I swallow, nervous from the intensity in his gaze.
“The producers put you in the top twenty to bring in viewers. It’s a money game—it always has been. It’s part of the industry. So, if you’re not okay with that here, then you aren’t cut out to be a recording artist.”
I glare at him. “Sometimes you really piss me off.”
He shrugs, folding his arms.
I huff. “But…you’re right.”
He straightens, raising an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
“I said you’re right.”
He smirks. “I can’t believe you just said that.”
“Don’t get used to it.”
He chuckles. “Come to the piano.”
I follow him over. He sits and brushes his fingers over the keys. “You probably know I wrote a lot of my own music.”
“Yeah, you come from the days of authentic musicians. Well, sort of.”
He raises an eyebrow, but doesn’t respond to my comment. “I have a favorite, even all these years later. I’d like you to sing it.”
“It’s written for a baritone and I’m a soprano.”
He looks up at me, his eyebrows raising. “You think I can’t transpose it?”
He has a point. “Which song?”
“It’s called “Late Night Muse.””
I roll my eyes. “That’s my mom’s favorite. It’s a little overplayed for me.”
He hits the middle A on the piano. “It’s a good song.”
“Coming from its composer.”
“It sold more singles than any other song I released.”
I groan. “Fine. I guess I know it well enough that I won’t forget it and freak out.”
“There you go—positive thinking. You should try it more often instead of oozing sarcasm.”
“Rude.”
“Yup.” He hits an A major chord. “Now to figure out what key is most comfortable for you.”
He plays the melody, shifting keys on me every so often until he settles for C major.
“But that’s not even high,” I complain.
“You don’t always have to sing in the heavens,” he responds. “You have a good meaty voice in your midrange, which no one has really heard yet.”
He plays through the song with me, singing along softly. When we finish, he nods. “I think that one will work.”
I sigh. “It did feel good.”
“And I own the royalties, so you’re set.”
I chuckle.
“So, let’s run through it several times. I’ll have the producers set up backing music for you this afternoon so you can practice with it tomorrow.”
For the next two hours we run through the song, him coaching me the whole way. He’s good too, probably better than any singing teacher I’ve ever had. I can see why they have him on the show.
When Teresa and her mother enter, he seems disappointed as he sighs. “Good work today, Hailey.”
“Thanks.”
“I believe Lucas has been assisting you with your stage presence, so I recommend continuing with that if possible.”
“Okay.”
He glances over at Teresa. “Well, time’s up. I’ll see you the same time tomorrow.”
I nod and hurry to grab my bag.
Chapter Eight
“Late Night Muse” plays in circles in my mind as I sit in the quiet café around the corner from the hotel. It tells the story of a secret love, a woman of desire. Jeff changed the lyrics for me, making it a man of desire. It doesn’t seem to work quite as well, but it still sounds good.
A breathless kiss…stolen from your lips…but when the sun rises, you are gone.
Isaiah’s voice sings in my ear, “Until the night returns, I wait, I yearn. For your eyes inspire me, and your voice is my song.”
I shudder as his hands run down my arms.
“Are you singing that?” he asks, sitting beside me.
I nod. “Jeff wants me to do something a bit different to what I’ve done so far.”
“That’s quite different. A rock ballad is a huge change from the folk and girly love songs. It won’t even show off your range.”
I shrug, sipping at my cappuccino. “It sounds pretty good.”
He smirks. “I don’t doubt that.” He glances around and leans forward. “Can I trust you?”
I raise an eyebrow. “It depends.”
“On what?”
“Whether you’ve done something illegal or not.”
He chuckles. “I haven’t.”
“Okay.”
He shuffles closer. “Wanna know why Lucas hates me?”
“Nope.” I focus on drinking.
“Because he’s jealous of me. Anytime he likes a girl, she ends up falling for me.”
I meet his gaze. “Do you realize that sounds really conceited?”
He raises an eyebrow, staring off as he thinks about it. “I guess it does, but that’s the honest truth.”
“That’s redundant.”
“Not sure what that means, but okay.” His fingers brush over my hand resting on the table. “You know we’re friends, right?”
I nod, slipping my hand away as my skin tingles at his touch.
“Jessica has the hots for me, and I think Lucas has a thing for her.”
As impossible as Lucas having a thing for Jessica sounds, I nod, wondering where he’s going with it.
“But to be completely honest, she bothers me. She’s always tailing me and whining about this and that, blah, blah, blah. I feel bad, you know? I don’t mean to attract the girls Lucas likes. It makes him crazy. I’m tempted to tell Jess to go for him instead to avoid the drama.”
“Mmm.”
“Don’t tell Clarissa I told you,” he says, grasping my hand. “She’ll tell Lucas and the crap will hit the fan. He’s very private.”
I look into his eyes, unable to believe what he’s saying. “He actually likes Jessica? She doesn’t seem like someone he’d be into.”
He nods, his eyebrows shooting up. “I can’t explain his taste either.”
“Hmm.” Although Lucas liking Jessica doesn’t feel right, the rest of it could be.
