Page 51 of Spark

Kendrick’s got his phone in hand now, too. “So is mine.” We both start swiping and discover the same thing: Our kiss from last night has gone viral. In fact, it’s breaking a certain corner of the internet.

My heart racing, I crawl onto the bed next to Kendrick, and we watch different versions of the same video on his phone, all of them featuring last night’s kiss. In some of the clips, the original audio of the moment is used, and Cooper’s godawfulsong is blaring in the background. In others, people have posted the video with new audio overlaid: the precise moment in the song where Cooper sings, “Why do you want to fuck your brother?”

“Looks like they’ve decided I’m the guy in the song,” Kendrick says with a nervous laugh.

I rub my forehead, feeling out of sorts. I remember kissing Kendrick last night, of course, but I was so drunk, I don’t remember the details of it—the physical sensations of the kiss. Mostly, I remember seeing Rex’s phone trained on me and wanting to take control of the narrative. Frankly, that’s the overriding memory I’ve got from that shocking moment. But somewhere in there, if only briefly, I’m pretty sure I also remember thinking, “This is one hell of a kiss.”

“I’m sorry, Kendrick,” I murmur.

“For what?”

“For kissing you without your consent. For dragging you into this without consulting you first.”

Kendrick chuckles. “I was more than happy to be of service. And how could you have asked me? You had to make a game-time decision, and that’s what you did.”

He swipes, and we watch another version of the same video, this one featuring a talking head influencer who walks the viewer through the “tea” about the supposed “love triangle” between Cooper, Kendrick, and me.

“I’m sure Cooper’s seen it by now,” Kendrick says. “Your plan worked like a charm.”

I snicker. “The kiss is Cooper’s worst nightmare. I guarantee you, he’s now convinced I was secretly screwing you behind his back the whole time.”

Kendrick smirks. “Good. Let him think that.” His phone buzzes, and he looks down. “Eli wants you to call him. He says you’re not replying to any of his texts or calls, and he needs to talk to you urgently.”

“Shit. Do you think he’s upset about the viral video for some reason?”

“I highly doubt it.”

“He’s never needed to talk to me urgently before. I hope it’s not bad news.”

“Only one way to find out, babe.”

“Will you call him and explain the video for me, just in case? I have to pee. Tell him I’ll be right out.”

Before he responds, I hurtle into the bathroom to do my thing. And by the time I come out, Kendrick has Eli on speakerphone, and it seems pretty clear Eli’s not in any kind of distress.

“She’s here,” Kendrick announces.

“Hey, Eli.”

“Hey, Ruby Duby. I’ve got some great news for you that comes with some not-so-great news. On balance, though, I think you’ll feel it’s a great opportunity.” He pauses for dramatic effect. “Ruby,Sing Your Heart Outwants you to be Laila’s guest mentor this season.”

My heart stops. “What? Oh my gosh, Eli!”

“Congratulations, sweetheart. You deserve this.”

I squeal and hug Kendrick sitting next to me . . . until I remember there’s some not-so-great news that’s coming next. “So, what’s the catch?”

Eli exhales loudly. “Cooper. They’ve already confirmed him as a guest mentor this season.”

“No.”

“Yeah, sorry. They bumped whoever they had lined up for Jon Stapleton to offer him the gig. Also, brace yourself; they’re giving APM a performance slot in the finale.”

“Fuck. To perform ‘Don’t Call Me?’”

“What else?”

“Fuck, fuck, fuck. So, if I do this, I’d have to interact with him on Mentor Day?”

---