The Tangled Series Complete Digital Boxed Set (Bad Boy Rock Star, Millionaire, and MMA Fighter Bundle) (19 page)

Chapter Four

Tiffany

“What is your name?” asked the casting director, a forty-something woman with warm brown eyes.

“Tiffany Banks.”

She took off her glasses and began cleaning them with a small green cloth. “Okay, show me what you’ve got, Tiffany Banks.”

I was nervous, so nervous. I opened my mouth to begin, but then froze up.

“Nervous?” she asked, with a small smile.

I smiled weakly. “Yes, I’m sorry.”

“Why don’t you close your eyes, and try again.”

I closed my eyes, inhaled through my nose, and then exhaled slowly.

“Tiffany?”

The song I’d picked out was immediately replaced with the one I couldn’t get out of my head. I only hoped that I could do Pink’s song justice.
 
 

Made a wrong turn, once or twice
Dug my way out, blood and fire
Bad decisions, that's alright
Welcome to my silly life

Mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood
Miss no way, it's all good
It didn’t slow me down.

Mistaken, always second guessing,
Underestimated, look I'm still around,
Pretty, pretty please,
Don’t you ever, ever feel,
Like you're less than, less than
perfect
Pretty, pretty please,
If you ever, ever feel,
Like you're nothing,
You are perfect,

To me.

“Tiffany.”

I opened my eyes and stared at the woman, her expression unreadable. I took a deep breath. “So, it was that bad?”

She smiled. “Congratulations, you’ve made it to the next round.”

The back of my eyes began to burn. “Oh…Oh, my God, thank you,” I said, blinking back tears. I wanted to jump up and down and scream with joy I was so happy.

“
You
have an amazing voice,” she said, handing me back my card. “Now go and show the judges you mean business. One thing, though...”

I leaned forward. “Yes?”

“You’ll need to keep your eyes open with them, and keep your chin up. You’re exactly the kind of talent we want in the final rounds.”

I smiled so broadly that my cheeks hurt. “Okay. Thanks.”

She shook my hand, and I walked away, still in shock.

“Oh, my God, you sounded wonderful!” squealed Sinclair, throwing her arms around me. “It actually brought tears to my eyes.”

“That
was
pretty amazing,” said Jesse. “I’m blown away.”

“Thanks,” I said, the excitement I’d felt seconds ago was now replaced by terror.

“Okay, what’s wrong?” asked Sinclair, staring into my eyes. “You look like you’re going to run for the hills.”

“What’s wrong? I made it.”

“Yeah,” said Jesse. “Wasn’t that the point?”

I bit my lower lip. “I know, but now I have to sing in front of Ransom.”

Jesse groaned. “God, you’ll be fine. Just do your thing, and don’t look at him if you’re nervous.”

Easy for him to say. I’d been infatuated with Ransom ever since I was eleven years old. The memory of those silvery-blue eyes staring into mine before we kissed still made my knees weak.

“There you go,” said Sinclair. “Just ignore him. Chances are he may not even remember you.”

“Miss,” said one of the staff, a muscular-looking guy wearing a security uniform, and a nametag that said ‘Tim’. “You have to move over to the celebrity judges now.”

“Okay,” I said. “Can my friends come?”

“No, I’m sorry.”

“Good luck,” said Sinclair, hugging me one last time. 

Jesse kissed my cheek. “Break a leg, or whatever.”

“Thanks.”

I followed Tim to the other side of the field, getting more nervous by the second. By the time we reached the celebrities, and all of cameras, I was shaking.

“Hi,” said an older woman with short spiky red hair. She grabbed my card. “I’m Misty; I’m here to prep you. Now, Taylor might do a short interview with you before you’re presented to the judges. In fact, looking at you I’m sure he will.”

I cleared my throat. “Oh, okay.”

She smiled and grabbed my hand. “You poor little thing. Don’t be nervous, honey, just do your best, and remember, those celebrities wipe their asses the same way everyone else does, so don’t let them intimidate you, especially Tyrone. He can be a little unnerving at times.”

I’d watched the show before, and knew he was a hard win. In fact, I was quite sure he’d be the first one to vote “no.”

