Read Online Choosing America's Next Superstar by Jeff Erno - Free Book Online Page A

friend Megan do that. I shouldn’t have gone along with it. I should have told that Renee woman right away that none of that shit was true.”
    “Damn right!” Jimmy said, scowling. “But you didn’t.”
    “So when I got in there and got my golden ticket, I spilled my guts. I told them the whole truth.”
    “Ain’t this supposed to be a singing competition?” Jimmy asked. “Why does all this personal stuff matter, anyway? Why would you feel like it was okay for you to lie, make stuff up about yourself? Why pretend to be my friend?”
    “I wasn’t pretending, Jimmy.” Corey sighed. He stepped over to the bed, and Jimmy backed away from him. As Corey sat there, Jimmy began pacing back and forth in the hallway. “Why don’t you sit down,” Corey suggested, “you’re making me nervous.”
    “I don’t care!” Jimmy shouted. “I don’t give a flip if you’re nervous.”
    At this point Corey couldn’t contain himself any longer. He burst out laughing, covering his face with hands, and then he flopped back on the bed.
    “What? What’s so… oh, you make me so flippin’ mad! What’s so gol darn funny?”
    Corey removed his hands from his face and rolled onto his side. He used one arm to prop up his head. “You are. You’re really cute when you’re mad. Do you ever actually swear, though? Do you ever say ‘fuck’?”
    “Well, it’s not funny! And sure… sure, I swear. I swear all the dang time!” His face was beet red. He turned away from Corey and stepped toward the door. Suddenly he spun around, his hands on his hips. “Did you just say I was cute ?”
    Corey nodded, staring wide-eyed at the irate country boy. “Afraid so,” he said. “You gonna beat me up now?”
    Jimmy squinted, scowling. “I ought to. I ought to clean your clock.”
    Corey was still grinning. “For saying you’re cute?”
    “No! For what you did… back in Detroit. And for what you’re doin’ now, making fun of me.”
    Corey pushed himself up into a sitting position on the mattress. “Dude, I swear I’m not making fun of you. I don’t mean to laugh, but if you could only see yourself. Your face is, like, fire-engine red.”
    “Well, ain’t that what folks is supposed to look like when they’re mad?”
    Corey held his arms out and shrugged.
    “Would you get some flippin’ clothes on?” Jimmy said. “You’re buck nekid.”
    “Sure,” Corey said. “If it bothers you. I still say you’re cute when you’re mad, though.”
    “Stop sayin’ that!” Jimmy said. “What is wrong with you, anyway? Guys don’t tell guys they’re cute.”
    “Some guys do,” Corey said.
    “Are you sayin’ what I think you’re saying?”
    “What do you think I’m saying?”
    “Never mind. I’ll wait in the hall till you get dressed.” He stepped to the door and grabbed hold of the handle.
    “No, wait,” Corey said, standing up. “I can get dressed in the bathroom. What did you think I was saying?”
    “It don’t matter. Just don’t be callin’ me cute.”
    “Okay. No problem. I’ll never say you’re cute again. Even though you are.” He unzipped his suitcase and began throwing his clothes onto the bed. “And if you were asking if I was saying I’m gay, yes! That’s exactly what I was saying.”
    “Oh,” Jimmy said, staring at Corey intently.
    “Are you?” Corey turned to him, looking him in the eye.
    “That’s none of your business.” He folded his arms defiantly across his chest.
    Corey turned back around, sorting out his clothes and smiling to himself.
     
     
    J IMMY was locked inside the bathroom, leaning against the door. What were the odds he’d end up assigned to the same room as that kid from Michigan? As if it weren’t bad enough that Corey had manipulated and used him back in Detroit, now here they were sharing the same room, and the guy was making fun of him.
    Jimmy really wanted to stay mad at him. He had every right, but it didn’t help that Corey was strutting around the room in