Zenith Rising (Zenith Trilogy, #2)

by Leanne Davis

  “I’ve wanted you since the first time I ever saw you, Erica.”

  “But marriage? It’s permanent. Forever.”

  “I’m aware of what I asked you.”

  “So you mean it? You want this?”

  “I want this. I want you. I love you.”

  She smiled. “You don’t say it very often, you know. I know you do, but you could say it more.”

  He wiggled to get her off him, and walked over to the bookshelf, where he flipped over a vase. He brought out the box with the ring he had hidden inside there. Her eyes grew rounder still. “You planned this?”

  “Not the exact moment. Or the words. But, yeah, of course! I intended to ask you. I didn’t just propose because the thought occurred to me.”

  Her arms were around him again.

  “Don’t you want to look inside it?” he asked, laughing, as he shook her off a little.

  “I don’t care what’s inside. I just care that you proposed to me. You want to marry me.”

  “Look inside anyway.”

  She did. Taking the box, she gasped and hot tears refilled her eyes. She looked happy and also a little sad. She gently touched the ring. “How did you…?”

  “Get your mother’s ring? I asked your dad. As crazy and disorganized as he is, it took him about a month to find it, but he finally did.”

  “But... how did you even know about it?”

  He shrugged. “I figured there had to be a ring. And that your dad wasn’t a total idiot; he wouldn’t have given it to Cora Lynn. I knew you didn’t need a huge diamond. You just needed your mother’s ring.”

  “You do love me,” she said softly, feeling awed.

  “I do, Erica. I love you.”

  She threw her arms around him. It was for good now. For always. He couldn’t imagine spending a single day without Erica Heathersby; he needed her touching him, hugging him, and caring about him. He was aware that she was changing him, now, still, always… and for the better.

  ###

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for reading!

  I would be so grateful if you took a few moments to leave a review of Zenith Rising. Reviews are always welcome and help expand an author’s audience. Many readers are surprised how appreciative we authors are for them!

  If you enjoyed, Zenith Rising, then read on for chapter one of the last book to this series: Zenith Fulfilled, featuring Rob Williams and Rebecca Randall.

  If you would like to keep up on my new releases please go to my website and sign up for my email distribution list or contact me directly at mailto:dvsleanne@aol.com

  Sincerely,

  Leanne Davis

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  My Other Titles:

  The Zenith Trilogy—For purchasing options click here.

  Zenith Falling (Zenith Trilogy, #1)

  The Zenith Trilogy: the fall, rise and ultimate success of the rock band Zenith.

  Along the way, lives are destroyed in addiction, betrayal and rejection. Redemption and love is both lost and found, as the destiny of this band rules the lives of those who most believe in it…

  Joelle married Rob Williams, lead singer of the rock band Zenith, before she was old enough to know better. She has spent years following Zenith around, while they struggle to become rock stars. Only now, alcoholism has replaced the talent that once was going to make Rob a legend… leaving Joelle’s life spiraling out of control. The problem is there isn’t a soul in the world that cares, including her husband.

  Nick Lassiter is a powerful business magnate in Seattle, Washington and was acquainted with Joelle long ago, before she became Joelle Williams. Nick’s return to Joelle’s life gives her a link to a world outside of Zenith. A world that starts to become far more appealing than the crazy, alcohol-soaked one she lives in. Until the fateful night when her entire life implodes and Nick is the only person she has to run to. Joelle soon sees only one thing clearly: Nick Lassiter has become so much more than just a friend who can save her.

  When Zenith disbands and Rob tries to get sober, Joelle begins to discover her own identity outside of Zenith, and the person she finds is nothing like the young, fragile girl who needed rescuing when Nick first met her. Who she discovers just might be a woman worth loving.

  Zenith Fulfilled (Zenith Trilogy, #3)—For purchasing options click here.

  Rob Williams used to be the lead singer of his band Zenith, before his alcoholism destroyed his band, his marriage and his life. Now, writer Rebecca Randall wants to write about his recovery and in the process make herself a successful author. What this mother of three young girls doesn’t plan for is the tattooed, former rocker that Rob is, fitting so well into her small town country life. That is until Rebecca’s absentee husband comes home and wants to rebuild their family. As Rob leaves to make his dreams of Zenith come true, Rebecca’s life falls into a depression that nothing short of divorce will stop. But how can Rob, now lead singer of Zenith, ever come back to Rebecca’s ordinary life?

