gemma-devereux

[gemma-devereux]

"That's honestly pretty impressive," Gemma smirked, glancing over at Petunia's progress on the monkey she'd requested. "Guess my niece is just good at everything," She grinned, although she knew she definitely had a soft spot for her little niece. Her features had ended up somehow looking like a combination of all the Devereux children, mostly Maggie, of course, and Gemma found it adorable. She was so childlike and innocent, and Gemma knew with complete conviction that she'd do anything to keep it that way. The Devereux children themselves had been exposed to adult problems far too early, a trauma that stuck with them all through adulthood, one that Gemma and Maggie knew especially well.

She analyzed her sister as she spoke, keeping her gaze trained on her, knowing she'd be able to pick up the slightest lie or shift in emotion. That was the way it'd always been between them, and while it sucked sometimes - she could never hide anything from Maggie- it was also quite convenient. "The festival was insane, Mags," Gemma said, because it was. Her sister had performed well, better than "well", even, but when Gemma'd caught up to her afterwards she could smell the alcohol from a mile away.

The familiar little-sister-rage bubbled up in her chest and Gemma forced it back down. "I'm in contact with Mama, she usually just has different things to say to whichever kid is her favorite at the moment," Gemma said, a more abbreviated way of saying that Gemma was easier to control, at least from their mother's perspective. She rolled her eyes when Maggie made a joke about her always looking good, glancing to Petunia when she laughed, the sound melting her heart just a little. "Doesn't Mommy always look beautiful?" Gemma asked her niece, leaning over to kiss her cheek, eliciting another round of giggles in the process.

Maggie admired how good of an aunt Gemma was as she sipped her vanilla milkshake.

"Yeah she's getting to be big girl now, right Petunia?" Maggie said with a smile as her daughter giggled.

She knew that she had acted a fool at the festival, but... she had her reasons. She didn't care what anybody thought or said about any of it, it happened, she put on a damn good show, and that was that as far as she was concerned.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt her little sister nudge her ankle.

"Hm, how would I know? She decided to ice me out for a bit after the festival... but y'know, she'll talk to me again eventually just to terrorize me further. I'll take all the peace I can get right now." Maggie said with a shrug before sipping her milkshake.

"Why do you ask? I thought you both were in contact with each other?" She asked curiously.

Maggie gazed at Gemma with a brief smile that soon turned smug in a teasing manner.

"Oh, don't you know? I always look good." She said as she teasingly fluffed out her hair like a movie star, causing her daughter to giggle at her mother's silly antics.

[gemma-devereux]

CLOSED STARTER who: @maggiedereux where: Dolly's Diner

"Do not get that in my hair," Gemma ducked, catching Petunia's wrist and directing her arm away from her. In her first, Petunia had the end of her milkshake straw in her hand, and it was absolutely a risk that chocolate milkshake was about to cover all three of them. "You my dear are on a sugar high," Gemma giggled, tickling her niece at the ribs so she could pluck the straw from her grasp and put it back into her milkshake. She was sitting on the same side of the booth as Petunia, Maggie across from them. From what Gemma could see, ever perceptive to her siblings, but mostly to Maggie, her sister was dead sober, which was a victory because she'd heard she was anything but sober at the festival.

"You're getting too big," Gemma pouted, running her hand down Petunia's hair, which seemed to have gotten so much longer since she'd last seen her. "I would like a monkey, please," She said, tapping Petunia's placemat with her fingernail, which was currently already covered in drawings. Flicking her eyes to Maggie, she leaned forward, nudging her sisters ankle with her own. "How's mom?" She wondered, twirling the straw of her own strawberry milkshake between her fingertips. She was asking something between the lines - she knew how their mother was, considering Gemma talked to her probably most of all, but what she specifically wanted to know was how Maggie and their mother's relationship stood at the moment. "You look good," She added, another loaded comment meaning, I know you're sober.

[gemma-devereux]

Gemma let him lean in, her eyes fluttering shut, lips pursing automatically as she anticipated his kiss, the feeling of his lips never ceasing to steal the breath from out of her lungs. His voice came out just as breathless as she felt, and Gemma was certain he could probably hear her heartbeat roaring in her ears. For so much of tour (when she'd been with Rowan), she'd thought this chapter of their lives was over, the two of them, together. She never expected them to fall right back into their old ways and how much she'd realized she'd missed him when she'd come back, missed the feeling of his hands on her.

They usually weren't ones to spend this much time talking or cuddling after hooking up, but Gemma could feel a shift in the environment between them. They were actually talking, both of them opening up a little more than usually, and she saw that in his eyes when he sat back and took a breath. She swallowed, meeting his eyes, for a moment fearful of what he was about to say. The beat of silence between them seemed to stretch on for ages, and she was about to open her mouth and ask him what was wrong when he spoke, twisting her heart in the most painful way.

