Bad Beats: A Rock-Star Step-Brother Romance

by C. L. Riley

  I can’t figure out why she’s so hung up on spending time with the brawny beach bum. Surfer dudes were never her type, but she has an obvious connection and infatuation with the guy. I’m starting to wonder how our director will slant that particular story. In fact, I’m curious why he hasn’t pushed me to be more sexual and involved with the contestants, especially Lila. I thought he’d play up my bad boy image and our past relationship at every opportunity.

  Because he’s not, I’m starting to worry about what other footage he’s collected and how he plans to edit and combine it all together for the final product. There’s no way to predict for certain what direction he’ll take until we’re done taping, but with the way Masters’ mind works, he’ll find some way to make the scenes smarmy. The man thrives on creating controversy at the expense of others.

  With Lila occupied, I stretch out on the sand and let my thoughts drift to last night. The first image that comes to mind is far better than analyzing our director’s agenda.

  After Cadie hinted that the man who has protected me for years is gay, we decided to put our suspicions to rest and go for shagging session thirty-seven…or was it thirty-eight? Either way, she rode me like a cowgirl on crack. She’d worked me over good, showing she could inflict her own brand of pain and pleasure.

  Fuck. Thinking about her tits bouncing and her hips bucking has me ready to ride, this time, with me on top. As the vision reaches its climax, I’m distracted by laughter.

  Lila has left her board and her irritating instructor behind and is making her way out of the surf.

  She’s a beautiful woman. Always was. And she was my first everything. For that reason alone, I don’t allow my thoughts to stray any further down what could become a dangerous path, but the way she’s looking at me is evidence enough that she’s noticed what is going on inside my surfing trunks.

  Why did I wear these damn things?

  Suddenly, I’m looking at her…really looking. Her bikini gives me a perfect view of her toned body. She lacks the curves I prefer, but makes up for it with her long legs. God, I’ll never forget those legs around my hips, her heels digging into my back.

  I shake off the memories and scramble to my feet, brushing off the sand and adjusting myself in the process. Expecting her to stop, she keeps walking until our toes touch. More surprising, she places a palm on each side of my face. Before I can stop her, she pulls my head down for a kiss that’s all too familiar.

  Quickly realizing my mistake, I grab her shoulders, pushing her back. She’s not helping matters and shoves one hand into my trunks.

  “What the fuck?” Cadie screeches, her pain laced rage, tearing through me.

  Where did she come from?

  I yank away from Lila.

  She loses her balance and tumbles into the sand. “You bastard! I knew it. I knew you were still fucking that fat tramp.”

  Cadie walks up to me and slaps my face, before kicking sand at Lila.

  Rick lunges for Cadie, and I jump in front of her, throwing him back.

  “Stupid asshole!” Our typically quiet instructor thunders and raises his fist.

  Not one to back down from a fight, I charge, shoulder down, and tackle him in the sand, swiftly gaining control and letting my fist meet his face.

  Huge hands pull me off and away from Rick-the-Dick before too much damage is done, and crew members appear from hiding spots I was unaware of, filming the scene. Calvin Masters joins us, his smug look pissing me off all over again. I’d like give him a bloody nose to match Rick’s.

  I scan the growing group of onlookers and can’t locate the one person I care about.

  Cadie has disappeared.

  It seems I’ve stuck out in every sense of the word. Because of my failure, the entire world is about to find out I’ve been shagging my future step-sister.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Cadie

  “Use your imagination not to scare yourself to death, but inspire you to live.”

  -Shannon Leto

  I run until I can’t run anymore.

  Somehow I’ve managed to stumble across the creepy cave from Harlow’s séance. Taking advantage of the solitude, I huddle inside. I’m not sure how long I’ve been traveling. All I remember from Shag’s date with Harlow is the cave was on the opposite side of our island, away from everything else.

