“No.” He pushed her hair back from her face, licking his dry lips. It had done something crazy to his heart when she said she loved him back. “Your faith in me has gotten me through. You’ve always trusted me and I’ve never deserved it. Together, we’re going to make a life for ourselves; we’re going to carve out our own niche and make our own family. I promise you that.”
A family of her own, one that she could love, one that she could be free with. Those words were the most beautiful that she had ever heard.
Epilogue
Travis Steele sat in front of his bank of monitors, doing what he did best. After the past few months, he had to admit that besides with Christine, this was where he felt the absolute most comfortable. Grabbing a sucker, he opened it and stuck the piece of candy in his mouth, rolling it around with his tongue. Rolling his neck on his shoulders, he readjusted his glasses and took note of the time. It was getting to be late evening, and Christine should be getting home.
“Hey, babe.” She appeared in the doorframe.
“I was just thinking that you should be getting home anytime now,” he told her, moving back from the desk so that she could come sit in his lap.
“B and I got our hair highlighted at the shop,” she explained, having a seat where he patted his thigh. She reached over, taking his glasses off and sitting them on the desk.
He took the invitation and buried his face in her hair. He loved the smell of it after she got it done. There was something about the products they used at the salon. He loved it.
“You like?” she asked, a sly smirk on her face.
“I love,” he answered, leaning against the cushioned back of the chair.
She looked at him, her eyebrows coming together.
“What?” he asked, laughing when she ran her hands over the hair that had begun to grow back on top of his head. He’d been worried that it might not grow back; it was taking a long time.
“I’ve always had this question about you, but I’ve never asked it.”
He cupped her thigh with his hand, slightly stroking it. “The answer is no, I’ve never had sex in here, but I would love to break in this chair.”
She threw her head back, laughing loudly. “You perv, that’s not at all what I wanted to ask you!”
The smile on her face was easier coming now, and he liked to think that was partially because of him. He would do anything to bring that smile to her face. “Oh, okay, what is it you wanted to know?”
“These.” She picked up his glasses. “Did you lie to me when you told me you didn’t really need them? You’re wearing them a lot more lately, and I’m wondering if you’re trying to be hipster, like Tyler says, or do you really need them?”
He grabbed them from her hands. “Okay, okay, I do need them, but only when I have eye strain, which I do have right now. Can you move to the left just a minute,” he asked her, distracted suddenly.
She worried that something was happening, so she didn’t even question it. Christine turned so that she could see what he saw. “Isn’t that Rooster?” she asked.
“Yeah, and that’s Roni’s apartment.”
They watched as he parked and walked up to the door. He didn’t even knock, he had the code. Travis sat there with raised eyebrows. Only Liam had the code to her apartment. She was very careful with who she gave it to. Both he and Christine glanced at each other, the surprise evident on their faces, and then they laughed at what they had just seen.
“Wow,” he breathed. He, like all of them, had known they’d had a relationship as teenagers, but he didn’t know they were still hanging out with each other now. Travis looked at Christine, a grin on his face. “Guess we’re not the only two that have had a dirty little secret.”
The End
Heaven Hill #6
(Coming Late Fall 2014)
Prologue
Sharon—better known as Roni—Walker, sighed deeply. Today was her thirty-fifth birthday, and just what the fuck did she have to show for it? Not a damn thing. She had spent most of her life bowing down to a father who didn’t care one iota about her and living for a brother that she had found out wasn’t exactly her brother. Half-brother, but not full-blood. Funny, that fact seemed to bother her more than it did Liam; it had taken a part of her life away that she hadn’t realized she counted on. Her life had been taking care of Liam since their mother had left. Now it almost felt like she’d done it for no good reason.
Her phone went off from where it sat beside her. More happy birthday messages, these from her niece and nephew, Mandy and Drew. She loved those kids with everything she had, and she would absolutely do anything that they asked her to, but today, they made her sad. Her best years had been spent on people who didn’t give a shit about her, and now here she was—thirty-five and bitter.
This time, a knock sounded at her door. She contemplated not opening it, not even going to check and see who it was. She wanted to wallow in her own self-pity and be miserable. It was her birthday, and damnit, she was allowed to do that if she wanted to. Checking the peephole, she saw the one person that she wanted to see, so she knew she had to let him in.
“Hey, Rooster,” she greeted as she opened the door.
“Hey.” He grinned at her, rocking back on his feet. “Happy birthday!”
She tried to keep the smile from her face, but she couldn’t help smiling back at him. “Thank you.”
“Why aren’t you out celebrating? I figured there’d be a big shindig at the clubhouse.”
“They wanted one,” she told him as she ushered him inside her apartment. “But I’m not feelin’ it this year. I’m an old bitter Betty.”
“Let’s get outta here.” He jerked his head in the direction of the parking lot.
