Quest For A Popstar

by Katie Hamstead

  “We’re staying for the show,” Patrick says. “Come stay with us afterward?”

  Lucas comes to mind. If things go well with him…“I’ll have to see what I have going on.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  The top ten from last season open the night. The tension from the group of former contestants sends fierce electricity into the crowd as the couples who’d engaged in the affair and are now divorced enter the stage. The adulterers are together, holding hands, while their scorned exes keep well away from them.

  From my vantage point—at the front of the audience with the current season’s top ten—I hold my breath, hoping nothing will explode.

  Then, the scorned woman turns, marches over, and slaps the other woman. The audience roars, jumping to their feet and pressing forward. Security huddles around us, while Lance and Jeff practically jump onto the stage. The announcer rushes out to create a diversion and cut to a commercial.

  “Hailey!” someone yells.

  I swing around. A group of guys around my age press against the security. “Show us your tits!”

  Good heavens! I turn away. Vanessa grabs my wrist, pulling me closer to her.

  The arguing on the stage grows louder. Looking up, I see Jeff talking to the scorned ex-husband while Lance tries to calm the now irate ex-wife. Steven remains in his chair, his arms folded and a slight smirk curling his lips. I want to smack that smirk to China.

  Several of the contestants from last season start to get involved, escalating the situation further. Jeff points toward us. “Get them all out.”

  “No!” the ex-wife wails. She scans the current top ten, then her eyes lock on me. “Hailey Becker!”

  Me? What? Why?

  “You know how this feels!”

  “Hailey!” Jeff points at me. “Get out. Quick.”

  But before I can react, the ex-husband leaps off the stage and grabs me. “Come with me.”

  I try to pull free. “What? No way!”

  He yanks me up to the stage, despite my struggling. He shoves me at Jeff. “You can’t talk because of her.”

  “I’m not having an affair, especially with her!” Jeff snarls, grasping my arms firmly. He moves to guide me back off the stage, but the man grabs me again.

  “Fine. I will.” He plants a kiss right on my lips.

  His ex-wife gasps as I shove him off. “Kyle!”

  He grabs me, pulling me completely free from Jeff, and kisses me again. Oh, my freaking gosh! Gross!

  His ex screeches and pulls me back by the hair. “How dare you!”

  He laughs. “How dare I?”

  “She’s practically a child!”

  I flail to pull my hair free. Why am I in the middle of this?

  Jeff pulls me away from them as their argument escalates. “Get out.”

  I take several steps to rush away, but the other couple cuts me off. Jeff rushes forward and pulls me behind him. “She’s not part of this.”

  “Poor Jeff,” the man says with a pout. “Are your womanizing ways failing you?”

  “We’re not on Jerry Springer.” Jeff moves to lead me off the stage, but my hair is wrenched backward.

  My yelp draws Jeff’s attention and he swings around. “Enough!”

  Everyone freezes, the fierce tone in his voice catching them off guard. He isn’t the type to ever raise his voice.

  “Let Hailey go,” he says slowly, calmly. It sends a chill through me.

  The woman releases my hair.

  “All four of you, get off the stage this instant.”

  The two couples scurry away like scolded children.

  Jeff leads me toward my seat when I notice the cameras following us, the red lights glowing. With a glance back, the smug look on Steven’s face tells me everything. He knew that would bump up the ratings. Everyone loves a good scandal.

  Jeff guides me back to my seat, and Lance appears beside him. “Is she okay? Are you okay?”

  I nod, but wipe at my mouth, still feeling that man’s lips and saliva on me. So gross.

  “Why don’t you go backstage and get cleaned up?” Lance says, stroking my back.

  Jeff nods. “That’s probably a good idea.”

  “Okay.” My hands tremble as I stand again.

  They motion to a security guard. He leads me out the back as the show restarts. Careful to keep me away from the couples being dragged into a room by several stagehands, the guard takes me to a dressing room. My appearance in the mirror makes me groan. My hair and makeup are a mess.

  “Thank you,” I say to the guard.