At first, it sounded like a breakup- a breakup of what exactly, she didn't know, because they'd never really defined whatever it was they were doing, but as she listened to him continue, it sounded like the opposite - a proclamation of love, of wanting more, of wanting more with her, and it was so unexpected that Gemma was stunned into silence, blinking. If anything, she'd thought she'd been the one who was more into it than he was, but hearing the vulnerability, hearing the emotion in his voice told as he told her she meant more to him than the secrecy made it seem made her heart thump unevenly.

"I- I didn't know I meant that much to you," She confessed, reaching across the rumpled sheets between him to rest a hand on his arm, swallowing. "I don't... I don't know where to go from here either but I think before we do anything we should talk and..." Gemma trailed off, trying to figure out what she was saying. "I mean, figure out what we are, I guess. This-" She motioned between them, "Just kind of happened and I love that it happened but we've never been dating or had conversations about any of it and I just- I don't know what we are." She said, because it was true. What had started casually had kept happening again, and again, and again, until it had been happening for so long that neither one really thought of defining it as anything. "You mean a lot to me too, more than I expected to feel," Gemma said.

Tyler couldn't help but feel a mixture of emotions swirling inside him as he listened to Gemma's words. Her smile, her laugh, and the way she responded to his touch stirred something deep within him. He knew they had to keep their relationship a secret, and he understood the reasons why, but it didn't make it any easier.

He met her gaze, trying to read the thoughts behind her eyes, wondering if she felt the same longing he did. It was true; he wouldn't mind stepping out of the shadows, being seen together, and experiencing those normal things couples do. The idea of going public and not having to hide brought a mix of excitement and fear to him.

As she caught his hand against her cheek, he felt a rush of affection and a longing for more. The intimacy they shared was undeniable, and he cherished every moment spent with her. But he also knew the risks involved. The country music industry could be unforgiving, and the media's scrutiny could be relentless. Keeping their relationship private was a necessary protection, even if it meant sacrificing certain aspects of a traditional romance.

"Yeah, it does sound like a song lyric," Tyler said softly, a hint of a wistful smile crossing his lips. He understood Gemma's need to clarify, to remind herself that while they couldn't go public, their moments together were real and unforgettable.

He leaned in, gently brushing his lips against hers, trying to convey the depth of his emotions without words. "I won't forget this either," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. He wished they could be more than just friends with benefits, but he also respected Gemma's boundaries and the need for discretion.

He took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts. "Gemma, I... I don't know how much longer I can keep pretending that this is enough," he confessed, vulnerability seeping into his voice. "I want more, but I understand the risks. It's just... it's getting harder to ignore what I feel for you."

He looked away for a moment, gathering his composure before meeting her gaze again. "I don't want to lose you, but I also can't keep hiding like this forever. I wish things were different, that we could be together openly, but I know it's not that simple. I just need you to know that you mean more to me than this secrecy allows."

[gemma-devereux]

Gemma glanced down at the hand on her shoulder, feeling the warm weight of his palm on her bare shoulder. It was comforting, reassuring, even. All things Colton had been to her when they were going through their darkest times together. Although she'd had nothing to do with his success or sobriety - both of those were things he'd accomplished on his own, she felt a swell of pride when she looked at him. She'd done it, he'd done it, and now they were both better off than they were a few years ago.

Rolling her eyes, she shrugged, careful not to jostle his hand off of her. "I'm a great celebrity," She said, a note of sarcasm to her voice. "When I'm required to be, but tour kicks the shit out of me," She confessed. "Sometimes it's nice to be on break, but then things like this happen and break doesn't really exist," She let her head fall back against the tattoo bed, looking up at him. It was easier for her to be vulnerable with him, someone who had already seen all of her. At his invitation to check out the fair though, she couldn't help but smile. "Okay but only if we try to blend in as much as possible - and I get funnel cake, and possibly something with alcohol in it."

"It's open? Ahh shit." He jogged past her towards the back door and turned the deadbolt to make sure no one else slipped in who was less welcome. "I know. And shockingly it's no where near the weirdest thing I've ever been asked to permanently ink on someone's ass." Colton was unfazed now though, after some of the things he'd been asked over the years.

He raised an eyebrow at her before he went to stand in front of the tattoo bed she'd sat on, putting one hand on her shoulder. "Gem, for someone who chose a career in music, you really don't have the personality type for interacting with the common folk, do ya?" He teased and reached up to ruffle her hair, messing it up a little with a chuckle. He never thought of her as someone who was famous, because to Colton, she was just Gem. The girl who had done some questionable substances with him back in the day, made him laugh when his life was a mess and had a smile that could light up a dark room. "I was thinkin' of headin' out after this to go check it out. You wanna come?"

