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He laughs. ‘That too. Believe it or not I’m working on a few ideas to incorporate that into some of our music. I just think it’s incredible that a few keys or strings can make millions of different melodies. Teaching people the basic notes and watching them move on to playing full songs and then composing their own music was so rewarding.’
‘You’re just a big softy under all that muscle.’
‘Don’t tell anyone. I’ve got an image to uphold.’
‘There’s no way you could take on a few students again?’
‘Nah. Don’t think it would work. My schedule is all over the place. I couldn’t commit to anything right now. Besides, teaching your gran whenever I can is work enough. She really doesn’t like to be told what to do. I need the patience of a fucking saint to deal with her.’
Chloe manages to stop herself from spraying Tate with her tea as she laughs. ‘Sorry. I just got a picture of the two of you facing up to each other. I can’t see either of you backing down.’
‘That’s where my super teacher skills come in to their own, and a few cups of her posh coffee of course. Her stubbornness actually helps her. She doesn’t stop until she gets it right.’ He looks at his watch and makes a face. ‘Damn. I guess we better head back to the hotel. Wouldn’t want to be late.’
He takes her hand as they walk back on to the busy street and head back towards the hotel. With every step, the nerves increase, sending the butterflies in Chloe’s stomach into a frenzy.
In a few hours she’ll be stepping out of a limo in front of reporters, cameras, and fans as the new woman in Tate Archer’s life. He may have tried to play it down, but she knows tonight is so important for both Tate and the rest of the band.
She’s just going to have to ignore the nerves and do her best not to let him down.
21
Tate sits on the edgeof the enormous bed and stares at his reflection in the mirror opposite him. He feels like he’s going to throw up. He’s never liked these award ceremonies, even at the best of times. He’s not a natural people person, preferring his own company to crowds of people making small talk with each other.
He never took to the attention fame brings with it, but if he didn’t get it tonight or got it for the wrong reason, his career will be on the rocks. Not only his career, but Dillon, Gregg, and Luke’s career too. They depended on him. This will be the first real test and he desperately doesn’t want to fail, especially with Chloe there to witness it.
He slips on his waistcoat and fastens the buttons as he paces the thick carpet. The vice of pressure across his chest refuses to let go. It’s been with him all day, getting worse as the dinner drew closer.
The countless cups of black coffee probably hadn’t helped. If he’s not careful he’ll be adding caffeine to his list of things to avoid. Since getting out of rehab he’s been drinking the stuff like it’s going out of fashion.
He knows he’s scratching his arm, but he couldn’t care less. It’s offering a little distraction from the fact he can’t breathe. The damn tie is like a noose around his neck, so he tears it off and throws it on the bed.
He’s going to ditch the tie tonight. Ellen will just have to be happy he’s wearing a suit. It’s not like he’ll have to get up on stage and give any speeches. There isn’t a hope in hell he’ll be coming away with any of the awards tonight. It’s not going to matter what he’s wearing.
He opens the top two buttons of his shirt and rubs his neck. It still feels like there’s something around it. He leans on the dressing table and glares at his reflection.
Tonight isn’t about the awards or getting him back in the limelight again. It’s about seeing if he can survive a very public walk of shame.
