Fifteen Minutes

chapter 7

Zack hadn’t stopped praying since he entered the holding area. He and nine other contestants sat in a small room not far where Kit Barker stood conducting interviews with contestants before and after their time with the judges.

Zoey sat next to him, one of the ten. Something Zack was beginning to see as less of a coincidence. He’d texted Reese while he was waiting, but no response. Did she even know that he’d made it through the morning round?

“Texting your girlfriend?” Zoey leaned over his shoulder.

Part of him liked the girl’s attention, if he was honest with himself. Which couldn’t be right. But his patience with her was waning. “Yeah.”

“Is she excited for you?”

Zack held his breath. “She’s praying. I know that.”

“That’s cool.” Zoey smiled at him, her eyes more guarded than before. “You and her, your faith being so strong and all.”

“Yeah. It’s important to us.”

“Clearly.” She sat back and pulled one knee up to her chest. She wore a pink T-shirt and pale blue jeans. Anyone would’ve thought she looked very pretty. The judges were going to love her. She tried to catch a look at Zack’s phone. “What’s her name?”

Zack had told her before. “Reese.”

“Reese. Right.” Another pinched smile. “Lucky girl.”

Around them others were humming quietly, pacing the small floor or stone-still, eyes closed, focusing. “Hey, I need to get ready.” He stood and stepped away. “Sorry.”

“No, yeah. Go ahead. Me, too.” She leaned her head back and launched into a vocal exercise that jarred the entire room.

Zack moved to the window and stared at the busy street below. God, is this You? This opportunity? If it is . . . please, help me stay true to You. You alone. He blinked and thought about the people of Atlanta, busy people going about their business, working their jobs, climbing their ladders. If Atlanta were like any other city in the U.S., lots of the people on the street below watched Fifteen Minutes. Could his faith touch their hearts? Could something he said or did on the show cause one of them to think differently about God or to believe for the first time? He searched his heart. Check my motives, Lord. Keep me on the straight path.

“Zack Dylan?” A perky young assistant with a clipboard appeared at the door. They’d seen her before, but then, lots of people worked for the show.

Zack stood. “That’s me.”

She smiled at him. “This way.”

“Hey.” Zoey reached out and caught his hand as he walked by. “You’ll make it. I know you will.”

“Thanks. You, too.” He turned and followed the well-dressed assistant. If he and Zoey both made it through, he would have to be very careful. She was attractive and crazy about him. That was bound to be flattering, no matter how much he loved Reese. He wasn’t interested, but the girl was relentless.

Out in the hallway, the assistant turned to him. “She might be right.”

“Ma’am?” Zack walked alongside her, confused.

“That girl. She said you’d make it through.” The assistant gave him a quick once-over. “If you can sing, you’re in. They need to find two hot guys in Atlanta. From what I’ve seen, you’re the hottest.” She tossed her hair and looked straight ahead as they walked. “Just saying.”

“Thanks, I guess.” Zack laughed, surprised. He would’ve expected an employee of the show to be more professional. They rounded a corner and the assistant’s demeanor changed. She lost her smile and nodded at the show’s famous host, Kip Barker. “Zack Dylan, sir.”

“Thank you.” Kip held out his hand. “Zack. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you.” Zack was shaking the host’s hand when he caught a sly wink from the assistant as she headed back down the hallway. Zack kept his focus on Kip. “Is there anything I should know?”

“We’ll do a little interview out here, and then, well”—he shrugged—“you know the rest. Go in and sing your socks off.” Kip motioned to the cameraman and the guy came closer. Kip smiled at Zack. “Ready?”

Zack exhaled, searching for the calm he’d felt that morning in his hotel room. “Ready.”

Zack wasn’t worried about Kip Barker. The guy had been with the show from the beginning. He was a former baseball star from the Dominican Republic, half-Hispanic and half-Irish with an uncanny ability to put contestants at ease and connect with America.

Zack’s interview turned out to be one of the few exceptions.

