Choosing America's Next Superstar (28 page)

“And now it’s over,” Reuben said. “Now everything has been ruined.”

Corey took a step back as he noticed the rage in Reuben’s eyes. Reuben reached behind him and pulled something out of his waistband. A knife!

“Reuben, no! Please….” Corey took another step back.

“You and your friend ruined everything. You’ve destroyed my life!” Reuben lunged toward him. Corey spun around, barely avoiding the trajectory of Reuben’s swing. As Corey’s body twisted, he stumbled, falling flat on his face.

Reuben dropped down on top of him, flipping him over and pinning him to the ground. Corey was terrified, but the weight of the bigger man atop him had him trapped. Reuben used his knees to pin Corey’s arms against the floor, and then he pressed the knife against Corey’s throat.

“Don’t make a sound,” Reuben threatened.

Corey wanted to scream for help, but he knew it’d do no good. He’d be dead before anyone heard him. “Please, Reuben,” he pleaded. “Please don’t….”

The door behind them suddenly flew open. “Freeze, police!”

It was Mr. Roberts, the prosecuting attorney, and he was accompanied by two officers. Reuben dropped the knife and raised his hands in the air. Seconds later, Corey was back on his feet, and Reuben was facedown on the floor with his wrists cuffed behind his back.

“We’ve been monitoring the security cameras in your hall for the past several weeks,” Roberts explained.

Corey was trembling, and tears were flowing freely down his cheeks. One of the officers led him over to the sofa. “Can I call Jimmy?” Corey pleaded.

The district attorney nodded. “Go ahead.”

I
T
WAS
almost four thirty when the police car dropped Jimmy and Corey off at the back of the theater. They raced inside and headed straight for the dressing rooms.

“Where have you been?” one of the producers shouted.

“Sorry,” Jimmy said. “Long story.”

“Hurry!” she said. “Makeup! Wardrobe! Get over here, stat!”

Thirty minutes later the boys were standing just offstage waiting for the show’s opening number. Jimmy took hold of Corey’s hand. “Are you okay?”

Corey nodded. “I am now.”

“I’m so proud of you,” Jimmy said. “You were very brave, the way you stood up to that maniac. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect you.”

“Let’s not talk about that man anymore,” Corey said. “He’s hurt enough people, and he can’t hurt us anymore.”

The grand finale show was absolutely amazing. Famous musicians from around the world, people Corey had only dreamed of ever meeting, were there to perform. Not one word was said about Reuben’s absence. It was as if he was never even a part of the show. Corey should have been on pins and needles. He should have been obsessed over who would win the competition. But inside he felt very calm, and he wasn’t worried at all.

The show lasted for three hours, but it wasn’t until the very end that Dylan had Corey and Jimmy take the stage one last time.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, “America has spoken. You have selected your next Superstar, and I have the results in my hand, right here in this envelope. Dim the lights, please!

“Corey Dunham and Jimmy Sawyer, one of you is America’s Next Superstar.” Dylan peeled open the envelope and pulled out the card inside, reading it and then nodding.

“And the winner is… Jimmy Sawyer!”

Immediately the crowd erupted in uproarious cheers, confetti fell from the ceiling, and Jimmy was surrounded by people. Tears streamed down Corey’s face as he looked over at him, thrilled beyond words. His man had won. Jimmy had made it all the way, just like Corey knew he should, and he didn’t feel even a tiny bit of regret or jealousy.

Jimmy pushed his way through the throng of people, as microphones were shoved into his face. He grabbed hold of Corey and hugged him tightly. “I love you,” Corey said into his ear. “Congratulations.”

Jimmy pulled back, but only briefly, and then, on live international television, he leaned in and gave Corey Dunham the most passionate kiss of his life.

And Corey felt like a Superstar.

About the Author

J
EFF
E
RNO
works a full-time job as a retail store manager, and at the age of thirty-seven, he finally acquired his bachelor’s degree in business management. He began writing in the early 1990s, primarily as a means of catharsis after having experienced the multiple losses of several close family members and friends. Originally his work was posted on a free amateur website, where it was eventually discovered and published.

Erno currently resides in southern Michigan with his twenty-one-year-old cat, Winston, and he co-owns a book review website that focuses on M/M fiction. He enjoys reading, movies, theater, country-western music, community service, political activism, and cake decorating.

Visit his website at http://www.jefferno.com.

Also from
J
EFF
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RNO

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com

Also from
J
EFF
E
RNO

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com