The Replacement War: A Rock Star Rom Com

by Lisa Suzanne

  Dax finally gets to the point. “We’re sorry to say that Decker, you lost this battle. You won’t be MFB’s replacement bassist.”

  Dammit.

  So now, at least until the next competition, I get to live in a house with the woman I love and the guy she’s falling for.

  I turn toward Decker. “Sorry, man,” I say, and I stick out a hand to shake his. He bats my hand away and gives me a hug.

  “Win this shit, man,” he says. “Represent Vegas.”

  I chuckle and nod. “It’s been great getting to know you.”

  “Don’t forget the little people when you make it in the big leagues.” He pounds my back in the way bros do, and then he says goodbye to Lexi and Tyler as well.

  And then there were three.

  CHAPTER 41: GAGE

  “We’ll be back tomorrow for your next competition,” Dax says. “I realize this entire competition has gone at lightning speed, and it’s because we’re anxious to find our new bassist.”

  They say their goodbyes and leave, and when I look at who’s left standing, I realize I’m now literally stranded in a house with Lexi and Tyler.

  Just the three of us.

  Real fucking cozy, isn’t it?

  “Gage to confessional room three.” Camille’s voice pops over the intercom, and thank God I’m saved because I have no idea what the hell to say to these two people.

  I respect Tyler as a musician, but moving in on a woman another man in the house hooked up with isn’t exactly the way to win the friendship award. And her...well, I’ve probably droned on enough about her at this point. I love her, she’s with him, blah blah blah.

  Our timing just didn’t work out, which is unfortunate since it could’ve been something incredible.

  “Excuse me,” I mutter, and I head toward the confessional.

  Kat’s waiting for me in her little director’s chair when I walk in. “Mr. Hoffman, have a seat.”

  She’s all business, and she’s acting a little strange. I follow her direction and sit, and then she cracks a giggle. “I like when you follow directions. I can only imagine what that’d be like naked.”

  My brows dip down. Is she flirting with me? “Did you have questions for me?”

  “Yeah.” She glances down at her clipboard. “How do you feel about Decker going home?”

  “Decker was probably my best friend in the house, so it’s hard to see him go.”

  “How does it feel losing your best friend?”

  I lift a shoulder. “We had a lot in common. We’re both from Vegas, we both love bass, obviously, and we have a bunch of mutual friends. Seeing him go feels a bit like I’m losing my only confidante here in the house.”

  “I can be your confidante,” she says softly.

  “You are,” I say, because it’s true. It has been true this entire time—she’s the one person I’ve really been able to spill my guts to, the one person who listens.

  But it’s because she has to.

  It’s her job to pick at the threads and unravel my innermost thoughts and feelings so they can be broadcast all over television. It’s for ratings. It’s for the show.

  It’s not because she really cares...and that stings a little.

  It’s the first realization I have that this could be my life. I’ll meet people along the way, never really sure of their intentions with me. It’s easy to see how so many musicians start down the paths of too much partying or too many women or too many drugs either from trusting the wrong people or keeping anyone from really getting close...from really getting to know the real person behind the façade.

  I’ve been so focused on the amazing benefits of what this opportunity could bring that I sort of blocked out the downsides.

  “How does it feel being down to three with Lexi and Tyler?” she asks, and her voice is low, like she’s trying to soften the impact of her question.

  I wince anyway.

  “We’ll see how the next twenty-four hours go, but being in the same house basically alone with a woman I once fell in love with and the new guy she’s seeing isn’t exactly my idea of a good time. It doesn’t matter, though. My eye is on the prize. I’m here for a reason, and I’m focused solely on that reason. I don’t have any other choice.”

  Kat stands and steps over toward me. “I can think of another choice you have.” She starts to move a little closer, and I get the feeling she’s going to straddle my lap. I stand before she can, and she links her arms around my neck. “I’m so happy you’re still here.”

  I give her a quick hug and attempt to untangle myself from her, but she clings on.

  She does realize this is a fake relationship...doesn’t she? Her face starts moving toward mine as she rises to her toes.

  Her lips inch closer and closer.

  And then I turn my head so she catches my cheek before I gently push her away and set my hand on the doorknob.

  “What was that?” she asks, clearly perturbed by my brush-off.

  I heave out a breath. “I’m just trying to do the right thing. And that means the fake relationship we have has now come to an end.” And then I leave, hoping I didn’t mess anything up by pushing her off.

  And this time, I don’t bother straightening my clothes.

  Neither Lexi nor Tyler is around to see, anyway...which means they’re probably upstairs sharing a bed again.

  I have a few beers on the patio by myself until I’m tired, and then I head up to bed.

  The house is quiet the next morning. Lexi and Tyler are in the kitchen.

  Lexi and Tyler.

  Lexi and Tyler.

  Lexi and Tyler.

  They’re always together, seemingly connected at the hip, and I’ve had about enough of the two of them.

  I decide to swim, this time focusing on what our next challenge might be as my arms cut through the water with each stroke.

  We’ve written a song, MFB has heard us sing, they’ve had multiple opportunities to test our skills as bassists and as musicians, they’ve tested us under pressure and under distractions, drunk and hungover, with MFB songs and with other songs. I can’t imagine what else they have in store for us.

