Choosing America's Next Superstar (26 page)

“Mrs. Dunham, Corey is famous now. He’s going to be very wealthy… even if he doesn’t win the competition. He can help you with your bills.”

“I’ll pay them all off!” Corey said excitedly. “I’ve already had record companies call me, offering me contracts.”

“Really?” she said.

“Mrs. Dunham, didn’t you see all those people? Corey is a superstar now. Everyone in the whole country knows who he is.”

“And now they’ll know who you are too,” Corey joked. “You’ll be on TV too.”

“You mean… I might not have to worry about this mortgage?”

“Mom, fuck the mortgage! I’ll buy you a new house.”

She was so happy that she didn’t even scold him for swearing.

C
OREY
’
S
entire outlook changed while home. After the warm reception he received, he was relieved and felt unburdened. His estrangement from his mother and sister had weighed heavy on his heart, and now he felt free. A part of him worried that his mom still might not accepted him for who he was, but it was a step in the right direction. At least now she was ready to meet Jimmy, and she’d accepted that he was a big part of Corey’s life.

It seemed as if the outcome of the competition was inconsequential. It was odd, because Corey had worried all along that if he and Jimmy both made it to the very end, they’d face a terrible conflict, but he didn’t feel the least bit competitive. He was at peace with whatever decision the voters made. Regardless of which of them won the competition—or even if neither did—they could both come away from the experience deeply enriched.

Corey flew back to California on Tuesday, and his mom and sister followed the next day on a commercial airline. He’d been texting Jimmy over the past four days, and they’d spoken a few times on the phone. Jimmy’s homecoming was all that Corey’s had been and more. As he sat in the limo on his way back to the hotel, he sent Jimmy one final text, letting him know that he was back.

Jimmy responded, saying he was in his own room, and that he wanted Corey to meet him there. Corey expected that it was because Jimmy’s family was with him. It’d be good to see them all again. When he got back to his room, the bellhop deposited his bags inside the room. After tipping and thanking him, Corey decided to take a quick shower. He wanted to look and smell his best when he saw Jimmy and his family.

Ten minutes later, with a towel around his waist, he stepped out of the bathroom and headed into his kitchen area to grab a bottled water. He stopped dead in his tracks when he noticed an envelope on the floor by the front door. He knew exactly what it was—another note from Reuben.

Corey rushed over and picked it up. He wasn’t going to let this ruin anything. The lawyer and the prosecutor both had told him not to respond to any contact from Reuben. He tossed the letter, unopened, on the bureau and headed back to his bedroom to get dressed.

When Corey arrived at Jimmy’s room, he knocked and waited for the door to open. He didn’t have his own key because they’d never stayed in that room. Jimmy had always stayed with him. Thirty seconds later the door opened, and there Jimmy stood, more striking than Corey had ever seen him. Jimmy was dressed to the nines, decked out in a formal tuxedo.

A huge smile erupted across Corey’s face. “I think I’m underdressed,” he confessed.

“You’re perfect,” Jimmy said. He held out his hand and escorted Corey into his room. The lighting was subdued, and the room was accented with candles. Soft, romantic music was being piped in, seemingly by magic.

“What’s going on?” Corey asked.

“I told you when you got back I’d have a surprise,” Jimmy said.

“Room service? A tuxedo? Jimmy, this is amazing… you’ve planned a romantic evening for us.”

“Yes, I have, but that’s not the real surprise,” he said. He walked Corey over to the sofa and motioned for him to sit. Stepping behind him, he gently began massaging Corey’s shoulders. “How was your flight?”

“It was fine,” Corey said. “I knew I was coming back to you.”

“I missed you.”

“I missed you too… so much!”

Jimmy bent over and kissed the side of Corey’s neck. “You smell good,” he said and then moaned. Jimmy then stepped around to the front of the sofa so that he was standing before Corey. He lowered himself, bending one knee.

“Corey, I love you with all my heart,” he said.

