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Chapter 25
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Love, Life, and Other Stuff Chapter 26
Brooklyn turned to Steve with wide eyes, and her mouth dropped open. “You have a girlfriend?” she asked. He shifted from side to side and reached up to rub the back of his head. “Well, we’re not really together right now,” he said. After a stunned pause, Brooklyn said, “Either you are, or you aren’t. There is no really not in this case.” When he didn’t respond, she shook her head. “You know what?” she asked. “I’m not playing that game tonight. I came here to have fun with my friends. Not get suckered by a guy who can’t keep it in his pants. Get lost, jerk.” “But Brooklyn, it’s not like that,” Steve said, trying to explain himself. Brooklyn shook her head and said, “No, I don’t want to hear anything more from you.” She turned around, putting her back to him. Picking up her drink, she drained the cup. Turning to him, she gave him the glass, saying, “Thanks for the drink.” He took the glass, then looked at her for a moment. She turned back to the table, staring
Last Updated : 2024-02-17Love, Life, and Other Stuff Chapter 27
Steel Gaze returned to the stage, warming up before continuing the concert. “Let’s go down and dance,” Shea said, moving to the music. Addy nodded and said, “Come on, ladies! Let’s get our groove on!” The four friends went down to the dance floor to dance to the music. Shea maneuvered her way forward until they stood in front of the stage, dancing. The singer noticed and grinned down at them. Everyone but Brooklyn grinned back at him. She glared at him, but he didn’t seem to notice. Turning to her friends, she ignored the band for the rest of the set. Once the band finished their last song, the singer said, “Thank you, everyone, for coming out tonight! It has been a great club opening, and we’re grateful for them to hire us to play for you all!” The crowd cheered, and he continued, “My name is Cort. On bass is Ells. On drums is Bryant. And Bradford is our one and only DJ.” After each introduction, the crowd cheered again. Each guy took a bow when Cort introduced t
Last Updated : 2024-02-17Love, Life, and Other Stuff Chapter 28
“You! You’re the one who ruined my life!” Brooklyn looked up in surprise from the counter where she’d been taking an inventory of the pastries. A familiar-looking, dark-haired guy was storming toward her. She stepped back from the counter, reaching into her apron pocket for her cellphone in case she needed to call for help. He stopped when he reached the counter and glared at her, his hands balled into fists at his sides. “What?” Brooklyn croaked out in a strangled voice. Clearing her throat, she asked again. “What are you talking about? I don’t think I’ve ever met you.” He stared at her, his nostrils flaring. Then he reached into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out his phone, typing furiously into it. Finding what he was looking for, he held the phone up for her to look at. “So, you’re telling me that this isn’t your article?” he asked, his dark eyes sparkling with anger. She took a small step forward to look at his phone and saw he had pulled up her article
Last Updated : 2024-02-24Love, Life, and Other Stuff Chapter 29
When Brooklyn walked out of her room in the morning, she stopped in her tracks at what she saw. Addy sat at the kitchen table, already working on her laptop. A half-eaten muffin sat on a plate next to her, and her coffee mug looked neglected. “Why are you up so early?” Brooklyn asked, walking toward the kitchen. Addy gasped as she jumped in her chair, her wide eyes turning in Brooklyn’s direction. “You startled me,” she said, lifting her hand to cover her heart. “I didn’t expect anyone to be up this early.” Brooklyn looked at the clock and shook her head, saying, “I’m up at my usual time.” Addy turned to look at the clock, surprised. Then she shook her head. “I can’t have spent all that time on the computer this morning,” she said, looking back at the screen. “Time sure flies when you’re busy.” Walking over to the coffeepot, Brooklyn poured herself a mug, then grabbed a muffin before heading to the table. “What are you working on?” she asked, sitting across from h
Last Updated : 2024-02-24Love, Life, and Other Stuff Chapter 30
