Platinum (All That Glitters #3) (42 page)

Unlike everything going on in Stacia’s life.

Stacia had spent half of the football season torn between Marshall and Pace, and that was probably because the team had spent half of the year deciding which quarterback to use as their star. When Marshall was selected halfway through the season, Stacia had made her pick. She and Marshall were…something else. He was almost too nice for her. Bryna liked to see Pace pissed off, so she didn’t say anything about Stacia’s relationship with Marshall. When Pace started sleeping with Stacia’s friend from home who was a freshman cheerleader at LV State, even Trihn had let it go.

The football season had gone all right after that, but they hadn’t made it to the playoffs, leading to another year of disappointment. Marshall had elected to go to the NFL draft, ignoring the advice from the coaching staff. When even Eric had yelled at him, Trihn had known it was a dumb idea. Eric only yelled when it was directed at Bryna or when he was as pissed off as psychotic drunk Bryna. But the draft wasn’t for another couple of months, and Stacia was over the moon that she’d get to go with him to the draft in Chicago.

Luckily, Maya had gotten accepted to graduate school to get her masters in creative writing, so she and Drayton could continue dating without a long- distance relationship.

Trihn’s friends had diverse lives, but she loved being there for them through it every bit as much as they loved texting her while she was at the Grammys.

Damon and Trihn were escorted to their seats at the front of the room. They weren’t seated long before Chloe bounded over to them with her current man, some backup dancer she’d met on her last tour, who would also be in her performance tonight.

“Trihn!” Chloe said, pulling her in for a tight hug. “You look incredible.”

“Thank you.”

“And this dress! I’m jealous that I didn’t get that one-of-a-kind,” she said with a smile.

Trihn had designed Chloe’s dress, too. It was a fire engine–red lace creation that hugged her Latina body in all the right places. Trihn knew she had three other costume changes for the night for when she was announcing awards and performing, not to mention the after-party and the after-after-party. But Trihn was grateful to have created Chloe’s red carpet dress. It would help her blooming design career.

Her designs were consistently in New York boutiques right now, playing nice with the rich and trendy—something her mother had thought would never happen. Trihn’s third year of school in the fashion design major had been almost entirely upper-level seminars with Teena as they worked together to make her dreams of becoming a famous designer a reality. Teena wanted Trihn to open her own boutique in New York or Las Vegas, but Trihn wanted to establish herself more before sinking her investment into a store. Between her fashion line and trying to finish school, she was already incredibly busy. She didn’t think she could run her own boutique yet, too.

Chloe stuck around and chatted for a while and then took the seat next to them for the show.

Trihn glanced around at the packed room. She couldn’t believe how many famous people were all in one place. It was disorienting, knowing everyone in the vicinity and listening to their music and having them somehow know her, too. At this rate, she would be designing only for celebrities. She thought that would be an okay gig.

The lights dimmed, and the host came out to begin the show. Act after act went onstage, taking the crowd by storm, and doling out gold record players.

Chloe performed in a scandalously sheer number for her new song, “Naked.” And then she came back out onstage a half hour later in a conservative floor-length white dress that sparkled like the sun with none other than Gates Hartman in a tuxedo.

Trihn hadn’t seen Gates before this moment and was surprised that he was announcing with Chloe. As far as Trihn knew, they still didn’t talk to each other. Maybe things had improved since her rehab stint.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this year, we have the opportunity to announce the nominees for the Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media,” Chloe said.

“As you know, Chloe and I have worked in film together and always applaud the amazing vocal melodies that bring our films to life,” Gates said. He turned to face Chloe with that dazzling smile.

She stared at him a heartbeat too long before realizing she’d missed her cue. “And we’re pleased to announce that we will be working on a new movie of our own and hope that, in the following years, we’ll see our own soundtrack back up for nomination.”

“And now, the nominees,” Gates said.

Trihn raised her eyebrows.
Gates and Chloe are working on another movie together. Well, that is not going to be good for their relationships.

“That should be interesting,” Damon whispered.

“Very.”

“She’s going to need to watch out with him.”

“What do you mean?” Trihn asked. She glanced over at him. Per Bryna’s request, she had never told Damon what had actually happened with Gates and Chloe.

“You know.” He nodded his head at them.

“Do
you
know?” she asked.

“I mean…Chloe told me…if it’s what you think it is.”

“You know!” she gasped.

“I just couldn’t say anything.”

“Does she still like him?” Trihn hissed.

He shrugged. “Who knows? Guess they’ll figure that out.”

Trihn laughed softly and then turned her attention back to the stage.

As the award night wore on, it seemed to take longer and longer to get to the awards that they really wanted to see.

Finally, the time came.

“And the winner for Best New Artist goes to…”

The anticipation was killer.

Damon squeezed her hand as they waited, her stomach in knots.

