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Post by Blake Emma Renner on Jan 25, 2024 14:13:49 GMT -5
Blake puckered her lips against the napkin one more time, turning to face Shane, showing him her teeth like a frikkin gorilla in a zoo, just so he could give her a thumbs up that there was no lipstick on her teeth, just to grab his face and kiss him on the cheek. She looked over her shoulder, thankful for once that she was dating someone whose height towered hers. It was easy to spot him in any crowd, and this time he was standing in the corner talking to Scarlet. Oh Scarlet. Providing music from high school torment even into today’s music. Anyone who liked Karma would have her to thank. Were they cool now? Sure. But Scarlet had given her plenty of writing material. All over what, a guy? Logan had about as much sexual interest in her as a vegetable. Even when she joined his label, all he did was go and get busy and busier. She was definitely not the top of any of his lists. Not the way Scarlet had been. Besides, the guy got to hear every song she wrote about every guy ever. If there was a friend zone, he was a mayor. She found herself smiling as she heard Travis’ laugh in the background. “Shots!” Shane said and Blake excitedly put her hands together. “Where there’s a Shane, there’s a party,” she said happily, wrapping her arm around his waist as she leaned into his side. Blake looked from the shot, up to Logan offering him a smile. “Happy pay day, boss.” she said, clinking her shot glass against his before downing her shot, not even making an attempt to be one of the chic girls who could take a shot without an ounce of discomfort. No. This was gross. She scrunched her nose at Shane, coughing at the drink as she choked down its audacity to call itself a beverage. Blake looked back at Logan. She could close her eyes and still see him standing at the corner of a house party, being the life of everything that he stepped into. She caught her breath, suddenly at a loss of words. But as she opened her mouth “Loga-“ she started but then felt an arm wrapping around her waist and pulling her away, causing her to laugh quietly into Travis’ chest as she placed her hands on his arms, squeezing against them as she leaned into his chest. “I see Shane has drinks so I thought we should all get something to eat,” he said, smiling at Logan. Oufit: Here
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Post by Travis on Jan 25, 2024 14:14:17 GMT -5
Travis looked up at the event, still sort of blown away at the extravagance that Taboo seemed to put on for its’ artists. Not that he didn’t think Blake deserved it, but this level of opulence certainly went against some of Logan’s personality. He wondered how much of a hand Mackenzie had in these events. He looked back down at Scarlet, catching the tail end of a story involving Shane, lube, a tuba, and a surprise maid visit. He turned, coughing into the elbow of his arm as the laugh started to cause him to choke. There truly was no other person in this world like Shane. “We literally all know they’re in love, it’s ridiculous.” Scarlet said, shaking her head. Oh shit, he zoned out. Travis looked down at her, “Oh yeah, totally.” he said, nodding at her but then realized maybe he shouldn’t have agreed based off of the horrified expression on her face. “Do you want something to eat?” he asked, lifting his eyebrows. “This is vintage Hermes” Scarlet responded, as though his conclusion should be obvious. “Is that… you..”. He took in a breath, “Absolutely not, “ Scarlet said, grabbing a glass of champagne off of a tray. Maybe those calories are different then…
Travis excused himself, seeing Blake wrapped in her tight knit group of friends. He picked up a tray of food, setting it down on the table to Blake’s side before he wrapped his arms around her waist. Oh shit, he didn’t mean to interrupt her. He looked up at Logan, giving him a knowing look. “I see Shane has drinks so I thought we should all get something to eat,” he said, smiling. “We don’t need anyone doing anything they regret,” he said, looking down and realizing he probably needed to shield the tray from Shane eating all of it.
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Post by Logan Chase Renner on Jan 25, 2024 17:22:14 GMT -5
Logan tipped back the shot that Shane offered him, shaking his head a little at his friend's antics. Some people just never grew up, did they? He set the empty shot glass down, nodding at Blake and her comments, "No, cheers to you, you deserve it." Signing Blake Parker was probably one of the best decisions he'd ever made, if not for his own career, but for hers. He remembered that young kid, watching her play, scrunch her nose at lyrics that weren't quite right, chewing on a pencil in class. And now look at her, she was the biggest musical artist of their generation. No thanks to him exactly, it was her genius that absolutely drove her entire brand. But at least he could say he gave her space to do that, and be that. Logan was talented in the fact that he knew talent when he heard it, could see potential in someone else in ways they might not even see themselves. Musically he'd never been able to keep up with Blake, but he never needed to, she was always the star of his show. Never mind that he may have had other ideas in the beginning, about their relationship, about the empire they could've built... but he realized early on he'd only hold her back. He was better off as her business partner, or at least that was what he'd told himself. Logan looked up, Blake looking like she was about to say something, when Travis approached, looking like the happy couple they were. And they were, it seemed to Logan anyways. Happy. Blake deserved that. Logan wasn't sure when he'd find that, hopefully in the near future.