“Now, you understand the rules, you need two out of three judges’ votes to get to the next round. Oh, and here,” she said, handing me her clipboard. “Read the disclosures, and sign by all the X’s. You have approximately five minutes before you will be interviewed by Taylor, and then ushered over to the judges.”

“Okay, thanks, Misty.”

She patted me on the back. “Good luck, honey.”

I skimmed through the disclosures, which were basically the rules of the audition, and signed everything as quickly as possible. As I handed Misty back the clipboard, Taylor approached me with a cameraman.

“Hello,” he said, holding out his hand. “Congratulations on making it to this round. I’m Taylor Blake, and you are?”

“Tiffany Banks,” I said, placing my hand in his.

His dark eyes regarded me with interest. He squeezed my hand. “What do you know? We have the same first and last letters in our names. Fate has obviously brought us together, young lady. So, Tiffany, would you mind if I interviewed you before you meet the judges?”

I smiled. “Not at all.”

“Where are you from?”

“Stanton.”

“California girl, nice. What do you do when you’re not auditioning for something like this?”

“I’m a hairstylist at
Tangled
, over in Midway City.”

He touched his perfectly groomed blonde head and smiled. “Knowing that
Tangled
has such lovely hairdressers, I might have to stop in for a cut very soon.”

I blushed. He
was
very good looking, with his puppy-dog eyes and dimples, but not really my type. He was almost
too
perfect looking.

“Well, it would be my pleasure to cut your hair.”

“I’ll remember that, Tiffany. Now, I guess we’d better start the interview on camera before I get hollered at by the judges,” he said, turning to his cameraman. “Roll it.”

“Okay,” replied the guy.

Taylor moved in closer and put an arm around my shoulders. “Welcome back to ‘American Icon’, where we have Tiffany Banks waiting to see the judges. Tiffany,” he said turning to me. “Let’s cut to the chase, do you think you have what it takes to be the next ‘American Icon?”

I forced a smile. “I’m going to give it my best shot.”

“Can you sing?”

“I made it this far, so I guess I can hold a tune.”

He smiled. “Something tells me you can hold more than a tune. Are you ready to ‘wow’ the judges, and show them you’re not just a pretty face?”

“I’ll certainly try.”

He squeezed my shoulder. “I have faith in you, Tiffany. Good luck.”

“Thanks.”

The next thing I knew, I was ushered towards the judges and Ransom, who appeared to be fiddling with his cellphone. My heart beat wildly in my chest as I waited for him to look up and notice me. It was then that I realized that I was still much more nervous about facing him than I was about the audition itself.

Ransom.

I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. In fact, I barely recognized him. Stardom had changed Ransom, and I wasn’t sure if it was for the better. His dark hair was long, just past his shoulders, and appeared unkempt. He had a goatee, which really needed to be cleaned up, and there were dark circles under his eyes. He looked… haggard.

“Hello, what’s your name, honey?” asked Deidra as they handed me a microphone.

I cleared my throat. “It’s Tiffany.”

Ransom’s eyes shot up and locked with mine, sending a wave of heat from my cheeks to the pit of my stomach. One thing that hadn’t changed was the effect he still had on me. Ransom had been my first real crush, and even now he could throw my pulse into overdrive just by looking at me.

“What are you going to sing for us today, Tiffany?” asked Tyrone.

I turned to Tyrone. “Hurt, by Christina Aguilera.”

Tyrone regarded me shrewdly. “Okay, let’s see if you can pull it off.”

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and then reopened them, focusing on the cameras behind Deidra.

Seems like it was yesterday

When I saw your face,
You told me how proud you were,

But I walked away,
If only I knew what I know today,

Ooh,

Ooh,

I would hold you in my arms,

I would take the pain away,
Thank you for all you've done,

Forgive all your mistakes,
There's nothing I wouldn't do

To hear your voice again,
Sometimes I wanna call you

But I know you won't be there,

Oh, I'm sorry for blaming you,
For everything I just couldn't do,
And I've hurt myself by hurting you,

Some days I feel broke inside

But I won't admit
Sometimes I just wanna hide

'Cause it's you I miss,
And it's so hard to say goodbye

When it comes to this,

ooh,

Would you tell me I was wrong?

