Page 54 of Hollywood Fairytale

The band played all my favorite songs from Imagine Dragons to The Chainsmokers, The Lumineers to Maroon 5. By then I’d drank enough that I didn’t care what we were doing. I sang loud along with the band, but my jaw dropped when Gabi walked over and took the microphone. At that same moment the bartender pulled out a bunch of penis straws placing them in all our drinks. His cheeks flushed pink, and I couldn’t help but laugh. Taylor took that as her opportunity to place a crown on my head that lit up.

“I’m honored to be here to celebrate Alex’s last night as a Sloane,” Gabi said from up on the stage. “I met Alex a few months ago when I was doing a guest spot on Luke’s show and we hit it off right from the start.”

“I love you, Gabi!” I pointed at her and yelled, swaying on my seat.

“I love you too, Alex. Bartender get her another drink! Get everyone another drink!”

The bartender already had a pitcher of whatever he made for us and filled each of our glasses to the brim. I took a sip of my drink through my penis straw as did everyone else, each of us laughing at the absurdity.

“The day I met Luke and Alex, I was walking back from makeup when I spotted them dancing outside the studio. A song was drifting out from another sound lot, but you would have thought they were playing it just for them. They didn’t even notice me as I walked by. They were in their own little world.

“When Luke asked me if I’d sing at their wedding, of course I said yes. He told me the song that Alex had been dreaming of hearing at her wedding. He also told me that every day they’re together they dance to at least one song. How fucking sweet is that?”

“Go ahead and swoon, ladies. I got a good one.” I bowed, nearly falling off my stool.

Everyone yelled back different versions of the same thing. “Yeah, you did. And Hell, yeah.”

“I’m not going to sing your dream song, but I wanted to sing one of your favorites.” Gabi whispered to the band and they started Maroon 5’sShe Will Be Loved.

It was one of my favorites songs and I knew Luke had told her. I wanted to tell him how much I loved him and that it was so sweet of him to tell Gabi about our dancing.

“Ladies,” Stella called, as she stood from her stool when the song was over. “I need to go powder my nose. Who’s going to join me?”

“I shouldn’t,” I groaned, standing up. “Once you start, you can’t stop, but I need to relieve my bladder.”

After asking the bartender where the bathroom was, we all stumbled to the bathroom each taking a stall.

After washing my hands, I swiped on another layer of gloss. I watched as each girl came out. Stella wrinkled her nose, lifting her arm to smell.

“I hate to be rude, but we stink like… I don’t know. The luau maybe?”

Gina narrowed her eyes at Stella but didn’t say anything.

“I’ve got some perfume in my purse. Maybe if I spray it around the bathroom…”

Gina interrupted her with a firm shake of her head. “Not happening, I’ll be waiting out here.” She thumbed towards the bar.

“What’s her deal?” Stella asked as she dug in her purse trying to find her perfume.

Jessica applied her red lipstick with perfection in front of the mirror. “Maybe she’s offended that you said she stinks.”

Stella’s mouth hung open for a moment. “I didn’t sayshestinks. I said we all do.”

“It’s still offensive,” Jessica deadpanned.

“Well, we’ll all smell like roses and she’ll smell like a dead pig,” Stella sneered before a big smile came over her face as she cheered. “Here it is.”

Before any of us could say anything, Stella started to spray her perfume throughout the room. I knew something was wrong the instant my eyes started to burn and water profusely. Darting for the door, I heard the others start to cough and gag.

“What the fuck?” Gabi questioned as I stumbled out the door. “Why are you crying?”

“Stella,” I coughed out. “Oh my God that wasn’t perfume. I think it was pepper spray.” I tried to look around to find a chair to sit but couldn’t see. “I need something to wipe my eyes.” I croaked out as one after the other they came spilling out of the bathroom.

“Stella are you trying to fuck us?” Jessica shrieked.

Someone bumped into me causing me to trip and almost fall, but Gabi grabbed onto me and waited until I was steady.

“Oh my God, I think it’s coming out here,” Gabi coughed. “Are you okay?”

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