The Dirty Texas Rockstar Box Set (Books 1 - 5)

by JA Low

  “Oh my God,” Stacey screams and rushes to the window where her family is standing. The door opens and a large gust of wintery air rushes in as Stacey is set upon by her family. There is a heap of crying, screaming and hugging. Stacey’s parents are here, her sister who is quite a bit older than her, her husband and their seventeen-year-old son, fifteen-year-old, thirteen-year-old and ten-year-old daughters and their three-year-old son. That is one big family.

  “That’s a step away from a proposal,” I whisper to Isla amongst the commotion.

  “You don’t think?” Isla’s eyes widen and then a smile forms on her face. “I never thought he would ever settle down.”

  “Look around at all of us. Did you think any of us would ever settle down?” I look at the boys surrounded by kids now instead of groupies.

  “I guess Oscar’s the last man to fall.” Isla smiles snuggling into me.

  “But I think he might have already fallen.” I had to agree.

  220

  Isla

  Christmas Day

  It’s crazy. There are so many people running around. Kids screaming and paper strewn everywhere. The most delicious smells are coming from the kitchen. Our mothers are taking turns cooking their family favorites. I take a seat beside Stacey and her sister Naomi, who is about fifteen years older than her. Stacey apparently was a surprise, her mother didn’t think she was able to have any more children and then surprise, Stacey arrived.

  “Is it always like this?” Naomi looks at me with wide eyes.

  “Yeah, pretty much.” I look around at the chaos. “Except back in the old days it was naked women.” Naomi laughs.

  “Well they are hot.” Stacey gives her sister a playful slap over the comment. “Hey! I may be old but I’m not blind,” she laughs. “I’m just happy my sister here has found a nice guy.”

  “Oscar’s alright, I guess.” I roll my eyes jokingly.

  “I think he’s more than alright to fly Stace’s family half way across the world.”

  “Sounds like love,” I tease Stacey this time, her cheeks turning pink.

  “We are pretty happy together,” she says coyly.

  “That’s good. I haven’t had any phone calls in tears from her…yet.”

  “I’m pretty sure if Oscar made her cry, he would feel the wrath of all us women.” This makes her sister smile.

  “I’m glad you’ve got a good network over here, Stace. I hate that you’re so far away.”

  “I know. I miss you guys so much.” Stacey throws her arm around her sister. “The kids have grown so much since I last saw them two years ago.”

  “Tell me about it. Hunter graduated high school this year. He has no idea what he wants to do. He wants to take a gap year. That’s something I want to talk to you about.” Naomi looks at Stacey.

  “What?”

  Naomi shifts her feet nervously. “Yeah. Well. Um…he wants to travel and I don’t trust him with his mates and I thought…maybe his favorite aunty might have room for him.”

  “I’m his only aunty.” Stacey gives her sister a smirk.

  “And yet you’re his favorite,” Naomi jokes.

  “You want me to look after Hunter? Here in LA?”

  “Maybe Derrick or Sienna might have an intern position for him?”

  “What does he want to do?” I ask.

  “He’s not sure. He aced business, economics and math at school but he doesn’t really know where to head. He’s a little younger than all the others being a January baby. He turns eighteen then.”

  “I’d have to talk to Oscar. I live with him now.” Naomi nods her head in understanding.

  “Does Hunter want to live in LA?” I ask.

  “Yeah. He’s always loved movies and music growing up. LA has been on his bucket list of destinations.”

  “Does he like food?” Naomi’s eyes widen.

  “Have you seen him? That boy doesn’t stop eating,” she laughs. The boy is tall for his age.

  “Would he consider looking at maybe starting college here? They have a midyear intake in the new year. There might be different courses at somewhere like UCLA or USC that he might be interested in. Plus, I know my old boss Sebastien Sanchez, he’s a celebrity chef, he’s always up for help. He could definitely use an intern.”

  “Issy.” Stacey looks at me in shock. “You don’t have to…” I reach out and cup her hand.

