Page 65 of Legendary Rock Star
“Red?”
I didn’t really want it, but having something crazy in there would mess with how proud he was about it. So I said, “Yes, red.”
He shook his head like I’d asked for a million dollars in cash as he said, “I can’t let that happen, but I want you to win. So, no bet.”
We swung our hands in tune to the theme song before the host speaks and then I said, “I have to go soon.”
The host interviewed the contestants who’d just finished singing. And then the show went dramatically dark. I tapped Phoenix on the shoulder and went up on my toes while I said, “You only have one more commercial— “
Then he showed off his dimples like he was thinking something mischievous and he snapped his fingers. “Got it.”
“What?” I asked and held still.
He hugged my waist and whispered so only I heard him. “No bet, but I want to see you sing absolutely naked in the studio while we record our next song.”
My eyes widened. That certainly took my mind off singing live next. He wanted me to sing naked at his—our—house? I asked, “Really?”
“Yes.”
The idea of sitting on that chair with nothing on beside Phoenix made my blood warm. I had never imagined this. I shrugged like I wasn’t shocked and said, “We’ll see.”
“So confident,” he said as the show came back on. He sipped his water and said, “Now get out there and sing.”
I rushed to my spot in the backstage lineup with Jane and Rihanne.
Jane was the first to sing. I watched her in the purple leather jacket that she favored and I said to Rihanne, “Jane is seriously great.”
She winked. “So are we all.”
Then it was her turn and she sang her heart out. Everyone clapped like she’d wowed them. Jane stood next to me now and said, “Good luck. Rihanne is good.”
Rihanne was awesome. So was Jane. I had to be better.
My turn. I stepped forward, closed my eyes and imagined Phoenix was in front of me as I started my first lyric.
Then I belted out the tune at the top of my lungs and gave my performance everything I had.
As the song ended and the lights dimmed, for a moment there was silence.
I took a breath, unsure what to do now, and then the crowd went wild.
While the applause continued, the other finalists returned to the stage to sing the same final eight song we had done the first night. As Phoenix appeared beside me, I said, “You were the real mentor to every finalist. We’re all better for knowing you.”
He rested his hand on my lower back like he’d protect me as he said, “You blew everyone away tonight.”
I hoped so, but I’d be okay whatever happened. I had him. I held up my finger and showed the diamond I’d tucked in my palm, as I said, “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” he said.
We took our spots and the song began.
This time no nerves stopped me as I sang my few lines and performed my second-half dance number with Phoenix. Lights flickered and the stage went black as we finished the routine.
The song was over. Phoenix left the stage in the darkness and I rejoined Jane and Rihanne.
“It’s almost time!” Rihanne said.
Jane added, “Good luck, both of you.”
