Just Give Me a Reason - Pink
---
The gentle piano melody filled the arena, its soft notes evoking a sense of vulnerability and longing. As the intro played, Lucas and Taylor shared a meaningful glance, stepping closer to their microphones.
Taylor's voice, clear and emotive, carried the first verse:
"Right from the start. You were a thief, you stole my heart. And I, your willing victim. I let you see the parts of me, that weren't all that pretty. And with every touch you fixed them."
Taylor continued with the pre-chorus, "Now you've been talking in your sleep, oh oh. Things you never say to me, oh oh.
Tell me that you've had enough. Of our love, our love."
Her voice soared into the chorus, Lucas harmonizing softly in the background:
"Just give me a reason, just a little bit's enough. Just a second, we're not broken, just bent and we can learn to love again
It's in the stars, it's been written in the scars on our hearts. 🎵
We're not broken, just bent, and we can learn to love again"
As the second verse began, Lucas took the lead, his rich baritone filling the space:
"I'm sorry I don't understand. Where all of this is coming from. I thought that we were fine. Your head is running wild again. My dear we still have everythin'. And it's all in your mind. You've been havin' real bad dreams, oh oh.
You used to lie so close to me, oh oh.
There's nothing more than empty sheets between our love, our love.
Oh, our love, our love."
As Lucas and Taylor poured their hearts into the performance, their voices blending in perfect harmony, the audience was spellbound. Taylor's passion was evident in every note, her eyes closed as she lost herself in the music. Lucas, though taking a supporting role in the song's structure, matched her intensity with his powerful vocals.
As the final notes faded away, the Staples Center erupted in thunderous applause. The camera panned across the audience, capturing the reactions of fellow artists and industry insiders.
Adele, visibly moved, turned to her neighbor. "That was absolutely beautiful. Their voices complement each other so well."
In another part of the arena, Justin Timberlake nodded appreciatively. "Lucas's got some serious pipes. He more than held his own up there."
On social media, fans were going wild:
"OMG! Taylor and Lucas just killed it! #GrammyDuet"
"Who knew Taylor could sing like that? Mind. Blown. #LucasTaylorDuet"
Back at home, Jennifer Lawrence watched the performance on her TV, a mix of pride and something else flickering in her eyes. She reached for her phone, typing out a quick message to Lucas: "You were amazing up there. We need to talk when you get back."
As Lucas and Taylor took their bows, the energy in the room was electric. It was clear to everyone watching that they had just witnessed something good - a collaboration that would be talked about for years to come.
As Lucas and Taylor made their way off stage, the adrenaline of their performance still coursing through their veins, they exchanged excited glances.
"That was incredible," Lucas said, his voice slightly breathless. "You really nailed it out there."
Taylor's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Thanks! I'm actually surprised at how well it went. We've never performed it live before, but it felt so natural."
Lucas nodded in agreement. "It really did. The audience seemed to love it too."
As they approached their seats, they were met with a flurry of congratulations from their peers.
"Absolutely stunning," Beyoncé said, reaching out to squeeze Taylor's hand.
Bruno Mars clapped Lucas on the back. "Man, that was something else. You've got some serious vocal chops."
Even Kanye West, known for his critical nature, gave them a nod of approval. "That was dope," he said simply.
As they settled back into their seats, the buzz of excitement around them was palpable. Fellow artists leaned over to whisper their praise, and Lucas could see people in the audience still discussing their performance.
As the ceremony continued, both Lucas and Taylor found it hard to focus, the thrill of their successful duet still running through their minds.
As the Grammy Awards ceremony drew to a close, the excitement was far from over. The after-party, held at a luxurious nearby hotel, was buzzing with energy as artists, industry executives, and celebrities mingled.
Lucas found himself at the center of attention, with many eager to congratulate him on his performance. He chatted animatedly with Bruno Mars about potential collaborations, exchanged songwriting tips with John Mayer, and even had a surprisingly pleasant conversation with Kanye West about pushing creative boundaries.
As he made his way through the crowd, Lucas was stopped by an entertainment reporter wielding a microphone.
"Lucas! Your duet with Taylor was the talk of the night. Can you tell us when fans can expect to hear the studio version?"
Lucas flashed his signature charming smile. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. As for the release, all I can say is that our fans should keep their ears open. It'll be out there soon, but I don't have an exact date just yet."
The reporter pressed on, "Any hints about the music video?"
