Brothers of Rock: WILLOW SON (Box Set - All 5 Novels Together) by London Casey, Karolyn James (2)

Tessa sighed. “You talked to your sister?”

“Our sister,” Anna corrected. “Yes. We talked. We always talk. She asks me for advice, which I can’t give. She knows she needs to call you but is afraid to.”

“Afraid of what? Is she in more trouble?” Tessa reached across the table for Anna’s hand. “Anna, you have to tell me. She can get mad all she wants…”

“See?” Anna asked. “That’s why, Tessa.”

“Why what?”

“You…” Anna swallowed hard. She looked away.

“What is it? You can tell me anything.”

Anna looked at Tessa. “You never talk to us like sisters. Okay? You’re always worried, in our face, talking, judging…”

“I don’t judge,” Tessa said. “I try…”

“You judge with your love,” Anna said. “That’s all. You’re…”

“Anna, don’t hold back.”

“You’re like our mother.”

That comment hurt. Bad.

Tessa would’ve loved to have a normal relationship with her sisters. She would’ve loved to have been there, side by side, instead of always in front and shielding them. But that option was taken off the table a long time ago.

“What choice have I had?” Tessa asked. “You just float, Anna. I can’t help but fear that you’re going to get hurt.”

“So what?” Anna said. “If I get hurt, I move on.”

“And your sister? Wendy was behind on rent. She had a notice on her door to leave. She gets tied up with these asshole guys and…”

Anna put a hand on top of Tessa’s. “That’s not your problem. She knows she can call you and you’ll give her stuff.”

“So I let her get kicked out?”

“I don’t know,” Anna said. “You’re the big sister.” She smirked.

“I hate you both,” Tessa whispered. “But I love you so much.”

“And we love you,” Anna said. “So have a cup of coffee with me and then go sell some drugs.”

Tessa laughed. “Thanks.”

It weighed on Tessa though. That line between being a sister and acting like a mother. It wasn’t fair. Hell, nothing was fair. She had been with Colby just a few days ago. There was a sense of freedom and enjoyment with him.

She pictured him jumping into the ocean water to fetch her cheap heels. Not to mention the sight of his bare body. Wet. Muscular. Damn… any woman could forget about their life with a man like Colby. That fantasy come to life thing was well played. So much so that just thinking about Colby made Tessa feel uncomfortable in all the right spots. It was even more uncomfortable that Tessa sat across from her little sister as she thought about Colby… standing behind me… holding my waist… his hand reaching around, sliding down, touching my…

“Are you alive?”

Tessa blinked. “I’m here. I’m fine.”

“Sure. What are you thinking about? Worried about me? About Wendy?”

Tessa opened her mouth and almost exploded with everything that had happened with Colby.

But she held it back.

“Look,” Tessa said. “I’m proud of you. And I can’t help but worry. That burden was left to me. I’m never going to stop worrying, or calling, or caring. I want you and Wendy to be able to call me no matter what. Sorry I’m not the super cool big sister. But I take care of you both, right?”

“Yeah, you do. You give us the chance to take risks and fuck up.”

“Don’t curse,” Tessa said. “It’s weird.”

“How?”

“I don’t know. I still see you as a little girl playing with dolls.”

“Well, big sister, I’m all grown the fuck up,” Anna said.

Tessa wanted to get angry but she just laughed.

She had to laugh.

Her mind, heart, body… it was all spinning.

She wanted to see Colby again.

If only she could find him… bump into him… let fate figure something about…

She’s already ran into him twice, so why not a third time?

(13)

The private jet seemed a little much. But Portis was paying for it, so why the hell not? The sexy, half naked women on the plane serving cold beer and cold mixed drinks made it even crazier. Not to mention Portis had a few guitars and a small drumkit on the plane, too.

It was official… Portis was wooing Willow Son. But at the same time, the band was wooing Portis. He wanted to sign the band, but with rules. It seemed he wanted to indulge in every possible thing each member had done with the hopes of making sure it never happened again.

Colby looked out the window, staring at the clouds.

It would never happen again.

It shouldn’t have happened in the first place. They were all rockstars. They were all young once, and really dumb. Filthy rich for their age and doing whatever they wanted. Of all the mistakes, Colby took the lead. Yet… the mistake was in the deception of truth. Something he never spoke about because it wasn’t worth the time right now.

Yet Portis wanted reassurance nothing bad would happen. By that, he wanted to offer the band songwriters, equipment, and everything possible to keep his hands involved with the band and their creative process.

That was a big deal for Willow Son. They wrote the songs. They played the songs. It was their music and nothing else mattered. Sharing the music meant sharing ideas, copyright, and royalties. It was way too much like a business for Colby to stomach.

Which meant Willow Son had to sell themselves to Portis… the same as he was trying to sell himself to them. He was the only person truly interested in Willow Son.

“Bro, why are you looking at clouds? We have women here…”

Jett offered Colby a beer.

“It’s all great,” Colby said. “What would it take for us to start our own label and everything?”

“That’s where you’re at?” Jett asked.

Ryker and Van joined, women hanging off their arms. With a whispering command, they shooed the women away. Brantley came next, twirling drumsticks.

They were high in the air, flying to a private studio Portis wanted them to record the two new songs in. They had a weekend to do it. Without trouble. To prove they could do it. Then they’d talk about what would happen next.

“What’s the serious talk?” Brantley asked.

“Colby wants to start a label,” Jett said.

Ryker scoffed. “Every rockstar does. Come on, man. Let’s just ride with Portis…”

“He’s an asshole,” Colby snapped.

“He’s a smart asshole,” Van said. “He knows his shit. He knows how to sell music. We do these songs and the show he wants… we’re back on the road. We fly back and forth from the studio, finish up a demo, and start selling.”

Colby knew Van was right.

It just left him uneasy. He pictured getting signed and just doing what he wanted. Portis challenged him… as much as Tessa did.

Freaking Tessa.

The woman shouldn’t have been on his mind. It had been…

“The new songs are good,” Ryker said. “That’s all that matters. The fans are still there. Our site has been blowing up. Harry said it’s been amazing how many fans are writing in, wanting music, wanting shows. We’re alive and well.”

“And we’re on a private jet,” Brantley said. “With instruments and women.”

“This is a rockstar’s playground,” Jett said.

“Let’s finish up that slow song,” Colby said.

The band got together and started strumming guitars. Thousands of feet up in the air. Flying to Sacramento to record new songs. From there, Colby had no clue where they were going. He really wanted some time to head into the mountains to his cabin. But going there alone would only fuel the make believe fire in his heart about Tessa.

Thinking of Tessa helped the song come together. A final verse about time and miles seeming greater in the mind. Looking for an answer when there wasn’t even a question asked.

Colby ended the song with a falsetto riff with his voice, the notes rising and falling with the chord change. After just doing it twice, the rest of the band came in, quickly making it something the band could easily play in front of tens of thousands and have them all sing back.

Even the pretty women on the jet were getting into it.

Colby refused to call the women groupies. He wasn't going to sleep with them. They weren’t going to do a thing together. The rest of the band… have fun.

They finished and Ryker stood, spinning the guitar in his hand and putting it down. “That’s a wrap. That’s really good. Shit, Colby, that was deep. You haven’t had something that deep…”

Colby eyed Ryker. Don’t say it.

“It’s good,” Van said. He nudged Colby. “It’s really good.”

“I think the offset of the hard song and the slow one is really smart,” Jett added. “Portis is going to love both. And the fans…”

“You have our vote,” one of the women said.

Brantley stood up and dropped his drumsticks. “Let’s see which one of you gets our vote. We’re going to play a game now. It’s called… everyone gets topless. Now.”

The band laughed.

Colby shook his head.

Brantley had such a moronic freedom to himself. He spoke without thinking and the crazy part was, most of the time, his antics worked.

In a matter of a few seconds, all five women on the plane were topless. Shirts, off. Bras, off. Standing there, elbow to elbow, hands on their hips, topless.

Colby looked and shook his head again.

“I’m going to finish something up,” he said.

He snuck back to his seat and took out his notebook. The words were there. The lyrics were real and they were damn good. Colby just messed around… why?

Why am I messing around? The lyrics are fine. They won’t really matter until we get them recorded and we can listen.

“Hey, Colby?”

He snapped out of his trance and turned his head.

A topless woman stood there, reaching for his shoulder. She inched closer. Colby just stared.

“You seem a little lost,” she whispered.

“My mind…”

“Let me ease your mind then,” she said.

Before Colby could say a word, she was on his lap. She took one of his hands and placed it to one of her breasts. She smelled of something fruity and had a wild look in her eyes. This was her dream, right now at least. To fool around with the lead singer of Willow Son.

Colby’s other hand slid around the woman’s body, touching her back. She was quick to rock her hips at him, grinding herself, reminding Colby’s body that he was alive. Everything worked.

Yet it somehow felt wrong.

Which was stupid.

He knew… chances were… he’d never see Tessa again.

“Hey, Colby!” Jett boomed.

Colby looked and Jett took a picture with his cell.

“This’ll piss Portis off,” Jett said.

“He set this up,” Ryker said. “What did he think would happen?”

The voices started to fade.

Colby looked up at the woman.

She was on fire.

The temptation of being a rockstar lingered in the private jet…

“Don’t worry,” the woman said. “I know how this works. Once and done.”

Colby nodded. “Once and done, sweetie.”

Once and done… except Tessa. He wanted more. Fuck, he needed more.

* * *

The band exited the private jet to some actual fanfare. There was a group of fans there, all screaming for Willow Son. Ryker, Jett, and Van all had a guitar case in one hand, a woman hanging off their other arm. Colby tried to play it cool, charging down the steps from the private jet with nothing but a bag slung over his shoulder.

But that’s when the woman from the jet chased him down and lunged at him, hugging him, laughing as she did so. Pictures were being frantically taken and Colby knew this woman wanted her five minutes in the spotlight. Hell, she couldn’t get her five minutes on the jet so she wanted this badly.

It did bother Colby a little that nothing crazier happened on the jet, but he just didn’t want it. The shit with Portis weighed on him heavily. Being thrown into a studio to record new material. Thrust into the wheel of bullshit trying to save face for a record deal.

It was all crazy.

And so was this scene.

“Hey, that’s enough,” Colby barked at the woman.

He shook her away and walked toward the waiting limo. When he spotted a few of the younger fans standing there in Willow Son shirts, it struck a chord. He dropped his bag and walked over. For the next thirty minutes, the band signed everything presented to them. They took pictures. Shared stories.

When it was time to go, the band piled into the limo. The women offered to come but Colby refused. This was about music, not temptation. That’s why they were here, right? Now the band needed distance from the women… just like Colby had been forced to have distance between him and Tessa.

You could text her. Call her. Find out her schedule. Meet up with her.

Yeah, they were all options. But that implied way too much commitment for just fooling around, didn’t it?

“Fate,” Colby whispered as the limo started moving.

“What was that?” Jett asked.

Colby looked at the guitarist. “Fuck. I said fuck. This is just…”

“Fuck,” Jett said.

Colby turned his head and looked out the window. The fans were still there. Still cheering. A smile flickered to Colby’s face.

It was about them.

The fans.

The music.

Nothing else mattered.

Except fate…

(14)

“I think we did good.”

Tessa held up the wide glass and let Christie toast her. “I agree.”

“I think Bob will like the numbers at the end of the month.”

“He’ll never be happy,” Tessa said. “I can’t wait to get a break from all this.”

“Wait… you? A break?”

“It’s been just… it feels crazy.”

“We travel for a living,” Christie said. “It’s what we do. Plus, we only have one more stop and then we get a nice long week off. Personally? I’m going back to that beach.”

“The beach where you got drunk, puked, and almost really ruined my good night?”

“That’s the one,” Christie grinned. “Only this time I’ll be on the receiving end of the rockstar.”

Jealousy…

It pinged at Tessa’s nerves.

Tessa hadn’t confessed to Christie that she had Colby’s phone number. Not just because Christie would find any sneaky, bitchy way to get it, but because she’d be mad that Tessa hadn’t taken advantage of the number.

Truth was Tessa hadn’t texted or called. She had no reason to do so. Why? To say hello? To a rockstar? To the lead singer of Willow Son? After all, he wasn't just some guy she met at a bar or something. He was something far different. And just sending a casual text to a rockstar felt weird. Chances were the phone number was fake. Either that or Colby wouldn’t actually respond.

Unless… maybe Colby was still at the beach. Maybe he had a place there. Maybe Christie was on to something here. Finish up the last sales meeting, get time off, and then hit the beach for a week.

Tessa could find Colby… and…

“It’ll be wild!” Christie yelled.

“What?” Tessa asked.

“The beach. If I can track down the rockstar. Hell, even if I don’t. I don’t have commitments. Not with work. I can cut loose.”

“And your night of puking wasn’t cutting loose?” Tessa asked with a smile.

“Not much,” Christie. “Let’s get another drink.”

“Whoa, whoa. I’m still good here. And I am not babysitting you tonight.”

“Good. Don’t. Someone else is.”

“Who?”

“Mr. Nice Hair, in a suit, ten feet behind you. Keeps eye humping me.”

Tessa turned and looked. Sure enough, a guy was at the bar, lifting a glass the second Tessa looked.

“Oh, wow,” Tessa said. “You’re set for the night.”

“Unless a better… holy shit…”

“A better holy shit?”

“Tessa,” Christie said. “I’ve had two of these drinks. I’m not legally able to drive, right?”

“What?”

“I’m not drunk enough to imagine what I just saw.”

“What’s that?” Tessa asked.

“Come here.” Christie popped up. Her boobs almost popped out of her dress. “Come here, with me, right now.”

Christie took Tessa by the arm and they were on the move. As they started to approach the bar, Mr. Nice Hair stepped from the bar, hand out, as though he had already sealed the deal with Christie.

Then again, knowing Christie, it didn’t actually take much to seal the deal.

Christie put a finger up and then pointed it at Mr. Nice Hair. “You stay right there. Two minutes. Don’t screw me over.”

“Oh, I plan on scre…”

“Save it, Nice Hair,” Christie said.

They were on the move again, to the opposite end of the bar-slash-restaurant-slash-club. There were two pillars and a velvet rope that separated the next room, even though everyone could see to the other part of the room.