  Take a Sneak Peek at: Zenith Fulfilled

  Chapter One

  Rob Williams took the arm of his ex-wife and waited beside her before the long, flower-strewn aisle as almost a hundred people looked on. The church was bright with late afternoon sun, and decorated with an explosion of colorful flowers, while the soft, lilting sounds of the piano filled the air.

  “Deja-vu,” Rob said quietly into Joelle’s ear.

  Joelle Lassiter glanced up at him. Her four-foot-ten height made him look taller standing next to her. She grinned and knew what he meant. Their own wedding, nearly seven years ago now, was the polar opposite of this wedding.

  “Except there’s no Elvis impersonator waiting to join us in eternal union forever.”

  “Guess we were doomed from the start, when you consider that.”

  Joelle glanced up at him, and her gaze suddenly turned serious. “We were doomed. But you’re not doomed, Rob.”

  Rob was spared from replying to Joelle’s unexpected solemn, thoughtful, heartfelt statement by the sudden notes of music, their cue to head down the aisle. Now, their arms linked, they took a step forward in unison and started down the aisle of the church. Flowers adorned each pew they passed, a profusion of purple and lavender wreaths. The pews, overflowing with guests, turned and stared at them, as they slowly, and together, marched down the aisle of the church like they never did before.

  Joelle’s husband, Nick Lassiter, was near the front of the church, and glaring at Rob. Rob smirked back. It served Lassiter right to see his pretty, little wife walking down a church aisle with him, Rob Williams, Nick’s nemesis. Nick observed Joelle, and the tight set of his mouth relaxed a little. It bugged Rob how much Nick genuinely loved his wife, Rob’s ex-wife. The woman whom Rob also once loved that much.

  Rob’s gaze went to the raised platform of the altar. There stood the pastor in a dark suit, and beside him, Spencer Mattox, Rob’s best friend in the world. He stood tall and perfectly erect, stony-faced in his formal tux with long tails and a crisp, white vest. Nodding at Rob, Spencer looked stern and almost miserable. Rob smiled back, almost laughing. Spencer smiled the least of any person Rob knew. He was also the last person to be found at any public spectacle or gathering. The least likely man that Rob could ever picture now standing formally at the altar, waiting for his bride.

  After Spencer fell in love with Dr. Erica Heathersby, he chose Rob as his best man for this pivotal point in his life. That’s why Rob was walking Joelle, his ex-wife, also the bride’s best friend, down the church aisle. Joelle was matron of honor. Rob took his spot beside Spencer. The bridal party was rather small. Erica wanted a large, flower-strewn wedding and lots of guests, but only a small, intimate wedding party, comprised of those whom she cared about most. They were Spencer, Rob, Nick and Joelle.

  Rob found it difficult to consider himself part of anything; let alone, such a big deal, i.e., Spencer’s happiness. His formerly dark and b
rooding best friend and roommate, had finally found a source of true joy and love with Erica. It almost made Rob believe there were such things as happy endings.

  Unfortunately, he wasn’t the person to whom they happened.

  At one time, Rob knew exactly how Spencer felt right now. Long ago, Rob stood at an altar; a very different altar, but an altar nevertheless, and foresaw his happy ending with Joelle. He thought he’d found the love of his life, and hoped to ride off into the sunset together. Forever.

  But now Rob’s happy ending was standing across their friend’s altar, staring and smiling at her second husband, while waving discreetly, with joy shining on her face, at her two-year-old daughter, Jody.

  Rob glanced at Nick who steered his daughter’s gaze toward her mother. The little girl smiled and babbled at her mother, and Rob felt the stabs of regret, jealousy, and longing. He felt them all the way down to his toes. He looked away, trying to pretend they didn’t exist, and sometimes wished he didn’t exist.