“Where are we gonna go?”
“I don’t know,” he pulled her to the window and opened the blinds, showing her the bike he’d ridden over. “But I got my bike out, and it still runs. Take a ride with me.”
That had been her favorite thing to do that summer—the one before everything changed. For just a few minutes, she wanted to relive that feeling, relive that place that she had never been able to get back to.
“It’s cold still. You know that, right?”
“Early March is usually cold, I got it covered.”
She didn’t want to know how he had it covered, but she desperately wanted to take this ride with him, so she grabbed her jacket and boots. Without a look back at the DVR she had been planning to catch up on, she followed him out the door. It looked like wallowing and self-pity were going to have to take a backseat—at least for this night.
Acknowledgements
Allison, for always being there with me through all of this. I don’t think it would be the same experience if you weren’t here with me. One day, we’ll see our names in bright lights! :)
My friends and family, thank you for being as understanding as possible when it comes to my writing. I know sometimes you all wonder why I’m spending so much time doing it, but it is something that I truly love, and it’s brought a lot to all of our lives. I appreciate you all not giving me too much shit about it!
Slick, Didi, Halos & Horns, Swept Away by Romance, Mariann’s Book Blog, and the other blogs and Facebook Pages that have taken a chance on me and the series. I can’t thank you enough!
There are a whole bunch of people that make Heaven Hill happen and keep me on task. Thank you so much for everything that you do and all the support that you give! This isn’t always easy, but you all make it worthwhile!
Connect with Laramie
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Also by Laramie Briscoe
Only the Beginning
Rockin’ Country #1
Chapter One
The crowd screamed loudly, causing her palms to sweat and her heart to race. Harmony Stewart inhaled deeply and then exhaled, letting the breath flow through her. The relaxation technique worked. Shoulders that had been so tight she couldn’t even roll them were now loose. It was always like this, she realized. Right before she went on stage, the nervous energy started, causing her to tense up—not fully being able to appreciate the life she was living. Closing her eyes, she breathed again, feeling her muscles loosen up even more.
“Harmony, you’re up next.”
She nodded, glancing at the production tech. “Thanks.” Her voice was thin even to her own ears. This was just something that she went through, no matter how many millions of albums she sold or awards she garnered.
Looking out onto the stage, she saw the rock group, Black Friday, finishing up. A fan of the band, she tried to still the heart that threatened to beat out of her chest as they finished their song and walked towards her. The lead singer was the personification of hotness in her opinion. She had always wanted a meeting, but had never been able to approach him when they had been in the same space. This time he would have to walk right by her—not that she had deluded herself to think he would know who she even was. Pulling her shaking hands to her body, she gripped them hard as the group approached.
“Good job, guys,” she smiled as they passed her. One by one, they nodded and accepted her smile until she came face to face with Reaper, the lead singer. She only knew his stage name. What she wouldn’t give to know his real one.
“Thanks. Good luck out there, sweetheart,” he smiled widely. His teeth were white and straight, the dimples that she had caught glimpses of in pictures deepened widely in his cheeks. He was tall, much taller than she had originally thought. He towered over her 5’6 frame (with heels, thank you very much), and the tattoos that traveled down his arms were a feast to her eyes. They were intricate, and she wished she had the time to study them all.
Harmony opened her mouth to tell him something else, but he was already gone. Disappointment hit her stomach hard and fast. But at least it had been a start. With any luck, she would see him at some other award show. She heard her cue as she looked back to where the rock band stood, debriefing with some of their management. For just a split second, her eyes met Reaper’s and goose bumps appeared on her arms. If only they’d had more time.
Reaper sat with his head back, eyes closed. The night had been long. He never really liked doing these awards shows, but their fans were amazing. Even though they didn’t have what others called “crossover” success, they had some of the most rabid fans in the music industry. That, however, didn’t change the fact that he was lonely and tired of not having someone besides the members of his band to share his life with.
“Who was the cutie that smiled at us as we walked by?”
“That was Harmony Stewart,” he answered, moving only his lips.
“Country singer?”
“Yes, dude,” he sighed. “The country singer.”
“She’s cuter than I imagined. I’ve only seen her on TV a few times.”
Reaper sighed again. “Seriously Train, you’re getting on my fuckin’ nerves. Do you have to talk all the time?”
“What’s your problem? Do you need to get laid?” Train asked, having a seat next to his friend.
“Do you ever get sick of all this?” He lifted his long arms and big hands up; gesturing to the backstage green room they sat in.
“Sick of what? The free pussy, the free booze, the amazing trips overseas and around this great nation? Playing the music we love every night? I’m ready to do this the rest of my life. Why aren’t you?”
Reaper lifted his head up and opened his eyes, staring into the eyes of his friend. “I’m burnt out. Not with the music, but with the lifestyle. I need a change, something different to shake things up.”
