by L.H. Cosway
There was some cheering when Jack emerged from the dark end of the field. He jogged to where Lille sat on a deck chair next to Matilda, pulled her up and laid a big sloppy kiss on her mouth. “Happy Birthday, flower,” he said. “I hope you like your surprise.”
Then he was gone again and a minute later, the sky lit up in an explosion of colour. The fireworks were like nothing I’d ever seen. They weren’t the typical shooting stars. Instead, Jack created planet shapes, love hearts and exploding circles. It was a symphony in light and it literally took my breath away. When the very last fireworks went off they spelled out the words “Happy Birthday, Lille.”
I glanced her way. She had her hand to her mouth and her eyes shone with happy tears as she gaped at the work of art Jack had created.
“You’re such a soppy little romantic,” Trev teased, watching me watch Lille.
“I just think it’s nice,” I replied, sniffling a little. “He said he spent months planning this for her. That’s love for you.”
Trev took my chin and pulled my face to his so our eyes met. “Are you crying?”
I blinked and sucked back the emotion, my response weak. “No.”
“Oh my God, you are. I fucking love you.”
I glanced away. “Shut up.”
“But it’s true.”
“I know that.”
“And you love me, too.”
“Are you trying to make me ball my eyes out? My heart can’t take so much romance in one night. First Jack, now you.”
Trev leaned in close and captured my lips in a soft, lingering kiss. My breath hitched when he pulled away.
“So, you’re into big gestures?” Trev asked.
“Only when they’re happening to other people, so don’t go getting any ideas.”
“Too late. I’ve already got at least five. Maybe five and a half,” Trev teased.
I shot him a curious look. “Where’s the half coming from?”
“It’s not fully formulated yet.”
“Well, keep it that way. You know I don’t like attention. When Karla organised for the waiter to sing to me on my birthday last year I nearly died of embarrassment.”
Trev gave a soft chuckle. “I’m sorry I missed it.”
I nodded and looked back to the sky. The fireworks had disappeared and only the faintest bit of light remained. When I returned my attention to Trev his expression was serious.
“I’m not missing any more of your birthdays. Not a single one,” he said, his tone adamant.
“And I won’t miss a single one of yours,” I replied.
Trev’s face split in a heart-stopping smile. “It’s a deal, Miss Cabrera.”
I smiled right back at him. “Pleasure doing business with you, Mr Cross.”
I held out my hand for him and he took it, but instead of shaking he pulled my mouth to his and kissed me like it might be our last. He gripped my face and I wrapped my arms around his shoulders as we fell back onto the blanket. I felt electric, warm and fuzzy and full of every good thing life could give.
My eyes might’ve been closed, but as our kiss deepened, behind my closed lids I saw an entire universe full of stars.
Twenty-Eight.
Five months later. London.
“Trev! Where do you keep the bog roll in this swanky-arse flat of yours?” Lee called from down the hall.
My boyfriend craned his neck over the couch, where I was currently seated on his lap. “It’s in the cabinet over the sink,” he called back.
“Who the bloody hell keeps it in a cabinet?” Lee grumped. “You’ve gotten too many airs and graces since you moved in here.”
“You’re just jealous of how amazing my gaf is,” Trev shouted happily before he bent to kiss my neck. I shivered and focused my attention on the TV; otherwise I’d be tempted to drag him away from his guests and into the bedroom. Our bedroom. When we got back to London, you couldn’t have torn Trev and me apart for love or money. In the end, we both got so sick of going between my flat and his that he begged me to move in with him.
The whole family was gathered to watch the first episode of Running on Air’s third season. I was nervous because I knew I was going to be in some of the scenes, and I’d never enjoyed seeing myself on camera. It felt weird, like I couldn’t stop fixating on flaws that only I saw.
Trev pulled his phone from his pocket to check his texts. I read it over his shoulder, not surprised to see who it was from. Ever since our night at the circus, he and Jay Fields had been communicating non-stop. Both seemed fascinated with the other’s profession.
Jay: We’re about to go online to watch the first episode.
Trev: Aren’t you in Vegas? What time is it over there?
Jay: Just gone five but we’re early risers. Break a leg. I know it’s gonna be awesome.
I smiled, finding their little bromance adorable. Karla hurried to take her place by the television with a massive bowl of popcorn on her lap.
“Lexie and King just called to let me know they’re watching at home,” she said, giddy with excitement.
“How long’s left?” Trev’s youngest brother, Liam, asked. He and his girlfriend, Iris, were sitting on the floor because there weren’t enough seats for everyone.
“Five more minutes,” Stu answered him. “Don’t get your knickers in a twist, Constable.”
“Please don’t. Lee used to call me that all the time.” Karla grimaced. “Got on my last nerve.”
Lee, who’d just returned from the bathroom, slid in next to Karla and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “You were so easy to piss off.” He grinned. “It was too much fun.”
“I want to hear more about when you first met,” Stu’s partner, Andie, put in. “It sounds so fascinating.
“Speaking of which,” said Trev, eyeing Lee and Karla. “I think you two should thank me for being your go-between. If it weren’t for my communications management you probably never would’ve gotten together.”