  Instead, he looked towards the back of the church and the tall, regal, blond head of Dr. Erica Heathersby. She was not only the least likely woman Rob would have pegged to become his own friend, but also Spencer’s new bride.

  Five years ago, when Rob was married to Joelle, Spencer ran around in gothic attire under the alias of Spike. That was when Nick and Erica were dating. But after Rob did just about everything in the world to screw up his life, he also managed to push everyone together. Joelle met Nick, and started working for him, while Rob kept drinking, and eventually lost her to his addiction. Rob and Spike first met Erica and Nick, when they were trying to get Joelle to return home. Not long afterwards, Spike evolved into Spencer, who wanted to grow up, and get a real life, as well as a real personality. Then Erica entered his life and changed everything for the better for him.

  Of course, Rob helped it move along, and applauded and cheered. He was glad to see his best friend finding self-fulfillment and joy.

  But Spencer moved out and left him alone. Rob was left behind again, after not progressing much farther in his life then he did the five years before, which of course, was how it should have been.

  In the process of self-discovery, they disbanded Zenith. Zenith was their rock band and the culmination of their dreams. At one time, it was their entire life, years ago now. Until Rob destroyed it. Now it was all long gone and over.

  Rob was the lead singer and Spencer played the keyboards while they both collaborated on the songs. Their dreams of stardom evaporated about that time when the band fell apart. After Rob met Joelle, the three of them lived, breathed, and dreamt of Zenith’s success. They wanted to play music and sing, while naively assuming the success, fame and money would naturally follow. They all dreamed big and aimed for the sky.

  But it all crashed and burned when Rob got too comfortable. He managed to lose everything he ever wanted. Or loved. Or desired. Or needed. Or dreamt about. He lost the works, and the hardest part for him to swallow was that he was the only one responsible; and had done it all to himself.

  And rising from the ashes of Zenith, Nick and Joelle discovered each other. Spencer and Erica also found love together. And Rob? Well, he watched it all happen, and longed for things to be different, but finally accepted that they weren’t. Now, he thought he actually deserved having everything taken from him.

  He was living alone in the house that the Zenith band members once occupied long ago, and Rob often thought about the past. The other two members of the band were long gone and thankfully so. Joelle was the first to leave Rob. Then Spencer. And now, Rob was all alone. As he should have been.

  He found a job in construction and attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings two to three times a week. He followed his routine and kept his nose clean, while focusing on sobriety. He went to work and tried not to feel too much remorse or remember too much of the past. He concentrated on wanting less instead of more. He had more and he destroyed it. He almost destroyed the only two people he ever loved by trying to get more. And that was why he deserved the empty life he now lived.

  Now clean and recovering, it became the entire point of his existence: sobriety. No longer did he dream of or desire love. Or music, singing, fame or fortune. His only desires now were peace and quiet. And some dignity. Whatever little dignity he could muster after everything he did to the people he loved, and worst of all, to himself.

  ****

  Rob watched Spencer taking Erica into his arms, swinging her around, and about to start their first dance as husband and wife. The large crowd of wedding attendees encircled the dance floor. But before the music started, Erica suddenly disentangled herself from Spencer. She looked around, and zeroed in on Rob. She came over to him.

  “Rob! There you are.”

  “Hey Doc, what are you doing?”

  “I want you to sing our first song. I would have asked sooner, but Spencer told me you’d say no. However, if I put you on the spot, he said you’d do it. For me.”

  Rob found himself mesmerized by Erica’s stunning green eyes. Her hair was drawn up off her face, and her long, slimming gown hugged the gorgeous lines of her body. He often said that he would have asked her to marry him if she weren’t two inches taller than he. But of course, he knew she fell in love with Spencer from the very start. Erica fluttered her eyes at Rob and he grimaced. She always knew how to get exactly what she wanted; and if she wanted him to sing, right here at her wedding, he would.

  “How am I supposed to say no to that?” he asked, glancing around, and noticing everyone was looking their way.

  Erica smiled and stepped forward to hug him. “That’s the point, Rob, you can’t say no. You have to sing for me.”