“Damon Stone!”

The crowd cheered.

They both stood, and he pulled Trihn in for a hug. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” she said, tears shining in her eyes.

Damon accepted his Grammy. “Wow. Thank you so much. You have no idea what this means to me. A year ago, I was deejaying in clubs in Las Vegas, and now…a Grammy. I want to thank everyone who helped get me here—Jason Carlo, Freddie Hope, Carson Cameron, the team at Sony Music, Tiffany Holly, Chester Ambrose, Sage McHugh, and Courtney Lord. Also, Chloe Avana, for discovering me. My mum, Melanie, for always believing in me. And my wonderful girlfriend, Trihn. Without her, none of this would have been possible. Thank you.” Damon hefted the award overhead and then followed the announcers offstage.

Trihn applauded with the crowd. Her heart was in her throat. All those hard times were for this. It was worth it.

Damon reappeared a few minutes later, and she hugged him so hard until the awards started again, and the cameras came back on.

Chloe won Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album, but she lost out for Song of the Year and Album of the Year.

The last category came up for Record of the Year.

“‘We Never Met’ by Damon Stone, featuring Chloe Avana!”

The crowd went crazy. Damon and Chloe went up to accept the award together. Watching them onstage was the most unbelievable experience.

They both gave acceptance speeches that Trihn heard through a blur.

By the time the show was over, Trihn hurried backstage to see Damon taking a picture with his two awards. He grabbed her around the middle and swung her around.

“I’m so proud of you,” she told him.

“I’m just doing what I love.”

“And you’re incredible at it. We’re never going to be able to go anywhere anymore.”

He laughed. “Why?”

“Not with your recognizable face!”

“We’ll go wherever you want. Travel the world. You and me.”

“How about Las Vegas? I’ve gotten kind of fond of the city…and having you close.”

“Well then, how about you move in with me?” he said, dragging her body against his.

“What?” she asked in disbelief.

“Bri is going to move in with Eric. Stacia is going to drop out of school to be an NFL quarterback’s wife. The apartment will be empty. I want you close. I want you with me. I want you to be mine, so we can start building that future we’ve been talking about.”

“I think we’re already doing that,” she whispered.

“Well, what do you say?”

Trihn didn’t even have to think about it. “Yes.”

“Yes?”

“I’ll move in with you.”

A smile split his face. “And here I thought I was going to have to convince you.”

“Well, it won’t be until my lease ends.”

“I can live with that. That’s only a couple of months away.”

“You know…I really hope Stacia doesn’t drop out of school.”

Damon laughed hard and kissed her cheek. “Out of all those things, that’s what you latched on to.”

She giggled. “Mostly that I’m moving in with you in a couple of months.”

“I like the sound of that.”

“A Grammy award winning music artist,” she said, raising her eyebrows.

“Fuck, that sounds good.” He smiled. “But mostly that you’ll be moving in with me.”

“You’ve changed me for the better, Damon Stone. I’d go to the ends of the earth with you.”

“And I intend on taking you there.”

The End

STAYED TUNED FOR STACIA’S STORY IN THE NEXT BOOK IN THE ALL THAT GLITTERS SERIES:

SILVER

COMING FALL 2016!

NO BOOK IS WRITTEN IN A VACUUM
. So many people helped me get to this point, and thank you to each and every one of you who was there for me while writing this novel. It’s one of my favorites!

Here’s a special thank you to people who were there along the way—Rebecca Kimmerling, Katie Miller, Diana Peterfreund, Polly Matthews, Lori Francis, Katie Ross, Christy Peckham, NANO Wrimo, Corinne Michaels, all the girls of FYW, Jovana Shirley of Unforeseen Editing, and Sarah Hansen of Okay Creations.

Most of all, YOU! Thank you for picking up this book and giving it a chance. I hope you read and enjoy all of my Glitter Girls! Stacia’s book is up next in
Silver,
coming Fall 2016!

K.A. LINDE
is the
USA Today
bestselling author of the Avoiding series and the All That Glitters series as well as seven additional novels. She grew up as a military brat, traveling the United States and even landing for a brief stint in Australia. She has a master’s degree in political science from the University of Georgia and is the current head coach of the Duke University dance team. An avid traveler, reader, and bargain hunter, K.A. currently lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her husband and two super adorable puppies.

K.A. Linde loves to hear from her readers!

You can contact her at
[email protected]
or visit her online at one of the following sites:

www.kalinde.com

www.facebook.com/authorkalinde

@authorkalinde

OTHER TITLES BY K.A. LINDE

AVOIDING SERIES

Avoiding Commitment (#1)

Avoiding Responsibility (#2)

Avoiding Intimacy (#2.5)

Avoiding Decisions (#1.5)

Avoiding Temptation (#3)

RECORD SERIES

Off the Record

On the Record

For the Record