31 - sneak peek

KACEY'S HOME
los angeles, california
saturday
june 14, 2024
3pm

i let out a sigh of relief as i walked back into my home after the draining 8 hour flight. "finally." i said as i closed the door behind me.

callum was off at his own home, bear was still at carmen's meaning it was only me.

i dropped my bags by the door, the weight of the travel already lifting off my shoulders. the place seemed unusually silent and still. it was a stark contrast to the lifestyle in bora bora.

i walked into the living room, turning on the tv and flopping down onto the couch. the news came on, a reporter talking about some local news. i half watched, half listened to it while my mind began to drift.

i rolled my eyes and groaned before putting the news on mute. i grabbed my phone and facetimed my friend, penny.

penny picked up after a couple rings, her cheerful face appearing on the screen. "hey girl! you're back home!" she exclaimed.

i groaned again, slouching lower on the couch. "yeah, finally," i replied, sounding as exhausted as i felt. "long flight."

penny sympathetically furrowed her brows. "poor thing," she said. "bora bora must've been really hard." she joked sarcastically.

i scrunched my nose, shaking my head at her sarcastic remark. "you have no idea," i replied sarcastically. "i mean, who would've thought hanging out in tropical paradise would be draining?"

penny laughed, clearly enjoying my exaggerated response. "oh yes, being treated to luxury while surrounded by beautiful scenery seems absolutely exhausting." she agreed sarcastically.

i laughed softly at our banter. "hey, what are you up to?" i asked.

penny adjusted the camera, her face coming back into view. "oh, i'm getting ready for a modeling shoot," she replied, sounding excited. "it's for some new swimwear line."

"oh, fun!" i said with a big smile.

"yeah!" penny replied, her voice echoing her enthusiasm. "it's gonna be a bit hectic cause they want to get a bunch of shots done today, but i feel really good about it." she paused before speaking again, "i heard the trailer for the new season of 'the kardashians' comes out tonight."

i nodded. "yeah, let's see if you'll be able to spot me in it."

penny chuckled. "oh, i will definitely be spotting you." she teased. "can't wait to see what drama your family's gotten themselves into this season."

i thought back to what the camera crew had filmed and nodded. "you'll see someone get punched in the chin, i'm sure they'll put that on the trailer."

her eyes widened. "someone gets punched?" she repeated, sounding both shocked and intrigued. "who was it?"

i gave her a lopsided smile. "can't spoil it for you just yet." i replied cryptically. "just wait for the trailer."

penny groaned in disappointment, clearly annoyed i wasn't feeding into her curiosity. "ugh, i hate when you do this." she said with exaggerated annoyance. "you know i live for all these family drama scoops."

i smirked, enjoying teasing her. "and you know i thrive on keeping you in suspense." i replied, my tone playful.

she rolled her eyes again, though i could see a hint of a smile on her lips. "i swear, you're the worst sometimes." she said, shaking her head in faux disappointment.

"hey, your skin looks great! super duper glowy," i pointed out.

penny lit up, her hand flying to her cheek. "really?" she asked, a small grin appearing on her lips. "thanks! i've been using this new moisturizer for the shoot today. the brand is actually called, 'radiant beauty.' not sure if you've heard of it."

my face lit up at the mention of my brand's name. "oh, you're talking about my line?" i said, a hint of pride in my voice.

penny nodded, her eyes widening. "yeah, it's amazing! the moisturizer is super moisturizing without leaving my skin greasy." she said, looking down at her phone.

i smiled, feeling a sense of satisfaction. it was always gratifying to hear people compliment my products, especially when it was from someone as close as penny.

"i'm so glad you're loving the product," i said genuinely. "the radiant beauty line is all about making people feel good about their skin and themselves."

penny nodded enthusiastically. "well, it's definitely doing that. my skin has never felt better." she praised. "but, i have to run...i'll talk to you later?"

i nodded, understanding her need to go prepare for her shoot. "yeah, go do that shoot, i know you'll do amazing." i encouraged. "we'll chat later."

penny blew me a kiss through the screen. "love you. bye!" she said before disconnecting the call.

i put my phone down and found myself singing the lyrics to my newest song, sweet relief. i leaned my head back on my couch pillows and came to a realization. this realization hit me like a rush of adrenaline. the itch to be on stage, singing to a live audience, it was a feeling i hadn't experienced in months, and i longed for it. i missed the connection with fans, the applause, the adrenaline rush of performing.

i looked at my phone and dialed my mom's number.

the phone only rang once before kris picked up, her professional tone instantly apparent. "hi darling," she said, her voice crisp and efficient.

"hey mom...i know we just got back and you're probably tired and such, but i had a suggestion to run you." i said.

kris was silent for a moment, then i could hear the sound of her shifting papers on her desk. she was in her office, no doubt, handling paperwork and business. "shoot." she said, signaling for me to continue.

i took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before i started. "i want to perform live again," i said, my voice filled with determination. "i've been thinking about it a lot recently."

kris didn't respond right away, but i could hear her pausing what she was doing to give me her undivided attention. "go on," she prompted, her voice slightly guarded.

