We both laugh and I give her a quick hug. I know she hates those too, but after everything she's done for me, she deserves it.

I walk down the hall to the room Jayne set aside for me and sit down on one of the office chairs. I need a few minutes of down time before everything gets crazy.

"Hey, Annie."

I light up at the sound of my father's voice. I beam at him. It's been a long time since we've been in the same room together. He walks toward me and I jump up from my chair. I throw my arms around him and hug him tight.

"It's so good to see you, dad," I say, stepping back to take a good look at him.

My father still looks exactly like the classic rocker that he's always been, just older. He's in jeans and a tee shirt. His hair is still long and pulled back into a pony tail at the base of his neck. His face has aged a lot, but he's still handsome for a man his age - and he can still rock a crowd just as hard as he did in his younger years.

"You too, Annie. It's been too long."

"Yeah," I agree.

He takes a seat in one of the other office chairs that are crowding the small room. I sit back down across from him.

"Are you ready for tonight? Looks like it's going to be a huge deal. The national television stations are here."

"I think so."

"I guess you don't have a choice now," he chuckles at his own joke.

"I can always run away if I want," I kid.

His expression turns more serious, "you know, you're going to have to stop being a scaredy cat at some point, Annie. You're a grown woman now."

"I'm not a 'scaredy cat'," I answer, somewhat offended.

"Aw, come on. I'm not trying to upset you," he explains, "I've just been thinking a lot about our conversation - when you asked about your mother." He looks down when he mentions her. "You've come really far in life. You've done so well for yourself, but sometimes, things don't go how you plan - they just happen. That doesn't make them bad or wrong, just, well, unexpected." He leans back in his seat, proud of his advice. It sounds like he's been planning this speech since we last spoke.

"I don't mind the unexpected."

"That's fine, Annie, but you also have to stop to smell the roses, as they say. You did what you set out to do in your life. You accomplished your goal of becoming a successful woman. If you really love this guy- Steele - just let it be. Maybe you'll get hurt. Maybe things won't work out - but what if they do?"

"I don't know if I love him," I reply quietly.

"Your heart knows. Just go with it."

"Easier said than done," I say with an eye roll.

"Always is. Nothing good comes easy, that's what makes the reward so great."

"Yeah, I guess."

My father stands and kisses me on the forehead, "I'm going to get a drink and grab some of that delicious looking fancy food I saw them prepping. Why don't you enjoy a few minutes of quiet and get yourself ready."

"Okay. Will I see you downstairs?"

"Yup. I'll be with you the whole time," he assures me.

"Thanks, dad - and thanks for the fatherly advice."

"Of course, kid." He winks, "you're never too old for that."

I laugh.

He leaves the room and I'm all alone again. My head immediately begins to flood with all kinds of thoughts and fears about what's going to happen next. I've been over it a million times in my mind already, but there's just no way to know, until it actually happens.

I do my best to push the voices out of my head and get myself ready to face the music, as they say. I put on my makeup and redo my hair, then get dressed in the rock-chic outfit Jayne helped pick out for me. Tight black leather pants, a black tank covered by a loose fitting sheer black top over, and black suede high heeled ankle boots. There's only a small mirror in the room I'm in, so I use my phone to take a photo and make sure I look presentable.

The picture I see makes me look like something out of a magazine. It's not my usual style, but since I'm sure to be all over the news and tabloids, I take it as a good thing. I hear a knock on the door so I stop staring at my phone, "come in."

"Dam, girl, look at you," Tina whistles, entering the room.

"Is it too much?"

"No way. I love it. You look like you were born to be Steele's lover."

I turn red, "thanks?" I reply, unsure how to respond.

"You look amazing, Annika. Brianna's probably going to be upset that you look better than her," Tina says half jokingly. "Are you ready?"

Why does everyone have to keep asking me that? "I guess so."

"How about sounding a little more excited. Tonight is going to be one for the books," she replies.

"Yup."

"Yeah, maybe keep working on that for the media, girl," she chuckles, "let's go. Follow me."

"Can you give me a few minutes?" I ask.

"Sure. Want me to wait?"

"That's okay. I'll find you."

"Okay, I'll be stage left. I told your father to meet us there. Nice guy, by the way," she comments on her way out.

"Thanks, Tina. See you in a few."

She closes the door behind her and I take a few calming breaths. This is it. No more wondering. Whatever happens, happens. I've officially run out of helpful things to tell myself, so I open the door and begin to walk down the hallway. Just before I reach the stairs, I hear footsteps coming up. I move to the side to let the person pass, but I stop short when I see who it is. Jasmine. A face off with her is the last thing I need right now.

"Hello, Annika," she says, stopping right in front of me, "fancy meeting you here," she says snidely.

"Hey, Jasmine." I reply. I can't think of anything else to say.

"So glad we got the opportunity to work together again," she snips.

"Yeah, looks like it's going to be a great night for the two of you," I say, trying to sound nice. The picture of Jasmine and Steele still burning fresh in my memory.

"Don't tell me you still don't get it."

"Get what?" I ask, confused.

"Wow, for a smart girl, you're really pretty stupid."

My head jerks back in reaction to what she just said, "what?"

"What?" she repeats back, mocking me, "is that the only reason it came to all of this," she waves her arms around, "is because Steele made it a point to tell me to keep my mouth shut. He told me if I did anything to hurt your reputation or your career, I would be out of the band."

I stare at her, dumbfounded by what she's saying, but she continues.

"God, what does he even see in you? You're pretty thick." Jasmine rolls her eyes.

I want to punch her for all of the comments she's making, but I also want to hear what she has to say so I just keep my mouth shut.

"Can't you even tell that you're the one he wants to be with? Always have been, always will be, not that I haven't tried to change his mind," she adds with a smirk.