  The sky is growing dark, but it’s nowhere near sundown, and a chilly bite in the air makes me shiver. Wiping at my tears, I take a minute to really look around outside my temporary shelter.

  The first I thing I notice are the palms. They’re bowing to one side as the wind picks up. I can’t see the ocean from my current vantage point, but if I had to guess, I’d say the sea is starting to churn in time with the trees.

  It doesn’t take a meteorologist to know a savage tropical storm is brewing.

  I also realize I’m lost.

  Seeing Shag locking lips with Lila was such a shock, I took off without any thought to my safety or where I was headed. I can only hope my paranoia is founded in truth, and they really have planted cameras all over the island. I’m tempted to wave my hands and order them to come pick me up.

  My phone!

  Thank God. It’s still in my shorts’ pocket. I dig for it.

  I’m met with disappointment, because of course, there is no signal. Not even the local one. What am I going to do?

  I try to remember all I know about tropical storms and come up blank. I’ve never been interested in extreme weather phenomena. After this, I think that will be changing.

  Weather Channel, here I come. Geez, now I’m getting nutty. No surprise with a hurricane on the horizon.

  “May I join you?”

  I jerk, and my heart drums at the sound of a masculine voice. My first inclination is to believe some ghostly presence from the medium’s supernatural segment has come to evict me from its property.

  Jagger Hewitt, not a ghost, walks into my cave like he’s stopped by for tea.

  “How did you find me?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

  “Do you want me to explain here or would you prefer the safety of my estate?”

  He reaches for my hand. Replying isn’t necessary.

  Outside, one of the island’s gold-painted vehicles is waiting. I’ve never been happier to see a gaudy golf cart.

  We don’t speak on the ride back, which is fine by me. I’m not sure what to say. There is a part of me that wants to seduce Jagger to get back at Shag, but I know that won’t fix my feelings. I need to hear Shag’s side before drawing my final conclusion. He did look like he was attempting to extricate himself from Lila’s grasp.

  I can’t believe that bitch put her hand in his shorts. I hope she’s still washing the sand out of her eyes. And what’s the deal with Rick? He went all caveman on her behalf, acting like he was ready to knock me out. What a weirdo!

  We reach Jagger’s impressive residence as the wind speed picks up, yet again. He has to practically drag me into the house against the force of the gale.

  “Do we need to hide in some cellar?” I glance around the magnificent room, searching for our escape route.

  “This building is designed to withstand the strongest hurricane. I promise we’ll be fine. Our storm may have come in fast but she’s going to pass us by even faster. Can I get you something to drink?”

  “Got any of those coconut concoctions around here?”

  “I’m afraid not, but I can…”

  “Vodka tonic?”

  “That I can manage.”

  He disappears and I wonder why he doesn’t have a butler. From the look of things, one would fit right in.

  Jace, not a butler, enters through a side door, hesitating when he sees me. “I need to call Omar. Shag is frantic, trying to find you.” He leaves before I can stop him.

  Jagger reappears, full glasses in hand, and joins me on a long leather sofa. With the storm raging outside and the first drink sending a warm fist to my belly, I’m amazingly comfortable.
If only Shag was here to share the moment.

  Jagger breaks the silence. “I know what happened.”

  “With Lila?” Jagger knowing doesn’t surprise me. I suspect he’s aware of everything on his island.

  “First, do you want to know how I found you?”

  I nod and take another sip.

  “Every cell phone is traceable, with a tracking system. I specialize in technology that’s not even on the market yet. That’s why I’m able to block signals so easily and control who can contact who. One of the reasons my island was chosen for this experimental show.”

  “William said something about it last night. What’s so experimental about some reality dating show? I just don’t see it.”

  “Because you’re not supposed to see it. And I’m not supposed to tell you, but I’m going to. Let’s wait for your other half first.”

  My whole body tenses at the mention of Shag. The idea of him out in the storm scares me, and the vision of him kissing Lila scares me too, but in a different way.

