After several sound checks Tristan was ready to perform. He was performing his newest single Forever Yours and then he was doing a brief interview afterwards where they would ask a series of questions about his career and might ask some personal questions, well that’s what Tristan had told her anyway.
When they gave Tristan the cue they were about to go live, he reached over and whispered in Stella’s ear, “It will be fine, trust me.” She smiled, not able to say anything. She felt Tristan kiss her cheek before he walked over to the microphone.
She felt Ben’s hand on her shoulders holding her steady, she thanked the simple gesture. She could see why Tristan liked Ben, he had this ability to know exactly what to do to in every situation.
Stella watched as they counted him in, the cameras moving in and around him.
Tristan seemed calm and collected as he sat on the stool, guitar resting on his lap, the band around him ready with their instruments. Stella wished she had that kind of confidence, she would most likely faint before she’d even begun singing.
The moment he started singing you could feel the mood in the room shift. The audience silenced by his voice, even the crew were mesmerized. The familiar words he sung to her only the night before made her heart race. It was like every word he sang, he sang from the very depths of his soul.
He caught her eye several times, winking and singing even more seductively, if that was even possible! She could see why all the women in the packed venue wanted him, hell she wanted him.
She couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy though as the women screamed his name. She knew Tristan had been living this life for a while now, so she could only imagine the bus loads of women throwing themselves at him. She kept trying to remind herself that she too once found herself infatuated with the likes of gorgeous celebrities, but now she couldn’t care less about them, she had Tristan. No one else could even compare to him.
She felt her heart beating faster when he mentioned her name. As he sung the last few words of his song he stood and bowed to the audience drawing his performance to a close, cheers erupting from everywhere. He blew a kiss to the crowd thanking them as one of the TV presenters approached him, a tall blonde lady with quite possibly the longest legs Stella had ever seen.
“Another round of applause for the one, and only, Tristan Woods!” she exclaimed through her microphone, the audience erupting in another round of applause.
Tristan nodded his head in thanks as the applause died down.
“It’s so great to have you back on the show, it’s been a while,” the blonde said to Tristan, the camera’s focused in on their interview.
“It has, three years to be exact. But I’m glad to be back home,” he replied.
“Would a certain somebody have anything to do with you coming back home?” The presenter smiled to Tristan, holding the microphone out for his reply.
“It just may have something to do with a certain somebody.” Tristan looked at Stella now and winked at her, the cameras followed his direction.
She felt her limbs freeze as the camera zoomed in on her, she attempted a half smile, praying they would quickly turn away, the last thing she expected was to be broadcasted on TV. Thankfully Tristan pulled the attention back to him as he continued talking, “I actually wrote the song I performed about her not long after we first met.”
“Awww! That’s so adorable. Is the Tristan Woods in love?” the blonde asked, smiling from ear to ear.
Stella felt as though time stood still waiting for Tristan’s answer. What would he say? Would he tell the world he loved her? When he said last night she’d thought it might have just been said in the heat of the moment.
His eyes held hers. “Yes, very much so.” She smiled in response as the audience sighed and awed at him.
Tristan had just told the world he loved her. She felt lost in the moment until the next question quickly bought her back to reality.
“A little birdy told me you’re off to Europe soon to do a tour in conjunction with an award ceremony over there. Will you be taking your new love?” the blonde asked. Tristan’s face clearly taken back by the question, his face registering shock, but nowhere near as shocked as Stella.
Stella felt herself go from shock to anger within seconds. Had Tristan planned all along to go to Europe? Why was she hearing about this just now? He was leaving her.
“Yes that’s right. We’ll be listing more information on the website within the next couple of hours for all the fans, it will be an amazing experience for everyone,” he replied at the blonde, before looking at Stella apologetically.
“Sounds fantastic! Well there you have it people! It’s been great talking to you, and don’t forget Tristan Wood’s new single Forever Yours is out now!” the blonde said as the audience clapped and cheered.
Her eyes were still fixed on the stage as she watched Tristan say his goodbyes to the host and the other band members.
She felt like she couldn’t breathe, her chest constricted. She needed to get out of there, now! She turned to Ben. “I have to leave, I… I can’t be here,” she stuttered.
Ben looked at her sympathetically, he must have known why she was upset. “I’ll get Tristan, wait here.” She watched as Ben quickly went to Tristan, pulling him aside and whispering in his ear. Tristan eyes dashing to hers, he nodded, turning to the TV presenter and saying a few words.
She searched around the stage, she couldn’t wait any longer. She quickly saw the back exit door. She knew it was the only way out without going through the main stage, and having everyone look at her. She quickly started moving towards it, pushing past the crew members, apologising as she went. Just as she reached the door, she felt a hand grab hers, turning her.
“Wait Stella. I can explain.” It was Tristan. He stood there, his eyes staring at her, while Ben not far behind him talked on his phone.
“No please, save yourself the trouble. I get it,” Stella hissed, not able to contain her anger anymore.
“It’s not like that, please believe me. Just give me a chance to explain myself,” Tristan said, his voice low.
