by Jeff Erno
“No, of course not. But these videos are worthless. That right there is another criminal case in and of itself. If you do well in this competition, the publicity could be more damaging to you than if we just dropped it.”
“Can you at least get the video?”
“I’ll try,” he said. “But don’t worry about it. Reuben is going to have enough problems to deal with. He’s not so stupid that he’d risk being exposed as a child pornographer.”
“Devin, what should we do? Reuben will be back on Monday, and I know he’s gonna contact me,” Corey said.
“Do nothing,” Devin said. “Mr. Jameson is bluffing. He can’t do anything with this video. Probably the reason he’s holding onto it is because he doesn’t want it to get into anyone else’s hands. He knows the laws. He’s known all along that Jimmy was underage. If you get any more notes from Jameson, don’t respond to them. If you get any visits from him, ask him to leave, or call security.”
“Why don’t you just go arrest him?” Jimmy asked.
“That will be up to the prosecutor. They’ll need to do a full investigation, which could take weeks or months.”
“And in the meantime, Reuben will keep doing this stuff,” Corey said, infuriated.
“Well, he can’t touch either of you. Is there anyone else in the competition that might be in danger?”
“There are ten other guys,” Jimmy said. “Half of us will be voted off next week, though. None of them are the same type as Corey. It seems like all of Reuben’s victims have that same sort of look.”
“Cute white boys,” Devin said.
“Exactly.”
“Okay, so I am going to go forward with this and turn everything over to the district attorney’s office. You may be contacted by them. If so, call me. Don’t say anything to anyone, and if you do get called for questioning, tell them you want your lawyer present.”
“Yes, sir,” Jimmy said.
“And stop calling me sir,” he said with a wink. “My daddy is ‘sir’. I’m Devin.”
“Yes, Mr. Devin. Sorry.”
Chapter Fourteen
FOR the first week of the competition, there would be three broadcasts. On Tuesday evening, the male contestants would perform. Wednesday would feature the female contestants, and the results show would be on Thursday. The first week was the scariest, because almost half of the Top Twenty-four would be eliminated. The top ten vote-getters would automatically move on in the competition. The judges would select three other contestants out of the remaining fourteen. Those three “wild card” choices would also move on, but the remaining eleven would go home.
Everyone prayed that they would be among the lucky thirteen who were saved. Corey knew that this was the biggest hurdle. To have made it this far in the competition—all the way through the audition process and the New York elimination rounds—only to then be voted off in the first week, would be horrible. But if he were lucky and could make it past this week, Reuben would not be able to touch him. From that point forward, the worst thing Reuben would be able to do would be to offer negative feedback about his performance. The history of the show indicated that the general public did not place much stock in Reuben’s critical opinions, though. Often they voted the opposite of how Reuben advised.
“I’m nervous,” Corey confessed to Jimmy.
“You’re gonna do great. We both are.” Jimmy squeezed his hand. They were standing backstage along with the other twenty-two performers but were in the back of the group. At the opening of the show, the entire twenty-four would take the stage for a group song. Corey looked up at a clock on the wall, noticing they were only ten minutes from going live.
“At least he never contacted me,” Corey said. “I wonder why?”
“Who cares? It doesn’t matter what he does from now on. Just concentrate on doing your best, and he won’t be able to touch you.”
When Dylan Seagraves stepped into the room, all eyes turned to face him.
“Good evening, Superstars,” he said cheerfully. “We’re five minutes to airtime. Everyone ready?”
Corey didn’t feel ready at all. He’d never performed before such a huge audience. To make matters worse, he knew that he was going to be seen by most of the country and a good portion of the world. He wasn’t sure if he felt more like throwing up or passing out.
I’m at home in Mom’s bedroom, holding the extension cord in my hand, dancing in front of the mirror. It’s just the two of us, Mom and me, and she’s so proud of me.
He had to find a way to distance himself from the reality of the situation. He had to carve out a safe mental space for himself, or he’d never make it through.
