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“Easy for you to say. I’m about to step out on the red carpet for the biggest awards night of my career. I’m nervous as fuck. All those cameras. All the articles that are going to be written. All that attention.”
“Excuse me, but when did you hate attention?”
That made me laugh. “Well, I mean, it’s going to suck so hard if we lose. And I’ll have to pretend I don’t mind, and that I’m happy for the winner. I have a terrible poker face.”
Andrew pulled into the curb in front of the grand entrance to the awards venue.
There were cameras every fucking where, trained right on the back door of the limo. “Oh god, I’m gonna throw up. Watch me step out and fall flat on my face.”
“Look at me.” I turned back to Grayson and instantly felt my breathing settle. He was so calm and reassuring. “You are beautiful, talented, and amazing. One awards night does not define who you are, or what will happen for the rest of your life. Got it?”
I nodded. “I’m so glad I’ve got you to look after me.”
He smiled. “Me too.” Leaning in, he brushed a kiss across my lips. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“You ready?”
“Yep.”
Andrew opened the door and Grayson went out first, reaching back to take my hand in his and help me from the limo. The flash of the cameras was blinding, and the way the photographers yelled my name, trying to get me to look at them, was really fucking overwhelming.
But Grayson was there, pulling my arm through his, smiling down at me like I was the only person in the whole world. We walked the red carpet together, stopping at the designated place to pose for the cameras. Grayson slipped his arm around me, holding me close to his side. “Not so bad, is it?” He murmured softly in my ear.
I did one of those poses I’d been practicing, where I put my hand on my hip and stick my leg forward. “No, it’s not so bad.” The cameras clicked incessantly. It wasn’t nearly as scary as I’d thought it would be. “I kinda like it, actually.”
After a few moments, he moved away, so that I could have the spotlight to myself. I could stand it for all of two seconds before I was scurrying after him, hooking my arm through his again. “I don’t like it that much!”
We entered the venue and found our seats. Because Boudica had been nominated for Album of the Year, we were in the front row. Miriam, Eliza, Evan and Reggie were already there.
“Jeez, how was that red carpet run?” Miriam asked as soon as I sat down.
“Daunting as fuck, not gonna lie.”
The lights dimmed, signaling the start of the show. I settled in my seat as the host came out and stood behind the microphone. He reamed off a few pretty inoffensive jokes, then announced the first act of the night.
From there, it was rinse and repeat. The host, a performance, an award. It was a marathon of flashing lights and over-the-top performances that seemed to go on forever. All leading up to the big one. The Album of the Year. Christ, we’d worked so hard for this. I honestly felt it was our best work yet.
Finally, it was time. The previous year’s winner, Cassidy Jones, walked onto the stage, smiling and waving at the audience. We’d met a few times and I’d been so rapt when she’d won last year. It was unbelievable that in a few moments, it could be me up there, all excited and gushing. Or not.
Yeah, I was more than a little fidgety, but so was Miriam. Eliza had to do exactly what Grayson was doing for me, taking her hands and holding them tight.
Reggie looked all calm and collected, except for the slight tapping of his foot. Evan was a mess.
Grayson leaned close. “I love you, no matter what.”
“I love you, too,” I whispered. Jeez, I was so tense I was squeezing his hand tight enough to break bones.
Cassidy already had the envelope in her hand, and my heart hammered. Did it have our name on it?
“Tonight, we’re here to celebrate the incredible talent and passion that fills the airwaves and touches our hearts every day. Let’s give it up for all the amazing artists who pour their souls into creating the albums that have moved us, inspired us, and made us dance this past year. From pop to punk, rock to country, the diversity of sounds and stories represented here tonight is truly something special. Now, let’s get ready to find out who will take home the coveted Album of the Year award! With so much talent in the mix, the anticipation is at an all-time high. So, hold on to your seats and get ready to cheer for your favorites as we honor the best of the best in music tonight!”
She made a show of opening the envelope, pausing to read it, before leaning into the microphone. “And the winner, for Album of the Year, is…” Another long fucking pause. Oh, God. “Boudica!”
Our hit song started playing, and images of us flashed up on the vast screens behind the stage. Elation surged through me and I bounced to my feet, dragging Grayson with me. Then I was wrapped in a tight group hug by Evan, Reggie, and Miriam.
As the hug broke apart, I turned to Grayson and threw my arms around him, pulling him close. “We did it,” I said, my voice trembling with disbelief and happiness. “We actually did it.”