Page 126 of Spark

True to form, Sunshine adds, “But first, let’s watch this video about the long and winding road our two talented finalists have traveled to become the last contestants standing.”

The lights in the studio dim, and the video begins on the greenroom monitor we’re all watching on, at which point, all of us exchange eyerolls.

All members of Fugitive Summer are sitting in here in this greenroom, other than Savage. Our swaggy front man is currently awaiting his imminent performance with his wife in the wings somewhere, while the rest of us were told to wait here for our cue to perform “Spark,” later in show, immediately after Cooper’s band performs “Don’t Call Me.”

Where is Cooper now? I have no idea. After our initial chat segment with Sunshine to kick off the show, he was ushered away in the opposite direction from Kendrick and me, and I haven’t seen him since.

“Excuse me,” Kendrick says to a PA standing by the door of the greenroom. “Savage and Laila are performing next, right?”

The PA nods. “Right after this video ends.”

Kendrick flashes me a pointed look. One that says, “Let’s make a break for it, baby,” and I nod to convey my readiness to execute our plan. Yes, we’re supposed to stay here to await our band’s performance, but Kendrick and I both feel too excited about what Savage and Laila are about to do to witness it on a teeny monitor in a greenroom. Instead, we both want to witness our best friends making their once-in-a-lifetime announcement, live and in the flesh, from the wings.

“Excuse me again,” Kendrick says to the same PA. “Could you please find me some Tums or something like that? My stomach feels a bit funny. Nerves, I guess.”

“Oh dear. Of course. I’ll be right back with that.” And off she goes, like an innocent lamb to slaughter.

“We’ll be right back, fellas,” Kendrick drawls to Titus and Kai, as he pulls me off the couch by my hand. “We’re gonna watch Savage and Laila’s performance from the wings.”

“Godspeed,” Kai says with a yawn, as Titus grunts in reply while scrolling on his phone.

Those two only know that Savage and Laila are performing a duet of Laila’s hit song, “Savage Love,” for the first time, ever. Which, apparently, they both think is a cool enough first to inspire our prison break.

Our hands joined, Kendrick and I sneak out of the greenroom and down a short hallway toward the stage. And just as we get settled into a perfect, covert spot with a clear view of the performance area, Sunshine Vaughn enthusiastically flingsher arm to the side and bellows, “It’s Savage and Laila, everyone, performing a duet of Laila’s hit song, ‘Savage Love,’ for the very first time! Happy birthday, Mr. Savage!”

As the studio audience applauds and cheers, a spotlight illuminates Savage and Laila on the other side of the stage from Sunshine, but close enough to our hiding spot that we can see every micro-facial expression of the pair. Laila’s seated at a baby grand in a flowing ballgown, her blonde hair magnificently piled atop her head, and Savage is standing next to Laila’s piano with his acoustic guitar, and both husband and wife are gazing at each other lovingly.

“Happy birthday, baby,”Laila coos into her microphone, right before he launches into singing the first, familiar verse of her hit song:

One for the money

Two for the show

Three cuz you’re so good givin’ Os

Ooooooooooh

Four for the cameras

Five for the fame

No catchin’ feelings, only a game

Ooooooooooh

But then six came along when we had our first kiss

Six made me swoon, yell out “I call dibs!”

Six watched you sleep, whispered, “I want this.”

Six held you tight in a white-knuckled grip

Ooooooooooh

And now I’ve got a savage love for you

I’ve lost count of all the ways you’ve made me a slave to you

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