Page 36 of Playing With My Heart Strings

“So, what’s the deal between you and Aspen?” Sage asks me, her voice a hushed tone.

I shrug. “Ididn’t have an issue with her until she started running her mouth.”

“She probably sees you as a threat,” Sage points out, and I can’t help but laugh. “What?”

“Nothing.” I shake my head. “I just don’t know why she would seemeas a threat. Or why she would really see anyone as a threat.”

“Everyone is technically a threat when you’re all competing for the same thing.”

“That’s true,” I mumble.

I guess I never thought about it because I didn’t care that much. When the competition started, I’d been in it just to keep my job and stay out of hot water with Colette. I never thought too hard about the possibility of actually falling in love.

But then my solo date with Dusty happened. I can’t deny the pull between us in the record store. It was like we reached some mutual understanding that day.

The kiss was another thing.

“Earth to Baylor?” Sage waves a hand in front of my face, breaking me out of my trance.

“Hmm?” I blink a few times. “Sorry, what did you say?”

“You’ve been so distracted the past couple days. What’s going on?” Her eyebrows furrow before she lowers her voice. “Did something happen with you and Dusty?”

“W-what?” I stammer, unable to control my reaction.

“Somethingdid!” she exclaims. “Baylor! How long were you going to keep this a secret?”

I shush her, subtly eyeing the other girls in the room. For a moment, I hesitate, wondering if telling Sage the truth is the best idea, but it’s already too late and my reaction gave me away. “We kissed.” My voice is barely above a whisper. I’m very aware of the fact that there are producers everywhere, and microphones and cameras could be hidden anywhere in this room.

“Oh. My. God.” She gasps, her voice a bit too loud for comfort. “I need all of the details!”

“Sage!” I hiss. “I’m trying to keep it on the down low. I don’t need more of a target on my back.” I come up with an excuse. There’s no way she would know that we didn’t kiss on camera, but I can’t risk anyone else overhearing our conversation.

“Shit, sorry, Baylor. I didn’t even think about that. You’ll tell me later, though, right?”

I let out a breath before nodding slowly. “You have to promise me you won’t say anything.”

She holds out a pinky. “I swear. You can trust me, I promise.”

Interlacing my pinky finger with hers, I give her a small smile. But the moment is cut short when a producer bursts into the room.

“Ladies, we’re nearing the end of the episode. If I call your name, please follow me.” Whatever energy was in the air before is immediately sucked out with his announcement and the room falls silent. “Jordan.”

Jordan’s head drops, and her eyes glisten. I feel sorry for her; being at risk two weeks in a row must be tanking her confidence. And I have a feeling she won’t be getting saved this time as the producer calls out Abigail’s name.

“Finally, Sage.”

My head whips toward Sage, and my mouth gapes. She bites her lip as her chest rises and falls.

“See you, Baylor.” She gives me a look of apprehensiveness before she gets up and follows the producer and the other girls out of the room.

Once the door shuts, the room stays silent for a few moments before someone starts clapping in a slow rhythm, the sound echoing in the room.

“Well, well, well. America’s Sweetheart lives to see another day.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m not sure why you’re so surprised. Contrary to what you think, I do have a connection with Dusty.”

Katherine opens her mouth like she wants to cut in and break up whatever is going on, but Aspen beats her to it.

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