I make my way over to my tiny designated space to touch up my makeup for the eliminations at the end. All of the eliminations will be edited into four episodes, giving the performers time to prepare and prolonging the season.
A petite, dark-haired girl sits beside me. Jessica, who I discovered is nineteen and works at a grocery store, flicks back her ratty but trendy hair as she looks into my eyes. “Hailey, right?”
“Yeah.”
She smiles. I swear her face might crack with the thick makeup coated over it. “You did well.”
“Thanks.” I turn back to digging out my mascara.
“You probably missed mine. I was two acts before you.”
“Yeah. Backstage.” Why is she talking to me?
She leans closer, lowering her voice. “So, the talk is you and I are in, no questions.”
“Um…” I glance around. “Only half the people here have performed.”
She chuckles. “Yeah, but you and I both know it’s already decided. Us, the Murphys, Whitney, and cute little Teresa over there.” She motions at the incredibly adorable eight-year-old girl who sang okay, but not amazingly. “The crowd pleasers. The ones that will draw in voters and ratings.”
I frown. “I don’t like what you’re insinuating.”
She lowers an eyebrow. “Isaiah told me you were apparently smart.”
My frown deepens.
“And, I was told you knew. I know you were threatened to pick up your game or they’d force you to quit.”
My stomach ties in knots.
She smirks. “Yeah, you know the deal. See you in the next round, sweetheart, or should I say, ‘the darling girl next door?’”
Chapter Seven
All the acts stand on stage, waiting. The tension is unbearable. Clarissa clings tightly to my right hand, while Lydia clutches my left. Isaiah manages to press right up behind me. I try to ignore his breath on the back of my head and his hand occasionally brushing over my butt.
“When we call your names, please step forward.” Drusilla stands from behind the judges’ table, holding up a tablet.
Five acts are called up first. From that group, Teresa makes it into the next round. From the next five, none make it. Then, the Murphys and I are called forward. My heart races. Clarissa turns pale.
The other three acts are asked to step forward. My heart keeps pounding. They do things unpredictably, so we could be sent home.
“I’m sorry, but you’re going home tonight.”
Clarissa’s hand crushes mine. As the acts move off stage, Drusilla smiles at us. “We’ll see you in the next round.”
Clarissa screams and throws her arms around my neck.
***
The Murphys had gone to call a cab, and I pack up my space in the rehearsal room on my own. Jessica nailed the five acts that made it through, and it really bothers me. I feel like a puppet, and I can’t help but play along. I’m such a jerk.
“Hailey?”
I jump, swinging around to see Jeff.
He raises his hands. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“I thought I was alone.” I rest my hand over my heart.
“You were. You didn’t seem to hear me come in.”
I chew my lip. “Please don’t criticize me.”
His eyebrows shoot up as he folds his arms. His blue eyes penetrate right through me, as if he were looking into my soul. “I’m not here to criticize you. I wanted to tell you that you did a great job. You really picked up your game.”
I shrug, pulling my bag onto my shoulder. “You should thank the Murphys for that. It doesn’t matter anyway. I’m dropping out.”
He frowns. “Why?”
“Why?” I chuckle. “The whole thing is rigged. It’s not a talent quest. It’s a ratings quest for money grabbers.”
“The whole industry is like that. Why should one little show be different?”
“It’s not just one little show.”
“Yeah, it is.” He reaches out and lifts my chin to look into my eyes. “Don’t drop out. You could go all the way. You have the talent and the support.”
I push his hand away. “You hate me.”
He smirks. “I never hated you. I just pushed your buttons to give you drive. It seemed to work.”
“Jerk.”
He nods. “If being a jerk brought the performer I saw to the surface, then I’m glad I did it. And if the Murphys contributed, I’d keep them around. Lucas and Clarissa are going places.”
He turns, heading toward the door.
“Wait.”
He stops and turns back to me. I hurry over, digging through my bag. “My mom is a huge fan. She’d kill me if I didn’t get your autograph for her.” I find a notepad and pen. “Her name is Iris.”
