HOTLINE BLING {WATTYS2016}

Chapter Eleven

It took everything in you to barely maintain a neutral expression. When one of the camera men focused the lens your way you managed a tiny smile and a weak nod. You were grateful for the minimal attention that followed. You tried to appear invested in how the rest of the show was unravelling, but Justin's very public announcement replayed itself like a movie on repeat in your mind's eye.

Your emotions toggled back and forth between anger, mortification and no matter how much you tried to ignore it; something inside you fluttered, dare I say, almost pleasantly at his declaration.

You applauded and cheered when appropriate for the next few minutes, however your mind was completely elsewhere. You wondered what you would say to Justin upon seeing him. You knew he was caught up in the press room going through the motions of winning an award. His delayed return bought you some time, but you knew an encounter was inevitable.

In the midst of your rampant thoughts came three short tugs at your dress. You glanced down at your little companion, his wide brown eyes stared up at you with a likeness so close to his brother's it was almost unsettling.

"What's up little man?" you stopped to his level.

"I have to use the bathroom," he nervously wrung his tiny fingers.

"Alright, let's get you to a bathroom then," you offered a reassuring smile, knowing that being without his brother among all these strange faces must have been daunting.

You secured his hand in yours and began making your way up the isle to the nearest exit of the theatre.

"Where's Justin?" he asked after you'd walked out into the expansive lobby.

"He'll be right back sweetheart, he just went to collect his award and take a few pictures, yeah?"

"Okay," he nodded, returning your smile.

When you walked out of the bathroom, with a noticeably more talkative Jaxon in tow, you stopped short in the middle of your explanation of why it took so long to collect an award as your eyes fell on the man 10 yards away.

His eyes met yours at the same time and the air seemingly bristled. You knew something wasn't right, and if you had to take a wild guess you'd say it had something to do with Justin. You'd tried to call him on a couple occasions following the flat tire incident, but to no avail.

He'd been sceptical of your relationship with Justin and you'd reassured him there was nothing to question, because as far as you were concerned there was no relationship. Whatever it was between you and Justin had ended the day he'd told you how he really considered you.

Of course now that Justin had announced to the entire world that there was definitely something between you and that he loved you, convincing Drake otherwise would be no easy task.

You began to move towards him, but the tiny hand in yours reminded you that this was neither the place nor time to approach him.

You watched as his eyes fell to your companion, recognition dawning before he briefly locked eyes with you again.

The next two hours progressed in a whirlwind of events; flashing cameras and rushed conversations with people you barely knew. By the time the award show had rolled to its end you still had yet to come across Justin. Jaxon had been taken home by one of Justin's entourage after he'd fallen asleep in your lap less than half hour upon being re-seated.

At this point you were content to go home and recollect, but apparently the night was far from over. Apparently your plus one duties extended beyond the award show and to the after party. That was never part of your agreement to attend, but you knew that refusing to go would be in bad taste, so you didn't protest when you were ushered into the backseat of a black SUV.