Lewis climbed the stairs to the top floor, feeling nervous. “Why doesn’t this place have an elevator?” he muttered for the fifth time. Finally reaching the top floor, he made his way to Kendall’s apartment, trying to calm his nerves. “It’s just Kendall,” he muttered to himself. “You’ve hung out with her with no problems, so why are you so nervous now?” Pausing, he answered, “Because it’s a date now.” Stopping in front of her door, he swallowed, then knocked. He waited, looking up and down the hallway. She hadn’t answered, so he raised his hand to try again. The door opened, and Kendall greeted him with an enormous smile. His mouth dropped open as he looked at her and his fingers tightened on the single rose he held in his hand. Her smile dimmed as she saw his grip on the flower tighten, and she was afraid he might snap the stem in half. “You look great, Kendall,” he choked out. “Thanks,” she said, looking back into his eyes. “Here,” he said, holding out the
Last Updated : 2024-02-24Love, Life, and Other Stuff Chapter 31
“Can you believe that the singer and the DJ moved into our building?” Brooklyn asked as the roommates ate dinner that night. Addy twirled her spaghetti around her fork before lifting it to her lips. “It might be somewhat awkward for you,” she said, pausing in her bite. “Somewhat awkward?” Brooklyn asked, setting her fork down. “I mean, if I hadn’t hidden from him as he moved his things in, who knows what would have happened?” “So, he doesn’t know you live here?” Shea asked, picking out a slice of garlic bread. Brooklyn shook her head and said, “And I’d like to keep it that way.” Shaking her head, Shea said, “Well, I, for one, plan to go down and introduce myself. Maybe I can get to know the DJ better.” Addy looked at her and asked, “Aren’t you supposed to be seeing Troy?” Shea lifted one shoulder and said, “It doesn’t hurt to look, now does it? Besides, they’re new to the building. They probably don’t know anyone here.” Addy signed and rolled her eyes. “You’re i
Last Updated : 2024-03-02Love, Life, and Other Stuff Chapter 32
Brooklyn’s nostrils flared, and she glared toward the figure in the doorway. She rolled her eyes as she saw the lead singer of the band standing by the entrance. “As a matter of fact, I do live here,” she told him, putting her hands on her hips as she glared at him. “For quite a while now.” “Just my luck,” he said, groaning and rolling his eyes as he shook his head. “First, you ruin my job by getting us fired. Then you ruin my new home by living here. What else can you ruin in my life?” “It’s no picnic for me having you here either, you idiot,” she told him, narrowing her eyes at him. “I didn’t ask for someone who goes around accusing me of things I didn’t do, moving in here and making my life miserable. And, just so you know, it wasn’t my article that got you fired. It was that your drummer and bassist couldn’t keep it in their pants! Roger, the club’s owner, didn’t appreciate his patrons being hit on by them!” After finishing her statement, she pushed past him, knocking him
Last Updated : 2024-03-02Love, Life, and Other Stuff Chapter 33
“What was I supposed to tell her?” Lewis asked Troy as they walked toward their apartment after work that day. “How about no?” Troy asked, shaking his head. “Did that ever cross your mind?” “Come on, dude!” Lewis said. “Would you say no to her? You are the one dating her, after all.” The smile vanished from Troy’s face as he nodded and said, “Yeah, that might make things a little awkward around the place when she comes over.” “That’s what I’m afraid of!” Lewis said, frowning. “Plus, she’s a friend of Kendall’s, and I don’t want to cause any bad feelings there, either.” “How are things going between you and Kendall?” Troy asked. Lewis grinned at his friend and said, “Looks like we’re going out again this weekend.” “Good for you, man,” Troy said, holding his hand up for a high five. “I’m happy for you. You deserve it.” “Thanks, bro,” Lewis said, grinning at him. “What about you and Shea?” Troy’s smile faltered before returning to his face. “She’s cool to hang out wi
Last Updated : 2024-03-02
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Love, Life, and Other Stuff Chapter 64
“What do you want to do now?” Brooklyn asked after the club shut down for the night. “I’m too pumped to go home.” “There’s that all-night diner a couple of blocks over,” Cort suggested. “It doesn’t look like much, but the food is decent. We’ve been there a few times after gigs.” “Their hashbrowns are to die for,” Bradford said, putting his hand on his chest and rolling his eyes into the back of his head. “That seals the deal for me,” Shea said, linking her arm through Bradford’s. “If they have the best hashbrowns, I’m in.” “Same,” Addy said. “There’s something about good hashbrowns. You never forget them.” “That’s very true,” Brooklyn said. “If it’s the place I’ve read about, all their food is good.” “Did your paper write a review of the place?” Cort asked her. Brooklyn nodded and said, “Brian reviewed it, saying it was good and cheap.” “Then, that sounds like the perfect place to go right now,” Lewis said. “Because I don’t have much money on me, but I’m starving.”
