Falling Stars

by Tanya Stowe

  “Here we go.” Amanda’s whispered, wishful tone reflected Sunny’s own feelings. This first taping would tell them how the panel would work. Sunny had a lot riding on the show, professionally, and personally.

  Their charismatic announcer, Jordan Michaels, said Jackson’s name and the audience went wild, screaming and cheering. Many of the women leapt to their feet.

  Jackson entered from behind Sunny and Amanda. As he passed, he gave Sunny’s arm a squeeze.

  She wanted to hang on, to grip his hand and squeeze back, but he was already gone, passing by her and into the action.

  The audience cheered even louder as he walked into the spotlights. Jackson waved toward each corner of the room before taking his seat.

  The show’s host announced the two women judges, Mariana Cortelain and Jody Highland, both pop stars with current hits on the charts. The audience clapped and cheered but not with half the enthusiasm they’d shown Jackson.

  Then the host announced Brody. The crowd went wild again. Brody walked from behind them again, this time on the opposite side of Sunny. He paused and placed his hand on the small of her back.

  Surprised, Sunny turned.

  “Wish me good luck, Sunshine.”

  She smiled and said the words. Before she finished, Brody leaned in to kiss her cheek. She tilted it up, but he leaned even closer, placing his lips at the corner of her mouth in such an intimate gesture, Sunny gasped with surprise.

  Frozen, she dared not look around, certain that everyone on the crew had just witnessed his public show of affection. She pushed her mic up above her head and spoke low for Amanda’s ears only. “What just happened?”

  Amanda covered her mic with her hand and shook her head. “Sheesh. Do you have to ask? You’ve got everything. Looks. Personality. Brains. Even the stars fall for you.”

  Sunny swallowed. “Brody isn’t falling for me. He just likes to play.”

  “That didn’t look like play to me. It looked pretty serious from where I stood. Obviously, something’s changed. He’s not happy with what’s going on.”

  “What is going on?”

  “Come on, Sunny. You’d have to be blind not to see the way you and Jackson look at each other. Everyone’s talking about it.”

  Sunny closed her eyes. Rumors. Everyone talking. Next it would show up in the gossip papers. Front page news. Her heart sank. Any hope she and Jackson had of a healthy relationship just went out the window. Paparazzi would start following them, taking pictures of their every move, and those pictures would be on the cover of the magazines in grocery stores. Talk would fly. Everyone would be in their business and her potential as a viable investment would be over. Hollywood execs didn’t finance women they considered unreliable, and in spite of all the changing cultural morals, newlyweds, and possibly pregnant women, were still high on that list.

  The audience burst into applause and drew Sunny out of her head. She’d completely missed what just happened. Maybe the execs were right to consider her unreliable. The first taping, and here she was mooning over her personal life. Biting her lip, she pulled down her mic and tuned in to the chatter on the headset.

  Apparently, Brody had just shot a critical zinger at Jackson. Not a serious comment, just a little shot that got the crowd’s attention.

  Jackson took it like a pro. Even smiled.

  Jordan Michaels cruised right over the comment, smiling and introducing the first contestant.

  Brittany got through her whole song without a break.

  Sunny heaved a sigh of relief.

  Brittany was a singer at heart and although her performance wasn’t great, it would do a lot for her confidence. Then all the judges gave her positive feedback—another shot in the arm for the young singer.

  Completely tuned into her work now, Sunny was glad to see Brody and Jackson giving honest feedback on the next few contestants, even agreeing.

  Jackson’s zinger about Brody’s last song falling off the charts surprised her.

  Brody smiled and agreed. “Yeah, some country hick’s mournful melody pushed it right off.”

  The audience laughed, and Jackson tipped his head. The rest of the show their banter shot back and forth with just enough bite in their words to keep the audience—and Sunny—guessing. Were they serious or just providing great entertainment?

  She didn’t take a normal breath until Jordan invited the audience to tune in tomorrow for the results and signed off.

  The applause was overwhelming as her stars exited the platform.

