew that look - a look of pure devotion and love. "Don't let her fool you."
"Okay," I nodded and pointed towards her guitar with the bottle before taking a swig, "play for me. Prove her wrong." I raised a challenging eyebrow and she seemed to stutter slightly before clutching her guitar in her hand.
"Fine, but you asked for it." She threw me a smirk. "I don't play solo though so let me grab the girls." She took off outside the room. It wasn't long before all four women were in the greenroom setting up in the furthest corner.
Let me say that if Cera were looking for a label to sign them up, I'd point them in the right direction.
--
Ashley's PoV
"Did you ever wonder if she was in love with you?" Spencer glanced at me after turning off the TV. We were curled up on our bed comfortably. We had just finished watching Alex's interview on R.J. Live that was on repeat later on that night.
I laughed and cuddled her closer to me. "No, I knew she wasn't in love with me." I kissed her temple and tucked my hand underneath her jersey, stroking the firm stomach underneath. "Alex was so in love with Sam and she knew how I felt about you."
"It would've made sense." She stretched her neck to look up at me. "You are smoking hot."
"Yes because that would be the only reason why she'd be in love with me." I rolled my eyes playfully and tickled her, causing her to giggle slightly.
"I can't believe she just told Sammy she was ready." Spencer sat up and ran her hand through her hair, yanking all the tangles out. "Not in so many words, but she did."
"I'm sure Sam knows that anyway." I said softly. "How can she not? Alex's whole life with Tracey ended because of their love for each other. No one's stupid enough to think otherwise."
"No, I know. It's just Alex was so closed up before, you know? I think this tour has helped her." Spencer smiled and decided to curl back into me, her arm wrapped tightly around my waist.
"Well hell yes for the congratulate shout out!" I cheered, causing her to laugh and roll me over, straddling my hips. "Can I say that the big day cannot come soon enough?"
Spencer smiled shyly and lowered her body on top of mine, tucking strands of hair behind my ear before trailing her fingers down my neck. "Yeah? Is it because you want everything I own?"
"You only have one thing that I'm interested in." I teased and smacked her ass, causing her to shriek and slap me playfully. "Abuse already? Spencer, I'm shocked."
"Shut up." She laughed and kissed the tip of my chin. "So what are you interested in?"
"Just you." I shrugged honestly. I wanted to bring up my idea for the wedding and figured the timing was perfect. I traced my hands under her jersey and up her sides. "Hey, I had a thought about the wedding."
Spencer lifted her head up and looked at me curiously. "Yeah?" She breathed, her eyes lighting up.
"Well you're going to make one gorgeous bride baby and I want it all to be perfect for you." I squeezed her hips lightly and lifted my head to capture her sweet lips briefly.
"I don't want anything extravagant Ash, you know that." Spencer replied lightly.
"Well good because I'm not talking extravagant." I grinned. "I'm talking location."
She sat up, straddling me once again. Her blonde hair fell over her shoulders as she raised an eyebrow. "We're not talking the courtyard here?"
"No." I sat up and pulled her tighter to me on my lap. "I'm talking where it all began," I whispered, my lips brushing over her face gently, "I'm talking your hometown."
"Ash..." She breathed.
"Seriously Spence," I pulled back slowly, "it's the perfect location. Our friends and family live there. It makes sense. I think it'll help heal the little things we left unfinished back then. Midtown deserves to be graced with our killer love once again." I winked and she bit her lip, her arms tightening around my neck before pulling me into a heart stopping kiss. Once we pulled back, I couldn't wipe the stupid grin off my face. "Is that a yes?"
Spencer only nodded and knocked me back down, kissing me with a deeper passion.
I'm guessing I was about to get a mind blowing 'thank you'.
--
A/N: The song, 'Samantha Taylor' is obviously mine. Not the best but Alex did write it in high school. Aw, that love struck puppy.