  “You’re family. Why not give Hunter an experience? He might not like it or he may thrive. Plus, I’m sure my brother would be fine. And if he isn’t, my parents have a spare room in their home.”

  “I couldn’t ask that,” Naomi adds.

  “You’re part of the Dirty Texas family now. We look after our own in here. Plus, I’m sure Derrick could use some help. I know Dirty Texas Records could use a hand some days. He could work between us all, he would have great access to many different businesses and if he doesn’t know what he wants to do after the year then he never will.” Naomi bursts out crying and wraps her arms around me tightly.

  “I can never repay your family’s kindness to mine.” She pulls away sniffling.

  “This is what we do. Once you’re in the circle, you’re in the circle.” I give her a smile.

  “Thank you. I better go talk to my husband before we discuss anything with Hunter.” Naomi walks off.

  “Issy, are you sure? I know my sister put us on the spot but I can say no to her. Please, don’t feel obligated to say yes.”

  “I mean it, Stace. You’re family. And why not give your nephew an experience of a lifetime. It’s only for a year. He might love it or he might hate it.”

  “I might rent somewhere with him so I don’t put too much pressure on Oscar.”

  “What? No!”

  “No what?” Oscar and Finn join us.

  “Nothing.” Stacey shakes her head looking at my brother. I can see the worry on her face.

  “Would you mind terribly if Hunter stayed with you for a year on a gap year.” Oscar looks a little taken aback at my question.

  “Please, you don’t have to answer that,” Stacey tells him. I can read the panic on her face. Oscar looks at me confused.

  “I told Naomi that he could intern for us all.” Stacey is trying to tell me to stop talking.

  “I can rent somewhere with him. You don’t have to house him,” Stacey adds quickly.

  “Excuse me?” Oscar raises his voice. “Are you telling me you’re moving out?” Shit, my brother looks upset.

  “I…just…he’s my nephew and I’m responsible for him. You shouldn’t be.” Oscar’s eyes widen.

  “Are you telling me that you’re not my responsibility?” Stacey frowns, unsure how to answer. “I love you, Stacey Ferguson. If that means I have to look after a teenager for a year, then that’s what I am going to do.” Stacey looks at my brother in amazement. In all honesty I’m in shock. “I told you when you moved in. This was it, Stace. It’s you and me together no matter what.” Dammit that was beautiful. Stacey has tears. Oscar stands up and clears his throat.

  “Can I get everyone into the lounge room please?” His booming voice echoes through the home. Everyone stops what they are doing and eventually everyone joins Oscar in the lounge room, by the open fire. “I have an announcement,” he tells the room. “Hunter, it’s been brought to my attention that you don’t know what you want to do now that you’ve finished school.” Hunter stares at Oscar and looks a little scared. He nervously shakes his head. “Well then, would you like to have a gap year with myself and your aunt?” Hunter’s bright green eyes widen in surprise.

  “Are you serious?” the teen asks. Oscar nods. He’s speechless. “Mum, Dad?” They are both smiling and nodding their heads. “You mean I stay with Aunt Stacey, in LA?”

  “This is so not fair,” Mia, his fifteen-year-old sister, shouts with a pout. “Why can’t I stay too?”

  “When you’re finished high school, you can come and stay with us as well,” Oscar adds. The teenager’s pout disappears and she
smiles widely.

  “Cool.” Her cheeks turn a bright pink.

  “So what do you say?” Oscar asks Hunter again.

  “Yes. Yes, thank you. Thank you so much.” He rushes up and gives Oscar a hug, then hugs Stacey.

  “There is one more thing,” Oscar adds, when Hunter returns back to his family. He falls to his knee and turns to Stacey, pulling out a box from his pocket. “The moment I met you, Stacey, I knew you were different. I fought my feelings for you until I couldn’t anymore. I was scared to take the leap, but I would be more scared of living my life without you.” Stacey is bawling, everyone is crying. “Will you marry me, Stacey?” My brother looks up at the woman he loves, his big hands shaking as he presents her with a ring.

