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Chapter 34
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2024-03-09 12:03:17Related chapters
Love, Life, and Other Stuff Chapter 35
“I need to talk to you,” Shea said as soon as Brooklyn entered the apartment. Brooklyn stopped in the doorway and looked at her roommate. “Why do I feel like I’m in the middle of deja vu?” she asked. “What?” Shea asked with a confused look on her face. Shaking her head, Brooklyn said, “Nevermind. I’m just talking to myself. Let me get my shoes off, and I’ll be right over.” Shea nodded and waited for Brooklyn to sit next to her before saying, “I think I made a date with the DJ from Steel Gaze!” Brooklyn looked at her and asked, “You mean that cute British guy?” Shea nodded and said, “I ran into him in the park. He was drawing me. Here, take a look.” Shea reached over to hand the picture to Brooklyn, who took it. “Dang! He’s good!” she said. “Of course, he had a good model.” Brooklyn grinned at Shea as she handed the drawing back to her. Shea smiled at her and asked, “I don’t know what to do. I’m kind of seeing Troy, but I really felt a connection with Bradford.
Last Updated : 2024-03-09Love, Life, and Other Stuff Chapter 36
The day of the party dawned warm and bright, much to the roommates’ relief. “I still can’t believe you were flirting with Bradford while we were inviting him and Cort to the party,” Addy told Shea. “I wasn’t flirting!” Shea protested. “I’m just naturally friendly!” “Right,” Addy said, rolling her eyes. “That’s what you consider being naturally friendly?” Adopting a higher tone, she said, “Bradford, I would be over the moon if you could make it this weekend.” Sticking out her lower lip, Shea said, “I didn’t say it like that!” “But you don’t deny you said it!” Addy said, grinning and pointing at her friend. Shea shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Can I help it if I find him attractive?” she asked. Addy shook her head. Then, she grinned at Shea and said, “He seemed to like you too.” Shea brightened as she asked, “You really think so?” “He sure couldn’t keep his eyes from lighting up at the mention of the party, that’s for sure,” Addy said. “And somehow, I d
Last Updated : 2024-03-09Love, Life, and Other Stuff Chapter 37
Shea and Troy moved over to the wall on the other side of the roof. “What did you want to talk about?” he asked as they leaned against the wall. Shea looked out over the city with her hands clasped in front of her. “Where do you think we’re going, Troy?” she asked, staring out at the cityscape skyline. Sighing, he leaned against the top of the wall with his hands clasped in front of him. “You feel it, too, don’t you?” he asked. “Or rather, you don’t feel it.” Shea stood up and looked at him. Reaching out, she put her hand on his arm and said, “You know that I think you’re a great guy, Troy, but I just don’t think there’s that big a spark between us.” He shifted so that he was leaning against the wall on one elbow. “I agree,” he told her. “You’re a great girl, and I enjoy being with you, but it’s just not there.” She put her hand on his arm and smiled at him. He patted her arm, then looked toward the party. “Let’s head back before anyone asks too many questi
Last Updated : 2024-03-23Love, Life, and Other Stuff Chapter 38
Addy turned around to see Shea standing behind her with her hands on her hips, glaring down at her. “Hey, Shea!” Addy said. “I was just talking to Bradford, and we came up with a plan to collaborate on designs for the band.” Shea looked from Addy to Bradford. Her expression softened as she relaxed her hands to fall to her sides. She slid into the seat next to Addy and looked at her. “Tell me more about this venture,” she said, smiling at them. Grinning, Addy said, “With Bradford’s art and my designs, I see a lot of potential for merchandise for Steel Gaze. This could be big for the both of us!” Shea smiled at her friend and said, “You deserve it after everything that’s happened.” Bradford looked at Addy with concern on his face. “What happened?” he asked, then held up his hands. “Of course, if you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to.” Addy shook her head and said, “Let’s just say I lost a good job in the fashion industry not too long ago, and I’m still l
Last Updated : 2024-03-23Love, Life, and Other Stuff Chapter 39
