“Superstar Nash Bennett Crushes Grieving Teen’s Dreams.”
“Nash Bennett Tells Teen Singer to Go Home Because Only the Strong Survive.”
“Reality TV Judge Nash Bennett Really Hates This Young Singer.”
“Is Ivy Quinn Using Her Father’s Death as an Excuse for a Horrible Audition?”
“Nash Is Right! Ivy Quinn Can’t Sing!”
“Was Nash Right to Crush a Teen’s Dreams?”
“Who Would Rather Hear Ivy Quinn Cry Than Sing?”
Each result added a sandbag onto his shoulders causing him to slump until he hunched over.
What was going on? He gritted his teeth. How come he didn’t remember?
The dates corresponded to when he judged a hit TV show that turned unknown singers into hit sensations. He rubbed his jaw. Given that he’d listened to hundreds of auditions, forgetting her wasn’t surprising. Still, with this much media coverage, he had the feeling heshouldremember.
One search result narrowed down her audition location—Seattle.
Man.Nash brushed his hand through his hair. That city had it in for him.
His computer’s arrow hovered over theplaybutton for the top video listed on the page. Self-preservation told him to close his computer and go to bed, but he couldn’t. He had to know, so he clicked.
The logo from the reality TV show he’d judged on appeared on the screen. A shot of a throng of singers standing in a massive line came next.
Man, there had been many people wanting to audition that day. One singer had blended into another. Maybe that was why Nash didn’t remember Ivy.
The host, Lance Yarborough, a popular DJ with a nationwide show, held a microphone. He flashed a toothpaste-ad-worthy smile.
“Let’s meet a few singers wanting to sing today.” Lance went up to a pretty, young girl dressed in a jean miniskirt, sleeveless lace-trimmed shirt, and cowboy boots. “What’s your name and where are you from?”
Innocence shone in her eyes, but a hint of sadness was also there. Her smile didn’t hide her nervousness. “I’m Ivy Quinn from Quinn Valley, Idaho.”
Nash’s breathing hitched. She looked so different. Younger, yes, but she’d had a vitality that was missing now.
“How old are you, Ivy?” Lance asked.
“Eighteen.”
That meant Ivy was twenty-eight. Older and thinner now, too. Maybe that was why she didn’t look the same.
Lance studied the people nearby watching the interview. “Who did you bring to the audition?”
Her smile faltered. “No one. My sister and brothers are at home with my mom to help run our family restaurant. My…um…dad died three months ago.”
Nash’s heart ached. Being deserted by parents who hadn’t cared about or loved him had been devastating. He couldn’t imagine the pain of losing a loving, devoted parent at any age.
But hearing this raised a red flag. One that should have been waving ten years ago. A grieving singer was a storyline the show would follow. Usually the judges were given a short bio of each contestant. In Seattle, however, they hadn’t given the judges any information even though they had at other audition cities. No one had even provided a list of names, only numbers. A production assistant had claimed they’d run out of time, but the three judges had joked not knowing a singer’s circumstances could add more drama.
Compassion filled Lance’s gaze. Not surprising since Nash had gotten to know the host during the show. The guy cared about friends and strangers alike. “That’s brave of you to come by yourself.”
She raised her chin the same way she had with Nash earlier tonight. “My dad used to tell me, ‘You’re going to be a star, baby girl.’ That’s why I’m auditioning. For him and for me.”
A few people around her sighed. Nash did the same thing.
“Have you ever auditioned before?” Lance asked.