[gemma-devereux]

Gemma was terrified of what would happen if he sat next to her- terrified about what she wanted to happen, but somehow, his response only compounded his attraction, and affirmed to her that maybe, just maybe, he wanted it as badly as she did. She didn't know what to expect coming back to Nashville, if she'd pick back up with Tyler (she had) or if he'd go home to his wife and be perfectly content with his life now that their little stint was over. Her body throbbed with want, and she cocked her head in response to his decline of her invitation to sit, one single eyebrow-raising. She could drop it, guide them back to safe, solid ground, because right then, both of them were teetering on a cliff's edge. At first, she thought, quite possibly, it was just her, just her who stayed up at night thinking about them, writing about them. But the fact that he didn't trust himself set a spark of hope ripping through her chest. It was fucked up- she knew it was- the fact that she craved him so badly, both physically and emotionally, but Gemma was never good at restraining herself from her vices.

"I never said I trusted myself that close to you either," She said, knowing she was shamelessly flirting with him. She was taking full advantage of the fact that they were alone together again, and she knew, if he did sit down, that would be it - she would have to lean over, have to reach for him. And yet, she didn't try to keep him away, if anything, she wanted him closer to her. "That still doesn't mean you can't sit down," She added, her tongue swiping out to dampen her lips. She had no idea how they'd gotten there- genuinely she only thought they'd meet up to talk about the song, that he might be mad or upset with her for flaunting their relationship like that, even though no one had a clue. Instead, the second she'd seen him, the second they were back together in a private space, all of Gemma's logic had evaporated, and mentally, it was like she was back on tour, every part of her body yearning to pull him closer.

Considering I am the muse. He was right - he was the muse for that song and a million others that Gemma had scrawled in her journal - not even ones about hooking up - love songs, actual, genuine love songs. He was her muse for so many things, and she wasn't even sure that he knew it. "My opinion of the song is pretty biased too," She admitted, dragging her fingertip along the edge of the stitching in the couch cushion she was sitting on, "Considering half of my inspiration for the song is from time I spent under the muse."

Rowan moved slightly as if he was almost about to take a step forward but he stopped himself. Thinking better of it, he stayed where he was. "I think I'm good here. I don't know if I trust myself that close to you." The honesty slipping out before he could second guess if it was the smartest thing to say on his part. But he truly didn't know. Didn't know if he could sit there, inches apart and not let his hand slip onto her thigh. Not lean in and get a taste of her lips that he had become addicted to. They made the agreement to end things and he was going to respect that but he didn't know if he could do that when feeling the heat of her body radiating from being so close. He hated that he had to think about it. Yes, they showed restraint when in public but in these trailers was where they were allowed to be them. Their sacred space. Now even here he had to think about every move. Too focused on what his hands were doing, where before he could just reach out to her. Only careless desire ruling him.

Wandering a few steps over, he leaned against the small countertop of the kitchenette of the trailer. His body appeared relaxed, as Rowan was very cool minded in nature. Yet, his mind was hardly quiet. Questions and desire rumbled together making a mess of thoughts. Her confirmation that the song was about him answered some of those questions but not enough to still anything going on inside him. Was the song simply just from inspiration to a finished chapter? Were they past desires or a current want? Was he a desperate idiot for thinking that she wanted him to reach out after this? "Considering I am the muse, I think that my opinion on the song is very biased." He matched her playfulness instead of letting out any of the questions he had.

[gemma-devereux]

Seeing him in person, actually being able to look at him, instead of pictures of him she had on her phone (in a secret folder, of course) was almost too much for Gemma. She was buzzing from head to too, each nerve ending alight with want, and she wished, more than anything, that they were back on her tour bus at night somewhere between Los Angeles and Santa Clara, where no one could see them and no one expected anything of them.

I'm doing good. It was generic, polite, but it still sliced through her heart in a way that she knew it shouldn't - was he good now, better than he'd been on tour? With her? Gemma knew her thoughts were spinning out like a jealous teenager, but she couldn't help it. She'd been lucky in life, more successful than she could've dared to hope for, but she wanted what she couldn't have. She swallowed hard, tucking her feet up under her on the vanity chair as she looked at him, feeling his gaze burning back into her. Gemma felt her heart stutter when he brought up her single, her breath catching for a moment. The single. The ballsy, suggestive single that she'd written one night while he'd slept. Social media was already buzzing, rumors of who it was about swirling, because as far as anyone knew, Gemma was single. She obviously wasn't with Tyler and obviously wasn't with Rowan, and fans had already begun to speculate which celebrity or male friend it could possibly be, but they were so far off. She'd been so careful, wiping the lyrics clean of any references that could ever possibly be linked to Rowan, to protect both herself and him.