“Can you believe that girl?” Shea asked, shaking her head as she watched Brooklyn leave the roof. “I swear, she’s got a thing for Cort.” “What?” Addy asked, standing straight from loading the cooler and looking at her roommate. “No way!” “Way!” Shea said, giggling. “Did you miss the flustered way she was acting around him? I’d say our roommate has a crush.” Addy looked toward Kendall with her eyebrows raised. Kendall nodded and said, “I could see it, clear as day.” Throwing her arms in the air, Addy shook her head and asked, “How have I been so blind?” Shea dropped the lid to the picnic basket and came over to hug her friend. “You’ve had other things on your mind,” she said, patting Addy’s back. Addy smiled as Kendall put down the cooler to walk over. She threw her arms around them, joining in the hug. A loud peal of thunder cracked overhead, causing them to jump apart and look toward the darkening sky. “Let’s get the rest of this stuff inside before it starts p
Last Updated : 2024-03-23Love, Life, and Other Stuff Chapter 40
“What do you mean, you think Cort has a stalker?” Addy asked. “What happened?” Brooklyn closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Opening her eyes, she said, “As you know, I went to see Cort to make sure we were good.” Shea and Addy nodded. “We’re cool, by the way,” she said with a slight smile. “Good to hear,” Shea said. “Tell us about the stalker,” Addy said, waving her hand to speed up the story. “Oh, yeah,” Brooklyn said, shaking her head. “When we had finished talking, he went back inside his apartment, and I turned toward the doorway to the stairs. I heard someone calling out to me and turned around. This woman was hurrying toward me with this weird look on her face.” Addy gasped and asked, “What did you do?” “I took a step back, but she got right into my face,” Brooklyn said, her eyes wide. “What?” Shea asked, her mouth dropping open. “Did she say anything?” Addy asked. “She asked me how I knew Cort,” Brooklyn said. “What did you tell her?” Shea aske
Last Updated : 2024-03-30Love, Life, and Other Stuff Chapter 41
“Did you see the look on Shea’s face when Kendall told us that Lewis wanted us all in his next movie?” Addy asked Brooklyn at breakfast. Brooklyn nodded, chewing her bite of cereal. Chasing it down with a gulp of milk, she said, “She didn’t look too happy that he wanted everyone in it.” Addy shook her head, biting into her toast. After swallowing, she said, “I wonder if Shea had the idea that she would be the star of the movie and now feels like we’re butting in on her big break.” “I hope not,” Brooklyn said, frowning. “I don’t want her to think we’re trying to take over her role or anything.” “We can only wait and see,” Addy said. Glancing up at the clock, she gasped and asked, “Is that really the time? I’ve got to get some work in on our outfits before Troy comes to get me for coffee.” She shoved the last bite of bagel into her mouth, washing it down with the last of her coffee before setting her dirty dishes in the sink. “I’ll do them when I get back,” she calle
Last Updated : 2024-03-30Love, Life, and Other Stuff Chapter 42
Friday night came, and Shea rushed around the apartment, getting ready for her date with Bradford. “Girl, slow down!” Brooklyn told her from the couch, glancing up from the book she was reading. “You’re getting me exhausted just looking at you.” Shea stopped in the middle of the room and threw her hands up. “I can’t find my brown purse,” Shea said. “Have you seen it around?” Brooklyn tapped her lips as she thought, then asked, “Didn’t Addy borrow it the other day? She said it went with the boots she was wearing that day.” Shea snapped her fingers and said, “That’s right!” Rushing toward Addy’s door, she pounded on it, yelling, “Open up, Addy! It’s an emergency!” A few seconds went by before Addy yanked her door open. “What’s going on?” she asked, taking the pins out of her mouth. “My brown purse,” Shea said, her eyes wide. “Do you still have it?” Confused, Addy nodded and pointed over her shoulder, saying, “It’s on my dresser. Let me get it.” Shea waited, shif
Last Updated : 2024-03-30
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“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
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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
