Radical Rock Stars:
Next Generation Duet Book 2
JENNA GALICKI
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Credits and Copyright
Synopsis
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
The Radical Rock Stars Series
Other Books By the Author
Sample: The Prince of Punk Rock, Radical Rock Stars Book 1
Sample: Rock Star Redemption, Radical Rock Stars Book 4
Sample: Punk Rock-A- Bye Baby, Radical Rock Stars Book 5
About the Author
Credits:
Cover Photo: Nathan Hainline
Cover Designer: Chloe Belle Arts
Models: Nathan Hainline and Cassady Rose
Copyright and Disclaimer:
Copyright © 2019 by Jenna Galicki, All Rights Reserved
This book is not transferable. It is for your own personal use. If it is sold, shared, or given away, it is an infringement of the copyright of this work. No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are solely the product of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously, though reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or yet to be born, is purely coincidental and entirely unintentional.
The book is for mature audiences only.
Synopsis
She’s my best friend’s little sister. She’s off limits. She’s Tessa Blade Garcia, a girl who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it. Now she’s after me.
Everything in my life has had a predetermined path. The success of the band had to come first. I’ve put my feelings on hold long enough. The time is finally right. Mason Wilder is America’s most eligible rock star. Now, I’m going to make him mine.
I’ve known her since the day she was born, but it’s taken me 22 years to realize how much I love her. Just when everything seems perfect, my world gets turned upside down, and I need to take sides between people I’ve loved and trusted my entire life, and someone I never thought I’d see again.
“Welcome back.” The pretty talk show host smiled into the camera. “With one platinum single, two sitting in the top 10 slot, and a gold debut album, Prodigy is America’s fastest rising new rock band. They’re at the tail end of a successful North American tour that has been selling out venues across America. All this after bursting onto the music scene only one year ago.”
The host announced them from left to right. “Tessa Blade Garcia on vocals and bass guitar. Lucas Blade on lead guitar. Sindy Cavanaugh on rhythm guitar.” The talk show host paused when she got to Mason and beamed at him for a moment. “He’s someone who needs no introduction, world-renowned drummer extraordinaire, Mason Wilder.”
Mason flashed his signature million-dollar smile which rivaled the studio lights and sent the audience, male and female alike, into a wave of thunderous applause and whistles. Mason chuckled softly at the reception, modesty causing him to put his hand over his heart and bow his head in appreciation.
“It’s no coincidence that we have some very famous last names on the stage today,” the host continued. “Aptly named, Prodigy is the next generation of rock stars produced by Immortal Angel’s Angel Garcia, Tommy Blade and Jimmy Wilder.” Another round of applause rose from the audience at the mention of Immortal Angel.
The host straightened several note cards in her hand and turned her attention back to the band. “Welcome to Celebrity Today. It’s an honor having you with us. Tell me, how has growing up under the tutelage of your famous families shaped Prodigy as a whole?”
Tessa knew that her brother would take this question, and Lucas leaned forward to address the host. “It was a privilege growing up with Tommy Blade as one of my dads.” A girl in the audience let out a scream when Lucas mentioned their iconic father, and the host put on a broad smile. “I feel the same way,” she said in the direction of the exclamation, and a rumble of laughter followed.
“Naturally, Immortal Angel was a big influence on us,” Lucas continued. “Mason, Tessa and I were on the road touring with them most of our lives. But Prodigy is its own band. We wanted that clear from the start. We weren’t going to capitalize on our parents’ fame. We wanted to be recognized on our own merit and started at the bottom just like everyone else. We played the indie circuit for years while Tessa and I finished college.”
“Education was important in your family. Is that correct?”
Tessa found the microphone in her face. “Yes. My dad, Tommy Blade, was adamant that we both get a college degree before embarking on a career in music. My mom, Jessi Blade, and my other dad, Angel Garcia, not so much.”
The audience laughed again.
“Sindy Cavanaugh, you’re the new face in Prodigy. Tell me, how did it feel to infiltrate this trio who had already established a presence as a band? Was it an easy transition?”
Sindy let out a small laugh. “No. Not really. Tessa and I became best friends right away. Mason, well, what’s not to love about Mason? He’s the most easygoing person I know.”
A cheer rose up from the audience in agreement.
”It was Lucas who I had a problem with.” Sindy smirked at him playfully before wrapping her arm around him and giving him a side hug. “He drove me crazy. I honestly couldn’t stand him. He spent hours upon hours trying to teach me music theory, and all I wanted to do was play.”
“It looks like you two worked out your differences,” the host prompted.
“Yeah,” Sindy replied. “He’s a pain, but I fell in love with him anyway.”
Lucas smiled at her and nudged her with his shoulder.
The host stepped in front of Mason and displayed a wide grin. “Mason Wilder.” She paused while the audience roared at finally hearing from the most famous member of the band. “I’ve been waiting a long time to interview you.”
Mason’s dimples continued to dominate his face while he slowly blinked, sealing his eyes for a moment longer than necessary. His humility was a rare gem. “What do you want to know? My life is an open book.”