Stella shook her head. She didn’t want to do this right now, she needed air. “I need to get out of here.” She turned to the door, Tristan grabbing her other hand, stopping her from pushing the door open.
“Wait,” Tristan said looking up at Ben.
Ben nodded at Tristan. “They’re ready,” he said.
“Ok now we can go,” Tristan said as he opened the exit door, holding Stella close.
The sound of hundreds of screaming girls and flashing lights hit her with force as they opened the door, her anger suddenly fading into fear, her anxiety returning.
She glanced up at Tristan, he looked at her reading her face. “Don’t worry Stella, we have plenty of security, you just need to stay close to me and we’ll have you safely back at the hotel in no time.”
She didn’t want to go back to the hotel, she wanted to go home. But she wasn’t about to argue right now. He wrapped his arm around her as they walked quickly to the car, she looked around in fright as the crowd pushed against the barriers. As soon as they reached the car she was pushed in followed by Tristan, closing the door behind them, she caught Ben jumping into the front passenger seat next to Sam.
She watched through the tinted car window as the security pushed the crowd back, the barriers making a path for the car to leave. It was so surreal. It frightened her.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” she whispered, trying to focus herself on keeping composed.
“I was going to Stella. I was going to tell you tonight at dinner, and it was only just confirmed today. I wanted to surprise you.”
“Well you achieved your goal,” Stella snarled, unable to keep herself composed anymore.
“Stella, let’s talk about this when we get back to the hotel.”
“No Tristan. Let’s talk about it now. Tell me why?”
“I’ve been invited to perform at an award ceremony in London. It w
as only all talk, but it was only confirmed today that it was actually happening. Ben decided it would be a great opportunity to throw a last minute concert tour together around Europe to attract more international fans. The problem is I’m due to leave in a few days.”
Stella shook her head. “You think that’s the only problem?”
“Hear me out Stella. Doing this tour, its big for me, it’s bigger than big. My fan base has grown all around the world and I’ve worked so hard for this, to be in this position,” he sighed. “But then I met you. I thought of those nights when we first met, and when I saw you in the crowd after months of thinking about you I knew then I would never leave you again. The past week has been the best week of my life. I want to be with you now. But like I said, this is a dream of mine. So I would like to make you a proposal. I need to go on this tour, but I can’t bear the thought of leaving you. So I was thinking maybe you could come with me?” He looked at her stunned face, she opened her mouth to say something but no words came out.
“I know it’s probably too much to ask. I know you have a life here, but it will only be for a month and then we’ll be back. But if what you feel for me is anything like the feelings I have for you, you’ll say yes. You’re the most amazing, most gorgeous woman I’ve ever met. The feelings I have for you are real. My love for you is real. As crazy as that sounds-”
“No,” she whispered.
“What, what do you mean no?” Tristan asked confused by her bluntness.
“I can’t Tristan. I got a job offer yesterday. I was going to tell you last night. That’s where I went after work, to get a bottle of champagne to celebrate, but then everything happened.” She heard her voice break a little.
“Surely it can wait a month?”
Stella felt the anger rise in her again. “I’ve been waiting for over seven months for this. I did four years of University for it. I’m not about to throw it all away to go on some holiday with you.”
“But you said you didn’t even like it.”
“That’s not the point. I’ve spent years of my life waiting for this job opportunity. My whole life put on hold for it and now you tell me this, and I’m meant to just happily accept it?”
“I’m sorry Stella, please don’t be mad.” He lent forward and placed his hand on her leg, she quickly hit it off.
Tears fell down her cheek. “Don’t touch me. Please Tristan. Just leave me alone,” she pleaded with him.
Tristan’s face turned pale, her words slicing his heart open. She couldn’t let herself feel sorry for him now, she needed to get away. She knew this would happen, they were two people from very different lives, and it would never work.
“Take me home. I want to go home.” She kept her eyes to the front of the car as she spoke to Sam. He looked into the rear vision mirror waiting for approval from Tristan, she saw Tristan nod his head.
She wanted to cry, wanted to crawl up into a ball and weep, but she wouldn’t, not now. She held herself together, not letting her guard down in front of Tristan. The sooner she was safely home without Tristan the better.
CHAPTER NINE
“Whoa! What’s your problem?” Claire exclaimed as Stella burst through their unit slamming the door behind her.
“Men,” Stella grunted pulling the shot glass out of Claire’s hand and taking a swig, fighting back her tears. No she wouldn’t cry, she would stay strong.
Claire stared at Stella in disbelief. “Jeez.”
Stella was furious. Tristan had just assumed Stella would go with him, and to announce it to the world before he even told her, she was so mad, angrier than she had ever been before.
“I’m guessing this is about the TV interview that was on tonight?” Claire asked her.
“Did you watch it?”
Claire nodded. “What happened?”
“Tristan decided that it would be best if the world found out he was leaving for Europe in a few days before he even told me!” she exclaimed. “And to make it worse, he asked me to join him. Like I had nothing better to do with my life!”
