Aria by Jennifer Hartmann

18Chapter Eighteen

As soon as the awards ceremony concluded, it was all about the after parties. It felt like Noah’s high school prom, only with million-dollar estates and the finest recreational entertainment.

Noah and the band mingled outside the venue signing autographs and posing for more photo ops. Beth, Chelsie, and Lisa were waiting in the SUV as they wrapped up. They had decided to continue the party at Marley’s – it seemed like an inevitable end to the evening. They had been discovered there two years ago on that small, dark stage in front of thirty people.

Devon waved to the crowd as he jogged over to their oversized limo, the coattails of his tuxedo billowing behind him. Noah followed and slid in next to Beth, facing across from Devon and Chelsie. Miles and Tad piled in last and fell back into the cushioned seats with an exhilarating ‘whoop’. Tad had been the only band member who chose not to bring a date that evening. Not because he couldn’t find anybody to go with him, but because Tad had never “dated” anybody in the time Noah had known him. They had insisted he take Julia, but he’d refused. Tad was the classic band geek in high school who only left his couch to go pick up the newest video game release. Noah wasn’t sure why fame and fortune hadn’t given Tad a newfound confidence with the ladies, but Tad didn’t seem to care.

“That may have been the best night of my life,” Lisa said, squeezing her fingers into Miles’ upper thigh.

Noah watched as Chelsie rested her head on Lisa’s shoulder as the vehicle began to move. Fuck, she was pretty. From her heart shaped lips, to her milky skin, to her meticulously manicured toenails peeking out through her strappy heels. She was the type of woman other women wanted to hate because she was just so pretty, but they couldn’t because she was as equally kind-hearted. Chelsie Combs was one of those rare females who didn’t fit into any category.

Then there was Beth. She was sitting beside him in silence with a passive disposition. Her hands were folded neatly in her lap as she gazed out the window over Lisa’s shoulder. She probably felt out of place amongst strangers. Noah placed his hand on top of her interlocked fingers and offered her a smile when she looked up at him. He had intended the smile to come off as comforting, but he feared all it said was, ‘I’m sorry’. Beth did not smile back, but she did entwine her fuchsia-tipped fingers with his as if to reiterate her earlier statement of, ‘it’s okay’.

“Marley’s… gosh, that brings back some memories,” Chelsie mused, her head still leaning against Lisa’s shoulder. “I think my whole life changed there.”

Noah tried to pinpoint when his life had changed, and he was brought back to a hotel room in Manhattan with a girl who had unknowingly spilled her guts to him.

“Those were some good times,” Devon agreed. “I had a lot of big moments there.”

Noah recalled how Chelsie had stormed out on them that first night after he’d pushed her to her limits. Ballsy. She didn’t care how famous they were – she’d demanded respect. Maybe Noah had started falling for her right there in that V.I.P. lounge.

The limo rolled up to the side entrance where dozens of fans were already waiting. Word traveled fast. Two bouncers exited the building and assisted the group inside, quickly dodging screaming women and frantic requests for autographs.

“I love you, Devon!”

“Noah Hayes is my soulmate!”

“Please have my children!”

“I hope you die, Chelsie!”

Noah hesitated as he ducked inside, straining his head to see who had threatened Chelsie. There were too many fans to pinpoint the culprit. He glanced over at Chelsie who looked shaken.

“They’re just crazy fans,” he said.

She rubbed her hands against her upper arms. “I know, but it’s not something I’ll ever get used to.”

“Fuck ‘em,” Devon said. “Jealous ass bitches.”

Chelsie gave him a weak smile. “Yeah.”

They retreated up to their private V.I.P. quarters above the bar. Two cocktail waitresses were mulling around, pouring glasses of water and stocking the fridge with beer and champagne. The only thing lower than their neckline was their IQ.

“I’m Tiffany,” one of the waitresses greeted. Her face was painted in thick makeup, and a bleached blonde ponytail sat high on her head. Her eyes were undressing Noah as she scrutinized him up and down. “Let me know if you need… anything at all.”

Noah raised an eyebrow in amusement. He recalled a time when he would have eaten this shit up. It wasn’t that long ago. “Sure,” he said flatly.

“Check this place out.”