"The new single," She repeated, her voice wavering more than it should've. "The new single that I wrote about you." Gemma clarified, her heart pounding as she stood, moving to sit on the couch, tucking her legs up under her. "You don't have to just stand there you know, I don't have to go on for a few hours," She said, motioning to the couch, to the empty space next to her. Her words were so weighted, so simple and yet meaning a million different things. "So," She began, her heart in her throat. "Aren't you going to tell me if you liked it?" Gemma was toeing the line between friendliness and flirting and she knew it - she knew what this could lead to, she'd known it from the moment she'd invited him to her trailer and yet, she was doing nothing to stop it. Instead, she was leaning into the possibility of what could happen

Quitting Gemma had been torture. She wasn't the kind of girl that you just closed the book on and moved on from easily. Maybe he should have known that. Known in the way he wanted her that she wouldn't be just anyone else to him. They had no loyalty towards each other, but when they had their weeks together, for him it was only her. He had gone on the tour thinking that he'd have some fun with a different person in every city. Yet, when they got involved, she was all that he craved. He yearned for when she could ditch everyone on her team and come to be with him.

The were alone now and instinctually there was a part of him that wanted to reach out to her. To pull at her waist and demand her attention from what she was doing only because he knew how it would make her smile. Rowan wanted to kiss down her neck and hear her laugh about how she couldn't be late. He wanted what they had. Instead the air was stale between them. Something so foreign to how they were. The way she was talking to him, making him feel crazy for wanting to see her so badly. Making him question what he thought the song meant.

"Um, yeah. Good. I'm doing good," Rowan nodded. He stuffed his hands in his front pockets, in part from feeling suddenly out of place, and in other so the temptation to touch her was just that much harder to give into. There was a pause before he spoke up again. "Seems like you're not doing too bad yourself. With the new single and all." He didn't want to beat around the bush. The two had been real and honest with each other since the beginning. Playing some polite meaningless back and forth game with her made him feel sick. Like if they did that what they shared was nothing.

[gemma-devereux]

"Did I say you needed them?" Gemma asked back evenly. "Still, more followers and exposure never hurts," She teased, her voice pitching up in the end like a song. She wrinkled her nose at Marti's description, about to open her mouth and object and point out that her career did not depend on those things, but instead decided to drop it. "Ew gross - that is not my idea of fun," She stuck her tongue out. "A bunch of gross men thinking I owe them something is not what I need." She laughed. Her love life was an absolute trainwreck as it was and somehow, Gemma only continued to make it more and more complicated no matter how hard she tried to unravel it.

Rolling her eyes, Gemma shrugged. "Sometimes I wish I wasn't working with my label period. Although my mom has been easy on me lately- she's got it out for Maggie about who knows what." She said. That was usually how things tended to go, although Gemma knew before long something would happen to throw a wrench in her own peace and happiness - that type of thing never lasted long. At Marti's sentiment about her father, Gemma faux-gasped. "What? Piss off your parents? Oh I could absolutely never," She said, holding her expression serious until the last second. Fucking with her parents was exactly what Gemma did.

"Darling," Marti said, drawing it out as she leaned forward onto her elbows, tucking her hands beneath her chin, "I don't need your followers. My career doesn't depend on how many men slide into my DMs or how many women buy my merch and stream my songs." She shook her head, laughing softly to herself. "I for one think you should take up the 50 year old men, they probably have money and require far less effort. You could probably have a whole string of 'em throughout the country, just letting them buy you pretty things while you sneak off to your boy toys." She was never going to be the one to encourage anyone to settle down.

"Congrats to you," Marti said with a wink, "but I'll probably fade into the background since I didn't produce it. Before long, they'll have moved on to whoever you are working with over at your label. Honestly, I'd make my profile private to avoid the mess but I like pissing off my father far too much."

[gemma-devereux]

She tried to ignore the way his smile of appreciation and husky Thanks made her heart flip over a thousand times- the very same way it did when she heard his voice during their scattered phone conversations or Facetimes while they were traveling. They didn't do it often and they never planned to keep in touch when one left, nor did they ever plan to pick up where they left off, but it always seemed to happen that way, the pieces falling into place as they fell into bed together.

When he admitted that he wouldn't mind a break from the secrecy, Gemma's stomach dropped for one terrifying, fleeting second, fearing he was about to propose they stop hiding, which was so out of the question that it scared her. She realized, though, in that fleeting moment of fear, she also felt a twinge of longing - how nice it would be to go out with him, to go on coffee runs and dinners and normal things and be seen and not care. To actually be able to go to each other's shows? In that moment, Gemma realized she wanted it more than she'd thought, but she quickly chased those thoughts and wishes away.

If they ever when public (which they'd never) they'd actually have to define what they were doing, put a label on it, have a talk - all things they skirted around doing. "Not with everything at stake," She repeated, her voice breathy when he reach to tuck her hair back. Her free hand flew up to catch his, pressing his hand against her cheek for a few moments before she dropped it, instantly missing the contact.

"That sounds like a song lyric," She laughed, although it didn't quite meet her eyes. Her rendezvous with Tyler was always bittersweet - she loved it, she craved it, but part of it never seemed real, a secret that would disappear into thin air. "I won't forget this," She clarified, knowing that while some people may never forget the performances they gave, she'd never forget the mornings and nights spent wrapped in each other.

