by L A Cotton
“You know I’d be there if I could, Eva. But this is too good an opportunity to pass up. The good news is though, I can drive up with you girls to Camdena on Friday night, then I’ll head onto Landry.”
Mom’s lips pursed and I frowned. “You’re still comin’ right, Mom?” I couldn’t believe a scenario where she’d readily send me off by myself. Not after everything.
But surprising me, she said, “Your daddy seems to think I’d only cramp your style. And since you turn eighteen next week, he thought,”—Dad nudged her gently and she corrected herself—“we thought, it would be nice if you and Molly spent some time together.”
“For real?” I gawked. “You’re lettin’ me and Molly go alone?” For the whole weekend.
My best friend was going to freak—in a good way.
Dad nodded around a grin. “I already spoke to the Steinbergs and they agreed to let Molly drive you both since I’ll follow you up and make sure you get there okay.” The show was putting contestants up in the Camdena Royal Hotel where the event was being held.
At least I could rest easy, knowing it wouldn’t cost Mom and Dad money they didn’t have this time.
“And you’ll check in with me every couple of hours,” Mom added.
Dad chuckled at that, patting her hand. “You’re a good girl, Eva, and we want you to know that we trust you. You’re a young adult now, it’s time we gave you some space to figure out your way in the world.”
“Just not too much space, Gavin.” Mom glowered at him, and I fought a smile. They had such a solid relationship: the way Dad knew exactly how to temper Mom’s overbearingness; the way she melted into soft putty whenever he touched her.
“Thank you, both of you.” It kind of sucked they weren’t going to be there, cheering me on, but the local television station would air the live final. I couldn’t deny though that a tiny part of me was relieved they were treating me like an adult.
“Just promise us you’ll go out there and enjoy it.” Dad gave me a pointed look.
“I will, promise.”
“That’s all we ask.”
Just then, my cell phone started ringing. “I bet that’s Molly,” Dad said. “Her parents probably just told her the excitin’ news.”
Mom looked fit to burst, probably with all the rules she wanted to instill on me and Molly for our weekend of freedom. Leaping to my feet, I clutched my cell in my hand and flashed them an appreciative smile. “I’d better answer. Love you both, bye.” I hurried out of the kitchen.
“Holycrapballs did you hear the good news?” Molly didn’t even greet me.
“Blake Shelton is makin’ new music?” I teased.
“Evangeline Star Walker, you’d better get serious. This is huge; freakin’ huge, girl.”
“It’s just a weekend away, Mol. No big deal.”
“No big deal? Are you kiddin’ me right now? Not only is it a weekend in an all-expenses paid room in one of Camdena’s swankiest establishments, it is also an entire weekend with Hudson and Rafe and no f’in parentals in sight.”
My pulse spiked at the mention of his name.
“Eva, are you still there?”
“I’m here,” I said quietly.
“It’s going to be epic.”
“Epic, gotcha.”
“I swear, babe, sometimes I just want to—”
“Mol?” I urged, cutting her off.
“Yeah, Eva?”
“Love you.”
She chuckled. “Love you too. Now do me a favor and check your wardrobe.”
“My wardrobe?”
“Yes,” she huffed and I could imagine her rolling her eyes at me. “For a suitable outfit.”
“Outfit for what exactly…?”
“Seducing a rock star of course.” I sucked in a shaky breath and it was her turn to chuckle. “You can deny it all you want, babe, but I know what I saw and you want Rafe Hunter almost as much as I suspect he wants you.”
“I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about,” I mumbled.
“We’ll see.”
Which is exactly what worried me.
I couldn’t get into classes. It was impossible with the looming final show; the possibility of seeing Rafe again. I’d followed him on social media, watched his life charted in a montage of grainy images and second-hand rumors. And no matter how hard I tried; it was hard to ignore the headlines.
Hunter brothers spotted on double date with runway models.
Rafe Hunter saves Levi from making a huge mistake.
Black Hearts Still Beat cause chaos at Knoxville mall.
No matter where they went or what they did, everyone wanted a piece of the band. And if you believed everything you read online; a lot of girls were getting their fair share of the Hunter brothers.
I felt torn. After everything I’d been through, I couldn’t help but think Rafe and Hudson and the other guys in the band had it right. They were living the life they had been gifted, making every single day, every moment count. Sure, there was an element of shirking responsibility and becoming too detached from reality. But part of me wanted to commend them. You never knew what was around the corner. At least they seemed to be living without regret.
The other part though, the girl who had once been confident in her faith, in a deep sense of moral rightness, read the latest headlines and felt angry. Disappointed that these four young men were squandering the opportunity to be the role models to so many young boys and girls needed. That they were being reckless with life—theirs and those around them.
Then there was the part of me who felt sorry for them. Because living life under the spotlight like they were was unsustainable. You only had to read the entertainment news to hear about the latest actor or singer or model to fall prey to the many vices of fame.
I’d seen something in Rafe when we talked that night. It was the same darkness that shrouded Hudson. And from what I’d heard of their music, I couldn’t help but wonder about their story. The one beneath the hit records and sell out shows.