“Iris Becker, huh?” He grabs the paper and pen.
“Well, no. I’m Becker. She goes by her husband’s name. It’s Gomez.”
He scribbles on my notepad. “There. I don’t usually do this, so don’t tell anyone.” He closes it and hands it to me. “Go get some rest, Hailey. I need you fresh and ready to go in two days.”
“Do you have anything you specifically want me to perform?”
He raises an eyebrow. “We don’t do that.” He turns and heads toward the door. “But I’d recommend something poppy, more upbeat. Show some diversity. Something like that new Carrie Underwood song maybe.”
I grin as he disappears.
***
On my day off, I catch up on classwork. I work like crazy all day, and so do all the Murphys, except Isaiah. He flitters in and out, trying to entice me and Clarissa to join him. The three guys he hung out with had gone, so by the sound of things, he wants someone other than Jessica and Whitney to amuse him.
Late afternoon, while Isaiah surfs the channels on the TV in our room and Clarissa and I finish our school work, the room’s phone rings. I answer.
“Hailey Becker?” the female voice asks.
“That’s me.”
“You have a guest waiting for you at the front desk.”
“Oh…” Who could that be? “I’ll be right down.”
Leaving everything on my bed, I slip on my flip-flops.
“Where are you going?” Isaiah asks.
“The lobby.”
“I’m coming too.”
I don’t feel like arguing about it, so I let him follow along. In the elevator, he drapes his arm around my shoulders. “You work too hard.”
“You don’t work enough.”
He chuckles. “I owe you an ice cream.”
I grin, playfully elbowing him in the ribs. “Yeah you do.”
“While we’re out and about, we’ll go do that.”
“Sounds good.”
“Sweet.”
The doors open and his arm falls from around me. I head straight for the front desk. “Hi, I got a call that someone was here to see me?”
She motions behind me.
I turn, and there, standing up from the couch in the lobby with a huge bunch of flowers, is Tom. But he doesn’t look happy as he stares at Isaiah. I rush over and say with a laugh, “Tom! What are you doing here?”
He drags his gaze away from Isaiah to me. “I wanted to see you and make it up to you for not calling. Who’s this?”
I glance at Isaiah standing beside us. “This is Isaiah. I thought you said you watched the show?”
“I DVR it and fast-forward to the parts you’re in.” He looks Isaiah over as he slips his arm around my waist. “He’s one of the Murphys, right?”
“Yeah.”
Tom’s arm tightens, pulling me against him and away from Isaiah.
Isaiah grins. “Possessive much?”
“Shut up.” I slap his shoulder.
Isaiah’s grin changes to a devious smirk. “Rain check on that ice cream?”
I nod.
“All right, be boring. Hang out with your boyfriend.” He scans the lobby. “What am I going to do?”
“Go bother someone else for a
while?”
He shrugs. “I’ve bothered everyone worth bother—hey, it’s Jeff.”
Turning toward the glass rotating door, I see Jeff heading into the building, tossing a cigarette into the ash bin outside the door. As he steps in, he looks over at us. He pauses, glances at the elevator, then comes over.
“He’s worth bothering,” Isaiah mutters, then grins eagerly. “Jeff.”
“Mr. Murphy.” Jeff nods, but locks his focus on Tom. “Who’s this, Miss Becker?”
“My boyfriend, Tom,” I answer.
“Apparently. He shouldn’t be here. Don’t let anyone else see you with him.” He eyes Tom over slowly. “I don’t like him. He looks like a liar.”
Tom winces, his arm tightening. “J-Jeffrey Halloway?”
Jeff’s eyes narrow. “Yeah, kid, that’s me. I’m a little old for you to be a fan.”
Tom offers Jeff his hand. “My mom loves you.”
Jeff looks at me, raising an eyebrow. “That seems about right.” He takes Tom’s hand. “If you want to spend time with her, I’d recommend leaving.”
Tom nods. “Yes, sir.”
