Interlude

by D. Kelly

  Interlude

  An Illusion Series Novel

  D. Kelly

  Interlude – An Illusion Series Novel

  Copyright © 2018 D. Kelly

  Editing by – Beyond DEF

  Cover design by – Regina Wamba – Mae I Design and Photography - http://www.maeidesign.com

  Formatting by – Brenda Wright, Formatting Done Wright

  This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information contact

  Dee Kelly www.dkellyauthor.com

  This book contains mature subject matter and is not appropriate for minors. Please note this novel contains profanity, sexual situations, and alcohol consumption.

  ISBN: 9781732639430

  Table of Contents

  Books by D. Kelly

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Epilogue

  Sneak Peek – Just an Illusion – Side A

  About the Author

  The Acceptance Series –

  Breaking Kate – Book One

  Catching Kate – Book 1.5

  Releasing Kate- Book Two

  Loving Kate – Book Three

  Christmas with the Houstons – Book Four

  Stand Alone Novels

  Chasing Cassidy

  Sharing Rylee

  The Evolution of Us

  The Last Resort Motel – Room 13

  The Illusion Series

  Just an Illusion – Side A

  Just an Illusion – The B Side

  Just an Illusion – EP

  Just an Illusion – Unplugged

  Just an Illusion – Encore

  Illusion Series Spin Off Novels

  Interlude – (Jordan’s Story)

  Broken Beats – (Darren’s Story) April 2019

  Untitled – (Eli’s Story) July 2019

  http://www.dkellyauthor.com/all-books

  Thank you for choosing to read Interlude. This is Jordan Weston’s story and is part of The Illusion Series world. Interlude is an interconnected standalone novel. It can be read by itself, but you will enjoy it much more if you read it as part of the full series. I hope you all love Jordan’s story!

  This one is for all The Illusion Series readers. You asked for more and I love to make you happy.

  Life is a balance between holding on and letting go.

  ~ Rumi

  It’s been twenty years since I lost my family. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of them and hate my birth father with the intensity of ten thousand suns. Even calling him a birth father is more credit than I’d like to give him, but unfortunately, you can’t change biology.

  My father, my real dad in every way, is Owen Weston. He’s Aunt Karen’s husband and the best man I know. Without a second thought, he welcomed me—a psychologically damaged and physically wounded child—into his home with open arms and a heart full of love. It never mattered to them how difficult I was or how depressed I got, they loved me, and they still love me with every fiber of their being. In the blink of an eye, my aunt and uncle became my parents, and my cousins—Diane, Noah, Sawyer, and Rory—became my brothers and sisters.

  It helped that I wasn’t the only flawed child; my cousin Sawyer was just as fucked up as I was. Still is, actually. That’s what happens when you walk into a house where an entire family has been killed and you save the sole survivor. Without Sawyer’s sheer determination and bravery that day, I’d be dead. As much as I wish he’d never have gone through what he did, I’m glad his efforts weren’t a total waste. I spent a lot of days wishing I’d died too, but I spent even more time being thankful Sawyer had saved me. I can’t imagine how it would have affected him if we’d all passed and even though we don’t talk about it much anymore, we both know we have each other to talk to, if the need arises. Sawyer and I were only seven years old the day our lives changed forever—the day my birth father killed his family before taking his own life.

  Today, I’m sitting with my family as we mourn the loss of another one of our tribe who has been taken too soon. Hoping to numb the pain, I’ve allowed myself a double dose of my anti-anxiety medication. I’ve never been able to master the art of coping, but hey, no one is perfect. With silent tears streaming down my cheeks, I sit in the corner of the private VIP suite at the hospital and try to absorb what just happened.

  While the accident is at the forefront of my mind, there’s a dark shadow hovering closely behind it—the shattered look on Allie’s face when I asked her to take care of my cat and Ty and Sasha’s outrage when I said they couldn’t come either. There are a dozen reasons I couldn’t let them come, but the top two are the only ones that matter. My family is famous, and discretion is key, especially since this has now become a high-level press frenzy. It’s just not the time to let my personal shit mix with my family life. If they’d have come, that’s exactly what would have happened. Besides, whether they realize it or not, they are where I need them the most—running my bar. Without them, I’d have to have shut down completely, and I can’t afford the lost revenue.

  At times like this, I miss my real mom. More than anything, I miss her hugs and her comforting words. Thank God for Aunt Karen, my other mom—she’s a close second. Right now, though, when her world is falling apart around her, I’d feel guilty as fuck if I tried to lean on her.

  There was an accident on my brothers’ tour tonight. They’re in a band with their two best friends. Not just any band though. The four of them make up Bastards and Dangerous, the biggest rock band in the world. They only have two months left on their tour before retiring and leaving the music world on their terms: while they’re still topping the charts. Instead of being able to enjoy retirement, they’re mourning one of their own—we all are. Once again, life reminds me she’s a wicked bitch and it’s never safe to get close to anyone. My brother Noah would disagree, he’d say it’s fate. If that’s the case, fate is nothing more than life’s evil sister.