“Your faith is important to you, so does that mean you were praying in the holding room?” Kip talked fast and almost always smiled.

“Yes.” Zack grinned. “One of the biggest days of my life. I’ve been praying all day.”

“All day. Right. So does that mean like . . .” Kip dropped to one knee, planted his elbow on the other knee and bowed his head. Just as quickly he looked back up at Zack. “Sort of like this? Tebowing in the back room? ’Cause I’ve always wanted to see someone Tebow in person.”

Zack laughed, which was the expected response. “Tebow’s a great guy, but I pray my own way.”

“Why don’t you show us? Can you show us, Zack? Like a demonstration?” Kip was back on his feet, his likable smile aimed at the camera. “Maybe you’ve got the Zack Dylan drop. Flat on your face.” He spread his arms like an umpire making a safe call.

Again Zack laughed. “Nothing that crazy.”

Kip gave him a friendly shove in the arm. “Just teasing you, Zack. It’s okay. So who’d you bring to the audition? Good-looking guy like you? Girlfriend or wife? Both?” He laughed at his own joke.

“Not married.” The guy was bugging Zack. “Here by myself, actually.”

“That’ll be great news to the ladies out there. So are you nervous?”

Zack hadn’t meant to leave Reese out of the equation, but the questions were coming too fast. The interview ended and Kip settled into his usual chill personality. “Sorry about the Tebow comment.” He chuckled, his microphone relaxed at his side. “No harm intended.”

“No worries. I get it.” Zack stuck his hands in his jeans. He thought about asking Kip if he believed in God, then changed his mind. No time for that kind of conversation. He would be singing in front of the judges in a few minutes. Kip excused himself and moved into a meeting with what looked like part of the production staff.

Father, it’s almost my turn. Shine through me. I’m Yours alone. I’m ready. If it’s Your will, please let me go through to New York.

The female assistant was back. She gently touched Zack’s elbow. “It’s time.” She led him through the door to the audition room. “Break a leg,” she whispered.

“Thanks.” He looked at the panel of judges. They were all watching him, the cameras trained on his every move. Immediately Zack found his comfort zone. Like the athlete he’d been in high school, he walked confidently to a small X on the floor in front of the old wood table.

The moment felt surreal. This season’s judges looked back at him. Chandra Olson, Kelly Morgan, and Cullen Caldwell. Some of the most famous names in pop music right here in person. Kelly raised her eyebrows and muttered something under her breath to Cullen.

“Hey.” Cullen turned to Zack. “She says you look like her boyfriend.” He laughed as he looked down at his notes and back at Zack. “Just so there’re no secrets between us.”

Kelly grinned like a high school girl caught crushing on the guy in her biology class. She gave Cullen a lighthearted punch. “Thanks a lot.”

“No problem.” Cullen chuckled and shook his head at the camera. “What I put up with.”

Chandra’s eyes were kind and deep. “You’re Zack Dylan?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Zack squared his shoulders.

“Okay, Zack.” Kelly rebounded. “Where’re you from?”

“Nowhere near New York.” Cullen patted Kelly’s shoulder, a smirk on his face. “Settle down, you little Sheila. Give the bloke a listen.”

“Yes, tell us about yourself, Zack.” Chandra leaned forward, the only one who was serious.

“Okay.” He chuckled, going along with the situation as best he could. “I’m a worship leader from Danville, Kentucky. My family owns a horse farm and one day I’d like the chance to raise a Kentucky Derby champion.”

“Your great-grandfather did that, correct?” Cullen reined himself in.

“He did. Yes, sir.”

“Well, good on you, Zack. You look a little like a young Elvis Presley. Anyone ever tell you that?” Cullen stroked his chin, surveying Zack.

“Once in a while.” Zack shrugged, his smile in place.

“Better-looking than Elvis.” Kelly seemed to speak under her breath but her words remained loud enough for the camera to catch. She seemed to gather herself. “Okay, Zack. Let’s be serious here. What’re you going to sing for us?”