Lee scoffed. “You keep telling yourself that, bruv.”
“Hush, it’s about to start,” Sophie interrupted as she grabbed for the remote to turn up the volume. My heart fluttered when the familiar Running on Air opening credits started to play. The fast-paced rock song filled my ears, interlaced with shots of each member of the cast. I was delighted when they slotted Isaac in at the end, announcing him as their newest star. They used footage of him from Bordeaux, where he ran along the narrow edge of a bridge then leapt to a nearby streetlamp and swung to the ground.
I grabbed my phone from the coffee table to send him a quick text. I knew he was back home with his mum and sisters, spending some quality time before they started filming season four.
Reya: Omg! Did you see? You looked amazing :-D
His reply came instantly.
Isaac: I’m DYING! My sisters are yelling their heads off in excitement.
I smiled to myself and placed my phone on the coffee table. Trev wrapped his arms around my middle and squeezed.
The episode started with footage of our train journey to Brussels, with Callum’s voice narrating how they planned to visit several cities and perform stunts in a range of public places. I took Trev’s hand in mine and laced our fingers together. I was so excited for him. This was our first time watching an episode together, and it felt wonderful.
Usually I’d watch with Karla and Lee, or at home in my flat, half exhilarated, half envious of the new and exciting life he was leading without me. Now I just felt proud. He and all the others really pushed their bodies; they practiced and trained non-stop to make their TV show as impressive and entertaining as possible. How could I not be proud?
The show progressed to the day on those rooftops in Brussels. Leanne and Paul were talking to the camera, but you could see Trev and me in the background. I tugged on his shirt where the first-person camera was attached as we chatted. It surprised me how flirtatious my body language was, because I never considered myself a flirt. But obviously I was when it came to Trev, even if
I wasn’t aware.
“Look! There you both are,” said Stu, pointing us out. “Anybody notice how the camera’s zooming in a little too much on Reya’s arse?”
I let out a sigh. “I bet that was Jimbo.”
“Next time I see him I’m putting scratches on all his cameras,” Trev grumped.
The scene moved on to the group all lined up on the edge of the roof. Trev was the first to make the jump and my heart leapt with him. I remembered how nervous I’d been watching him drop like that. From my angle, you couldn’t see that there was another adjoining rooftop.
The shot cut to Trev’s first-person camera. It was unreal to be able to see how everything looked from his perspective. My stomach did a funny flip-flop when it showed the extent of the drop between buildings.
The next scene was a diary cam, which they filmed in studio back in London after the trip. It showed Trev sitting on an armchair as a faceless interviewer asked him questions. I recognised the voice as Barry’s.
“You decided to bring an old friend on as an assistant. Is there any history there we should know about?”
Trev gave a casual shrug. “I’ve known Reya for a couple of years but she only recently came back into my life. We needed someone to fill in for Jo and she was happy to come on board.”
“And the history?” Barry pushed.
It was weird how Trev had to answer questions like they were being asked in real time rather than months later. He’d warned me in advance that our relationship was going to be featured in the show, that there was no way around it, but I’d made my peace with the fact. Paula, Samuel and I saw each other every few weeks now, much to my parents’ displeasure, but there was nothing they could do about it. I’d come to realise they had very little real power. And if the press tried digging into my past at least I’d be prepared.
Trev and I were in a very strong place in our relationship. I knew his fame was part and parcel of us being together. If certain facts about me were made public, then we’d stand together to face them as a unified front. I wouldn’t let anyone try to shame us or make me feel like I was anything other than a survivor. It would be a test to our strength, but I was confident we could handle it.
I was torn from my thoughts when Trev finally answered the question. He stared right into the camera, his expression fierce as he replied, “Our history is complicated.”
“Complicated as in?”
“I’m in love with her.”
I had to stifle a gasp. I had no idea he’d admitted that in his diary cams. Stu swore loudly while Lee shot Trev a knowing look. “You’re a clever bastard, you know that?”
Trev grinned widely, his hold on me tightening. “I thought it was one way to hook the audience.”
I didn’t know what to say as I returned my attention to the TV.
“And does she know that?” Barry asked.
“Honestly, I have no idea.”
“Did you bring her on as an assistant to win her over?”
Now his eyes glinted with that trademark Trevor Cross mischief. “Only time will tell.”
“Oh my God, the viewers are going to go insane for this,” Karla exclaimed.
“I knew they were going to show footage of us, use our relationship as a storyline, so I decided to control the narrative. That way it’s harder for them to twist things.”
I turned in his arms and gazed at him. I knew he was trying to protect us, make sure our interactions were seen in the best possible light, and I loved him for it. I smiled at him with all the adoration I felt in my heart. He was such a good man, and I knew how lucky I was.
Later on, after everyone had gone home, I made my way into the bedroom to undress. When I reached the doorway I froze and stared at the picture hanging over the bed. It definitely hadn’t been there when I woke up this morning. He must’ve hung it while I was out.