Love, Life, and Other Stuff Chapter 63
“What about you?” Brooklyn asked Cort. “Are you nervous about possibly playing at that club?” Cort shrugged and said, “It’s just another gig to me.” “That’s one way to look at it,” Brooklyn said, tilting her head to look at him. He looked at her and grinned. “If we decide to play there, will you be writing a review of the show?” he asked. She nudged him with her shoulder and said, “You know it.” Shea threaded her arm through Bradford’s and asked, “Do you think you and Cort will like the club enough to play there?” Bradford looked at her and shrugged. “I’ve not been, so I can’t tell you for sure that we’ll like it,” he told her before tapping the tip of her nose with his finger. “Besides, you’ll be there with me, so it won’t be a wasted trip if we decide not to book a gig there.” Shea smiled at him and said, “You say the sweetest things.” “Only to the sweetest girl,” he told her, kissing the tip of her nose. Shea giggled and brushed her lips over his. “You two are so s
Love, Life, and Other Stuff Chapter 62
Kendall rushed over to Lewis as he came near the table. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. “That was awesome!” she said. “Did you get it all recorded?” He nodded, grinning at her, and said, “I did! I can’t wait to get it back home and edit it so I can show the guys.” “I know they’re going to love it,” Kendall said, kissing him again. “Excuse me, but did you just say you filmed the band?” Lewis and Kendall turned to see one of the four women who had approached the table talking to them. “Yeah,” Lewis said as he nodded. “I’m their friend and a filmmaker-,” “An award-winning filmmaker,” Kendall broke in. Lewis grinned at her before looking at the other woman and continuing. “I filmed their performance, so they can view it later,” he said. “I’m sure it’s going to be amazing,” the woman said. “I’m Amber, by the way.” “Lewis,” he told her. “And this is Kendall.” Amber kept her eyes on Lewis as she said, “So nice to meet you.” Kendall frowned an
Love, Life, and Other Stuff Chapter 61
“You all were awesome up there!” Shea told Bradford when the guys rejoined them at the table. “I’ll say,” Addy said, looping her arm through Troy’s. “You did a wonderful job. I was so proud of you.” She leaned forward to brush her lips over his. “If it means more kisses from you, I’ll get back on that stage right now,” Troy said, grinning at her. Addy giggled and snuggled closer to him. “This is definitely getting a good write-up in my next article,” Brooklyn told them, slipping her phone back into her purse. Cort slipped his arms around her waist, and she leaned into his embrace. “That’ll be good publicity for the band,” he said. “Too bad Dex wasn’t here. Then we’d have the full band.” “You still sounded good without him,” Lewis said. “You can see for yourself once I get the video I took of you edited.” Cort, Troy, and Bradford looked at him with wide eyes. “You filmed us?” Cort asked. “I sure did,” Lewis said, grinning at his friend. “I thought you migh
Love, Life, and Other Stuff Chapter 60
“Let’s order some drinks,” Troy said. “I’ll stay here and watch the purses,” Bradford offered. “I want to check out this DJ more to see if I can add anything to my performance the next time we play.” “Sure thing, man,” Cort told him. “I’ll get you your usual.” “Thanks, my man,” Bradford said. Cort nodded before he joined Troy and Lewis as they headed toward the bar to order their drinks. Bradford kept an eye on the ladies’ purses as he watched the DJ spin the tunes. He nodded to the beat and grinned. The DJ noticed him and smiled at him before waving him onstage. Bradford looked around and saw the guys coming back with their drinks. He signaled to them that he was getting on the stage. Cort nodded and jerked his chin toward the DJ. Bradford grinned and climbed the stairs at the back of the stage to join the DJ. Cort put the drinks on the table and called out to Bradford. When he looked, Cort held up his fists, giving him two thumbs up. Bradford grinned and returned t