Logan chuckled at Travis' comment, "That we don't, you're right about that." The good thing was these events were mostly closed off to outsiders, so if indeed someone were to do something they'd regret, there'd hopefully be no evidence of it in the press. Really the only person of concern was Shane, or his wife, or both of them really, but Shane had a habit of making new friends and wreaking havoc. Logan nodded to Blake, not at all phased. They could talk later. Talk business, talk shop, talk whatever. Tonight he only wanted her to enjoy her evening and bask in her success. She was about to embark on what was probably going to be an historic tour. Logan leaned back in the spot where he sat, glancing around at the groups of people. Maybe it was time he embarked on something big too. Or focusing on his personal life. He looked around Shane and Claire, Blake with Travis, the blissful display that was Ryan and Madeline, and Logan wondered often if he'd made a mistake, putting work first for so long. Letting relationships fizzle out, testing them with his work schedule and unending workaholic tendencies. He had built an empire, but had no one to share to share it with.
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Post by Lucille Grace Astor on Jan 25, 2024 18:21:19 GMT -5
Lucy straightened the wrist band she was given, tugging it looser, feeling familiar nerves of being somewhere new, with people that she was only acquainted with, in a place where she wasn't just Lucy. She was Lucille Astor. She always felt at industry parties that she needed to be on. Like someone who knew what she was doing and was effortless, and that was the impression she gave people. It was never much different that the Lucille she had to play growing up in the society pages, projecting the picture of the perfect socialite from a prestigious family. Now wasn't much different. At least she had Belle, whose arm she linked around her own, letting out a breath and walked into the room, persona changed in seconds. "Drinks first?" Lucy asked, and Belle nodded, "Definitely." They approached the bar, Lucy tugging at her dress that hugged her waist like a glove, "A vesper, please," she said, and the bartender nodded, whisking away to make her drink. "Hey! You two again!" Lucy turned, hearing a familiar jolly voice, smiling warmly at Shane, whose name she now knew. "So you actually showed up!" "You thought we'd miss a Blake Parker album launch?" Lucy laughed.
The bartender handed them their drinks, and Shane led them across the room where some familiar faces were seated. Most of the guys that they'd dined with at the club, just with their respective women. Except for Logan, who was looking pointedly solo. "Ladies, welcome," he smiled, waving around and introducing everyone. "These two were kind enough to let us play on through on the golf course the other day-" he added, while Shane interrupted, "Well the alternative was to watch that one," he said, gesturing to Belle, "show a very poor display of driving a golf cart." Lucy sipped her drink, smirking, "Only because we had wine." Lucy took a seat beside Belle, smoothing her skirt and crossing he legs at the ankle. She nodded to Blake, "Congratulations on your album, really excited to hear it." She was, genuinely, having been a long time fan.
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Post by Travis on Jan 25, 2024 18:49:57 GMT -5
Travis lowered his arm from around Blake’s shoulders to back down to her waist, taking a slight step back to make room for Lucy and Belle as they came up, being escorted by Taboo’s friendliest rocker. Travis shook his head at him, smiling at Lucy and Belle. “Hey ladies,” he said. He tilt his head to Blake. “Shane made friends… Ryan already knew Lucy. But I am fairly certain they almost had to call the ambulance because of the stems on these two gals. The older men at the club… I felt like we were out with the only water bottles in the Sahara desert,” he joked, taking a sip of his drink. “I’m glad you guys could make it, that’s awesome. We have more room in the suite at Arrowhead if you two are bored on any given Sunday…. Or Monday… Sometimes Thursday. Or Saturday if it’s a playoff….” he said, narrowing his eyes as he realized he might be confusing people around him. “Whatever, there is room in the suite. As long as neither of you try to drive the carts in the stadium.” Travis looked up, realizing that Blake was leaving the group and made a slightly taken aback expression before clearing his throat and looking back at the group.
“Have you ever been to an album party before?” he asked, looking at Lucy and Belle. This had been the first time he had been an album party, from his understanding The Maine’s and All Time Low’s weren’t quite like this. Which made Travis also wonder what the other artists were like. He took another drink of his beer, sitting back after he set the glass down on the table. “You know they have your billboard outside of the stadium by about a block, I think.” he said, trying to visualize where it was. It was one of the rare billboards that was doing a classic nod to the 90s aesthetic of Calvin Klein. Back to basics, as it were, and not many models would have been able to pull it off.