Jeff turns, then swivels back. “Mr. Murphy?”
“Yes, Jeff?” Isaiah gives him a playful grin.
“Don’t be a third wheel. If you want something to do, I have a ton of emails I need to go through. You can assist my assistants.”
Isaiah cringes. “I’ll go see if Clarissa needs anything.”
Jeff watches Isaiah make his way to the elevator and says, “I didn’t see you with your boyfriend, and I certainly didn’t see you leave. So, Miss Becker, get out of here before you make a liar out of me.”
I grab Tom’s hand and rush out the door.
“Where to?” I ask, glancing around.
As we scan the street from the drop-off area, Lucas appears around the corner not far from us. He pauses when our eyes meet, then heads over. Is everyone out and about?
Tom doesn’t notice Lucas as he squeezes my hand, turning toward the road. “Um, I have a rental and I parked it—”
“You must be Tom.” Lucas’s hand shoots out for his.
Tom’s eyes widen as he focuses on Lucas. “Yes.”
“I’m—”
“Lucas Murphy, I know.” He grabs Lucas’s hand. For some reason, he looks way more agitated by Lucas being there than he did for Isaiah.
“Ah, yes,” Lucas says conversationally. “I think I’ve seen you around campus. Last year you showed up to some parties with a blonde.”
“My ex,” Tom says quickly. “I hadn’t met Hailey back then.”
“That was probably Christy,” I say. “She’s a violinist.”
Lucas nods. “I think that sounds right.”
Tom relaxes a little. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Lucas, but we have to go.”
Lucas offers his hand again. “I can take those to Hailey’s room if you’d like?”
Tom looks at the bouquet. “Yeah, that would be great.”
Lucas grasps the flowers. “You guys have fun, and stay safe.” He meets my gaze. “Do you need help with your next performance item?”
I nod.
“All right. We’ll work something out tomorrow.” Lucas heads inside.
“Wow, he was actually somewhat nice to me,” I mutter.
Tom squeezes my hand. “Let’s go.”
He drives to a restaurant where we have a pleasant time chatting and laughing. When we aren’t eating, he holds my hand, softly stroking the back of it. I’ve missed him, and I’m glad I resisted my impulses and erratic feelings for Isaiah.
When we leave, he drives us to a parking area for photo-ops of the Hollywood sign. We take several goofy pictures of us doing strange things with the letters, before he drags me into the backseat of the car to make out.
“Let me be with you,” he whispers, his voice heavy with longing.
“Here? No.”
“Hailey, please. I miss you so much.” His hand slides under my shirt and he unclips my bra.
“We’re on the back seat of a rental,” I say. “How did you get this, anyway? I thought you had to be twenty-five to rent a car.”
“I paid an insurance premium.” His hand finds my breast and he plays with my nipple. “I want you so bad.”
“Not here. Didn’t you get a hotel room?”
“I’m catching the red-eye home.”
“You flew out here just to go right back?”
“I had to see you. I had to make sure we’re okay.”
I clasp his face. “Of course we’re okay. Tom, I love you.”
His face relaxes as he lets out a long sigh. He kisses my cheek and neck. “I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you. I saw the show last night and was amazed by how beautiful they made you look.” He ran his hand through my hair. “I like you blonde, and the raw emotion when you sang…I’ve never seen you so stunning. Hailey, you’ve been holding out on me. It freaked me out. I felt like maybe I didn’t know you after all.”
I giggle. “You know me well, Tom. It was all just for show.”
“Was it?”
“Of course.”
“It just seemed so…real.” His fingers brush over my cheek.
Sighing, I shut my eyes, enjoying his affection.
“What happens if this continues?”
I look up into his eyes, seeing concern. “Nothing will change between us.”
“So even if you get famous, you’ll still have time for me?”
I giggle. “Tom, why are you freaking out about this? I’ll always be me. Just because they can pretty me up on the outside doesn’t mean they can change what’s inside.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“I saw the way those Murphy guys look at you. Ugh, it makes me crazy to think you’re alone with them. Please, please don’t let them seduce you.”
