Jade West-Gordon has never considered herself to be huge a fan of pop music. She could take it or leave it, if she was being honest. If it's playing somewhere she won't go out of her way to avoid it, but she also doesn't go out of her way to seek it out. However, Jade West-Gordon is a huge fan of Cat Valentine, and watching from the front row as her childhood friend dances around on stage and sings for a sold-out arena full of fans at Madison Square Garden brings her an overwhelming sense of pride she hadn't expected to feel.
"Thank you for coming out tonight." Cat's husband, Robbie, says to her as they watch the show "It means the world to her that you're here."
"Of course." Jade smiles "I wouldn't miss it."
She had missed it the last time, though...and the time before that. The concert, that is. There had been two previous opportunities for Jade to see Cat perform live in New York in the years prior, and she had to decline both invitations. She claimed that there were work obligations, but Cat, and Robbie as well, both knew there had to be something else keeping her away. Jade is one of the biggest stars in the movie industry right now, she could have found a way to get out of her obligations an hour early if it meant supporting one of her oldest friends. At the time both Cat and Robbie had kept their thoughts about the situation to themselves, not wanting to start an unnecessary argument.
At the conclusion of the concert Jade follows Robbie to the backstage area, both of them flashing their VIP badges to the security guards who let them through. It doesn't take long for them to find Cat; she's surrounded by a group of her dancers, discussing the performance as they retrieve their water bottles.
"Jadey!" Cat grins as her eyes land on her friend "What did you think?"
"You were amazing, Cat." Jade smiles "I'm so proud of you."
Jade's comments are genuine, too. For as long as she's known Cat, and that's almost twenty years at this point, she's wanted to do exactly what she's doing now: singing her own songs for arenas full of fans who know all of the words and sing them right back to her. To see her do it at Madison Square Garden, the world's most famous arena, is even more special. Cat is truly living her dream, and Jade couldn't be happier for her.
"I'm so glad that you came!" Cat admits "It's been too long since we've seen each other."
"I know, I know. I'm sorry." Jade apologizes "Work, you know how it can be."
"Sure..." Cat nods "Hey! You should come back to the hotel with us! I just need to get changed first, but then we could-"
"I'd love to, Cat. But I need to be getting home." Jade tells her "Will is probably waiting for me."
Her husband of six years, Wilmer Gordon. His real name is technically Wilbur, but he changed it to Wilmer at the start of his career because he thought people might take him more seriously. Jade isn't sure if his name change had any impact, she hadn't known him then, but opts to call him 'Will' in most situations anyway.
They met on the set of her first major movie project. He was directing, and she had been cast as a supporting character...the lead's younger sister who ended up dying towards the end of the film, breaking the hearts of movie-goers everywhere. Jade had been nineteen at the time, and Wilmer...had been fifty-one.
Wilmer was intrigued by Jade almost instantly. Over the span of his almost thirty-year career at the time, he had never seen someone so young exhibit so much natural and effortless talent. Jade liked that Wilmer took her seriously as an actress, and didn't treat her like a child as some of her co-stars did. Their relationship wasn't romantic at first, but almost more of that of a mentor and mentee. When Wilmer casted Jade in a second movie not long after the first they had worked on, they began to grow closer...and feelings began to develop. They married when Jade was twenty-two much to the dismay of her family and friends...and most of the world. Wilmer is Jade's first husband, but Jade is Wilmer's third wife.
"He can come too!" Cat offers "I don't think Robbie or I have seen him since the wedding!"
Cat tries her best to be supportive of her friend's marriage, even though it prevents them from seeing each other as much as she would like. Wilmer has proclaimed Jade to be his 'muse', casting her in every single one of his projects, whether it be movies or limited series, and designing most of them around her as well. He's keeping her quite busy. The only thing that keeps Cat from stepping in and saying something is...well, Jade doesn't really seem to mind all that much. As long as Jade is happy...Cat will be happy for her.
"S'not really his scene." Jade sighs "You know how he is."