“Burnt out? How can you be burnt out?”
“It’s just…” he ran his fingers through his hair. “We’ve been on the road for a year. I need something new and exciting in my life. I’m sick of the same girls, the same bus, and the same hotel rooms.”
“You’re bein’ a moody fucking pansy is what you’re being. Do you know how many guys would give their left nut to be where we are?” Train slapped his friend on the shoulder, the disbelief showing on his face.
Reaper realized he would get nowhere with his friend. Train dealt with his demons in unhealthy ways and perhaps tonight wasn’t the best time to approach him about this. He couldn’t rightfully explain his feelings if he didn’t fully understand them himself. Better to just pretend that everything was peachy. “You’re right. I’m crazy. I just need some good alcohol and a good cigarette. Let’s get to the after party.”
“Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about,” the lead guitarist said, grabbing his friend by the arm and ushering him out of the room.
Reaper realized that nobody seemed to care what he thought, how he felt, or just how lonely he was. He might as well make the best of what to him was an unbearable situation.
“Harmony? Are you changing into the dress that new designer sent you for the after party?”
“I think so,” Harmony answered her best friend and assistant, Shell.
“You need to change now, then.”
Harmony rolled her eyes and grabbed the hanger from Shell’s hand. “Yes ma’am.”
Used to bossing her friend around, Shell had a seat while Harmony changed. “So tell me, did you meet anybody interesting at this awards show?”
“I did. Did you see any of the show?”
“I didn’t get a chance too, no. I wish I had, but there was a lot going on back here,” Shell answered from behind the door that Harmony had closed to change.
“I’m so sorry, Shell. I know how hard you work, and you’ll never fully know how much I appreciate it. You’ll be excited to hear that I finally met the guys from Black Friday.”
Harmony heard the squeal and couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face.
“I am so damn jealous. That lead singer—was he as hot as he looks on TV?”
“Even more so. I actually said a few words to him. Top moment of my life this year—for real.”
She finished changing and let herself out of the dressing room. Coming out, she turned around in a circle, making sure everything looked okay. For the show, Harmony had wanted to keep it classy and her dress had been very Old Hollywood. This dress, however, was young and fun. Sparkles and glitter reigned. The hot pink color showed off the tan she had been able to get during a short vacation before awards season ramped up.
“Does this look okay?” she asked, turning around again so Shell could see her from every angle.
“You look really good. Hoping to meet anybody at this party?”
“You never know,” she shrugged. “Maybe the guys from Black Friday will be there, and I’ll be able to say something else to them. I was kind of a blabbering fool earlier. Are you coming with me?”
Shell wrinkled her nose up at her friend. “I don’t know. This hasn’t been a stellar day for me.”
“All the more reason for you to raid my closet, find something hot, and come out on the town with me.”
“Why are you trying to corrupt me? Usually it’s the other way around. You’re the belle of the country ball, and I’m the one trying to get you to do Jager shots,” Shell laughed.
“Maybe I’m ready to let my hair down. It’s time. I am twenty-four years old, and I’m not gettin’ any younger. If I keep goin’ at this pace with the music, I’m not goin’ to be married before thirty, and that’s never who I wanted to be. I’m the type of girl who wants a boyfriend, wants to be in love. I’m gonna have to make that a priority.”
Shell knew that Harmony was
telling the truth. She was one of those women who were made to be in love, but she wasn’t for sure that her friend had ever felt those feelings. Her one serious relationship hadn’t ended well and left her feeling disconnected. It was nice to see that she was beginning to look past that time in her life. “Okay, okay. If I need to be there to keep you from asking the first man you meet to marry you, I’ll be there to save you from yourself.”
“You, Shell, are the best friend a girl could ask for.” She reached over, kissing her on the cheek.
“You sure we can leave in an hour?” Reaper asked he unfolded himself from the backseat of the limo they had taken to the party location.
“Yes, I’m sure,” Train answered with a huff. Reaper didn’t miss the way he wiped the back of his hand over his nose. It was a sure sign that some things never changed. He raised his eyebrows as Train admonished him. “Dude, when did you become such a fucking killjoy?”
“I told you already, I’m just not feeling this tonight.”
They got into line with the rest of the celebrities and the other members of their band to walk the red carpet that lead into the venue that housed the party for the night.
“Hey.” Train hit his friend’s elbow. “Isn’t that the little country girl from earlier?” He pointed further up the carpet.
Reaper couldn’t see for shit, so he squinted his eyes together, trying to bring the person in front of them better in focus. “Fuck,” he mumbled, pulling the wrap-around sunglasses he normally wore on stage up to his eyes. They were part of his persona, but in actuality they were prescription and without them—he really couldn’t see. “Yeah, that’s her.”
Dirty Little Secret Page 17