Page 161 of Debts and Desires
“Hi there, is this Emmy?” Zac Belmont’s cool voice greeted.
“It is.”
“Awesome. This is Zac Belmont again. How are you?”
How was I? I could’ve started laughing like a maniac. Instead,
I settled with, “I’m okay. How are you?”
“Superb, thank you! So, I was calling to figure out when a good time for you would be to go over everything.”
“What?”
“For the contest?” He paused, but I didn’t say anything, still unsure what he meant. He let out a soft chuckle. “Surely you’ve been keeping up with your progress?”
“I haven’t,” I laughed a little. “I’ve kept myself busy so I wouldn’t get too anxious.”
It wasn’t entirely a lie. But I’d been so preoccupied with everything that I forgot about it.
“That makes sense. I don’t think I’d be able to do that. So good on ya. Well, I guess you haven’t heard that you’ve moved up to the top two.” I let out a sharp exhale.
“Seriously?” My voice cracked with pride.
“Seriously, sweetheart. Which means you and I get to work on your final song. I also work with the other half of the top two contestants; Chels. You’re both given the same amount of time and access to both me and the resources needed to create what could be your debut song. Once you guys get them done, we release them and the people vote.”
He continued to talk, but I wasn’t hearing him anymore. So many emotions thrummed throughout my body. I was excited, nervous, happy, and sad. I wanted to share the news with Carter, but I couldn’t. Zac must’ve known I was in my head because he laughed.
“Sorry, love. I’m probably overwhelming you with details.”
“A little,” I admitted, snapping back to the present. “But I don’t mind.”
“No worries. How about this? I’ll have my assistant call you after the new year to set everything up. Sound good?”
“Yes, absolutely.”
“Awesome. You start hammering out a new song or two. We’ll talk soon.”
“Sure thing.”
“Awesome. Bye, Emmy.”
“Bye, Mr. Belmont.”
My hands were shaking, and the room was spinning again. I made it to the toilet just in time to get sick. Any bit of excitement had my nerves—and my stomach—in knots. Actually, if I breathed the wrong way, I’d feel sick.
Once feeling better, I worked on the song that wouldn’t leave my mind alone. It was coming together, but there were pieces I couldn’t figure out. It basically looked like a list of bad poetry lines. I worked at it until well into the night, heading to bed before my roommates got back.
The next morning,I waited until I heard Mia in the kitchen. She was sluggish, putting coffee grounds into the coffee pot grumbling about, “Never partying with you again.” Cal was sitting at the island, smirking, saying, “Sure, you won’t.” He didn’t look tired or hungover in the least bit.
I was patient, letting Mia get some of the caffeine in her system before I proudly announced I was in the final round.
I’m pretty sure the announcement cured Mia’s hangover because she was up, jumping and squealing as she hugged me.
“I knew you would! You’re going to win! I know you are!” Cal was up out of his stool, coming to hug me as well with his congratulations. It was wonderful, but they weren’t who I wanted to tell. And it ate at me.
65. NEVER FORGET YOUR NAME
January 10
