Surrounded By Knight

by A. N. Hennessy

  “Actually, Ryker, I don’t believe it’s such a good idea you sitting with me. It doesn’t look good.” I pointed to the side at the flock of photographers below us on the sidewalk.

  He glanced in their direction and then back at me. “I guess not. I just wanted to see how things were going with your album and make sure—to see if you were happy.” He shrugged.

  “The album is done,” Addie said, then sipped at her water. I watched as the condensation rolled down the glass freely.

  How I wish I could roll out of this chair and out of sight from all those damn cameras right about now.

  “Yeah, we finished the other day. Barry and Randy are very pleased with it,” I told him.

  “Good. I heard Relentless on the radio the other day. It’s been stuck in my head ever since,” he half smiled. “So, you’re happy then?”

  I nodded my head. “Very.”

  “Good,” he repeated, getting up. “I’ll leave you to it then.” He pushed his chair back up to the table then looked at me. Leaning down, he placed his hand on the back of my chair while his mouth became relatively close to my ear. “Don’t let him hurt you, Izzy. You deserve better than that. You deserve someone that will cherish only you, no one else.”

  Shivers trembled across my skin and the words that Trevelin recited to me daily came to mind– only you. He backed away looking as if he wanted to say more, but with one last smile on his face, he turned toward where he came from and walked away.

  “You do know that Trevelin is going to be pissed, right?” Ross asked, leaning his head to the side as he glanced my way.

  “Might not be the right word,” Double-D absently grumbled.

  “Okay, furious,” Ross corrected.

  “Bingo.”

  “Will you two shut up? I made him leave,” I said, picking at what was left of my sandwich.

  “Did you know Trevelin had Randy cut them loose from being the opening act for their world tour?” Addie questioned. This is news. I did not know that.

  “No.”

  “Yep. Jace said Trevelin paid a large amount to get them out of their contract.”

  “Why would he do that?”

  “Duh,” they both drew out in unison.

  “They’ve got beef, and that big sliver of steak is you,” Addison declared.

  That was understandable, and frankly I was relieved Ryker wouldn’t be around. Though I couldn’t get over how he said for me to not let Trevelin hurt me. That was an easy one to make sure of, because I felt with all my heart that Trevelin would never do anything to intentionally harm me.

  We finished up eating and went to a few more stores. I was done with the whole shopping experience for the day. I’d done enough shopping to last me the rest of my life, so I mainly followed, nodded when spoken to, and watched as Ross and Addie tried on stuff and spent Trevelin’s money with ease. I just wanted to go back to the condo where I could see Trevelin.

  Crazy how it felt like it had been days since I’d last seen him. I guess that was how the brain worked when you got used to being around someone for so long. I sometimes felt like he was becoming as necessary as my right arm, and it freaked me out a little. Just a little. I mean, I loved him more than my right appendage and would gladly give it up for him under certain circumstances.

  It was after five when Addie and I got in the Navigator to head back to the condo. My feet were killing me from the insanely ridiculous shoes Ross had me wear. I threatened to beat him with them on several occasions. The heels my feet were used to were shorter and chunkier with way more stability. Taking them off, I rubbed at the aching soles. Screw putting them back on, I’d walk across the pavement barefoot. Ross would be getting these suckers back!

  I sat patiently in the back seat and listened to Addie talk about her trip to Vegas. She got a text from Jace when we were in Gucci, telling her he had her things packed and to have Double-D bring her straight to the airport once he’d dropped me off. To say she was excited would be putting it very lightly. She was like a rambunctious dog being shown its favorite toy, reminding me of Zeppelin when he saw his squeaky hippo.

  “You’ll call me when you get there, right?” I asked as the vehicle pulled in front of the condominium.

  “If it will make you happy, mom,” she teased.

  “That it will.”

  “Get out so I can get to the airport,” she laughed, pushing me out the door.

  As I patiently waited for the elevator, humming the song Play it Again by Luke Bryan, someone grabbed me around the waist from behind, lifting me off the floor.

  “What the hell?” I squealed.

  “Come have a drink with me, Kitten,” Reed muttered dryly, carrying me and my bags toward the bar located inside the complex.

  “I don’t want a freakin’ drink, Reed. Now put me down.”

  Surprisingly, I was lowered back to the floor, and when I looked up at him he had a distraught expression on his face, nibbling on his lip ring while he scrubbed his tatted hand over his face.

  “Come on, just one. I’ll even be a gentleman and carry your bags.” I frowned as I jostled frantically around the lobby. “What are you doing?”

  “Looking for Reed Cox. Have you seen him? Because you, my good sir, are definitely not him. Am I on one of those hidden game shows or something?”

  He let out a deep-chested laugh that made me smile. “Nope, this is me, Kitten.”

  “Are you sick? Do you feel alright?” I placed my hand to his forehead.

  “You know...I can see why Trevelin loves you,” he said, focusing his deep blue eyes on my face.

