How to Be a Rock Star's Ex-Girlfriend (21 page)

And then, there he was. He was beautiful, and wonderful, and just Braden. I wasn’t sure what to do. Should I move in for the hug, shake his hand, just stand there? It was like the first time I saw him. I couldn’t breathe, or talk, or think. I just saw my perfect guy, standing in front of me. I didn’t have to wait for long for the answer to my dilemma. As soon as he saw me from across room, he was moving toward me. Before I could say a word, I was in his arms. It felt totally right, like we had never been apart.

“I am so glad that you’re here.” His voice was quiet, just for me.

“Me, too. I wasn’t sure if you knew that I was coming, if you would want me here.”

“I wanted to ask you to come a million times. I almost sent you tickets, but I wasn’t sure how you’d feel about it. I mean, I heard you were with someone. The tabloids said you were engaged?” I knew he was asking me what my status was now.

“They were mistaken. I couldn’t marry anyone else.” I wanted to tell him right then that I loved him and that I had made a mistake too, but I couldn’t find the right words. How do you beg forgiveness from your rock star ex-boyfriend? How do you prove that you only want him and not his new lifestyle, his big bank account, the instant fame?

“I’m glad.” When I looked up at Braden, I knew I wouldn’t have to explain anything to him. He knew, he understood. I wasn’t going to be just another groupie. I wanted to be with him, if he would have me back.

“When do you have to go back home?” He still hadn’t let go of my hand.

“We’re supposed to leave tomorrow afternoon.” I couldn’t imagine leaving so soon. We had so much to talk about, so much to figure out.

“Well, let’s get out of here. We have all night.”

As I packed my belongings in boxes, getting ready for my big move, I remembered what it was like to be optimistic about love. I thought that I could have a guy wrapped around my finger and that would make me happy.

I folded the sides of the box holding my pots and pans, labeled it, and taped it shut. A few more boxes to go and I would be ready for the moving truck to come. The process of sorting everything I owned gave me plenty of time to play back those crazy events that led to my rock star ex-girlfriend status.

At the time Braden came into my life, I had been in love exactly never. The boys that I had met up to then had barely registered on the like scale.

I was picky and too confident for my own good. Maybe I wasn’t tall and blonde, but short, curvy brunettes can get just as much attention!

Shaking my head, I moved on to the next box waiting to be filled. I had been a sill young girl back then! Totally clueless about what I wanted, but looking for Mr. Right anyway! Maybe I’m still silly, but I’d like to think that at twenty-seven I’ve grown out of at least a few things, including that phase!

The ringing phone brought me back to reality. I glanced around the disaster area that was my living room. Where was the phone?

“Hold on, hold on!” Racing around, trying to follow the sound of the phone, I made a mad search. “I’m coming!”

Four rings later, there was the phone, under an old coat and a few dish towels that I had meant to throw away.

“Hello?”

“Ava, you’re still there?” It was my best friend, Cara. We had already talked on the phone four times that day. I kept telling her to just come over and say goodbye in person, but she refused. She claimed she hated goodbyes too much!

“Yes. If you didn’t think I’d be here, why did you call?”

“One last goodbye. I’ll miss you, girl! Are you all packed up?”

“Getting close. The truck will be here in about ten minutes. I’ll miss you, too. I’m so glad you called, again. You’ll come visit soon, right?”

“As soon as possible. I’ll let you go, I know you’re busy. I love you, Ava. Bye.”

“Love you, too, Cara. Bye.”

With a few tears in my eyes, I turned back to my mess. Cara was the closest thing to a sister that I had. I knew that I’d miss her a lot. But now was not the time to dwell on the people I’d leave behind. I still had two boxes to go and trash to take out!

As I taped the last of the boxes shut, I heard the truck pull up the drive. I took one last look at my now empty apartment. Thank god, I had gotten everything done. I knew that it would be super hard and emotional, so I kept putting it off!

“Well, it’s time.” I took a deep breath and walked slowly to the entrance. I grabbed the doorknob and opened the door to my future and my past.

