CHAPTER TWO
Goals—Jack
Sal Thompson is going to be mine, both in this competition and in my bed. She thinks she has a chance to fight me fairly in both but I don’t fight fair. Her Nic is toast. That kid is one conveniently placed Instagram comment away from a meltdown. He has some scary fans, like Defcon 1 stalker scenarios. Unfortunately, these ladies are also real easy to turn against him and his fragile ego will be his downfall.
Now, getting Sal in my bed is a fight I don’t care to lose and from the level of heat between us, it should be happening any minute. I can tell she wants to murder me for toying with Nic but it’s still gonna happen. My life is mine now, and I’m going after what I want.
I want her. She has this other-worldly beauty. A natural blonde, a real woman’s body and the most gorgeous green eyes I’ve seen. Beyond her looks is her kindness, patience, and incredible talent. She is also my age, far more mature than I am, and is my perfect match.
My marriage to Allison was pretty much a sham from the beginning, a plot by our record company and managers. Don’t get me wrong, Allison and I had chemistry, but we were never in love. I hadn’t even seen her for six months when she got caught blowing Tucker. That fucker. It all worked out, though, we both got more publicity than our “happy” marriage was getting us and it had really run it’s course anyway. I’m not proud that I married for professional reasons. My parents were in love and happy for over 40 years, until my mother passed a few years ago. My dad preaches true love to whomever he meets. It’s his reason for living. The relationship my parents had is the holy grail that I have been instructed to find and hold onto. He saw my marriage as an affront to that. Love is sacred to him and my fake marriage offended him to his core.
Last time I was in Tennessee, I promised him that I won’t settle for less than earth-shattering true love next time. In the meantime I’m having fun with women. I have had a few flings here and there over the years but they had to be super discreet and were often not worth the hassle. I’m done with the fun though. I know what I want and it’s Sal. She’s smart, sexy, and has a beautiful heart. I know, you’d think my first compliment would be her fantastic rack. Well, I noticed those things as well but she is beautiful inside and out and is the perfect match for me.
When I first met her, I felt a connection. I covered my attraction with my normal heavy flirting, knowing she was unavailable. We both were, but I’d have divorced Allison in a heartbeat if there was a chance to be with Sal. Since her idiot husband fucked it all up I have my chance. I’ve been waiting, letting her heal and figure out what her life looks like after her divorce. Her marriage was real. I see the pain in her eyes still. I’m confident I’m the man to wipe that pain away and put a happy, satisfied smile on her face. I just need to win this competition, get all the glory and then collect my prize and my woman.
My gal Grace is just the person to take it to the end. She’s confident, gorgeous and talented. Her renditions of “I Put a Spell on You” and “Barracuda” surely secured her a spot in the finale. I know the other producers like the sexy love/hate banter that Sal and I excel at so they’ll probably put us together no matter how the people vote. People like us together and think we’re fucking already. This makes it easier for me to convince her to be with me. The gossip is already out there, why not go for it?
I see her now. She’s standing at the craft services table gathering her lunch. She is having pulled pork sliders and I think I love her just for eating like a normal human. Los Angeles is the land of the carb free, micro, macro, paleo, whatever diet that is the most popular. Sal works hard and is disciplined in her workout regimen. The choreography in her live shows is complicated and rigorous. She doesn’t need, nor care to watch what she eats. Her body is womanly, athletic, and sexy.
“Hey Sally, want company for lunch?” I ask her, knowing she’ll say no.
“Hey, Jack, I’m good, going to work on song choices for Nic so no thanks.” She puts a pile of onion rings on her plate, turning me on even more, and walks away.
I take my time and put my own plate together, definitely not taking that no for an answer. Yeah, I’m a dick but that’s part of the reason she likes me and how I got this far in life. After I pile up with sliders and fruit (I can’t dance so I need to watch my food more than Sal), I head over to where she is sitting at a small bistro table alone.
“I said I was not interested in company, Jack,” she says, not looking up from a sheaf of papers she’s studying. “It wasn’t some secret code for you to join me anyway.”
“Aw, Sal, what about me? Maybe I need your company, divorce is a lonely place.” Her head pops up with a hurt look on her face. My sincere smile reassures her I’m not messing with her and her face softens a bit.
“It is, I’m sorry you’ve had to go through it too,” she says and then looks doubtful. “Seems like the bevy of women in and out of your trailer has made you less lonely?”
“Oh, darlin’ I’m not all about the physical, I need someone to talk to as well. True that my bed has been warm, but my mind and heart are cold and barren wastelands.” I know, I’m laying it on a bit thick but she likes it despite the eye roll she’s giving me right now.
She pops an onion ring in her mouth and chews. I love to observe her, she’s fascinating in all she does. Whether she is expertly shaping a young artist into a star, or just eating, fascinating.