“ ‘Dream Like New York’ by Tyrone Wells.”

“Mmmm.” Cullen nodded. “Nice song. Strong artist.” He waved a pencil in Zack’s direction. “All right, mate. Let’s hear it.”

Between his earlier audition and this one Zack had practiced almost constantly. The song was one of his favorites. He’d sung it a thousand times at least, and as he opened his mouth his voice wrapped itself around the notes and words with hardly any effort at all.

The song had a rhythmic feel, like ocean waves on a summer afternoon. It didn’t push his range, but the chorus was high enough to let him shine. Zack looked beyond the judges while he sang, through the window and toward the deep blue over Atlanta. Dream like New York, as high as a skyline, aim for the stars . . . above those city lights . . .

Something happened while he sang, while the song played out. The judges began to smile. No one made a move to stop him or cut him off, and when he sang the last note, all three judges were clapping and Kelly Morgan was on her feet, bowing toward him.

“What in the world?” She laughed and did a little dance standing in place. She put her hands on the shoulders of her fellow judges. “Did you hear that boy?” She did a celebration shout and then pointed at the closest camera. “Listen up, America! You just met Zack Dylan! You can say you saw him here first.”

Zack’s heart raced. This was beyond what he had hoped or imagined. Kelly sat back down, but still the judges were laughing and shaking their heads. “Okay . . . all right.” Cullen slapped the table. “Bring it in. What are we going to do with Zack Dylan? Is he through to New York?”

“I’ll say yes.” Something in Chandra’s smile held a familiar depth. “You have a beautiful voice, Zack. If you’re careful, I think you can go far in this competition.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Is this really happening? The floor beneath Zack’s feet felt suddenly liquid. He tried to stay focused. “Thank you.”

“It’s a yes for me.” Cullen leaned back hard in his seat. “I’ll make the prediction right now. You’ll be one of the finalists. The ladies will love you.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Zack Dylan.” Kelly grinned at him. She stood again and threw her hands in the air. “You’re through to New York!”

“Thank you.” Zack clasped his hands and looked up for a few seconds. “Thank you, very much.”

“Listen, bloke, I think someone wants a hug.” Cullen folded his arms, leaned back in his chair and chuckled.

Kelly ran carefully around the table. She was wearing what looked like five-inch heels. “Let all the girls know I was the first to get a hug from Zack Dylan!”

Zack hadn’t expected this. He had no choice but to go along with it, so he laughed and held open his arms as the two of them came together. Kelly pressed in close and whispered near his ear. “You’re a good sport. Don’t worry, I won’t do this every week.”

The hug ended before Zack could respond. Kelly pranced back to her spot. Zack waved once more and then collected the famous red invitation to New York from Samuel J. Meier. “Congratulations, Zack.”

“Thank you. I’ll do my best.”

“I’m sure you will.” The show’s producer hesitated. “You’re a team player, right?”

A team player? Zack’s heart was racing, the floor still mostly liquid. “Yeah, definitely. Of course.”

Samuel Meier smiled. “Good. I thought so.” He nodded. “I think you’ll go far this season. I’m happy for you.” He pointed toward the back door. “Kip’ll talk to you out there.”

Zack was almost there when an older man with an air of importance and a fancy headset stepped out from the shadows. “Hold on!” He put his hand up, clearly listening to direction through the headset. “Kip says they’re not ready for you yet.”

Zack’s breathing came fast, and he could feel a fine layer of sweat at the top of his forehead. “Yes, sir.”

The man listened again and nodded slightly. “I’m on it.” He took a step closer to Zack, his voice low. “This is what you need to do. You’ll burst through the door holding the red ticket, hands raised.” He seemed rushed. “You’ll let out a shout or some victory cry. Then you’ll drop down and do your best Tebow-type prayer.”

A strange feeling came over him, starting at the back of his neck and working its way down his spine. “What?”

“Tebow.” Impatience marked the man’s features. “You know, drop to your knee. That thing.”

“That’s not how I pray.”