After Braden and I left his show that night, we did talk all night. We laughed and kissed and cried. I finally told him everything that I should have told him years ago, the stuff that could have saved us from all this trouble. I told him that I had missed him, that I regretted ever asking him to leave. How I wished that I had been a stronger person, that I could have seen how much I loved him, instead of just running away from it when it got hard.

The funny thing was that he felt that he was entirely to blame, and he had carried the guilt with him all this time. The same way I had. He felt that he had pushed me away and hadn’t appreciated all that I was and all that I did. He should have told me about Sophie, he should have told me how he felt. He should have said that last day that he would put all he had into our relationship, if I would just stay. But I had put too many things between us, making it

impossible for us to work it out. How could I not take some of the blame?

We talked about Scott and his crazy proposal. I tried not to make light of the situation, since I could have very easily stayed with him and told myself I was happy. I had just let myself be convinced that I needed to be with someone.

And then Braden told me about some of the girls he had met, in the cities and out in California. It was definitely hard to hear, but important too. Every girl wanted to be with an up and coming rock star. Especially one who is known to be nursing a broken heart! Should be an easy target, right? They could be the main subject of his next number one hit.

It wasn’t perfect, and it wasn’t exactly the same as before, but it was a start. We didn’t have time to make plans or talk too much about the future. We just wanted to be together. We would let all that other stuff work itself out. And for once, I wasn’t just avoiding the issue; we really would work it all out, in time.

Epilogue

It did take a few weeks to figure things out, but it finally came together. With our schedules, it was hard to find another time for us to see each other, but we made due with email, voice mail, late night phone calls, and a letter or two. The effort we put into keeping in touch brought back all those original feelings we had for each other. I was more in love with Braden then ever before. There was something so special about talking through the night with someone you love. I would tell him all the stupid little things that had happened during my day, and he would fill me in on who was doing what for the upcoming album, the tour, and all it took to get ready for them both.

When it finally came time to decide what we should do about our long distance love affair, the answer was simple. I would go to him. It was about time I went with my man.

I quit my job; after all, I wouldn’t need to work right away. Braden wanted me on the tour with him, so he would take care of the money stuff. I did plan to earn my keep as his personal stylist, though. Because even though I loved the way he looked in a black t-shirt, there is something to be said for diversity. I couldn’t wait to go shopping with him.

So now, there I was, looking out my front door at the moving truck that would take my belongings to Braden’s place in California. My plane was set to leave later that night, and Braden would pick me up at the airport.

Suddenly, I noticed that there was a lot of commotion going on outside. I moved to get a better view of the street to see if there was an accident of some kind.

It wasn’t an accident that was getting everyone riled up. It was the presence of our very own hometown celebrity!

Behind the moving truck, was a black limo and leaning against it was, of course, Braden. I couldn’t believe that he had surprised me! It was so romantic! I ran over to him and gave him a great big kiss.

“What are you doing here? I thought you wouldn’t be back until late tonight and that’s why we were meeting at the airport.” I couldn’t keep the excitement out of my voice!

“No, I said that I wouldn’t be back to California until tonight. I wouldn’t have missed being here with you today.” He leaned in to kiss me again.

And then he did the most unexpected thing. He got down on one knee and pulled a small box out of his pocket.

“Oh,” What else could I say?

“We’ve been through so much and I don’t want to lose each other again. Ava, will you marry me?”

This time there wasn’t any hesitation. I couldn’t have stopped myself from screaming “Yes!” It didn’t hurt that the ring was exactly something that I would have picked out for myself. Emerald cut stone (at least two carats, oh my god!), with a simple platinum band. I guess he had been paying attention all along.

I never noticed the cameras, the news crews, or any of the other people that wanted to see what was happening on my usually quiet street. Braden’s proposal ended up on the evening news, on EXTRA, and on the E! Channel within a few hours. All the publicity didn’t bother me, though. I was just happy that we would always have a record of the momentous occasion. Whenever anyone asked me how he asked, I could pop in the video, or pull out the countless

magazines that featured a full color photo of Braden proposing to ‘the girl from that song’.

And that is my story, how I went from small town girl to infamous rock star ex-girlfriend to rock star wife-to-be. Look for me on VHl’s
Hottest Rock Star Girlfriends and Wives.
I’ll be the sexy brunette with the huge smile on her face.