  He nods and shuts the door to leave me in peace.

  I work on my hair and makeup quickly, then pause to take a deep breath. Drama seems magnetized to me of late. I need to cool down before I return out there…

  “Isaiah!”

  He pouts as he shuts the door behind him. “I’ll be your boyfriend, if you want that. I’ll do anything to be with you. You’re so hot.”

  I grunt, completely exasperated. “No, Isaiah.”

  “Why not?” He steps closer to me. “You think Lucas would be more fun than me?”

  Working to smooth out my mussed curls, I do my best to blow off his advance on me. “It has nothing to do with that.”

  “Why does everyone love Lucas? What’s so great about him?”

  I rub my neck. “It’s hard to explain.”

  “Then try. I don’t get why I can get most women to jump in bed with me, but then the few really good ones always pick him instead.”

  “He’s…” I hesitate. I don’t want to offend Isaiah. He’s still my friend, after all. Maybe if I’m honest, he will mend his slutty ways. “He’s respectful, and honest, and responsible.”

  “Boring.”

  “No, Isaiah. You’re fun, and exciting, and an adrenaline rush, but that’s not something permanent. I can trust Lucas completely. That’s why I chose him.”

  Isaiah lets out a long breath, slumping. “You’ve already made up your mind then.”

  I nod. “It’s not that I don’t care about you, it’s that—”

  “Whatever.” He swivels on his heel and walks out, slamming the door.

  That didn’t go well. I’ll need to catch him later, to really explain things. I don’t want to hurt him. But right now, I have a huge, high-risk exposé I need to worry about. With a heavy sigh, I check myself in the mirror one last time and head out. The guard meets me in the hall, making me wonder why he let Isaiah in, and leads me back to my seat between celebrity performances.

  Finally, it’s time for the finalist performances. First up is Jessica. She performs well, but the zing from the crowd is lacking. Glancing around, I see most people chatting, eating, daydreaming. A few fans wave banners for her, but most people seem completely uninterested. Harsh.

  Several hands shoot up and wave. I look over, and the teens launch to their feet, waving more fervently. A banner lifts in front of them that says, ‘WE <3 LUCAS.’ Then they flip it and it reads—‘HAILEY + LUCAS 4EVA.’ My grin makes them bounce up and down, shaking the banner.

  Several other audience members notice the movement, and more banners fly up—‘HAILEY #1,’ ‘Hailey has our vote!’All around, banners rise with my name on them. My jaw falls open. This is crazy! How can I be so popular? I’m just…me. I don’t even notice Jessica finish her act.

  In unison, all the banners flip and show different combinations of my name with Lucas’s. My heart soars. I’m delighted by so much support. Then, a security guard steps in front of me.

  I turn my attention toward the stage. Steven stands facing out to the audience with his hands on his hips. He signals for a commercial. When the cameras cut, he grabs a mic. “Keep your banners facing that way. Lucas is the only one in this final, not Miss Becker.”

  “It’s rigged!” someone hollers.

  It certainly is.

  All the banners flip back around to show support for me. Steven grits his teeth, his eyes darkening. It looks bad for him, and after the
Murphys’ act, Jeff and I are going to expose him and the fixed comp, confirming all the fans’ suspicions. I’m suddenly terrified.

  Security makes their way through the crowd, starting an uprising as people refuse to lower their banners. Knowing something has to be done, I stand.

  All eyes turn to me. I gesture with a flick of my hand to flip the banners. They all do. I grin and give a thumbs-up. The crowd cheers. Wow.

  Satisfied the crowd is now subdued, Steven signals for the show to continue but throws me a fierce glare as he sits. My stomach tightens, gripped by fear.

  Soon the Murphys emerge. A great roar erupts from the audience. I watch as the family comes out youngest to oldest, and my stare locks on Lucas. My heart flutters, and my stomach fills with butterflies. Every physical cliché erupts over me as I stare; just the mere sight of him sends happiness through my entire being. He looks amazing—his dark hair shining, his bronze skin smooth and perfect. But he keeps his gaze low, an acoustic guitar held loosely at his side.

