Page 26 of Legendary Rock Star
Because of Phoenix’s kiss. How was that possible? I couldn’t explain it.
However, my brain wanted to shout to the rooftops that I had already won. This wasn’t good.
I was here to win the competition. Maybe he’d set me up with a meeting with Mark Powers. Or maybe he was just pulling the strings to confuse me.
It was hard to follow my heart when it was pulling me in two different directions.
Trust Phoenix or stick to my plan? My brain said to stick to the plan.
So here I was, behind the practice studio, waiting for Phoenix, who was helping to tweak the arrangements of the bottom three singers from last night’s show. I had goosebumps on my arms. I had no idea why he was helping the others when he should be keeping his talent to himself.
Once the red lights went out, I stood straighter. They were finished. The band came out, happy to be done.
But I had a fire under my skin the second I laid eyes on those brown, sultry eyes of his. This was distracting. He hugged me and my entire body melted into him like butter into corn fresh out of the oven. As the hug ended, I said, “I’m so sad for Sawyer, Rihanne and Wyatt.”
He shrugged and said, “It’s not us.”
That sounded callous. Itwasme not that long ago. And he’d spent his day helping them, far more than the judges had. My lips curved into a frown as I stared at him and said, “For now.”
He glanced up and down at my black knee-length dress and black heels and beamed. While I never wanted a man’s opinion, Phoenix’s warm gaze just made me love being with him even more.
He said, “Let’s just smile for the cameras at the after party and then we’ll find our way to the back door.”
If I went with him, did I betray my hopes and dreams? I was aware he was pressuring me to go. We stopped at the men’s dorm and he left me to throw on a change of clothes.
When he came back out, we went back to the studio and waited for the stage crew to direct us to the hotel conference room via a golf cart. I hopped on and Phoenix took the seat beside me, while Wyatt, Sawyer and Rihanne jumped in after him, pretty much squishing us closer.
Yeah. I needed a few minutes. I whispered to Phoenix, “What do we do then?”
He came closer like he’d kiss my neck and I tilted my head to let him. He said, “My driver is waiting for us behind the kitchen, in the limo.”
Cash wasn’t a problem for him. But then, it shouldn’t be. I grew up admiring him, along with a million other fans. The cart stopped and we all climbed out. I fixed my dress to ensure no wrinkles while we let the others pass us. Then I asked, “And we’ll be back before we’re missed?”
He winked at me like all was arranged. Then he held up his fingers in a Boy Scout salute and said, “Two hours and then we circle back.”
The plan was amazing. I nodded at him and said, “Okay. I’ll go with you.”
We headed into the party and I glanced around. We left each other’s side to circulate, snapped a few photos with different people, and offered various hellos. As we made our way fully around the room, he came up beside me again near a side door. My heart blossomed like a flower as Phoenix squeezed my arm.
It was time. Excitement made my bones jumpy but I followed his lead and rushed out the side door with him.
Two minutes later we were inside his limo. Suddenly his face turned white and he said to the driver, “Hank, can you turn on K102 FM? And turn it up.”
“Sure thing,” Hank replied and hit the button.
“Why are we listening to the ra—,” I asked. Then I sat still.
Phoenix ran his hand through his hair and shook his head. I heard my own voice singing,A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices.
Goosebumps grew on me as Phoenix recited the next line.For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn …
I’d signed that waiver giving him free use of the recordings. So I got nothing from this. I was silent and staring at Phoenix as I heard myself sing,Fall on your knees …
I’d been used and I was frozen with anger. It was like my spotlight had been stolen. My limbs were shaking when I finally found the words to ask, “How did this happen?”
“Mark texted me. The label let the demo slip,” he said, and his thumb massaged my arm to calm me down. “He wants to meet with you to make this right.”
Lies. His kisses were all a distraction from the goal. I had moved my parents cross-country in a three-day road trip from Kansas City to Los Angeles in our minivan to chase my goal. And now, here I was.