Love, Life, and Other Stuff Chapter 59
Kendall squeezed Lewis’s arm as his film began. Her eyes never left the screen as his movie played out. Lewis looked around at his friends and the rest of the audience while his film played. Their attention seemed focused on the screen. He smiled and nodded. Once his film finished, he whispered to Kendall, “I think everyone liked it.” She squeezed his arm as she grinned up at him. “I know they did,” she said. Addy leaned forward, reaching over Troy to pat Lewis on the arm. “That was amazing,” she said, grinning at him. Troy nodded, giving Lewis a thumbs up. Brooklyn looked up from her phone to nod at him with a grin while Cort nodded once. Shea and Bradford both gave him a thumbs up. He grinned at his friends and nodded before returning his attention to the screen. Two more films played before Lewis leaned over to Kendall and whispered, “Carl’s film is next.” Before Kendall could respond, Carl whispered, “Now, you’re going to see some real filmmaking.”
Love, Life, and Other Stuff Chapter 58
Lewis sighed and turned his head to look over his shoulder at Carl. “What do you want, Carl?” he asked. Carl glanced at the refreshment counter and said, “I just want something to drink. I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation, is all.” “Yeah, you made sure to get close enough to us to overhear and comment on it,” Lewis said with a scowl. Carl shrugged, his hands out to the side, and said, “It’s not my fault you talk so loud.” “But it is your fault you had to butt in on the conversation,” Lewis said, turning around to face the other man. Kendall put her hand on Lewis’ arm and frowned, saying, “Just ignore him, Lewis. He’s not worth it.” Shea bit her lip and glanced at Bradford while squeezing his arm. She winked at him before she slipped past Lewis and Kendall and smiled at Carl. “Is your movie in the next grouping, too?” she asked him, putting her hand on his arm and widening her eyes as she pulled him out of the line. He looked at her and smiled, putti
Love, Life, and Other Stuff Chapter 57
“Ladies, gentlemen, and everyone in between,” the woman said. “My name is Denise, and I’ll be your host for our film festival this evening.” She looked over the audience and continued. “I see a lot of familiar faces here,” she said, smiling, “and some who are new.” Kendall nudged Lewis and smiled at him. He grinned at her and whispered, “But next year, I’ll be one of those familiar faces.” “That you will,” Kendall said before kissing him. On the stage, Denise continued. “We have quite a lot of films to enjoy this evening, so I’ll keep this brief,” she said. “After we have viewed the films, we’ll be handing out the awards, which I know is everyone’s favorite part of the night.” Everyone in the audience clapped and cheered, causing Denise to laugh. “I knew it!” she said with a grin. “You’re just here for the awards!” Laughter rang out across the room. “Well then, let’s just get those pesky films out of the way so we can get to the best part of the night,” she
Love, Life, and Other Stuff Chapter 56
Everyone turned to see Carl Hornsbeck standing behind them, his arms around the shoulders of the two women he’d entered with. Smirking at Lewis, he said, “Our friend Lewis here doesn’t stand a chance once the judges see my movie.” His gaze drifted to Brooklyn, and he winked at her. “You should hang out with better people,” he told her. Beside Brooklyn, Cort tensed. She put her hand on his arm and sniffed at Carl. “I only hang with the best people,” she told him. “I’m not some sort of groupie just hanging on to someone hoping to get my fifteen minutes of fame by proxy.” She looked at the two women, who glared back at her. Carl glanced at them and chuckled. Before he could say anything, Shea pushed her way to the front and said, “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced.” She held out her hand and batted her eyes at him. Carl took her hand in his and brushed his lips over the back of her hand, causing her to giggle. He grinned at her and said, “I would have rem