  Once beyond the bright lights, Jackson and Brody made eye contact and nodded, then parted ways, each going to their own dressing rooms, completely bypassing Sunny.

  She reached up and pulled off her headset with shaking fingers. The show was a success, but she wasn’t sure how much of this kind of success she could handle.

  Amanda pulled off her headset. “Well, that was interesting.”

  Sunny couldn’t even respond.

  Amanda quirked an eyebrow in her direction. “Shall I tell the team to meet in your office?”

  Sunny usually did a short wrap-up meeting after a day of shooting, but today, she simply didn’t have the energy. “No. It’s been a long day. We’ll touch bases at eight tomorrow.”

  “Right. Will do.” Amanda slid the headset back on.

  Ignoring the questioning tone Amanda had managed to insert in her response, Sunny turned and made her way off the sound stage and across the lot to her office without incident. Now if she could just get home without anyone stopping her…

  Her cell phone waited on her desk with a text from Jackson, asking if they could have lunch together tomorrow. No. Not now. Not here at work. Maybe never. She closed her eyes and gathered her thoughts. Then she typed out a response saying she had too much to do. Another time.

  She needed to get out of here. She absolutely had to have time to think, to pray and reassess. Tucking her phone in her purse, she jammed her computer in the bag and flipped off the light. She nodded to a few people as she headed down the hall, but for the most part, tried not to slow or talk. She’d almost made it out the door when Brody called her name. Closing her eyes, she halted and waited for him to catch up.

  “Hey, Sunshine, what’s the rush?”

  “I’m tired, Brody. I could use a good-night’s rest.” She glanced back to see a large group of employees walking toward them.

  Brody threw a casual arm around her shoulder.

  She longed to throw it off but dreaded garnering more attention than the simple gesture deserved.

  “At least you’ll have sweet dreams. I’d say tonight’s show went pretty well.”

  “Yes, it did. But I doubt I’ll have sweet dreams.” She started toward the door again but he held her back.

  “Why?”

  She looked at his hand gripping her shoulder. He released her and she turned to face him but lowered her voice. “Do you really need to ask? I don’t appreciate being used.”

  “Used? Is that what you think?”

  “What am I supposed to think, Brody? We’ve been friends for a while now. I admit we’ve had some banter, but your little ‘almost’ kiss caught everyone’s attention, and I don’t need more rumors circulating. The last thing I want is to be put right in the middle of your on-air battles with Jackson. I thought I made it clear that I won’t be a plaything…not in your love life or in your publicity stunts.”

  “That’s not what I intended.” Brody glanced down the hall at the group who’d grown suspiciously quiet. Brody turned her toward the door, looping her arm through his. “Come on. I’ll walk you to your car.”

  Sunny went with him, somewhat stiffly until they stood just outside her car.

  The group had dispersed to their own vehicles.

  Brody and Sunny were alone, even if they were in full view of every window of the seven-story office building.

  Brody stepped close and gripped her fingertips. “Look, that kiss wasn’t intentional. It just happened. I’ve missed you, and I
didn’t just want a peck on the cheek. I’m nothing if not impulsive. It was wrong. I should have had this talk with you first, but I guess my feelings surprised me, too. I always thought we had something special between us.”

  Sunny cocked a hand on her hip. “The only thing special between us, Brody Bodine, is the fact that I’m one of the few women to have ever told you no.”

  He grinned. “That’s true. And that’s what made you special. And it’s true that most of my talk is just that…talk.”

  She shook her head and focused on the windows just above his shoulder. “You can’t tell me your change of feelings has nothing to do with the fact that Jackson has joined the show.”

  He shrugged. “I don’t deny he has a lot to do with it, but not in the way you’re thinking. I just…” He sighed and looked into the distance. “You’re important to me, Sunny. I didn’t realize how important until you weren’t there. You make me laugh and keep me guessing. You light up the room when you walk in.”

  His words caught Sunny off guard, mainly because she’d just had the same thoughts about Jackson. And, to be fair, it was true that she and Brody had always enjoyed a fun, solid relationship.