“Seduce me? Tom, no.” I push up onto my elbows. “First of all, Lucas—definitely not. He’s so not even…he doesn’t even like talking to me. And Isaiah? Not an option. But most of all, I’m not a cheater. You know that.”
He brushes his lips against mine. “That’s true. They have you pegged calling you the wholesome girl next door on that show. I trust you.”
I smile. “Good.”
“Now…” He pulls my shirt back, exposing my breast. “Let’s do this.”
“Not here!” I push him back, looking out the window.
“Please, Hailey? You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.”
“Tom, anyone could walk by and see. I can’t.”
He groans, his head falling on my shoulder. “Fine. But I think I’m going to go mad.”
I clasp his face and softly kiss him.
***
Back at the hotel, the lady at the reception desk stops me. She hands me a note and I open it.
You’re up first tomorrow. Meet me at the rehearsal venue at seven a.m. Jeff.
I huff. Seven? He must be trying to piss me off because he knew I’d be out with Tom.
“Thank you,” I say to the lady.
I make my way upstairs and smile at the flowers as I enter my room. Clarissa isn’t here, but she left me a note saying she’d gone out with her mom.
I flop onto my bed, exhaling as I close my eyes. My pajamas are within reach, so I wriggle out of my clothes and into them. Then, my bed calls me to sleep in it. I curl up…and someone knocks on the door. Why does everyone seem to come knocking at night?
I grab the bathrobe and stumble over.
“Isaiah, just go to your own…” I trail off as Lucas stares at me with his jaw hanging open. “You’re not Isaiah.”
He closes his mouth. “No. Does he come here often?”
“Only when you won’t let him in, so yes.”
He scowls. “You don’t let him in, do you?”
“Clarissa does sometimes.”
He slumps. “Okay. Well, I just wanted to make sure you were back. Jeff posted the schedule and you’re up first.”
&nb
sp; “I know.”
“Okay.” His gaze shifts down the corridor. “Clarissa’s not back yet?”
“No.”
“Oh.” He glances around again. “Tell her we will be working on our next act tomorrow morning.”
“Sure.”
His gaze finally falls on my face. “Is everything fine with your boyfriend? He seemed agitated.”
“Yeah, he just had a close encounter with Isaiah. That seems to agitate a lot of guys, I’ve noticed.”
“How did he come across Isaiah?”
“Isaiah was with me.”
Isaiah appears behind Lucas and leans against the door to their room. “You talking about me?”
Lucas’s demeanor completely changes. He tenses and his brows lower. “You were hitting on her in front of her boyfriend?”
“Wait, no.” I touch Lucas’s shoulder.
He flinches away from me. “Isaiah, you’re disgusting.”
Isaiah raises his hands. “I didn’t. But you wouldn’t believe me anyway.”
“You need to grow up.”
“You need to come down a notch.”
“Okay, good night.” I shut the door.
“Nice job, idiot,” Isaiah says in a deep voice.
“Keep it in your pants,” Lucas responds, his voice moving away.
I roll my eyes. They’re grown men, but they act so juvenile. I wish Tom could hear and see them like that, then he wouldn’t worry about them.
***
Jeff sits behind a table when I enter, eating his breakfast. I rush over, dumping my bag on the ground beside him.
“You’re late.”
“Sorry. But it’s only five minutes, right?”
“Five minutes you could be using to rehearse.” He slowly stands, leaning against his knuckles. “Do you want to do well?”
“About that,” I say, a little grouchy from skipping breakfast. “I know it’s not about how well I do, so why does it matter?”
He scowls. “You’re in the voting rounds now, Hailey, so it very much matters. You’ll be performing live from now on. No more skillful editing to make you look your best on the show. You need to be at your best the second you step out onto the stage. You need to be cute and charming in front of the cameras. People expect you to be sweet, so you need to keep that up or they’ll turn on you. If you forget what you’re doing, stumble, make a wrong move, have a meltdown, then it’s all over.”
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