Chapter 94
Luke leaned over to Laura during the commercial and snickered. “Did you see that? There was definite hand-holding going on there.”
“I saw, but how do you know it wasn’t just for show?”
“I don’t, but I think I’ll just live in denial for a while and tell myself it was real.”
She laughed softly and shook her head, turning her attention back to the TV.
“Hey, when is his award up?” Carly asked. Now that his performance was over, the awards were the only time she knew they’d be shown in the audience. She too had seen Lucky grab Liz’s hand, and was hoping it meant they were finally getting somewhere.
“I think it’s one of the ones after this break,” Alexis offered. There was something about the way Lucky and Liz had been acting that was making her think that she might never have to finalize that divorce. She hoped she was right, because they really did make a cute couple.
“It’s back!” Luke shouted, shutting everyone up. Matthew Perry returned to the stage and announced the next performer, one of the groups up for Favorite New Rap Duo or Group. They all groaned and turned down the volume, but watched anyway, in case there were any audience shots during the performance.
~*~
“Ugh,” Liz groaned as the next performer took the stage. “I’m sorry if you know them, but I hate rap.”
Lucky chuckled and shook his head. “So do I, don’t worry about it.”
“Honey, I better get up there now. My award is coming up,” Jennifer said, standing up from her seat. “I should have gone during the break, but I lost track of the time.”
“Okay. Have fun,” he said, reaching up to kiss her. She returned his smile, then started to scoot past Liz.
“Good luck,” she said, not sure if it was appropriate, since she was only presenting the award. Jennifer laughed and nodded.
“Thanks, I’m going to need it. They stuck me with Mike Myers, and he ad-libs everything!” She got out to the aisle and turned back. “Lucky, if I’m not back for yours, good luck to you, too.”
“Thanks, Jen,” he said sincerely, smiling as she left. Liz frowned. Why did she suddenly feel jealous every time he smiled at another woman?
“Hey, which one is he up for?” Brad asked, leaning in to Liz so she could hear him over the loud music.
“Actually, he’s nominated for three. I think it’s Male Rock Artist, Rock Album, and Alternative Artist, or something like that.” She had to yell right into his ear, because the rap group on stage had somehow gotten even louder. Lucky watched out of the corner of his eye, wondering what they were talking about, and why they had to be so close to do it.
“Well, I hope he gets them. I’ve only heard his music a few times, but it’s good. And that duet he just did was phenomenal!” Brad replied.
“Thanks, I’ll tell him you said that.” She sat back in her seat and smiled, amazed that was actually sitting there, carrying on a conversation with Brad Pitt.
The group finished a minute later, and Alyssa Milano came on to introduce the next presenters, Jennifer Aniston and Mike Myers. They were doing the award for Female Country Artist, and just as Jennifer had predicted, Mike ad-libbed his way through the entire thing, cracking up not only her, but the rest of the audience as well. Shania Twain won, and Liz cheered loudly.
“I love her!” she exclaimed happily.
“Well, you might have a chance to meet her later. She’ll probably be at the Sony party. It’s not her label, but her husband’s a producer, and he usually tries to go to all of the label’s parties,” Lucky explained.
“Really? That would be so cool!” She thought for a moment, then turned back to him. “So, we’re going to one of them?”
“Yeah, Sony’s. L&B is distributed by them now, and I have to at least make an appearance, especially if I win.”
“Which you will,” she said. “I mean, you probably will, you’re up for three, the chances are pretty good you’ll get at least one, right?”
“Who knows. These things are hard to predict. We’ll see soon enough, one of them’s next.” He sat back and grabbed her hand again, knowing that they did audience shots of the nominees. Liz could feel butterflies in her stomach as the presenters for the next award took the stage and figured she was just nervous for him.
“Good evening, we’re here to present the award for Favorite Alternative Artist,” LeAnn Rimes announced, turning to her co-presenter, Will Smith, to signal for him to go next.
“The nominees are: Kid Rock, Savage Garden and Lucky.”
Lucky squeezed Liz’s hand and smiled as the cameras focused on him. LeAnn fumbled with the envelope for a moment and pulled out the card, a grin spreading across her face. She leaned into the microphone and looked out in his direction.
“The award goes to Lucky!” she cheered. The audience burst into applause as Liz’s jaw dropped, totally floored that he had won. She turned and threw her arms around him excitedly, getting swept up in the moment. Lucky laughed and kissed her, then got up and hurried to the stage. One of the other seat-fillers slid into his chair and joined in on the applause. She was tempted to ask her where Chad was, but before she could, Brad leaned over to her.
“I knew he’d win,” he shouted, laughing at her excitement. She just grinned and nodded, watching as Lucky made his way to the podium. He shook Will’s hand and hugged LeAnn, then stepped up to the microphone and cleared his throat.