  “He loves you, you know?” Jagger must be reading my mind.

  “Why couldn’t I have fallen for you?” The words are out before I can stop them.

  “Ah, the question. The same one I’ve been asking ever since you stepped off that plane, Cadie O’Shea. I wish I had the answer. My door is always open, but I’m not sure your heart will ever be, not with Mr. Steal around.” He takes a long drink of what I guess is brandy or whisky, and not the cheap stuff.

  “He kissed her, his ex.”

  “She and her sidekick plotted that scenario. I can promise you that. Shag did not instigate it and fought to stop things before they got out of hand. You showed up at the right time, thanks to me.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  A door slams and is followed by what sounds like a stampeding herd of elephants coming down the hall.

  “Thank God you’re all right! I was so fucking worried.” Shag is at my side before I can protest, pulling me into a tight embrace.

  I struggle for a minute but quickly give in. I can’t resist him, and if what Jagger said is true, he’s off my shit list.

  I slapped his face, for no reason, apparently.

  “I’m sorry I dashed off like that,” I admit. “I should have stayed and kicked her ass, and then yours. Thanks to Jagger, I won’t need to hurt you after all. But Lila better watch herself.”

  Shag shoots our host a grateful look filled with curiosity. “It seems I missed some key information.”

  Jagger shakes his head. “No. You’re right on schedule. I did assure your lovely lady that Lila plotted that whole seduction scene. I simply made sure Cadie arrived in time to foil her plans.”

  The way Jagger says: “foil her plans,” makes me snicker.

  “How did you make that happen?” Shag asks what I was going to.

  “I think it is best if I start at the beginning. The storm should keep anyone interested away, and my home is the one place without any cameras or recording devices.”

  “Say what?” I hope my greatest fears aren’t about to be confirmed, but I know they are.

  Major crap is about to hit the proverbial fan.

  * * *

  Shag

  It takes all my self-control to stay seated and listen to Jagger Hewitt explain how Masters and his fucked up production team has screwed with me and Cadie, taping us and using our affair as the show’s key element, charging a subscription fee to access an internet channel that features daily episodes of Roping a Rock-Star.

  On top of that the program has already aired four times on the cable network—two, two-hour episodes each week—for those unable to afford the webisodes.

  How fucking accommodating.

  And it seems our show is the hot topic around every water cooler in the world. People are betting on outcomes and completely enthralled by the real life drama we’ve provided without even knowing it.

  As if that isn’t bad enough, his next revelation sends my mind reeling.

  The whole premise for the show was due to the one person privy to my life through her husband.

  Chloe.

  I should have pushed her overboard, pregnant or not.

  She has been working behind the scenes, coordinating efforts with Lila for over a year, looking for a way to bring me down while she makes a shitload of money in the process. After the cruise ship insanity, courtesy of Misty and Marcus, her and Lila pitched the show idea around, Masters and Crabs got lucky and bought themselves a winner.

  Slyder is clueless, or he was. I guess love really is blind. It would be hard for me to accept Cadie as the ultimate schemer, so I kind of get it. Only difference, Cadie never was the bitch Chloe always has been.

  Jagger called him and filled him in on the dirty details, and right now, the band is on our private jet headed here, so are our parents. The storm has delayed their arrival, but they will be here by morning. Chloe is with them as well, but is clueless about Slyder and the others knowing her secret. Slyder made sure their baby was left in the care of his parents, giving him the upper hand and keeping little dude safe from the drama.

  “Why did you change your mind? You were involved from the beginning.” Cadie turns to Jagger.

  “Because it is wrong. I like you. That’s no secret. I’ve even grown to like Shag. Yes, it’s true. I like you, Shag.”

  If the situation wasn’t so serious, I would have laughed. The best I can do is offer a half smile half smirk.

  Cadie doesn’t think it is enough and nudges me. “He likes you. Tell him you like him too.”

