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“Sshh.” I glance around to make sure no one heard him. Luckily, we’re alone. “You’re biased.”
“No, I’m honest.” He pulls me close and tips my chin up, so I have no choice but to look into his eyes. “I know fucking talent when I hear it, and you’re fucking talented.” He kisses me hard, and I barely have time to pull myself together before Kyle’s last song ends.
“That’s my cue.”
“Go kick some fucking ass.” Malice kisses me one more time. “I’ll be out front.”
Kyle is interacting with the audience, and when he announces our duet, I step out from behind the curtain. The stage lights blind me for a moment as I walk to my microphone and lift it from its stand. The crowd quiets down, and the music starts to fill the lounge.
I look out into the crowd, finding Malice easily, and our gazes lock. Instantly, my nerves settle, and I begin to do what I do best: sing.
The duet with Kyle and my set pass by in a flash, and the crowd erupts into cheers when I’m done. I bow before making my way backstage.
Mara, Sydney, and Kyle are waiting and immediately usher me back to one of the larger dressing rooms. We’re all congratulating each other when Malice steps through the doorway and sweeps me up in his arms.
“You were fucking perfect,” he whispers.
“Knock, knock.” In unison, our heads swing to see Amelia entering the room with a gentleman in a suit. “Everyone, I’d like you to meet Tim Larson. Tim, this is Apple, Kyle, Mara, and Sydney,” she introduces, pointing to each of us in turn.
“Tim Larson… as in TL Records, Tim Larson?” Kyle asks, shaking Tim’s hand.
“That’d be me.” Tim smiles and moves around the room to shake everyone else’s hands.
“It’s an honor to meet you,” I say when he gets to me.
“You as well.” He grins. “You have a very interesting name, Apple.”
“It fits her.” Malice offers his hand, and Tim takes it, nodding his head in agreement. “I’m Malice, Apple’s boyfriend.”
My eyes widen, and my insides melt.
Boyfriend… I like the sound of that.
“Lucky guy,” Tim says before focusing on the singers in the room. “That was a fabulous performance all of you put on.” He unbuttons his jacket. “Why don’t we all sit for a moment so I can tell you why I’m here?”
We all find a seat, and I clutch Malice’s hand for support. This is either going to be my ticket to fame, or a huge letdown.
“What can we do for you?” Mara speaks up first after sitting in the chair across from me.
“I’m looking for new talent, and you all have that spark I’m looking for. I want to fly you all out to LA and see how you sound with a full studio behind you. You’ll create a demo, and if all goes well, we can discuss possible contracts with my label.”
“Oh my God!” Sydney screeches.
“All of us?” Kyle asks.
“All of you will do a test demo, yes, but I can’t guarantee each of you a contract. It depends on how you sound,” Tim elaborates. “Can you all be available to fly out on Tuesday?” We all nod our heads simultaneously. “Great, my assistant will call you all individually tomorrow and make the arrangements.” He stands and buttons his jacket. “I’ll see you all Tuesday.”
We wait until the dressing room door closes behind him and Amelia before we all start screaming and talking at once.
“I can’t believe that just happened,” Mara cries.
“Oh my God, oh my God,” Sydney repeats over and over.
“We fucking did it!” Kyle booms.
“I’m dreaming. This is a dream.” I bounce from foot to foot. “Someone pinch me.” Malice does exactly that, and my ass stings. I stop bouncing around to rub the spot and glare at him. “What the fuck?”
Malice smirks.