Would you help me understand?
Are you looking down upon me?

Are you proud of who I am?
There's nothing I wouldn't do

To have just one more chance,
To look into your eyes

And see you looking back,

Oh, I'm sorry for blaming you,
For everything I just couldn't do,
And I've hurt myself, oh,

If I had just one more day,
I would tell you how much that I've missed you,

“Okay, Tiffany,” interrupted Tyrone. “That’s good enough.”

My palms were sweating as I glanced at Ransom out of the corner of my eye. The look on his face made my stomach clench. He looked… pissed off.

Oh, my God, was I really that bad?
 

I’d actually thought I’d done pretty well, considering how terrified I was.

Deidra cleared her throat. “Dear, have you had voice lessons?”

“No.”

“Have you ever sung in front of strangers?” she asked.

“Um, just my church’s congregation,” I said. “I was in the choir.”

Tyrone smiled and nodded towards the bleachers. “Pardon the pun, but that’s a whole different ballgame. You looked like you were ready to run home there for a minute.”

I nodded. “I am a little nervous.”

“You’ll have to work on that, dear,” said Deidra. “A performer
needs
to appear confident and ready to take on the world. But fortunately for you, that voice of yours, along with your beautiful, angelic face is distracting enough; the audience might not notice your unease. Anyway, I am definitely giving you a ‘Yes’. We need you in this contest. What do you think, Tyrone?”

Tyrone stared at me hard, and then nodded. “Tell you the truth, Tiffany, yours is the best voice I’ve heard so far. I’m voting ‘Yes’. Definitely.”

I clasped my hands together, and squealed. “Thank you so much!”

“No problem.”

Deidra smiled, and turned to Ransom, who was tapping his fingers on the table rapidly. “What do you think, Ransom?”

“No,” he said in that deep, rumbly voice that had made me quiver as a teen.

Deidra’s eyebrows shot up. “Are you serious?”

I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach. I blinked back tears.

“No,” he said, not meeting my eyes. “Sorry, I vote ‘No’. Now, bring on the next contestant.”

Chapter Five

Ransom

When I’d first heard Tiffany speak, I’d felt like someone had thrown a bucket of ice-cold water at my face, sobering me up from what was left of my buzz. It had shocked the shit out of me. Little Tiffany Banks, one of my sister’s best friends, was actually
here
, trying to get herself onto American Icon.

She had no fucking clue
.

It had been years since we’d seen each other. Now she was all grown up, and more beautiful than ever with those wide, blue eyes, cupid lips, and her perky upturned nose. She reminded me of the farmer’s daughter, the curvy, gullible one who didn’t know how corrupt the world was. Yeah, Tiffany was definitely too naïve and trusting for Hollywood, even
with
that voice, which had taken me by surprise. As amazing as it was, however, there was no way in
hell
I was voting her into this circus of bullshit. Not her. I wouldn’t be responsible for that. I’d never forgive myself if my sister’s friend ended up like me, a miserable puppet.

“Why in the world did you vote ‘No’?” asked Deidra after Tiffany walked away.

“Didn’t you see how terrified she was? Hell, she was shitting bricks up there. Face it, that girl will never have
star
presence,” I replied. “She’s too timid and self-conscious.”

“She’ll certainly get her shot to prove you wrong,” said Tyrone, tapping his pen on the table. “We’ll see how she does during the next round, and how the audience and television viewers receive her.”

That was the bitch of it.  Two out of three votes was all she needed to keep progressing. I’d just need to find a way to get Tyrone or Deidra on my side. Or, to somehow get her ass disqualified.

Tiffany was
not
going to win this contest.

Not on my watch.

***

Tiffany

“He voted
‘no’
? You’re kidding me,” snapped Sinclair, pausing as we walked out of the building. “That egotistical prick! What in the hell is wrong with him?”

I stared down at my shoes. “He must not have thought I had enough talent.”