It was the VIP lounge.

“Look,” Christie said. “Now.”

Tessa looked. “What… am… I…”

The words fell away.

Tessa blinked a few times. She had the same drinks as Christie, right? That meant she was just as drunk. Or not drunk. Or, whatever.

But Tessa stood there and watched as Willow Son walked to a part of the VIP lounge. They shook hands with others that were there, talking, laughing, waitresses already there, ready to take orders.

Willow Son.

Meaning…

“Colby,” Tessa whispered.

“Yeah,” Christie said. “I’m getting over this velvet rope. Forget Mr. Nice Hair. That rockstar is mine.”

Tessa snapped her head to the left.

He’s not yours…

“You told that guy…”

“Oh, stop,” Christie said. “Hey. You should go sleep with him. You could use the rebound.”

“Rebound? I’m not heartbroken…”

I just feel it. Well, not anymore. Unless Colby forgot about me.

“Whatever works,” Christie said. “Go take care of Mr. Nice Hair and I’ll go take care of the rockstar.”

“No!” Tessa shouted. “No…”

People started to look. Tessa shrunk, feeling foolish. She grabbed at Christie’s arm.

“What is wrong… with…” Christie’s eyes lit up.

Tessa shook her head. “No. Don’t.”

“You like him. Wait a second. You met him… the guy at the hotel. Right? You said something about it. That was the night Willow Son played that show on the balcony and got in trouble. Holy shit, Tessa. You’ve been keeping this from me. Hiding this. You actually like Colby. Not just a hook up thing. Oh, Tessa…”

“Shut up,” Tessa said. “Just shut up. Okay?”

“No!”

“Yes. He’s a rockstar. We’re on opposite ends of the world.”

“What?” Christie yelled. “You’re in the same city, again. The same place. The…” Christie turned her head. “HEY! COLBY! WILLOW SON!”

Tessa opened her mouth, but she had nothing. No air. No breath. Her heart pounded. Legs weak.

Fate… again…

* * *

“HEY! COLBY! WILLOW SON!”

Colby threw his hand up and waved. He didn’t look back. No need to look back right now. Bad enough he was being paraded around like a celebrity. Well, yeah, he was a celebrity. But, come on, a velvet rope?

It was kind of pathetic really.

Portis insisted on them coming here. Portis owned the place. It was good publicity. Get some shots of Willow Son hanging out. Throw some stuff up online about the band recording, on the verge of signing with Portis’ company, and perhaps a show… even a tour.

Yeah, this was all just a big fucking jok…

“COLBY! TESSA IS HERE!”

“What?” Colby said as he spun around.

A waitress was right there. Tall, beautiful, glittery skin. Big blue eyes. Perky breasts. “Can I get you anything? I’m a huge fan.”

“A beer,” Colby said. “Two…”

He moved around the waitress and looked. There was a woman waving her arm. Another woman grabbing…

“Holy shit, that’s Tessa,” Colby said.

“Who?” Jett asked.

Colby started to run. “Pretty… eyes…”

But it didn’t matter. He hadn’t told the band about Tessa. It was none of their damn business.

For a second Colby thought about launching himself over the velvet rope and grabbing Tessa. Scooping her up and spinning her around. Telling her that her goddamn fate had worked again.

It was impossible, right?

Three times now.

Three different cities. Three different nights.

A man appeared at the last second and put a hand out. “Whoa, whoa… where’s the fire?”

Colby stopped and swatted the guy’s hand away. “Fuck off, man.”

The guy grabbed Colby by the shirt. “Say that to my face.”

The bouncer was twice the size of Colby, but he feared nothing. “Do you know who I am?”

The guy’s lip curled. “Yeah.”

“Then let me the fuck go. And you listen to everything I say in the next two minutes or you won’t have a job.”

The bouncer backed away. He put his hands up in a sign of good faith.

Colby went to the velvet rope and stood an inch from it like it was an electric fence. What he was doing was trying to make sense of what he saw.

Tessa looked damn good. Jeans that hugged all the right places, a black shirt that worked with the rest of her body. Her hair was pulled back, giving more attention to her face and those wild, pretty eyes of hers.

“Pretty eyes,” Colby said. “What…”

“Hey,” Tessa said.

“Colby,” Tessa’s friend - Christie - yelled. “I can’t believe we’re all here together.”

We?

“What are you doing here?” Colby asked. “Are you stalking me?”

“Yeah,” Tessa said. “Stole your calendar from your phone. Knew you were going to be here.”

“I’m glad I deleted all those nights of strippers then,” Colby replied with a grin.

He touched the velvet rope. Tessa inched closer.

“Are you here on business?” Colby asked.

“Yeah,” Tessa said.

“Meetings and stuff right now?”

“No,” Christie said. “We’re free. We’re ready to party.”

Colby looked at Christie. “Sweetie, if I give you a hundred bucks, will you go get some drinks and give us a second?”

Christie’s jaw looked ready to hit the floor. “I…”

“You can come over here with me,” Colby said. “But you have to be on your own. Got it? Don’t act like a fan. Please.”

Christie slowly nodded.

Colby set his attention to Tessa and he promised himself it would never leave her.

“Ready to be a VIP?” Colby asked.

“I’m nervous,” Tessa said. “I’ve never been a VIP.”

Colby leaned over the velvet rope and touched her waist. He kissed her cheek and put his lips to her ear. “Pretty eyes, you were the VIP last week. And I plan on making that happen again.”

With that said, Colby put his other hand to Tessa’s back and pulled her close.

It wasn’t about the whole fate thing… or meeting up by accident three times… it was about maybe finding a way to make this a little more permanent.

As Colby opened the velvet rope, he felt a hand clamp down on his shoulder.

“You asshole… I’m going to kill you.”

(15)

The entire scene moved so fast.

As Colby felt himself being turned around, he threw an elbow. It was just his natural reaction to things in life. He had been in so many fights when he was younger, his mind had one reaction - fight.

On top of that, the word kill and standing with Tessa made it all that much worse.

Colby connected with someone’s shoulder, sending a guy flying back. Colby threw his arms out to protect both Tessa and Christie. The guy stumbled back and then two bouncers were on him. They had the guy down and easily restrained.

Colby felt someone grab his arm. It was Christie, trying to cop a cheap feel.

He shook Christie away and looked back at Tessa. “You okay?”

“Fine,” Tessa said. “What the hell was that?”

Colby stepped forward and looked down at the guy. When he saw the face, Colby felt his heart twist. He looked to the rest of the band as they were standing, along with everyone else, in the VIP area.

“Don’t hurt him,” Colby said. “Just get him out of here.”

“You piece of shit,” the guy spit at Colby.

The bouncers lifted the guy up. He quickly spit, trying to hit Colby, but it just hit the ground. One of the bouncers brought his arm back, ready to punch.

“I said no,” Colby said and grabbed the bouncer’s arm. “Just get him out of here.”

“Have a great night, Colby,” the guy said.

Colby stood frozen, refusing to comment. The guy had every right to be there, say what he said, and to maybe even actually kill Colby. That thought sent chills up and down Colby’s spine.

Dan… haven’t seen him since the funeral.

“Colby?”

He jumped and turned, Tessa standing next to him. He forced a quick smile and took her hand. “Yeah. It’s good. All good.” He looked around and gave a wave to the VIP area. “Just an upset fan… wants more Willow Son!”

The rest of the band whistled and cheered, bringing the VIP area back to life.

“What was that?” Tessa asked.

Colby walked Tessa deeper into the other side of the VIP lounge. There were couches instead of chairs. He pointed to a table and said, “Order whatever you want. For you and Christie.”

“You want her drinking?” Tessa asked.

“I really don’t feel like babysitting,” Colby said with a grin.

“Me neither.”

Christie appeared a few seconds later. “Hey, I’m going to hang out with Mr. Nice Hair. You two lovebirds have fun.”

Lovebirds.

“Hey,” Colby said. “You could stay here.”

“I’m okay,” Christie said. “Call me if you need me, Tessa. I’ll see you in the morning. We have to be at the airport…”

“Have a good night,” Tessa said.

Colby watched all of it happening. Christie leaving. Maybe she took the hint that Colby wasn’t interested. Or… maybe she saw something between him and Tessa.

Was there something?

For real?

Once Christie was finally gone, Tessa looked at Colby. “I hate to ask…”

“Then don’t,” Colby said. “Just some old stuff.”

“He said he wanted to kill you.”

Colby slipped a hand to Tessa’s body again. “Pretty eyes, when you’re a rockstar like me, there’s a lot of people who want to kill me. I’m sure you’re going to want to kill me someday too.”

Tessa burst into laughter.

I’m not joking, Tessa. When you know the truth… I’m going to hurt you. It’s just what I do. My curse.

“I think I want that now,” Tessa admitted.

“Why’s that?”

“How do you keep appearing…”

“Actually, you keep appearing,” Colby said. “I’m here on business.”

“I’m here on business.”

“I’m in the VIP area. You could be anywhere.”

“But I’m right here,” Tessa said, inching closer.

“Yes… you are…”

Colby touched Tessa’s cheek. He gently pressed his lips to hers, desperate for a kiss. He was never desperate for anything in life. Not since Willow Son’s first record deal. There was no desperation. They got what they wanted and took what they didn’t have.

Tessa was different. She wasn’t a prize. She was…

“So, is this the walk of fame woman?”

Colby turned his head and saw the band standing inches away. When Tessa looked, she let out a little gasp.

“Tessa, this is Willow Son,” Colby said. “Jett, Van, Ryker, and Brantley.”

“Yeah,” Tessa said. “I… know…”

“Tessa,” Jett said. “Great to meet you.”

“You definitely left a smile on Colby’s face,” Ryker added.

Colby felt Tessa press against him harder. Her face was as red as an apple.

“Yeah, yeah,” Colby said. “Go find something to drink and leave me alone.”

“Wait, wait,” Van said. “Portis is coming. He wants to meet up with us. Review what happened today.”

“Christ,” Colby said. “He doesn’t know how to let go.”

“He wants us,” Brantley said.

“We want him,” Jett said.

“Don’t let him know that,” Colby said. “We’re not giving up who we are for someone. That’s everything that’s wrong with music right now. Let me know when he gets here.”

“Hey,” Van said. “We have to figure out what to do with that second song. How long to let that part go…”

“Not right now,” Colby said.

“Let’s work it out right here,” Brantley said. “I’m sure we can make a phone call and put on a show in minutes.”

“That’s a great idea,” Ryker said.

Colby looked at Tessa. “Pretty eyes, what do you think? Want to hear a new Willow Son song?”

Tessa’s face was still burning red. She was speechless.

“Can I trust you to figure this out?” Colby asked.

“On it,” Van said.

The band moved away and Colby turned and pulled Tessa down on one of the couches. He looked at her and a waitress came over and brought them drinks.

“This is wild,” Tessa said.

“Yeah, this is all bullshit.”

“Oh?”

“Everyone trying to outdo each other. Looking for a picture. A moment. It’s annoying. I’d rather be at my cabin. Just relaxing in the woods. You know?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never been there.”

“Maybe we can arrange that.”

“Or just tempt fate.”

“Good point,” Colby said. “We seem to be winning with fate right now.” He took a drink. “Hey, how’s the drug business?”

“Booming.”

Colby laughed. “Everything else? Christie okay?”

“She’s fine,” Tessa said. “She’ll end up in bed with someone and sneak away in the morning. That’s her style.”

“And you? It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other. How many…”

“Please,” Tessa said. “You’re the rockstar. I took care of my sisters. That was my time away.”

“Why are you taking care of your sisters?”

Tessa took a drink and shook her head. “Doesn’t matter. Hey, you recorded new music? Is that a good thing?”

Colby mentally took a note about the quick subject change. Damn, he wanted to know more about Tessa. He didn’t just want to have a little one night thing tonight and end it tomorrow. He didn’t want to mess around with fate either.

“Music is always a good thing,” Colby said. “We’re battling with Portis right now.”

“The guy that wants to sign the band?”

Colby nodded. “If you give too much up, you lose your power.”

Tessa blushed again. “How much power do I have left?”

“Oh, pretty eyes, you’re done,” Colby said.

Tessa laughed and bit her lip.

Colby inched in. “Can I confess something?”

“Sure.”

“I have no power either. You destroyed me.”

They were way too close right now. Colby wanted to kiss her. He wanted more than just a kiss. He reminded himself that they were still in a very public setting. A VIP setting, too. Not that he was worried about kissing or touching Tessa in public, he had to consider her personal image.

Who is the mystery woman with the bad boy rockstar?

Does she know his past?

Is she really okay with what he’s done in life?

Who is she… new details on her life…

People would eat Tessa alive. And there was so much she didn’t know.

“Hey,” Colby said. “I, uh, that guy that was here.”

“The one who wanted to kill you?”

“Yeah,” Colby said. “He…uh…he kind of has good reason. It’s a little weird to talk about. But I want you to know that I trust you. It’s crazy, I’m sure. But I’m looking at you right now, Tessa, and I just…”

“Colby! My man!”

Colby sighed.

Freaking Portis.

Colby shook hands with Portis. The man stood before him, phone in hand, an expensive suit, and an entourage around him. He looked at his phone, hit the screen a few times with his thumb, then tucked it into his suit jacket.

He looked around, nodding.

“Colby, everything good here?”

“Yeah,” Colby said.

Portis pointed at Tessa. “She one of mine?”

“No,” Colby said. “She’s one of mine.”

Portis grinned. “Got it. Heard you want to entertain these fine folks, huh?”

“Thinking about playing one of the songs. Why hear it tomorrow when we can play it live?”

“Oh, I’ve heard it already,” Portis said. “I own the studio and everything inside it.”

Portis just rubbed Colby the wrong way. He popped up, leaving Tessa on the couch alone. He went nose to nose with the guy who held the key to Willow Son’s future.

“We didn’t say you could hear it,” Colby said.

“I listened. I like it. Like the end. The catchy notes. That’s going to be a crowd favorite.”

“You’re a real asshole, Portis.”

“It’s a tough business,” Portis said. He backed up and tugged at his jacket. “You ready to play me a song?”

Colby made fists and held himself in control. “I’m not playing it for you, Portis. I’m playing it for everyone in this place. And then I’m leaving for the night. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

“I like you, Colby,” Portis said. “You take punches. You hand out punches. We’re going to work some magic together.”

