Page 45 of Legendary Rock Star
But I knew our kiss made it onto the broadcast.
I let him go and went with my handlers to the after room for a quick wrap-up.
As soon as I finished, I heard Phoenix on stage.
His voice and pitch were perfect, but he sounded … sad.
My heart sank as the British judge said, “Phoenix, you’re beyond talented. You have more strengths than some of the judges up here.”
More than all of them, I thought, including the British guy.
But then Phoenix lifted his chin and I held onto the wall and rocked on my feet while he said, “I get it. But you’re here to find the next big talent, not to give me a second chance.”
“We’re here for you.” The pop singer looked Phoenix up and down like she was checking him out. Then she said, “I’d be willing to sing a duet with you next week.”
He shrugged and didn’t move. “I’d be honored, but it won’t happen.”
“That is disappointing.” She sat back in her chair.
I paced back and forth as he came off the stage. I needed to talk to him, but he headed into his after interview while Finnigan gave his final performance of the night.
The celebrity guest sang next, while we had a short break. I spotted Phoenix and tried to get his attention. He waved at me, but went inside without stopping.
Until now he’d always made time for me.
I followed the stagehands back onto the stage and was directed toward the bottom three spotlight. Phoenix stood in front of us, with his own spotlight. What was happening?
We all joined hands. For a second, Phoenix glanced back at me as the lights came on.
Then he faced the camera.
The host came to start his bottom-three banter, to tease us with who would be safe. My heart beat too fast.
Somehow I knew in my gut the truth about tonight. This was it. Phoenix was leaving, without telling me.
The host stood with me and pointed to the other spotlight and said, “Well, Maggie, you can join the other finalists. You’re safe.”
He let me go and I trotted across the stage, but my shoulders slumped. I joined Jane and Rihanne who both took my hands.
Then the host said, “Sawyer, you’re also safe. And so are you, Finnigan.”
My stomach was a rock. I stared at Phoenix who stood alone under the spotlight.
His face seemed white and his lips thin when the host said, “Phoenix Steel, tell the world what you’ve arranged.”
Phoenix widened his stance and waved to the crowd as he said, “I’m leaving the show so the others all get a fair chance. I’ll be releasing my own album next year and I hope America picks the best one here to get her own solo contract too. Maggie is amazing.”
And then they had him sing.
This time he sang with even more heart. Tears escaped my eyes. I didn’t care about the makeup.
Everyone could see how this wasn’t fair. He’d quit on his dream.
While he sang, the rest of the contestants left the stage, but I knew if I did, I’d never see him again.
As the song ended, Phoenix said into his microphone, “Maggie’s a talented and sweet woman. And she hasn’t earned a penny on that Christmas song of ours that you’ve heard on the radio. I’m going to have to fix that. Goodbye.”
This was it? Phoenix was tossing his chance because of me?