  They all wear white, which seems to highlight the brown of their skin. Could a family be any more gorgeous? The boys all wear white button-down shirts, their collars open, and white dress pants and shoes. Clarissa and Lydia wear matching white sundresses, with lacey trimmed knee-length skirts and tan boots.

  Clarissa’s gaze catches on me and she gives me a winning smile. Jeff has done well with them tonight. They look clean, wholesome, like brown von Trapps.

  They stand in a line and Lucas lifts the guitar, slipping a strap over his head.

  Clarissa steps forward.

  My heart skips as Lucas plucks the opening notes. It’s a beautiful melody, simple, uncomplicated. But Clarissa trembles. Please don’t freak out, Clarissa.

  She looks to Jeff, then she looks to me. She smiles, and softly, her sweet voice echoes around the room. She’s never taken a solo before, so everyone falls silent. She’s beautiful.

  I never thought I’d find someone like you.

  My dear, you gave me a friendship that’s true.

  Stay with me now,

  Please don’t run away.

  I’ll keep you safe in my heart.

  I gasp as tears fill her eyes. She looks at me again as her family joins in for the chorus. This song is for me. Me. Lucas knew they wouldn’t win, so he…

  We love you, our friend.

  Forever, you will be one of us.

  Our sister.

  Everyone has to know what this song means, who it’s about. Everyone is staring between them and me. I’m about to cry. I clutch at my heart, unable to look away as Lucas steps beside Clarissa.

  This one’s from me to you…

  All the girls scream as he starts to sing. He grins that gorgeous grin of his as he plays a few extra bars while they quiet down. Then he looks right at me.

  Things were never easy for me and you.

  I was afraid, and you were too.

  People came between us,

  We let them keep us apart.

  But honestly, from the beginning, you stole my heart.

  Before you turned from brown to gold,

  Before that boy crushed your soul,

  You had me, beautiful girl.

  Because from the moment you first sang like an angel,

  I fell madly in love with you…

  The screams erupt again. He bows his head, smiling as he strums. “Because, Hailey, I’m in love with you.”

  I gasp, leaping to my feet. “Lucas.”

  He hurries toward me as the crowd goes crazy. The screams are deafening as he leaps from the stage.

  Isaiah marches off.

  My gaze locks on Lucas as he pushes through to me. I can’t breathe. The other contestants force the security out of his way as he climbs over the seats to me. “Hailey—”

  “I love you too.” I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him.

  He fumbles to move the guitar onto his back, then locks his arms around me, kissing me fully. Lucas. I press against him, running my fingers through his hair on the back of his neck. His arm muscles clamp around me, and I resist the urge to name each one as it tightens, encompassing me with his love.

  Lucas.

  Then I realize it’s not just me saying his name in my head.

  “Lucas!”

  I snap back just in time to see Isaiah grab Lucas and punch him in the face.

  “Isaiah!” I grab his arm.

  Isaiah swings to me, grasping the back of my head. “I would have given it all up for you.”

  “No, you wouldn’t.” I stare firmly into his eyes. “I know everything you’ve done, even since we met. Every one of them.”

  His jaw tightens.

  “What a beautiful song!” Drusilla says loudly, clapping. “Come up here, boys, so we can finish the segment.”

  “I love you, Hailey,” Isaiah says, completely ignoring Drusilla. “Not him. He’s only doing it because I love you.”

  “No.” I push him off me. “You only think you do. If you did, you wouldn’t have slept with Jessica, Whitney, and Dr—”

  “And we are on commercial!” Drusilla practically yells. She scrambles from the judges’ seats with Lance trying to stop her. Her eyes are ablaze as she hurries toward me. She flicks off her mic, checks no one is filming, then checks Isaiah’s mic is off too. She leans in close. “You would do well to keep your mouth shut, sweetheart. Let’s keep this show focused on that sweet, romantic gesture your little boyfriend just did, hmm?”