Lost for words, I took a step inside to admire it closer. Trev had taken one of Marlene’s photographs. It was shot in black and white, with the stage lights capturing me from a particularly complimentary angle. Unlike most of the pictures taken of me performing, in this one my eyes were wide open as I stared at some point in the audience. My hair was wild, my expression fierce as my fingers raced over the keys with abandon.
“That one’s my favourite,” said Trev, jolting me from my study of the picture. “I hope you don’t mind.”
He approached me from behind and wrapped his arms around my waist. Bending down, he pressed a hot, wet kiss to my neck that had tingles skittering down my spine.
“You look so fucking fierce in it,” he went on as he admired the picture with me.
I chuckled softly. “Like Beyoncé?”
“Nah, more like . . . Athena.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been compared to a warrior goddess before,” I mused.
“Well, you should be. Look at you,” Trev murmured. “I’ve never seen anything braver.”
I twisted in his arms and brought my mouth to his. “I learned from the best.”
Our kiss deepened until I was breathless and he was groaning like he wanted to throw me on the bed and divest me of my clothes. A chirp from my phone sounded from where I’d left it in the living room.
I reluctantly broke away from Trev to go and check it. These last few months had been a hectic time for me. Marlene convinced me to use some of my savings to book a few hours in a recording studio. Now I had eight of my original songs available as an EP on iTunes, and it was selling reasonably well. I named the EP after the title track, Hearts on Air, the same song I wrote for Trev during our travels. It was finally complete.
Anyway, because of all that, and the fact Marlene helped me set up a website and several social media accounts, I’d been spending much more time on the Internet.
Trev followed me out, trailing kisses along my shoulders and teasing me about being a workaholic as he unzipped the back of my dress. I trembled when he ran his fingertips lightly down my spine then replaced them with his mouth.
“You’re a fiend. Let me concentrate. This could be important,” I said, a little annoyed but mostly aroused.
I picked up my phone and scanned the message. It wasn’t from a sender I recognised and as I read it, I grew distinctly sweaty and out of breath.
Dear Miss Cabrera,
I am writing to you on behalf of my client, who would like to purchase the recording rights to your song, Hearts on Air . . .
“Oh my God,” I gasped, my hand going to my mouth in surprise.
Trev paused his seduction to peer curiously at my phone. “What is it?”
“Somebody wants to buy the rights to record ‘Hearts on Air’,” I told him, completely flabbergasted.
“That’s great news. Why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?”
“I look like I’ve seen a ghost because of who wants to record it,” I said, holding my phone up to him.
Trev quickly scanned the contents of the email, blinking several times as he read the name of the artist. When he looked at me he was just as stunned as I was.
Finally, he spoke, his voice full of disbelief, “Reyrey, this is huge.”
I smiled so wide it practically split my face in two. “I’m finally going to be able to buy that mattress.”
Trev’s brows furrowed in confusion. “I have no idea what that means.”
I laughed a loud, joyous sound and pulled his mouth to mine. “Oh, just shut up and make love to me.”
Epilogue
The Grammys (LIVE), 2018.
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. 8:17 p.m.
“Oh my gosh, her dress is amazing. Look how it glitters,” said Matilda.
“Bet you could make a better one.” Jay grinned and leaned over to give his wife a peck on the cheek.
“You’re such a sweet talker.”
Jay winked. “You know it.”
Matilda let out a dreamy sigh. “I can’t believe we know someone whose song is going to be sung on the Grammys. This is so exciting.”
&nbs
p; Jay arched a wry brow. “It’s been number one on the Billboard charts the past two weeks.”
“I still think Reya’s version is better.”
“Me, too, but you do know this is her ideal set-up. That girl has no ego. She doesn’t care if it’s someone else singing the song, so long as the message is heard.”
“Plus, she’s probably made a bunch of money.”
“Ah, there’s my little capitalist,” Jay teased and pinched her on the hip.
“I’m just stating the obvious. Oh, do you think they’ll invite us to the wedding when she and Trev tie the knot?”
“They better. I’m aiming for best-man status.”
Matilda scoffed. “He has three brothers, Jay. He’s not going to ask you to be his best man. Plus, you’ve only known each other a year.”
Jay made an overly dramatic sad face as he blew out a breath. “I guess I’ll just have to hold out hope for Jack and Lille. Although, who knows when that’s ever going to happen.”
“Oh my God, you’re like a mother complaining about no grandbabies. Jack and Lille will get married when they’re good and ready.”
“Look,” Jay interrupted. “She’s about to sing.”
“Gah! Okay, shut up. Nobody say a word for the next three minutes.”
Jay shot her a perplexed look. “I’m the only one here.”
“Pfft, you know what I mean.”
“Sometimes I wonder if my weirdness is rubbing off on you.”
“Jay, seriously, I love you, but if you don’t stop talking in the next five seconds I’m going to knock you out.”
Jay grabbed her and pulled her close. “How I love your sexy threats.”
Dublin, Ireland, 04:17 a.m.
“I’m exhausted. Tell me again why I agreed to stay up for this?” Jack complained while sitting in bed next to Lille, a laptop open in front of them.
“Because I don’t want to miss the song. It’s going to be the highlight of the entire show,” Lille argued.
“But can’t we just watch the repeat tomorrow night?”