Cat nods in agreement, when in reality...she barely knows 'how he is' at all. She's met Wilmer Gordon maybe four times. Once right after he and Jade started dating, once at their wedding, once at her own wedding, and once last year when they got together for dinner in LA.
"Well, I hope you can make it out to another show." Cat tells her "Oh! Maybe next weekend? We're doing two shows in Philadelphia! You should come down and make a weekend of it. Oh Jadey, please? We never get to see each other anymore and it would be so much fun!"
"You're right, it does sound fun." Jade agrees "But I can't. I'll be in LA for a charity event."
Jade and Wilmer reside in New York almost full-time, sometimes traveling to and from LA for work. Jade loves the city, and she loves her husband, but unfortunately...most of her family and friends are back in California.
"Damn it..." Cat is visibly disappointed "Alright, another time though? Okay? Promise me, Jadey."
"I promise." Jade nods, opening her arms to hug Cat tightly "It was good to see you, Cat."
"You too, Jadey." Cat nods, fighting tears "Don't be a stranger, okay? Text me!"
"I will." Jade assures her "I promise."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Jade says goodbye to Robbie as well, offering him a hug before promising the couple to keep in touch and turning to leave. Robbie wraps an arm around his wife's shoulders, knowing she's upset by her friend's departure, and pulls her close to him.
"I miss her." Cat admits to him when Jade is out of sight "I miss my friend."
"She's still your friend, Cat." Robbie assures her "Adulthood is just pulling everyone in different directions is all."
"This is more than just being busy." Cat shakes her head "I think...oh, never mind."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Cat sighs "It's nothing."
"I'm home!" Jade singsongs as she enters the penthouse that she and Wilmer share
There's no response as she kicks off her shoes and moves further into the house, looking around for any sign of her husband.
"Will?" She calls out "Hello?"
The living room and their bedroom are empty, as is Wilmer's personal study. Jade pulls out her phone and sends him a quick text, asking where he is, and rolls her eyes when she hears his text tone go off in their bedroom. He's horrible about remembering his phone, often forgetting it unless she reminds him to check his pockets for it before they leave to go anywhere.
With a sigh, Jade retreats back to their bedroom to start getting ready for bed. Sure enough, his phone is sitting on his nightstand. It's after midnight now. Wherever Wilmer is, probably out visiting with friends, he'll be home soon.
It's after three in the morning when Jade feels her husband's arm slip around her waist. She's half-awake, lingering somewhere in-between conscious and asleep when he presses a kiss to her temple and alerts her to his presence.
"Where've you been?" She asks rolling over to face him "You forgot your phone again, I was worried."
"That damn phone..." Wilmer sighs "I'm sorry, I went to a friend's and lost track of time."
"You said you were too tired to go out tonight." Jade reminds him
It's true. She had asked her to come along to the concert with her, almost begged him, actually. Wilmer declined though, claiming that he was too tired to be going out and that he wanted to stay home.
"To go out, yes." Wilmer agrees "I didn't go out though. I was at a friend's house, not somewhere in public."
"Leaving the house is going out." Jade sighs, rolling away from him "Goodnight."
"Jade, wait." He reaches an arm out to stop her "You're upset."
"F'course I'm upset..." She tells him "I asked you to do something with me, your wife, you said you were too tired, and then you went out and did your own thing once I left. And you came back reeking of alcohol."
Laying so close to him, she can smell the whiskey on his breath. It's his drink of choice, she's become quite familiar with that fact by now after knowing him for so long. He also smells of a perfume that isn't her's, but she's come to expect that too at this point. She doesn't have the energy to have two arguments at once tonight, so she stands her ground on the first one.
"I'm sorry, concerts just really aren't my speed these days, honey."
Honey.
Jade hates it when he calls her that, and Wilmer knows it. It makes their age gap seem larger, and it makes her feel like he's trying to reprimand her in some way...like he's her father instead of her husband.
"Golf outings and museum openings aren't really my speed either..." She points out "But I go to those when you ask me, because I'm your wife and I love you."
"That's different."
"How?"
"Jade-"
"Goodnight, Wilmer."