“Eva, he’s ready for you,” Mrs. Creedy’s voice pulled me from my thoughts and I offered the school secretary a polite smile. “Thank you.” I grabbed my bag and entered the counsellor’s room.
“Ah, Eva, come in,” Mr. Jefferies smiled warmly, relaxing back in his chair as I got situated. “It’s good to see you. How are you settlin’ in?”
“It’s okay, I guess.”
“I imagine it must be hard. But everyone is thrilled to have you back with us for senior year.”
I wasn’t so sure about that, but I let it go. He—or anyone else for that matter—didn’t want to hear my complaints, not really.
“Your teachers all inform me they’re happy with your reintegration.” Shifting forward, Mr. Jefferies flattened his hands on the desk. “I’m not going to sugarcoat things, Eva. If you want to graduate with your friends next year, it’s going to mean givin’ it your all.”
“I understand, Sir.”
“Do you?” His brow went up. “Because you barely passed eleventh grade. When I spoke with your parents, I advised them the best course of action might be for you to stay back the ye—”
“I don’t want to retake the year.” Cancer had stolen too much from me already; it wasn’t taking my senior year with Molly too.
“I get that, Eva. I do. And while I’d usually be in complete support of extracurricular activity, I really think you should be focused on school right now, not talent contests.” His words were laced with concern. “Performing is great, Eva, but the bottom line is it’s going to be difficult reintegratin’ this semester.”
“With all due respect, Sir, what I do outside of school is none of your concern.”
“Actually, it is.” His expression morphed to one of concern. “College applications are right around the corner, and I think you would stand a better chance if you—”
“I haven’t even decided if I’m applyin’ for college this year.” I hadn’t really thought about much beyond graduation.
Mr. Jefferies expelled a heavy breath. “Okay, how about this? It’s early days still. I appreciate you have a lot to get your head around. Let’s review where you’re at in a month and make some decisions then.”
I offered him a non-committal “okay.” He didn’t get it. No one did. They couldn’t unless they had walked a day in my shoes; unless they knew what it felt like to have life snatched away from you in one hand and handed back in the other.
School was important; he didn’t need to tell me that. But it no longer felt like the most important thing. And nothing Mr. Jefferies said right now would change my mind.
I needed time.
Something I didn’t have since the senior year clock was ticking.
“I’ll see you in a month then,” he said, breaking the tense silence.
I rose from the chair and made my way to the door, but Mr. Jefferies’ voice gave me pause. “And Eva?”
“Yes, Sir?”
“If you ever want to talk, about what happened, I’m here.”
“Thanks, Sir,” I said, although I think we both knew I would never take him up on the offer.
The Camdena Royal was an extravagant five-star hotel overlooking the Tennessee river.
“Now this is what I’m talkin’ about.” A bell hop approached us, gathering up our luggage. Molly slid her arm through mine and pulled me toward the door. “This weekend is going to be the best,” she sang, so full of excitement I thought she might burst.
I, on the other hand, felt a little green.
“Walker, over here.” Josiah Golden beckoned us over as we entered the lavish foyer.
“I see Goldenboy has already found his feet,” Molly leaned in, whispering, “let’s hope he gets eliminated in the first round.”
“Molly.” I shot her a bemused look.
“All set for the big day?” he wasted no time getting down to business.
“I’m ready. Are you?”
“Ready?” he snorted. “I was born for this. The title is mine this year. I can feel it in my bones.” Josiah lifted his shoulders and stuck out his neck a little. “Rumor has it there’s some big competition out of Klineville and Brescone.”
“This has been enlightenin’ and all,” Molly said, “but we have to check-in.” She dragged me toward the desk where we were greeted by a friendly woman.
“Welcome to the Camdena Royal. Are y’all here for the Jamesboro Talent Showdown?” I nodded. “Great, what was the name?”
“Evangeline Walker.”
“Ooh my daughter has been talkin’ about y’all. Her daddy takes her to all the regionals. She loved your performance of Believer.”
“Wow, that’s…” Emotion swelled inside me. “That’s incredible, thank you.”
“Okay, here we are.” She handed us two keycards and an envelope. “This is your welcome packet and your room key. You’re on the eighth floor in one of our superior twin rooms.”
“Thank you.” Molly accepted the room keys with a wide smile. She was enjoying every second of this. It almost made me think she should have been the one performing tomorrow given at how easily she fit into this world.
“I’m Sandy and if you need anythin’ during your stay, don’t hesitate to shout, okay?”
We thanked her again and made our way to the elevators, the bellhop hovering behind us. “Should we—”
“No way, babe. We’re takin’ full advantage of this.” She shot the bellhop a sultry smile, all too happy to let him carry our luggage. “Besides, it’s his job.”
Rolling my eyes, I stepped inside the elevator and inhaled a deep breath. It was still hard to believe I was here. Ready to compete in the final of Jamesboro Talent Showdown. Out of the twenty-four contestants, only eight would compete in the final. The prize checks of five-thousand dollars, ten-thousand dollars, and twenty-five thousand dollars were incentive enough to give it my all, but with Mom back at work and Dad working his ass off to keep us above water, winning would mean so much more to us than just earning the title of Artist of the Year.