Tyler slowly opened his eyes, his head throbbing in sync with Gemma's words. He stretched his arms and let out a low groan, realizing he had fallen asleep with Gemma again. It had become an all-too-familiar routine, one he couldn't resist despite the complications it brought. He admired her strength and talent, and their undeniable chemistry always seemed to draw them back together.

As Gemma sat on the edge of the bed, holding out a coffee, Tyler couldn't help but smile at her thoughtful gesture. He took the cup gratefully, savoring the aroma before taking a sip. "Thanks," he murmured, his voice still husky from sleep. He leaned back against the headboard, feeling the warmth of the coffee seep into his weary body.

Gemma's mention of the fair brought a mix of excitement and frustration. He loved performing, but he had been looking forward to a break from touring. He rubbed his temples, hoping the caffeine would ease his headache. "Yeah, I'm supposed to be performing there later too," he replied with a resigned sigh. "Guess there's no escaping the stage, even for a little while."

Tyler glanced at Gemma, his eyes filled with a mix of affection and longing. Their clandestine rendezvous had its own set of challenges, but he couldn't resist the pull they had towards each other. "You know, I wouldn't mind a break from all this secrecy," he admitted softly, his voice tinged with a hint of vulnerability. "But we both know it's not that simple, not with everything that's at stake."

He reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair from Gemma's face, his touch gentle and tender. "For now, let's savor this moment. Just us, here, together," he suggested, his eyes searching hers for a shared understanding. "And when we step onto that stage, let's give them a performance they won't forget."

Tyler knew their worlds may collide on the charts and in the public eye, but for now, he wanted to cherish the stolen moments they had, even if they were fleeting.

[gemma-devereux]

Gemma was, in a word, pissed that she had to perform. She wasn't actually angry - she understood why she was performing (it would've looked bad if she didn't), but having things scheduled on her tour breaks never failed to put her in an awful mood, The crowd at the fair was electric though, and she could hear them even from backstage, which did help to lighten her mood. Despite, her crabbiness, she made a point not to take it out on anyone else, it wasn't their fault she was stuck having to perform, it was her labels, more specifically, her mother's fault. Still, she always showed up and did what she had to do, and this was no different. Iced coffee in hand, she yawned from where she stood, idly watching the set come together for the stage that everyone was performing on.

When the guy she was watching came off the ladder, she tried to ignore the way his eyes widened when he realized she was standing there, instead raising her eyebrows and taking a sip of her iced coffee. "No no, I'm later." She explained, glancing up at the wires. Gemma'd been performing for years but remained blissfully oblivious when it came to anything about the backstage setup process. She hoisted herself up to sit on the speaker he'd just patted, pushing her sunglasses off her head to cover her eyes. Truthfully, she was dodging her manager, who she was certain would have a task for her when she found her. "You working the whole fair?" She asked, raising her eyebrows again.

— who: @gemma-devereux — when: Street Fair — where: sound check set up

Sound check duty was pretty easy for Hayes. All he had to do was fix the equipment as the performers went up and moved around the stage. It was the more hands on part of the job that Hayes could do with his eyes closed. Or with his second energy drink of the morning in hand. He was climbing down from checking the wires on a speaker hanging up over one of the stage eaves. Grabbing the can he left behind, he realized he wasn't alone. Glancing up, blue eyes widened a little bit behind his glasses. Gemma Devereux was standing there. "Oh hey," Hayes said. "You up next? Not to brag but I did just secure this so it won't fall and crush you." He said patting the speaker next to him.

[gemma-devereux]

It took Gemma hearing the door open to realize that her heart was thundering in her chest. She'd sold out arenas, won awards, and walked red carpets, but the mere prospect of seeing Rowan, of being alone with Rowan was enough to set her nerves off. She realized, half a second too late, that her trailer was almost too similar to her tour bus, the small, confined space that she and Rowan spent so many nights and early mornings in together. Fuck, it wasn't like she could take it back.

He was here, she watched him step into the bus in the mirror, their eyes meeting in her reflection. Fuck. She smelled his cologne instantly, even though he wasn't wearing a lot of it - even though, to anyone other than her, the smell wouldn't be at all noticeable. To Gemma though, it was a rush of blood to the head, and they held eye contact in the mirror for, what seemed like, an eternity. It was so quiet, so still, and it was all Gemma could do not to reach for him instantly. Her body yearned for it, a primal instinct.

It had been her routine for such a long time, each night after a show, curling up in the silent and solace of her tour bus with him, and she swallowed hard at the memory. When he spoke, a shiver ran down her spine - she hadn't expected that. She'd expected shock, anger maybe, about the fact that she'd sworn him to secrecy, forced him to sign an NDA, and then went and wrote a song about him. She expected him to be furious with her, but he wasn't. Clearing her throat, she acted like she was fixing her makeup in the mirror, sliding her pinky under her eye, giving herself a moment before she turned to face him, really seeing him for the first time. "I got your texts," She said, her tongue darting out to wet her lips. "How've you been?" Gemma hated this- hated what they were now, stiff and almost awkward when all she wanted to do was pull him onto the couch by his shirt.