  He squeezed her fingers. “I missed you. I realize you and Maise have something going on.”

  She started to deny it, but Brody held up his hand. “It doesn’t matter. I’m not trying to get in the way. I just…” He looked away again. Sunny couldn’t remember ever seeing him quite so flustered. “Honest relationships are hard to come by, especially for a guy like me.”

  His words struck Sunny in the solar plexus. They were almost the exact same words Jackson had used to describe his situation.

  “I just want the chance to find out if what we have could be the real thing. I don’t want to look back and think I missed my chance, you know?”

  “I don’t think…”

  “Please. I’m just asking for a little more time. A date…one date to see if there’s something there or if we’re really just friends.”

  Sunny was pretty sure she already knew the answer. Brody didn’t set off sparks and make her feel like she’d just come home when she was in his arms. Only one man had ever done that. And that one man was more than she could handle right now. She started to shake her head again, but she just didn’t have the energy to say no to Brody’s pleading words and earnest expression.

  “I’ll think about it.”

  “Great. Thanks.” He lifted her fingertips and kissed the backs of them. For Brody, it was a surprisingly tender gesture that confused her even more. He released her and stepped back.

  She opened her car door and slid in. As she pulled away she glanced in her rearview mirror and saw him still standing there. His fingers were tucked in his jeans. His sun-kissed hair was tousled in a typically sexy, smoldering Brody fashion, but he looked like a little boy who’d just been promised a sweet treat.

  Sunny couldn’t get away fast enough.

  ~*~

  Sunny slept poorly. She dreamt of Brody and his boyish looks. In the dream, she turned and walked away from him. Almost as if she had eyes in the back of her head, she saw his hurt expression. Over and over again, no matter how kind she tried to be, she kept hurting him in her dreams.

  Not many people ever saw Brody’s vulnerable side, but Sunny had. Two years ago one of his band mates, a best friend, overdosed. Brody had confided his pain and anguish to Sunny, and she had prayed with him. She thought nothing more about it. But perhaps it meant more to him than she thought. Maybe he spoke the truth when he said she meant something to him. Guilt washed over her in a new wave because she was certain what she felt for him was friendship.

  She crawled out of bed, tired and stiff. With a headache pounding away at her temples, she headed straight for her Bible. An hour of prayer eased her conscience, and she showered, determined to lay the issue in the Lord’s capable hands.

  As she eased onto the freeway, she prayed again. By the time she reached the office, she was ready to face the day with her usual smile in place.

  A text from Lee Stockard’s office made the smile disappear. He wanted to see her first thing this morning. Stifling a groan, she texted Amanda, asking her to postpone the team meeting until later and headed up the elevator to the head offices.

  Stockard’s secretary led Sunny straight in to see the executive. He was at his desk, with stacks of paper in front of him and deep in concentration. Sunny had heard that he often slept in his office. From the looks of it, he did. The smell of coffee floated toward her and she stifled a groan. She really needed the caffeine, but it was not to be. He didn’t offer, and the pot rested on a hot plate right behind him.

  Without preamble, he gestured to the computer. “Have you seen the ticket sales after our audience taping yesterday?”

  “No. Not yet.”

  “We’re sold out for the next two weeks and our website hits have doubled. Your show is the hottest ticket in town right now.”

  “Wow. That’s good to hear.” She couldn’t keep the questioning tone out of her statement. But if she was here in his office, it wasn’t so he could say “good job.”

  “This thing between Bodine and Maise, it’s strictly on-air antics, right?”

  “Yes. I think Brody planned the whole thing. He said it would be great for the show.”

  “He was right. That kid has a good sense for getting in the public eye.”

  Sunny nodded.

  Brody did have a knack for keeping public interest and seemed happiest when he was in the news.

  Stockard dropped his pen and made eye contact for the first time since she’d entered the room. “It’s your job to make sure it stays a publicity ploy. The last thing we want is a real battle between our stars, at least during Maise’s tenure on our show.”