“I like classy girls,” Isaiah says, weaving his fingers into mine. He lifts my hand and kisses my knuckles, making my skin tingle. He gazes into my eyes and my heart just about stops beating. If temptation had a name, it would be Isaiah.
But I pull my hand free. “Tom and I are moving in together this summer.”
“What if you win?” he asks, completely undeterred by my change of course.
“I’m not likely to win.”
“Even if you don’t, you’ll probably get some kind of contract.”
I sigh, collecting my things. “Maybe. If I’m offered something, I guess we’ll have to discuss it.”
“Hailey.” He catches my elbow. “I’d—”
“Isaiah.” Jessica sinks in the seat opposite us. “And Hailey. How’s it all going?”
Isaiah leans back from me. “Good.”
“So, I was wondering, do you guys—?”
A slender brunette, who looks to be in her mid-twenties, flops into the chair beside Jessica. “What up?”
Jessica glances at her. “Who are you?”
“I’m Vanessa. I’m from Lance’s group.” She points at me. “You’re the one I’ve been wanting to talk to.”
I tense. “Did I do something wrong?”
She laughs loudly. “No, the opposite actually. You are fabulous. Oh, and I want you to introduce me to that oldest Murphy guy. Man, he’s hot.”
Isaiah scowls, folding his arms.
“I don’t know if I could do that,” I say.
“Are you kidding?” She launches to her feet. “Do you even watch the show when it airs? Everyone knows you’re all BFFs with the entire family. The commentators are just wondering which brother you’ll hook up with.”
Her gaze darts to Isaiah as she seems to notice him for the first time. “Oh. Oops.”
“I h
ave a boyfriend.” I stand, wishing to leave the awkward conversation. “I have school work I need to do.”
Isaiah shoots up beside me. “I’ll come with you.”
“No, I need to focus.” I pick up my drink.
He turns so only I can see his face. He pouts and gives me puppy dog eyes. I groan. “You need to meet up with your family anyway. Let’s go.”
He mouths “thank you” and we head back to the hotel.
In the street, someone presses against me. Flinching, I look over my shoulder and find Vanessa with us. She smirks, matching our pace as we cross the street. “I’m not surprised you left,” she says. “That Jessica girl is a dog.”
Isaiah laughs.
“You’re friends with her.” I shove his shoulder.
“Not really.”
“Then why do you spend so much time with her?”
He raises an eyebrow. “She spends time with me.”
“You’re so full of yourself.”
He shrugs. “I don’t ask for her to do it.”
“Whatever.”
Vanessa chuckles. “You guys would make a fun couple.”
She’s starting to irritate me. “I have a boyfriend.”
“Yup, she does.” Isaiah drapes his arm around my shoulders. “Tommy-boy.”
I scowl up at him. “It’s just Tom.”
“I’ve met him too.” Isaiah taps his chin, squeezing my neck in his elbow. “He’s not as hot as her. He’s kinda skinny and has a bit of the nerd thing going on.”
“No, he doesn’t.” Well, maybe a little, but he’s not skinny. No skinnier than Isaiah.
“And he’s way possessive. I swear, he sees her with a guy just talking and he flips out. I mean, Hailey’s great and all, but there’s a line where protective becomes overprotective, you know?”
“Would you stop?” I push him off me, but can’t help but find myself agreeing with him. I’ve wondered on and off why Tom seems to snarl at any guy he sees near me. I know he loves me, but sometimes I wish he’d trust me more.
“Wow,” Vanessa says. “Sounds like there’s some behind the scenes tension here.” She winks at me. “You lucky girl.”
I scowl, my cheeks warming.
“Look, I did actually want to ask you something non-drama related.” She grasps my elbow and I stop to face her. “Lance said I could ask any of the other contestants to help out with back-up singing. So, I’d like to ask you, and I’m happy to return the favor at any time.”
“Me? Why me?”
She grins. “Yeah, you. I didn’t realize the humble thing was real. You’re good, Hailey. I respect that.”
Isaiah’s arm wraps around my shoulders again. “What you see with Hailey is what you get, even if it’s confusing at times.”
I push him off.
She chuckles. “All right, guys. I like you. My friends were all booted, so I think you’ll be my new friends.” We pause outside the hotel. “So, will you sing for me?”
“Sure.” I look to the door. “Have the music sent to me.”
“No problem. Thanks.” She says goodbye and hurries back across the street.
I look up at Isaiah. “I really do need to do school work.”
“Well, that just sucks.” He grasps my hand and kisses my cheek. “I guess I’ll go find Levi or something.”
As he pulls away, the butterflies in my belly almost become overwhelming. He’d kissed me on the cheek! My face flushes with heat. I touch my warm skin as I head inside, to try to calm the prickling sensation where his lips had pressed.
***
My phone wakes me. At first, I think the ringing is my alarm, but then I realize someone’s calling me. I snatch it up and hurry into the bathroom, so I don’t wake Clarissa.
“You’re cheating on me?” Tom’s voice comes through strained and high-pitched.
“What?”
“It’s all over the gossip headlines!”
“What is?” I ask, my own voice rising. “Tom, I have no idea what you’re talking about!”
“Isaiah kissed you! I knew that family was bad news.”
