by Kate Stacy
KATE STACY
THE STARS ALIGN SERIES
BOOK TWO
Edited by TRACY ATENCIO
Cover Design by ONE WISH DESIGNS
This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. (This also includes the cover image and/or cover model(s) appearing on the cover. The context of this book does not in any way depict the personal life of said cover model(s). Image is licensed and used purely for fictional purposes only.)
Copyright © 2020 by Kate Stacy
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part of any form.
PLAYLIST
The following playlist served as creative inspiration throughout the writing and revision of Singularity.
Woke Up Late – Drax Project ft. Hailee Steinfeld
Am I Wrong – Nico & Vinz
Satellite – Starset
This Feeling – The Chainsmokers
Handcuff – Prince Royce
Here With Me – Marshmello ft. CHVRCHES
Nothing On You – Ed Sheeran ft. Paulo Londra & Dave
There’s Nothin’ Holding Me Back – Shawn Mendes
I Run to You – Lady Antebellum
Mine – Bazzi
Speechless – Dan + Shay
It’s All About Me – Mya
All the Time – Zara Larsson
Secrets and Regrets – Pillar
Out of My Head – Theory of a Deadman
Heaven – Kane Brown
Heavier – Slaves
Boy with Luv – BTS ft. Halsey
All or Nothing – O-Town
Listen to these songs and more on the Singularity playlist on Spotify.
“Inside a black hole time stops altogether.
Whether or not this theory will ever be proved,
I’m moved to believe this would be the perfect place to love someone.”
-Shane Koyczan
CAMILLE
Everyone has secrets.
I keep mine buried deep.
Lying to myself. Hiding. Letting my past dictate my life—no more.
It's time to reclaim what my past stole from me.
Time to go after what I want.
And I want him.
The sexy stranger I meet in my brother's bar.
My plan is reckless, but I'm tired of playing it safe.
One night. No names. No regrets.
Not even when two little pink lines change everything.
RYAN
A fresh start, a new beginning.
That's what moving to Blackwood was supposed to be.
An escape from the memories.
From all the ways life has let me down.
I don't have room in my life for romance.
But plans go awry. Priorities change.
All because of her.
The undeniably gorgeous girl I shared a single, incredible night with.
I wanted more. I still want more.
If only I could find her.
Making changes. Taking chances.
Appreciating life's simple surprises.
Even the best laid plans need room for a little something unexpected.
NOTE: This book contains sensitive topics that may be upsetting to some readers.
singularity
noun
A point in space-time, such as a black hole, at which matter has infinite density and infinitesimal volume and the curvature of space-time is infinite.
In the center of a black hole is a gravitational singularity, a one-dimensional point which contains a huge mass in an infinitely small space, where density and gravity become infinite and space-time curves infinitely, and where the laws of physics as we know them cease to operate.
ONE
Camille
You are brave. You are beautiful. You are strong. You are smart. You are worthy.
A simple mantra.
A reminder of my past and everything I’ll never forget.
It’s been my lifeline since that night all those years ago. Since I lost a part of myself. Since I forgot who I am. Since.
I finally believe the truth behind the words, despite the doubt that sometimes creeps in.
For far too long, I let someone else’s harsh words influence my own perception of who I am. A single sentence from his lips led to the destruction of my confidence and self-worth. It’s curious how a few words can be so harmful, leaving a lasting impact.
His unkindness caused me to put on a mask, a facade to hide the truth. I’ve spent six and a half years pretending to be someone I’m not. All to keep up appearances. To keep everyone from questioning anything. To keep my secrets hidden deep.
Because I refused to be a victim. Refused to admit the truth.
Blowing out a long, hard breath, I lift my head and look at my reflection. Bright, emerald eyes full of determination stare back at me as I repeat the mantra out loud.
“You are brave. You are beautiful. You are strong. You are smart. You are worthy,” I tell myself.
Beyond the rapid thump-thump of my heart pounding, the steady whoosh of blood pulsing through my veins, and the heavy breaths in and out of my lungs, I can hear the low thrum of a bassline and the muffled murmurs of the crowd in the bar. It’s those sounds keeping me grounded as I remind myself exactly who I am. No longer will I allow my past to control my future.
“Tonight is all about you.”
I laugh when I realize how ridiculous it is to be standing in a public bathroom, talking to myself in the mirror. Thankfully, the bathroom is empty, so there’s no one around to hear my solo conversation. If there were, they’d probably think I was crazy. Maybe I am. My mind is a clusterfuck of chaos, but that’s nothing new. I won’t let it deter me. I know what I want. My reasons for coming here tonight under the guise of a girls’ night. I won’t let anyone stand in my way.
Especially not myself.
I need this.
So what if I’m a jumbled mess of nerves and anticipation? It’s perfectly normal. I think.
Studying my reflection, I notice the flush in my cheeks. How my midnight blue hair pops with flair under the fluorescent lights. The way my eyes shimmer between my thick, dark lashes. Hair and make-up are on point. I look gorgeous, but my lips could use a touch-up after the couple of drinks I’ve had.