“The only thing I need from you, Portis, is your studio and money. If it were up to me, I’d have my own label.”

“That’s the spirit,” Portis said. He clapped his hands together.

He then jumped up on a table and whistled, getting the attention of everyone in the VIP lounge. (And some people in the other half of the place.)

Colby turned and crouched in front of Tessa. He liked the angle. Touching her legs, having her wide, pretty eyes looking down at him.

“I have to go be a rockstar for a second,” Colby said. “Okay?”

“Of course.”

“Don’t move.”

“Never would.”

Colby squeezed Tessa’s legs for a second.

What should have been a calm night to have a few drinks and relax, was now turning into a pivotal night. For the band. For Colby himself.

He grabbed a guitar and looked back at Tessa.

He grinned and winked.

She blushed.

Yeah… I need to figure out more about her… but only if she’ll accept me.

* * *

Tessa wasn’t a complete fool.

The whole fate thing was pretty fun to get lost in, but reality was far different. The way Colby looked at her, looked back at her, the entire night had become something else. And it was just getting started.

Some guy had tried to jump Colby, threatening to hurt him. Yet Colby did nothing about it. He just took it and made sure the man was calmly removed without getting hurt. But when Portis showed up, Colby looked ready to attack. That meant the guy who threatened to hurt Colby had meaning to him.

But what?

And Colby had wanted to tell Tessa something.

He kind of has good reason.

That’s what Colby had started to tell her.

The guy had good reason to want to hurt him? What exactly did that mean?

It made Tessa shiver a little.

The shiver was then swept away as Willow Son was ready to play a song.

Five acoustic guitars. Five guys. Five rockstars.

They were all sexy, face it. But Colby - not just as the lead singer - but as a man. He was gorgeous.

Willow Son was all chilling along a long couch. Van sat in the middle. Colby on the edge of the front. Brantley sat on the top of the couch. Then Ryker and Jett on each arm.

The second Colby called out “One! Two! Three! Four!” the sound was big and loud. All the guitars worked together. They didn’t need amplifiers for this sound to work.

Everyone stopped what they were doing to watch the rockstars perform. Tessa casually inched to the edge of her seat, waiting to hear Colby sing. When he did, belting out the first line of lyrics, shutting his eyes, his neck straining to overpower the sound of the guitars… she was instantly turned on.

She never heard someone sing like him.

He didn’t just stay with the song or overpower the guitars. He owned the song. He controlled the song. It took Tessa right back to the night in the hotel. The way they had just gone at each other. The way Colby held her shoulder as he thrust deep into her body.

It made her toes curl, wanting that again. Wanting Colby more than ever.

The members of Willow Son all sang during the first chorus. Ryker and Jett played a little guitar riff after the chorus, while the rest of the guys carried the main part of the song. Another verse, another riff led into the bridge and then into a double solo where Ryker and Jett traded parts back and forth, which sounded really good in such a basic, natural sound.

Then came the final part of the song.

All five guitars were ringing out together. Willow Son sang loud. Colby then looked out to everyone, nodding.

“Sing it with us!” Colby yelled.

Tessa saw Portis from the corner of her eyes. He had his arms folded, a cocky grin on his face. He knew that Willow Son was going to make him a ton of money. Rightfully so. Willow Son was amazing.

Next to Portis stood a guy with a camera, filming the entire scene.

Slowly, one by one, people started to sing with the band.

It took less than a minute for everyone to sing with the band. No words. Just notes. The broken up harmony of so many singers - good and bad - made it a really powerful moment. So much that Tessa felt her chest tightening a little. She couldn’t believe she was actually part of the moment. She didn’t deserve to be. This was for important people. For famous people. For rockstars.

Tessa slowly stood and slipped behind the couch. The song and the lyrics were powerful, and thinking about them made her ache inside her heart. Thinking of the family she never had. The tragedy she had to fight through.

Willow Son was a huge band. Just because they had lost their label didn’t mean a thing. Tonight proved it. That song proved it.

Tessa enjoyed being there for it, but it was time to go. To go back to reality for real this time, no matter what.

The song and chanting kept going.

Tessa got to the velvet rope and grabbed for it. She held it steady and started to step over it when a hand clamped on her wrist. She looked and Colby stood there, a surprised look on his face.

Tessa opened her mouth and Colby pulled her close. His arms were locked around her. So strong. So tight. So good. Before Tessa could say a word, Colby had his lips to her ear.

“What are you doing?” he yelled.

“Leaving,” Tessa said. “This is yours, Colby. Not mine.”

Colby pulled back but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he touched Tessa’s face.

Shaking his head, he said, “No, pretty eyes. This is our moment. That song? That was… because of you…”

Tessa couldn’t get a guy to buy her flowers, yet Colby - lead singer of Willow Son - had written a song about her?

She couldn’t believe it.

She didn’t want to believe it.

But when Colby kissed her right then… she felt it.

The kiss lasted a second, but the night promised to be so much more.

Colby leaned in again, his delicious lips to her ear. “We’re getting out of here, pretty eyes. Right now. I need you.”

(16)

Colby wasn’t going to stay on Portis’ dime because he didn’t want to owe the guy a damn thing. So he had his own private hotel room. The band knew about the room and that was it. He had security waiting as a car took him and Tessa to the back of the hotel. They were able to get in through the back without any issues. Escorted to a service and delivery elevator, security gave Colby his keycard and offered to carry his bags up.

He declined.

There was one thing on Colby’s mind - the beautiful woman next to him. He held her hand tight and couldn’t stop smiling when he looked at her.

Once they were in the hotel room, Colby shook his head at the bottle of wine provided by hotel management for choosing their hotel. But that worked perfectly. Along with the wine glasses on the counter, Colby moved quick, taking the cork out of the bottle, pouring two glasses, and walking to the window to give Tessa her glass.

“I usually hate wine,” Tessa said. “But you make it cool and sexy.”

“How’s that?” Colby asked.

“You’re famous. A rockstar.”

“Just think of me as Colby then.”

“That’s hard to do.”

“I wasn’t always a rockstar.”

“I know that. Who were you before a rockstar?”

“Just me. I’ve been doing this since I was a kid. My old man never wanted to be a dad. My mother dropped me off one day to run off with her new boyfriend. My old man wanted to drink and party. So he tossed me down in the basement… literally. That’s where I just hung out. Found his old vinyl’s and cassettes. So I listened to music all the time. Some guy at one of his parties left a guitar there. The old man gave it to me for Christmas that year. Like I didn’t know where it came from. That was my first guitar. That was my introduction to rock n’ roll.”

“And now you’re famous,” Tessa said. “How does your old man feel about that?”

“Well… he didn’t stick around long,” Colby said. “The bottle won. Leave it at that.”

“Oh, I’m…”

Colby shook his head. He tapped his wineglass to Tessa’s. “Enough about that part of my life. The present is much better.”

Colby moved in for a kiss to Tessa’s cheek. She let out a soft groan and then he kissed down to her neck. Her skin was sweeter than the wine. And it made him drunker by the second than any booze could ever do.

Don’t fall… don’t… fall…

As Colby gently grazed his teeth along Tessa’s neck, she shrugged her shoulders and pulled away a little.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

Tessa sipped the wine and then put it down on a table. She picked at her fingernails. “This is… with us…”

Colby nodded. He put his wineglass down. “What is it? You can’t hold back on me now.”

“You didn’t know I was here?”

“No,” Colby said. “Portis insists we stay out of trouble.”

“So he brings you to a bar-club-thing and…”

“He owns it. He owns the studio we recorded in. We’re kind of in this chess match to see who budges first. Truth? We’re going to sign with him and that’s that. He wants us to play this big show he’s setting up. That’s when we’ll announce the signing.”

“That’s amazing, Colby. Then you’ll be back to normal.”

“Normal?”

“Yeah. Playing shows. On the road. Groupies…”

Colby raised an eyebrow.

Was Tessa jealous?

“What’s happening right now?” Colby asked.

“What do you mean?”

“You’re… worried. Or mad. Or…”

“No,” Tessa said. She looked away. “I’m just… you’re kind of the best thing in my life right now. And we’re together right now because of luck.”

Colby moved toward Tessa. He touched her arm. “What do you think I’m going to do? Sleep with you and ditch you?”

“I don’t know. Why wouldn’t you? We’re just…”

“What do you want it to be?”

Tessa looked at him. Those damn pretty eyes.

“We’re friends, right?” Tessa asked.

“Yeah. I like you. I trust you. That’s why we’re here.”

“You want to sleep with me.”

“You have no idea…”

“You sleep with all your friends?” Tessa asked.

“My best friends are the guys in Willow Son. I’ve seen them naked, yes, but I’ve never had any urges… with you… you make me want to go wild.”

Tessa touched Colby’s jaw. “You make me want to go wild, too. But I just don’t want to be hurt.”

“What can I do then to not hurt you?”

“Friends only. Right?”

“If that’s what you want. You’ve got it, pretty eyes.”

“But we can…” Tessa inched closer.

“As long as it won’t hurt you.”

She moved to her toes and kissed his chin. “It probably will, but it’s worth it. Right?”

“Ah, fuck, it’s so worth it,” Colby whispered.

Their lips touched and that was it for him. The night was officially on fire now. Both hands grasped at Tessa’s face. He turned her around, quickly putting her against the window. They were up high enough that nobody should have been able to see anything.

But whatever.

It didn’t fucking matter.

What mattered was the taste of her mouth. The way her tongue fought and flirted with his. The way she sighed and groaned, turning her head, her hands pulling at his shirt, demanding more.

Colby slid his right hand to the back of Tessa’s hair. He tugged at her hair clip, undoing her pulled back hair. It fell with a fruity softness that tortured Colby’s nose. He couldn’t take anymore.

His hands gripped the bottom of her shirt and lifted up. Off it went, flying across the living room. With one hand, Colby unsnapped Tessa’s bra. His fingers gently pulled at the black undergarment, taking it down her arms, letting it collapse to the floor. His eyes stuck to her ample breasts, their heavy creamy look, rose pink nipples erect.

Bringing both hands up, Colby cupped her breasts, his thumbs grazing over her nipples. When he did, Tessa groaned and thrust her chest forward at him.

Colby came forward, his mouth and tongue too eager to taste her. His lips moved over her nipple, suckling softly to her breast, loving the way her body rocked and pressed at him. When his teeth touched her sensitive nipple, Tessa jumped and clawed at his hair.

“Oh, Colby,” she groaned.

He sucked hard and pulled back, his mouth popping off her breast. He kissed up her chest and neck with a passion, his hands wrapping around her and pulling her tight. When he lifted her, Tessa cried out.

She was already tugging at the back of his shirt.

But Colby was on the move.

He took her to the massive bedroom and wasted no time in putting her on the bed and going for the button her jeans. Tessa gripped the sheets on the bed, biting her lip.

“Colby… you’re still dressed…”

“No,” he whispered. “This is for you. This is about you.” Colby had Tessa’s jeans open. He moved down on top of her and gently kissed her lips. “I’m going to taste all of you.”

Tessa groaned and Colby slid down her beautiful body. He kissed her chest, between her breasts, and down her belly. She was breathing heavily already, pulling hard to the sheets on the hotel bed.

Colby gripped the top of her jeans and panties. Tessa dug her heels to the side of the bed and lifted, letting him slide everything down. As Colby saw Tessa’s more sultry view, he gritted his teeth. She was smooth, moist, looking delicious. The scent of her need carried between her legs to Colby. He hurried to strip everything off and then he placed his hands to the top of her legs.

Once her legs were fully open, Colby came forward, his tongue darting for a few seconds, savoring a succulent sample of Tessa. She cried out and thrust at him, pulling at the bed even harder.

“Easy, pretty eyes,” Colby whispered. “I’ll take care of you.”

He moved forward again. His tongue darted down and back up, curling at Tessa’s sensitive nub, making her jump. His tongue flickered again, his lips closing around her soft folds, suckling at her.

Colby groaned as he pulled away. He licked his lips, memorizing her taste. His hands slipped further up her inner thighs.

He wasn’t done yet.

He kissed at her smooth mound and hurried back down, his tongue begging for more warm taste. Teasing her for a little bit, Colby slid his left hand around to her ass. Cupping her, Colby felt her thrust and rock her hips to the movement of his tongue. He savored her and then placed his right hand just below her belly button. Allowing his tongue to be more aggressive, Colby sought out Tessa’s clit again and didn’t stop until she climaxed.

Tessa’s back arched so beautifully, her cries bouncing off the walls of the bedroom. She pulled at the sheets hard, twisting her hands into hard fists. And Colby stayed right with her. Working with her as she pulsed, offering a sweetness that he would never forget.

Friends… not a fucking chance…

“Colby…” Tessa purred. “Oh, I can’t…”

* * *

“… stop…”

Tessa had lost complete control. Her mind. Her body. Her everything. She never felt someone like Colby before. Down there, with such gentle care yet aggressive, sensual perfection. How could he be so soothing one second and then quickly bringing her to climax the next?

The orgasm was racing through her body, still fresh. It was a tingling heated sensation from her hair down to her toes. She kept thrusting at Colby but his big, strong hand rested against her belly, holding her down.

All Tessa could do was stay with it all. With her body, her needs, and with the feel of Colby’s amazing tongue still working its magic.

When he finally eased up, he didn’t just disappear. No, no. He was a true rockstar, even in bed, performing for an audience of one.

Colby gently licked her, cutting down, slicing up, and kissing up her body. His hand then led the way, touching her tender breast. When his fingertips slid over her nipple, another warm sensation moved through her body. Tessa gasped again… is this a second one?

That would be a first.

Colby kissed all the way to Tessa’s neck and around near her mouth. He teased and tempted her with his lips, staring close. Tessa felt her mouth desperate for his kiss.

But where he’d just been…

Fuck it.

Tessa moved up and pressed her lips quickly to Colby’s mouth. She watched his eyes go wide and then he smiled.

“That’s pretty sexy, Tessa,” Colby whispered.

“Yeah? I’ll show you sexy…”

Tessa put her hands to Colby’s shirt and pushed. He moved off her and she slithered off the bed. It was such a strange feeling to be naked in front of Colby. Maybe because he was a famous rockstar… maybe not. Maybe because Tessa worried about the size of her hips.