  Omar dares to chuckle, which earns the first real smile I’ve ever seen from Jace.

  Maybe Cadie’s right and they are more than friends. I’ll ask after we survive this current crisis. I don’t care what Omar does or who he does it with, as long as he continues working for me.

  Cadie nudges me again.

  “Babe…enough.” I give her thigh a gentle squeeze. She isn’t going to let me rest until I get this over with, so I surrender. “Jagger Hewitt, the man who would steal my girl if he could, I guess I sort of like you too, but I’m having a difficult time finding anything to smile about, including new friends. My relationship has been broadcasted around the globe, and I’m guessing they know the whole ‘almost’ step-sister status.” I look at him for the answer.

  He sighs. “They know, but I think you’ll be surprised to find out, most don’t care. According to online polls, and there are a number of those floating around, viewers want you two together. They think Cadie is good for you. Because you didn’t grow up together or know your parents were dating seems to be good enough for them.”

  Finally, I smile. We are good together. The public got it right for once.

  “Also…” he pauses. “Your parents have something to tell you. Don’t ask. Because I promised them they could do the honors. It is about their wedding plans.”

  Cadie grumbles, “That’s not fair.”

  Her words are punctuated by a flash of lightening outside the massive window.

  “You sure we’re safe in here?” I’m ready to push Cadie to the floor and cover her with my body.

  “Safest place on the island,” Jagger assures. “I would never put my guests in danger. We should be out of the storm anytime now, but once it calms down, you can bet people will be searching for their missing stars.”

  “Won’t you be in breach of contract or something for exposing the secrets?” Cadie pries. She asks a good question.

  “The only thing I have to lose in the deal is money. I already have enough of that. They’ve made more than they ever expected with their experimental programming, and now that you two know, we can make sure Shag earns the biggest bonus of all. If the audience picks who he picks, he gets the largest payment.”

  Until Jagger mentioned it, I’d forgotten about the pay schedule. I might have skipped the contract’s fine print, but I am well aware of the potential payout. “You have something in mind, I’m guessing.”


  Jagger shoots us a smirk of his own. “It’s time to turn the tables. Your band and parents have been briefed too. Go with the flow. We want this to look real. Respond just like you would if you didn’t know. Go back and have the best sex of your lives, or Masters will be suspicious. I’m turning your phones back on so we can all communicate and you can go online. And one final thing: Rick-the-Dick, as you’ve so perfectly labeled him, is Lila’s husband. You know him as Reggie.”

  I’m off the sofa with the next flash of lightening. “No. Fucking. Way.”

  Cadie’s up too. “I knew it! Something about him was all wrong. I thought he was way too close to her for only just meeting. Everything makes sense now. All of it. I can’t wait to mess with their minds.”

  “Remember, no matter what your parents or band members do or say. Respond like it’s real. I’ll keep you apprised of details on a just-in-time basis. And Cadie, I knew you were here to see me earlier. I just didn’t answer the door. I figured you’d hurry back to check on Shag and Lila. I was right. It was a simple calculation.”

  “Boss, storms passing,” Jace points out.

  We all stare out the window.

  He’s right. A sudden stillness has replaced the lashing winds.

  I slip my arm around Cadie’s waist.

  Let the games begin.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Cadie

  “You can’t arrest me, I’m a rock-star.”

  -Sid Vicious

  My phone buzzes and I glance down. Jagger has sent a text informing me our bathrooms are camera free zones and the only places we can be assured of complete privacy. Shag glances down at his, and I assume he’s reading something similar.

  We don’t say anything. Masters is in the front of the golf cart with Omar.

  He swivels around to face us. “Glad you two are okay. Now that the cat is out of the bag. We need to decide whether we should make your relationship public or cut some of that footage. Cadie, are you ready to be our wildcard?”

  I want to tell him to ‘fuck off’ so darn bad. How dare he sit there and act like it’s all a big shocker. I’m not sure how to play this one.