Noah’s gaze traveled to Beth as she perused the lush suite. “Pretty cool, huh?”

She shrugged with indifference. “I guess if you’re into this sort of thing.”

Noah studied her in bewilderment. Beth was a mystery to him. She never acted like she was dating a celebrity, and that was part of why he found her so charming. Her nonchalance to his notoriety was genuine, unlike most of the females he had pursued. “Are you implying you’re not into this sort of thing?”

He was half joking, but Beth hesitated and turned to face him, a rueful smile on her lips. “Noah… this isn’t for me.”

Noah’s heart sank. He liked Beth. He had been enjoying her company over the last couple of weeks. He’d be lying if her admission didn’t disappoint him. “Do you want to talk?” he asked, feeling the eyes of his bandmates lingering in his direction.

“Sure.”

Noah took her by the arm and led her outside the private lounge. Beth looked down at her hands folded in front of her. She looked wistful, yet resolute.

“Noah, I’m not trying to put a damper on your night,” Beth began, pressing her thumbs together. “I’m honored you invited me to such an iconic event. But… I don’t feel like I fit in here. I’m just a single mom who fell for a superstar. I’m in over my head.”

“I’d like you to stay,” Noah replied. “Screw fitting in. I don’t even fit in here.”

She smiled again, her eyes softening. “That’s why I like you,” she admitted. Then her smile faded, and she let out a deep sigh. “But your heart is with someone else.”

Noah’s jaw tightened and he looked up at the ceiling. “Beth, the thing with Chelsie… it’s not going anywhere.”

“Whether it is or not, you can’t change how you feel, Noah. The heart wants what the heart wants. It wasn’t in the cards for us, and that’s okay. I just need to move on.” She reached up and touched his cheek. “I’m glad I met you, Noah Hayes. No regrets.”

Noah opened his mouth to protest, but he couldn’t seem to find the words. He hated that Beth was right. He was angry at Chelsie for creeping her way into his world and clinging on for dear life. He couldn’t shake her. He felt ambushed. “I’ll have my driver bring you home,” Noah said.

There were no long goodbyes or mournful embraces. Noah walked back into the suite, called the driver, and grabbed a beer out of the fridge. Beth was no longer a part of his life.

Five beers and a shot of whiskey later, Noah was feeling buzzed as he sat alone on the red couch. He watched as his friends mingled and laughed. Waitresses filtered in and out of the room, their hips swaying dramatically as they entered and exited. Most men would do anything to have buxom blondes throwing themselves at them, but not Noah. Not anymore. The only blonde he wanted was curled up in a loveseat with his lead singer.

“I want to make an announcement,” Noah said, taking his own self by surprise. He hadn’t intended on making any announcements tonight.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and gave Noah their attention. Chelsie sat up straight, looking at him with cautious anticipation.

Noah cleared his throat and stood up. “After much deliberation, I’ve decided to take a break from the band.”

Their silence was deafening. He took a swig of his beer while he awaited a response.

“Are you fucking joking?” Devon exclaimed.

“No, I’m not.” Noah shuffled his feet and glanced around the rest of the room. Chelsie’s mouth was agape, her eyes wide and incredulous. “I’m burned out. I need to find my muse again.”

Devon let out a scathing laugh and rose to his feet. “Don’t give me that hippie-dippie bullshit. We’re all burned out. Every motherfucker with a nine-to-five is burned out. You keep going.”

“Is this… temporary?” Chelsie asked.

Noah shrugged. “Maybe. Probably.”

“How can you leave after the show we did tonight?” Miles asked, stepping towards him. “It was like old times again. We killed it.”

“They’re right, man,” Tad added. “We’re in our prime right now. We can’t stop.”

“I never said you needed to stop,” Noah said. He tossed his empty beer can into the trash. It clanked against another glass bottle and he flinched at the sound. “I’m sure you can find a fill-in.”

Chelsie approached him. “Noah… are you sure you’ve thought this through? The music means everything to you.”

Noah could see the distress reflecting in her green eyes. He softened his stance and let out a weary breath. “I need a goddamn break,” he told her. “Everything’s a mess. Devon and Tad are always high as a kite. You almost got killed. I rarely see my son. We’ve lost our way.”

