Page 12 of Next Time We'll Fall
“I think it’s a good idea.” She glares over at Preston.
“No, I don’t think you understand, Juniper,” he says quickly. “I don’t think it’s a good idea because the contest isn’t exactly …”
“Darling, you’re signing up, right?” John says, leaning closer to her. “I think you’ve got a really good chance of winning. I definitely want to see what you’ve got to offer.”
She stares at him with wide eyes and nods slowly, a flirtatious smile on her face. “Well, thank you. I’m definitely in. I just have to think of a song that I can perform to the best of my ability.”
“Hey,” he says, laughing as he once again looks at her boobs, “I don’t really care what song you perform as long as you get the job done.”
“Bad idea, Juniper. Bad idea.” Preston shakes his head.
“What’s going on?” I ask him, and he waves me over to the bar.
“I tried to warn her. I don’t think she’s going to be happy.”
“What do you mean? What did you try to warn her about?”
“You’ll see,” he says. “I’ve got a feeling you’re not going to be happy about this either.”
Chapter 4
JUNIPER
I should have read the writing on the wall. And listened to my gut that warned me that John was a douche, but, no, I had to be an idiot. All because Rafe was trying to boss me around and tell me what to do.
I know there is no way anyone could seriously think I am a real contender to win a talent contest, but I would not let Rafe tell me what I could and couldn’t do. He is far too full of himself, and I am not going to let him think he is my boss, dictating every move in my life. Even though I know my singing is a sound that could rival a howling cat.
As I stand there in line with ten other girls, waiting for the talent contest to start, I can feel the energy shifting among the girls, and a sinking feeling falls through me. I don’t know if it is delayed female intuition or all the women perking up, but a feeling of fear definitely rests on my shoulders. I have a bad feeling in my stomach that this talent event isn’t going to go well for me.
“Girls, gather around,” John says, beaming, his green eyes bright with pleasure and excitement. I am half sure he is on something, but I am not going to ask, lest he ask me if I want some. “Thank you all for agreeing to participate tonight. The winner will receive a thousand dollars.”
“I hope I win,” the girl next to me squeals.
I notice she’s jumping up and down in a way that seems very obvious that she’s not wearing a bra. I don’t know if she’s deliberately trying to make her boobs jiggle, but that’s what they’re doing. I can’t help but notice that John is looking in her direction as well. Not that I care, but now I know one hundred percent that his flirtations weren’t legit.
“What’s your talent?” I ask her, wondering if she’s a better singer than me. Not that it would be hard. I was booted from a choir in high school. “Are you the next Adele?”
“Adele?” She gives me an odd look. “These are my talent, babe.” She looks down at her boobs.
I swallow hard. I know something horrible is about to happen, but for some reason, I don’t listen to my instincts, and that reason is standing next to the bar, gazing up at the stage with a frown on his face. I try to ignore the snarky look that Rafe’s giving me and turn back to John.
“So, girls, there are going to be three rounds of the competition. I’m going to hand you each a white T-shirt.”
My heart thuds. A white T-shirt? My brain is racing. Why would he be handing us a white T-shirt? My stomach sinks as my brain races. Fuck, I have a feeling I know why he’s been so attentive now.
“The first round is just going to be dancing. Get your freak on. Whatever you want to do, feel free to do it. If you want to twerk on each other, do it. You will hear a dong when the hoses come out.”
Dong? Hoses? What the helly?
“The hoses?” My voice sounds high and squeaky, and my heart almost stops.
This is why I need to stop being stubborn.
I feel faint. This cannot be happening, can it?
He looks over at me and grins. “Yeah, that’s when we’ll be wetting the T-shirts, honey.”
Oh shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.