  I stepped back, looking at the stranger in front of me. “You are so scaring me right now,” I basically whispered.

  He laughed again, taking my bags from me. “I’m scaring myself if that tells ya anything.”

  It didn’t, and he was freaking me out. This wasn’t the Reed I knew. Far from it actually. The one I’d gotten accustomed to didn’t carry shopping bags for someone or speak of love. The one I knew farted like every five minutes, burped loudly, scratched at his crotch more than he should and used profanities like they were nobody’s business. Something was going on and I wanted to know what.

  “Reed, I really just want to go put up this stuff and put on my comfy Uggs. These shoes have murdered my feet.” I held up one foot and the bag I’d stuck the horrid things in. “I’ll have a drink with you in the condo though. How about that fish you and Trev caught?” I started back toward the elevator and I heard him mumble something behind me. “What’s that?” I turned around.

  He glanced at me with a tight look. “I said the restaurant is cleaning them right now.”

  I narrowed my eyes, not believing him, but let it go. “Cheaters. When you go fishin’ you’re supposed to do the messy work afterwards yourself so you’ll enjoy and appreciate your prize more.” I nudged him playfully as we stepped into the elevator. He appeared nervous and it struck me as odd.

  The open waters must not agree well with him. Either that or he had a personality disorder.

  “Don’t like the guts and all that,” he stated apprehensively, shifting the bags in his hand.

  “Yeah...it is kinda gross,” I agreed lightly, leaning into the corner watching how the closer we got to the twenty-third floor the more distressed and agitated he became. The elevator dinged and the doors slid open, allowing me to escape the awkwardness that was leaking from Reed like a bad stench. I had no idea what had gotten into him, but I think I’d prefer the old crude one over this stranger one any day.

  As I neared the door and turned the knob, Reed came close to bulldozing me over by stepping ahead of me. “Maybe I should go in first. I am the one with all the shit,” he offered as reasoning to why he virtually knocked me out of the way.

  “Reed, you are acting weirder than normal. I don’t think you need to go deep sea fishing again.” I stepped around him, heading for the kitchen as he stopped beside the door, dumping the bags on the floor.

  “IZZY!�
� he called out my name. Extremely loud, I might add, considering I was still technically in the same room as he was, like not even ten feet way. I was about to turn around to see why he felt the need to shout my name when my question vaporized on my tongue, wordlessly answered as I walked into the kitchen.

  Trevelin was pressed against the counter with some blonde skank holding his face in her hands, her lips pressed firmly to his. My name must have rung in his ears, because he shoved her off him with a panicked face that turned and met my crushed one.

  “Country! It’s not—”

  “Don’t you dare fucking say it’s not what it looks like!” I yelled.

  “It’s not...I fucking swear!” He sounded terrified, but of course he would, I’d just caught him with another woman.

  I am such an idiot.

  That was why Reed was acting so weird. He knew Trevelin was up here with some whore. He was looking out for his buddy so he wouldn’t get caught. I didn’t know who I wanted to beat the hell out of more; Trevelin, Reed, or the tramp that was smiling from ear to ear.

  “You can have him, honey!” I spat sweetly, motioning my hand to the person I thought loved me. Boy, did I think wrong. “He’s nothing but a sorry asshole I’ve wasted valuable time with anyways.”

  “Izzy, please,” Trevelin pleaded. Blondie snickered. “Shut the fuck up, Meika!” he screamed at her.

  Meika? The name sounded familiar, but I banished the thought. I didn’t need this. I’d given him everything—everything! All for him to do me like this. The tabloids had their shit all wrong. Trevelin Knight just noosed my heart and hung it by my collarbone.

  Swiveling on my bare feet, I quickly made for the door. I heard Trevelin shouting at the hussy he’d called Meika while Reed was still standing stark still in the living room. I grabbed the bag containing my shoes and purse and slung the door open so hard it slammed into the wall.

  I was practically running to the elevator as tears clouded my vision. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

  “Izzy, wait!” Reed latched onto my hand, spinning me around.

  “Come one step closer, Reed Cox, and I will kick you so hard in the groin the doctors will have to amputate your dick! And you know for a fact that I will!” I lashed, crying at the same time.

  He moved back, holding up his hands in defense. “I was with him all day, I swear. She just showed up right before you got here. I didn’t want you coming up here and seeing her.”

  “Thanks for the consideration, asshole!” I spat venomously as I turned back to the sliver box I so desperately wanted to be in.

  How did I not see this coming? He’s Trevelin Knight after all—a playboy rock star. I should’ve been able to smell it coming from a mile away. Obviously something was wrong with my sniffer.

  I pressed the button over and over, as if that would make the elevator arrive any faster and thankfully the door finally opened. It felt like it took forever, but I guessed it was only seconds.

  I stepped in right as Trevelin came barreling down the hall. “Isabel, please. For Christ sakes, just listen to me, dammit.” He placed his hand over the door, preventing it from closing. “I love you, Country. It’s only ever been you.”