“Let me tell you something, sweetheart,” said Jesse, looping his arm through mine as we turned the corner and walked towards the parking lot. “I’ve heard Ransom sing, and he’s not bad, but you… you have more talent than anyone on that show, past
and
present. Hell, I’m still in shock after hearing you sing. I had no idea you were
that
good.”

I smiled. “Aw… thanks, Jesse.”

“I’m serious. I know talent,” he said. “Don’t forget… I grew up in Hollywood.”

“He did,” agreed Sinclair. “And he’s right.”

“I’m
always
right,” he replied with a smirk. “It’s a gift.”

She rolled her eyes, and then turned to me. “So what’s next?” 

“I guess I’m headed to Hollywood in a month to meet the competition, and to start performing live. They gave me all the info, I just have to read through everything,” I said, holding up the large envelope I’d been given.

“So, are you even more nervous now?” ask Sinclair.

“Actually I’m not too bad, especially now that I’ve made it through the preliminary auditions.”

And facing Ransom.

“Good,” said Jesse. “And don’t let that judge, Ransom, bring you down. He’s obviously an arrogant asshole who thinks he knows it all. You got Tyrone’s vote, and that’s pretty difficult.”

“True,” I replied, although I still couldn’t believe Ransom had voted “No.” When I was a teenager, he’d always teased me and his sister, but had never been downright heartless or cruel. He had to have known how much the audition would mean to me, but apparently didn’t seem to give a rat’s ass. It was bad enough that the guy I’d fantasized about during high school had not only turned me down when I was a kid, but hadn’t thought twice about doing it again. 

“So, what about the salon?” asked Sinclair.

“I guess I’ll have to take a temporary leave.”

“A temporary leave? Are you kidding me, this is the first day of the rest of your life. You’re going to be a celebrity, not a service worker any longer,” said Jesse. “I’d call them tomorrow and say ‘hasta la vista, bitches.’”

Sinclair raised her eyebrows.

He waved his hand. “Oh, you know what I mean,” he said. “She should be focusing on preparing for the contest.”

“Maybe, but, I would never abandon
Tangled
,” I said. “I’m not letting the shop or my clients down. I’m working until the day before I leave. Seriously.”

“I still can’t believe you’re going to be on television,” grinned Sinclair, as we slid into Jesse’s Jag. “Wait until everyone finds out that you made it to the next round of the competition. They are going to be so proud of you.”

I put my seatbelt on and lay my head back against the seat. “You know, it’s all so surreal, I’m still trying to absorb everything.”

“Absorb this,” said Jesse. “You’ve got talent, oodles of it, and when you win this thing, you can stand on the stage with your chin raised up high, and tell Ransom to go fuck himself.”

I smirked. “I might just do it sooner than that.”

“Oh, right,” said Sinclair. “You’re way too nice. You should really start learning how to stand up for yourself. Not let anyone push you around.”

“I don’t let anyone push me around,” I protested.

“Girl, please,” said Jesse. “You are
way
too nice. I mean, look at the other day when Felix destroyed your new purse. Most women would have kicked all of the remaining lives out of that mangy cat. But not you. You acted like it was no big deal, but we all obviously knew better. That purse cost you a lot of money and you just brushed it off. Now
that
was being too nice.”

“He’s a cat,” I said. “What should I have done, plotted a deadly revenge?”

“Felix isn’t mangy,” pouted Sinclair. “He’s a handsome little devil.”

Jesse’s eyes narrowed. “See, even you agree he’s evil.”

She rolled her eyes. “Gee, and you wonder why he doesn’t like you? I guess he can sense your affection.”

“Listen, Sin, I like cats but I stopped going near yours right after he bit my hand when I tried petting him the first time, then the second, and finally the third time. He has no love for me, or anyone else.”

“He was probably abused as a kitten or something,” she protested.

“Right, believe what you want, but let me just say that your cat has some major issues, and probably needs to see my mother’s pet therapist. In fact, I’ll get that number for you later, Sin.”

Sinclair’s eyebrows shot up. “Pet therapist?” 

“Oh yeah, Ms. Duncan. They call her ‘The Cat Whisperer’. She is amazing, she helped mother’s cat, Flora, get over her eating disorder.”