When he first heard the song, Rowan didn't know what to think of it. While he was hardly the humble-mannered type, he wasn't self-absorbed enough to make any assumptions either. The lyrics were general enough to be a thoughtless fantasy for most but the small details he couldn't ignore pointed in their time together. A time that he missed and wasn't supposed to. Their time was done the moment that those tour buses parted ways and that was it. Yet, that didn't mean she was out of his system so easily. The temptation to text her, call her, find an excuse to see her. The finality of it after so many nights wrapped up in each other was a withdrawal he hadn't expected.

Maybe he should have let it lie but the song felt like breadcrumbs to the connection they once had and now he was headed to her trailer. He wasn't going in wanting anything. He didn't expect anything. Sure the thoughts of touching, feeling her close were not far, but Rowan just wanted to see her. To know that he wasn't crazy in feeling that what was said in her song was hardly a dead desire. He had texted her that he was coming so there was no need to knock so he wasn't caught lingering at her door.

There was that small typical Rowan smirk that pulled just slightly at his lips as he saw her. The sight of her in the sweats brought him back to when things started to get more comfortable between them. "Hey there, pretty girl." He finally spoke up, feeling like he was taking her in too long not to say something. It had been so long since they were alone with each other it was like he didn't know how to act.

[gemma-devereux]

CLOSED STARTER who: @rowan-dashner where: Gemma's trailer at the Nashville fair

After I Can See You dropped, she wasn't exactly surprised to receive multiple calls and texts from Rowan about it. It wasn't like anyone would find them out- she'd been extra careful in her lyrics to not leave any clues - she knew her fans were fucking detectives, and she didn't need that story coming out right now. Even more than that, she knew Rowan didn't need that coming out, and even though she'd literally been sleeping with him for the entire first leg of her tour, she didn't want his marriage to break up, especially not because of a sexy single she wrote at 3AM once.

Despite the fact that she was on break, she'd been scheduled to perform at the fair, of course, thanks to her label. Gemma, ever careful, would've preferred if they could've met up at her house or somewhere else, but she didn't want to drop that single and then deny him the opportunity to talk to her, so she'd texted him to come to her trailer, knowing there were no watchful fans who would be back there, and anyway, all the trailers basically looked the same, it wasn't like anyone would pick up on it- she hoped. She'd returned to her trailer after she'd gotten her glam done, although she was still clad in sweats because she had time until she had to go onstage.

Try as she might, she couldn't ignore the flipping of her stomach as she thought about seeing him again for the first time since they'd come home. She tried to focus on the present, for the performance, but her thoughts kept creeping back to all the nights they'd spent together - his hand pushing the strap of her shirt down, her hand pressing her room key into his palm. Jesus, she had to get it together before he showed up. She snatched her phone off the vanity to text him, typing out a quick "Hey, I'm back in my trailer, come whenever. I don't go on until 7:30."

[gemma-devereux]

gemmadevereux: Kicking off the best weekend in Nashville with a little surprise - y'all know I can never take a break for long!! My NEWEST SINGLE "I Can See You" is out now 💜✨🔥. Can't wait to perform this one! 🫶🏼

SONG HERE.

song inspiration: Gemma's fling with @rowan-dashner during the West Coast leg of her tour while he traveled with one of Gemma's openers that he was managing.

[gemma-devereux]

CLOSED STARTER who: @tylermason where: Gemma's penthouse

The Nashville sun streamed in the floor-to-ceiling windows of Gemma's bedroom, slanting across her face and waking her way earlier than she'd planned to be woken up, which meant she'd gone to bed with them open instead of shutting the blackout curtains, a part of her normal nighttime routine. She squinted, coming into alertness, the pieces of last night putting themselves together in the same moment she realized she was laying underneath the weight of someone else's arm. Tyler. She closed her eyes again, rubbing sleep from them. She hadn't exactly intended for her and Tyler to pick up right where they left off the moment she'd gotten back from her first leg of touring, but that's exactly what had happened, just like every other time one of them had been gone and come home from touring.

It'd been happening for over a year, but Gemma still tried her best to not really think about it, because truly, they were rivals for all intents and purposes, topping the charts and flip-flopping back and forth for whose song was at number one. Their labels, Gemma's especially, only added fuel to the fire (she had her mother to thank for that). Gemma had expected to hate Tyler by default, but she didn't, if anything, she craved him, the time they spent together in secret because obviously, they could never be seen in public. It was a lot of backdoors and late nights and knowing all bets were off the next time someone left for tour, which sucked, at times, but that was the way it was.

Slipping out from under his arm, Gemma picked up her underwear and his shirt from the floor, slipping it over herself, her head pounding from drinking the night before. She tiptoed out of the room, only to tiptoe back in later with coffees, sitting on the edge of the bed against the pillows, tilting her head back against the headboard as Tyler stirred. She knew, of course, they would each return to their lives and whatever they had in their nights and mornings would be gone, as it always was. "Are you doing anything for the fair today?" She asked around a yawn. "I'm performing later." With this, a groan followed. "So much for a break from tour."

