I deserve for her to ignore my wishes. I deserve for her to wake up and demand an answer, a plan.
But I know she won’t. Whatever our relationship is based on, there is a foundation of being honest. Of telling the truth. And besides, I can’t bear leaving her without another kiss.
Carefully, I crawl across the bed. I track the tip of my nose up her cheek, across her face, rubbing it against the tip of hers. I press my lips to hers, and my heart skips a beat when she kisses me back, like it’s a reflex of hers, even when she’s asleep.
But she’s stirring now, her eyes blinking open, her arms wrapping around me. I press a little harder with my lips until she’s opening her mouth, and my tongue is diving in, and I realise that this is the place. This is where I want to stay forever.
And yet, it’s an impossible dream.
“What time is it?” she asks croakily as she turns her head away.
“7:30,” I reply. “Or maybe closer to 8.”
“Shit, Pia, your flight.”
“I’m ready.” I lean back so she can see I’m fully dressed. “I just wanted to say goodbye.”
“But we were supposed to wake up together,” she say, panic flashing in her blue eyes. How I will fucking miss them.
“I didn’t want to wake you,” I explain, but it sounds like the weak excuse it is.
Cassie sits up and grabs hold of me. “God, I wish you weren’t going.”
“Me too,” I say into her hair.
“This is agony, this is…” She stops speaking, and I know why. She’s abiding by our agreement – time for me to honour my side.
“I promise we’ll talk.” I grip her face in my hands. It’s only a small shock when I see tears in her eyes. “When I get back. After the Grammys.”
“After the Grammys,” she repeats.
And then I have to leave. Because if I don’t, I know I’ll stay forever and ruin both of our lives.
“I love you,” I say.
“I love you too,” she whispers through her tears.
I let her go and walk to the door. I sign “I love you” once more. She signs it back.
And then I walk away, leaving my heart in bed with her.
RHYTHM & NEWS
Saturday, February 23, 1980
BATTLE OF THE BANGS: The Final Showdown? Or the Last Chance?
A year ago, the Grammys were overshadowed by the afterparty punch-up between Femme Fatale and Evergreene. This incident kick-started the so-called Battle of the Bangs, which we have been closely monitoring for the last twelve months. Back then, we certainly didn’t expect one of those bands to no longer be together, and we also certainly didn’t expect two of the band members – the leading ladies, no less – to go on to record a song together.
But that is exactly what has happened, and as we look ahead to Thursday’s awards ceremony, certainly the most anticipated performance will be that of What I Want, the song that Cassie Everard and Pia Lindberg had an instant best-selling hit with.
While the two bands toured, audiences all over the globe demanded a live performance of the song, but they were never given what they desired. But tonight, the stage is set for Cassie and Pia to come together and give all their fans exactly what they want.
With only the Femme Fatale boys expected to attend, and most of the Evergreene men tied up in jail, rehab, or England, it also seems the night won’t end up in a brawl either. That is, unless things turn nasty between Cassie and Pia, which, considering how their paths haven’t crossed in over six months – that strange Amsterdam sighting aside – wouldn’t be out of left field.
With the pair expected to also take the Grammy for Best Single, all eyes are going to be on their performance and the cordiality between them, or lack thereof. Will it mark a new chapter in their rivalry? Or will it mark the end of the Battle of the Bangs completely?
CHAPTER 42
