Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 53466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
The men shake hands, and I can’t get over how different they are in both build and stature. Michael isn’t a bad-looking man, but he isn’t my type, and he is small compared to Ben’s more muscular frame.
And where Ben is secure in himself, Michael is flashy in his designer suits and the gold Rolex he shows off by constantly rolling his dress shirt sleeves to put it on full display. Added to that, he drives a vintage Rolls Royce and makes sure everyone knows it. But he is a top agent, and that’s all that matters from a client’s perspective.
“Are you ready?” Michael asks me with a wink. “Stiff competition.” He gestures toward Tawny.
“I can handle it,” I assure him.
“Good. I like a good competition.” He walks away, onward to do his thing.
Ben scowls after him. “I don’t like him,” he mutters.
“He’s pompous but harmless.”
“So just to go over today’s scheduling,” the producer of the show says, interrupting us. “You’ll be interviewed and perform immediately after. Tawny is up first. Break a leg,” he says, clasping her forearm before walking away, pulling out his phone as he leaves the room.
I blow out a disappointed breath.
“What’s wrong?” Ben asks, perceptive to my sudden mood shift.
“Going second means I can’t set the bar high. I have to surpass whatever bar Tawny sets.” I roll my shoulders, pulling in a deep breath and willing myself to relax. “It’ll be fine,” I say, trying to convince myself.
Because Tawny is many things I don’t like, but she is definitely talented, and I would much rather put the pressure on her than vice versa.
Before Ben can reply, a woman with a clipboard strides into the room. “Tawny, you’re up.”
Tawny turns and heads for the door, stopping by me. Her blonde curls bounce around her face, and she pastes on her patented fake smile.
“Hi, Summer.”
“Tawny.”
The other woman’s gaze shifts to Ben. “Well, I’ll be damned. Ben Hollander. That’s who they assigned as your bodyguard?” She shakes her head in disbelief.
“I’d say it’s a pleasure, but I’d be lying,” Ben says.
“Right. Because Summer thinks I’m the one who outed your affair.”
Ben raises an eyebrow. He has no idea what I believe because I never shared my opinion with him, thinking the hows and whys no longer matter. Tawny has a long memory, and she likes to stir up trouble.
“Did you?” Ben asks.
“You’ll never know,” she says and turns to me, her gaze raking me over from head to toe. “Nice outfit. You think biker chic will appeal to America?” she asks with disdain.
The friends behind her giggle at the not-too-subtle dig. Tawny opted for a softer lacey look, her entire outer appearance at odds with the hard, ambitious girl on the inside.
“I think America will appreciate good music,” I say, never quite having the right comeback for the other woman’s bitchiness.
“Whatever you say. I’m going to kick ass.” She flips her hair and strides off.
I glance at Ben, who is holding up the wall beside me, taking in everyone and everything around him. “She’s something else,” I murmur.
“She’s a bitch,” Ben says.
Ever since the staged cat fight at Star Power, Tawny has done little to hide her desire to get ahead or her mean-girl side. I figure it was my own naiveté—and the fact that I rarely had exposure to cliques and girls with attitude because I was homeschooled and was too busy performing—that prevented me from seeing Tawny for who she was the first time we met.
Live and learn.
Ben pushes himself off the wall and, towering over me, grasps my shoulders. “This is what you do best. Your strength is performing, and you will be the one who kicks ass.” He meets my gaze and winks at me, a sparkle in his usually intense eyes, his not-so-subtle way of reinforcing that no matter what had happened between us, he believes in my talent.
At this moment in time, with a morning show audience awaiting me, I’ll take his confidence and tuck it away inside me.
* * *
Ben
On the screen in the Green Room, I watch with Summer as Tawny rocks her moment on TV. As much as I want to reassure Summer that she doesn’t have a big shadow to live up to, that would be a lie. I still know she can nail her performance and make a huge impression.
I prefer to do my job and keep my distance, but it is hard when she doesn’t have anyone in her corner except for me. I didn’t miss the longing in her expression when she saw Tawny’s entourage, and I wonder why her parents aren’t here to support their daughter. They barely left her alone back during the Star Power days. Although I was curious enough to ask, I know she needs to be focused on her upcoming stage time, and I don’t want to upset her even more.