But Colby didn’t seem to mind. He kept touching…

Just as Colby tried reaching for her again, she swatted his hands away. She leaned toward the bed, purposely letting her breasts hang right in his face. Tessa grabbed the back of Colby’s shirt and pulled it over his head.

Colby moved back to his elbows, a cocky grin on his face.

Tessa ran her hands down his sexy body, her fingers moving over the ridges of his muscle. Her hands curled around the top of his jeans and tugged. She giggled as she did so, trying to be sexy. But the truth was, she was nervous as hell.

Slowly, Tessa stood up and unbuttoned Colby’s jeans. Her hands were fast and shaky as she forced his jeans down, watching him pop free. Standing tall and hard, thick with pleasure, Colby was obviously more than ready. As she touched him, fingers trying to wrap around his size, Tessa leaned forward.

She planted a tender kiss to his stomach.

Then she kissed up his body. She let Colby’s sex touch her breasts, purposely doing so. Colby let out a growl and sat up a little so he could touch her shoulders. His fingers then dug into the back of her arms. Tessa was then being pulled right up on top of Colby.

The way he took the lead and command was

insanely sexy.

Tessa spread her legs, straddling Colby. She had a hand to his shoulder, the other hand curled around the covers on the bed again. She felt him between her legs, the engorged, full tip of his cock, ready to enter her. She was still so ready for him, her body aching and tingling, needing more.

She inched her body down, feeling him opening her center. The pressure was intense and it made her body shake and tighten.

Colby grazed her cheek with the back of his hand to her neck. “Come here,” he growled. “Easy, pretty eyes… easy…”

Colby pulled her down and they started to kiss again. Colby’s other hand touched the small of her back and started to push. He forced her down, forcing her body to accept him. The feeling was slow and beautifully strong, Colby going deeper by the second… but it was Tessa’s body moving down on him.

Once there was no more room, she pushed up from the kiss. Both hands were then rested on Colby’s chest. The deepest core of her womanhood quivered with a full feeling. Her eyes looked up and down Colby’s wild body. Hands down, the sexiest man she ever met. The sexiest… the biggest… the best…

Her fingers curled and she started to rock.

Back and forth, the full feel of pressure quickly turned into pleasure.

Tessa put her head back, closed her eyes, and became lost in the fantasy.

Then she realized something powerful.

The fantasy wasn’t the feeling. It was the moment. She opened her eyes and looked down at Colby. The rockstar. Holding her. Guiding her. Working her precious body through intense pleasure, her deep core throbbing.

But it was more.

Their eyes met… and the whole friendship thing was thrown out the window.

I’m falling for him… and it feels so good…

(17)

Tessa woke and felt good. Definitely the whole morning-after-great-sex kind of feeling, but who really cared? She had great sex last night with Colby. The lead singer of Willow Son. Their passion was so real and raw. The way he touched her didn’t just make her feel alive but made her feel comfortable. To just be there with him, his hands racing up and down her body. Cupping her breasts. Fingers touching the soft skin of her belly. Even touching her hips, her ass, her entire body. All the spots she wanted to be smaller, tighter, or sexier… Colby made those spots feel sexy.

That meant something.

In bed, Tessa curled her toes and smiled.

She rolled over, the thoughts of maybe some morning sex on her mind. Sadly, it had been way too long to even think about since Tessa had morning sex. And this morning didn’t seem to be any better.

The bed was empty.

She sat up, holding the sheets to her chest.

She looked around the room, her eyes desperate to find evidence that Colby hadn’t ditched her. That was impossible. No way in hell he could ditch her, right? Not after the night they had. Hell, he was the one who came up to her. Pulled her into the VIP. And when she tried leaving, he stopped playing his guitar and grabbed her. Pulled her closer. Kissed her. Wanted her.

He touched her, kissed her, tasted the wild desire of her needs.

Tessa moved from the bed, taking the sheet with her. Her clothes were still… somewhere else. Out in the hotel room. In the bedroom. Like a trail of breadcrumbs to not get lost in the woods, they were a sensual reminder of the night before.

When Tessa opened the door, she heard music. It wasn’t live music… well, it was live, but it wasn’t live live. It was from speakers or something.

As crazy as it would have been to see Willow Son sitting in the hotel room, playing, it was almost more sexy to see Colby sitting at a desk with a laptop open. Speakers on each side of the desk, Colby looked at the screen, his hands moving to the beat of the music.

It was a Willow Son song.

It was the song from last night. The one they played acoustic in the VIP lounge of Portis’ club. Even that was something crazy to think about. Being in the VIP lounge of a club owned by someone like Portis.

Tessa slowly approached Colby. The video on the screen was also from last night. Willow Son was sitting on a couch, five acoustic guitars. Colby belted out amazing lyrics, his strong voice carrying. The chorus kicked in and the rest of the band joined Colby.

“It’s really good,” Tessa said.

Colby turned his head. “Hey. Good morning, pretty eyes.”

“Sorry. I…”

“It’s good. I couldn’t sleep much.”

“Why?”

“Just a lot on my mind. The band. The music.”

“You don’t need to worry about that,” Tessa said. “That song is great. And there’s nothing wrong with the band. Just do your deal with Portis and get it over with.”

“Giving me advice, friend?” Colby asked with a grin.

“Friends… yeah…”

Tessa was right there, inches from Colby, as he sat in the chair.

He slowly turned and touched Tessa’s waist over the sheet. He looked up at her.

Again, there was that wild feeling between them. That deep feeling burned from her heart and down to other places.

“You hungry?” Colby asked. “We can order something.”

“I’m okay for now.”

“Okay.”

Colby’s right hand found the end of the sheet. His fingers curled around and slipped into the slit. When Tessa felt his fingers touch her bare skin, she shivered. Tessa then slowly pulled at the sheet, opening it. Offering herself in such a way scared the hell out of her. Her toes dug into the carpet of the hotel room.

Colby’s hand held her side, his thumb rolling up and down against her ribcage. The move was so subtle, yet it was turning Tessa on like crazy. He grinned, that cocky rockstar grin that had all the control over Tessa. He came forward and nuzzled his nose to her left breast. Tessa parted her lips and groaned against the gentle touch. Colby kissed her breast. He then moved up her chest to her neck, standing from the chair.

He continued up to her chin and then finally found complete comfort with her mouth.

They kissed wildly, like they were never going to kiss again.

Tessa felt her hands shaking, ready to drop the sheet and pull at Colby. Make him take her again.

His hands touched her chin and he broke the kiss. Their foreheads touched and they exchanged soft, flirty kisses.

In the background, the Willow Son song was at the final chorus. Right when everyone in the VIP lounge started to sing with the band.

“Check this out,” Colby said.

He grabbed the sheet and closed it back around Tessa’s body. Another subtle move that was so hot. Which seemed something weird since it would have been hotter to have Colby keep kissing her and wanting her. Romance lingered in his eyes though, and that’s what made the move so sexy.

“Sit down,” Colby said.

He touched Tessa and sat her down.

“What…”

Colby walked away.

Tessa looked at the screen. She watched as Willow Son sang. As the crowd around them sang back.

Then something happened.

On the screen, Colby jumped up. The rest of the band kept going as Colby moved out of the camera frame. It was suddenly weird seeing the empty spot on the couch. The camera slowly moved to the left, panning the gathered crowd. But the camera kept going. And going. Until it found Colby.

From that angle, it was Colby touching Tessa’s wrist. Pulling at her. Keeping her from leaving. The camera captured their tender moment together. Nobody heard what Colby had said to Tessa, which kept some kind of privacy to it. Like they had a secret.

A coffee mug was placed in front of Tessa and she gasped. She had been so focused on the video, she forgot about Colby in real life. In the hotel room. His hotel room.

The camera then turned back to the remaining members of Willow Son as they finished the song.

The place exploded in applause and cheers.

Tessa held the sheet to her body with one hand and the coffee mug with her other hand. Colby’s hands touched her shoulders and he kissed the top of her head.

“That video went viral overnight,” Colby said. “Fans almost crashed our site with requests for the new song.”

“Told you it was amazing,” Tessa said.

“That’s not all…”

Colby reached over her. His chest pressed against her head and neck. All these little moves were driving her mad.

“What’s not all?” Tessa asked.

“You’re sort of a celebrity right now.”

“What?”

Colby minimized the video and pulled up another browser window. It was a list of articles talking about Colby and the mystery woman. That’s what Tessa’s new name was. There were pictures everywhere, screenshots from the video of Colby touching Tessa’s wrist, touching her face, pulling her close. A picture of the two of them smiling at each other, Tessa looking up at Colby. The shot had the appeal of two people who were just introduced as a married couple. Far too happy for two people just messing around or just being friends.

And the articles and comments called them out right now.

Tessa felt her heart pound hard in her chest as she read through the comments. The worst were the mean ones. Calling Tessa too short. Too flat chested. A few people calling her fat.

“This is…”

“Don’t read the comments,” Colby said. “People love to troll and take their anger out. But this is… well, I feel like I messed this up for us.”

“This is weird,” Tessa said.

Someone took the picture of Colby and Tessa kissing and added text to it.

WHO IS THIS?

I HATE HER!

I’M SO JEALOUS!

People were jealous of Tessa. Because she had been with Colby.

Tessa looked back at Colby. His face looked sincere. He was shaking his head. “You might get bothered. I just wanted you to see this. Be warned.”

Tessa took the mouse from Colby and clicked another link. It was a quick note on an entertainment site about Willow Son. About Portis. And about Colby’s mystery woman for the night.

Tessa couldn’t help herself but look at the comments. She had to.

The first one…

Like Willow Son. Feel bad for the woman. Hope he doesn’t kill her too.

Tessa gasped.

Colby’s hand shot forward and he closed the laptop screen. The desk shook and Tessa’s coffee spilled up over the mug.

“Fuck that,” he growled.

Tessa slowly stood from the desk.

She turned, hugging the sheet to her body. “Colby…”

“No,” he said. “I’m sorry this happened to you. I’ll make sure you have security and protection to get out of here. Wherever you’re flying or driving to next. Okay?”

“Wait a second. Talk to me.”

Colby moved toward the window. He grabbed his cell. “I have to make some calls. I’ll do everything I can to get rid of those pictures.”

“I don’t care,” Tessa said. “It’s just us. It’s… Colby, that comment.”

He looked back. “Don’t.”

“I’ve heard it before.”

“Don’t, Tessa.”

“I would never…” Tessa couldn’t find the right words. She couldn’t find any words.

“Just look it up then,” Colby spat. “That’s what everyone else does. Look it up. What the fuck do I care?”

“I don’t want to look anything up,” Tessa said. “I want you to tell me. I want to hear your story. I’ve told you mine. I… my father left us. My mother died. I’ve been taking care of my two sisters ever since. That’s me, Colby. That’s me.”

“Tessa, I care about you. I really do. That friendship talk from last night? That was just a way to satisfy our feelings so we could get into bed together. You know that. I know that. I told you I was going to hurt you. This is how it happens. Just go look everything up.”

“I’m not leaving,” Tessa said defiantly. “I want to talk to you. I want to hear you. I want…”

The hotel room sounded like a battering ram hit it.

Tessa screamed and jumped.

* * *

Colby opened the door and was flooded by the band. And Harry. And Portis.

This was the last damn thing he needed right now.

“What the…”

They were all in the hotel room.

“It’s viral!” Harry yelled. “Projections…”

“Sign and we’re rich,” Portis said.

Colby stood in shock. He looked to his left and saw how shocked Tessa was. She wore nothing but a bed sheet. Her pretty eyes looked ready to explode with tears.

This was why… fuck fate.

Fate kept throwing Tessa at Colby. He wanted her. He wanted to grab her, hold her, and take her for the rest of his life even. But there were dark truths that not many people knew about. It would haunt Colby for his entire life. Each time there was a picture, or a song or something, there would always be people who spoke up. They spoke the truth they believed because Colby fed into it.

Just like with Dan last night. The guy was still tracking Colby down, wanting to make things right.

Make things right.

Colby wasn’t sure what that even meant.

“Colby… we…” Jett started but then saw Tessa.

“Hey,” Ryker said. “You’re from…”

“Bad timing?” Harry asked.

“Never,” Portis said. “Sweetheart, sorry to interrupt the morning.”

Tessa swallowed. “That’s fine. I was just leaving.”

Colby watched Tessa walk to the bedroom. He couldn’t let her go, could he? His decisions would change Tessa’s life though. If he hurt her now, the pain would go away soon. If he kept spending time with her, falling for her more and more, the pain would be worse.

A hand clamped on Colby’s shoulder. “Dude… are you listening?”

He looked at Brantley. “No. Not at all. What the hell is this? An ambush?”

“She’s the one from the pictures online,” Portis said.

“She?” Colby asked. “She has a name. Tessa.”

Portis put his hands up. “Sorry.”

“Look, I need a minute here. We were…”

“Colby,” Harry said. “This is important right now. We have to capitalize on the video. We have to finish up the studio stuff.”

Portis closed in. “Hey, Colby. I have my legal department already helping out.”

“Helping out with what?” Colby asked. He peeked over his shoulder, wanting to go after Tessa.

I didn’t mean to snap at you, pretty eyes. I didn’t mean… I just don’t want you hurt…

“That guy,” Portis said. “Heard about him trying to attack you. Dan, right?”

“How did…”

“There’s nothing hidden,” Portis said. “If I’m going to take on Willow son, I have to take everything. Good and bad. We’re going to make sure he can’t get near you again.”

Colby’s head spun even more. “Dan is just a regular guy. He…”

“He has no right to go after you. Threaten your life.”

“Just let Portis help,” Harry chimed in. “Okay? Just focus on the music. The band.”

“Let’s order something to eat,” Van said. “Everyone take a breath.”

A door shut and Tessa was there. Fully dressed. In the same clothes from last night.

Colby ached for her. He felt bad she had to leave like this. She had her phone to her ear. He wasn’t sure if she was faking the call or not.

She got to the door and Colby went after her.

They left the room and he darted in front of her. He put his hands out. “Tessa…”

She looked at him. She lowered the phone. “What?”