  I lean back in my seat and close my eyes, trying to remember a happier time while my meds do their thing. It’s not like I don’t hear everyone around me crying and whispering, but sadness is part of my daily existence. If I let myself drown in it once again, I might never find the strength to pull myself out of it.

  Seven Years Ago

  Although I kicked everyone out of the bar when we closed a half-hour ago, I haven’t locked the doors yet. Tyler said he might pop by, so I figured it would be easier if he could let himself in. The way I’ve been spacing out tonight, I’d probably miss his knock. Case and point is the gleaming bar I’ve been cleaning for I don’t even know how long.

  Things are kind of messed up right now. Unless I win the lottery, this is my last week in the bar. Uncle Chuy, the only relative on my birth father’s side of the family I stayed in touch with, passed away last month. Just an Illusion was his bar. It’s the place where my brothers got their start in the music business, where I’ve worked since I was sixt
een, and where my uncle taught me everything I ever needed to know about running a bar and a business.

  When Chuy died, he left me the bar and the mountain of debt that came along with it. Chuy owned the bar and the property it sits on, but with his declining health over the past few years and his ability to work less often, he took out a loan on it to keep up with his mounting medical and business expenses. I tried refinancing it to get a lower interest rate, but I was denied. I guess a twenty-one-year-old with minimal savings and no formal education isn’t a desirable candidate for a loan. If I don’t come up with half a million dollars, or a co-signer, by the end of the week, the bank is foreclosing on the bar. A co-signer is off the table, so I’ll do this myself or not at all.

  Leaning back against the bar, I take it all in. Chuy’s favorite accessory sits in the far corner—his prized jukebox. The large stage is the center attraction in the main room, as well as a large dance floor. Oversized, cozy booths and sleek, leather furniture round out the décor and ambiance of the space. I’m sure as hell gonna miss this place.

  The door to the bar flies open, and I whip my head around, following the sound. Tyler doesn’t ever bust in like that.

  “J, what’s up, brother?”

  Sawyer and Noah saunter into the bar with their bodyguard Mac as if they own it. It’s not surprising; it’s their home away from home as well—when they’re not on tour, that is.

  “What are you guys doing here?” I hop over the bar, excited to see them, and Noah is the first to pull me into a hug.

  “We had a few days off, so we thought we’d come home. We know this week must suck ass for you.” Noah releases me, and Sawyer pulls me into a subsequent hug.

  “We also missed you.” Sawyer pulls back, nailing me with an angry glare. “You should just come on tour with us, then we wouldn’t have to miss you so damn much.”

  The idea of touring with them has always been tempting, but my life is meant to be spent behind a bar, not on a tour bus. Or so I thought …

  “Well, maybe now I’ll come visit until I figure out what to do with my life.” I turn my attention to Mac. “How are you doing, Mac? Keeping these guys in line? I’m not sure they pay you enough to put up with their shit.”

  A deep rumbling laugh flows from him as he pats my shoulder. “I’d be doing better if you’d pour us a few beers.”

  “Sure thing.”

  As I take my place behind the bar and get their beers ready, they all take a seat in their usual spots at the bar. I don’t need to see his face to feel Mac’s gaze, and if Tyler wasn’t coming by tonight, I might consider flirting with him.

  “Stop eye fucking my brother, Mac,” Sawyer grumbles, but we all know he’s messing around.

  My brothers have never cared about my bisexuality. In fact, Sawyer has become a pretty good wingman over the years. Noah is more of the romantic, one-woman, long-term, monogamous relationship kind of guy, which makes him a horrible wingman but an incredible relationship role model. If I ever decide I want one, that is.

  “If I was eye fucking him, you’d know it. I’m on the clock and simply appreciating the view,” Mac counters perfectly. So perfect, in fact, I turn my attention to him and take in all of his perfection: dark skin, light eyes, shaved head, and muscles for days. He’s packing more than just the heat in his holster too. I’ve had a thing for Mac since day one, but there’s no way I can be with the man who protects my brothers on a daily basis. They need to be his constant focus. I won’t cross that line, no matter how tempting it might be.

  “Jordan …” Sawyer calls my name, and I flash Mac a smile.

  “Yes, Sawyer?”

  “We didn’t come here so you can flirt. We have something to talk to you about.”

  The tone of his voice catches me off guard. It’s the one he uses when he’s about to piss me off. I cross my arms over my chest in defensive mode and lean against the back of the bar. “What happened?”

  Noah and Sawyer exchange cautious glances, and Noah speaks up, “We did a thing.”

  “We did it for you,” Sawyer kicks in, and I know it’s bad now. They’re fraternal twins, and when they start finishing each other’s sentences, it’s usually when they’re either nervous or excited—or both.

  I lean forward with both of my hands gripping the edge of the bar. “What kind of thing did you do?”