“He asked you to go with him?” Claire looked stunned.
“Yes, can you believe it?”
“To Europe?...”
“Yes to Europe,” Stella abruptly said, confused why Claire wasn’t able to comprehend something so simple.
Claire grabbed Stella’s shoulders shaking them in excitement. “Holy shit Stella! You have to go! It would be amazing!”
“No Claire. I’m not going. I have a life here, and I’m not just going to up and leave for a guy I’ve been with for a week!”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m not an idiot!” Stella cried. She watched her sister take a step back, obviously hurt by her reaction. Taking a deep breath she continued. “Look I don’t want talk about it anymore. What are your plans tonight? Are you going out?”
Claire’s face turned into a smile. “Yeah I was about to head out to the club and meet Dave there.”
“Great. Let’s go.” Stella grabbed Claire’s arm and whisked her out the door before Claire had any time to object.
***
Stella could feel the shots running through her body as she entered the club. They had continued to take shots in the taxi on the way to the club, Claire taking every opportunity of Stella’s newly found partying desire.
The club was already jam packed full of people, Stella could smell the alcohol hit her nose as she lead the way through the crowd with Claire, not caring who she had to push to get through.
“I need to get you mad more often!” Claire shouted at her as they approached the bar. The music was loud and Stella could barely hear Claire’s words.
Stella rolled her eyes, leaned over the bar and waved her hand at the waiter. The waiter, a tall well-built man smiled as he approached the bar. “What can I get ya?”
“Two vodka shots and two vodka and lemonades,” she called over the music, the waiter nodding his head in reply.
Claire’s eyes narrowed. “Is that your plan? To get drunk and pass out in an hour?”
“I can handle a few drinks Claire,” she sneered. Even though they both knew Stella didn’t drink much at all, and when she did she never drank more than a couple of glasses. But she was in no mood to argue. The waiter placed the two shot glasses on the bench and filled them with vodka, Stella picked them both up and handed one to Claire.
“To men. May they forever be a burden on our life.” Stella raised her glass to Claire who shook her head at her.
“Cheers,” she replied.
They clinked their shot glasses together and pulled them back into their mouths momentarily. Stella could feel the vodka burn down her throat. She cringed, fighting the urge to bring it back up.
“Your drinks.” The waiter pushed the two glasses forward when he saw they’d finished their shots. Stella grabbed the drink and quickly chased the shot down.
“That will be thirty three fifty,” the waiter said.
Stella chocked back on her straw. Clearly remembering why she didn’t go out and waste her money at clubs, by the end of the night she’d be broke.
“I got it.” Claire motioned, handing over a fifty dollar note.
“Thanks. I forgot how much it costs these days,” Stella thanked Claire.
“It’s cool. It’s not every day I get to take my big sister out partying,” she winked.
The waiter handed the change to Claire and they turned. Scanning the room Stella spotted the dance floor, she grabbed Claire’s arm once more and pulled her through the crowd. She could feel the drinks taking full effect on her body as she stumbled into a few people, she giggled at her poor attempt at walking as they approached the dance floor.
Stella closed her eyes as she started dancing, feeling the rhythm flow through her. She loved to dance, loved the carefree feeling it gave her. It was the drinking and club scene she didn’t like that held her back from going out more often.
Feeling the music pound through her, she felt her body relax. She ope
ned her eyes, Claire was enjoying the moment just as much as her. She smiled at her, thanking her for coming with her tonight. It was one thing she loved about Claire, not matter what, she was always there for her, she’d been with her through everything.
They continued to dance, changing their movements to the pace of the different songs that came on. She saw Dave find Claire on the dance floor and watched as they moved together. She had never seen Claire so hypnotized by someone, it made her smile.
Stella suddenly felt the warm splash of a drink hit her face, shifting her focus back to reality as she realised someone had just spilt their drink all over her.
“Sorry!” the apologetic guy fumbled his hand over her face, attempting to wipe her down. Stella swiped it away.
“I’ve got to go to the bathroom,” she yelled at Claire over the music.
Claire mouthed over the music asking if she was ok. Stella nodded and turned making her way through the crowd to the bathroom. Stupid idiot, she thought.
Once she found the bathroom, she realised how much she needed to go to the toilet, thankfully there wasn’t much of a line.
She emerged from the toilet shortly after and studied her face in the mirror. She watched the mirror move. She was drunk. Really drunk. She looked it too, as she eyed herself, holding onto the basin she tried to steady her unstable body.
She opened her clutch, searching through her bag to find some makeup to fix herself up. She found her phone. Five missed calls from Tristan.
“Dickhead,” she mumbled under her breath. Just as she was about to put the phone back into her clutch it rang, Tristan’s name on the caller id. She wondered whether to answer it or not, deciding she was drunk enough not to care she hit answer and held it to her ear.
“Whatchu want?” she questioned, her speech slurred.
“Stella, I’m sorry, look can we talk?” Tristan’s voice came over the speaker.
“Talk about what Tristaaann? You being a selfish prick?”
Forever Yours Page 9