"You're going to have to go solo on the charity event this weekend." Wilmer says to Jade as they're eating breakfast a few days later
They've moved past their argument from the other night, as they always do. Wilmer had apologized and admitted to being in the wrong, promising to accompany Jade to Cat's next New York show. Jade had also apologized for making something so small into such a big deal, and they went back to being a happily married couple.
"Why?"
"Something came up."
"Something?"
"A producer has expressed interest in our next project." Wilmer informs her "He's in town this weekend and wants to meet. If we want any chance of getting this thing off the ground, I can't turn him away."
"You're one of the biggest writers and directors in the industry." Jade reminds him "No one is going to turn you down. Even if they do, we can always just produce it ourselves."
"It's just business, Jade."
"Alright, fine..." She sighs "I'll go by myself."
"Thank you for understanding." Wilmer reaches across the table and takes her hand "I promise that I'll make it up to you."
"You better." Jade smirks "And I think I already have a few ideas how."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah..."
Two days later on Friday afternoon, Jade boards a private jet along with her assistant, Jenna, and takes off for Los Angeles without her husband. The gala that she'll be attending supports a charity that helps fund music and arts programs in public schools, a cause very close to Jade's heart. If she hadn't been exposed to theater at such a young age, she certainly wouldn't be where she is today. With the event being on Saturday night, she felt it would be best to travel Friday so that she could spend most of Saturday preparing.
"S'not too late to come with me." Jade says to Jenna as she puts the finishing touches on her makeup "We already paid for Will's ticket, we could find you a dress and you could-"
"No thanks." Jenna laughs "I have no business playing pretend and rubbing elbows with celebrities all night. Besides, I have too much work to get done."
"As your boss, I give you permission to skip work for tonight." Jade smirks
"Thanks again...but I respectfully decline." Jenna chuckles "Let me know if you need anything though."
"I don't suppose you could get my husband here in the next forty-five minutes to attend this thing with me, can you?"
"No, sorry." Jenna shakes her head "I would if I could though."
"Yeah...I know you would." Jade sighs
"It's probably none of my business but...is everything okay with you two?"
"Oh yeah." Jade is quick to assure her "He's just not here this weekend because...well, it's just business. You know how it goes."
"Right..." Jenna agrees with a small nod "Of course."
Less than an hour later, Jade is making her way through the lobby of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Los Angeles, making small talk with various acquaintances she knows from the industry as she passes through the crowds. She wants more than anything than to find the bar and get herself a drink. It's not that she doesn't want to be here, normally she finds these galas to be quite enjoyable, but she doesn't like being here alone. Wilmer is more of a social butterfly than she is, conversation comes much more naturally to him. He could make friends with a brick wall if he tried, but she isn't as great at making small-talk with strangers.
"Chardonnay, please." Jade says to the bartender when she arrives, pulling a few twenty-dollar bills out of her purse and sticking them into the tip jar
The open bar had been included with the price of her ticket but she knows the bartenders likely won't see nearly as much of that money as they deserve, especially with a majority of the night's proceeds going to the charity. She had been young in Hollywood once, and knows how hard it can be to get by. The least she can do is tip them, she won't miss the money.
"Of course, ma'am." The man behind the counter nods "Right away."
Ma'am.
She hates being called that too, it makes her feel old. Then again, 'Miss' makes her feel too young, so there's no winning for her in that respect, really.
The bartender hands the glass of wine over to her and she thanks him, then steps to the side so the next patron behind her can order. She lingers at the bar for a bit, taking a small sip of her wine while she tries to decide where to head next. She could walk around some more, try to mingle with the other guests. She knows of a lot of them, probably like a lot of them know of her, but she doesn't know many of them personally. She could go to her table and wait for the meal and the speeches to start, but she'll be sitting with mostly friends of her husband and it might be awkward to be there for so long without him.
"Jade?"
She looks towards the end of the bar, where the voice that said her name had come from, and sees a tuxedo-clad man staring at her with wondering eyes. He looks like he's trying to place her face, and she's trying to place his as well.
"Yes?"