"What about that picture? The one from the party a couple of weeks ago?" I manage to ask softly.

Jasmine scoffs, "come on. You know how it works. Someone snaps an innocent picture and the tabloids run with it. You know, basically the same idea as this whole ridiculous night they have planned. Steele and Brianna performing together? As if! If it wasn't for you being here, none of this would be going on."

"I can't believe...I just...I didn't..." I stutter, I don't know what to say to her. I didn't know any of this.

"Don't get your panties in a knot, Annika - and don't fuck this up. As much as I dislike you, you are Steele's forever girl. You're the one he always wanted. Like the song says."

I know that song all too well.

"Well, this has been fun and all, but I have to change quick," she says, looking down at her outfit, "I don't know if you heard, but there's a show about to start."

"Thanks for telling me all of that," I reply sincerely. She wasn't obligated to tell me any of it.

"I guess someone had to, you obviously weren't going to figure it out on your own," she says with one last eye roll.

"Either way," I answer.

Jasmine shrugs and struts away, leaving me standing at the top of the stairs in complete shock. Once she's out of sight, I begin to wonder if our conversation actually took place, or if I imagined the entire thing.

I'm overcome with so many mixed emotions, I'm not really sure how I feel. With all of the scenarios I played out in my head, nothing I just experienced had ever occurred to me.

First, I'm amazed that Jasmine even told me all of that. I briefly question her intentions - like maybe Jasmine is messing with my head - but I don't believe she was. She seemed sincere and pissed off enough that I don't think she would have made all of that up as some form of revenge.

But then there's that voice of doubt that reminds me about how I left Steele - again. How he confessed his feelings to me and I still didn't give him a chance. Could that be enough to drive him away forever, even if he does love me? Maybe he cared enough to protect me from whatever Jasmine had been plotting after I fired Jesse, but that doesn't mean he wants to be with me.

Or could he really be mine if I want him?

Do I really love him? Would I have left him if I did? If I do love him, how could I have let fear stand in the way? I may have ruined any chance to be with Steele because of my indecisions. Or was it more about the decisions I did make -my choice to be with myself and my career instead of him?

Hearing all of those things from Jasmine gave me a glint of hope, but is it false hope?

Ugh.

"Earth to Annika," Jayne says, startling me out of my speculations.

"Oh, hey, Jayne."

"You need to get down to the stage, they're about to announce Brianna Bell."

"Oh, sorry, I was..." I can't think of anything clever to say.

"Doesn't matter, let's go," Jayne replies.

She turns to walk back downstairs and I follow her, my head still in a bit of a fog. She leads the way to the side of the stage where I was headed to meet everyone before Jasmine stopped me. I take my place side stage so I have a good view of everything, but I'm not in anyone's way.

I look out into the crowd from behind the stage. The arena is small compared to the huge stadiums these performers are used to, but there are still a few thousand people in the audeince.

"Hey, Annika!"

"Steve!" I reply with a smile. I haven't seen him since the night I left the tour. We quickly give each other a hug.

Tina is pacing next to him. Brianna is her biggest client by far and Tina worked hard to get her here tonight. Only a few minutes left before she gets on stage. I'm sure Tina is hoping there are no last minute freak outs.

My father is behind Steve. I start to introduce them, but apparently, they've already met. Judging by their looks, you would think they were already old friends. They've both been in the industry long enough to have a lot in common.

I'm happy to have so many friendly faces around me tonight. I'm going to need all the support I can get.

The MC announces Brianna Bell and the crowd goes wild. She's one of the biggest names that have played here. Just like Steele, she has a huge fan base, and they are pumped to see her in such an intimate venue - if that's what you would call a few thousand people. It's much different than one of her regular concert arenas, anyway.

Despite Tina's incessant nail biting, Brianna goes out and puts on a stellar performance. Once she finishes her set, the crowd cheers. She heads straight for where we are standing when she exits the stage.

"I told you my tech would do a much better job," she scolds Tina.

Tina looks annoyed, but happy that this part is over, "let's get you upstairs and freshened up for your meeting with Steele."

Brianna smiles at the suggestion. Well played, Tina. Tina gives Jayne and I an eye roll behind Brianna's back before they rush upstairs, security guards close behind.

We wait for the din to die down. Steve rushes off. I blend in with all of the people standing around this side of the stage. The roadies and crew are making sure everything is in place on stage. Just a few minutes left until Steele comes out. I feel anxious. I'm not the one performing, but my stomach is full of butterflies knowing that I'm going to see Steele for the first time since we said goodbye.

I'm suddenly struck with an awful notion; what if Steele sees me and decides this whole thing was a terrible idea? What if he backs out of our post show interview? He might come to the conclusion that this whole idea was a mistake. I feel sick. How did I let Jayne talk me into this? What was I thinking?

I look around me. Jayne and my father are standing behind me. We are surrounded by a bunch of people I don't know. I look for the closest exit and mentally give myself the okay to run away, just in case things take a turn for the worst. The band entrance is on the opposite side of the stage, so I won't have any contact with Steele before the show. That may be a good thing or a bad thing - it's hard to say.

The MC announces Steele Rush and all of the lights go out. Full of anticipation, cheers and hollers from the packed house echo all around me. The energy pulses through my body. I catch sight of the band running out onto the stage. A shiver runs through me. Suddenly, I feel like more of a groupie than a professional. I feel a hand wrap around mine and quickly peek over my shoulder. It's Jayne. She squeezes my hand as a show of support. I must look as nervous as I feel.

Spotlights swing around the stage and over the crowd. The noise from the audience is blaring. A drum beat begins and I can feel it pulsing inside of me. The commotion from the fans begins to quiet.

"How you all doing tonight?" Steele yells into the microphone.