Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right by Rosie Steppe

Hello 675

Chapter 674 Hayden?

It had to be him. That same silhouette I'd seen in the alley that night.

Last time, I blew it-I fell and missed my chance. Not this time. I stepped forward...and forgot about my busted knee. Yep, down I went, crashing straight to the floor.

"Wow, if you wanted me to catch you, you could've just asked," Cole quipped, smirking as he helped me up.

I ignored him, my focus glued to the stage. Without thinking, I yelled, "Turn on the lights!"

The models froze mid-rehearsal, and the backstage area stayed pitch black.

"I said, turn on the lights!" My voice was louder, desperate.

Ron walked in just then, eyebrows raised. "What's happening? Turn on the lights, now!"

His tone worked like magic. The lights flooded on, way too bright, making everyone blink like deer in headlights- including me.

But I didn't care. My gaze darted from face to face until it landed on the one in the center.

Hayden.

off-his eyes. The way he looked at me, like he didn't even know me. Confused. Uneasy. None of it mattered. Not his weird expression, not my throbbing knee. I limped toward the stage, barely

Cole trailing

are you doing?" he

shaking. "H-Hayden... You-you're alive? But how? You..." He trailed off, too freaked out to get

the edge of the stage,

be Hayden. I was sure

whispered, my voice catching on the name I'd

he didn't

out a low laugh. "That's not Hayden Hart. That's Xander Zane-the headliner." Cole gestured for the guy to step forward, and he obeyed instantly, hopping off the

and flat. "Ms. Kay,

that,

high-pitched. It was all wrong. Hayden's voice had weight, that low, velvety tone

similar. The sharp

+25 BONUS

Chapter 674

Xander's was pale and freakishly perfect, like a wax figure. Hayden's face had

his hands, breaking the tension. "Are we rehearsing or what? Don't come crying to me if this messes up the