I have no idea how long I held Brook because I fell asleep.
◊◊◊
Chapter 16 – Spirit of the Season Thursday December 22
Rita showed up for singing rehearsal. She was impressed with the progress I’d made. She did make a snarky remark that they might not even have to auto-tune me to disguise or correct my off-key performance. I didn’t take her seriously.
Jett’s band, Birthrite, had also shown up so they could back up Pree and my version of
At first, I wasn’t sure what it had to do with Christmas. It was a slow ballad about a former lover who the singer had left behind a long time ago. She now wanted to reconnect after years of them being apart. The Christmas connection came when the lyrics revealed that it’s Christmas Eve. Rita thought it would add balance to the mostly up and cheerful songs.
Brook had come with me, and she and Halle spent time catching up. When I got a chance, I talked to Rita.
“How are you doing?” I asked.
She gave me a sideways smile.
“You really should have decided to join us in Hollywood. I know my daughter misses you,” she said.
“As much as I love Halle, I made the right decision. Brook and I work,” I said.
“For now,” Rita amended.
“Between you and my mom, if anything happens, I’m sure I’ll be married off in no time.”
“We just know what’s best for you.”
“Why don’t you, Trip, and Halle join us for dinner tonight? I know my mom would love to see you,” I said.
She thought about it and agreed. Lexi had been lurking around, and she nodded to me that she would take care of it. I made a point to invite her, too. If she was working this hard, she might as well take a moment and enjoy herself. I knew that she and Halle had become friends since our accident. Lexi was now getting along with Brook as well.
I thought that if there was more of a crowd, Ava and Ian would be on their best behavior. They’d been missing all day, according to my mom. I hoped they would work out what was best for them. I knew Brook was worried they would divorce. It had been in the back of my mind when my parents had dealt with something similar.
“That sounds nice. I’ll call your mom,” Rita said.
Once we were finally done, I told Lexi she could take the weekend off to spend with family. She said my LA staff were having an office party tonight before everyone came to my premiere. She agreed to swing by Trader Joe’s to pick up my gift to everyone.
I made Manaia take Brook and me to the store she said had what my mom wanted. It was a silk pajama set. I figured I had gotten off cheap this year, so I bought her two in different colors. Before my parents left, I would slip them to my dad, and he could take them home so she could unwrap them on Christmas day.
I was happy to be officially done with Christmas shopping.
“What do you want for Christmas?” Brook asked.
“How about we spend the day together? Let’s get out of town and do something. We haven’t been on an adventure in a while,” I suggested.
“Vegas?” she asked.
“We can’t gamble. What if we were to go somewhere that we could get pampered, like a day spa?” I suggested.
Before my ‘man card’ gets revoked, my plan was for an adventure Brook would like. That was a sign of true love.
She gave me a skeptical look.
“Is this just an excuse to lure me somewhere and have your way with me?” she asked.
I waggled my eyebrows, which made her smile.
“Okay, I’ll make all the arrangements,” she announced and took off.
I was sure she planned to ask either Lexi or Halle where we should go. Honestly, I just wanted to spend some alone time with her away from all this. Even at the house, people seemed to just show up. I would leave the details to Brook.
◊◊◊
For tonight’s premiere, we’d rented out a private room at a restaurant right around the corner from the theater hosting the event. I was impressed by how nicely everyone was dressed. Even my dad was in a tux.
Mom had also invited Frank Ingram and Saul Gessler and his wife. I would see more people at the after-party, but she felt they needed to be here.
Ava and Ian seemed to be at least civil. I could tell Brook was still worried, but she put that aside for tonight.
Once we all sat down, Rita tapped her glass to get everyone’s attention.
“I have an advance copy of Variety’s review of
“How’d you get that? I’ve been after them to get one,” Saul complained.
“I think they just like me more,” Rita said.
She was right about that, I was sure.
“Anyway,” she continued, “I’ll just read you the part about David.”