All my life I’ve dreamed of only one thing: singing. It is who I am and what I was born to do. From the time I was born, I’ve lived for this moment… and at last it’s here. I know I can do it. I didn’t come all this way to fail.
The next thing he knew, the houselights went down and Dylan stepped out on stage into the spotlight. “I’m Dylan Seagraves, and we’re here tonight to choose America’s Next Superstar!”
The theme song for the show blared as Corey felt himself being ushered out on stage. Without thinking, he stepped in line, meticulously following the rehearsed choreography. As the lights shone on him and the other contestants, he couldn’t even see beyond the edge of the stage, and he sang the lines he’d memorized. It sort of felt like he was in a trance, but he knew his part so well that it just flowed out of him.
Minutes later, the music had ended. He made it through the opening song and even did well with his small solo. They were now at a commercial break, and the houselights were back up. Quickly the female contestants were directed offstage to sit in a designated section of the audience. The male contestants congregated backstage.
Thankfully, Corey did not have to do his song first. He was scheduled to perform fourth. Jimmy was sixth. The first contestant, a twenty-two-year-old African American named Eli Brown, did exceptionally well. The crowd reaction was thunderous, and all four judges heaped praises upon him afterward. The next two performers didn’t fare so well. They both stumbled, and one was even flat throughout his song.
After a second commercial break, it was at last Corey’s turn to sing. Dylan introduced him by first showing a brief video of his audition. Corey felt his face redden as he watched himself on the monitor. Then suddenly the intro was over, the lights went down, and the music started. Corey stepped out on stage, exactly as he’d rehearsed, and began to sing.
For that three and a half minute time period, the earth seemed to stand still. Corey felt as if he’d been transported to another plane, and he sang with all his heart. Every note perfect, every syllable of his lyrics crystal clear. The emotion of the song bubbled up from deep inside him as he belted out the lyrics, rising at just the right moment to tackle the climax of the song. When he got to the dramatic finale, the high notes at the end, he nailed them.
Sweating profusely and out of breath, he remained center stage and took a bow as tears streamed down his cheeks. The houselights began to come up, and he saw the entire audience was on their feet—even the judges.
Somehow he’d done it. He’d made it through his performance, and done so flawlessly. Not a single negative comment was uttered by any of the judges, not even Reuben. Raymond even went so far as to proclaim him the “voice to beat” in the competition.
After his performance, he was allowed to take a seat in the audience and watch the remaining performances. There was only one he cared about.
When it was Jimmy’s turn to perform, Corey laughed right out loud as he watched his adorable audition tape. That was exactly how he looked that first day they met. He was sexy in his tight blue jeans and T-shirt. His accent seemed so much more pronounced back then. After the intro tape concluded, the lights went down, then suddenly a red spotlight appeared on Jimmy, who was sitting on a stool center stage. He was strumming his guitar.
Corey was pleased that Jimmy had chosen a country ballad. T
hat was definitely Jimmy’s strength, and his rich baritone voice was perfect for that type of song. His performance was magnificent. It literally brought tears to Corey’s eyes, and of course he felt as if every word of the song was directed right at him personally.
The crowd reaction was almost equal to what Corey had received, but the judges weren’t quite as kind. Three of the judges were complimentary, but Reuben raked him over the coals.
“I’m sorry, but it felt very karaoke to me. Very amateurish.” The crowd booed Reuben for his negativity. Clearly they loved it in spite of Reuben’s mean-spirited remarks.
After the show, Corey and Jimmy shared a limo back to the hotel. Jimmy had the driver stop at a liquor store. Since he wasn’t old enough to buy real champagne, he got a nonalcoholic version along with some plastic wine glasses.
“There are wine glasses in the minibar back at the hotel,” Corey reminded him.
“I wanted to get something special,” Jimmy said. Corey laughed and kissed him. “We have to celebrate.”