  “Oh yeah, along with Meika and Ginger and Penelope and all the other sluts you fuck on the side, right? Spare me your bullshit, Trevelin, and let go of the door.”

  Tears glistened as they ran down his flushed cheeks. “She is nothing, I promise. I don’t even know why she’s here. I wouldn’t do that to you—”

  “Says every scumbag cheater! Get over yourself already. I should’ve known you were too good to be true. Reality is screwed up that way. Too bad we can’t live in our dreams, huh? Because that Trevelin...he wouldn’t have just torn my heart out! I hate you right now, Trevelin Knight!” I cried, pushing him back away from the door with every fuming ounce of force I had.

  “No, please. Don’t leave. You have to believe me.” A childish act it may be, I stuffed my fingers in my ears. I couldn’t stand to listen to the bull any longer. “Izzy, listen to me, I swear to God, baby. PLEASE!”

  The doors started to close and Trevelin tried to catch them to prevent me from escaping this horrible nightmare. By the grace of all things holy, he was too late, and my last look of the man that held my heart in the palm of his hand looked tortured with a tear-soaked face. I bet mine looked about the same.

  I sank back against the wall for support. My legs felt wobbly like horribly made Jello. My day replayed over in my head, and the replay only caused my crying to intensify.

  What a blind fool I’d been. I trusted him with all I had.

  I’d officially learned my lesson; just because you gave your whole heart to someone didn’t mean they actually wanted it, and just because they took over your dreams, surrounding you with a perfect fantasy, didn’t mean that was the person you would receive while awake.

  Trevelin Knight had me surrounded from the moment I laid eyes on him...and that was where I had made a horrible mistake.

  About the Author

  A.N. lives in a small country town in southern Tennessee with her husband, Zac, her high school sweetheart, and their two kids. She has a degree in Criminal Justice but has yet to put it to use. Other than her immense love for animals and writing, she enjoys reading a good book, hiking, and anything to do with marine life. Dolphins are her favorite.

  She is also a huge advocate for Domestic Violence. On May 7th, 2012, A.N.’s sister was murdered by her husband and ever since she has strongly voiced awareness for this ever growing crime. Her first book, Damaged, was written shortly thereafter. The New Adult romance is not based on her sister’s story, however, it was written around similar circumstances in order to bring light to Domestic Violence.

  Before A.N. started writing she raised Great Danes, and she still does to this day, sharing her home with seven of these majestic giants along with an English Bulldog and a tank full of salt water fish.

  Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anhennessy01

  Follow her on Twitter: @anhennessy

  Other books by this Author: Damaged, and coming soon, Undamaged, the sequel.

  Keep a look out for, Forever Country, the continuation of Izzy and Trevelin’s story.

  Acknowledgments

  First off, I’d like to say how much I thoroughly enjoyed writing this book. Music is a great love of mine—so are hot rock stars—and being able to mingle the two was a blast. The characters have definitely grown on me and I am sure they have others that have helped in the process and making of this book.

  One of those being my absolutely amazing husband, Zac. Thank you, Puddin, for being my own rock star and listening to my endless, and sometimes crazy descriptions of certain scenes, and/or characters. You sit and listen with interest like you actually enjoy my bright and wild imagination. Not only do you lend an ear, but you are a major contributor to this book. Reed Cox wouldn’t be the wild, eccentric drummer that he turned out to be without your small amount of inspiration and helping hand on his character. You are the rock to my star and I can’t shine without you!

  Of course I can’t leave out my two minions, Alexyss and Zayson. You guys manage to stay patient when you know I am writing, helping around the house while only complaining...sometimes. And that is much appreciated. I love you tons!

  Thank you to two fabulous people, Richard and Angie. They wrote Ode to an Angel, the song that Trevelin sung to Izzy. I find myself making my own music to the lyrics and singing it in my head all the time. You two made the song perfect, as if Trevelin Knight indeed wrote it straight from his own heart.

  Krissia, we may live states apart and share a love for Great Danes, but I swear you are my female soul mate. It’s scary really, kind of like we are the same person (lol). Thank you for loving my books, being a great friend, and giving me honest reviews and not being afraid to tell me what you think.

  All my betas; Erika, Rebecca, Kimberly, Cayce, Kiesha...thank you, thank you, thank you! You g
uys are so important and I can’t say thank you enough for reading the book in its most raw form.

  Sarah Hansen, you blew my mind with this cover. Honestly it couldn’t be any more of a perfect fit for the story. Thank you for being so amazing.

  Holy-moly, Kay!!!... Not only are you a kick-ass editor, but the best assistant a crazy person like me could ask for. I can’t thank you enough for what you do and how much help you are. You’re not my right hand; you’re my whole right arm. You are a rock star all on your own. Working with you has been a true joy and I look forward to our continued journey.

  To all my readers, THANK YOU! I love writing, but even more, I love that I have others who enjoy my works of fiction.

  For everyone else who played a part in the creation of Surrounded by Knight, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.