Page 9 of Everything In Between
I tell myself over and over again that I can doanythingfor three years, right?
That may be so, but it’s still a depressing thought.
After the ceremony ends, everyone seems to get up all at once. Not me. I stay right where I am, letting the hustle and bustle around me settle before I venture out.
The rest of my group waits for my lead, staying in their seats until I push up and turn to them. I give them what I hope is an encouraging smile, fighting off their looks of pity at the loss.
“Well guys, better luck next year. I guess.”
Bethany gives me a sympathetic smile and Kelsey presses her lips together. She knows Callum is going to have a conniption.
Together, we leave our seats and head back to the main floor where everyone seems to be gathering.
On my way down, Bethany steps close to me and points across the venue. I follow her direction to see what—orwho—she’s pointing out. My eyes fall on the man who was up on stage with J-Money for the award. He’s talking to the R&B singer who won Best New Artist this year. She’s tiny, and he’s gigantic—she barely clears his chest, but he’s leaning down to hear her better, listening raptly to whatever she’s saying, giving her his full attention.
“There’s Hayes Vogt,” Bethany whispers. “The football player your brother was talking about the other day.”
Hayes.I knew I recognized him when he was up on stage with me.
Before I can mention that I have any interest in talking to him, or ask him for his autograph for my brother, I hear my name being called across the insanity of the crowd.
“Jersey!”
For a second, everything falls silent. My attention is still on Hayes Vogt, who glances up at the sound of my name. His piercing gaze locks on me but softens when he takes me in, eyes flickering up and down by body. His strong jaw ticks and then he takes half a step in my direction, apparently done with the conversation he’d been having. Something flutters in my chestat the sight of him moving toward me, a determined expression forming on his face and a smile forming on mine.
Against my better judgment, I spin away, deciding I can get his autograph after finding out who has called me. I’m surprised to see Meghan Connelly standing a few feet away from me.
She embraces me in a hug before I can wrap my head around what’s happening. Cameras click and flash all around us, trying to catch the moment as it’s occurring.
I hug her back, trying to hide the confusion on my face when she pulls me back and holds me at arm’s length. She gives me a warm smile which doesn’t quite meet her eyes and has me wondering if it’s all that genuine. She sounds like she’s reading off a script when she says, “Oh, Jersey, it’s such an honor to have been nominated right next to you for the Song of the Year.”
“Thank you,” I tell her, keeping my voice level. “Congratulations on your win. It was well deserved.”
She bats her hand, as if to brush off the compliment. “Truly, it should have been yours. Your song was everywhere last year. I didn’t even think mine stood a chance.”
Despite my suspicion she’s fishing for compliments, I give her a little smile. “Your song was great.” I hope she can hear how sincere I am. “You deserved that award.”
“Ugh, you’re the sweetest. I’m sure you’ll take it again next year.”
I give her a half smile. “We’ll see. You might be on a winning streak.”
She laughs, and I want to cover my ears with how shrill it is. “Only time will tell. It was lovely to see you.” She leans forward and air kisses either side of my face. Waving to the reporters and the paparazzi lingering nearby, she disappears as quickly as she came.
I watch her go and take a deep breath, trying not to let the obvious photo-op get to me. I can’t wait to be home in bed withsome Oreos and a jar of peanut butter. This may be the last awards show I attend in person for a while. The games everyone plays is tiresome.
“Come on, your car is waiting,” Kelsey murmurs, placing her hand on my shoulder and steering me away.
I go willingly with her, but pause when again, the same awareness I felt up on stage tickles the back of my neck, urging me to turn around. Pausing, I scan the room. My breath catches when my gaze falls on a pair of amber eyes a few yards away from me.
Hayes Vogt.
I step toward him, urged by a magnetism I attribute to my brother’s request for an autograph.
Surely that’s all it is.
Kelsey grumbles in annoyance at the interruption, and she says to Bethany, “I hate these events.”
However, I ignore her mutterings, loving watching the way Hayes notices my focus on him and maneuvers around the people between us. A few people call his name, drawing his attention from me, but he doesn’t let them get in his way, saying a few words to them before turning his eyes back to mine.