  Whatever it is, though, I vow that I’ll hit it out of the park. I have to. I have to win this.

  I feel very much alone. Kat hasn’t called me in for interviews or confessionals, and I have nothing to say to Lexi or Tyler. I spend a little time chatting with Miles and Ben, but they both have other responsibilities apart from talking to me.

  The challenge doesn’t come until late afternoon.

  “All contestants to the family room in ten minutes for your next challenge,” Camille says over the intercom, and my heart races.

  I head that way, and Lexi and Tyler are already there. They both glance my way, and they both shoot me a cursory smile. I press my lips together and raise my brows at them.

  “What do you think it’ll be?” Tyler asks.

  I lift a shoulder. “No idea.”

  We don’t have to wait long. Dax, Brody, Adam, and Rascal walk in and head toward the fireplace, and the three of us stand and move to our standard position.

  Lexi stands beside me, and I smell coconuts and sunshine. A dart of something warm races through my chest right down to my dick, but then reality sets in.

  “Today’s challenge is a little different. You’ll be asked a series of questions, and you’ll be judged on your responses to those questions. Look at it like a job interview.”

  Fucking fantastic. Because I was always so good at job interviews.

  “We’re going to separate the three of you for the entirety of this challenge so no questions may be shared or discussed until after all three of you have completed the challenge. We’ll spend time in deliberation, where we will have to decide which two of the three of you are the best fit for our open bassist position.”

  He pauses, and then he looks at me. “Gage, you’ll be first. Please meet us in the producer’s office in five minutes.”

  I draw
in a deep breath. I don’t have any time to prepare, but at the same time, I’ve been preparing for this my entire career.

  I give them their time to set up in there, and then Ben calls me over. “Good luck,” he says, and I head into the interview.

  Four men sit on one side of a large conference table, and there’s a lone seat facing them on the opposite side.

  “Welcome, Gage. Take a seat,” Dax says, and I slide into the chair. “We’re going to ask you five questions, and it’ll be the same five questions we ask the other contestants.”

  I find myself appreciating the fact that he left out the names of the other contestants. I’m nervous enough. I don’t need to hear her name as a reminder.

  “We have one that we came up with together,” he continues, “and each of us wrote one additional question that we most wanted to ask for this challenge. Are you ready?”

  I nod.

  “The first question is the one we came up with together. What will you bring to MFB both personally and professionally?” he asks.

  “Professionally, I’ll stand as your bassist with you. I’m not the type who needs a getting-to-know-you phase, so if you choose me, once I’m in, I’m all in. I’ll contribute to the team with songwriting, with opinions and decisions, and whatever else you need. Personally, I’ve learned over this time that I fit in with you.” I don’t say that it’s because I’m a guy, but I definitely imply it.

  “It’s not just musically,” I continue, “though I see practice and gigs, meetings, tour buses and life on the road. I also see us playing poker late into the night, beer and cigars littering the table as we push our chips to the middle. I see you all initiating me into your bond, and I see Survivor-style games and a shitload of laughs just like I saw as I watched you on Rock on the Road. I see friendships and bonds that transcend music and last a lifetime.”

  None of them react to my answer, clearly schooled in making sure they’re not giving anything away. Dax looks at Rascal. “Let’s say you’re the winner at the end of this whole thing,” Rascal begins. “You go home to pack up for your move to Los Angeles, and you find a winning lottery ticket worth ten million dollars that you bought before you left. What do you do?”

  “I give that ticket to my Auntie Jean, the woman who raised me, and I get the fuck on the road toward LA,” I say.

  Brody chuckles at my answer, and he’s next. “How many sandwiches have you eaten off the floor?”

  I look up at the ceiling for a second as I mentally calculate. “In my whole life? Because I was a dirty kid.”

  That earns me another chuckle, but nobody responds.

  “In my adult life, I’d have to admit I’ve always been too fucked up to remember. I don’t make a habit of eating off the floor, but when you’re wasted and hungry, well, beggars can’t be choosers. I’d estimate maybe five or six times.”

  Adam nods and asks the next question. “What’s your biggest weakness?”

  Lexi Weber.

  I don’t say that, but it’s what immediately springs to mind.

  “I have a hard time letting people get close. It springs back to a tough childhood and situation with my parents.” I don’t say more. If they want to know more, they can ask when I’m part of the band. It’s not something I want to talk about on the show, anyway.

  Dax asks the final question. “Why should we pick you over Lexi and Tyler?”

  “Over Tyler because I’m a better bassist.” That earns me a laugh. “But over Lexi...I’m not sure you should actually choose me over Lexi.”

  All four men look surprised by my response, ruining their stony expressions.

  I blow out a breath. “You know, I said I didn’t come here to make friends, and I didn’t. But I do need to be honest. Lexi is an amazing bassist, and she has a voice like I’ve never heard before. She can write the hell out of a song. If I had to tell you to choose me, I’d say it’s because I’m a better fit when it comes to personality. It’ll be easy for me to fill a man’s shoes, while they might be a little big on her.” I glance around, and they seem to get my metaphor.

