I stared in a daze at where John’s fingers had been laced with mine. He pulled away—but didn’t move back. Instead, he leaned forward, handing a piece of paper to Charlene.
“What’s happening?” I heard myself ask.
Charlene scanned the page with a concerned look, her gaze flicking between John and Elaine.
“Has this been discussed?” she asked.
He nodded. “The rest of the board saw the proof this morning.”
Charlene readjusted her glasses.
I tugged on John’s sleeve. “What’s going on?”
He simply folded his hands on the table and smiled. I could’ve punched him.
Finally, Charlene spoke, her voice cutting cleanly through the quiet.
“I’ve just received notice that one of our writers has broken the rules and is therefore being disqualified.”
Disqualified.
The word echoed in my brain, colliding with the roaring in my ears. Around us, people started shouting questions.
Panic bloomed inside me—sharp and expanding like a black hole.What did I do?Had I broken a rule?
But Charlene didn’t look at me. No security came over. No one dragged me from the room.
She turned to Elaine. “I’m sorry, but the competition ends for you today.”
A tidal wave of outrage rolled through Elaine’s Army. Phones tracking every second. Voices rose.
I felt John lean into me, heat radiating from him. “They found camera footage of her stealing your laptop,” he said.
Oh.OH.Thatbitch.
“Does that mean—?” I turned to him.
“You’ll be stuck with me a little longer,” he said.
His grin could’ve outshone the stage lights.
“That was close,” Otis said, wrapping me in a hug before pressing a champagne flute into my hand.
“I could’ve done without the drama,” I muttered, sipping. After quickly explaining to Jeremy and May why Elaine had been removed from the competition, the four of us found ourselves backstage. Somehow, Otis had managed to charm his way in—still not sure how.
“John will be a while,” Jeremy said, catching my gaze.
I felt caught.
“How ’bout we grab some food?” May suggested.
Jeremy nodded, straightening his bowtie.
“Excellent idea,” Otis said, linking his arm through mine. “What better way to celebrate you being awesome than making new friends?”
His cheeky grin flicked from me to Jeremy—who blushed harder.
“Do we really have time before the show?” I nudged Otis, desperate to get out of my heels and away from the crowd. My ideal night now involved comfy bathrobes, a mini bar, and an uninterrupted episode ofDrag Race.
