Kem noticed Brent on the red carpet but kept her distance. She’d taken the time to talk with her peers and located the section reserved for the show’s staff and actors. She’d saved a seat next to her for Brent as she promised.
Brent sat next to Kem and kissed her softly on the cheek. Her heart fluttered. She hoped no one read more into the kiss. His hand lingered on her cheek longer than it should have.
“I would have been here sooner but couldn’t get past the reporters on the red carpet.”
“I had a few moments, but the stars of the show are who they really wanted to see,” Kem acknowledged. “You are Max. You’re the man everyone wants to know about.”
Brent leaned closer to Kem. He whispered, “Can I be your Max?”
Kem blushed. “I think of you every time I write a scene for that character.”
“I’m flattered.” Brent smiled.
“You shouldn’t be. I think of all the actors when I’m writing their characters.”
Brent pretended to be heartbroken by placing his hand over his heart. “You really know how to flatten a man’s ego.”
“With all your fans, you’ll be all right.”
“You’re the only one I want to impress.”
Before Kem could respond, the announcer’s voice blasted in the room. “We’ll be filming in less than twenty minutes. Can everyone please take their seats? We’re shooting live.”
Kem and Brent took selfies with some of the crew and cast members before the filming started.
The music cued up and the host for the Emmy Awards walked out on stage doing a skit, along with a few other actors.
Kem’s cell phone vibrated. She retrieved it. She saw Mona’s name on display. She read the text message and did as instructed. She turned around and saw Mona and Terrance sitting a few rows behind her. They waved at each other.
She sent Mona a quick text response. “Let’s meet up later.”
Kem was glad Mona was there. If she walked away without winning anything tonight, she would need one of her best friend’s shoulders to cry on.
Kem clapped when it seemed appropriate but she was only interested in the categories her casts and crew members were nominated in.
Brent said, “A penny for your thoughts.”
“It’ll cost you more than a penny. Haven’t you heard of inflation?”
They both laughed. The person in front of them turned around.
Brent and Kem looked at each other and then laughed again.
“Sorry to disturb you,” Brent whispered.
Kem and Brent had fun talking through the ceremony.
“The camera’s watching you so when they call your name, smile,” Kem teased.
A petite actress and her costar walked to the podium. She read from the teleprompter. “This category was a hard one. For supporting actor in a primetime series, the nominees are…”
The camera zoomed in on all the nominees. Brent’s name was called. Kem squeezed his hand.
“The winner of this year’s Emmy goes to…Brent McKenzie for his role as Max in the drama series Secrets,” the actress said.
“You won!” Kem shouted.
Brent stood and gave Kem a tight hug.
“I’m so proud of you,” Kem said as he walked away and accepted congratulatory handshakes and hugs from those around him.
His kilowatt smile brightened the theater as he walked up to the podium to accept his award. “I want to thank God for opening doors that people said would never open for me. I want to thank my mom, may she rest in peace, for always believing in me. I want to thank my Aunt Edna for encouraging me to pursue acting. I owe my acting career to her. I want to thank Kem Phillips for allowing me to be Max. I love bringing him to your screen every week. And to the fans. This one’s for the Max Squad!” Brent kissed the statue right before walking off the stage.
The next category was for outstanding writer in a drama series. Kem bit her bottom lip as she listened to the names being read. She perked up when she heard her name. She held her breath as the winner was announced.
She could hear Mona scream from behind her. When those around her congratulated her, Kem realized she’d heard the presenter correctly. She’d won. She smiled as she walked down the aisle and made her way up the stairs. She kept repeating to herself in her head, Please don’t let me trip and fall.
She greeted the presenters with a hug and took the statue and made her acceptance speech at the podium.
“First, I want to thank God, and my mother back at home in Shreveport, Louisiana. I want to thank each and every one of the viewers for tuning in each week. I want to thank the network for believing in my vision. No one gets here by themselves, so I want to thank the entire Secrets team. To my cast and crew for their dedication. Thank you Academy for this award. God bless.”
Kem followed the model off the stage. She was led to an area where she posed for photographs. Brent stood nearby watching her. She smiled. She motioned for him to come get in on some of the photos.
“Congrats,” he said as they posed for pictures.
“The show isn’t over, so I guess we better get back in there,” Kem said.
Kem and Brent went back inside the theater and took their seats next to their production team and the other actors on Secrets.
Unlike the previous year, the cast and crew were dominating almost every category with wins. The last award of the night was for the best dramatic series. Silence filled the room as everyone waited on the presenter to announce the winner.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the winner for Outstanding Drama series goes to Secrets.”
Kem, Brent, and all the cast and crew jumped out of their seats with joy. It took a few minutes for all of them to make it to the stage. The team pushed Kem forward toward the podium.
Elated, Kem could barely speak. “For the first time, I’m speechless. The other shows in the category were just as good, so to win tonight means a lot. Here’s to scripted TV. Let’s keep making the shows people want to watch.”
Kem moved out of the way as the director and one of the vice presidents of the network spoke.
Kem followed everyone backstage to take pictures. Brent eased beside her. “So what party are you going to?”
“I haven’t decided. Let me call my driver to let him know I’ll be ready to leave shortly.”
Kem removed her cell phone from her purse. She’d gotten several congratulatory text messages. She skipped past those to read later. She dialed the limousine driver’s number and told him to meet her.
Brent walked her to the curbside. While waiting on the driver, Kem noticed Nikki Thomas, a reporter from of the local Los Angeles television stations, slightly bent over and holding her stomach. “I’ll be right back,” she told Brent.
“Nikki, are you all right?” Kem asked.
“Not really. My stomach is killing me. I called a cab but it’s taking forever to get here.”
Kem’s limousine driver pulled near the curb. “Follow me. I’ll have my driver take you home.”
Kem put her arm around Nikki’s shoulder as Nikki wrapped her arms around her stomach and walked at a slow pace beside Kem.
The limousine driver held the back door open.
Kem said, “Please make sure she gets home safely.”
“Do you need me to come back to pick you up?” the driver asked.
“No, I’ll find another way home.”
Kem reached inside her purse and gave the driver a hundred-dollar tip.
“Thanks, Kem. I appreciate it,” Nikki said, with clenched teeth.
“Text me later to let me know how you’re doing,” Kem responded, right before closing the back door of the limousine.
“That was sweet of you,” Brent noted.
“Yes, but now I need to find a way home.”
“Never fear. Mr. Rescue is here.” Brent held out his arm.
“You’re so silly.” Kem laughed. “I could always call a cab or hitch a ride with someone else.”
“I am someone. What’s wrong with me? You don’t want to get seen? You don’t want anyone thinking you’re part of Max’s squad?”
“Come on.” Kem looped her arm through Brent’s. “I want to go to the network’s party for sure and then after that we can play it by ear.”
Once their plans were set, they stopped, chatted with others and posed for pictures as they made their way to where the limousines were parked.