Maybe the weight of his accomplishments hadn’t sunk in yet. He was sure sometime soon, maybe later in the week, he’d finally understand that he’d knocked one hell of an item off his bucket list. For now though, it didn’t feel the way he’d expected. When he’d rehearsed his acceptance speech, he’d thought sheer joy would be the main emotion to take over, but that hadn’t happened at all. From the moment he’d heard his name fill the theater he’d been dealing with a low-grade panic attack. He hadn’t had a chance to consider what the hell that was all about before he’d been whisked off to perform the rest of his duties as an award winner.
The pressure on his chest had lifted a little when he and Walls had ended up back in the limo. Walls had been determined to make him celebrate his win. Sam couldn’t fight his infectiously boisterous demeanor. He’d snapped himself out of the strange haze that had come over him and focused on the night of partying before him. He hadn’t realized he’d been going through the motions until he’d spotted her dancing, laughing, and smiling with her friends. Sam wasn’t into that hotep shit, but there had been something about that girl’s energy. In a room full of people trying to get close to him and the other winners, the other important names, it had been clear that she’d just come to have a good time.
When Sam had seen her again at Kata and Rina’s after-party, he’d known he had to say something. He hadn’t been sure what the fuck he was gonna say when he’d crossed the room, but as soon as he opened his mouth, she’d solved that problem for him. Cha-Cha hadn’t wanted to talk. She’d just wanted to dance. So they’d danced until it became clear that whatever had been happening between them needed to continue somewhere else. He’d seen the doubt in her eyes when he’d suggested she join him back at his hotel, but just as quickly the hesitation vanished and she’d taken over the plan as they made their way toward the exit: He should leave first and then she’d follow. Man, he’d been glad when she’d actually shown up instead of leaving him standing in the hotel hallway looking like a fool.
And then she’d dipped out sometime in the morning, never to be seen again.
Nah, Hollywood was a small town. He’d probably see her again, it was just a matter of when. He was pretty sure he’d seen her hanging around with Helene Sawyer, his costar from his breakout film, Inferno. Wait until after her wedding, he reminded himself. Helene was getting married at the ranch that upcoming weekend. He knew she had much more to worry about than his sex life.
He’d ask her after the reception.
Which reminded him. He dug back through his texts and found the messages his brothers had sent him during the ceremony. He’d called them quickly in the limo, but they didn’t get to talk long.
Zach: CHECK OUT YA BOY!
WINNING OSCARS AND SHIT.
WHAT DID I TELL YOU!
Jesse: So proud of you. And you know
granddad would be over the moon.
Another wave of strange emotions crashed over him as he tried to think of a heartfelt response. He couldn’t do it. Not over text. So he settled for their signature greeting.
It’s the rock!
Zach: Yeah, mane!
We’re throwing a big party for you as soon as
you get home.
So proud, man. So proud.
Thanks man.
I still can’t believe it.
Jesse: Well believe it cause it’s true.
You got your statue.
Sam sank down on the bed and let his head hang between his shoulders. His brain just wasn’t processing. He’d really done it. He’d won an Academy Award.
A moment later, he heard the keycard lock engage and Walls came striding into the room.
“What’s up, man? How you feeling? I got your breakfast.” Walls set a travel cup of coffee and a small pastry bag down on the table. Sam’s ritual was always to eat whatever the fuck he wanted after a big event. He’d put in his order with Walls over a week ago. The biggest almond croissant he could find. At the moment though, he had no appetite.
“Pretty good, pretty good. I can’t complain.” Sam forced a smile and straightened up as Walls crossed his arms over his skinny chest.
“I’m real happy for you. For real. But I do have one question.”
“Yeah? What’s that?”
“You lose something last night?”
“No, I don’t think so. Why?” Sam glanced down like he wasn’t sitting there in his boxer briefs, then quickly glanced around the room. His suit, the phone, and his swag bag were all there. “What are you talking about?”
“A JackRabbit runner dropped off your statue over at TCA a few hours ago. Coffey’s assistant has it.”
“What?” Sam jumped up and crossed the room. He opened the swag bag that was still on the floor near the door. He searched through it and sure enough his Oscar statue