“This isn’t right. I’m sorry I…”

“No. We’re friends, right? You don’t want to give me more of you, Colby. That’s fine. This is all fate. We got to meet up and hang out. I’m sorry if I made it more.”

“What you saw… that comment. Last night, that guy…”

Colby had the words. But he felt Tessa slipping away.

“I have to go. I have to meet up with Christie and get moving.”

“Let me call for a ride,” Colby said. “You shouldn’t be anywhere alone. In case you get approached.”

“I know nothing, remember?”

Tessa put a hand out and touched his chest. Then she pushed at him.

“Yeah,” Colby said. “I remember.”

“I just have to go,” Tessa said. “I’ll see you…”

Tessa lowered her head and walked down the hall. It left Colby alone. Horribly alone. Yet behind him, Willow Son waited. Harry waited, eager to get the deal done. And Portis, ready to sign.

Christ, with the flick of a pen, Willow Son would be officially in the studio again. Officially have new material to sell and play. They’ d be back on stage, back on tour in no time.

All Colby could do was stare. He watched Tessa get on the elevator and leave.

She’d read the stories soon enough. She’d know what everyone else knew.

But maybe… someday… if fate allowed it… Tessa would know the truth.

(18)

Wendy looked depressed as she stared out the passenger window of the car. Tessa had her hands tight on the wheel, eyes on the road, wishing she could stare aimlessly out the window. Wishing she could be carefree and just waste her time and her goddamn life on nothing.

But Tessa promised not to go too crazy on Wendy. This was the first time in almost a year that she, Anna, and Tessa were all going to be together at the same time. They were just a few minutes away from the suburb outside Sacramento where Anna was still living. Still painting. Still surviving and living a fantasy.

Life was anything but a fantasy for Tessa.

If she wasn’t confused already about Colby, she had to field emails and calls from people looking to talk to her. To figure out who exactly the mystery woman was from the pictures. To explain why Colby hadn’t been seen with Tessa since. Yeah, it had been a couple weeks, but in the world of media, weeks were more like years. The calls had slowed, but a few still came in. The emails continued, sounding pathetic and spammy, with one person from some blog in Florida with the nerve to send pictures of Colby attending a party in Los Angeles.

At a strip club.

With women hanging off his arms.

The first picture, the women were dressed… the second… they were topless.

Big, fake boobs. Colby with arms around their waists.

The announcement was made that Willow Son and Portis were going to sign some kind of big deal. The songs recorded were released. Of course, the slow one was stuck at number one… which meant the damn thing was on the radio all the freaking time.

Wendy reached for the radio on the rental car. She turned it on, hit one button, and Willow Son blared through the speakers.

“Nope,” Tessa said and turned it off.

“What was wrong…”

“I don’t want to hear it,” Tessa snapped. “I don’t want to talk. I don’t want…”

“Okay,” Wendy said. “Sorry.”

Tessa opened her mouth. Ready to scream You fucking should be! but she couldn’t do it. She swallowed her words and focused on the road.

Colby had sent her a handful of texts, wanting to make sure she was fine. Tessa gave him the benefit of just replying with Yes or Yup but nothing more. She resisted the urge to look him up online, almost afraid to see what she’d read. She had enough on her plate taking care of Wendy and Anna. She couldn’t take on a guy. Not a rockstar. No matter how good he was in bed or how damn sexy he looked…

“You know… if I had thought anything bad about Scott…”

Tessa gripped the wheel tighter. She saw the corner coffee shop in the distance. Part of her wanted to stop and just lay into Wendy right now. She hated the idea of getting into it with Wendy in front of Anna, but maybe that’s what needed to happen.

Let both her sisters know where things stood. Just because Tessa had a good job and money didn’t make her a support system. She had her own life to live.

Tessa sighed.

What life?

When she got a break from work, she thought about work. She went places with Christie and watched the nights slip away as Christie lived and Tessa was just the friend tagging along. Now, Tessa was afraid to go into a bar or club. She feared someone would recognize her and it would be stupid fanfare. Or worse yet, Christie would entice it to happen. Christie thought it was amazing that Tessa had been photographed with Colby. In fact, Christie saved the picture of Tessa and Colby kissing and made sure to show everyone at work. Sure, it was quite the wild feat to end up in the arms of a rockstar, locking lips, but there was more to it.

Tessa parked the car and Anna was outside, waving.

“Thanks for talking,” Wendy said as she exited the car.

She went right for a cigarette.

Tessa gritted her teeth. How could she afford those? Oh, that’s right, from me…

Tessa grabbed the cigarettes and shook her head. “Inside, now.”

“Whoa,” Anna said. “What happened?”

“She’s pissed at me,” Wendy said.

“Pissed…” Tessa shook her head and held the door open.

They sat near the window, ordering coffee.

“How’s your art project?” Wendy asked Anna.

“Fun. Really fun. Almost done.”

“Then what?”

“I don’t know. I’ll stay here as long as I can. There’s a lot more to paint if they want. We kind of went too fast on this one. But it’s so fun.”

Wendy looked at Tessa. “Going to ride her ass for not having a future?”

“I didn’t say a word to anyone,” Tessa said.

“What’s going on here?” Anna asked.

“Your sister gave all her money - excuse me, my money - to a guy,” Tessa said.

“That’s not fair,” Wendy said.

“Explain it then.”

“In front of Anna?”

“Why not?” Anna asked. “What’s wrong with me?”

“Oh, you didn’t know?” Wendy asked. “Big sis Tessa hates when we talk in front of the baby.”

“Wendy,” Tessa growled.

“What? Why?” Anna asked.

“I never…”

“Don’t lie,” Wendy said.

Tessa sighed again. “Fine. Anna, I’ve always felt for you… okay? So I’ve tried to…”

“Protect her. Baby her.”

“Shut up, Wendy,” Anna said. She looked at Tessa. “You’ve felt for me. Why? What’s wrong with me?”

“You never really got to know Mom,” Wendy said.

The table went silent.

Shit, Tessa thought. Her heart was already twisted. She didn’t feel like talking about their mother. But Anna’s eyes were big. So innocent and pretty. Wendy was hardened. A thick shell around her fragile soul.

“That’s what you think?” Anna asked.

“We came here to have coffee,” Tessa said. “And talk.”

“So talk,” Wendy said.

Tessa nodded. “I took it all on my shoulders, okay? Because Mom asked me to. She needed me to take care of you two. I tried my best. And I’m sorry, Anna, if I held you back at all. And Wendy? You need to figure it out.”

“What happened?” Anna asked, looking at Wendy.

“I gave Scott more money,” Wendy said. “I took the extra rent money that Tessa gave me and gave it to Scott. To help with some of his fines. They were going to put him in jail.”

Anna shook her head. “You’re an idiot.”

“Shut up.”

“Don’t pick on each other,” Tessa said. “It’s… what else happened?”

“I’m getting booted for good,” Wendy said.

“Why?” Anna asked.

“Scott came over, drunk and high. He used the money to buy drugs to deal out. Cops were called and all hell broke loose. He’s gone now. For a long time. But I’m out of a place.”

“Where are you living?”

“I don’t know,” Wendy said.

Anna slowly looked at Tessa. “Are you…”

“What? What’s my option? Put her in my place? Put her in a new place?”

“I never asked,” Wendy said.

“So, what?” Tessa snapped. “I send you out on the streets? You’ll end up…”

“I’m not a baby, Tessa,” Wendy said.

“You need to figure it out!” Tessa yelled.

People looked at them.

Anna touched Tessa’s hand. Then she reached for Wendy’s hand. “Christ. Look at us.”

“Yeah,” Tessa said. “Look at us.”

Anna shook her head. “I remember her, you know. I remember her well. It hurts that she’s gone. I live the way I do because I don’t want to settle. I want to travel and live. Nobody needs to worry about me. Ever. Got that?”

“You float,” Tessa said. “I don’t get it.”

“You don’t have to,” Anna said. She looked at Wendy. “Why are you messing with those kinds of guys?”

Wendy blinked. Tears filled her eyes. “Because I have nothing else. There’s no… connection. Our father left us. Our mother died. I just want to feel loved.”

“We love you,” Tessa said.

“You take care of me,” Wendy said. “Every time we talk, we fight.”

“Because…” Tessa swallowed hard. “Because I’m too involved.”

“I don’t need a mother,” Wendy said. “I need a sister.”

“I told her that before,” Anna said.

Tessa put her other hand to Wendy’s free hand. The three sisters sat at the table like they were about to pray or hold a seance.

“I’m really sorry then,” Tessa whispered. “I got lucky with my job. I make really good money. I want the same for you.”

“But that’s not what we want,” Anna whispered. “I’m happy. So happy. I’ll figure it out.”

“So will I,” Wendy said. “But I need to know you care and love me. That you’re there for me to call and just talk to. Sometimes I just want my sisters. To drink with. To laugh with. To cry with. Not someone breathing down my neck.”

Tessa nodded. “Okay. Fine. Where do we start then?”

They all took their hands back.

“I need a place to stay,” Wendy said with a flicker of a smile.

“Yeah…,” Tessa said. “What’s your plan?”

“She can stay with me,” Anna said.

“What?” both Tessa and Wendy said at the same time.

“There’s room,” Anna said. “And…” Anna pointed.

They looked and there was a Help Wanted sign in the window.

“Here?” Tessa asked.

“Yes,” Wendy said. “I can deal with this. A big change. On my own.”

“With me,” Anna said.

“Without me,” Tessa said.

They all nodded.

Tessa felt relief. She looked at her sisters. She realized they were women. Grown women. Smart women. Beautiful women.

“She would have been proud,” Tessa said. “Of you both. I want you to know that. I know we never have been religious and stuff… but whatever is out there, she’s there. She’s watching. She…”

They all took hands again.

Three sisters, their eyes all filled with tears.

Another couple minutes of silence fell and it was comfortable.

Tessa took a deep breath. “If you need help with anything, Wendy. Moving and stuff, let me know. We can pack up a rental and road trip.”

“I’ll be fine,” Wendy said. “I’m going to sell everything I can. So I have my own money then.”

“You know, we can use a volunteer at the park,” Anna said.

“I can’t draw a straight line with a ruler, let alone paint,” Wendy said.

They all laughed.

“No,” Anna said. “I know you suck at drawing and painting. And writing. But you can help clean up the park. Meet some people. Look at life through my eyes for a second.”

“Is this really happening?” Tessa asked. “I mean…”

“It’s life,” Anna said. “It’s fast. It’s never long enough. It’s… life.”

Tessa was breathless at her baby sister’s wisdom.

“And speaking of really happening… and life through someone’s eyes for a second…” Wendy reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper. She unfolded it and it was the picture of Tessa and Colby kissing.

“No,” Tessa said. “No, no, no…”

“Since when did our big sister become a groupie?” Wendy asked.

Anna started to giggle, covering her mouth. Wendy smiled big, eyes wide.

Tessa wanted to be angry but couldn’t. Her sisters were beautiful… they were her best friends. Real friends.

Tessa put a hand on the paper. “You can’t imagine.”

“I’ve got time,” Wendy said.

“I’ll buy the next round of coffee,” Anna said.

She stood up and started to walk away.

Wendy jumped up too. “I’m going to get an application.”

“You’re serious?” Tessa asked.

Wendy looked down at Tessa. “You’ve done too much. You’re the greatest sister anyone could ever ask for. But we’re good now. We’re grown. And when I’m done with the application, I want every possible dirty, nasty, sexy, raunchy detail of Colby from Willow Son.”

Tessa felt her cheeks blushing. She forced a smile.

Yeah, she’d tell the details… every possible dirty, nasty, sexy, raunchy detail… but what about the detail where she was supposed to just be a friend and ended up falling in love with him?

* * *

Colby sang the last note and then took the plugs from his ears. Everything sounded great. He had no doubt in his mind it wouldn’t sound great. He looked back at the band and gave the thumbs up. They nodded and the practice was over.

Portis stood up, put his cell away, and clapped. “Sounds great.”

“Of course it does,” Colby said. “It’s Willow Son.”

He walked by Portis and went for a bottle of water.

“Colby,” a voice said.

It was Harry.

“What?”

“You have to stop acting like that to Portis,” he whispered. “The guy is ready to put up millions for the band.”

“Good for him,” Colby said. “He’ll make millions. What’s it matter?”

“He’s trying to get to know you.”

“I don’t need a friend. I need someone to promote the band. Get us on the road. Now.”

“What’s with this obsession about the road?” Harry asked. “Christ, Colby. The last week you’ve been an asshole.”

Colby gritted his teeth. “Feel better?”

“A little.”

“Good.”

“Hey, talk to me, man. What’s the…”

“What happened with that legal thing. With Dan.”

“Nothing,” Harry said. “I pulled it off the table. He’s free to do what he wants. Including hurt you.”

“I deserve it.”

“You don’t deserve it. You made a decision.”

“Everyone thinks I’m a murderer.”

“People used to think the world was flat.”

“But maybe I am a murderer. When I think about…”

“Don’t think about it,” Harry said. “It’s done. It’s the past.”

“It’s always there,” Colby spat.

“Whoa, what’s wrong?” Jett asked as he approached.

The band circled around Colby.

“Just talking,” Harry said.

“Songs sound great,” Brantley said. “We still have the sound.”

“We’ll never lose the sound,” Ryker said.

“I agree,” Colby said. “You ready for the road?”

“Let’s do the big show first,” Van said. “The road is there. We’ll be touring.”

“I can’t stay around here much longer,” Colby said. “I’m going crazy.”

“Does it have anything to do with that woman from the picture?” Harry asked.

Colby shot dagger eyes at Harry. There were times he wanted to smack Harry. Then again Harry was basically the father figure Colby never had. Harry took care of things, cared about the band members, and stayed through it all, thick and thin. From the worst of the worst…

When I murdered someone.

Colby cringed thinking about it.

“He’s got something on the brain,” Jett said.

“Yeah,” Ryker said. “Starts with a P and ends with a Y.”

Colby shot a look at Ryker.

“Pretty…,” Jett said. “Eyes. Pretty eyes.”

“That wasn’t what I meant,” Ryker said. “But it works.”

Everyone started laughing, including Harry.

Colby grinned. “You guys are really assholes.”

“I don’t get it,” Brantley said. “You dig the woman yet you don’t pursue it.”