~*~
“He won!” Carly shouted, jumping out of her seat as Lucky’s name was announced. Everyone cheered and watched his and Liz’s reactions.
“Aw, they’re so cute,” Emily gushed, smiling at how excited they seemed.
Luke looked pointedly at Laura, then at Carly, as Lucky kissed Liz and got out of his seat. “Something tells me that wasn’t part of the act,” he whispered to his wife, smiling proudly.
“No, for once I think I might have to agree with you. I hate to say it, but this crazy plan of yours just might work.’
“You mean you actually doubted me?” he asked, feigning shock. Laura just laughed and punched him lightly on the shoulder.
“What do you make of that?” Jax whispered to Alexis, nodding at the screen. “Think they’re still faking?”
“I don’t know,” she sighed. “If they are, they’re a hell of a lot better than we were, and if I do say so myself, we were pretty good.”
He grinned at her and chuckled, then looked back at the TV as Lucky cleared his throat to speak.
~*~
“Well, this is a nice surprise. I never actually thought I’d get this thing, but since I did, I have a lot of people to thank. First of all, my management team, who is always there for me. They’ve become some of my best friends, and I’ll always be grateful for that. To L&B Records, thanks for giving me a chance back when I was just some local kid who thought it would be cool to be a rock star. Well, I was right, it is pretty cool.” Everyone laughed, and he grinned, taking a moment to study the trophy in his hands. “Of course, I have to thank my family for supporting me, especially these past few years when I’ve been on the road. Mom, Dad, you’re the best. And finally, my wife Elizabeth. As honeymoons go, this one’s been pretty crazy, but she hasn’t run screaming yet, so I suppose that’s a good sign.” He held up the award and smiled. “Thanks again!”
The crowd applauded loudly as he followed the presenters off the stage. Once they were off, one of the stage hands held him back.
“You’re up for the next one too, so don’t go anywhere.”
“Okay,” he said, trying to catch his breath. He hadn’t realized how nervous he was about that speech until he was actually giving it. He just hoped the part about Liz was believable. He had no idea what to say about her, and didn’t want to get too mushy, since he knew his dad was watching at home. The last thing he wanted was to give him any more ideas.
“Our next presenter is known to most of you as ‘Buffy, the Vampire Slayer,’ but tonight, she’s just Sarah,” Matthew Perry announced. “Here to present the next award, Sarah Michelle Gellar.”
Everyone applauded as she took the stage. “Thank you. The nominees for Favorite Rock Album are: Metallica, Lucky, and Matchbox 20.”
As she announced Lucky’s name, they showed him back stage, waiting. Liz watched the screen, sort of disappointed that he hadn’t come back to his seat in between awards. Then again, she should be relieved: if he won, she wouldn’t have to kiss him again.
Sarah sighed and ripped open the envelope, reading the card. By the way her face lit up, Liz knew he had won. “The winner is Lucky!”
Liz clapped excitedly and turned to grin at Brad, not sure what else to do, since Lucky wasn’t there. He returned her smile as the camera panned over her.
~*~
“I hate her,” Carly grumbled as the shot switched to Liz, exchanging excited smiles with Brad Pitt. “She’s so lucky!”
“Calm down, Caroline, the man’s taken, remember?” Luke asked with a laugh.
“Yeah, I know, but still..”
“Quiet, Lucky’s back,” Laura said, waving at them all to shut up.
~*~
Lucky hugged Sarah and kissed her on the cheek. “Congratulations!” she gushed, hugging him back. She stepped to the side and grinned happily while he stepped forward to speak.
“Wow,” he gasped, looking at the award. “Is anyone else getting deja vu?” The audience laughed.
“Anyway, this is a great honor, to be up against two amazing bands like that, and then to win this thing. I don’t know if I deserve it, but hey, I’ll take it! Once again, I’d like to thank my label and my managers for doing such a great job. My band, you guys are the greatest, this is for you just as much as it is for me. Um, I have to thank my family again, my parents, my little sister, heck, even my brother! And of course, my wife, too. I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to call my family. Thanks!” He followed Sarah off the stage as the show went to another commercial, then headed back for his seat, somewhat relieved to see that there was a different seat-filler there, a woman this time. She stood up as he approached and hurried away.
“Congratulations,” Liz said, smiling as he sat down. “Two in a row, not bad, huh?”
“Two down, one to go,” he responded.
“Well, I’m happy for you,” she said, hugging him. “I’m sure you’ll get the third one, too.”
“Thanks.” He pulled back and looked at her strangely, surprised by her sudden gesture. After all, they were at commercial, no one would be filming them, and the rest of the audience was too busy talking to each other to pay any attention to them.
