by Lyra Parish
Finally, I had gotten the last laugh and that made me feel great.
When I got to my car, I leaned my head back against the seat and caught my breath. The adrenaline was rushing through me in waves, and I needed to calm down before I tried to drive. A million pounds had been removed from my shoulders and even though I had no idea what the hell I was doing and had no plan, it felt right.
Sometimes a person had to take a risk and jump into the darkness headfirst. One thing was certain—life would work itself out one way or another.
On the way back to my apartment I was flooded with memories of Jules and me, and then I started to freak out because I didn't have a job. Luckily I had saved enough money to live comfortably for a few months, but I couldn't be jobless. When I pulled into my apartment complex, I called Jules and told her what I’d done. She was genuinely happy and wanted to have lunch next week.
"I think after the baby, I'm going to put in my two weeks’ notice," she said.
"I support it, Jules. I want you to be happy and less stressed and holy shit, you don't have your sidekick anymore."
"You'll always be my sidekick, kid."
I hung up and texted Ace.
Me: I'm going to see my parents for a few days.
Ace: I'll miss you. Text me when you get back.
Me: I will.
Ace: You better.
As I walked up the stairs, I called my mom and told her I was coming home. I needed to process everything that had happened. My parents lived on the beach and it would do me good to relax and be with them. Plus, I had a DVD to show my dad and a relationship to explain.
41
Elizabeth
A few days later I stopped at the grocery store and out of pure curiosity, I picked up the September edition of PHASE. A part of me wanted to lean against the counter and read each word and another side of me wanted to rip each issue to shreds. Conveniently, it sat eye level on the racks replacing all the tabloids. I'm sure it was in stores around the country since Band of Brothers was the subject matter. People would buy anything with their faces on it and an exclusive story would fly off the shelves. They'd sell out of these, and I was honestly surprised there were any copies left. Out of protest, I had refused to read the articles online or even glance at the pictures, but the font type and color pulled me forward. Unfortunately, I was a sucker for good typeface.
The Official Band of Brothers Summer Tour Coverage: Inside Scoop was displayed in big bright orange swirly font meant to grab attention. I swallowed and flipped the pages to the middle, which was full of my live concert shots. It may be the largest article about one band ever published in the magazine, or it had been during my term there. At least PHASE had been kind enough to credit me or they were worried I'd sue them for every penny if they didn't. Considering they used my name to their advantage, I wasn't sure I wanted credit.
ACE HATHWAY HAS A HEART.
YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHERE TO FIND IT.
-ELIZABETH RILEY
My mouth dropped open and I gasped. Those words were written in big, bold letters along with paragraphs below it that had insinuated Ace, the playboy of the band, and I were together. Upon further inspection, they had ripped my articles apart and spun each sentence into an Ace Hathway love story, misquoting my ideas, but kindly giving me credit for them only to enhance the believability of the story.
Who would have thought the release I signed before going on tour would come around to bite me in the ass? I should have known better. I had given them permission to use any and all of my words. I shouldn't have signed it until I had an attorney check out all the little details, but PHASE wasn't stupid. The editors would ride the line of legality, not giving me a leg to stand on with a lawsuit. I had seen this type of thing done time and time again over the last few years. I was an idiot for believing it could never happen to me.
"Honey, I know those boys are good lookin' but I need to get home to my dogs," an older woman said with two cans of food in her hand as I stood there blocking the register with my mouth agape.
"You can go ahead. I'm not in line."
I walked away from the counter and stood in the middle of the aisle trying to digest the published words with my name credited. My phone rang and I picked it up immediately without looking.
"Elizabeth."
"Hi, Elizabeth Riley?"
I glanced at the phone and tried to recognize the number, but I got nothing.
"Yes, this is she."
"Hi. This is Amy Frederick."
I sat there in silence for a second trying to remember how I knew that name, but nothing came to mind.
"Amy Frederick from Rolling Stone," she said.
"Oh, hi," I said, folding the magazine under my arm as I mindlessly walked through the grocery store.
"I'd like to make you an offer."
I froze. Was she about to godfather me? Would it be an offer that I couldn't refuse?
"I finished reading your article in PHASE and spoke with Ace Hathway. He confirmed it was true. How would you like to come for a panel interview with the editorial team?"
My mouth flew open and I wasn't sure what to say.
"I understand how magazines work and I am aware of how this article was pieced together. I love the shots of the band and can only imagine what you sent them to publish. Behind the tabloid-like article, there are real words and a real story. I'm impressed."
My mouth dropped open and my words were gone.
"If you want to think about it, you can give me a call back. I understand it's a little abrupt, but after seeing what you've accomplished, well, you've got what it takes to tour and I'd like to give you consideration."
I had to snap out of it. I had to answer her. "Umm. Yeah. Sure. I'd love that."
"Great. What about next Wednesday at ten?"
"Yeah. Of course. Perfect." My voice was shaking and so was my hand.
"See you then," she said and hung up the phone.
I dropped the magazine and watched in slow motion as the pages fluttered open. They flipped and landed on a black and white photograph of Ace standing outside of the venue in our dress clothes, taking up the entire page. It was the first time in my life I had felt like Cinderella and the angle of the picture captured how much I had fallen head over heels for Ace. That moment was supposed to be ours, not shared with the world. I tilted my head and stared down before I bent over and picked up the magazine. It was like I was swimming in honey.