“That’s just me,” Colby said. “We bumped into each other a few times without meaning for it to happen. I’m not going to go and force anything right now. Just let it be. The music is what matters.”

“That’s why you want the road,” Harry said. “Because you want to escape.”

Van put an arm around Colby. “Bro, just go to your cabin for a little while. Why don’t we take a couple days off? We have nothing left to do but let Portis promote the hell out of the show. We’re free.”

“He’s right,” Harry said.

Colby looked at the ground. He had thought about going up to the cabin more than once. But if he went there, Tessa could never find him. Nobody could find the cabin unless you knew where it was. That was the appeal to it.

Fate had been tempted. And this time… fate was about to lose.

(19)

They met with Portis early that morning. He offered his condo on the beach and the band declined. He offered his yacht. Ryker perked up at that notion, but Harry quickly shut it down. There was a night when Ryker took a boat out and sunk it during one of the wild Willow Son nights a long time ago.

What Portis wanted was the band to be together. For press. To write music. But Colby needed a breather. He needed the cabin. The woods. The silence. He needed to clear his mind. Plus, this time of the year, it was cold and sometimes it even snowed. That’s just how California was. It was Colby’s favorite state and where his home was.

They were packed up and out of Portis’ office well before lunch.

The band shook hands, hugged, Harry giving the lecture of being safe. Telling them to call for cars, planes, anything to make sure nobody did anything stupid or dangerous. Ryker and Jett were taking a private jet to Vegas. That made Harry sweat just thinking about it. Jett and Brantley were going south to a beach to soak up the sun and some women.

Colby had a bag strapped to his back and was on a thundering motorcycle, taking the twists and turns of the road. He loved riding the motorcycle. The wind against his face, nothing but the horizon in his way, and a sense of freedom that could only be compared to standing on a stage in front of forty thousand fans.

The motorcycle roared and Colby kept his mind clear.

Once he was outside Sacramento, he decided to take a pit stop. The Willow Son fanfare was back alive, and stopping anywhere was a big risk. Especially without security. And without the band it would only fuel rumors that they were breaking up. None of bothered Colby though. He’d sign autographs. He could venture alone. Soak up as much attention as there was to get before he disappeared into the mountains.

Cruising the streets of a little town, he admired the home feel of it. The houses that were landscaped. Two cars were in the driveways, usually one of them a minivan. A tricycle in the front yard tipped over. A basketball hoop above the garage. Sidewalk chalk sticking out on blacktop like bright tattoos on the ground.

He rode by a park that looked half cleaned up. A large mural was against one of the back walls. A beautiful display of colors, animals, random shapes and pictures.

Once through the main part of the small town, a corner coffee shop caught his attention. He could go for a coffee and a small bite.

There was a little town right before the base of the mountain where he could hit a country store for supplies. That was a little bit further away though. The caffeine would do him good. And the second the smell attacked him, he hurried to pull to the side of the building and stop.

Checking left to right, Colby opened the door. A small bell rang and a hiss of steam echoed around. There were half a dozen people in the coffee shop, all of them looking… and looking again… at Colby. He nodded and smiled. A couple people were quick to whisper to each other.

Is that the lead singer of Willow Son?

Colby went to the counter.

The woman behind the counter smiled and then her eyes went wide.

“Hey, Wendy,” he said, pointing to her name tag.

“Colby…”

“Yeah,” he said. “Taking a trip. Need some coffee.”

“You’re Colby. From Willow Son.”

“That’s right.”

“You were the one making out with my sister…”

Colby heard the words and laughed.

Making out with my sister…

He did a double take. “What did you just say?”

Wendy put a hand over her mouth and then started to laugh. “You were making out with my sister.”

“Sweetie, I’ve been known to make out with a lot of people. I’m sure I’ve made out with a lot of sisters.”

Colby smiled, trying to be cool.

“No,” Wendy said. “No, no… you were making out with my sister. Tessa.”

And fate barreled back into Colby’s life.

* * *

Tessa swore she wasn’t going to get involved. She carried a box that was labeled KITCHEN/RANDOM/NOTSURE and put it on the bed. The house was nice, an almost cabin feel to it.

This was where Anna, her friend, and Wendy were staying.

Everything had gone to plan, without a problem, and without Tessa’s involvement.

In fact, Wendy was at work right now.

She snagged the job at the coffee shop and had shown up to every shift. That alone was a major relief for Tessa. Wendy was finally taking some kind of control on her life. That was a definite first. Part of it Tessa blamed herself for. Not only did she try to raise and protect her sisters but she also tried to shield them from pain. The pain of their father leaving, something that Anna definitely didn’t remember, and something that Wendy only vaguely remembered. And she tried to shield them from the pain of losing their mother. But grieving was good. Necessary even. On top of that, it was okay to think about her. To talk about her. To miss her.

Taking that away from her sisters, Tessa realized she had pushed them into a corner. Anna could always break free and be herself. That was just Anna. She floated around. She painted pictures, drew pictures, and made friends who were just like her. For Wendy, being the middle child, she was always caught. Always stuck in the middle.

Not anymore.

Tessa peeled the tape off the box and looked inside. It was a disorganized mess. She let out a laugh. That was just Wendy. Yet somehow Wendy would know what was exactly in the box.

Her cell started to ring and it was Wendy calling.

Tessa stepped away from the bed and answered the call. “Hey. Don’t get mad.”

“What?”

“I touched a box. I moved it. Did you sense it?”

“Tessa… he’s here.”

He’s here?

“Who…”

Her heart already raced. Her mind begged that it was Colby.

That was impossible though.

The pictures online showed a different life and side of Colby. He was partying and living the rockstar lifestyle. Which he deserved. Tessa was meant to take care of things. Take care of people. Maybe have a chance to take care of herself. Then again, the amount of stuff she had been reading about the lead singer of Willow Son left her aching to know more. To see him again. To do… anything…

“He’s here,” Wendy repeated again. “Get here right now. Before he leaves. I can only flirt for so long.”

The call went dead.

He’s here…

Tessa turned and bolted from the room. She skidded to a stop at the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror.

“I look like hell,” Tessa whispered.

Her hair was pulled back in a quick ponytail. No makeup on. Some old jeans, old shoes, and a shirt. Nothing like He had ever seen her in before. All those other times, while it was fate, she was cleaned up.

At the door, Tessa was leaving as Anna and her roommate were coming back. Covered in paint, smiling, laughing, living a good, innocent life.

Tessa got into her rental and sped to the coffee house. She pulled up and the scene was eerily quiet. Considering who could possibly be inside, she figured there would be reporters, fans, a limo or something.

She opened the door, while the bell made its annoying DING! sound, and Wendy was at the side of the counter. Her hand was touching someone’s arm.

“Tessa,” Wendy said. “Look who…”

Then He turned around.

Tessa gasped and felt her knees go weak.

“Hey, pretty eyes…”

(20)

Colby signed an autograph and took a picture with the woman. They each held up their coffees and smiled big. That was the third picture and tenth autograph. All of which Tessa watched from a backseat kind of angle, seated at a corner table, hidden from the rest of the world. Her eyes refused to leave Colby as he talked to Willow Son fans.

Not to mention how deadly sexy he looked. His dark jeans, black boots, and leather jacket were way too hot for his own good. Yet, each time he could, he looked at Tessa and smiled. And nodded. And winked. And put up a finger, begging her to wait.

Of course she’d wait. She had nothing else to do.

When Colby finally got to the table, he pulled a chair out and spun it around. The way he straddled the chair was just unfair to Tessa’s womanhood. It messed with her heart, and her mind.

For a few seconds, they just stared at each other.

“Pretty eyes,” Colby finally said, again.

“Yeah. I’m here.”

“Fate again, huh?”

Tessa swallowed hard. There was a fine line with fate as far as she was concerned. Her need to see Colby again seemed to be greater than whatever the hell fate had in store for them. Yet here they were, across from each other at a small table.

“Talk to me,” Colby said.

“I don’t know what you want me to say.”

“Can I apologize for what happened before?”

“You could do anything you want.”

Colby stiffened. “You did your homework, didn’t you?”

Tessa shrugged her shoulders. “What was I supposed to do? You shut me out, Colby. You pushed me away. I felt like a whore… leaving that hotel…”

Colby’s hand shot across the table and grabbed hers. “You’re far from that. Trust me. You’re…”

“I’ve seen pictures of you. With strippers. Partying.”

Colby shook his head. “That’s all bullshit, pretty eyes. I can look you in those pretty eyes and tell you I haven’t been near a woman since you. And I have no urge…”

“Stop,” Tessa said. “I don’t know what we’re doing. Just hooking up when the time is right?”

“Or maybe there’s something more to it all,” Colby said.

“So you’re here getting a coffee?” Tessa asked.

You know why he’s here. Stop… Tessa… stop…

“I’m going to my cabin,” Colby said. “Have a little time to myself before the big show. We’ve practiced. We’re ready. I’m trying to get away from it all. Everything reminds me of you, Tessa.”

“Running away then?” she asked.

“Maybe a little.”

“That’s never a bad thing.”

“You’re here on business?”

“Yeah,” Tessa said. Liar. You dumb liar, you. “And helping Wendy get settled. She’s living with Anna now. I’m trying this thing where I don’t control their lives. Letting them go a little.”

“You could let them go a lot by coming with me to my cabin.”

And there it was.

The offer.

The invitation Tessa had been dreaming of for a couple days now.

The words were lingering there for her taking.

Wendy stood next to the counter, giving two thumbs up. Nodding. Smiling.

“I know your sister is behind me making faces,” Colby said.

Tessa blushed. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be. What do you want to do? Because if you don’t want to make a decision, I’ll make it for you. I’ll throw you on the back of my motorcycle and we’re gone.”

“Motorcycle…”

“Yeah,” Colby said. “It gets a little chilly once we get closer to the cabin, but that’s okay. It’s worth it once you’re there.” Colby smiled. “So… want to tempt fate again with me, pretty eyes?”

Tessa swallowed really hard. She stared at Colby, falling more in love with him.

Tempt fate?

Tessa was beyond fate… and Colby had no idea what she had already done to move beyond fate…

* * *

It was beyond insane and simply amazing.

Colby had his bag strapped to the motorcycle, along with Tessa’s. Her hands were around his body, fingers locked tight. The motorcycle still roared, taking them up into the mountains. Each minute seemed to get cooler, which sucked while riding in it, but would be so worth it once they were at the cabin and were able to get in front of a fire together.

After a quick stop for some supplies, they were at the cabin a short time later.

Still standing, the cabin brought an instant smile to Colby’s face. He had a truck parked up there too, just in case it snowed too much and he couldn’t use his motorcycle. Or if he needed to get a ton of supplies and couldn’t ride with them on his back or on the motorcycle.

He took Tessa by the hand and walked her to the door.

Unlocking it, he said, “Your castle, my princess.”

Tessa laughed. “I’m cold. This is crazy up here.” She looked around. “But it’s so beautiful.”

Colby touched Tessa’s cheek. “No, pretty eyes, you’re beautiful.”

He kissed her - something he’d been waiting to do for what felt like forever - and then opened the door.

To Colby, it was just the cabin. Lots of windows for sunlight and views. A huge main floor with plenty of furniture, including a couch and chair that faced the large stone fireplace on the back wall. The main floor was open with a set of steps on the opposite end of the cabin, which lead upstairs to the master bedroom and bathroom. The downstairs, following under the steps, had another bedroom and a half bath. It wasn’t meant to accommodate much, but it was big enough for space and small enough for comfort. A doorway next to the steps led the way to a kitchen, which had a table that rested next to a window that looked outside. Off the kitchen was a side door that led outside.

Colby held Tessa’s hand tight as he gave the tour.

Outside, he pointed to the flat part of the land before it dropped off down the mountain.

“Looks worse than it is,” Colby said. “We can hike down there and back with no problem.”

“You go down there?” Tessa asked.

“To get some firewood or just to mess around. Guy things. I have a shed over there” - Colby pointed - “and have a few ATV’s. We come up here sometimes and raise a little hell.”

“The rockstar who spends his time in the mountains,” Tessa said.

“Surprise, right?”

“How many groupies or strippers have been up here?”

Colby gritted his teeth. “Get it off your chest, pretty eyes.”

“You hurt me,” Tessa said. “Like you said you would. And I’m mad that you were right about it. But the thing is…I don’t get why you hurt me. I don’t even know why I’m hurt. Because I asked a question about your past? Something I heard about a few times? Then you disappear and show up online with strippers. Topless women. Smiling.”

“Whoa,” Colby said. He sucked in a breath. He never felt like he had to defend himself to a woman before… but Tessa was so different. “That was promo stuff.”

“Strippers?”

“Portis owns the club,” Colby said. “It was dumb. We were having a few drinks and he was paying for everything. He wanted a picture of the band and the first one was clothed. The second one…”

“You were smiling.”

“That’s what you came up here for?”

“I don’t know…”

Colby faced Tessa. “I swear to you. I haven’t touched another woman. And it makes no sense to have to say it to you. You made it clear we were friends. But yet I can’t get you off my mind. I don’t want anything, anyone, but you.”

Tessa pulled back a little. “I can’t just… I can’t just accept things, Colby. I need to know everything.”

“You’ve read everything,” Colby said. His heart pounded and cracked. “You said you wouldn’t, but you did.”

“I saw you with strippers and got pissed. I had to go through hundreds of emails from people wanting to know who I was.”

“I’m sorry,” Colby said. “I’m sorry. I never intended…”

Colby sucked in a breath. He looked away from Tessa.

“I’m sorry,” Tessa said. “It’s been such a weird week for me. And seeing you, but not seeing you…”

Colby nodded. “You know what?” Colby looked Tessa in the eyes. “I was convicted as a murderer. Is that what you want me to say? That I hurt someone? That I killed someone? That I was a damn fool when I was younger? Too rich for my own good… and I hurt people…”

The air felt colder.

They stared at each other.

Colby wanted to scream. Wanted to be so angry that his decisions of the past were going to haunt him forever. More than that, he was angry he finally found a woman he could love and his past threatened his future.

But then Tessa slowly reached up and touched his face. Her fingertips grazed the scruff of his five o’clock shadow.

“I’m freezing,” Tessa whispered. “And I want you to make love to me.”

