Page 7 of Broken Harmony
After I say goodbye to my mom and the other dads, my dad, Ryder, drops me off at the airport.
As I get in line to pick up my boarding pass, the nerves hit me hard.This is really happening.I look around.I’m really going to California... alone.
Swallowing back the tears, my eyes drop to the pink and black bracelet with the little mic charm around my wrist. The one Lulu made me. I only take it off to shower, or when I swim. Otherwise, it stays firmly on my wrist. I like to call it my good luck charm. Let’s hope that's still the case.
***
The plane ride was fine. I was seated next to someone who didn’t try to chat my ear off, so that was nice. I was able to listen to my music and wallow in my misery in peace.
Once I grab my bags from baggage claim, I head towards the exit and pause.
A big smile stretches across my face when I see a tall man with dark, shaggy brown hair holding up a sign that says Alisha Williams, next big star.
Shaking my head, I rush over to my uncle, Chase. “Could you be any more of a dork?” I laugh, grabbing at the sign.
“I could,” he chuckles. “Want me to try?” he asks, holding it higher out of my reach.
“Still a pain in the ass, I see,” I huff, shooting him a glare.
He grins wide. “It’s all part of my charm, darling niece.”
“You're lucky you're my favorite uncle.” I can’t help but smile and give him a hug.
“I’m your only uncle,” he chuckles, hugging me back.
“Ah, no, you're not. I have like five on my dad’s side.”
He waves me off. “It’s the mom’s side that counts.” He winks.
“You're insufferable,” I grumble, heading towards the exit.
“Ahh. Love you too, babe,” he says in amusement, catching up with me.
My Uncle Chase is my mom’s younger brother. At only twenty-six, Chase Thornton is one of the youngest, richest maleOmega producers, owning his own record label. He’s made a name for himself in this world, inspiring me to do the same.
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay with me?” my uncle asks, pulling up to a hotel. “I mean, this place is nice—I made sure all the contestants were taken care of—but wouldn’t you want to stay in an actual home? I have more than enough room.”
I shake my head. “I told you, I don’t want any special treatment. As far as this competition is concerned, you don’t know me. We’re not family. I am not your niece.” I give him a pointed look. “No nepotism, no favoritism. Got it?”
“I got it.” He holds up his hands, a smile playing on his lips. “But it’s not like you need it. Ally, you’re amazing all on your own. You got here based on your pure talent with no help from me.”
It’s true. At least I hope it is. I didn’t tell anyone when I entered the competition because I didn’t want anything to influence my participation. It wasn’t until my uncle called my mom, letting her know I made it to the final ten, that she and my dads found out. He had no idea and was thrilled when the results came up in passing during a business meeting. He had no clue up until that point, since another department and producer are in charge of the competition..
“Thanks,” I sigh, looking out the front window and up at the massive hotel. “Well, I guess I better get in there.”
“You know I don’t like the idea of you being here all on your own.” He frowns. “You're only seventeen.”
“I’ll be eighteen in September,” I point out. “I’ll be fine, okay?”
“Promise me you will text or call me if you need anything. And use my car service if you're going to leave the hotel outside of anything competition related,” he says with a tone that demands no argument.
“I promise.” I hold up my pinky and grin.
He smiles back, hooking his pinky with mine. “Pinky promise,” he says.
“Pinky promise.”
It’s not like there’s going to be a lot of downtime to go out and explore anyways.