Devon appeared at Chelsie’s side and glared daggers at him. “Go fuck yourself.”

“Devon,” Chelsie scolded, turning her head sharply in her boyfriend’s direction.

“What?” Devon threw his hands up in the air. “What do you want me to say? Noah knows all. Noah thinks he’s better than all of us. I say let him go. He’s replaceable.”

“Come on, dude,” Miles said.

Noah bit down on the inside of his cheek. He felt the anger prickling at the back of his neck. “I’m the reason this band even exists,” he reminded Devon. “You’d still be fixing brake pads if it wasn’t for me.”

“And now I’ll be just fine without you. Replaceable.”

Noah felt the whiskey coursing through him. He tensed his fists at his sides. “Out with it, man. What else do you want to say to me? Don’t hold back now.”

“Stop. Both of you,” Chelsie said, stepping between them. “This is so unnecessary. You two are friends.”

“We stopped being friends a long time ago,” Noah muttered. He reached for the open bottle of Jameson and drank it straight from the spout. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve and eyed Devon with a bitter resentment. “Right around the time he screwed Ruby in the front seat of my car.”

Chelsie looked as if she’d been slapped. “What?”

Devon curled his lips into a snarl, his eyes narrowing. “It eats you up, doesn’t it?” he jeered. “I’ve always had everything you wanted. The center spotlight. The recognition. The women. Hell, even Ruby.” Years-worth of harbored grudges encompassed the room. Devon took another step towards Noah and cocked his head to the side. “And now, Chelsie.”

Noah felt something inside him snap. He lunged at Devon and tackled him to the floor, throwing punches in his direction. He’d barely begun his assault before Miles and Tad were pulling them apart.

“Jesus Christ,” Tad said. He held Noah’s arms behind his back while Miles stood in front of him, blocking Devon from any further attack.

Chelsie stood frozen in place, her one hand clutching her elbow and the other resting against her chest.

Noah freed himself from Tad’s grasp and turned around, running his hands through his hair. Tad started to reach for him again, but Noah threw his arms up. “I’m good. I’m good,” Noah said, breathing in through gritted teeth.

Miles helped Devon to his feet. Devon wiped a smear of blood from his lip as a result of the one solid punch Noah had managed to get in.

“We’re done here.” Devon grabbed his leather jacket from the back of the loveseat. He nodded at Chelsie as he put his arms into the sleeves. “Are you coming?”

Chelsie stood there quietly, her eyes darting between Devon, Noah, and Lisa. “I – um…”

“Suit yourself,” Devon cut her off. He glanced at Tad and the two men left the lounge.

Chelsie’s eyes widened as she stared at Devon’s retreating form. Noah fished through his pockets for his cigarettes. “I need some air,” he said.

Noah pulled out one of his smokes and headed out of the private suite. He snuck outside through a side door, away from the crowds. He noticed his hand was shaking as he lit the butt. As soon as he inhaled, the door creaked open beside him and he cursed whoever had seen him slip out. To his surprise, Chelsie poked her head out.

She closed the door behind her. “Sorry. Did you want privacy?”

She was still in her designer gown. The gems sewn into the bodice were reflecting shades of indigo from the overhead streetlamp. “Nah. You can stay.”

Chelsie wrapped her arms around herself, shivering against the frosty January air.

“You’re going to freeze,” he noted. He watched as the skin on her arms began to pimple with goosebumps. “Where’s your coat?”

She shrugged. “I didn’t bring one. It didn’t go with my dress.”

Noah raised an eyebrow as he flicked the embers from his cigarette. “Typical woman. How about we get a drink at the bar down the street?”

It was a daring proposal, but the whiskey running through him didn’t seem to care. They hadn’t been alone together since their intimate sleepover. They hadn’t even talked about it. Noah was anticipating a firm rejection, but to his surprise, she conceded with a quick nod. Maybe it was the bitter cold shocking her into submission, or maybe it was the fact that Devon had left, and she was lonely.

That’s always what it was, right?  That was her way – running into his arms anytime she needed comforting. And he ate it right up. He always would.

Chump.

Noah snuffed out his cigarette and reached for her hand. “Let’s go.”