“First, I want to congratulate you on your amazing career. You wowed the world when you first stepped in front of the camera at age 10 and you’ve dominated the music industry ever since. At 29, you’re a legend. As a third-generation drummer, music was your destiny. You’ve won numerous awards and toured with countless internationally-acclaimed bands. You could have taken a permanent seat with any one of them, but you held out and waited for your rightful place in Prodigy.”
“I’ve had an amazing career doing what I love,” Mason replied. “Now I get to do it with my best friends. I’m a lucky guy. Prodigy has been twenty years in the making. I’ve watched Lucas pick up his first guitar, and I saw Tessa shock everyone with her vocal ab
ility. I think she sang before she could talk. Then it was a stroke of luck that we found Sindy. She adds an entirely new energy and dynamic to the band.”
Tessa watched him as he spoke. His words were effortless, his stature carefree and uninhibited. He leaned back in the director-style chair, an ankle crossed over his knee, one elbow on the arm of the chair, dimples on display.
“I understand you found Sindy playing for tips in a coffee shop,” the host stated. “Would you care to elaborate on that?”
“One of the girls could probably tell it better than I could,” Mason replied.
Everyone turned to Tessa. She usually monopolized interviews, but she wanted to leave this one for Sindy to explain. “Go ahead,” she told her best friend.
“It’s truly a Cinderella story,” Sindy explained. “I was struggling financially. Waiting tables and playing for tips. I was never much of a singer, but I can play my heart out on the guitar. One afternoon when I was performing a set at a local coffee house, I stumbled through the lyrics of Welcome to the Jungle, and the next thing I knew, Tessa was belting out the song. The entire coffee shop gathered around to watch and listen.” Sindy turned toward Tessa, gratitude clear in her expression. “We became instant friends. Now we’re like sisters.”
“I never wanted a rhythm guitarist in the band,” Tessa stated. “I never thought we’d find anyone who could match Lucas’ talent on the guitar, but after I heard Sindy play, I couldn’t stop thinking about how much she would rival his performance.” Tessa leaned forward to give Lucas a teasing smile. “Sometimes my brother needs his ego taken down a notch.”
Lucas chuckled at the lighthearted jab, while Sindy nodded in agreement.
“Anyway,” Tessa continued. “I’m glad I stopped for coffee that day, otherwise, I never would have met Sindy.”
“I think we all feel the same way,” the host added. “Now, back to Mason and the question on everyone’s mind. “You’re one of the most sought-after drummers in the world, and just recently,” she held up a magazine with a picture of Mason on the cover, “you can add Most Eligible Rock Star to your long list of accolades.”
Tessa sprung forward to get a better look at the magazine while the audience exploded with cheers. Mason, with his panty-melting smile and insatiable dimples, stared at the world from the cover of the magazine. Print asked the question, “What Does it Take to Snag this Unattainable Hunk?”
Suddenly bashful, Mason touched his forehead, shielding his face with his hand for a few seconds in order to hide his reddened cheeks.
“Please tell us,” the host asked. “What does a girl have to do in order for Mason Wilder to put a ring on it?”
Tessa raised her antennas, but Mason just smiled, shook his head and spread his arms to the side. “I don’t know what to say, man. I’m in love with my music. I’ve dated, but no one compares to my one true love.”
The host turned to the camera. “You heard it here, ladies. It takes a rare jewel to capture the heart of Mason Wilder. You can catch Prodigy tomorrow night at the U.S. Bank Arena for the final show of their North American tour. In the meantime, the world is left wondering, is there a girl out there for Mason Wilder?”
Yes. There is. Tessa smiled. I’m sitting right here.
They were halfway through the show when the lights suddenly went out and blackness engulfed the arena. The sound of Tessa’s voice was reduced to a mere whisper compared to the explosive roar it had been a moment ago. The grungy wail of lead and rhythm guitar was now a sprinkle of sound across the stage. The heavy beat of Mason’s drums, still loud without the aid of an amplifier, trickled off as his arms came to a stop, and the shimmer of the cymbals floated through the air. A murmur of panicked voices rose from the crowd, while cell phones quickly came to life and provided small pockets of light.
Lucas immediately moved between Tessa and Sindy and offered a few reassuring words. “Power’s out. Don’t worry. The venue should be able to get it back on.”
“Everyone OK down there?” Mason called from atop the drum riser.
All three of them turned toward the back of the stage to face Mason. Tessa could barely see him, but as her vision adjusted to the darkness, the dim light illuminating from cell phones at the side stage clearly reflected his eyes. He was looking directly at her.
“Tess?” he prompted when no one immediately replied.
Her heart swelled. “I’m fine.”
“We’re OK, too,” Lucas said, a smile permeating his words.