"I knew it was you." The man smiles "It's me, Beck. Beck Oliver."
Of course, how could she forget? It's been a decade now since the last time they saw each other; he's older now, his hair shorter and his face more mature. She knows that she looks different too. After ten years, it would probably be concerning if they hadn't changed.
"Hey..." She laughs a bit as she moves down the bar to be closer to him "I didn't know you'd be here tonight."
"I've only gotten involved with the cause more recently. This is my first time at one of these things." He informs her "But shit, how've you been? I mean, it's been what? Ten years now?"
"Close to it, yeah." She nods
They were high school sweethearts, one may argue. They started dating the summer before they both started their freshman year at Hollywood Arts High School, all the way until Beck's freshman year of college. Their breakup had been amicable, at least that's how Jade saw it. Beck was going to Chicago to attend Northwestern, she was staying in LA to start auditioning...they tried long distance but were broken up by the time Halloween rolled around. They were only eighteen and it was too much for them. No hard feelings, it just didn't work out. They fell out of touch not long after that, like most exes who promise to keep in touch usually do.
"So, how are you?"
"I...I'm good." Jade laughs "Still a bit surprised to see you, but I'm good. Uh, I'm married now-"
"I heard." Beck chuckles
"Yeah, the whole world heard." Jade smirks as she rolls her eyes "I get it, he's older than me."
"Hey, if you're happy that's all that matters." Beck assures her "Is he here? I'd love to meet him."
He only says so to be polite though. In all honesty, Beck wants nothing to do with Wilmer Gordon. Sure, he's one of the biggest writers and directors in the world, but he hasn't heard great things about his personality or his character. Beck had found out about his relationship with and eventual marriage to Jade in the same way that everyone else had, through the media. He had been a bit surprised, based on what he had heard about Wilmer...he didn't see his ex-girlfriend having any interest in him. People change though, and rumors are only rumors...so he did his best not to judge.
"No, he's back in New York." Jade informs him "Some producer meeting for our next movie, you know how it goes."
"Our?"
"Haven't you heard?" Jade smirks as she takes another sip of her wine "I'm his muse...which is as ridiculous as it sounds, I know."
"S'not ridiculous." Beck assures her "I saw that one of his you were in a few years ago, 'Prairie Paths'? It was really good. You're very talented, Jade. Don't sell yourself short."
He'd always known that to be true though. From the moment he first saw her onstage in one of their high school productions, he knew she had something special. It's no surprise to him whatsoever that she's as accomplished today as she is.
"Thanks." Jade blushes a bit "I don't have any Oscars though."
"I just have the one." Beck shrugs "S'not much to brag about."
He won his first and only Academy Award when he was twenty-five, for a period drama about World War I in which he had played the lead. He's been nominated a few other times as well, but only won once. He's been nominated for a few Golden Globes as well, but never won in any of those categories either. Regardless, he's a household name at this point. Not just for being a talented actor, which he is, but also because he's a bit of a heartthrob.
"Except it is." Jade laughs "Congratulations, by the way."
"Thanks." Beck tells her, raising his hand to catch the attention of the bartender "Excuse me, sir? A Budweiser, please."
"Tap or bottle?"
"Whatever's cold." Beck tells him "Thank you."
"What about you?" Jade asks him "Here with anyone?"
"No." Beck laughs a bit as he accepts his beer from the bartender "Thanks, man. No, I'm here by myself tonight."
He's had a few serious girlfriends since Jade. He had actually been engaged at one point, but his ex had broken things off when she realized that she wasn't ready to settle down yet. Beck has never really been one for flings, preferring deeper connections and meaningful relationships, despite the 'bad boy heartthrob' that the media has tried to paint him as.
"S'too bad neither one of us have dates." Jade shrugs "Looks like we'll just have to hang out with each other."
"I don't mind." Beck shrugs "I think we're due to catch up, don't you?"
"I do, yeah."
Beck has much more interesting stories from his time in the industry than Jade does. Despite having more credits to her name, Jade has really ever worked with Wilmer...and has done most of her filming in New York or LA. Beck has worked with dozens of different directors and traveled all over the world to work, Jade is almost jealous.