[gemma-devereux]

"Flattering you would imply I was lying," Gemma quipped back, leading the way into Chloe's apartment, a place she was more than familiar with. She yawned, glancing out the window and down onto the streets of Nashville, which were abuzz. She had a similar view from her apartment, and she kind of liked being so removed from it all. Being up in Chloe's penthouse, it sort of felt like they were untouchable, stories above it all, able to see everything but able to remain unseen.

When Chloe mentioned that was what she missed the most, Gemma gave her a sympathetic look, sitting down on her couch and tucking her feet up under her. "I'm happy to be on a break," She confessed, knowing if there was anyone that she could be absolutely real with, it was Chloe. "I just feel like I'm putting on a show all the time, which I am, but it all feels make believe," She twirled a blonde curl around her finger, shrugging. "I like coming back to people I don't have to pretend around and people who don't idolize me without even knowing me." Gemma knew she should be grateful for what she had - and she was, but what she wanted to do was write, and she was always so tired from the tour, she hardly had any time for it anymore.

Turning her eyes to Chloe, she asked, slightly hesitantly, "Have you been recording lately?" She knew Chloe had been on a long break, and Gemma, of all people, knew that she needed it, but could see how Chloe wanted to get back into music. It was a slippery slope, and as Gemma watched the younger girl, she felt the first slice of fear that maybe getting back into music would cause Chloe to backslide, but she quickly put that out of her head. Chloe had busted her ass to get better, and Gemma trusted her. "You should come to the studio with me one night." She said. Gemma was a night-frequenter at her label, preferring to go when absolutely nobody else was there to have the privacy and solitude she craved.

Gemma Deveraux was an unexpected addition to Chloe’s life, to put it plainly. From the moment she released her very first single, she’d been informed that the older woman was the enemy – While they were dominating in their respective markets, it was hard not to note the overlap between the two. High energy, youth, large labels backing them. They even had a similar look, down to the blonde hair and sparkles. She hadn’t expected the two to forge any sort of relationship, especially not a genuine one — There had been plenty of pleasantries and smiles exchanged in the past, posing at award shows or being seen at the same event. Nothing or substance. 

As cliche as it may sound, Chloe wasn’t used to having connections that went beyond the surface — Gia was arguably the first real friend she’d ever had, and now Gemma had become a shoulder to lean on. They weren’t necessarily close, but each time they were together, it wasn’t long until a smile found her. Today was no exception, a large grin finding her features the moment she opened her door and saw Gemma waiting for her. It had been months since they’d been in the same room — Chloe knew how tour schedules could be, the constant motion and movement made it difficult to do much else. “Now you’re just tryin’ to flatter me,” Chloe laughs, though she knows it’s not just a comment on her looks. The older woman was right — The last few months had been kind to Chloe, her focus on self care was paying off. Even if that self care had been something closer to common sense and decency. 

Chloe lets her into her apartment without hesitation, unable to help the eye roll that comes with Gemma’s comment. She tried to ignore the pang of jealousy that made home in her chest as Gemma mentioned the travel, too. “At least you can sleep in your own bed now?” Chloe gives her a shrug, and an understanding smile. “That’s what I always missed the most. The bus and hotels never cut it.” 

[gemma-devereux]

Gemma rolled her eyes when he referred to her as rascal, turning her head to look at him. "It was open," She shrugged, glancing up at the tattoo examples that plastered the walls. Gemma knew she'd probably never get another tattoo again, it was very much not her vibe, but even still, she was glad she had one, even if they'd both been under the influence when she'd let him do it. It made her feel kind of badass, doing something that her label and mother didn't know about or have any control over (despite the fact that they controlled essentially all of her image). "That is so gross," She wrinkled her nose at his description of the tattoo he'd given, even though she knew she'd been the one who asked about it in the first place.

"That genuinely sounds like my nightmare," She confessed blatantly, knowing she didn't really have to put up a front with Colton, considering he had seen her at her absolute worse and vice versa. "I'm performing later so I'll guess I'll have to then," Gemma said, watching him continue to put away the equipment. "But when I'm not on tour I would love to be able to not look like me and be able to just not have to deal with all of it," She elaborated. She'd been doing this for so long, she didn't really remember what it was like to not be recognized. Even when she was young, her father had brought her onstage - she'd been a Devereux from day one, even though lately, she'd been thinking more and more about how nice it would be to not be one. "What're you getting up to later? Any fair things?"

