Olivia glanced over at Jackson at the podium and he looked confused. He caught her eye in the wings and gave a helpless shrug.
Photographs started flashing up on the screen of Jackson and Jessica filming scenes at the Meat and Greet, picnicking in a park and holding hands by a lake. It looked to Olivia more like it was a tribute to them as a couple.
‘Don’t worry, girls,’ Jessica’s voice came over the images. ‘I’m not taking credit for taming America’s most eligible bachelor . . . because someone called Olivia beat me to it!’
Amy gasped and Olivia felt her stomach twist. She had to take a deep breath to stop from retching. Jackson’s mouth was set in a grim line, steeling himself for whatever was coming next.
Then a video clip started of someone clearly filming through a bush. It was Aunt Rebecca’s ranch. On the huge screen for everyone to see, Jackson got out of the Daniels’ van, rushed over to Olivia, scooped her up and gave her a big kiss.
And, just like that, the secret was out.
Olivia had wanted the world to know, but she didn’t want Jackson’s fans to find out like this – especially right before she had to face the cameras for the newcomer award.
There was loud booing from the audience.
‘Who is that?’ one girl shouted.
‘Jackson stealer!’ called another.
So much for being a star at the awards like Harker wanted, Olivia thought. I’m promotional poison!
The film was still playing out behind her, and there was a glimpse of Ivy on the screen – the first time anyone had seen Ivy and Olivia together in a film.
‘They tried to keep that secret from us!’ someone cried out. Olivia couldn’t believe it. How many more things was she going to get attacked for?
Just then, Ivy burst into the wings. ‘Olivia!’ she called.
‘What is going on?’ Amy raged at a stage manager.
He looked terrified and shouted into his headset. ‘Commercial break! Go! Now!’
Jackson, still in front of the audience, was forcing a smile but people were up out of their seats, the video had cut out part-way through and the whole event was in chaos.
Olivia couldn’t face it any more. She dropped her bag on the nearest chair and fled.
‘Olivia!’ Ivy called, but Olivia couldn’t stop. She had to get away.
Chapter Nine
‘Where is she?’ Jackson demanded, rushing over to the wings the instant the commercial break began.
‘I want somebody FIRED!’ Amy was shouting.
‘I don’t know,’ Ivy admitted. ‘But we’ll find her.’
Ivy took off in the direction that Olivia went, desperately hoping that her sister hadn’t left the building. She wished there was something she could have done to prevent this mess.
‘Where did she go?’ Jackson demanded of a stunned stagehand.
He pointed towards the back of the stage area and Jackson set off after Ivy, with a producer shouting that Jackson had to be back on stage in three minutes.
‘Jackson!’ Amy called after them.
Ivy rushed up to a woman all in black, carrying a brush and hand-mirror. ‘Which way did the girl in turquoise go?’
The make-up artist pointed along the curtain.
Ivy and Jackson tore down the path and eventually found Olivia in a small dressing room tucked away behind a bunch of glittering backdrop props.
Her face was buried in her arms, as she leaned on a counter in front of a well-lit mirror. When Olivia looked up to see who was at the door, Ivy could see that her sister’s cheeks were streaked with tears.
Ivy rushed in to hug her, with Jackson right behind. Ivy felt tears welling in her own eyes seeing her sister so upset.
‘I should never have dreamed I could belong here,’ Olivia said.
‘Oh, Olivia,’ Jackson said. ‘This is all my fault. I should have made Amy let us go public weeks ago.’
‘I’m sorry, too,’ Amy said from the doorway. ‘I’ve handled this exactly the wrong way.’
Olivia shook her head. ‘It’s not even that. It’s awful to get booed but, really, I’m just horrified that Jessica could be so vindictive.’
Ivy decided right then and there that something had to be done about Jessica.
‘I will never work with her again,’ Jackson vowed.
The stage manager knocked sharply on the door. ‘There’s no time for this. Jackson you’re on.’
‘Give me a minute!’ Jackson insisted. ‘Olivia, please don’t leave. Don’t give up.’
‘There’s no way Harker will want me now,’ Olivia said.
‘Jackson –’ the stage manager started again.
‘Can it!’ Amy cut him off. The man’s mouth fell open in shock. ‘This mess is your crew’s fault. How could you have let that video get played? You will just have to deal for a little longer.’
Ivy was impressed. Amy really had Jackson’s best interests at heart.
Jackson knelt down beside Olivia.
‘You should go,’ Olivia told him.
‘I’m not going anywhere until I know you’re all right,’ he said gently.
Ivy could see that it was making things worse for Olivia to be ruining Jackson’s evening. ‘I’m here,’ she said. ‘I’ll make sure Olivia’s OK.’
Jackson hesitated.
‘Really,’ Olivia said. ‘Go.’
Jackson got to his feet and turned. The stage manager looked about to weep with relief. He started gabbling into his walkie-talkie, ‘We are go!’ and he practically dragged Jackson away.
In the moment of silence, Amy emptied her little bag out on to the counter. Make-up remover, tissues, mascara, lipstick and blusher clattered on to the laminate surface.
‘What happens next is entirely up to you, sweetie,’ she said quietly. ‘Whatever you choose won’t be easy, but it’s my job to give you the tools you need, if you decide to stay.’
‘Thank you, Amy,’ Olivia said, sniffling. ‘You’re a good friend.’
Ivy was still clutching Olivia’s handbag when it started chirping. Olivia shook her head, and Ivy knew her sister didn’t want to deal with it right now.
‘You take care of it,’ Olivia said.
There were already three text messages. One was from their dad, so Ivy quickly texted him their location and to say things were OK. The next was from Camilla, so Ivy sent another reassuring note, but the third was from Charlotte Brown.