Page 168 of Shy Girls Can't Date Celebrities
“If you listen to it, you’ll see that...”
“Wyatt,” the producer cuts him off. “Just go with the lyrics aswritten. Yeah?”
Wyatt presses hard into a frown, and then replies with a nod.
“Okay, let’s take it again,” the producer says. “Portia, lead us off.”
I can’t help feeling a little rejected when Wyatt and Portia try the song again. Without even giving the new words a chance, the suits cut them off immediately. I’m about to sink into the floor, when my heart lifts me up again.
My chin drops and pigment comes back into my skin.
Wyatt’s changing the lyrics again. He’s going back to the words we stayed up all night working on. My gaze drifts to Portia and I note the corners of her mouth curling upward. There’s a different inflection in her words and she bops to the music as she sings.
There’s more edge in how Wyatt strums his guitar, and his voice is more powerful than any other time he practiced. People in my surroundings shift, not knowing how to act. I can’t help sensing some agitation in the room.
Erika nudges the producer. “Cut it.”
Wyatt and Portia stop singing, blinking at everyone in the room.
“This isn’t working,” Erika says bluntly.
“How isn’t...”
Erika lifts a hand, cutting Wyatt off. “We know what works, Wyatt. We’ve been with you for years. We have the market research.”
“But, if we try this,” Portia speaks up, “and then you test it with...”
The producer gets up from his swivel seat with a grunt. “Take five, everyone. I feel a massive headache coming on.”
Randall gains my attention. “You have to get going. Your car is out front.”
My stomach drops. “Oh, okay.”
“I’ll let Wyatt know so you can say your goodbyes.”
I back away from the others as Randall moves closer to the booth to let Wyatt know my car has arrived. Wyatt’s complexion dulls and heleaves his guitar in the booth. When he makes his way toward me, he nods at the rear door, signaling for us to have a moment alone.
“I tried,” Wyatt says, leaning against the exterior brick wall.
I caress his cheek. “It sounded really good.”
“Is it just me, or was Portia sticking up for the new lyrics?”
“She seemed into it,” I say with my heart lodged in my throat. “Hopefully after I leave, she stays on your side.”
Wyatt huffs heavily, running his hands down my arms. “This can’t be real. It’s really time for you to go?”
My eyes grow itchy as I stare into his hazel eyes. “Unfortunately, yes.”
“Pull it together,” Lexy’s voice says harshly from around the corner.
It takes me aback. I edge myself backward, seeing her and Portia leaving the studio on the other side.
“Ugh. I just hate this,” Portia complains, balling her fists. “I hate lying to him.”
I suck in a breath, turning to Wyatt, who stands stiff against the wall and stares blankly ahead.
“You know it’s for his own good,” Lexy says. “Sure, when you both knew you were playing parts, it was easier. But you can’t expect Wyatt to play along when he can’t remember your partnership.”