  “She’ll have the constant jealousy from your adoring fans. She might face jealousy from the women in your life. That won’t be easy for her, but she’s one of the strongest women I’ve ever met.” It’s then that I realize I’m not just airing my opinion. I’m bleeding my feelings for her aloud to these guys. She’s my competition, and it would do me well to remember that. Yet I still need to be honest. “When it comes to talent, she should win. But I know there are other factors at play, and that’s why I’m here, still fighting.”

  “Thank you, Gage,” Dax says, and the others echo.

  I stand to leave, but then I turn around. “Thank you, Dax, Adam, Brody, and Will. I hope we’ll get the chance to celebrate together soon.”

  CHAPTER 42: LEXI

  Ben pulls me into a confessional as soon as Gage is carted off for his interview. It’s just as well, though. Since Tyler and I would be separated while we wait for Gage anyway, at least this gives me someone to talk to.

  “What kinds of questions do you think they’ll ask?” he asks me.

  I shrug. “I have no idea. I imagine it’ll be sort of like a job interview.”

  “Have you been on a lot of job interviews?”

  I shake my head. “Now that I think about it, I don’t know if I’ve ever been on an actual job interview before. I’ve been playing music for ages. I waitressed in college, but I didn’t really have an interview for that.”

  “What’s your degree in?” he asks.

  “Music theory.” I rub my hands on my thighs nervously. “I thought about being a music teacher for a while, but I never got my teaching credentials. I’ve done a lot of private lessons, but that was all word of mouth, so there weren’t any interviews there, either. That’s pretty much the extent of my job experience.”

  His line of questioning is making me nervous to face the four guys who might be my bandmates in a few days.

  He lets me go after a few more minutes on the hot seat, and I pace in the family room—my quarantine room, so to speak. Tyler’s down in the basement. As soon as Gage leaves the producer’s office, I’m next.

  I stop and stare out the window.

  Usually I can look out over a beach and feel a sort of peaceful serenity, but today that’s not the overwhelming feeling I’m getting.

  Today the sea is turbulent and chaotic, much like my thoughts.

  Gage walks out. Our eyes meet, and he presses his lips together before he looks away, head down, and walks past me and out of the room.

  After a few moments, the door to the production office opens. “Come on in, Lexi,” Dax says.

  I draw in a deep breath, hold it for a five count, and then release it as I walk through the door into the firing squad. They’re all sitting on one side of a conference table, and the single chair that presumably Gage just vacated looks lonely on the opposite side of the table.

  “Take a seat,” Dax says with a smile, and I pull out the chair and sit. “We’re going to ask you five questions. They’ll be the same five questions we asked Gage, the same five we’ll ask Tyler. Any questions before we begin?”

  I shake my head, and he nods. “Great. First question: what will you bring to MFB both personally and professionally?”

  “Personally, you’ll get me.” I give them a cheesy smile. “I’ve done my best to show who I am throughout the course of this competition. As the only woman here, I’m proud that I beat out seven men so far to land in the top three. I think you’ve gotten a glimpse of my strength. I think you’ve seen that rumors and big mouths and other people won’t distract me from my focus.”

  I nod pointedly to the door that Gage walked through just before I did, and then I continue. “I’m driven and ambitious, and I’ll do everything I can to contribute to the band. Professionally, you’ll get someone who can play bass, but also someone who can musically step in wherever I’m needed, whether that’s on another instrument or as a back-
up vocalist. And I know you all have important women in your lives, women who are integral to this band, but you’ll have a woman’s musical perspective on things, too, whether it’s lyrics or melodies or something as simple as merchandise.”

  They all nod, and I wish I knew what they were thinking. Their expressions give nothing away.

  Rascal goes next. “Let’s say you’re the winner at the end of this whole thing. While you’re back in Nashville packing up to move to Los Angeles, you find a winning lottery ticket worth ten million dollars that you bought before you left. What do you do?”

  I raise both brows. “I cash it and use a portion of it to pay someone to pack all my stuff for me. I hate packing.”

  Dax and Adam laugh.

  “I’d pay off my parents’ mortgage and my own student loans. I’d give my parents a little nest egg and treat myself to a little shopping spree. I’d deposit the rest into savings, and then I’d head out to LA.”

  As I’m talking, I realize I might actually end up with ten million dollars someday as a part of this band. These guys make tons of money, and I could be a part of that. So I think the question has more to do with whether I’d still want to be in MFB if I had cash or if I’d be happy with the money and not the fame. But it’s not about money or fame. I want to be in MFB because they make a difference every single day. I want to play their music with them because I love it. I want to play on the world’s biggest stages with them.

  Before I get too sappy in my own mind, Brody asks the next question. “How many sandwiches have you eaten off the floor?”

  I make a face like I’m totally grossed out. “Zero.”

  Adam laughs as he asks the next question. “What’s your biggest weakness?”

  Gage Hoffman.

  “I’m my own worst critic and I can always find things to change. I often struggle with when to just call something good or done, which is why the time limits of the challenges during this competition have been so good for me. They’ve stretched me and forced me to make quick decisions on my feet, and those are skills I will take with me regardless of what happens at the end.”