“Eating disorder?” I asked. “What kind of eating disorder can a cat have?”

He shrugged. “All I know is that she refused to eat for a few days, and then right after Ms. Duncan met with Flora, her appetite came back. Mom raves about her to all of her friends.”

“Maybe the cat was just tired of eating the same food?” I asked. “I’ve heard that even animals get bored sometimes.”

“Mimi probably feeds her cat caviar and liver pate,” snorted Sinclair. “And that’s just on Mondays.”

“Believe what you want, but she fixed whatever was wrong with Flora. Anyway,” said Jesse. “Back to the subject at hand – Tiffany you really do need to stop taking shit from people. If you don’t, you’ll definitely never make it in Hollywood. My dad would tell you that.”

Jesse’s dad was a casting director who’d recently retired. From what Sinclair had told me, he was a real tool who thought he was some kind of Hollywood Godfather or something ridiculous like that. She couldn’t stand the man.

“How
is
dear old dad?” asked Sinclair, with a look of distaste. “Is he still living with that young actress?”

He frowned. “Yes, that bimbo is going through his money like water, too. He just bought her a new Astin Martin along with tickets to Italy for next week. It makes me sick how she uses him.”

“I’m sure he uses her, too, so they’re obviously made for each other,” replied Sinclair.

My cellphone began to ring. I pulled it out of my purse and looked at the number, but didn’t recognize it. “Hello?” 

“Oh, my God, Tiff?! It’s Remy!”

I grinned. “Remy! How are you, it’s been so long!”

I hadn’t seen Remy since we’d graduated high school, and she’d left for T.C.U. while I’d stayed back in Stanton to go to beauty school. We’d tried keeping in touch, but eventually lost track of each other.

“I’m doing okay. I heard you’re a finalist on American Icon! I can’t believe it. Well, actually I can, you always had a kick-ass voice.”

“Thanks,” I said. “So, what are you up to these days?”

“I’m engaged, and working in New York right now.”

“You’re engaged! Seriously?”

Like me, she was only twenty-one, but it didn’t surprise me that she was engaged. She was beautiful, just like her brother, and people were drawn to her outgoing personality.

“Yes, you’ve met him, in fact,” she said, with a hint of laughter.

“Who?”

“Taylor Blake.”

“Shut up, seriously?”

“Yes. We’re getting married next month. In fact, I’m holding your invitation right now. I just didn’t know how to get ahold of you. Your phone number is obviously unlisted, and now that your mother’s gone…”

“Yeah, I know,” I answered softly. “I’m kind of unreachable.”

She sighed. “I’m so sorry about your mother, Tiff. She was such a sweetheart.”

“She was,” I said, smiling sadly. “I still can’t believe she’s not here.”

“I um… I’m sorry I didn’t make the funeral. When I heard about it, I was in the middle of a nervous breakdown, I don’t know if you heard about it. I just didn’t think I could handle seeing her laid to rest. I spent so much time at your house growing up. Shit,” she choked. “I feel so horrible about not being there for you, Tiff. I should have been stronger.”

“It’s okay,” I murmured. “And yes, I heard what happened from your mother.”

Remy had been dating someone in college who’d committed suicide. It had happened right before my mother had died. 

“Still, I wish I would have done things differently. I hope you can forgive me.”

“Don’t worry about it, Rem. You had your own problems to deal with. It was a bad year for everyone. Anyway, how are you doing
now
?” I asked, feeling sad that I hadn’t been able to be there for her either. We’d always been so close growing up.

“I’m doing great, actually. And my fiancé, he’s wonderful,” she said. “We’re really in love.”

I smiled. It was good to hear. “I’m very happy for you.”

“And I’m so proud of you, Tiff, for auditioning.”

“So, how did you find out? Ransom?”

“Yes, he found your phone number and then sent me a message.”

“That’s what I figured.”

She sighed. “That’s another reason why I’m calling. He asked me to talk to you, although when he told me why, I almost told him to fuck off.”

“I don’t understand,” I said.

She paused. “Ransom wants you to drop out of the contest.”