Listen to Your Heart

Chapter Fifteen

This chapter is mature.

"So, when people bring up that you aren't wearing your engagement ring, the plan is to keep quiet for now, correct? And then after this but before The Oscars, we release a statement to the press, a neutral one, of course. That's what you and Amanda decided on, just so we're all on the same page." Bobby brought his gaze down to her. "Earth to Gaga! Are you even listening to me right now?"

"Huh? Uh, sorry, Bob. Yeah, sounds good."

He and Freddie, who was blowing out her hair, exchanged a look. "Sweetie, it's t-minus three hours until showtime and your head is obviously not here."

"It's not," she admitted with a troubled sigh. "I'll pull myself together. Don't wanna embarrass anybody."

"Stef," Bobby's tone was gentle, "do you think I give a shit about that? It's you I care about. I'm worried about you."

"We all are," Freddie added, running his fingers with precision through her blonde locks. "Something's up."

"You don't have to say anything. Just know we're here. I know you've been through a lot of shit these past few weeks but we're on your side. All of us." Bending, he kissed her forehead.

"What Bobby said. We love you." Freddie squeezed her shoulder. "And if it's any consolation, you look hot."

She stared at her reflection in the mirror, admiring the sexy beach waves her friend had created. "You're a magic man, Freddie."

"As soon as Sarah finishes up, the magic will be complete," he grinned. "You'll be the most gorgeous woman at the ball...I mean, The Grammys."

She cracked a small smile. "I needed that. Love you."

"And I love you, babe."

It was difficult to muster up the excitement she should've had. If these were usual circumstances, she would have adored seeing her fellow artists, have loved the thrill of performing and she'd have been elated to be nominated for Shallow, a song she held dear. Though it was a huge honor and she was so proud, it was Bradley's nomination as well and the fact he wasn't there, soured the experience for her.

Irina, at the insistence of Bradley's publicist, had accompanied him to London. It irked her beyond belief that not only had she let him know she intended to seek full custody of Lea, she expected him to play his half of part of a happy couple. It was maddening and she could only imagine how cornered Bradley must have felt.

"He would never do anything to hurt that baby and she fucking knows it," she'd said to Natali bitterly over the phone earlier that week. "He'd cut off his arm before he'd let that happen."

"I don't know her very well, but I do know Brad. He's an amazing father, her sister declared. She's using her own daughter to get back at him because she's angry and quite frankly, that's disgusting."

"We know that and so does Bradley but what matters is what a judge thinks. "

"Does she even have grounds?"

"Fabricated ones. She says Bradley can't provide stability for Lea since he was barely around the first year and a half of her life...her words. She also claims he was cheating on her for at least two years and that further proves his home environment is unstable. I'm not named in the documents but clearly, she's talking about me."