  “Yes. Yes. Yes,” Stacey answers, bouncing up and down in front of him. He places the stunning yellow diamond ring on her finger then picks her up in his arms and kisses her, Hollywood style. The room erupts with hollering, applause and congratulations. The last Dirty Texan as fallen.

  221

  Isla

  New Year’s Eve

  Axel and Oliva are back from Europe; the boys are happy to see them. He was surprised that he missed Oscar’s proposal to Stacey but he was happy for him. Olivia’s been a little quiet since coming back, which is understandable. Axel’s mom has been giving her loads of love. It must have been hard leaving her family to come back to the States. Being stretched between two continents must be exhausting, but their love is strong. It’s Evan’s birthday and his second wedding anniversary to Sienna. Two years married, two kids, thriving businesses. It’s crazy how life can change in the blink of an eye and all the plans you had for yourself change. Evan was the last person I thought would settle down and have a family; he was the worst womanizer out of the band. I think Hailey breaking his heart and losing the baby changed him. Then Sienna walked into his life at the right time and from the moment he set eyes on her, he was done. Love at first sight. Well most definitely lust which quickly turned into love. After all the struggles with Sienna and her ex-husband and the gossips painting the wrong picture of them, it took nearly losing her for him to shed his giant ego and run after the woman he loved half way across the world. He took that leap and now he is the proud father of two gorgeous little boys, with a wife that loves him to the end.

  Then there’s Christian. He was the boy, who growing up, fell in and out of lust at any given moment. You could see deep down under that hard, rock star shell was a big old romantic looking for the right woman. Vanessa walked into his life just when he needed her to. She was the woman that took his breath away but had friend zoned him. Then the attack happened and things changed from that moment between them. The feelings they had for one another intensified. No matter how much they fought it or built a million and one walls around them, deep down they knew that each other was the one. Stubborn bastards wouldn’t just give in. When Vanessa had her health scare and took the brave step of having a double mastectomy, Christian loved her regardless. His love didn’t change, no matter how Vanessa saw herself, he told her every day he thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world. He didn’t care, as long as she was his that was all that mattered. Once Ness let those walls down that was it; a drunken Vegas wedding sealed the deal and now they have two precious little girls who have their daddy completely wrapped around their little fingers.

  Axel. Where do you start with him? The quiet one. The one with the biggest armor of them all. He eventually broke down and told the group what had happened to him as a teenager, that his music teacher inappropriately touched him. This stunned the boys, especially Christian. He was devastated that he’d kept this secret in for so long. It explained his anger when he was younger, the way he used to steal Christians girlfriends as if it was some kind of sport. I remember the fights when we were younger. Axel was cruel, but his confession made sense. I think he and Christian have finally settled the tiny, niggling, scar that sat between them all these years. You can really see now that Axel has finally healed over his past. It helped that the boy was crazy in love with a Lady. Not just any woman, she was actually royalty. Her family owns vast estates across Europe and she is worth so much more than Axel, maybe that helped. He knew deep down that she wanted him, not his money. Even though their courtship has been a whirlwind, it hasn’t been without its intense drama. I mean Olivia was engaged to the biggest dickhead in the land to save her family’s estate. Her sister was a raging bitch who slept with her fiancé on their wedding day, but had secretly gotten knocked up by the President of France. Total soap opera story line there. Although, I guess having a baby changes you, matures you, because now Olivia and Penny have a strong relationship, one I know Olivia has always wanted.

  Oscar and Stacey, where do I start with them? They are finally joining the list of happily ever after for the Dirty Texas crew. Her family is here celebrating her new life with her. They look happy.