  My chest rises and falls as my fight struggles to the surface. How dare she attack me! I’m not the one screwing around with contestants half my age! I grit my teeth, preparing to say something, until Jeff catches my attention. His palms are down, motioning from behind Lance and Steven to stay calm. This isn’t the moment to reveal all. Not yet.

  I turn my gaze away, stepping back from both of them.

  “No.” Vanessa pushes up beside me, pointing at Drusilla. “I demand to know what’s going on. Did you sleep with Isaiah?”

  “Don’t be absurd!” Drusilla folds her arms. “I’m a married woman. I have children his age.”

  Oh, that makes it so much grosser.

  “Enough.” Steven’s voice over the speakers gives me chills. “This is getting out of hand. Security, remove Drusilla.”

  “What?” She swings around to him, wide-eyed.

  Security rushes at her, dragging her away.

  He stares at me, his lips pursed. “Miss Becker, you better be careful what you say or you’ll get your ass handed to you in court. People don’t take kindly to slander.”

  The crowd is silent.

  I grit my teeth. I’m not afraid of him anymore. He deserves what’s coming.

  “Hailey.” Isaiah grabs my shoulders again, swinging me around to face him. “I swear to you, if you give me a chance—”

  “Oh, give it up.” Vanessa shoves his chest. “You’ve lost, slut. Now move on.”

  “Harsh,” I say softly.

  She shrugs, folding her arms.

  I glance around. “Where’s Lucas?”

  Isaiah steps closer to me, blocking my search. “Who cares?”

  I glare up at him.

  “I’m here.” Lucas’s voice comes from below us. He grins up from the chair beside mine, holding his nose. “Sorry, Isaiah can pack a punch when he wants to. Nosebleed.”

  “Lucas!” I sit beside him, resting my hand over his as he holds a tissue under his nose.

  He looks into my eyes. “Don’t you have something you need to do?”

  “Lucas, you’re hurt.” I stroke his forehead.

  “Yeah, it’s nothing.” He grins. “The show must go on, right? You need to perform.”

  “Get back on the stage!” a producer yells. “We can’t keep this commercial break going forever!”

  Lucas takes a deep breath and stands, still holding his nose. “No, the best is yet to come.” He looks at Isaiah.

  Isaiah stands taller, snarling.

  Lucas lowers his hand, sta
ring him dead in the eyes. “Right, kid. Get your ass up on that stage. You’ve made your point, now stop messing around.”

  Isaiah turns red. “Don’t talk to me like that!”

  “Mmm. Well, do you remember what Dad used to say about life kicking you in the pants?”

  Isaiah slumps. “You had to bring that up.”

  Lucas tilts his head toward the stage. “We’ve got issues, yeah, but they need us.”

  Isaiah looks to his younger brothers and sisters, all watching in a huddle. He lets out a gush of air. “Yeah. Okay.”

  The brothers return to the stage together. My jaw practically hits the floor. It’s that easy? What the crap?

  Several crew members check Lucas for evidence of his bloody nose before the family lines up again. No one turns Isaiah’s mic back on.

  They bring the show out of the commercial with a bright sign saying ‘APPLAUSE.’ Everyone claps, but the tension is high. It’s apparent something unspoken is going on.

  The three remaining judges give an excuse for Drusilla’s absence, laughing it off, before going into their praise for the performance. Steven hands out a stock response. “Good luck, you sound great.” Lance leans forward with a smile.

  “I loved it. It’s rare we get an original piece in the finals. Who wrote it?”

  Lucas raises his hand and Clarissa wraps an arm around his waist.

  “Of course. And you, Lucas,” Lance waves a finger at him. “You’ve been holding out on us all season. What a voice!”

  The girls in the audience scream their agreement.

  Lance laughs. “You too, Clarissa. A family full of talent right here. None of you should ever be too shy to shine.”

  Clarissa giggles as Lucas gazes down at her proudly. I touch my heart, proud of her myself.

  Jeff then speaks. “I agree with Lance. You guys are going places. If you don’t win tonight, after all this support…”

  The crowd roars.

  Steven leans back, folding his arms.