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Post by Blake Emma Renner on Jan 25, 2024 18:50:45 GMT -5
Blake looked up at Shane through her bangs, as he came stumbling over with guests, as Shane often did. “Oh hey,” Blake smiled, looking between Lucy and Travis as she caught the connections between how everyone knew everyone. “Oh! Thanks so much for being so thoughtful with the guys.” she said, flashing a quick smile. When Lucy congratulated her with her album. Jeez, how many albums was this now? Blake took in a breath, lifting her eyebrows as she realized she didn’t know how to quite respond again. How HAD she gotten here? She shifted her gaze over to Logan, not quite realizing that she had left her mouth in the formation of about to say something, but frozen in time. “Have fun!” Blake grinned, handing Lucy a glass of champagne while placing her other hand on her arm and moving away from the small group gathering.
Blake moved through people, smiling and trying to acknowledge what they were saying but honestly she was just trying to make her way through the crowd. Once she made it to Logan, she looked at him with a smile, letting out a breath and sticking her tongue out a little at the exasperation of having to get to him. “What’s in the cup?” she asked, taking the glass from his hand before nudging him over in his seat so that she could squeeze into it with him. Blake leaned into his side, sipping from the glass while looking around the venue. It was an odd thing to think that everyone had access to her diary, that they thought they knew her. But the ones who knew her best were there for the lyrics that didn’t make it into the song, and helped wipe the mascara streaks that the cameras didn’t capture. She tilted her head, leaning it against Logan’s chest as she watched their friends. “He really is something, isn’t he….” she said, watching Travis while she took a sip. “Well, he’s not a werewolf at least….” she joked to herself finishing off Logan’s drink before sitting up to see if she could find another one in arms reach.
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Post by Lucille Grace Astor on Jan 25, 2024 21:05:43 GMT -5
Lucy laughed, remembering the old men at the club. He was certainly not wrong. He mentioned coming to a game sometime and sitting in the suite, which, Lucy had never been before, so she supposed that could be cool. "Oh, that's generous. Maybe we'll have to check it out sometime," indicating that she'd go if Belle went. "Though, if there are carts, we can't make any promises." Admittedly, Belle did make her braver, which it seemed she needed, as she was finding herself staring into his eyes, a color she couldn't determine from this far away, and blinked a few times before looking away. Blake seemed suddenly like she didn't want to be there and abruptly left, leaving Lucy if she'd said something wrong. God, had she been ogling her boyfriend? She hoped she hadn't offended her. Travis had asked if they'd been to an album release party, and Lucy shook her head, "No, never. Movie premieres, I guess, but this is kind of cooler," she laughed, "Way more chill." Lucy loved dressing up for events, but oftentimes found he events themselves a little boring. Lucy found herself holding two drinks, not even realizing Blake had handed it to her, and suddenly leaned over to set it down. Maybe she ought to be careful with how much she was drinking or she might herself into more trouble then it was worth. Lucy took a sip of her cocktail, swallowing harshly when Travis mentioned a billboard with her Calvin Klein ad on it. So, he had seen it. She wasn't sure if she should be embarrassed or not, sometimes she forgot when she did jobs that other people, you know, SAW them. "Oh," she started, smiling, "oh gosh," she laughed. "Am I at least wearing clothes in that one?" She took another sip of her drink, "Are you back and forth a lot then? For work?" He must be based there, but Blake was here, so maybe he just traveled a lot.
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Post by Travis on Jan 25, 2024 21:21:04 GMT -5
Travis was surprised that she seemed to be a little introverted in regard to her billboard. Isn’t that what most models in her line of work dreamed of? “Define clothed….” he said before trying to give her a quick grin. ”No, it’s great. The only time I get on a billboard is if I have risked enough concussions to make it to the Bowl,”. Travis looked up, hearing that the album had started playing. “I ended up getting a place out here just because it was easier that way. It is a lot of travel. Some of us are used to it more than others I suppose. But I gotta tell ya.. I’m not sure how this crowd does it. I enjoy being out, but after a game or something.. man I could crash for days. Are runways similar? I would think that would cause some adrenaline rushes.” . He picked up a fresh drink; wondering if Blake would make her way over to him now that her music was playing. She looked pretty comfortable with Logan, when suddenly he remember her dream and found his jaw clenching tightly. Why did he tell Logan about that?