“Isaiah what?”
“He. Kissed. You. There’s footage and everything.”
“Why don’t I remember this happening?”
He growls and a moment later, my phone beeps. “There, I sent you a video clip.”
I open the link and watch myself with Isaiah out the front of the hotel. He leans over and kisses my cheek, then walks away.
“That’s it?” I say, irritated. “You’re freaking out over that?”
He laughs shrilly. “If that’s what you’re doing in public, what’s going on behind closed doors?”
“Oh geez, Tom. No. Nothing is going on.”
“The thought of you shacking up with him is driving me crazy!”
“Well, I’m not, so don’t even think about it.”
“Argh!” He swears over and over. “Hailey, I want you to come back. This isn’t worth it. You’re not going to get anything from this show, but it’s making me insane. If you want to sing, fine, join a club, sign up for the musicals, find a choir, but please, please, come home.”
“Tom, chances are I’ll be home soon. There’s two more episodes until the live elimination rounds begin, and chances are, I’ll be knocked out.”
“Two episodes?” He bellows, making me pull the phone away from my ear. “That’s three weeks. That amounts to three more weeks with him and that other Murphy, three more weeks of sleazy tabloids trying to catch you in scandal, and three more weeks of you not here.”
“It’s closer to two weeks now.”
“Hailey, do you hear yourself?”
I purse my lips. “I do, and I know I’ve done nothing wrong. I’m completely faithful, Tom. Why can’t you trust me?”
He doesn’t answer.
“You know me. It took me months to sleep with you. Do you really think I’d jump into bed with someone I barely met a few weeks ago?”
He lets out a gush of air. “I miss you.”
“I miss you too, but you have to trust me. This is an opportunity I can’t miss. Please understand.”
He moans. “I do. I’m sorry. That guy is just too good-looking. It’s not right for a guy to be around you when he looks that good and you look as amazing as you do now. Ugh, it makes me crazy.”
“You think I look amazing?” I can’t help smiling. He isn’t one to praise someone’s appearance often.
“Of course I do. You’ve always been pretty, but this is like a whole new level. I hear guys talking about how hot you are on campus, and I’m not sure whether to be proud that you’re mine or to smack them in the face because you are mine.”
I giggle.
He sighs. “I just miss you so much. I miss talking to you and seeing you whenever I want.”
“I do too.”
“Please don’t cheat on me.”
“I won’t.”
He sighs. “Okay, I’ll try harder to trust you more.”
“Thank you.”
“Text me later so I can call you again.”
“I will.”
He hangs up. I press the phone against my forehead, groaning. The paparazzi were trailing me? Me? How bizarre. I need to be more careful from now on. That’s something I need to adjust to.
Clarissa pokes her head in the door. I glance up and she smiles warily. “Everything okay?”
I nod, but pull up the picture on my phone. “Tom saw this and freaked out.”
She leans over, squinting, then her eyes widen. “When did Isaiah do that?”
“Yesterday. It was harmless—just a peck on the cheek goodbye. But it’s been blown way out of proportion.” I exit out of the picture.
“Don’t let him do it again.”
“I don’t plan on it. With so many people apparently watching, I need to be more cautious.”
She nods. “Yeah. I’m sorry you had a fight with Tom.”
“It’s fine. We worked it out.” I glance at my phone. “
Shoot! It’s six forty-five! Jeff will kill me if I’m late!”
She steps into the bathroom after I dash out of it so I can change and leave.
***
I feel gross, having not showered in more than twenty-four hours. Shuffling down the corridor toward my room, I dream of the hot water running down my back. I slip my keycard out but pause at the muffled sounds of an argument.
“It’s not funny, Isaiah!” Clarissa’s voice comes from Kessa’s room. “You need to stop messing around.”
“People need to stop being so paranoid,” he responds.
“Isn’t there a way we can keep him locked in the room?” Lucas asks. “He’s so embarrassing.”
“That’s enough,” Kessa says sternly. “Your younger brothers and sister are looking to you three as examples. I’m tired of this constant fighting. You all need to forgive each other and let it go.”
“Forgive him?” Lucas yells. “He’s a manwhore!”
“And desperate for attention!” Clarissa says fiercely. “He always has to have lead male part. Always. And he always has to have people falling at his feet.”
“You are both so jealous!” Isaiah yells.
“Enough!” Kessa’s voice bellows over all of them. “Levi will take lead male part this time.”
“Good,” Clarissa says.
“And you two will stop using poor Hailey as an excuse to argue.”
I gasp, my skin prickling.
“You make her terribly uncomfortable when you act like this, and I find it embarrassing. You’re supposed to be adults now, so start acting like it.”
“Yes, Mom,” the three of them say in unison.
“If your father were here to see all this…”
Silence falls, and I don’t want to wait around to hear more. I slip into the room and head straight for the shower. When I come out, I jump at the sight of Clarissa watching TV. She smiles as if nothing happened.
“You need to get going soon, don’t you?” I ask, toweling my hair.
“Yeah, soon. You hungry?”
I shake my head. “Stopped at the complimentary breakfast buffet on the way up.”
Quest For A Popstar Page 8
