Read Online Rock Idol (Reality With a Twist Series) by Veronica Tower - Free Book Online Page A

was too late for that. Everyone was watching the back and forth, including
Fox Atwood. Ember had to do something to shape this argument or it could spill
out and make them all look bad. Unfortunately, Rick was still maneuvering to
keep himself between the two women.
    “Hillary,
I really get where you’re coming from,” Ember told her, hoping she was pitching
her voice correctly. She didn’t want to sound condescending. This was a moment
for her to play mentor with the younger contestants. Fox would definitely like
that. “You don’t like the glitz and the glamour. You think the cinematic parts
of our profession are cheap frills—distractions from the music that is the core
of what we do. I’ll bet you see yourself as the new Bob Dillon or Sinead
O’Connor.”
    From
the stubborn set of Hillary’s jaw, it was quite obvious to Ember that that was
exactly how Hillary Tempest viewed herself.
    “But
Hillary, Sinead, and Dillon made it because of their lyrics. They got peoples’
brains spinning in a way that created its own show without lights and sexy
costumes and all the special effects that make rock shows so much fun. Maybe
you can do that someday too. I don’t know. I’ve never heard you sing one of
your own songs. But on this show, it doesn’t matter if your songs are going to
win Grammies one day. Here we judge you on your performance singing other
peoples’ music. Here we judge you on your ability to reach out and touch the
audience. And if you can’t learn to do that better than you are right now,
you’re almost certain to go home.”
    Fawn
had entered the room while Ember was talking and now she stepped up beside
Hillary to offer her two cents. “Maybe that’s how you judge people,
Ember, but Mitch and I are more concerned with the quality of our contestants’
vocals.   This is a talent competition, after all.”
    If
Fawn had expected Hillary’s gratitude for defending her, she was quickly
disappointed. “As if your opinion could matter to anyone,” Hillary said, almost
spitting her derision at Fawn. “You’re even worse than Ember. You like everyone!” She paused for a moment and reconsidered her words with a jerk of her thumb at
Rick. “Except him, of course. I guess you can get it right once in a while.”
    Fawn
began to shake with fury. “You can’t speak to me—”
    “That’s
enough everyone!” Fox Atwood announced. He did not look happy at the tension
bubbling up behind the scenes of his flagship show. “Let’s put on our smiles
and get this photo shoot done.”
    Fawn
couldn’t let it go. “But she just—”
    “I
don’t want to hear it!” Fox snapped. “If you’d been here when you were supposed
to be, we’d already be half way through the shooting.”
    Fox’s
estimate was so far out of bounds with reality that Ember couldn’t even term it
wishful thinking, not that she minded him giving Fawn a hard time after all of
the nonsense the woman subjected her to last week. Any enjoyment Ember might
have felt, however, was instantly muted by the superior smirk twisting
Hillary’s face. The contestant sauntered off across the room as if she thought
that Fox had just come to her defense, rather than simply express the natural
impatience exhibited by any successful producer when he was forced to stand
around getting nothing done.
    Rick
surprised her by slipping his arm into hers and escorting her to the photo set.
“Hey, Mr. Atwood,” Rick called out. “Do you think when the group photos are
finished we could get some individual shots with the judges?”
    Fox
looked surprised by the question and Ember hoped her own chagrin was not
showing on her face. What did Rick think he was doing?
    Mitch
Daniels could never let the opportunity to plant a stinger slip past. “Is that all of the judges you want a picture with, Rick? Or just your favorite?”
    Rick
affected to look surprised by the question. “Just my favorite, Mitch!”
Laughing, he pulled his arm free of Ember’s, ran