Page 108 of The Last Dance

‘I hope I remember all the lyrics!’

‘Of course you will!’ I squeeze her back, feeling like a proud mom. ‘We’ll see you after, for some celebratory photos and an interview. You got this, Taylor! Youaregonna beThe Next Superstar –I can feel it in my bones!’

She nods nervously, a smile on her face that screams she’s scared to death, but I know she’ll do amazing.

Taylor’s invited us to the after-party her family is throwing her. Whether she wins or loses, she’s accomplished so much that she should be incredibly proud of herself. I know her family is.

I make my way over to Henry.

‘This is… incredible!’

‘Youare incredible.’ He squeezes my hand in his.

‘Is this how it’s gonna be with us?’ I ask, sincerely hoping it is. I’ve never felt more important to anyone as I have the last twenty-four hours to him.

‘If I have my way it is.’ He grins. He’s got his laptop set up on a stool. He’s posting the video on Infusion’s website. Which means my post will go live at the same time. ‘Ready?’

I take a deep breath and nod my head. ‘Ready as I’ll ever be.’

Henry taps at the keyboard, doing whatever it is he needs to finalize the site update. Everyone I know back home is anxiously awaiting this moment, so they can start sharing content for me. Henry even stopped by my parents’ house earlier this week to show them exactly what to do. He told me about his visit with them after because he did it without me as part of this whole surprise. Basically, everyone knew what he was up to but me.

He pulls his phone from his pocket, dialing in a number I don’t recognize.

‘Hey, the site’s live and… thanks.’ He taps the end call button and shoves the phone back in his pocket.

‘Who was that?’ I ask, wondering why he’s acting all secretive over whatever he’s done.

‘Brad.’

‘InfusionBrad?’ I ask. Henry laughs. Every time I hear his name I’m still shocked that he actually knows him. ‘What did you do?’

He shakes his head, a small grin on his face. ‘Nothing, it was all him. He’s got an interview with a late-night celebrity show tonight. The video will air during his segment. Don’t be surprised if you start getting calls from bands playing in the area because he’s really talking you up. Apparently, you didn’t only work your way intomyheart.’ He laughs with a wink.

‘Are you serious?’

He nods. ‘He thinks you’re the perfect band promoter for the area.’

‘Oh, my God…’

‘Ambri… she’s on in five.’ A producer waves me to the side stage.

I pull Henry to me, kissing his lips before I make my way to the side stage, my phone in my hand ready to capture Taylor in the biggest moment of her life. This is turning into the week of a lifetime.

She’s the second and final performance of the night and watching her perform has me in goosebumps all over my body. She’s even more amazing in person and I think halfway through her song the entire crowd knows she’s just won.

‘I think she just becameThe Next Superstar,’ Henry says.

‘I think you’re right.’

It’s an agonizing thirty minutes to the judges’ decision of who the winner is but, when they call her name, I burst into tears as I film it from side stage. She did it. She won a contest she was so sure she wouldn’t.

The next hour is a blur of interviews, photos, and squeals of excitement. By the time Henry and I get back to our hotel room we’re exhausted. We both drop onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling, my hand in his.

My phone buzzes in my pocket.

Gone viral!!!! You’ve aired on three national news stations!

‘What?’ I sit up in a panic, staring down at Claire’s text, Henry straining to see my phone.

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