“How can we celebrate if we don’t even know yet if we’ve won?”
“Because we did our best, and no matter what anyone says, we couldn’t possibly do more than that.”
They were petting heavily when the limo finally stopped in front of the hotel. “Can’t we just stay here all night?” Corey asked.
“You never did it before in the back of a limo?”
“Not yet….”
Just then the door opened. The chauffeur was letting them out.
“We’ll have to work on fulfilling that fantasy before we go home,” Jimmy said with a wink. He crawled out of the car, and Corey quickly followed. Jimmy’s arm was around his shoulder as they walked through the front door and headed toward the elevator.
“We could do it in the elevator too,” Corey suggested. “Another unfulfilled fantasy.”
Jimmy grinned and then bit his lower lip. “Don’t tempt me.”
When the elevator door opened, Corey gasped. It was Reuben, standing on the other side of the door. Without a word, he stepped forward and walked right past them. Corey and Jimmy scurried into the cubicle and pressed the button for their floor.
“Weird,” Corey said. “He didn’t even look at us.”
“I wonder if he knows we turned him in.”
“Or if he thinks he’s just making me sweat,” Corey said. “Maybe he’s just waiting until he’s in the mood to use me again.”
“Well, that ain’t never gonna happen,” Jimmy said. “Unless it’s over my dead body.”
WHEN Corey awakened Wednesday morning, he felt as if a huge burden had been lifted from his shoulders. He’d made it through the night of competition and had faced Reuben for the first time. The world hadn’t come to an end. He felt very confident about his performance, and when he turned on the television set that morning, he started screaming. The Today Show was running a clip of his performance.
“What’s wrong?” Jimmy came running from the bedroom, wearing only his boxers, sleep still in his eyes.
“They’re showing us on TV!” Corey said.
“Oh…,” Jimmy said, “I thought it was something important.”
“Look! Now they’re showing you.”
The hosts of the talk show were discussing their favorite performances, and the consensus among them was that Reuben had been far too harsh on Jimmy. They all thought he was spectacular. They only showed a total of four clips, their top picks from the night, and both Corey and Jimmy were among them.
“Jimmy, we’re celebrities now. We made it on The Today Show.”
Jimmy turned around and stumbled back into the bedroom. “Congratulations,” he muttered as he slipped back into bed. Corey barely noticed Jimmy’s lack of enthusiasm. After finishing his cup of coffee and surfing the channels to see if there was any other news about the show, he slipped back into the bedroom himself.
Very carefully he pulled up a corner of the bed coverings and crawled between the sheets, positioning himself so that he had full access to Jimmy’s midsection. When he fished inside the fly of Jimmy’s boxer, unwrapping the prize inside, Jimmy moaned and rolled over onto his back.
“Jimmy Sawyer, you party pooper, you’re gonna have to work on being a better morning person. Maybe I just need to give you something to smile about.” He then wrapped his mouth around Jimmy’s throbbing morning wood and didn’t come up for air until Jimmy was writhing on the mattress and bucking his hips.
When at last Corey threw back the covers and emerged to Jimmy’s smiling face, he knew he had accomplished his mission. “That’s better,” Corey said with a satisfied nod. “Good morning.”
“Morning,” Jimmy echoed, a broad grin on his face. “What was that for?”
“You were being grumpy,” Corey said, sprawling out across Jimmy’s chest. He nuzzled his face into Jimmy’s neck.
“Mmm, do you promise to do that every morning I’m a grouch?”
“I’ll do that anytime, anywhere you want it….”
He felt fingertips gliding gently up the sides of his torso. “Baby, I love you,” Jimmy whispered.
“I love you too, Jimmy Sawyer… my Superstar.”
It was an hour later that they finally climbed out of bed together.
“WHAT’S going on out there?” Corey asked the desk clerk as he pointed to the front entrance. Security guards were stationed at the front door as a mob of onlookers crowded next to the building.
