Read Online Facade by Kim Carmichael - Free Book Online Page B

retrieved her treasure and pressed it to her heart as she stood.
    After brushing off her dress and doing her best to fix her hair, she left the bathroom, staying close to the walls and keeping an eye out for any of her former band members.
    At long last, she found the line at stage door seven. Again, she glanced around the space. Where was Erik? Was he here as he promised? Or, was he simply sitting in the car with whatever driver he’d hired? Worse yet, did he leave?
    Seemed to her everyone else had someone there. Either their band mates or well-wishers, someone. Why, oh why, couldn’t Erik have just come with her? With all the different types here, he would blend in, and she really didn’t care if he didn’t, she just wanted him here.
    Carly had one thing right, this experience was nothing but endless lines. In the latest one, Christine stood on her tiptoes and searched for Ramon. Her chest tightened when, across the way, she spotted her entire band huddled around, no doubt in one of Ramon’s strategy sessions. Had they already auditioned, or were they waiting?
    Using a move fit for an ostrich, she turned her back to them and bumped into the girl ahead of her. “Sorry.” She didn’t need another incident.
    Thankfully, this person didn’t really acknowledge her as it was her turn to go up on stage.
    For the millionth time her mind wandered to Erik. Where was he?
    The woman at the door held her hand out. “Number please.”
    Her hand shook as she handed the woman at the door her number, and on weak legs she stepped inside the auditorium to wait for her audition.
    Only a scant few seats were taken inside. Up at the front, she made out the celebrity judges. Justin White, a well-known pop star, Perry Ross, a song writer, and Michelle Mitchel, a record producer, all took the center first row. Behind them were other officials. Cameras lined the auditorium. Scattered throughout the rest of the seats were some random people seated in the darkness. For a moment her heart swelled, wondering if Erik worked his magic and was waiting for her in the audience all along.
    The woman currently on stage sang her song, a popular alternative rock tune.
    She barely made it through her first verse when a buzzer rang through the auditorium.
    “Stop!” A man from the third row stood up.
    The singer shook her head.
    “Thank you, but you’re not what we’re looking for.” The man pointed to the exit. “Please exit, and you will receive a bag of swag.”
    Christine bit her lip.
    In a flash, the woman’s dream was over, and she left the stage with her head hung low.
    Next, Christine watched a group come on stage, all men, with the grunge/alternative thing going for them.
    “Chimera’s Dungeon.” The scruffy lead singer spoke into the microphone and the band began to play.
    The band had depth, strength, unity, the singer’s passion almost reminded her of Erik the night he sang to her. They played a popular tune, but put their own spin on it, and she found herself mouthing the words with them.
    They made it through their entire song and Perry, the writer, stood. “You know a cover is excellent when you prefer that version to the original.” He held up an envelope. “Congratulations. Get ready to take on the other bands in the Stage of Stars .”
    The band members high-fived each other, shook hands with the judges, and walked off stage.
    The woman who took her number motioned for her to go up on stage. “Your turn. State your name and then the music will start.”
    As Christine made her way up the stairs, she squeezed her cricket. The sharp metal edges cut into her hand, but she almost welcomed the pain. The chances of her making it after another band just made it were slim to none, or basically zero.
    “Ch..” She grabbed the microphone stand, swallowed and scanned the audience. If nothing else, Erik should be easy to spot. “Christine Day.”
    Her music started, and she darted her eyes to each one of the corners. Erik had to be