“Hey.” Molly touched my arm. “Feelin’ okay?”
“I’m fine.”
I had to be because if I stood any chance of getting to the final tomorrow, I was going to have to sing my heart out.
“Well, would you take a look at that.” Molly followed me into the hotel room. “This is freakin’ amazing. Talk about celebrating your eighteenth in style. All I got was a gift certificate for American Eagle.” She brushed past me to check out the view of Camdena, the city thinning out toward the river.
“It’s somethin’, all right,” I murmured, lingering by the door to tip the bellhop. When the door closed behind him, I finally moved deeper into the room.
“Let’s just stay here, forever.” Leaping onto one of the queen beds, Molly began star-fishing, the sweet sound of laughter spilling from her lips.
The hotel in Ploughton had been nice, but this was on another level. I placed my guitar down in the corner of the room and spun around, taking in all the small details. The chrome finishings and pale green and navy accents. And my favorite touch; the black and white portraits hanging on the wall, each of a famous country singer from the last century. But one stood out from all the rest.
“Is that Patsy Cline?” Molly came up beside me, leaning her head on my shoulder.
“It is.”
“It’s an omen.” She clutched my hand. “What are the chances that we’d end up in a room with a portrait of one of your favorite singers of all time hangin’ on the wall?”
She had a point. But I didn’t want to get ahead of myself. And while I liked the idea Patsy was a good luck omen, after Josiah’s warning about how good the competition was, I knew I needed more than superstition to get me through to the final round.
Molly left me staring at one of my idols and began unpacking her suitcase. Glancing at the growing pile of clothes on her bed, I said, “You do realize we’re only here for two nights, right?”
“A girl can never have too many outfits. Besides, if I want to seduce Hudson, I need to look my best.”
“I don’t want to be the one to burst your bubble, but the chances of Hudson textin’ are—” Her cell started vibrating and she shot me a ‘you were saying?’ look.
“That could be anyone,” I grumbled.
“But, oh look,” she smiled devilishly, “it’s Hudson Ryker.” Molly flashed me the screen. “He wants to know if we want to hang out with him and Rafe again later?”
“Are you sure I won’t get into trouble? There are probably rules about that kind of thing.”
“Rules smules,” my best friend snorted. “Besides, no one will know. The hotel is pretty much on lockdown for the show.”
“I don’t know…”
But she was already texting back. “Molly,” I cried. “What are you doin’?”
“Uh, tellin’ him yes, obviously.”
“But I thought... never mind.” Once her mind was made up about something there was little use trying to change it. And not that I’d ever admit it to her, but a small part of me did want to see Rafe again, to see if the connection between us was still there or whether I’d fabricated the whole thing in my head.
Molly was still texting, completely oblivious to my internal dilemma. Finally, she gave me her full attention, her eyes alight with excitement. “Jake will be down for us at eight.”
“They’re sending the bodyguard to fetch us, how romantic.” I gawked. This wasn’t real life. Small town girls like Molly and me didn’t hang out with famous rock stars.
No matter how easy to get my friend acted.
“Don’t be such a Debbie Downer. It’s different here. Ploughton is like the ass crack of nowhere compared to Camdena. I bet they have to be a lot more careful here. You saw the fangirls outside with the banners and face paints.”
They were hard to miss, screaming for Hudson and Rafe until they were red-faced and breathless.
“We could stay here, take advantage of room service?” I
suggested.
“And give up the opportunity to hang out with Hudson and Rafe? Not happenin’.” She glowered at me. “You have less than two hours, babe. Get freshened up, choose an outfit, and get ready. Because tonight, Evangeline Walker, you are going to make out with a rock star.”
Jake was seven minutes early.
“Mr. Ryker has requested your presence,” he said flatly. “Please follow me.”
Molly smothered a laugh. “So fancy,” she mouthed at me as we filed out of our room. “So, Jake,” my best friend was relentless, and I rolled my eyes. “Nice weather we’re havin’.”
The bodyguard suppressed a smile, humoring her. “The weather has been very good.”
The elevator doors pinged open and we all stepped inside. Jake pressed the button for floor twenty. As we rose higher so did my heart rate. The thought of seeing Rafe again was a lot to process.
Molly reached out and squeezed my hand. “Eeek, I’m so excited,” she whisper-shrieked.
“We come together, we leave together,” I said, determined to make sure she didn’t do anything she would regret. It was one thing to make out with a rock star, but I didn’t believe for a second she wanted to be just another notch on Hudson Ryker’s drumsticks.
“Yes, Mom. I won’t keep you out past midnight. I don’t want you to turn into a pumpkin the night before your big show.”
Jake was still and silent beside us, dressed sharply in a charcoal suit and white dress shirt. He fit in with the opulence of the hotel, but I doubted he got any downtime protecting Hudson and Rafe. If it wasn’t for the occasional breath I heard him take, I would have assumed he was a statue.
Finally, the elevator came to a stop and the doors sprung open. “This way please,” Jake said, completely devoid of emotion, as if chaperoning two young girls to the penthouse suite of a famous rock band was just business as usual.
It occurred to me, maybe it was.
“What?” Molly asked noticing my frown.