(21)

Tessa felt her back hit the bedroom wall and she let out a groan. Colby’s hands cupped her ass as he kept her propped up so they were eye level. The tip of his nose flirted with hers for a second before he kissed her. Turning his head, parting his lips, he commanded the kiss.

Tessa dug her fingers into Colby’s hair and pulled, sighing in between breaths and kisses. Her ankles were locked around his back. She pulled at him, her hips thrusting, her body demanding more attention.

Why was there so much fucking clothes on right now?

Tessa put her head back against the wall. She felt Colby kiss down her chest. He then spun her, leaving her cry out, as he took her to the bed.

Dropping her down, he hurried to grab at her shirt, wanting it off. Tessa allowed Colby to take her shirt off and then she slithered up to her feet, her hands darting under his shirt. As she felt the hardness of his muscle, her body was quickly set even more on fire. The chill from the outside was long since replaced by the heat of the rockstar she was in love with.

With Colby’s shirt off, Tessa gripped at his shoulders tight.

He pulled her close and his fingers touched the clasp of her bra. One flick and it was undone. His hands slipped down her body, touching her jeans, quickly coming around. He wanted her naked; she wanted to be naked.

When he opened her jeans and slid a hand into the front of her lacy panties, she felt him trail down and around. Following the curve of her body, right to her wet core. His fingers touched, pressed, gently penetrating, bringing her desire to life even more. As Colby pressed, Tessa moved to her toes. She was turned on, jumpy, her needs aching.

Colby took his hand away and guided her jeans and panties down. He dropped to one knee before her, leaving Tessa gasping at the wild sight. Colby worked easily as he touched the back of her leg and made sure she kept her balance as Tessa stepped out of her shoes, socks, jeans, and panties.

The entire thing was so sensual and romantic.

Her body was on fire. Her heart raced to where her mouth felt dry.

Colby came forward and kissed just above her sex. His lips and tongue then trailed up her smooth body, hands at the curve of her hips, holding tight.

Colby stood, his nose grazing over one of her nipples. Then he attacked her neck and worked up to her mouth.

They kissed hard, wildly, the passion growing by the second.

Tessa hurried to grab at Colby’s jeans, opening them, forcing them down. Before she could touch his hard and thick sex, Colby pressed against her and took her to the bed. His hands slid down to her ass again, lifting her lower half. Tessa grabbed at Colby’s neck, pulling herself up. That allowed Colby to climb on the bed and move her to the top of the bed.

There, he softly placed her down and lowered his body to hers.

She felt him there, pressing to her center. Their lips touched, kissed, their tongues battling for a second, and then it stopped. Colby stared down at her as he entered her. Thrusting with a gentle yet needy movement, breaking her open again, filling her core and desire.

Colby held there for a few seconds, his body throbbing. Tessa rocked slowly, wanting more, but unable to leave this moment. Their eyes locked, lips inches away from each other. It was the hottest moment of Tessa’s life, and a far cry from the night in the hotel room, in the bathroom. That was pure lust. And this… this was pure love. Love with a man who was a rockstar. Who had a past. But he had a heart. A beautiful heart.

And he was just so damn sexy.

Tessa put a hand to Colby’s face. Her nails dug at his cheek.

“Fuck,” she groaned. “It’s…”

“I know,” Colby whispered.

He kissed her and then pulled back and thrust forward. The bed shook, the headboard tapping against the wall. Tessa reached back with her free hand and tried to press against the headboard to prevent the noise.

But what did it matter? They were in the mountains. The middle of nowhere. No sounds mattered…

A few minutes later, the headboard smacked against the wall harder, louder, with each powerful movement of Colby’s perfect body. He touched her everywhere. His hands at her hips, her ass, the back of her legs. Then he moved up to her sides, her breasts, the back of her neck.

Everywhere he touched left traces of fire burning on Tessa’s body.

Her climax was warm, explosive, and it never seemed to end. Colby was right there with her the entire time. Moving and loving her body. His lips caressed down her neck, to her chest. He engulfed her breast, suckling hard, until Tessa cried out. Then he became suddenly gentle, softly pulling back.

Kissing back up her neck, Colby found Tessa’s lips again. She hurried and put a hand to the back of his head and held him there. Kissing. Tasting. Digging her heels into the bed and thrusting up at him. Matching his incredible speed. Wanting to feel him… all of him.

The kiss started to become sloppy now. The harder Colby thrust, the more Tessa felt like she had no control over her own body. She was there, pleasured, ragged, loving every second of it all. Her hands clawed at Colby’s back, hanging on tight to him. She put her head back to the pillows and let out a long cry. Colby’s tongue again moved down to her breasts. He was somehow seemingly everywhere at once.

Tessa felt Colby’s hand slip to the back of her head. He pulled at her, his tongue moving up her throat, around to her neck. His lips grazed her ear as he let out a small groan.

“Ah, pretty eyes,” he whispered. “You’re perfect.”

“Don’t hold back,” Tessa groaned.

She meant so much by it.

Colby looked at her again. Their eyes both on fire. He gritted his teeth and hissed as he reached his pinnacle. Tessa felt him pulsing and thickening deep inside her. And when the final thrust came, Colby let go. The feeling was enough to bring Tessa to the edge again. Her toes curled, her mouth opened, and she wanted to scream as loud as possible.

Nothing came out.

Colby stole her breath. Colby stole her heart.

She’d fallen in love with a rockstar.

But she feared what he’d give back to her.

They came down from the passion together, Colby gently moving from her body. He touched her face, touched her hair.

“I’m going to build a fire,” he whispered.

“You already have,” Tessa said. She took his hand and placed it to her chest.

“Oh… pretty eyes…”

“Colby, I… I love you.”

Tessa felt the words slipping out of her mouth, out of her control.

Before she could say anything else, Colby hurried from the bed. He grabbed his jeans and stepped into them. Tessa sat up, grabbing for the covers to cover her exposed body. Everything was exposed now, including her heart.

“Colby…”

He was at the door. He looked back.

Are those tears in his eyes?

“You can’t love me,” he said. “I should have never brought you here.”

And then he was gone.

* * *

Colby brought the ax down with a grunt. He didn’t need anymore firewood, he needed to get rid of his anger. Three more pieces smashed in half and Colby dropped the ax. He stood in the cold, breathing heavily, seeing his breath dancing in front of his face. His body shivered, his bare torso with sweat from chopping wood and having sex.

The cold air ripped at him, but Tessa got to him more.

He looked to the cabin and shook his head.

Gathering up some of the wood, he walked into the cabin. Tessa stood there wearing the sheet from the bed. He looked at her and then went to the fireplace. Crouching down, he put together a pile of kindling. Once that was lit, he put a few bigger pieces of wood on and gave them a minute or two to catch.

The heat from the fire felt good.

He stood, turned, and saw Tessa still standing there.

“Booze or hot chocolate?” he asked.

“The way I feel… both,” she said.

Colby nodded. “Have a seat. Warm up.”

“Am I allowed to stay?”

Colby took the shot and nodded. “Yeah. You’re not going anywhere.”

“Just checking. In case I have to put my clothes on and leave. Like the hotel.”

A second shot.

Colby gritted his teeth. “Maybe we should start with the booze.”

He walked to the kitchen and opened the cabinet. There was whiskey and a box of hot chocolate mix.

“Fuck it,” he groaned.

He grabbed a small cooking pot and filled it with water. He put it on the stove and turned on the burner. Waiting for the water to heat up bought time.

Colby knew he couldn’t keep going like this. Sharing deep moments with Tessa and then exploding and leaving because she wanted to know more about him. She’d already looked him up online.

What more did she want?

The truth.

From his own mouth.

The water was steaming hot enough and Colby took it off the stove. He poured it into the mugs and then stirred up the hot chocolate. He carried the two mugs - one red mug with a Christmas tree on it and a white mug with a chipped forest on it - to the living room.

Tessa was on the floor, cuddled up in the blanket. The sheet still around her body.

Colby approached and Tessa looked back and up at him.

“Hot chocolate?” he asked.

“Perfect,” she whispered.

“Look…”

“Forget what I said,” Tessa said. “That was just the moment…”

“No it wasn’t,” Colby said.

“Don’t…”

“I am. You love me. You’re in love with me. And… I’m in love with you, Tessa. I love you. And now I’m going to tell you the truth. I’m a murderer…”

(22)

Colby crouched down and put the two mugs on the floor. “Careful, it’s still hot.”

“Thanks,” Tessa said.

Colby got behind her and put his legs around her. He slipped his arms around her, holding her tight between his legs.

He took a few breaths, looking at the crackling fire.

“What are you doing?” Tessa asked.

“Enjoying this moment. Because I hate what comes next.”

“I’m not going…”

“We were signed really young,” Colby said. “Willow Son was just destined. The right band at the right time. We had crowds outside the clubs and bars. We were almost arrested for inciting a riot a few times. The crowds were big and they wanted us. They wanted Willow Son. We finally signed, got paid a ton of money, and started living the life. Everything we did was golden. We had so much music, we just kept recording. The idea of new music didn’t come into play for three years. So we just lived, partied, got in trouble, got out of trouble. We were arrested for so much shit. And you know what?”

Tessa looked back at Colby. “What?”

“We did whatever we had to do to get out of it,” Colby said. “The best lawyers. Paid judges. Paid off people. Anything. The celebrity thing helped. And, hell, we were rockstars. It was kind of expected. As long as we didn’t… as long as we didn’t kill anyone…”

Tessa licked her lips. “What happened, Colby? I want to hear you say it.”

“Tell me first what you read.”

“I…” Tessa shook her head.

“Do it,” Colby said. “Please.”

“Fine. I read that you were driving. Drunk. You crashed a car with two other people in it. One of the those men died. And you were charged…”

Colby shut his eyes and nodded.

He could still hear it all happening. The rev of the engine. The squeal of the tires. Then the horrible crashing and crunching sound. Almost like a giant soda can being stepped on. Darkness. Pain. Moans. Then a silence that would haunt him forever.

Colby opened his eyes and cleared his throat. “I was charged with killing my friend. Because I was the driver. Right?”

Tessa nodded.

“The truth, Tessa… I wasn’t driving the car.”

The words left Tessa’s eyes wide open.

Colby gave it a second to settle in as he reached for the hot chocolate and took a sip.

It was warm. Sugary. Not as satisfying as booze though.

“Drink,” he whispered. “It’s cool enough to drink.”

“I don’t want a drink…”

“Take a drink.”

Tessa grabbed her mug and took a sip. “It’s good.”

“It’s from a box. It’s all sugar.”

“It’s still good.”

Colby grinned. “You make me happy.”

“Just tell me everything. You weren’t driving? Who was?”

“A friend named Vinnie,” Colby said. “He and Richie were cousins. They grew up rough. Had a bad family. Bad everything. But we were all friends. They were tough guys. They’d beat the shit out of someone if we needed it done. I mean, if someone looked at us the wrong way or whatever, and security wouldn’t do it, Richie and Vinnie would. I should have never gotten in the car that night. But Richie and Vinnie got into some argument. Vinnie was dead drunk. He got to the car and told us all to fuck off. Richie climbed in and kept arguing with Vinnie. I tried to be the peacekeeper of it all. Hell, there was a party going on in the house. We were supposed to be having a good night.

“They kept going at it. Richie took a swing at Vinnie and then they started fighting. I jumped in the backseat and climbed forward to get between them. I stopped the fight and that’s when Vinnie started to drive. I screamed for him to stop. So he looked at me and told me he just wanted to take a ride. I should have stopped him. But I didn’t. He and Richie started talking and I thought things were going to be good. Quick spin around the block. But that’s not how it ever goes. Vinnie somehow lost control of the damn car. All I remember was him revving the engine, and then we were done. We hit a tree and the car just… crunch. Richie was killed on impact. That’s what they told us. Vinnie was hanging out the window. I damn near barely had a mark on me.”

“Then why did you get arrested?”

“I switched with Vinnie. He would have served jail time. So I switched with him. To save his ass.”

Tessa’s eyes were wide. “You did that…”

“I thought I could buy my way out of everything,” Colby said. “I came really close. I could have gotten into a lot more trouble than I did. You see why Portis wanted to keep a close eye on us, right?”

“I’m…”

“That’s not it,” Colby said. “I’m a murderer.”

“You weren’t driving, Colby.”

“Exactly.”

“I’m confused.”

Colby gritted his teeth. “The guilt destroyed Vinnie. He was a free man. And he buried himself in drugs and booze. Then he killed himself. Because of what I did.”

The room was silent.

The fire crackled.

It was close to dying out.

Colby pushed away from Tessa and went to the fire. He threw a couple logs on and let them catch.

He turned, standing there, arms at his side. It was the most vulnerable moment of his life.

“That’s the truth,” Colby said. “And no matter what I do… right or wrong, it gets thrown in my face. People always leaving comments and attacking me. The night I punched Portis? He made a comment about it. And the truth doesn’t matter. Why would it? If I tried to tell the truth, it would make things worse. I’d look like an asshole. And Vinnie’s dead. Richie’s dead. Nothing I could say would bring them back.”

Tessa slowly climbed to her feet. She approached, her hands holding the sheet around her body.

“I’m… I’m still in love with you,” she said.

Colby felt his heart squeeze, but it didn’t break.

No, it didn’t break.

Because Tessa… she was putting it all back together.

Tessa then opened her arms, opened the sheet, and she let it fall to the floor.

She stood there before Colby, naked.

He shook his head. His hands came forward, gently touching her body. Fingers sliding to her hips, to her lower back. Pulling her close.

“You do this… we do this…” Colby licked his lips. “I don’t say things I don’t mean. I fall - I did fall - in love with you, and that’s it.”

“That’s it,” Tessa whispered.

Their lips slowly came together. Colby slowly turned sideways, letting the heat of the fire sweep over both of them. Tessa’s hands went right for his jeans again. There was nothing but his jeans on this time.

Tessa’s hand moved into his jeans, her fingers sliding around him, holding him tight. Her touch was hotter than the fire next to him. Tessa was the most beautiful woman he’d ever met.

Maybe fate was real. Maybe it was just something romantic to fantasize about.

But as Colby gently lowered Tessa to the floor, hovering over her body, he never felt anything so intense in his life.

