I sigh and let my shoulders drop as Paul continues.
“This plaque is in acknowledgment of the amazing achievement you’ve just pulled off, and what I hope will be eclipsed when we all head out on the road again in the future.” Paul wraps up to cheers from everyone.
Lucy hands me the impressive plaque. It’s a photograph of me standing on stage, the sold-out crowd from Madison Square Garden behind me, with all the incredible stats Paul listed underneath.
I place the plaque down on the bar and quickly hug Paul and Lucy before turning to everyone.
“I’m not big on speeches, as many of you know,” I say. “But I just want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for all the hard work you’ve put in over the past year to bring this show to life. It takes a village to raise a child, and many of you here have literally helped to raise me. Not only into an adult, but up through the stage and out into the crowd.” I nod at the toaster-lift operator as I grab a Fuji water from the bar. “You are my heroes. You are the ones who help to bring my dreams to life every night on stage, and I can’t thank you all enough for everything you do.”
“Alex, Alex, Alex,” the crew chants as I wrap my speech up and hold my water up in the air.
It feels wholesome being surrounded by everyone. My parents look on, my mom clutching her hand over her heart while my dad’s arm is thrown over her shoulder. Connie and Laurie toast each other with their drinks.
My eyes well up, but I blink it away and take a sip of water.
I’ve done it.
I’ve made it through the tour, despite all the hurdles.
I let out a deep breath.
Now I can head back home to America. Switch off and just be Al for a minute.
“How you feeling, kiddo?” my dad asks when he reaches me, ruffling my hair.
“Exhausted. I just wanna get back to the hotel.”
“You don’t fancy another night at that Box nightclub?” He lifts his brows.
“Not on my watch,” my mum interjects, whacking him. “Let’s get you back, son.” My dad rolls his eyes as she loops her arm into mine, and I nod to Rob.
I feel a bit guilty for slipping out, but I’ve said my bit and spoken to most people in the room. Plus, this wrap party is more for them than me. And right now, there’s somewhere else I’d rather be.
It’s almost 12:30 a.m. by the time I make it back to the hotel. Rob calls ahead to make sure there’s extra security at the back door so I can get inside quickly and straight to where I want to be—with Christopher.
As much as I enjoyed the last show, my mind was back herewith Christopher. I dreamed of us in each other’s arms, gliding across the dance floor while the music played.
Christopher had said he’d wait for me when I texted that we were en route to the hotel, but my fans ambushed the car when we left the arena. It took Rob calling the security from the venue to clear the way, and it delayed us by half an hour.
Rob follows me into the ballroom, but the room is vacant. Empty glasses of wine and champagne sit alongside half drunk bottles of beer on the tables. The DJ booth is already packed down; someone left their blazer hanging over the back of one of the chairs.
I reach for my phone and call Christopher, wondering if he’s already back in the room, when I hear a ringtone coming from another suit jacket, this one hanging from the back of the chair he was sitting at earlier.
Hmm.
I hang up my phone and make my way over.
He can’t have gone that far without his jacket.
Rob offers to head back out to the main entrance of the ballroom to look around, while I sit down in Christopher’s seat. I pick up an unused fork and cut into a slice of wedding cake, left untouched on a small plate. The sponge and strawberry jam and cream gives me a sugar rush as soon as I take the first bite.
“There he is,” I hear Christopher call out, arms wide, as he enters the room.
Rob laughs behind him as Christopher stumbles through the tables toward me, looking slightly worse for wear. His bowtie hangs down on either side of his collar, right above his unbuttoned waistcoat.
“Sorry I took so long to get here,” I say, getting up from the table. I feel a little underdressed in my black jeans, white vans, and white T-shirt.
“No worries. I had to put my mother to bed. She was all overthe place by the end of the night.” He rests his hand on the table when he finally reaches me before planting a wet kiss on my lips.