Colton had the radio on as he was cleaning, mopping the floor and dancing around to the music as he did. He liked being the last one here, always volunteered to close up shop at the end of the night after everyone had gone home. He didn't much care for being home alone so he always found an excuse to stay away from that option as long as he could. The peppy little voice from behind him pulled him out of his thoughts and he smiled at Gemma. "How the hell did you get in here ya little rascal?" He laughed and set the mop down, leaning against a table. "Rough choice. The street fair brings in all kinds of crazies but I guess I'd say the girl who wanted a cow with frog head on her butt cheek."

Gemma was a reminder of his past, of a person he really hoped he no longer was. When they'd been using together he was a shell of a man, someone who was just taking his life minute by minute. He'd been clean a year now but he still felt that tug every day, the desperate fight to stay away from it all. "What are you doin' hidin' out in here instead of takin' pictures with tourists out on Broadway hmm?"

[gemma-devereux]

Gemma was slightly tipsy, she had been when she was performing, but honestly, when she was the right level of intoxicated, it made her performance better. She wasn't drunk enough to have to really concentrate on seeming sober and hitting notes, she was just not as anxious or tense as she usually was, and that, in turn, made her a little more fun on stage, a little less Type A, and the crowd reacted well to that.

The fair, as a whole, had put her on edge because it came with fans, performances, and a whole lot of things that made her break seem not really like a break at all. She knew she had awhile until the next leg of her tour, but all of it got to be so tiring after a point, although she knew her mom and the label would be putting her up for everything that they could just because.

Backstage, she was slipping the mic pack off the back of her jean shorts, hardly realizing someone was talking to her until she realized someone was looking at her. "Oh, hey," She said, recognizing the person as Carson West, who had always been incredibly friendly to her despite the business rivalry. Not used to the compliment, especially from someone who technically should be classified as a rival, she shrugged, raising her eyebrow at the prospect of going to the roof. She would love another whiskey neat at that point, but the crowds and people seemed crushing to her. "I- I don't know, actually," She confessed. All Gemma actually wanted to do was be alone, but that was easier said than done. "Maybe, I guess," She said, glancing around to see who else was backstage, particularly looking for her sister, who she knew had been wasted the last time she saw her. "I'm not being on crowds," She confessed, which was true.

Closed Starter For: @gemma-devereux Location: Backstage at the performance area

Carson was somehow a laid back and excitable guy all at once. He had a warm demeanor about him, making friends with most people pretty easily. He'd been around celebrities for enough of his life to know to play it cool, though. His dad had brought him to mixers and events at the record label ever since he'd been a kid, so it was only natural that he mix with other industry professionals, even if they'd been from rival labels.

Gemma was from Nashville, so he'd seen her around for much of his life. "Hey, G," he greeted. He probably didn't know her quite well enough for the nickname, but Carson spoke to almost everyone with the same well-meaning and friendly nature. "You kicked ass tonight, girl. I bet my dad is sweating bullets about how his artists are gonna live up to it," he teased. "You coming to any of the bars later? The Tin Roof is doing some stuff for Pride. Imagine all the Queens shitting breaks when you walk in," he chuckled. "You've never seen a real cover of any of your songs 'til you've seen it lip synced by a drag queen."

[gemma-devereux]

She'd just come from the studio and had planned to go straight home but honestly, she needed a drink to unwind. Being in the studio recording was always stressful, made even more stressful if her mother was there, which of course, this time, she was. It'd been fine for all accounts, she hadn't done anything or upset Gemma in any particular way, and no way close to how she'd sent Maggie lyrics the other day. Still, simply being around her mother was draining, as if she could never fully breathe or relax, and Gemma was happy to get out of there. Typically, she was super regimented on tour and travelling, ate the same things almost every day, had the same sleep schedule, and did everything according to plan so nothing was out of the ordinary or made her perform anything less than what considered her best.

Pushing open the door of Kinship, she intended to sit alone, her eyes flicking to the bar to see if any familiar bartenders were working, but Edie's voice pulled her out of her own head. For a second she nearly panicked, thinking that maybe it was someone from the label or a friend or someone that would actually require energy to speak with, but with Edie, it was very much familiarity and ease. "Hey," She said, sinking into the seat next to him. Edie had flown her around for the majority of the West Coast leg of tour, and, like with most of the crew, they'd developed a rapport that didn't require formalities or niceties. "Isn't it kind of early for you to be here?" She smirked, knowing she was contradicting herself because it was early for her to be there too.

Eddie had a few days off planned so he was going to enjoy himself. That he had give him self a few days off when he wanted to have something to drink. So he had time to get it all out of his system before getting back to work and flying. Today he was at Kinship Brewing’s. It was a bit early only about a hour after it opened so it wasn't to busy yet since it was still the afternoon. He ordered a few sliders and one of the nice beers on tap as he sat and waited for his food.

He looked around a moment as he did hear the door open and smiled as he saw who it was. Maybe not fully for the artist that she was, but that he had worked with her and flown her around before. How he had met a lot of the artist and more famous people. "Well well look who it is" he smiled at her as he looked towards the open seat by him

Where: Kinship Brewing’s

Who: @gemma-devereux