The man raised his eyebrows half an inch. “I don’t care how you pray, kid. That’s what we want for the show.”

Zack had seconds to make a decision. He hated when movie stars like Alec Baldwin mocked the pro football player. Zack respected Tim and everything he stood for. But to drop to one knee and do the Tebow just wasn’t him.

“Look, kid, praying is praying.” The man pointed at the door. “You believers want people to know you’re religious. So do the Tebow. You might have a few extra weeks to talk about God.”

There was no telling whether his anger or shock was greater in the moment, but Zack had to make a decision. And in the time it took for his heart to rattle off another few rapid beats, he decided. If Tebowing was how he could make a name for himself, the contestant with the strong faith, the Tim Tebow of Fifteen Minutes, then fine. That’s what he would do. He’d act like it was his idea, and he’d win the favor of the show’s producers.

God, let people see this in the right light. Please . . . give me the chance to say how I feel about you. Thank you, Lord . . . thank you.

“They’re waiting.” The man stepped back, a scowl etched onto his cheeks. “Go!”

Zack stared at the door, held his breath and rushed for the other side. He did just as he was asked, milking the moment, the red ticket, the hands raised, the victory shout. Then he dropped to one knee and did the Tebow. He barely held the pose, and once he was back on his feet he hurried to Kip and the microphone.

“It’s official!” Kip patted Zack on the back, congratulating him. “Our first Tebowing contestant! Zack, you’re on to New York . . . just like Tebow, by the way! So how did it go in there?”

“God gets all the credit. I can’t believe I made it through!”

Kip motioned to the cameraman to cut. “Hey, so thanks, Zack. Way to go.” He took a clipboard from another assistant. He didn’t look up. “You’ll receive a packet from a table at the end of the hall. Your flight to LaGuardia will take off first thing in the morning.”

“Wow . . . so fast.”

“It’s always like that for the last group.” Kip smiled at him again. Already he was moving toward the hallway; the female assistant was walking toward them.

Zoey was at the girl’s side, long blond hair spilling over her shoulders. She looked ahead and spotted him. “Zack!” Her eyes lit up and she pointed at his red ticket. “You’re in! I knew it!” She ran to him and threw herself into his arms. Just as quickly she drew back and clapped her hands. A squeal came from her. “I’m so happy for you!”

“Thanks.” He could see Kip watching from his place near the cameramen. He whispered something to one of them. Zack wanted to get out of there, but he couldn’t be rude. Not now. He turned to Zoey. “You’ll be perfect. The judges are great.”

She linked her arm through his and raked her free hand through her hair. “I’m so scared.”

“Don’t be.” With everyone watching, Zack couldn’t remember ever feeling more uncomfortable. He sidestepped her clutches and faced her, placing his hands on her shoulders. “You belong here.”

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Kip come closer, his radar clearly up. “You two know each other?”

“Just from auditions.” Zack’s response came quickly. Already he felt like it had been a year since he said good-bye to Reese, since he held her in his arms. “We were in line together.”

“Hmm.” Kip stood between them. “I sense a little chemistry, am I right?”

“No.” Zack laughed and watched how his comment made Zoey’s face fall. “I mean, I have a girlfriend. Zoey and I . . . we’re friends. That’s it.”

“Yeah.” Zoey found her winning smile. She leaned in and kissed Zack on the cheek. “What he means is, if he didn’t have a girlfriend he’d be madly in love with me.”

Zack laughed and took a step back. “Crazy girl.” He fist-pumped her. How had he lost control? He pointed to the door. “Go kill it.” Only as he was leaving did he notice something that dropped his heart to the floor.

The cameras had been rolling the whole time. He had signed up for this, of course. He knew he was giving up his privacy when he drove to Atlanta yesterday. He had no control over what the cameramen caught and how they might play it on the show. Still, of all the scenarios he had imagined, if by God’s grace he made it through to New York, getting kissed on camera wasn’t one of them. He needed to be more aware, ready for whatever came next.

Especially if Zoey made it through.