Lucas chuckled, "Now that would be telling. Let's just say..."
***
As the night wore on, Lucas found himself in deep conversation with Pharrell Williams about the evolving music industry. They discussed the increasing overlap between acting and music, with Pharrell expressing admiration for Lucas's ability to excel in both fields.
"It's not easy to be taken seriously in two demanding industries," Pharrell mused. "But you're making it look effortless."
Lucas nodded appreciatively. "It's a balancing act for sure, but I love both too much to choose just one."
As the party began to wind down in the early hours of the morning, Lucas felt a sense of satisfaction.
The night had been a whirlwind of success, from the performance to the connections he'd made.
***
As Lucas settled into his hotel room, he noticed Jennifer's text. Without hesitation, he dialed her number.
"Hey, Jen," he said warmly when she answered.
"Lucas! You were incredible tonight," Jennifer gushed. "I couldn't take my eyes off the screen."
"Thanks, babe. I'm glad you enjoyed it."
There was a brief pause before Jennifer continued, her tone shifting slightly. "That song though... it was so intense. A breakup song, right?"
Lucas could hear the underlying concern in her voice. "Yeah, it is."
"I couldn't help but wonder... are you trying to tell me something? Are we okay?"
Lucas couldn't suppress a chuckle, which clearly caught Jennifer off guard.
"Why are you laughing?" she asked, a mix of confusion and relief in her voice.
Lucas took a deep breath, still smiling. "I'm sorry, Jen. I'm not laughing at you. It's just... the song isn't about us at all. It's actually all about Taylor."
"Taylor?" Jennifer echoed.
"Yeah," Lucas explained. "She's had a rough time with relationships lately. This is her third breakup in a short span. When we were writing together, she was really feeling those emotions, you know? I did compose the song, but it was with Taylor's experiences in mind."
"Oh," Jennifer said, the relief evident in her voice. "I feel a bit silly now."
"Don't," Lucas assured her. "It's a pretty intense song. I can see why you might have thought that. But Jen, trust me, we're good. Better than good."
Jennifer's laugh came through the phone, light and genuine. "I'm glad to hear that. And now I feel even more impressed. You wrote that without even going through it yourself?"
Lucas smiled. "Well, being an actor helps with tapping into those emotions."
They chatted for a while longer, the earlier tension completely dissipated. As they said their goodnights, Lucas felt a wave of affection for Jennifer. Her concern, while misplaced, was touching. It reminded him just how much she cared.
***
Meanwhile, Jennifer at her home smiled. She was relieved that Lucas wasn't thinking of ending their relationship. She slept soundly, and early the next morning, after brushing her teeth and having breakfast, she called Lucas to arrange a meeting.
"Hey, Lucas," she said when he answered. "I was thinking... can we meet up today? I'd like to see you in person."
Lucas, still groggy from the late night, agreed readily. "Of course, Jen. I'd love to see you too."
Jennifer took a deep breath. "Great. I'll come to you. While the duet wasn't about us, I... I just want to make sure we never get to that point, you know?"
Lucas's voice softened with understanding. "I get it, Jen. I'd like that too."
They arranged a time, and Jennifer began preparing for her trip from her home in Louisville, Kentucky, to Los Angeles where Lucas was staying. She packed a small overnight bag, her mind racing with thoughts of what she wanted to say to Lucas.
***
Lucas looked at his phone. He saw that Jennifer would be coming to see him. He glanced at the clock, calculating the time he had before her arrival.
Realizing he had a few hours, Lucas decided to tidy up his hotel suite. As he moved around the room, straightening cushions and clearing away remnants from the previous night's celebration, his mind wandered to Jennifer.
He smiled to himself, touched by her desire to reinforce their relationship. While he knew they were solid, he appreciated her proactive approach. It was one of the many things he loved about her.
As he finished tidying, Lucas's phone buzzed with a message from Neil:
"Great job last night, kid. The duet's causing quite a stir. We need to talk strategy for the release. Call me when you can."
Lucas made a mental note to call Neil later. Right now, his focus was on Jennifer and their upcoming conversation.
He ordered room service, selecting some of Jennifer's favorite snacks and a bottle of her preferred wine. As he set up a cozy corner in the suite, Lucas found himself looking forward to their time together. Despite the whirlwind of his career, moments like these - quiet, intimate times with Jennifer - were what he treasured most.