A stagehand ran toward them with a frantic look on his face. “The whole block is out. We’re trying to get the generator turned on. Hang tight.” He looked into the audience. People were starting to get unruly, shouting and pushing as some tried to leave the venue. “This could get really ugly, real fast,” he said, fear prevalent in his voice. He looked to Tessa. “Do something while I check on the gennie.”
He flew off stage, leaving Tessa to calm the wild crowd. She knew that without her microphone her voice wouldn’t carry very far, but she was going to give it her best shot. She tried to make a joke about their music being so loud that it blew the grid, but no one reacted. She repeated the remark, this time using her diaphragm and projecting her voice. Nothing. Normally, her voice contained enough power to at least reach the first few rows, but the place was in an uproar. She tried again, this time singing the chorus of Driven at the top of her lungs and inviting the fans to join her in an a cappella sing-along. “Come on!” she shouted. “You know the words!” But they ignored her.
“Forget it,” Lucas said. “You’re going to hurt your voice. Just wait for the power to come back on.”
A bad feeling trickled up her spine, and for once in her life, she had no idea how to handle the situation.
“This is bad,” Sindy said, moving closer to Tessa and Lucas so the three were huddled together at the center of the stage.
The people in the audience were shoving each other as they tried to exit, but they couldn’t get past the end of their rows. It was about to get ugly, as the stagehand had predicted. In a last ditch effort to get the attention of the audience, she screamed out a lyric like a death metal god and played a few notes on her bass, which she could barely hear above the noise. It was useless. She stood with her brother and her best friend and watched the audience grow more agitated and louder by the second. If the generator didn’t come on soon, people could easily be trampled as they continued to push toward the exit.
BOOM. BOOM. BOOM-BOOM-BOOM.
Tessa jumped at the unexpected sound from behind her. For a quick second she thought it was an explosion, but it was Mason pounding on his double bass drums with both feet in quick succession, harder and louder than she ever heard. He attacked his toms with an aggressive assault and immediately broke a stick. Seamlessly, he grabbed a new one from the stick bag and continued the onslaught. The bass drum pounded like thunder and the symbols splashed like lightning.
“What’s he doing?” Sindy asked.
Tessa’s heart ballooned with pride as she smiled at Mason. “He’s saving the day.”
A member of the road crew ran on stage and held the light from his cell phone on Mason. It was a tiny spotlight, but the bright chrome drum hardware and the mirror-like gleam from the golden cymbals picked up the reflection like diamonds. Stagehands and the rest of the road crew rushed out, cell phones lighting the way. They formed a semi-circle with Mason at the center, aglow on the otherwise darkened stage.
Tessa looked toward the audience, which had quieted down. People were no longer yelling or trying to leave in a frenzy. Their heads were slowly turning toward the front of the arena to focus their attention on Mason. They were more interested in watching Prodigy’s renowned drummer than worried about the momentary black out. The unruly crowd now became orderly.
“Holy shit,” Sindy said. “They’re paying attention to him.”
“Damn!” Lucas exclaimed, grinning at his best friend. “I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t tear a skin. Look how hard h
e’s smacking those drums.”
No one had to tell Tessa to look at Mason. She was hypnotized by his talent. It hadn’t just won her heart two decades ago, it calmed a crowd of 20,000 people who were near hysteria. She reveled in watching his dimpled smile, the scruffy stubble on his jaw, the prolific tattoos that covered his upper body and the gorgeous muscles that resided there. The exertion he expelled with this showy performance left his chest and shoulders broad with strength and his biceps perfect arcs of round muscle.
Without warning, the lights came on and lit up the arena. Normally, in this situation, there would’ve been a collective cheer and maybe some shouts of relief, but the crowd never reacted. With the power back, the sound of Mason’s heavy drumbeats exploded through the amplifiers. Tessa felt the vibrations in her bones with a glorious shake.
The audience’s focus intensified as they took in the magnificent showmanship on the drums, which proved why Mason Wilder, a third-generation drumming god, was one of the best drummers in the world. The smile on Mason’s face, the way his eyes were illuminated and sparkled, the way he drew his arms high above his head before bringing them down with a ferocious thunderclap, had the arena captivated. All eyes were on Mason, including the production crew and his bandmates.
Even though the amps were back, he never softened his relentless assault. Sindy had her hands over her ears with an incredulous smile on her face. Lucas gazed at his best friend just as awestruck as the audience. And Tessa beamed at him with every ounce of love in her heart.
Without pause, Mason went from slamming his sticks on his snare to throwing them straight into the audience. He stood up, smiling so brightly that it probably would have illuminated the stage if the lights went out again. He stretched his arms out to the sides and bowed to the tremendous cheers and applause before he stepped down from the riser.
Tessa watched his chest move up and down with deep breaths as air filled his lungs. His open-mouthed smile stretched across his cheeks while stars shown from his eyes, portraying the love affair he had with his instrument. She wanted to wrap her arms around him and tell him that her heart overflowed with pride and admiration. She wanted to tell him that she was honored to share the stage with someone who had as much talent as he did. Instead, she threw her arms in the air and exclaimed, “You’re amazing!”
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