Page 77 of Play Maker

Surprise ricocheted through me, but I should have realized the big-name music producer would be one of the judges. She’d be working with the winning act, after all.

Lacey cocked her head, studying me. “I have to say…I’m impressed by the amount of work you put into this with your school and practice schedule.”

“Thank you, but it was a shared effort with my partner, Alex.”

She glanced behind me, nodding. “I understand there was a video component of your performance.”

I could feel Alex’s eyes burning a hole into the back of my head. “We decided we didn’t need it.”

The other people at the table, two ladies and two guys, shared relieved looks. Not a guarantee my plan would have failed, but not a good sign either. I definitely owed Blue an apology and an abundance of sexual favors.

“Excellent, if you’re ready—”

A clatter from the darkness behind the judges interrupted Lacey, followed by a quiet curse I’d recognize anywhere.

“Eva?” I shaded my eyes from the bright spotlight and peered into the shadows.

The judges all turned around to look while Lacey motioned for the house lights to come up. Behind me, Alex snorted out a laugh as the disturbance became obvious. Taking over the center back row, my roommates, Eva, and my girlfriend started hooting and screaming.

I couldn’t take my eyes off Blue, jumping up and down, smiling, helping Noah hold a ridiculous pink glitter sign with my name on it.

She blew me a kiss and mouthedmiss me?

They came. My crew came. I grinned and tapped my chest over my heart. I’d been blessed with the best family in the world back home, one of the reasons I wanted so badly to take care of them, but the one I’d found here at TU was just as special.

Lacey turned to address the spectators. “I understand this is a special favor, but please be quiet while we’re in session. Otherwise, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”

Everyone settled down except Eva, who let out one last shout. If Lacey could deal with this kind of chaos, we’d work well together. She shook her head and signaled for the lights to be lowered again, but she hadn’t lost her smile.

After a few more formalities, including Alex finally introducing himself, Lacey gave us the go ahead. I stepped up to the mic and waited for the music to start. Three songs, now or never.

* * *

When the last beat faded,the judges applauded, and so did our rowdy row in the back. I inclined my head in a little bow and shared a smile with Alex over my shoulder. We’d crushed it. I’d left my soul on the stage—I couldn’t do better—and I was proud of what we’d made.

There was always the chance the other finalists were better. Strangely, I was okay with that. If this wasn’t my time, I’d keep pushing and working until it was.

Lacey stood and approached the stage. “Well done. You should be proud of yourselves. We need to tabulate the scores and discuss—”

She stopped mid-sentence and sighed, which I saw but couldn’t hear thanks to the noise my friends were making. When the ruckus didn’t subside, Lacey turned, stuck two fingers in her mouth, and let out a piercing whistle.

She pointed at my cheering section. “You. Out. Wait for them in the lobby.”

I caught Blue’s eyes, and she pressed her lips together to contain her smile as they filed out. Even Eva, who’d no doubt organized the whole thing. Lacey waited until the door closed after them to continue.

“We need to tabulate the scores and discuss the options, but I think I can confidently say I’ll be seeing more of you both. The competition organizer will announce the winners in the next twenty-four hours.”

“Thank you, Ms. Duvall.”

Alex echoed my statement, and she grinned.

“Call me Lacey.”

I thought he might swoon. Just in case, I dropped an arm over his shoulders and walked him between the seats to the door. When my fingers closed over the handle, I hissed a little at the movement.

Now that the adrenaline had worn off, my hand ached. I needed to ice it, and maybe see the trainer just in case. Coach would probably give me the disappointed look I hated, but I’d take it this time. He’d find out why soon enough because I had no doubt Shad would try to follow through on his threat to get me suspended.

I laughed to myself.Good luck, asshole.

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