Kyle was bent over his keyboard, head bobbing along while he played, and I loved seeing him in his element. We’d met as freshmen, and since we were both music majors who played piano, we always ended up in a lot of the same classes. We didn’t hang out much outside of school or anything, but whenever we had a group project or a duet to perform we always paired up. Over the years, we’d bonded over a shared love of movie scores, superheroes, and other geeky stuff, even though he was covered in tattoos and never wore anything other than black and I thought staying up past eleven was living on the edge. Somehow we’d just clicked—but never in a romantic way.
The song ended, and the audience cheered. Jared flashed the crowd a smile full of dark promises. “Thank you,” he said. “We’re Villain Complex.”
Julie whistled loudly beside me, and Carla covered her ears from the piercing sound. I blinked at them, coming out of a fog. I’d been so lost in the music I’d completely forgotten my friends were with me.
“They’re so good!” Carla yelled.
“And the guys are so hot!” Julie added.
“I told you!” I shouted back at them. And then the next song started and I was swept away, falling under Jared’s spell again.
Villain Complex had won the UCLA vs USC Battle of the Bands a month ago, securing the win for UCLA and making Kyle an instant celebrity around campus. Before that they’d only done a handful of small gigs and parties, playing both covers and songs from their own self-produced album. They were so talented it was only a matter of time until they really took off, and I’d be able to say I knew them before they were famous.
When the show ended, most of the audience crushed toward the exit like a herd of sheep. I was one of the few people crazy enough to move against the crowd and head for the stage, losing Julie and Carla somewhere in the fray. I finally made it to the front, next to a bunch of groupies gazing at Jared while he bent over to unplug something. I struggled not to stare along with them, but was saved when Kyle spotted me.
“Maddie, you came!” He jumped off the stage and grabbed me in a hug.
“I wouldn’t miss it for anything. You were amazing!”
“Yeah?” He brushed hair away from his face, the tattoos on his fingers spelling out LIVE LOUD. “I was so nervous. You have no idea.”
“It was a great show. Seriously. I was impressed.”
“Thanks. That means a lot, coming from you.” His face broke out into a grin. “Hey, I didn’t get a chance to tell you the news. We have a live audition for The Sound on Friday!”
“What? No freaking way!” The Sound was a reality TV show where different rock bands competed against each other while being mentored by a famous musician. The winning band got a recording contract with a major label, and the top four bands were sent on tour together across the country. Plus, the show had millions of viewers, so even the bands that didn’t win picked up a ton of new fans just from being on it.
“I know. Crazy, right?” He laughed like he couldn’t believe it himself. “Jared sent in a video of us performing, plus MP3s of all our songs and a bunch of other shit. I didn’t think anything would happen with it, but yesterday a producer called out of the blue and invited us to come on the show to audition.”
“Wow, this is huge! I’m so happy for you.” I gave him another hug and meant every word I said—but I was prickling with a touch of envy, too. I wanted Kyle and his band to win, of course. And it’s not like I wanted to go on The Sound or anything, hell no. It’s just that, for once in my life, I’d like to do something bold like that, too. No more standing in the crowd and cheering for others, no more hiding in an orchestra or behind a piano, but on stage, living the dream out loud and in front. But that wasn’t me.
A girl with hair the color of fruit punch slammed against Kyle, wrapping her inked arms around him. They kissed for the longest, most awkward moment ever while I stood next to them like a creepy voyeur. Finally they remembered I was there and broke away, grinning like two beautiful misfits in love.
“Hey, Maddie!” Alexis said with a big smile. “Wasn’t Kyle incredible up there?”
“He really was,” I agreed.
“I’m so proud of you, babe.” She kissed his cheek, and he smiled at her like he was the luckiest guy in the world. They’d been high school sweethearts but had broken up when she’d gone to Princeton. Now that she’d transferred to USC, they’d reconnected at the Battle of the Bands and had been inseparable ever since.
“Hey, I got some killer photos of the show,” she said. “I can’t wait to get them on the website.”
“Cool. Send them to Jared so he can put them up.” He jerked his head toward his brother, who was talking with one of the groupies. “Jared!”
Uh oh. So far I’d managed to avoid all interactions with Jared for my own safety. Kyle had warned me that his brother had a new girl every week, and I knew they definitely weren’t geeky
Want to see what happens next?
MORE THAN MUSIC is available now!
Or get the entire series in the CHASING THE DREAM box set for over 50% off!
Also by Elizabeth Briggs
The Chasing The Dream Series:
More Than Exes (#0.5) - Kyle and Alexis
More Than Music (#1) - Jared and Maddie
More Than Comics (#2) - Hector and Tara
More Than Fashion (#3) - Julie and Gavin
More Than Once (#4) - Becca and Andy
More Than Distance (#5) - Carla and Ryan
The Future Shock Trilogy
Future Shock
Future Threat
Future Lost
About the Author
New York Times Bestselling Author Elizabeth Briggs writes unputdownable romance across genres with bold heroines and fearless heroes. She graduated from UCLA with a degree in Sociology and has worked for an international law firm, mentored teens in writing, and volunteered with dog rescue groups. Now she's a full-time geek who lives in Los Angeles with her husband and a pack of fluffy dogs.
Visit Elizabeth’s website: www.elizabethbriggs.net
Sign up for Elizabeth’s newsletter to get updates on her books, cover reveals, and more!
Join Elizabeth’s Facebook group for fun book chat and early sneak peeks!
Acknowledgments
Reverse harem is a new genre for me, but I’m really excited to be writing in it! Many thanks to the following people who helped me with this book along the way:
-My beta readers, Jessica Love, Lissa Hawley, and Lisa Mandina. This book is so much better thanks to all of you!
-My RH ladies, Eva Chase, Lidiya Foxglove, and Sarah Piper. I wouldn’t want to go on this journey with anyone but you three!
-My awesome friend, Sybil Bartel, for convincing me to leave in the naughty stuff!
-My cover designer, KassiJean Designs, and my photographer, Lindee Robinson, for making my cover so beautiful!
-My agent, Kate Testerman, who didn’t freak out when I told her what I was writing next!
-My family, for putting up with my crazy writer brain. I really hope you’re not reading this book…
-And, as always, to my lovely husband Gary Briggs, for being the best guy ever. Thanks for letting me write whatever I want and supporting me through everything.
To Gary, for telling me to go for it
Copyright © 2018 by Elizabeth Briggs
HOLLYWOOD ROOMMATES: A Reverse Harem Romance
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Cover Designed by KassiJean Designs
Model Photo by Lindee Robinson Photography
&
nbsp; Cover Model: Kelly Kirstein
ISBN (paperback) 978-1984203663
ISBN (ebook) 978-0991569670
www.elizabethbriggs.net
Hollywood Roommates Page 18