  She nodded again. “They’ve both behaved like total professionals offstage and last night, they even agreed on some of their judging points. I don’t think it’ll be a problem.”

  Stockard folded his hands and focused his heavy-lidded gaze on her. “I’m not one to mince words, Sunny, so I’ll get right to the point. Gossip says there’s a thing going on between you and Maise.”

  Sunny didn’t know what to say. She stood there, feeling the floor had fallen out from underneath her. “We have…feelings for each other. Are you suggesting I should stop seeing Jackson?”

  He shook his head. “I’m telling you I don’t have a great opinion of on-set romances. They usually lead to trouble and you’ve already got a potential problem on your hands. The last thing you need is to have one of your stars feeling as if you’re showing favoritism.”

  That was true. She’d already felt the backlash from that particular situation.

  “I understand you have goals and direction. Prove you’re a smart girl with a future. Make sure both of your stars stay happy.” With that, he picked up his pen and went back to work. Sunny was dismissed.

  Still reeling, she left his office. She needed to think. To calm down and figure out Stockard’s subtext. With him there was always a subtext.

  Her team was already in her office, but she needed a moment. She punched the elevator for the lobby and headed to her car. Once inside, she dialed Toni Shiloh. If anyone knew the motives behind Stockard’s words, it would be her mentor.

  When Toni’s low voice echoed over the phone, tears blurred her eyes. She took a deep breath. She hadn’t made it this far in the business by breaking down every time someone gave her a harsh word. Obviously, she was off her mark in more ways than one. Maybe Stockard was right. On-set romances were trouble. She cleared her throat. “Hey, it’s Sunny. I just left Stockard’s office.” She relayed her conversation with the executive word for word, right to her dismissal without even a courteous good-bye.

  “Is he right, Toni? Am I causing damage to the show?”

  “It’s possible.” Toni’s words made Sunny’s heart sink. “But I’ve been around long enough to know that a romantic triangle would more than likely sell your show out fo
r the season. No, I think Stockard was issuing you a more personal warning. He’s old school, honey. All business, all the time. The man eats and breathes his work. He has no respect for anyone that doesn’t give as much as he does…especially a young girl whom he thinks got this far on her famous father’s name and by having a mentor in high places.”

  Sunny leaned her forehead on her steering wheel. “I thought I’d earned respect with the success of the show.”

  Toni’s chuckle was low and rich. “I’ve been in the business a lot longer than you, and I’m still fighting for respect.”

  Sunny’s thoughts ran ahead of her. “Can his bad opinion do any real damage? I mean, how could he impact my chances of starting my own production company?”

  Toni’s sigh echoed over the phone. “Stockard knows the money people. He could certainly make it harder on you. But that’s not the real problem. Stockard’s rough and hard, but he must like you. Otherwise he wouldn’t have taken the time to warn you. People are watching. You’ve proven you know the right steps to create a popular show, but can you handle the challenges peculiar to our industry? Performers’ egos are tricky things, Sunny, especially where their hearts are concerned. You need to step carefully.”

  Isn’t that the truth? She’d experienced it first hand in last night’s encounter with Brody.

  “I gotta run. I’ve got a bunch of people waiting for me.”

  “I’m sorry for holding you up, Toni.”

  “Don’t be. I’ll always make time for my best girl. You take care.”

  “Thanks. Love you.”

  “Love you too, sugar. Keep in touch.”

  “I will.”

  Toni rang off just as rain began to splatter Sunny’s windshield. As quickly as it started the shower stopped, leaving muddy tracks trailing down the window. Just like my life. Muddy and muddled. She sat for a long time, staring at the smears. People were waiting for her, counting on her to make the show a success, to be a good friend. She had responsibilities. This was no time to shirk her duty.

  Brody was her friend. He’d asked for a chance, for one date. She owed that to him. She punched his number into her phone. As soon as it came up, she texted. “You’re on. Let’s make a date.” Now she had to try and explain it to Jackson.