"Where was your favorite place that you've ever worked?" Jade asks him, now on her second glass of wine of the evening "If you had to pick."
"Easy." Beck scoffs "Sicily. The south coast had the most beautiful view that I've ever seen. Part of me wishes I could live there, but I'm also afraid I would grow sick of it."
"Sounds nice." Jade admits "Italy is on my bucket list of places to visit."
"You've never been?"
"No?" Jade laughs "That's why it's on my bucket list. Don't look so surprised. I barely have any time to travel, s'like I'm always working these days."
"It's enjoyable work though, right?"
"I guess so, yeah." She nods "That's why I don't complain."
They part ways when it's time for the meal to be served, as they're seated at separate tables. Jade makes small talk with Wilmer's friends, assuring them all that her husband really did want to be there but just couldn't get away from work. Beck has no issue making conversation with the people that he's seated with, as most of them are friends from the industry that he's worked with at some point over the course of his career.
When Jade returns to the bar for her next drink, she's surprised to bump into Beck again. They retreat to one of the smaller hightop tables nearby, and talk for another hour longer or so, catching up on ten years worth of details. Jade tells Beck about how she had just recently attended one of Cat's shows, and how proud she is of her friend for being able to live her dream...and how she wishes that she got to see her more. Beck tells Jade about how friends of their's from high school that he's still close with, Tori and Andre, had gotten married a few years prior and recently welcomed a baby girl named Zoe. Jade says that she remembers seeing something about the baby on Instagram, and can't help thinking that she regrets not reaching out.
Both of them are surprised by how easy it is to talk to one another given the fact that they're exes. Then again, they had dated in high school...they were basically children when they were together. Now that ten years have passed, maybe it's possible for them to be friends. Then again...Beck can't stop himself from admiring Jade's dress. The form-fitting gown is a deep navy color that makes her eyes really pop, he had always loved it when she wore blue for that exact reason. The plunging neckline definitely highlights her chest as well.
Look away. He tells himself It's not that kind of relationship anymore.
Jade can't help thinking about how handsome Beck is, not that he hand't always been. His twenties had been kind to him, and it's no wonder that women everywhere are lusting after him. Every time he smiles at her, she feels her heart beat a bit faster...which makes her feel guilty, because she knows Wilmer is back home in New York waiting for her.
Stop it. She thinks to herself It's been ten years, and you're married.
"I'm staying here tonight." Beck tells her "Do you want to come up to my room for a night cap? Less people to have to worry about mingling with."
"Hm?" Jade snaps back to reality "Oh, uh...thank you, but I'm not really sure that's appropriate. If the press catches me going upstairs alone with a man that isn't my husband...there could be some serious implications."
"I understand." Beck nods "How much longer are you in town?"
"Through Wednesday morning, I think?" Jade shrugs as she pulls out her phone to check her calendar "I have a few meetings out here for brand endorsements and philanthropy work, but then I'm back to New York."
"Can I convince you to stay an extra day?" Beck asks her "I'm having some people over Wednesday night. Just a small get together, but it'll be fun. We can keep catching up then. What do you say? I've missed talking to you."
"I'll have to check my schedule." Jade admits "But I think that can be arranged."
"Great." Beck smiles, fishing his phone out of his pocket and handing it to her "Here, I'm assuming your number has changed by now. Put your new information in and I'll text you the details."
"Sure." Jade nods, taking the phone from him and entering her new number "Here you go."
"I'll see you Wednesday?"
"See you Wednesday."
If you've read this far, thank you for giving this first chapter a shot! I'm really excited about the concept of this story. It's inspired by the song 'Muscle Memory' by Kelsea Ballerini (off of the same album as the song 'Heartfirst', which inspired another one of my stories. It's a very Bade-esque album, in my opinion). It's been a work in progress for close to a year now and I'm so excited to finally be able to share it with you! These chapters are much longer than I have tended to write with my other stories, but it's what felt most appropriate for this one. I hope you all enjoy it!