I’m slipping the lipstick tube back into my bag when the bathroom door swings open with a rush of sound.
“Cami!” Macy hollers. “You’re taking too damn long in here, girl. You ain’t gettin’ any prettier, so getcha gorgeous ass back out to the bar! You’re missin’ all the prime, grade A beef! Whew!”
I laugh as she fans herself dramatically. Her “southern” really shows after a few shots and never fails to amuse the hell out of me.
“Okay, I’m comin’,” I say as I shoo her back toward the door. “Go grab me another drink. I’ll meet you out there.”
Wiggling her brows, she smiles. “Mmm. Zane’s fine ass came in a lil’ bit ago. You don’t have to tell me twice!” And with that, she’s gone. The two of them have something going on, have for a while, but neither of them talks about it or gives it a label.
Smoothing down the front of my dress, I take one last look at myself. It’s time to get back out there. I give the girl in the mirror a sexy smile and a flirty wink. I’m ready.
After tonight, my secrets will remain, but I’ll no longer hide.
; Everything will be reclaimed.
Confidence. Choices. Body. Worth.
Tonight is all about me.
Slipping onto the empty stool next to Macy, I notice that not only has Zane replaced Noah behind the bar, but my favorite (only) brother-in-law is here now, too. Jaxson greets me with a nod as he listens to Holden go over some numbers.
I tip my head and raise the shot glass in front of me. I quickly down the shot without asking what it is. Big mistake.
“Ugh! That was vile, Macy. What the hell did you just give me?” I ask, practically gagging.
“A Climax. You didn’t enjoy it?”
She says it so seriously, I wonder for a second if she’s high as well as drunk, but her expression slips, and she starts giggling.
“Worst. Climax. Ever. Seriously, Mace. That’s gotta be the most disgusting thing I’ve ever had in my mouth.”
“That’s what she said,” Jaxson and Macy say at the same time.
We all crack up, drawing attention from the people around us, but it doesn’t bother me. I’m about to entertain them anyway.
“You guys suck. Give me something that tastes good.”
Jax leans forward, elbows on the bar top. “What do you want?”
I can’t stop the smirk that tips my lips.
“A Wet Pussy.”
I hear a deep chuckle to my right, which only makes my smile wider.
“Seriously?” Jax asks with a sigh. “Don’t you get tired of doing this to me?”
“C’mon. How about a Quick Fuck? Hmm, or maybe a Wet Dream?”
Shaking his head, he says nothing as he starts mixing a drink. I know it’s not any of the ones I mentioned because it’s not in a shot glass. I watch him pour rum, vodka, gin, tequila...shit, is he trying to kill me? He finishes after a couple more bottles, garnishing the bright blue drink with a lemon slice and a cherry before sliding it across the bar.
Brow raised, I ask, “What is this?”
Jax only smirks.
“Seriously, what’s it called?”
“Adios Motherfucker.”
My mouth falls open with a bark of laughter.
Point to Jaxson. This is the first time he’s ever had an actual comeback for my teasing. Without a word, I raise my drink and tip it toward him. A nod to his win in this round. I take a sip, pleasantly surprised. It’s not bad.
Everyone around us who heard our exchange is laughing, but there’s a rich, throaty laugh standing out amongst the rest. A laugh that sends heat coursing through my body. Unable to resist, my eyes drift to my right, searching for the source. I need to see the man who caused my body to react from a simple sound.
He’s easy to find. I couldn’t miss him if I tried.
My gaze meets a pair of steel blue-gray eyes watching me with an intensity I can feel down to my core. Caught off guard by my reaction to him, I suck in a breath, and he smiles like he knows. Deep dimples are nestled at the corners of his mouth and his eyes shine as if they’re holding a secret. Somehow, I manage to drag my eyes from his burning gaze to take in the rest of him.
He’s utterly gorgeous. Light golden-brown hair cropped short on the sides with an inch or so of length on top. A few days’ worth of scruff along his sharp, angled jaw. Strong, wide shoulders tapering down to a slim waist. The sleeves of his gray Henley are rolled up, showing off the corded muscles in his forearms, which are covered in tattoos down to his wrists. Who knew forearms could be so damn sexy? His biceps are muscled, straining against the fabric of his shirt and his thick thighs are encased in dark denim.
When he shifts to face me, I’m once again drawn to his mouth, his thumb running back and forth across his lower lip as he watches my slow perusal. What I wouldn’t give to know what he’s thinking right now. Pulling my bottom lip between my teeth, I debate on whether I should introduce myself or not. I lift my gaze back to those intense eyes of his. He winks, then that dazzling smile reappears.
This man is sexy as all get out. I’m half-drunk on his smile alone.
Oh yeah. He’s definitely the one.
TWO
Ryan
This girl is something else.