Corey raised his hand to cover his mouth. He couldn’t believe what was happening. It was beyond his wildest dreams. “Oh, Jimmy,” he gasped.

Reaching into the pocket of his jacket, Jimmy pulled out a small box and held it in his hand. “I don’t want to go on with my life unless you’re in it,” he said. “You’re the fulfillment of my every dream. Corey, no matter what happens in the contest, I want us to stay together. I want to wake up with you every morning. I want to come home to you every night. I want to make a life together… grow old together.”

Tears streamed down Corey’s cheeks as he looked into Jimmy’s chocolate-colored eyes.

“Corey Dunham, will you marry me?”

Corey began to nod, biting his lower lip to keep from completely losing it. “Yes!” he cried. “Oh, God, yes!” Jimmy removed the ring from the box and slipped it on Corey’s finger.

As Jimmy pressed his lips against Corey’s, delivering the most searing and passionate kiss Corey had ever experienced, Corey melted into Jimmy’s embrace. Soon Corey felt himself being lifted by Jimmy’s strong arms and carried into the bedroom. They made passionate love several times. Three hours later, exhausted, they returned to the living room and ate their cold supper.

“I’ll order us some hot food,” Jimmy said.

“No, this is fine,” Corey said. “It’s perfect.”

Corey didn’t bother telling Jimmy about the letter he’d received. It didn’t matter. They could deal with it in the morning. Tonight was too special, and Corey wasn’t going to let anything ruin it.

Chapter Sixteen

I
T
WAS
going to be a big day for both Corey and Jimmy. Not only were their families arriving that day, but it was also a performance night. Only three contestants remained in the competition—Jimmy, Corey, and Elaina. Conventional wisdom was that Jimmy and Elaina would be the most vulnerable for elimination. They were both country-western singers, and it wasn’t likely they’d face off against each other in the final round. On the other hand, Elaina was the only female, and that factor could be detrimental to Jimmy and Corey.

“Either way you look at it, I’m at risk,” Jimmy said. His tone was lighthearted, and he made the comment with a shrug. Corey suspected that he had pretty much developed the same attitude that Corey had. They both felt as if they were already living their dream. They’d already been blessed beyond measure, and they’d gladly accept their role in either first, second, or third place.

When they headed over to Corey’s room that morning, Corey decided to inform Jimmy about the letter. “Reuben sent me a letter last night,” he said, trying to sound casual.

“What?” Jimmy stopped walking. “Corey, why didn’t you tell me?”

“I dunno. Just didn’t want to spoil our night. Besides, at this point it doesn’t matter what he said.”

“Let me see it,” Jimmy said, holding out his hand.

“It’s in the room, and I haven’t even opened it.”

Jimmy rushed along down the hallway, hurrying to get to the room. Once inside, he spotted the envelope on the bureau. He picked it up and tore open the envelope, reading it aloud.

“If you don’t want your friend eliminated tomorrow, be at my room at midnight.”

Jimmy tossed the letter back onto the stand and pulled out his cell phone. He first called his lawyer and then the prosecutor.

“Do they think he’s bluffing?” Corey asked.

“Yeah, but what Devin is worried about is the possibility that Reuben could leak the pictures to a third party and have them post them on the Internet. We could still go after him in a lawsuit, but that wouldn’t stop him from getting me kicked out.”

“Oh my God! Why is Devin telling you this now? He should have mentioned that a long time ago. I never thought about that—”

“They’re probably going to arrest Reuben today,” Jimmy interrupted. “They wanted to wait, but after this, they think it’ll be a lot of publicity for us no matter the timing.”

“Oh God… and my mom’s coming today. She’s gonna find out about Reuben and what I let him do to me.”

“It takes a while for all the facts to come out in these cases,” Jimmy explained. “The big news today will just be that Reuben’s been arrested. I’m sure he will be out on bail within hours. He might even be on the show tonight.”

“Are you serious?”

