Jo and Kira came over to my place on Friday, buzzing with excitement. It had been over a month since the Fiery Boys tour contest had been announced, and tonight they were revealing the winner. Some gorgeous groupie would soon be chosen to ride on their bus, and then the three of us could return to our regular lives.
Palmer was there, too, belittling us for caring so much. Yeah, he and I were still going out, but barely. I ignored his teasing and turned on the television.
Kira poured herself a glass of wine and took a sip. "I'm trying to think positively here." She started to repeat her contest-winning mantra. "I am going to win. I am going to win. I am going to win."
Jo smiled and picked up her glass of whiskey. "I'll show you positive thinking." She shot the drink and dropped the glass on the table. "I am going to get drunk. I am going to get drunk. I am going to get drunk." We laughed, and even Palmer agreed with that sentiment.
Jo turned to me on the sofa. "What about you, Annalisa? Are you going to win or get drunk?"
I wondered if I might just throw up. Even though I was still working on my first beer, my stomach shook like a jumping bean. I mean, how silly was it to be nervous over this, especially when I knew I wouldn't be picked? Neither would Jo-the photographs we'd submitted were jokes. Only Kira had a chance. Maybe I was nervous for her.
We plodded through a few commercials, then an announcer told us what we already knew: it was time for the contest results. And to make the announcement, they introduced the man himself, the lead singer of the Fiery Boys, Chuck Van Dorn. The three of us held our collective breaths.
Chuck wasn't a kid anymore, and he looked great. Even better than he had ten years ago, if that was possible. He wasn't as rail thin and gangly-now he exuded real sexuality, with a come-hither grin and those perfect features. He had his usual beard shadow, long dark hair, and green eyes. Although not my favorite Fiery Boy, I couldn't deny his appeal.
Chuck stood in front of a custom press wall that had the Fiery Boys logo emblazoned all over it. Flashes went off every few seconds, and the camera panned back to show that he was addressing a crowded room of reporters. After a minute of this, he raised his hand to get everyone's attention. Kira crawled to the screen to give him a remote kiss.