"i miss the stage, the audience, the whole atmosphere," i continued, my words coming out in a rush. "it's like a part of me is not there unless i'm performing in front of fans. and i know i just did that small performance but i only sang like two songs."

kris let out a soft hum, mulling over my words. i could almost see the gears turning in her head as she processed what i was saying. after a few moments of silence, she spoke. "i understand where you're coming from," she said, her voice more gentle than before. "are you wanting to do one show, a few or a full blown tour?"

i thought about it before speaking. "right now just one show here in los angeles."

i could tell kris was surprised at the specificity of my request. she paused again. "just one show? why not aim for a full tour? you're more than capable of it."

"well i already did a tour for my 'deeper well' album and i wouldn't want to do another tour until my new album is out." i explained.

kris hummed again, the sound of papers being shuffled in the background. "i can see your point," she said. "and one show in la would be easier to manage logistically and financially."

i let out a soft sigh, grateful that my mom was listening and open to my plea. "exactly," i agreed. "it would be a way to test the waters again without committing to a full tour."

"okay," kris said, her voice firmer now. i knew that tone; she was all business. "leave it to me. i'll start looking into venues and dates. we can work on promo and all that."

i couldn't help but smile, relief and joy washing over me at her words. "thank you, mom," i said, my voice sincere. "you're the best."

"i'm just doing my job," kris responded, though there was a softness in her voice that betrayed her motherly affection. "i want to see you happy and doing what you love."

i smiled even wider, knowing my mom was doing this not just as my manager but as my mom as well. "i love you, mom."

"love you too, honey," she said, her tone affectionate. "i'll update you as things move along."

i said my goodbyes and hung up the phone, my heart still soaring with excitement. i was going to perform live again, and the thrill of it was already making me giddy.

°˖✧✿✧˖°

CALLUM'S HOME
los angeles, california
7pm

callum was in his kitchen making some dinner while i was in the living room staring at the tv waiting for the trailer for the new season of 'the kardashians' to come up.

i rubbed bear's fur affectionately as i looked at the tv.

"let's see..." callum spoke loudly from the kitchen. "do we want pasta or steak for dinner?" he asked.

i was about to respond when a familiar voice was heard through the tv. "callum! the trailer!" i yelled out.

callum emerged from the kitchen, his eyebrows raised in amused curiosity. "trailers out already?" he asked, approaching the living room. he sat down beside me, his long legs stretching out in front of him.

i nodded eagerly, pointing at the tv. "yeah! been waiting for it all day." i said, the excitement apparent in my voice. i adjusted my position so i was closer to callum, leaning into him slightly.

callum wrapped his arms around me, pulling me closer to him. "i'm sure it'll be interesting," he drawled, his voice laced with dry british sarcasm that i had grown to love.

the trailer came on, the familiar theme music playing as images flashed across the screen. the scene showed various clips of the family doing everyday tasks, intercut with more dramatic moments from recent family drama. callum was watching with an air of amused detachment, his fingers drumming against my side.

"your family is quite fascinating, love," he remarked, his eyes still fixated on the screen. the trailer showed caitlyn, kris, kylie, khloe and kim having a serious conversation about something that seemed intense. callum chuckled softly.

i watched caitlyn on the tv and spoke, "my dad hates being on this show." i pointed out.

callum smirked, his eyes flickering towards me briefly before returning to the screen. "i bet caitlyn does," he said, a hint of humor in his voice. "your family's not exactly known for avoiding the spotlight."

"oh now here's the dramatic montage." i said as i pointed at the screen where it showed a bunch of different dramatic moments combined together. 

callum chuckled again, the smirk still on his face. "ah, yes, the tried and true dramatic montage," he said in his distinctive british accent. "always gotta have one of those in a reality show trailer."

i laughed softly, "look look!" i said as the tv showed callum getting punched by a drunk kourtney.

callum's eyes widened as he saw the clip on the tv, his smirk replaced by a look of surprise. "oh bloody hell," he exclaimed, his accent more pronounced in his surprise. "i nearly forgot about that."

i laughed softly as the montage came to an end and it showed me in a private interview screen speaking, "it's like a literal shit show." my televised self said.

callum burst out laughing, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "and there you are, love," he said, his gaze returning to me. "delivering the perfect soundbite for the trailer."

it then cut to kim running through her house in tears whilst on the phone with someone. "i just- i can't believe it." she cried out.

callum arched an eyebrow, watching the scene with slight amusement. "why was she crying?" he questioned.

i shrugged, "i think that was filmed when i was in london, with you." i said as i leaned even closer to him.

callum wrapped his arm around me, his fingertips gently tracing lazy circles along my arm. "ah, so it was my fault then?" he joked, his tone teasing.

"definitely," i joked back, snuggling into his side. my head found its place on his shoulder as we continued watching.

~~