eyes bored into mine.
“I didn't do it actually. I'm going to go check the guy is okay now, and in answer to your question we were never anything serious. He was good company. Sometimes you need a friend."
“Stacey, I—”
A crew member interrupted us. “They need some shots of you all backstage for the aftershow on ITV2.”
That was my excuse, I ran ahead of the crew and away from Noah and whatever he wanted to say, because now was not the time, not when either of us might be about to win a lifechanging competition where our lives once more would move in different directions.
The three of our bands stood side by side on the stage with our mentors as Harley got ready to announce who had made it through to the final two acts.
"I can now announce, the first band through to the final round is…" She paused for what seemed like several years. "The Paranormals."
The audience shrieked and I watched as Noah and his band jumped up and down hugging each other. After he'd gathered himself his eyes sought mine. I looked away.
Harley got ready to stop one bands journey towards a recording contract. "Okay, if we can have silence now please. The second act through to the final round is…"
Please. Please. Please. Please. Please.
"Seven Sisters."
My bandmates squealed. My own reaction was more one of relief, but I couldn't help but be carried by the happiness of my band and joy filled my body.
I could feel Noah's gaze on me again. For heaven's sake, stop. I mentally begged him, letting my guard down so he could hear my thoughts.
"Flame-Grilled Steak, come gather around me, boys. It's time to take a look at your best bits." Harley stated and the rest of us piled off stage.
"Stacey." Noah's voice shouted out from behind.
I spun around. "Noah, for God's sake. We're about to sing our final songs, can you leave me alone?"
"I don't want to leave you alone, Stacey. I love you."
He… what?
I should have been ecstatic to hear those words. Instead, he pissed me right off.
"Now? Now you announce you love me? Just before you might win the record deal with the bandmates you ditched me for?"
"You said you wanted me to choose. I'm sorry for everything that went on before." He grabbed my hand. "I choose you, Stacey. I'll walk away right now. I'll get on that stage and tell everyone, the crowd and the audience of millions, that I'm walking away from the band and walking towards the love of my life."
I snatched my hand back. "I'm not having this conversation right now. Don't be stupid, and get ready to sing. I want to beat you."
His eyes bored into mine and he spoke softly. "What for? Why did you enter this competition? You wanted to face me, beat me, and why? I'll tell you why, because you wanted me to realise what I'd been missing. I can see that, Stacey. I've known since I walked away and I'm here, in front of you. You don't have to beat me."
"Yes, she does." Donna stepped forward. "Because regardless of her intentions for entering, she has six bandmates who are in this with her. You might want to remember your own."
Zak stepped forward from behind Noah. He shrugged his shoulders. "We don't actually give a toss. Clear to see our guy loves your girl. He's a great guitarist, but we could get another one. I'm sure the one from Flame-Grilled Steak would jump right now."
"I think I'm saying 'thanks'." Noah gave Zak a withering gaze.
"I wish I could have one woman for the rest of my life, instead of thousands." Zak added sighing and then he pulled a grimace. "Did you hear what I just said?" He pushed Donna on the shoulder. "You put a spell on me or something?"
"Touch me again, I'll put my fist in your balls." She snarked.
"Oooh you like it rough?" Zak's eyes twinkled with mischief.
"It's time to sing." The production manager came forward.
Noah looked at me.
"We'll talk after the competition, Noah. I want to know who'd win."
He smiled. "That's not a fuck off. I'll take it."
I smirked and walked away.
He loved me! He'd have walked away from it all and he loved me!
Noah
This was it, the final of the competition, and… I couldn't give a toss if we won. I thought I had a chance with Stacey.
"Oooooph." I clutched my balls, seeing stars.
Looking up once my vision cleared, I stared straight into the eyes of… Roman??? Jesus,