Chapter 2
Levi
A heavy breath sits at the apex of my chest as everything goes dark and still.
Well, everything but her. I told myself nothing good could come from scoping out the competition, and yet, here I am with the curtain that separates me from the stage pulled back just enough to see her.
The tip of my tongue runs along the cracks of my bottom lip.
It’s so cold in this place, you would never know we’re in Tennessee, let alone at the end of summer.
She’s good...like, really good. Which really shouldn’t be all that surprising considering she’s made it this far in the auditions, but sheesh, this girl’s got some pipes on her!
An unpolished diamond. A little rasp, but beautiful.
Rascal Flatts was an interesting choice for a song though.
“Stop, stop, stop! Make it stop!” Michael, the man who literally makes millions on crushing other people’s dreams, shouts abruptly.
I drop the curtain. Not because I’m necessarily worried about the living, breathing reincarnation of Rainbow Brite.
After all, she would have to go eventually.
Everybody will. I just don’t want that energy before I walk out there.
It’s purely science. Besides, I’m up next and need to get my head in the game if I’m going to win this thing.
I take in a sharp inhale and shake out my shoulders in the process.
The same move a boxer does before he enters the ring.
Am I nervous? I question myself, feeling a weird sort of vibration riding in my bloodstream.
Nah, not nervous. That doesn’t happen to me.
Excited...yeah, I’m excited. Ready to take what’s mine.
This silly little competition is just a stepping stone to what will undoubtedly be my one-way ticket to fame, money, and success.
Mentally, I’ve already spent the purse money.
Ten percent to the church because, well, Mom.
Another 10 percent to the high school music program because, again, Mom.
And then another 10 percent to Mom herself because, let’s face it, I wouldn’t be here without her.
Proud mama’s boy till I die. That leaves a cool 70 percent for me. ..
The sound of cheering slices through my mental math.
It’s coming from behind the curtain. I pull it back again, cautious to not make too many waves in the heavy fabric.
The brown-haired girl is still standing in the center of the stage, beaming brighter than the colors on her back.
Then the judges shout, in impressive unison, “You’re going to Hollywood! ”
Huh. Well, maybe this is a good sign. If she can make it, anyone can.
Lie, lie, lie! my inner monologue screams.
I drop the curtain for a second time. Alright, it’s happening. I turn around to find my mom checking in on Facebook with a picture of me signing in this morning.
“Ma, please don’t post that.”
She looks up, squinting one eye. “Oh, come on. I’m proud of you.
I want to show you off,” she says softly before finishing uploading the image and tucking the phone into the back of her jeans pocket.
“How are you feeling?” she asks as her eyes search mine.
I close them and run a palm up and over my face for good measure.
That woman can read me like a book and I’m not taking any chance of her telling me something that I’m not ready to admit.
“I’m fine. Just ready for this to be over already so I can finish packing.”
“You already packed?!” Something like caution settles on her face, before it’s wiped clean with a stiff upper lip. “Well, if anyone can make it, it’s you,” she says, voice unwavering.
“Levi Johnson?” a girl in an all-black outfit says, confirming the name on the clipboard.
“Yes, ma’am, I’m Levi.”
“Great,” she murmurs, dragging her pen across my name in the process. “You’re up.”
Ma’s smile mirrors mine as I wrap myself around her small frame for a tight hug. “Go get ’em” she says into the crook of my neck, and it’s just enough wind in my sail to get me out of my head and walk onto the stage.
My boots slap against the hardwood, creating an echo in the silence of the banquet room.
“What is with the outfits today? First, Little Miss can’t decide what color she wants to wear so she wears all of them, and now John Wayne Jr.?” Michael sighs exhaustedly.
“This is a singing competition, Michael, not a fashion show,” Penny claps back as I hit my mark.
Michael’s words don’t bother me. In Tennessee, being called a cowboy is about the nicest compliment you can get, so I straighten the collar of my dark denim jacket and peer down at the three of them, face neutral.
“Giddy up,” Penny purrs, flashing her canine teeth like I’m her next meal. I toss her a quick wink, adjusting my stance, ready for whatever comes next.
“Alright, pretty boy.” Tom leans back, rocking in his chair. “Name, age, and where ya from?”
“My name is Levi Johnson. I’m twenty-three, and from Nashville, Tennessee.”
“Country music, baby! I’m from Tennessee as well. Knoxville.”
“Oh, you don’t say.” Knew that. Everyone knows that. Mostly because he brings it up anytime there is an opening.
“I hate to break up this hometown reunion,” Michael sighs. “But there are quite a few more auditions to go and I’m ready to go home. What will you be singing, Levi?”
“‘Collide’ by Howie Day.”
The light above me fades to darkness and I can no longer see the judges in front of me. I quickly toss my head from side to side as the music starts. Go time.
***
Halfway through the song, I cross the stage and reach out towards the imaginary crowd when it feels right.
This is it—my chance—and I’m not going down without a hand movement or two.
As I get closer to the end of the song, worry creeps its way into my mind.
Why haven’t they stopped me? I’m killing it.
In a big, finale-like finish, I take a bow.
Lighting takes over, casting two spotlights—one over me and one over the judges.
“That was”—Penny fans herself with a flat hand— “amazing. The whole thing was an experience and that’s what we’re looking for in an artist. Someone who can really be the music. ”
“Amazing?” Michael looks at her questionably. “It was alright, but I’ll tell you what...I could have done without the curtsy at the end.”
“It was a bow,” Tom corrects.
“What?” Michael snaps moving his torso around Penny to glare at Tom.
“A bow! A curtsy is when you cross your ankles and squat a bit.” He’s met with dead silence. “Stop looking at me like that,” he demands.
Penny blinks in disgust at both of them before lightly shoving Michael’s body back in his place.
“Like I was saying, you did great. There was maybe one point in the chorus where you could have had better breath control, but overall I think you’re very talented and I vote yes.” She turns towards Tom. He’s folding his lips into one another a couple times, eyes locked on me.
“Levi,” he says on a giant exhale, “you have great range. I’m not sure I love that song for you, but that’s something to play with when you’re...IN HOLLYWOOD! It’s a yes for me too!”
A smile breaks across my face. “Thank you! I promise I won’t disappoint.”
“Not that it matters,” Michael starts, “but it is a yes for me as well. My only critique is to skip the bow.” His mouth slides into something like a half-smile. I nod and am directed off the stage where my mom is waiting, camera phone in hand.
“You did it! I knew you would make it,” she says, coming in for another hug. “My baby boy is going to Hollywood, people!” I unwind from her, turning back to see who she’s talking to.
“Mom, are you live streaming right now?!”