  “We bought the bar for you,” Noah says rapidly.

  “As a gift, for our brother,” Sawyer adds.

  “You what?!”

  They flinch at my explosive outburst. Sadness fills Noah’s features, but Sawyer’s expression is glacial as he stands, mimicking my stance so we’re now face to face.

  “We bought you your bar. Instead of yelling, maybe you should think about saying thanks.”

  Sawyer doesn’t scare me, even though most people would be intimidated by him.

  “What part of ‘I don’t want your help,’ don’t you understand? This is my problem, and I’m going to fix it or …”

  Noah intervenes, pushing Sawyer back in the process. “Or what, J? Abandon Chuy’s legacy? He wanted you to have this. If we had known how much he was struggling, we would’ve paid his bills and he never would have gotten buried in debt like this and the bar would be yours anyway. It’s the same outcome, just a different route to get there.”

  “I’m not taking your handout. I’m not a charity case!” My blood pressure is rising, the whooshing of my heartbeat in my ears grows louder with each beat. Sawyer opens his mouth to speak, but Noah silences him with an upheld finger while meeting my gaze head-on.

  “We’re family, J, and family is never charity. Money comes and goes, but family is for life. We want to do this for you. It’s a gift, not a handout. However, if you won’t let us buy it for you would you, let Tony’s dad draw up a contract for a loan?”

  One of Noah’s best friends, Tony, is in law school. His dad is also an attorney, so it makes sense they’d go to him for something like this.

  “A loan?” The words don’t taste as bitter on my tongue as the idea of a gift, but they don’t sit right either.

  “Yes, a loan,” Sawyer mocks sarcastically. “The bar is ours no matter what. So you can take it for the gift it was intended to be, let the bar sit empty and collect dust, or make payments on it and be happy.”

  I begin pacing behind the bar. Once again, my brothers have swooped in to save the day. It’s so irritating, even if it is the answer to all my problems.

  “Just because the two of you are famous rock stars now with more money than sense doesn’t mean you can just drop half a million dollars at my feet. This bar may never turn that kind of profit. I might never make that much money in my life. Then what? I’m beholden to the two of you forever?”

  Sawyer’s smirk irritates the hell out of me. He’s enjoying this far too much.

  “Just the thought of someone being beholden to me makes me want to go buy a pair of shoes for them to spit shine for me … daily.”

  “That’s not funny, Sawyer,” Noah replies softly before turning to me with the sincerest of expressions. “Jordan, please, this place means as much to us as it does to you. We can be silent partners if that makes you feel better. Consider the offer. We just didn’t know what else to do. If you had the money and the situation were reversed, I know you would do the same for us.”

  Without hesitation.

  With a resigned sigh, I nod my acquiescence. “A loan, with interest. Whatever the market rate is right now, just like I would have received from the bank. Thirty-year term?”

  They exchange knowing smiles and agree. Noah’s gaze meets mine, “Whatever makes you happy.”

  “Happy would have been doing it on my own,” I grumble.

  “You did do it on your own, J. We’re just the bank. One who values your honor and integrity over your credit score and bank account,” Sawyer rationalizes, and it makes me feel better—marginally. There isn’t anyone in the world I trust more than th
em.

  “Fine, it’s a deal, but I don’t want any special treatment. No erasing interest or forgiving the debt at any stage. For the next thirty years, the two of you are my landlords. And Sawyer, if you ever ask me to shine your shoes, I’m going to fucking sock you in the face.”

  “There’s the brother I know and love.”

  Present Day

  As I pull my car into the lot, I wonder how in the world people find this place. Just an Illusion looks like an industrial building off by its lonesome. The parking lot is huge, and the building is nothing if not unique.

  Stepping out of my car, I shield my eyes from the setting sun and get a good look. The entire outside is covered in street art. Most people would call it graffiti, I’m sure, but there is a natural flow from one piece of artistry to the next. It’s actually pretty cool, and I bet it’s what draws people in.

  I’m meeting my best friend Sasha here to fill out my new-employee paperwork and observe for a few hours. Sasha is saving my ass with this job. I had to get out of D.C., and Sasha offered me her extra room and the job until I get on my feet. It’s not my first time waitressing, so it shouldn’t be too difficult. I just hope the owner comes in so I can thank him for hiring me solely on Sasha’s recommendation. To hear her tell it, she practically runs this place anyway. If I had to guess, though, I’d say I got the job because Jordan is Sasha’s best friend in L.A. and would do anything to help her out.

  I don’t know much about him at all. Sasha has been tight-lipped about her life in L.A., and she doesn’t use any social media. We haven’t seen each other in three years, but we talk almost every single day. Sasha has always been a loner, probably from all the years she spent in foster care, but she’s happy with her life and doesn’t have to worry about what anyone says or thinks of her. Even if she did, she’d tell people to go fuck themselves. It’s one of the things I love most about her.