Until Alex - J. Nathan Page 0,29

the audition sheet in the first place.

“Promise me you’ll do it,” Taylor pleaded.

“I don’t think so. I sing in the shower.”

“Honey, I need competition. And who better than my new friend.”

I wanted no part of it. I’d only ever sung in front of an audience once before. At Jake’s.

Jake’s.

My eyes shot across the crowded dining hall seeking the one person I knew had everything to do with my name on that sheet.

The problem was…he wasn’t there.

HAYDEN

I stood hidden within the shadows in the back of the dark theater. The bright spotlight shined on center stage, right down on Alex like a halo as she belted out a Taylor Swift song.

With the bright light shining, I doubted Alex could even see the professor in charge of the competition, or Taylor seated beside her. Having been the school’s star for the past three years, Taylor was used to having it all. There was no way in hell she appreciated the fact that Alex was hotter and sported some major pipes.

Alex’s voice floated flawlessly through the theater speakers, but she didn’t seem as comfortable and confident as she did at Jake’s. Still, it didn’t stop her from working the stage. Her cute little blue dress with knee high brown boots flattered her slender body, showing off the curves I’d witnessed up close in that tiny bikini.

Christ.

I needed to get the hell out of there.

ALEX

The door in the rear of the theater slammed shut. I squinted to see who it was, but the blinding spotlight obscured my view.

And though I only knew three people in the entire college, I knew who it had been. I felt it in every fiber of my being. Hayden had signed me up for the audition. He’d see it through to the end. No matter how it turned out.

It had been days since I’d seen him coming or going from his apartment. But the morning following my audition, I headed toward the English building making sure to stop by the coffee shop. I wanted to confront him. Force him to explain himself. Explain why he’d avoided me. Claimed not to know me. Signed me up for the stupid competition. Was it a joke? Did he want to embarrass me?

My senses were bombarded with cinnamon hazelnut the moment I stepped inside the busy shop. I scanned the faces of those filling the room, but Hayden wasn’t there.

“Hi, honey.”

I spun to find Taylor texting at one of the tables. We didn’t share any of the same classes, so I usually didn’t run into her until lunch. “Hey.”

“I was gonna call you last night.” She stood up and tucked her phone into her handbag. “But I decided I needed to say this in person.”

“Are you breaking up with me?” I deadpanned.

She laughed, throwing her skinny arms around me and pulling me into a tight embrace. “You nailed your audition yesterday.”

I stilled, pulling back slowly from her grasp. “How do you know?”

“I’m tight with Professor Smith. She let me sit in on all the auditions.”

“You were there?” I started toward the exit, feeling suddenly embarrassed.

Taylor followed. “Seriously, girl. You can really sing.”

She continued talking as we made our way across the quad, but the hum of a jet stole my attention. My eyes followed it across the sky until it disappeared into the clouds. The memory of Preston’s frantic voice cut through my daze. Oh, my God, Alex! Oh, my God! I shook my head, clearing away the memory, the horror.

Chloe approached. “Hey, y’all.”

I forced a smile. “Hey.”

“So, tomorrow’s the big day?”

I nodded.

“We should look at the top-ten list together,” Taylor said, totally ignoring Chloe.

Chloe balked. “Are you worried, Tay? You never look.”

If glares could kill, Taylor’s would’ve taken out the entire campus. “Of course not. I just want to be there for Alex.”

“Of course I’ll look with you,” I said, trying to dissipate the sudden tension. “When will it be posted?”

“First thing in the morning,” Taylor grinned, as if she hadn’t just turned into a terrifying version of herself.

* * *

I’d been sprawled out on the sofa in black sweats and an old T-shirt for hours. Too bad comfort didn’t equal understanding because I’d done nothing but struggle with my calculus homework all night. The click of a door in the hallway pulled my attention from my books.

Still unsuccessful in my quest to confront Hayden, I hurried to the peephole and peered out.

Finally.

But why was he dressed from head to toe in black and headed toward the stairwell?

I couldn’t stop myself. I