“Our name, even more impressive.” Billy laughs.

“Yeah, that’s nice, too,” I say and turn back to them. “Here is where you’ll sit. Notebook and pens already set up. I think the best way to do this is to use a star system of whatever you are most comfortable with to judge them. At the end, have a discussion, and today, you pick two acts. One has just today and tomorrow to prepare. Please keep in mind that they are representing you in a way.

“Nick is flying in as we speak and should be here by noon. Taelyn and Xavier asked for a live feed set up, but I assure you all today is your day to choose. Any questions?”

I see the man, Jonas, walking out of the back.

“Welcome to Stereo Live. Thank you for letting us host this unique opportunity. Which one of you is Sonya?”

“That would be me.” I wave.

He comes over and gives me a big hug and kiss on the cheek. “Nice to meet you in person. You ready for all this?”

I laugh because what else can you do? “Yeah. Actually, if the band is all set, we might be able to start sooner than expected.” I look back to see them all nod in agreement except Finn, whose arms are crossed over his chest, and his jaw is set like stone. I look back at Jonas.

“Can you give us about fifteen minutes so they can get set up?”

“Absolutely,” he says, and I walk toward the band.

Tally meets me half way. “What do I do?”

“I think you and I should meet the contestants at the door. Greet them ourselves, tweet a check in, tag the boys, and then show them to the table. Hopefully, we can get the guys to take a selfie with them and let the hopefuls tweet to them.”

“That’s a lot of tweeting.” She giggles.

I smile back. “That’s a lot of exposure for them.”

“Agreed. I know Memphis and Billy will. Not sure if we can get the other two to follow suit.” She smiles a sweet smile.

“I think, if Finn will, then River will, too.”

“You think?”

“Just a hunch. They seem close.”

“It’s all new to me,” she admits.

I start to apologize for our initial meeting. “Tally, I am really sorry about—”

“Me, too. I’m really not a purse-napper, but—”

“I was threatening to expose something. I didn’t even know what it was. I just knew what it could do for me, and I needed the money. I was only thinking of myself. I promise you that’s not who I am.”

“His past is his past. His today and his future are with me,” she says. “I really hope we can be friends.”

I look up to see Finn, and behind him is the rest of the band.

“We’re set.”

Tally reaches out and squeezes my hand, then looks at Memphis. “We need your help.”

“I’ll help you out anytime,” he replies, looking her over, “anyplace.”

“Good to know.” She laughs. “Finn, Billy, and River, we need you on board, too.”

“Anytime, anyplace, baby,” River says.

“I will fucking wreck you, little drummer boy,” Memphis growls at him, which makes me laugh.

“You, too, Sonya,” River continues. “I will help you out. Just give me the word. The road can be a lonely place and I—”

“What do you need?” Finn’s voice booms.

I look at him. “Selfies.” I cringe when I say it.

“You’re fucking with me, right?” he grumbles.

“Do we get those sticks?” River jokes.

“Selfie-stick, not gonna happen,” Memphis says.

“We don’t have them. Just use your big, strong arms.” Tally grins.

Memphis grins back. “You trying to make me har—”

Her hand covers his mouth. “Shut your lips, Memphis Black.”

“She said shut your lips, Memphis Black, all sassy and badass like,” River says with a finger snap. “You go, Tales.”

“Y’all ready for this?” I look back to see Jonas walking toward us.

“Sonya?” Finn grabs my elbow. “A minute?”

“Sure,” I say, and he guides me a few steps away. He lets go of my elbow and raises his shades. “I promise it will be worth the effort, Finn.”

“He hugs you again, and the whole fucking place is gonna know who you were under yesterday and who held you all night,” he grumbles. “He puts his mouth on you, and I will be in lockdown. I know shit went a different direction last night, but I’m telling you right now—”

“Shh,” I say, nervous as hell someone is going to hear him.

“Shh?” He looks like I am out of my mind. “Shh? Ain’t gonna work.”

“Everything all right over here?” Jonas asks, walking up to us.

“Yep, everything is great. Finn’s just saying how excited he is about meeting the bands,” I tell him, positioning myself between the hot rocker and very nice-looking manager of the club.

“Sonya …” Finn’s voice carries a warning.

“Jonas, I think we’re all set. How about you open up those doors?”

He nods and walks away, eyeing Finn over his shoulder.

I turn around and look up at him.

“Excited about selfies?” he grumbles. “That motherfuck—”

“Are you clean?” I ask, trying to get his attention.

“That man wants to fuck you,” he hisses, still looking in the direction Jonas walked.

“Do you get tested?” I ask a little louder, and he looks at me.

“I wrap my cock every damn time and get tested every six months, have for years. Why?”

“I’m on the pill.”

His eyes darken as his jaw tenses.

“I don’t want to sleep with him, and I’m sure he doesn’t want to sleep with me.”

“Sonya, that man has an itty, bitty hard-on for you.”

“How the hell would you know that?” I can’t help laughing.

“I can tell. Fucking hugger.” He leans in and whispers, “What’s this about the pill?”

“If I’m the only one under you, you’re the only one over me.”

“Then I’m gonna fuck you raw tonight, skin to skin. And I’m gonna—”

“Sounds good, but only if you embrace the selfie,” I whisper back.

“Either way.”

“Nope.”

“You’ll be begging. You’ll want me so badly you’ll be weeping between your thighs for me.”

“Finn”—I feel an excitement burning deep inside—“selfies first.”

I gather up all the strength I have and turn to walk away from the first man in my life who made me hate him before ever meeting him and then made me feel beautiful, sexy, and wanted like never before.

I feel his breath hit the back of my neck. “I’m gonna make you pay for teasing my cock in public.”

I look over my shoulder. “Selfies first. And, Finn? Make me jealous and give the world what they want: a hot, sexy, broody bass guitarist with a voice that makes every woman in the crowd weep between their thighs.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m on the pill, and for some reason, I trust and believe you.”

***

At seven o’clock, I stand in the center of a room alone. We ate dinner together after the auditions, and then everyone seemed exhausted.

Nick DeAngelo said he would share with Finn, and I could have my own room. I told him it wasn’t necessary, but he insisted.

Finn walked away during the discussion. I couldn’t tell if he was okay with it or not. He just walked out the front doors, I assume to have a smoke.

I sat in my bed and called Noah. Hearing his voice made me happy. Saying goodnight didn’t. I miss him more now than ever before. I suppose Finn knowing about him helped. I don’t like to hide him, although I assume some would see it differently.

My aunt is the only person who encouraged me to keep him. Everyone else thought it would be better for me not to. I couldn’t move past being abused by the man who got me pregnant.

After showering and towel drying my hair, I look in the mirror and see myself for the first time in a long time. My hair is long and ragged. I put it in a bun every day because I can’t do anything else with it, and the wash-in color is fading.

I long to see me again.

My childhood wasn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination. I was raised by a woman who had no interest in being a parent. She just liked to display me. I was very well behaved and never gave anyone a problem. I was safe, warm, fed, and clean. I had it so much better than some.