Her nostrils flared a little. “I didn’t touch your guitar, but maybe this is a lesson that you should keep an eye on your things instead of making out with every guy on the show.”

It took all my control not to murder her right there under the vanity lights. “So you admit you stole my glasses?”

“I borrowed them for a few minutes.” She gave a little shrug. “Just a bit of harmless fun between competitors, that’s all.”

“And the photo? Was that you, too?”

“Sorry, but no. Though I’m flattered you think I care that much.”

My gaze swept over her for any hint she’d broken my guitar—chips of wood in her clothes, a broken fingernail, a bit of sea foam green paint—but there was nothing. I didn’t want to believe her because that meant someone else was intentionally sabotaging me and the band, but unfortunately, I did. She’d been surprised when I’d mentioned my guitar, and no matter how horrible she was, I truly didn’t think she would do something like this.

“Shouldn’t you be on stage now?” she asked, twirling one of her blonde ringlets.

Did it matter? Without a guitar, we wouldn’t be able to do the song. And even if we could find another guitar, I was too rattled to perform. The show might as well send us home right now.

Back at the revolving stage, Kyle and Hector were arguing with Steve, but I didn’t see Jared anywhere. No one was performing up front, which was a bad sign. They’d probably had to cut to commercials or something to delay, but that would only give us a few minutes before it was do or die.

Dan rushed to my side. He never came backstage during the live shows, so this must be really serious. “Maddie, I’m so sorry. This has never happened before, but we’re going to get to the bottom of this, I swear.”

“Thanks,” I said with a sigh. “Is there a guitar I can borrow for the song?”

“We can get you a Gibson, I know it’s not the same, but—”

“No need,” Jared said behind me, sounding out of breath. Sweat beaded across his forehead, his suit jacket was missing, his tie hung on for dear life, but he held his guitar case at his side and he’d never looked more handsome in his life.

“Did you go to the hotel?” I asked.

“Yeah. I figured this was better than some guitar you didn’t know.” No wonder he was out of breath. He’d gotten back so quickly that he must have run the entire way. Without even asking, he’d instantly jumped into action and known exactly what I’d need to get through this next performance.