Rachel looks at me for support. “A little help, please?”
I crouch back down and give Madison a kiss on the cheek. “Princess, this is grown-ups time now. You’ll be bored if you stay, but I promise I’ll make it up to you tomorrow. Maybe we can go to South Bank and get ice cream from Messina?”
She pauses as if contemplating the offer. After an unspoken conversation with her sister, she nods. “Okay.”
I kiss Isabella on the cheek, too. “I’ll see you both in the morning.” I give Rachel an appreciative smile. “Thanks, babe. I owe you.”
“You do.” She grabs each girl by the hand and leads them away.
I try not to take Rachel’s reaction personally. I just need to give her time to come to terms with me not winning. It’s strange, but I don’t feel as bad about the outcome as she clearly does. I really do believe that the band will get a boost from this experience—and that’s all I can really ask for. If I’d won, there’s no telling what the label might have demanded. They could have insisted I go solo…or change the style of music I perform…
“Link!”
I snap out of my reverie. Lucas, one of my fellow contestants, is trying to get my attention.
“We’re all heading to Cloudland for something to eat and drink. You coming?”
“Is JC going?”
“Yep.”
“Okay. Cool.” I figure I can briefly celebrate my time on the show and still get home for a decent night’s sleep.
Because even though this whole adventure has been exciting and intoxicating, there’s still nothing better than curling up next to Rachel and having the girls climb into bed with us first thing in the morning.
Family is everything.
***
The show has reserved a decadent VIP booth at Cloudland filled with velvet cushions and red chiffon curtains. There are about fifteen of us: a mixture of the final contestants, some of the mentors, and a few behind-the-scenes crew.
I sit beside JC and sip a glass of red wine that someone hands me. JC drinks bourbon straight. I’ve never seen him order anything else, although I’ve really only hung out with him for rehearsals and a couple of these events. I don’t go to every elimination party because I’d rather be at home with the girls.
“How are you feeling?” he asks.
“Good. I’m going to miss all of this, though.”
“Yeah, it’s hard to go back to normality after such a high. But it’s important to put it all in perspective. I think you’ve got your head screwed on straight, and you’re keeping it real with your family. I was too stupid at your age to realise how important being grounded is.”
JC is an old-school rocker from the eighties. He toured the world with his band for the better part of three decades until they finally called it quits.
“You did okay, though,” I point out.
He snorts. “Professionally, yeah. Personally, I was, and still am, a mess.”
“It’s never too late to settle down,” I tease. “I’m sure you’d still have the ladies lining up around the block for you.”
“That’s the problem. They are. But not for boring old John-Carrol. They want JC Tarik.”
I laugh. “John-Carrol?” Is that what your initials stand for?”
“Yes. Popular to contrary belief, I am not Jesus Christ.”
“Why doesn’t anyone know this?”
“Because I only tell my friends. And they understand the consequences, should it somehow be leaked to the media. I legally changed my name to JC when I first signed with Intergalactic Records back in 1982, so for all intents and purposes, John-Carrol is dead.”
“Duly noted. So, does this mean you consider me a friend?”
“Of course I do. And you’ll want to propose marriage to me after I’ve told you my next bit of news.”
“And what’s that?”
“Earlier, I talked to Max, and he wants to meet with you to discuss a national tour.”
My eyes widen. Max is JC’s manager. “What?”
“It’s all hush-hush at the moment. You can’t even tell your bandmates until after the meeting, but he’s been really impressed with your performances and the feedback I’ve given him. I told him he’d better get in quick before someone else does.”
A dopey grin forms on my face. “You did that for me?”
“Like I said, the show wasn’t important. What happens next is.”
“Thank you so much! You’ve already been so generous with your time and advice. I don’t know how I can ever repay you.”
“By not screwing it up. And by being you.”
“Aw, thanks, dude. I won’t let you down.”
JC holds up his bourbon. “To world domination.”
I clink my wine against his glass. “To world domination.”
JC slams back the rest of his drink, and I finish my wine. Then I have a thought. “Does this potential tour include my band?”
“Yes, of course. I know you’re loyal to those guys, which is why I said they’ll hopefully forgive your absence up until now. A national tour should keep you going financially for the rest of the year.”
“And Max is okay with this?”
“Yeah, I showed him a clip of one of your gigs, and he was sold. He likes that you already have a solid dynamic with the guys.”
“That’s great! I guess I should find out when he’s available to meet.”
He removes an envelope from a pocket inside his jacket. “Here’s your plane ticket. You’re flying to Sydney first thing tomorrow morning.”
I laugh in surprise. “Seriously?”
“I thought I’d make it easy for you.”
“This is too much. You can’t buy me a plane ticket and set me up with your manager!”
“I just did. Also, there’s a room at the Shangri-La waiting for you afterwards.”
“Oh my God.”
JC laughs. “I think we need more drinks. Make the most of this night.”
“Can I tell Rachel the news?”
“Maybe just tell her you have to go to Sydney as part of a contractual obligation for the show, and then you can surprise her afterwards.”
“Okay, cool.”
I get out my phone to text her. I pause, remembering I promised to hang out with the girls tomorrow. Hopefully, they’ll understand. I’ll just have to postpone our outing until I get back. If we have enough money to live comfortably for the rest of the year, I’m sure Rachel and the twins will be supportive. Rachel’s family lives in the UK, so we might even be able to afford airfares to go visit.
Hey, baby. I have to fly to Sydney tomorrow for a thing to do with the show. My flight leaves early, so please apologise to the girls for me and tell them I’ll make it up to them. And I promise I’ll make it up to you too. I love you!
She doesn’t reply, which is understandable if she’s putting the girls to bed or has already gone to sleep herself.
And while I would still love to be with them right now, you don’t get opportunities like this every day.
I’m going to make the most of it.
THREE
Tash