I gripped the magazine tight, opening it hard against its spine, as my heart overflowed with emotions. I wasn't sure how to feel—hurt, angry, or in awe of the situation. With my face plastered across the pages throughout the magazine, there was no more hiding our relationship. It was undeniable in all aspects. How did the saying go, a picture was worth a thousand words? The look in his eyes as he stared into mine had said a thousand emotions without one word being spoken or even written. As much as I wanted to tuck myself inside a shell, there could be no more of that. My secret was out and I wasn't sure how to feel about it. Being in the limelight wasn't something I ever wanted, and as I flipped through the ten-page spread I knew there was no running away from it. I had to accept what PHASE had done to me. They sent me down an unreturnable path and I had to continue forward.
I thought back to the day I left. My only goal was to not be a failure and as I reflected back on that moment, I knew that I wasn’t. I was jobless after, but for the first time in my adult life, I was happy. And holy shit! The Rolling Stone wanted to interview me. Dream goal accomplished.
I drove to my apartment in complete silence trying to find the courage to call Ace. I still became nervous and full of butterflies when I thought about him. It was all so new to me. And hello, it was Ace Hathway, one of the sexiest men alive. I glanced over at the clock and realized it was still early and I hadn't purchased anything but that damn magazine that had derailed me and my shopping plans within seconds. Maybe it was best not to adult today whether I needed groceries or not.
I pulled into my complex and grabbed the magazine and made my way up the stairs. When I got to the top step, Ace leaned against the door with a bouquet of flowers and a cute little side smirk.
I couldn't help but smile and tilt my head at him.
"Good morning," he said, handing me the flowers. The smell of fresh petals reminded me of spring and mountain air. Ace wrapped his arms around me and gave me a huge hug. "Congratulations."
I gently pushed away from him and looked up into his eyes.
"For what?"
"For landing an interview with Rolling Stone."
I placed my hands on my hips. "Ace."
"All you have to say is thank you, babe," he said and kissed me on the forehead.
"Thank you," I whispered into his neck.
His lips touched mine then dragged across my face and kissed my neck and nibbled my ear. I sighed, loving the way his touch felt.
"I was thinking…"
Somehow my back was now pressed against the door and my body practically melted into it as he kissed me on my neck, ears, and mouth.
"Yes?" I somehow forced out.
My eyes popped open and this time he had taken a small step away.
"I was thinking you should move in with me. Each morning, I find myself wishing you were with me. Every night, I wish that I could kiss you good-night and hold you until the morning. The heart knows what it wants, and Elizabeth Riley, I want you."
My heart swelled and it felt like I needed to learn how to speak again.
"When?" I stood on my tippy toes and kissed him, still stuck on the fact he’d asked me to move in with him. Pure emotion led the way, not logic or reason.
"Now. As soon as you say yes, I'll have a moving truck here and people to pack your apartment," he said. "I can't be without you for that long again."
"Ace ... I was only gone for a few days."
He placed his finger over my mouth.
"I realized last week that I don't ever want to be without you. Elizabeth Riley, you make me want to write love songs, you make me want to settle down and have a family, you make me want to be the best man that I can for you. I love you, Elizabeth. I love you so much."
I took in the words and allowed them to stream through me. Those three words were powerful, strong, and confident. We exchanged a million words with our eyes and his voice had filled in all the blanks. He had pulled out a knife and cut open his heart and like a Shakespeare love story, mine had followed the lead. It felt right, not forced, and I knew he’d meant what he said. Ace Hathway loved me.
That was our only truth and I felt exactly the same way. The feeling was undeniable—indescribable in every sense. I'd jump in headfirst without looking at the water below. I'd dive right into his arms and never let go.
"You make my heart sing and flutter, and I can't imagine my life without you. I love you too, Ace. I always will."
We kissed with so much fervor that I didn't think I would be able to stand. My knees went weak and I felt like I was melting into his. He grabbed my waist and smiled against my lips. I dropped my keys and he glanced down at the magazine that had already been folded and creased. He pulled it from under my arm, where it had been lodged since I had seen him, and flipped through the pages.
"My favorite quote is, ‘Ace Hathway has a heart, you have to know where to find it.’ Was it hard to find?"
"God, I love you," I said and wrapped my arms around him.
No matter where our relationship went from here, I knew it would be full of love and compassion and most of all, full of rock and roll.
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Acknowledgments
Wow. Number 8 down. I really can’t believe it. I just wanted to give a big thanks to everyone that’s followed me on this amazing journey over the past two years. It’s been crazy fun full of ups and downs and all arounds. Thank you so so so so so so so much!
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Special thanks to Rachel Brookes, Dee Kelly, Heather Carver, and Sasha “Fierce” Willis for helping transform Ace. Thanks Mitzi Carroll for making my words sparkle. It wouldn’t be the same without all of your input. Trust me.
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SUPER special thanks to the hubs who created all of the original music to Ace. You’re the greatest, Will. You inspire me to write love songs and sing them obnoxiously loud at the top of my lungs. I love you and you must love me too. Thank you, babe! <3
About the Author
Lyra Parish loves to write, glamp, and sing obnoxiously loud at the top of her lungs in the shower. Sweet love stories (along with the dirty ones) make her gush. She is a firm believer that a person can never have too many cups of coffee, cats, or happily ever afters. When she isn't busy writing, she can be found sipping various beverages from her non-alcoholic drink buffet, pimp slapping excel spreadsheets, or riding her bike. Lyra lives in Texas with her glassblowing, guitar-playing hubby and black cat named Nibbler.
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