  Erica knew Rob helped encourage Spencer to finally admit he loved Erica. She thought she owed him a big slice of her happiness. Rob wished she didn’t think that. It wasn’t true. But no matter, Erica treated him with undeserved respect and warmth, like no one else, but Spencer, did.

  He looked up at her since she was four inches taller with her high heels on.

  “What am I singing, Doc?”

  She beamed. “Well, I have this favorite song.”

  “Which is what? Something I’d never choose to sing, I suppose.”

  “No, you probably wouldn’t. But please? For me? ‘The Lady in Red’ by Chris de Burgh.”

  Rob grimaced. “Of course, Doc. All right. I’ll sing it. But only for you, because you asked.”

  “I know,” Erica said, spinning around happily and going towards Spencer.

  Rob sighed as he stepped through the milling crowd, who now wondered why the music was so late in starting. Why the party seemed to have stopped. They were in the elegant banquet room, overlooking Puget Sound, just a few miles out of Seattle. Erica chose the venue for its large windows, high ceilings, and gilded chandeliers. It was glamorous and exquisitely beautiful. On a small stage, the live band was all set up.

  Rob took the microphone left by the previous singer who just vacated the stage. He saw the room of people who were now looking his way. Almost a hundred guests, all waiting for him with their eyes looking his way. Dressed up and pretty, in honor of Spencer and Erica, Rob’s nerves didn’t jump or get edgy. In fact, his senses all seemed to sharpen. His head became clear, and his heartbeat regulated. This felt... normal. It felt so freaking normal, he had to get his bearings and remind himself it was just a song at a wedding.

  A song to sing. Singing was once all he ever did or was any good at. Or great at. Now he rarely sang. Never. Hardly even hummed in the shower anymore. He didn’t know whether to glare at Erica, or thank her for the opportunity. The feeling of rightness. The longing and deprivation were at an end. This was it. Being on stage. The music about to start. All eyes were fastened on him. He suddenly felt alive again.

  He straightened up and looked around before bringing the microphone close to his mouth.

  “My name is Rob Williams. I’m Spencer’s best man, and Erica’s friend. She asked me to sing the first song toni
ght. So I dedicate this song to Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Mattox, the two finest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.”

  Erica was smiling at him, and tears glistened in her eyes. She started clapping, and the room soon followed. She was clapping for him, Rob, on the microphone, but the room applauded Rob’s words about Spencer and Erica. Rob smiled back at her.

  Then he turned, waiting for the band, that wasn’t his band, to start. They were already prepped for Erica’s song and Rob was the only change. The rhythm of drums started, then the keyboard and guitar joined in. The music was lively and made everyone sway to it. The women hummed the words. Then Rob brought the microphone up close to his mouth, and sang the lyrics.

  The words came easily, perfectly on key, and his voice rolled over them, caressing each one with sincerity and depth. He made the song more beautiful, giving it meaning and life. It was an easy song to sing, and Rob sang it to Erica, from Spencer. They danced to his beautiful voice around and around. Erica’s dress blew out on the turns. Her hair reflected the late evening sun as it streamed through the windows; and Spencer’s tall, long frame was the perfect complement to Erica’s stunning, blond features. They were a magnificent and breathtaking couple. Not so long ago, people seemed to assume it would never succeed. Most people discounted Spencer’s talent, until they heard him, and assumed Erica would never settle down with him, of all men. But she chose him. And now look at them, Rob thought.

  The song crested, and his voice carried the notes, evoking chills and some soul-searching as the couple, the music, the sunset, and the beauty of the entire scene manifested.

  Rob’s voice faded and the band soon drifted off. The couple slowly stopped moving. The room became quiet, as if sighing with pleasure. Then a burst of applause and cat calls erupted. For the Mattoxes, Rob, the band, and the wonderful moment. Rob bowed. Glancing up, he made eye contact with Joelle who was standing beside Nick. She smiled at him. Her face looked sad and thoughtful. Remembering things Nick and Erica knew nothing about. All the times he sang directly to her. For her. All the times their love was as strong as Spencer and Erica’s, and as Nick and Joelle’s was now. Rob smiled at Joelle, then turned. He replaced the microphone before turning and leaving the small, elevated stage.