She snared my attention the moment she walked into the bar. I’d just finished my beer and turned to leave when the blue-haired bombshell stepped through the door looking like a tantalizing mixture of sex and sin. There’s no doubt she turns heads wherever she goes. She’s gorgeous. Every man in this bar—probably some of the ladies, too—noticed when she arrived. She’d be impossible to overlook, she’s fucking radiant. I haven’t been able to take my eyes off her all night.
It only took a split second to decide to hang around for a while. I didn’t come here looking for a hookup or a good time. I only wanted to sit back and relax, enjoy a beer or two after a long day. With the disaster my life has become, I didn’t know when I’d have another chance. Women—hell, sex in general—have been the furthest thing from my mind for a long time. No, my suddenly raging libido isn’t at all the reason I came here tonight, but I’ll be damned if the thought of a night with her isn’t the reason I stayed.
I shouldn’t want her if I’m honest with myself. Getting caught up with a woman is the last damn thing I need. But watching her with her friend, the way she’s so animated and carefree, she’s magnetic. It didn’t take long for me to ignore what I may or may not need. Because from the instant I took in her lush, curvy body hugged by a sexy little black dress, her long legs and those thick goddamn thighs—I’ve wanted her with a singular focus that’s driven my every move.
It brought me closer to the bar, closer to her. It had me chuckling at the way she teased the bartender with those dirty as fuck drink names. It had me forcing down a pang of unexpected jealousy at their playful banter. I wondered who he was to her, worried he was her boyfriend or something, but it vanished instantly when our eyes met and hers began to roam my body.
I’m so fucking drawn to this girl. Something about her pulls me in, giving me no choice but to be in her orbit. I want her, more than anything. And if the way she just eye-fucked me from head to toe is any indication—the feeling is mutual.
I move closer to her, not missing the slight hitch in her breath before her eyes flit from me to the bartender. A silent conversation happens between the two, which only confirms my earlier assumption. He may not be her man, but he is someone to her. She turns back to me and smiles. An invitation if I’ve ever seen one.
“Hey, gorgeous. How’s your drink?” I tease.
“Surprisingly good,” she says, parting those sexy, sinful lips over the rim of the glass to take a drink. Her pink tongue darts out, catching a stray drop on her bottom lip. “It’s tasty, but super sweet.”
God damn.
I bite back a groan. My dick has been semi-hard since she walked through the door, and it’s only getting harder from her actions. She has no idea the effect her words have on me. If she did, she might choose them more carefully.
“Yeah. I bet it is.”
Her eyes widen at the grit in my tone, working her bottom lip between her teeth. Inwardly, I chuckle. We’re on the same page now. We both know I’m not talking about the fruity blue concoction in her glass.
Grinning, I lean in a little closer. “So, you got a name, gorgeous?”
She uncrosses her legs, before crossing them with the other leg on top. It’s her turn to lean a little closer, but she draws a line through the condensation on the glass with her finger before meeting my eyes again.
“I don’t know,” she says, almost too quietly for me to hear. “I’m kinda partial to gorgeous.”
“Is that right?” I ask, noticing the faint blush in her cheeks. I don’t know if the rosy color is from my attention, or the alcohol, but I want to find out. I also want to know how far down it goes, how much of her skin turns such a pretty shade of pink. “I can work with that.”
The corner of her lips tips up the smallest bit. “Yours?”
She wants m
y name, but I don’t answer right away. Instead, I relax my posture and lean up against the bar. How do I want to play this? I could tell her my name, but I’m not sure I want to. Not knowing hers only adds to the allure. The mystery makes her even more enticing. Will not knowing my name have the same effect on her? Only one way to find out.
“You’re asking my name?” I ask, already knowing it’s what she wants.
She confirms with a nod.
“Well, Gorgeous…it hardly seems fair to give you my name when you won’t give yours.”
Her blush deepens. Now I know it’s because of me and I thoroughly enjoy that knowledge. I can’t control the grin that spreads across my face. She tucks her chin down momentarily before looking back up at me.
“So, what do you want me to call you?”
Watching her earlier, I would have sworn she was confident. The type of girl who knows exactly what she wants and how to get it. Standing next to her now, there’s an obvious hint of uncertainty, an air of insecurity. Maybe it’s something else. Whatever it is, I revel in it, because though deep down I know I should stop this—I don't want to leave this bar without her tonight.
“Call me Reckless.”
The name embodies everything I’m feeling. I’ve never done anything quite like this before.
She smiles. A sexy, sassy as fuck smile that brightens her entire face. Whatever uncertainty was there before is nowhere in sight, and it throws me for a loop. Then, she throws my words back at me, “I can work with that.”
This girl. This incredible fucking girl.
We talk. Flirt. Laugh.
We tease and touch.
But we don’t get personal. There’s an unspoken agreement between the two of us to keep it fun and casual. Nothing personal. Nothing too deep. It goes against my very nature not to ask questions, not to know details. But honestly? The mystery, the intrigue of the unknown only makes this more exciting. Knowing absolutely nothing about her is half the appeal, because even at the surface level, this girl has me completely captivated.