Apparently, Anna could too. Her response was, You’re a star. Always have been, always will be.
Not able to help myself, I typed back, Your tits look amazing in that top.
Proving that she was the exact right woman for me, she texted back, You should see what they look like without it.
Jesus. I started getting hard just thinking about it. I hadn’t had an orgasm in so long, I almost forgot what they felt like. Hopefully that was something I was could rectify soon. But first…
“Griffin Hancock?” I looked over to see a PA standing in the doorway that led to the judges’ room. “They’re ready for you.”
My palms instantly got so clammy, it was like I’d stepped into a sauna. The rest of my body was sticky and sweaty too, and I had an almost uncontrollable urge to hop in a shower before I walked through those doors. There was no time though. This was my now-or-never moment.
My heart was pounding in my ears as I stood up, and all of my words of wisdom to Liam failed me. What if they say no? was vibrating through my brain. What if I don’t even make the show? A voice buried deep inside was screaming at me to listen to it, but my doubts were roaring so loud, the shrill words were hard to hear. It took a lot of self-control, but I silenced the fear so I could listen to the spark of hope trying to break out. And when the rumble of discontent was quieted to a gurgle, I finally heard it.
You are a fucking rock star. Own this shit.
Following the PA, I burst through the double doors like I was greeting the adoring fans back at Pete’s. I am the walrus.
The hallway to the judges’ room was dramatically lit up with giant spotlights shining down on the floor, and a camera guy on the far end was filming every step of my walk toward victory. Keeping my chin up, I ignored the man who was hoping to see me crack. I wasn’t going to crack.
The door to the judges’ room was opened for me, and I strolled right to the table. When I got in front of Matt, Evan, and Kellan, I stood with my feet slightly apart and my hands clasped behind my back—a position of confidence, but also a position of respect. I wanted them to see I’d changed.
Kellan was smiling at me. Evan too. Matt’s face was blank, and for some reason, it really bothered me to see him that way. I was tired of this ongoing feud between us. We’d always managed to patch things up before, but lately…
Kellan leaned over the table, examining me. “So…Griffin Hancock. You think you have what it takes to be a D-Bag? Think you can handle the workload? It’s not all fun and games, you know?”
I smirked at him. I knew better than anyone what the job entailed. I also knew how much of a slacker I’d been before. Like a lazy asshole, I had ridden their fame to the top. Well, not this time. Returning to a neutral expression, I told him, “I will work my ass off for this show, and for this band. I know this is a group effort, and…I want to be on the team. I want to do my part. I will do my part…I promise.”
I lifted an eyebrow, so they would truly understand me. I didn’t make promises, and they knew that. But I was making one now. I would do this, and I would do it to the best of my ability. I couldn’t afford to be a slacker anymore.
The three guys shared a long look with each other, and I nervously swallowed as doubt threatened to resurface. Please say yes, please give me a chance. Matt was the one who finally turned from the others to look at me. “Griffin…I don’t know how to say this…” My heart filled with dread, the sound was a booming gong in my ear. Matt crooked a smile. “You’re in. Congratulations.”
My relief left me in a shaky exhale. “You fucking assholes,” I said with a laugh.
Matt laughed, along with Evan and Kellan, and seeing their humor brightened my spirits more than being allowed on the show. We could fix this. We could fix us. All I had to do was win.
Chapter 26
We Can’t All Win
A PA led me from the judges’ room to the winners’ room. He put a hand on the door to open it and I held my breath. Please let Liam be in there too. The door swept opened and a roar of cheer met my ears as I stepped in. People were clapping me on the back, congratulating me, and someone handed me a drink as I scanned the crowd. When I spotted Liam striding my way, I let out another sigh of relief. He’d made it too. Good.
He tackled me in a bear hug when he joined me, almost spilling my beer. “Can you believe it, Griff? We both made it!”
Even though I was buzzing with energy and excitement, I gave him a nonchalant shrug after we pulled apart. “That shouldn’t surprise you. I told you we would, and as you know, I’m always right.”
He slugged my shoulder and we both started laughing.
While diligent crew members recorded everyone’s reactions to making the “team,” I noticed something strange near the doors. Sam had just walked in. Looking like an imposing fortress of bone-crushing muscle, he searched the room. When his eyes fell on me and he started heading my way, my stomach leaped into my throat. Was it the guys? Had they changed their mind about me?
I clenched my fingers into fists to stop them from shaking. Emotionless, Sam stepped in front of me and said, “Someone wants to see you outside.”
My heart sank. “It’s Matt, isn’t it? He’s still pissed at me, and he changed his mind, didn’t he?” Sam didn’t respond one way or the other and I sighed. Yep. Matt had changed his mind. Turning to Liam, I told him, “I have a bad feeling about this…If this goes south, and the guys kick me out, it’s up to you to represent the Hancock name, okay?”