“I don’t know. A person is innocent until proven guilty.”

“Unless you’re the victim,” Corey snapped back.

Jimmy nodded. “It doesn’t seem fair.”

“Anyway, we have a rehearsal in an hour, then our families will be here this afternoon. The police are gonna do what they need to do, and we’ve got to go on with our own business.”

“Exactly. Unless I hear otherwise, I’m gonna act as if I’m still in the competition.”

A
FTER
rehearsal, Corey rushed back to his room and turned on the television. He surfed the channels, checking all the news programs, and there was nothing about Reuben. He then checked the Internet. About a half hour later, Jimmy arrived.

“Have you heard anything?” Corey asked.

“Nothing.” He shook his head.

“I just got a text from Lanie. They arrived at the airport about ten minutes ago and will be headed over here. She’ll text me when they arrive, and I’ll go down to meet them in the lobby.”

“Daddy, Mama, and Charlie are already here,” Jimmy said. “Maybe we can get everyone together for a few minutes this afternoon.”

“Should we tell them anything about Reuben?”

“No, let’s wait.”

J
IMMY
went downstairs with Corey to meet Corey’s mom. It was the very first time they’d met. It came as no surprise to Corey that Jimmy was very polite and charming, and Corey sensed that his mom really did like him.

A few minutes later, they met Jimmy’s parents in the hotel restaurant. Everyone was hugging each other and interacting as if they’d known one another for years. About halfway through the meal, Charlie spoke up, asking Corey a question.

“Where’d you get that rock you’re wearing?” he said. He was referring to Corey’s ring.

Corey looked at Jimmy, not knowing whether he should go ahead and answer the question, or leave it up to Jimmy.

“Corey is engaged,” Jimmy said proudly. “We’re getting married.”

Mrs. Sawyer gasped, jumping up from her chair to embrace her son. Charlie and Lanie were smiling and laughing, congratulating them. Charlie reached over to pat Corey firmly on the back, and Lanie came over to hug him. Only Corey’s mother and Jimmy’s dad remained seated, not really saying much.

Finally Mr. Sawyer spoke. “Son, I’m so happy for you, and very proud. Have you decided where you’re having the ceremony?”

“Well, we have to go to a state where it’s legal to get our license… but we are thinking of having a big ceremony back home.”

“Does this mean you’re leaving Michigan?” Corey’s mom asked.

“Probably,” Corey said, reaching over to take hold of her hand. “But we’ll talk about it. It’s not something we’re going to do immediately. I’d like you to think about maybe moving closer to us.”

For the remainder of the meal, they talked about nothing other than the wedding. Mrs. Sawyer was thrilled and rattled off a litany of ideas about the cake and the tuxedos and which church they’d use. Corey couldn’t believe how open and accepting Jimmy’s family was. Never once did they say a single word about it being a gay wedding.

Oddly, neither did Corey’s mother. But Corey suspected she was thinking thoughts like that. He feared that on the inside she was far more uncomfortable than she was letting on. It seemed ironic to Corey that this traditional family from Kentucky was so accepting and welcoming, while so many other people in his life struggled.

“Isn’t your friend Megan coming out?” Jimmy asked Corey.

“If I make it through this week, she will come out for the last show.”

“Well, one thing’s a guarantee. Either you or I will make it through,” Jimmy said.

“Both of you will make it through,” Charlie said confidently. “You’re both better than that girl.”

“We’ll see.”

I
F
THEIR
performances were any indication, Charlie was right. Each of the contestants had to sing two songs that evening. Both Corey and Jimmy’s were spectacular, and one of Jimmy’s songs was dedicated to his brother. There was hardly a dry eye in the auditorium.

Reuben had not been arrested. He remained in his normal judge’s seat and said all of his typical sarcastic remarks.

After the show that night, both families gathered in Jimmy’s room. Everyone was excited, confident that they had both given amazing performances and had an excellent chance of making it through to the final round.