  Finn and I. What a journey. A long winded one that maybe we needed to go through to get to where we are now, a family. Looking over at Finn rocking Easton as he sleeps in his arms completes me. Even though Easton wasn’t planned he was exactly what we needed to finally break through all the bullshit. I finally realized that I have loved Finn from the moment I set eyes on him through his window. It broke my heart when he confessed his dark secret of his bisexuality, that he was so afraid to tell me, thanks to my brother. I wanted to kill Oscar for blackmailing his best friend like that. It’s taken a lot of groveling from Oscar to get our relationship back on track. I was not as forgiving as Finn was. I still curse myself for reacting the way I did in Monaco. I know the shock and hurt made me say things I wish I hadn’t. I made all his fears come true by my reaction, but finding the love of your life getting a blow job in the shower from a man was a little jarring. We’ve talked about it, his desires. He tells me now that he has me that he doesn’t want any of that anymore, but I worry. If you are attracted to both sexes, don’t you still crave what the other can’t give you? He tells me no.

  I haven’t told anyone about what I found out about Finn, not because I am ashamed or anything, but because it’s none of their business. I mean the boys know each other really well and I’m sure they have noticed things at The Paradise Club. I’m sure each of us has secrets and this one is ours.

  “Oh hey.” I catch Olivia in a quiet moment in the library looking out the snow covered window. A single tear falls down her rosy cheek. I walk over to her and give her a cuddle. “I’m so sorry, Liv.” She tries to be strong but her emotions spill over. “Let it out,” I comfort her.

  “Thank you.” She looks up at me, her brown eyes puffy from crying.

  “It must be hard for you, coming back here without your family.” She holds my hand as she sits back against the leather winged chair.

  “I just needed a moment. Everyone has been so lovely looking after me. I just needed some space.”

  “I get that.”

  “Easton has grown so much since I last saw him.”

  “He’s turning into a big nugget just like his dad. They both enjoy their food a little too much.” This makes her smile.

  “How’s the wedding plan coming on? Since I’ve been away I’ve missed Derrick’s meetings.” This makes me laugh. Derrick has taken over and we have weekly meetings about the event with Camryn via skype.

  “I think he has it all organized. I’m just going to let him tell me where to go and what to do, it’s easier that way.”

  “He is a force to be reckoned with that man.” We both smile at that.

  “Can I tell you something?” Olivia gives me a look.

  “Of course.”

  “I just need to tell someone but I don’t want to make a fuss at the moment.” This has me a little concerned. “Please don’t tell anyone, not yet anyway.”

  “I promise.” Now I am really worried.

  “I’m pregnant.” My eyes widen. Holy hell.

  “Oh my God. Congratulations.” I give her a big cuddle. “How far along
?”

  “I found out before we came over for Thanksgiving. Called my parents and told them. That was the last time I spoke to my father.” The tears fall again. Oh my God the poor girl. What should have been the most important moment of her life ended up being the worst.

  “At least he knew.” She nods against me.

  “That is the only thing that makes it all okay. That I was able to tell him the news before he passed. He knew he was going to be a grandfather again.”

  “Does Axel’s family know?” She nods her head.

  “We told them on the way home. But then…” She doesn’t need to finish that sentence; we know what happened.

  “Are you going to announced it or are you too earlier?” She shakes her head.

  “I’ve just gone three months today.” I give her hands a squeeze. “It wasn’t really planned. I was thinking of children in a year or two but I guess life had other plans.”

  “I think sometimes life knows what you need before you do.” Olivia smiles.

  “Maybe this baby is exactly what I need to help me cope with losing my father. My mind will be wrapped around these little bundles.”

  “These?” Was that a Freudian slip?

  “I guess life has BIG plans for us, she’s blessed us with two babies.”

  “Oh my God.” I’m speechless. You poor thing, is all I can think of.

  “Lucky Axel’s parents are living down the road to help us out.”

  “Wow. The Dirty Texas babies are coming thick and fast now. We will have enough for a football team soon.” This makes her giggle.

  “We don’t know yet what we are having. I find out next month.”

  “Well, Sadie and Ruby are gorgeous.” Olivia nods.

  “I think Axel will have a breakdown if it’s two girls.”

  “Karma for all his womanizing ways,” Olivia chuckles.