“You’ve got a favorite team, right? Kansas City Chiefs cool enough for a big shot New York model?” he reached back scratch the side of his neck. He was about to ask her another question when he looked up at Lucy’s friend, Belle, who was reaching over and suddenly spiked her glass of champagne all over Lucy. “Oh no.” belle said in the least apologetic tone that Travis had ever heard in his entire life. “Here,” Travis offered, reaching over to get a napkin to try and wipe at the side of her hips before realizing what he was doing, he offered up the towel so she could herself.
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Post by Logan Chase Renner on Jan 25, 2024 21:26:35 GMT -5
Logan looked up, surprised to see Blake when she made her way over. They saw each other all the time, surely she wanted to spend time with her friends? He grinned when she took his glass, squeezing in beside him, "Bourbon," he answered, shifting over. "From my personal stash in my office, actually," he added, raising his eyebrows as if to say, only because you're special would I dare share it. Logan reached and arm around the back of the seat, gently brushing her back, and looked over to where Travis was standing, socializing. He nodded in agreement, "Yeah, I suppose he is. Better than a werewolf, that is." Logan had to admit they made a good couple. There were some nights, late in the studio, when Blake was on a roll and Logan stayed with her, making every small change and pouring over every detail with her that he started wondering, started letting the what-if's wash over him. Maybe in another universe he and Blake might have been together. It wasn't like there had never been a spark, when they were younger. But Blake had had such a bright future, and Logan had been so hungry for success, ruining a number of failed relationships along the way, making his career and the label his number one priority. Making Blake inadvertently his number one priority. "Really though, he's a good guy, Blake. He's good for you." Better than I might've been, he thought. Maybe. "I, uh," he paused, clearing his throat, "Well. Maybe I'll find something like that. Eventually." Logan shrugged borrowing his drink back for a moment to take a long sip. "We really went and made something here, though, didn't we?" he asked, chuckling a little, a small sparkle in his eye. Even Logan wasn't too proud to admit Taboo Records would never have been anything without Blake. They really made it together. She more friend than colleague, more confidante than friend. "I guess I've never really thanked you, have I? For trusting me. With your music. Meant a lot."
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Post by Blake Emma Renner on Jan 25, 2024 21:44:18 GMT -5
Blake's eyebrows lifted slightly as Logan mentioned that maybe he would like a relationship someday. In fact, she was just about to make a quip about maybe the world was finally ending, but he had moved on. Probably best not to circle back to that. He was literally Logan Renner. Known Bachelor of Hollywood. That wasn't changing any time soon. After all, if he had the keys to the castle and every girl lining up to be with him and he still hadn't chose someone... he just wasn't ever going to. Some men were single for lack of choice. Logan had all of the choices. Well, most of them, she supposed. She couldn't consider herself, now could she? Blake smiled as he thanked her, giving a quick shrug. "I was just trying to get you into bed," she said as straight faced as possible, before breaking into a grin and elbowing his side playfully. She looked up at him, finding her eyes lock on his, and there it was again. The warbling noise of the party around them, but what was it he had said? Oh right. Travis is good for her. And he is. She had never been with someone as thoughtful and kind, affectionate, considerate of her workalike. The only other person who understood how busy she was ..well sitting less than an inch away from her as she leaned into him. She forced herself to pull her eyes away from his, realizing that she had gotten lost in thought again.
Blake looked up in time to see what seemed like what Shane would call alcohol abuse as Travis and Lucy were cleaning up a spill, while Belle looked like she couldn't be any less surprised. Blake narrowed her eyebrows slightly before reaching out to Logan's arm, turning to him. "I forgot." Blake gave a quiet squeal, opening up her purse so she could get her phone out, shoving one of her AirPods into his ear. "I recorded a surprise song," She looked down at her phone, scrolling through until she could find the right audio clip she had recorded. "So premise..." she said, turning to face him, "This relationship that has been going on for years and years, and this person has put everything into it... but it's just not being reciprocated. So it's like that lifeline is being lost. It can be romantic it can be... you know... friendship," she said, giving a quick shake of her head, almost as though she were forcing that thought out of her own mind. "Anyway," she said, getting closer to him and turning the music up on her phone. While one of her Midnight tracks played amongst the crowd, she pressed play for Logan to hear "You're Losing Me". She was as close to him as she could possibly be, trying to pick up on his nuances. It had gotten to the point where she could tell by a breath if he thought a change would make it better. She inhaled his cologne, feeling a slight dizziness from either its fumes or the proximity before she forced herself to blink a few times and come back to this reality.
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