“You’re a celebrity now,” the young lady replied. “Those are all fans. They’re gathered outside hoping to see the Superstar contestants.”
“Really?” Corey gasped. “How will we get through that mob?”
“You’re going to have to plan everything from now on,” she explained. “If I were you, I wouldn’t count on being able to just take a casual stroll down the sidewalk. If you want to go somewhere, you’ll have to arrange transportation.”
“Ain’t that something?” Jimmy said, scratching his head. “We thought it’d be a relaxing day. We were just gonna go for a walk.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Sawyer,” the clerk said. “But if you’d like, I can call a cab or limousine for you.”
“You can call me Jimmy,” he said. “I think maybe we should just stay in for the day.”
“But this is our only day off,” Corey protested. The girls would be performing tonight, and all the focus was now upon them. That gave the male contestants a break for one day.
“We can go to the gym together,” Jimmy suggested. “Then we’ll have lunch and watch soap operas in our room this afternoon. We won’t even have to leave the hotel.”
Corey made a face. “You hate soap operas,” he pointed out.
“You two are real cute together,” the girl said. Corey looked at her nametag.
“Thanks, Katrina,” he said. “Did you watch the show last night?”
“Oh, yeah. You both were great.” She leaned slightly over the counter, lowering her voice. “And I voted for you both—ten times apiece.”
“Really?” Corey said. “That’s really sweet.”
“It’s cool how you two are such close friends. Is it hard? I mean, you’re competing against each other?”
“You’re not the first one to ask that,” Corey said. “But no, it’s not hard at all. It really doesn’t feel like we’re even in competition. We both want the other to do well.”
“Can I ask you something?” she said.
“Sure.”
“Are you two… ya know… um, a couple?”
Corey looked at Jimmy before answering. “We aren’t here to make any kind of statement. We’re just trying to win a contest.”
“Oh… I know, and I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be nosy. It’s just that my brother is gay. It would be so cool if a gay guy won the competition. It’d mean a lot to him, and to a lot of other people.”
“You tell your brother we’re just like him,” Jimmy said, his voice ringing with confidence. “Please, don’t broadcast it, though. Techni
cally we’re all supposed to be virgins.”
“It’s in the contract,” Corey explained. “Romances of any kind are forbidden.”
Katrina started laughing. “That’s such bullcrap. There are all kinds of romances every year. People love that kind of stuff. But don’t worry, I won’t blow your cover. Just be careful, though. From now on, you won’t have much privacy. You don’t really have to worry about the hotel. We’re very strict about keeping the media and fans out unless they have permission. But once you walk out those front doors, you’re an open target.”
“Thanks, Katrina,” Corey said. “It’s great advice.”
“Can I ask one more thing?”
Corey smiled and nodded.
“Can I have your autographs?”
“WE’RE gonna have to be careful,” Jimmy said. It was Thursday morning, and the boys were having breakfast together in Corey’s room.
“What do ya mean?”
“Well, we both know that Reuben wants to get rid of me, right?”
“Probably both of us,” Corey said, taking a bite of his toast.
“I don’t think so. He sees me as the instigator. I’m the one who challenged him, who kept him from you and who interfered with his involvement with Tristan. He voted against me when they chose the Top Twenty-four, and he’s always made nasty comments about my performances.”
“Okay, I see your point. But why’s that mean we have to be careful?”
“You know the rules, Corey. Contestants are not allowed to be romantically involved with each other.”
“But he already knows. I think everyone knows. How can they not?”
“That’s not the point. Everybody knows that gay people are everywhere, especially in the music industry. Officially, the policy is that they don’t discriminate. But even though they have this nonfraternization policy, they turn a blind eye to the straight couples. They have an image to maintain, though, and if a gay couple were exposed, they might not tolerate it.”
“So you think they might kick us out at this point? Don’t you see that as being a much bigger problem for them in the long run? If they kicked us out for being gay, the whole country would turn against them.”