Page 68 of Playing With My Heart Strings

“Finally…” He pauses, and it’s like my heart is trying to break out of my chest, pounding so hard I can feel it all the way in my ears. “Baylor.”

A gargled sound leaves Aspen’s throat as she looks at Dusty in disbelief.

“Valerie, Katherine, and Baylor, you may all follow me.” Jarrod beckons us offstage. “Sage and Aspen, you are now at risk of elimination. This week, you’ll each have the opportunity to perform a song. There will be no audience voting this week. Instead, the women who have already made it through to the next week will determine the winner of the battle.”

Valerie gasps.

Aspen’s mouth twists into a frown. “You’re kidding, right?”

“I’m afraid not,” Jarrod deadpans.

“How is that fair? We’re their competition!” she screeches but then calms down like she remembers she’s live on national television.

“Best of luck, ladies. We’ll be back after this break.” Jarrod winks at the camera.

Producers start rattling out instructions of who is supposed to be where and what’s going to happen next. I can’t hear much, but Sage is set to perform first and is given three different song options. Aspen will get to choose either of the two that Sagedoesn’t pick. She’s at a disadvantage in every way, it seems. But there’s no denying she’s a powerhouse on the stage.

“This is kind of a lot of pressure on us, don’t you think?” Katherine mutters as we sit in the front row.

I scoff and roll my eyes. “Anything for good television. I wouldn’t put it past Col—” I stop myself before I say anything further. The other contestants don’t have a relationship with Colette. They wouldn’t know what she’s like to work with, and neither should I.

Luckily, neither Katherine nor Valerie seem to notice. But out of the corner of my eye, I notice Aspen shooting me daggers.

What the hell does she know?

“And we’re back, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome toHeart Strings. We have two incredible singers who are at risk of elimination, and tonight they will battle it out for a spot to continue on to fight for a record deal and Dusty’s heart.”

The classic, cheesy reality dating show lines from Jarrod will never get old. And by never, I mean last week. He really needs some new material.

“First up, we’ve got Sage!”

The lights dim, and the drummer taps his drumsticks together to count off the beat. The band starts to play a short intro to “Burning House,” and after a few measures, Sage joins in with haunting vocals filled with emotion. She’s really bringing her all for tonight’s elimination, and I can only hope Valerie and Katherine agree. The song may be slower, but it really showcases how well Sage conveys the lyrics. She sells the story.

When she finishes, I can’t help but let out a whistle of encouragement, despite the disapproving glance I get from one of the producers.

“Now, give it up for Aspen!” Jarrod calls out. His wording is ironic, considering there’s no live audience, just the cameramen, producers, and us.

No one knows what to expect from Aspen normally, but I can confidently sayno onewas expecting her to start belting out the lyrics of “Crazy” by Patsy Cline with a growl and pain to her voice none of us have ever heard before. I can also assume Dusty wasn’t expecting her to look directly at him when she sang about him leaving for someone new, judging by the way his mouth gapes.

Her facial expression on the surface gives off the impression of a heartbroken woman, but her eyes say something else. They bite. I’ve always known Aspen was dangerous, but after tonight, I’m afraid I’ve underestimated the lengths she’ll go to get what she wants.

No one says a word when she finishes her song. The auditorium is utterly silent, and I wonder for a moment if I’ve stepped into an alternate universe, into some twisted haunted house.

Jarrod walks on stage, his eyes wary as he looks Aspen over. “Thank you, ladies. Tonight we have something special for you all watching at home. There won’t be any viewer voting—instead, the three women who are safe will be the ones to decide who will join them next week.

“Let’s begin shall we? Katherine, you’re first. Who do you think should move on?”

A producer hands Katherine a microphone as a camera swings around to face her.

“I love both of you, truly. But tonight, my vote goes to Aspen.” She swallows, and I wonder for a moment if she actually wanted Aspen to move on, or if she’s doing it out of fear of retaliation.

“Thank you, Katherine. Valerie?”

Valerie is more brave. “My vote tonight is for Sage.”

“Thank you, Valerie.” Jarrod nods. “Ladies, we have one vote for Aspen and one vote for Sage.”

Oh, fuck. That meansI’mthe tiebreaker.

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