Tessa still held tight to his manhood, her small and soft hand stroking with care. Colby made fists and placed them on the floor, keeping himself above Tessa’s body. Not for fear of crushing her, but because he wanted to watch her body. He wanted to watch himself ease in and out of her, watch her wide and sultry rock with his thrusts. He wanted to see the way her breasts moved, feel her nails digging at his arms, and then see the pleasure and love pouring from her eyes.

As he came forward, slipping into Tessa again, he realized she was the ultimate comfort he’d been looking for all his life. Miles on the road, miles in the air, all of it was a sense of searching. For this moment right here.

They came together, gently at first, Tessa’s breathing slow and heavy. But Colby couldn’t hold himself back for long. Not with the way Tessa was able to move, to groan, to tear right through every wall he’d ever built and get to his soul.

Colby placed a hand to the back of her head and held her. He sped up, needing her, not just for tonight, but for the rest of his life.

* * *

Tessa felt Colby’s lips touch her shoulder. A second later, his fingers were there.

“I think our hot chocolate is cold,” he whispered.

Tessa grinned and opened her eyes. It was dark out now. She had fallen asleep. They had made love - no, they had fucked… good and hard… - right in front of the fire. When they finished, Colby held Tessa. She shut her eyes for a moment and it was now hours later.

That’s what time did when she was with him. It just slipped away. It had no more meaning. Time was just a reminder of searching. Tessa didn’t have to search anymore.

She turned to her back. Colby was right there, his naked body still against hers. Tessa was certain Colby was hotter than the fire. She reached up and touched his face. He gently kissed her lips.

“Thank you for telling me the truth,” she whispered. “I would never judge you, either way.”

“I know,” Colby said. “To finish the story… that guy at the club who wanted to hurt me. His name is Dan. He’s Vinnie’s brother-in-law. He always blamed me for everything. Vinnie told him the truth and Dan saw how much it messed with Vinnie’s head. That’s why I never get mad when he shows up. Which isn’t often. That makes me scared for you. Harry and Portis wanted me to get some kind of restraining order on him or something. I just might have to now. I would hate myself if you were hurt because of my past.”

“Then don’t worry about it,” Tessa said. “Just focus on the future.”

Colby shook his head. “No. I can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“Why would I care about the future when the present is so beautiful?”

Tessa lost her breath for a second.

Colby’s hand traced her cheek and moved down her neck. He cupped her breast and she let out a sigh. Never before had a man made her feel so alive. Made her body react so quickly to a single touch.

His fingertips kept going… down her body, beyond her belly, all the way down until he curled around her damp sex. His fingers touched, playing, leaving Tessa rocking up, wanting him back inside her. The need had never been so great before. It was like she couldn’t be completely satisfied… but she was. She was more than satisfied.

She was addicted.

She was in love.

With a rockstar…

But what would happen tomorrow?

(23)

Tessa slowly sat up and stretched her arms above her head. The blankets slid down her body, revealing she was still topless. Letting out a small cry, she grabbed the blankets and lifted them back up. She couldn’t remember a time in her life when she spent so much time naked.

She hugged the blanket around herself.

The fire was still going, but almost dead. The pile of embers glowed like the seconds of a clock ticking away.

Tessa rose up and walked to the stone fireplace. There was a mirror on the mantel. She looked in the mirror and hated how she looked in the morning. Messy hair, tired eyes, but her face glowed with that sense of great sex. It made Tessa blush.

They had only made love one more time before Tessa’s body couldn’t take anymore. That’s when Colby carried her to the soft, and extremely comfortable, couch. That was the end of the night for her.

Tessa put a small log on the fire and watched it slowly catch. The heat was nice, but the lonely feeling wasn’t.

She checked the bedroom first. Empty. Walking through the cabin, the wood floor wasn’t forgiving on her feet. Her toes ached and shivered. In the kitchen, there was coffee made, but still no sign of Colby. She walked to the door and opened it. A gust of cold air hit her mouth and lungs, stealing her breath for a second. Tessa hugged the blanket tighter to herself and looked out to see Colby chopping firewood.

He stood there with no shirt on, like a fool in the cold, swinging an axe.

It was hot. So sexy to see.

Almost as sexy as seeing Colby on stage with Willow Son.

He put a piece of wood on a stump block and with one good swing, it cracked in half. Colby grabbed the wood and then peeled it the rest of the way apart.

Colby tossed the wood into a small pile and then looked back and saw Tessa. He dropped the axe and ran right to her.

Watching him run…no shirt on… tattoos and muscles… sweat glistening… his breath spread all around him…

Tessa started to get uncomfortable in the best way possible. Her knees touched and she bit her lip. She was so turned on, again.

Colby ran right to her, pushed her inside, and shut the door. He hugged her and Tessa felt his cold yet sweaty chest.

“Morning,” he said and kissed her.

“Good morning to you.”

“Don’t mind me. I’ve been up for a little while. I made coffee. I’ll make some breakfast.”

“I can cook…”

“No,” Colby said. “I don’t get to cook for someone that often.”

“Groupies never spend the night?”

Colby laughed. “I don’t bring people up here. This is my haven. My place.”

“Sorry I invaded it.”

“No, pretty eyes, I wouldn’t have it any other way. It feels complete up here now with you. I have a reason to keep the fire going. To make a full pot of coffee. To cook breakfast.”

Tessa smiled and felt her cheeks blushing. “You have to leave today, don’t you?”

“Not really. We agreed to take some time off before the show. So the way I see it…it’s you, me, and this place. Until you get sick of me and steal my truck.”

“I don’t think that will happen.”

“What about you?” Colby asked. He hugged her again. “Do you have to get back to your sisters?”

“Probably. I have a rental car that needs to be returned. I have… whatever.”

“Work stuff?” he asked.

“How about that breakfast?” Tessa asked.

“I can make that happen.”

“Do you mind if I take a shower?”

“Alone?”

Tessa giggled. “Yes. Alone.”

“Are you sure? I saw a pretty big spider in there last time I was here. I better join you. Just to make sure… I mean, if that spider…”

“You’re a rockstar and that’s how you get a woman in the shower with you?” Tessa laughed. “Maybe I really don’t have to worry about the groupies at all.”

“Are you tempting me?”

“To do what?”

Colby smiled. Tessa felt her heart pounding in her chest.

Colby grabbed the blankets and tore them from Tessa’s body. He threw them to the middle of the kitchen floor, leaving her standing there naked. His fingers grazed down her arms, to her hips, finding comfort at her ass. He pulled her close and lifted her up.

Tessa’s breasts pressed to Colby’s strong chest.

His arms were so strong, so perfect.

“That’s better,” she whispered.

“Yeah?” Colby asked.

He turned and started to walk. He went through the cabin to the bathroom and kicked the door open. The upstairs was a little chilly. Tessa’s hands dug hard into Colby’s back muscles.

Colby walked right to the shower and turned it on.

“Give it a few seconds,” Colby whispered.

“For what?”

“To heat up.”

“Don’t let me go, Colby. Now… or ever.”

“I won’t. I promise.”

Colby kissed her. His darted into her mouth, bringing another sense of warmth. Next to them, the shower started to heat up. For a second, Tessa thought it was going to be like in the hotel the first time they came together.

But Colby always had a way to surprise her.

Colby stepped to the side and moved to the shower. Tessa broke the kiss and watched in shock as Colby got into the shower, still holding Tessa, as he wore jeans and boots.

“Colby…”

“You said not to let you go,” he whispered.

He turned and the shower water pounded both their bodies. The water was hot, comforting, just like Colby.

Tessa laughed, bit her lip, and then kissed Colby hard.

A minute later, Colby wrestled with his soaking wet jeans, getting them down just enough so his thickness could be free… and he could take care of Tessa again.

When Colby entered her, pinning her against the shower wall, she cried out in pleasure.

I need this… forever… I just have to tell him what I’ve done…

* * *

Colby got out of the shower first. He left his jeans balled up at the back of the shower. His boots would take forever to dry, but it was so worth it.

He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his body. He got a second towel and left it for Tessa. Leaving the bathroom, he gave her some privacy. Once in the bedroom, Colby got some clothes, dried off, and dressed. He ran a hand through his damp hair and sat on the edge of the bed. Staring at the bathroom door, he shook his head.

He loved her. He didn't just say it without meaning. And she knew everything about him. The truth. It would always hand over his head, what happened. It was the biggest mistake of Colby’s life, getting in that car, but it had happened. In that moment, he was just trying to help. Switching spots with Vinnie was supposed to make things easier, even though it didn’t.

A tightness caught up in Colby’s throat. He let out a breath and had the sudden urge to write. He moved from the bed and went for the dresser. He always kept pens and paper. Tessa’s bag was on an old notebook. He grabbed the edge of the notebook and pulled. Her bag slid and fell, upside down, spilling out a little.

“Shit,” Colby said.

He bent and started to clean up the mess he’d made. What he saw he didn’t mean to actually see… but it was a plane ticket. It was dated for yesterday. A plane ticket in Tessa’s name, sending her to Texas.

Standing, Colby had the ticket in his hand. He studied it, confused.

She had a rental here. She had been helping her sisters here. She had missed her flight… why?

“It’s not the same without you.”

Colby looked up and saw Tessa emerging from the bathroom in a towel.

“What’s this?” Colby asked.

“What?”

“Plane ticket…”

Tessa’s face dropped. “Oh. That…”

“I didn’t mean to find it,” Colby said. “I bumped your bag and it fell. Were you supposed to leave yesterday?”

Tessa licked her lips. “I… I couldn’t just leave without trying to see you again.”

“What?”

“I had a little bit of time off. I was supposed to be at a conference in Texas. For three days. I knew there was no chance of you being in Texas. I knew Willow Son was hanging around the Sacramento area. I didn’t need to see Wendy and Anna. I didn’t need to help. But I did. Just in case I had the chance…”

“You skipped your job because of me?”

“Yeah. It’s no big deal. I’ve never taken time off. They don’t care.”

Colby looked at the ticket again. He moved toward the bed and dropped the ticket on the bed. “So… the first few times…”

“That all just happened,” Tessa said. “I swear.”

“But this one you did. You tempted fate.”

“I didn’t tempt it, Colby. I just made my own. For once.”

Colby stood frozen. He stared at Tessa in a way he never did before. Everything had been casual. Had been fun. Had been bumping into each other and turning it into something greater. But this was all planned out. Tessa knew where Willow Son was.

“Let me ask you something,” Colby said. “How did you… I mean, were you going to look for me? For the band?”

“If I had to,” Tessa said.

“But the coffee shop…”

“You had a picture there,” Tessa said. “And Wendy asked the owner - Marie - about it during her interview.”

“Marie,” Colby said with a smile.

“Tell me you slept with Marie. Tell me you slept with Wendy’s boss.”

“No,” Colby said. “She did want me to take her niece out once. But I declined. That coffee shop is part of my thing. My lonely thing.”

“I guess not anymore.”

“So every time I go there I’ll have to face your sister.”

Tessa nodded.

“You stole my… you stole my loneliness, Tessa.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

Colby didn’t answer. He reached for the plane ticket and walked it to Tessa. “You can’t change your life for me, pretty eyes. I’m going to make you promise me that. You’re not going to miss meetings or conferences, or whatever. You’re going to live your life the way you want. I’m going to live mine the way I want. That’s how it’s going to be.”

Tessa looked surprised. She clutched the top of the towel. Her eyes looked glossy.

“What does that mean? Are you…”

“I’m telling you I love you,” Colby said. “And that fate is always going to be on our side. So when you need to go to Texas for a conference, you go. And when I need to go San Diego for a show, I go. We’ll always have this place. Each other. And fate.”

“And if fate turns its back?” Tessa asked.

Colby grinned. He then ripped the plane ticket in half and dropped it to the floor. “Then we make our own fate.”

He slid his arms around Tessa and held her tight.

If she hadn’t tracked him down, Colby would have easily found out where Tessa was. He would have been there, waiting in a heartbeat, ready to make his own fate. Whether the game of love worked on purpose on randomly, one thing was for damn sure… Colby was a wild rockstar and always would be… but his heart… his wild heart? That now belonged to Tessa. To pretty eyes.

(24)

Christie was three drinks deep and sat on a black square case that had Willow Son spray painted on it in white. Her feet dangled and she giggled as she talked to Ryker.

Oh, the trouble there…

They were waiting for the final call for Willow Son to take the stage. The outside venue had an estimated twenty-five thousand people, all there for a five hour music festival hosted by Portis. The grand finale was the announcement of Willow Son signing with his record label and then a fireworks show out in the water.

Tessa hadn’t seen Colby in almost an hour. There were some last minute discussions going on with Portis. But that didn’t seem to make much sense since the rest of the band was lingering around the backstage area.

The stage was empty, the techs quickly setting up the Willow Son gear.

The fans were cheering, chanting, waiting for the band.

Tessa hated to interrupt Christie and Ryker, but she grabbed his arm. “Where’s Colby?”

“I don’t know,” Ryker said.

“Is he meeting with Portis?”

“We’ve been done,” Ryker said. “Portis is sitting on the roof of his restaurant.”

“What… what about Harry?”

“He’s over there on his phone.”

Tessa looked and Harry was pacing back and forth, wearing a backstage pass. He had his phone stuck to one ear, a finger in the other. Tessa couldn’t even bother him about Colby.

She licked her lips and started to worry.

That’s when the lights went out on the stage.

The sun was mostly set, leaving next to no light all around. There was just the neon glow of the lights from the bars and restaurants next to the water.

The crowd exploded with screams, leaving it impossible to talk and be heard.

Ryker let out a yell, “GOTTA GO!” and disappeared.

A tech was there, handing him a guitar.

Tessa watched as Willow Son - without Colby - took the stage.

Brantley got behind the drums and started to play, hitting the bass drum. Van came in with the bass. Ryker and Jett hit an open chord, letting the thundering cry echo all around.

That got everyone more excited.

Tessa stared at the side of the stage. Christie held her arm, jumping and screaming.

She saw a figure approaching from the darkness of the hallway. Her heart pounded, and not just because of the blaring and heavy rock music carrying through the speakers.

When she saw it was Colby, relief swept over her.

He stopped at the side of the stage and grabbed ear pieces and put them around his neck. He then patted the tech on the shoulder and ran to Tessa. Grabbing her by the shoulders, he kissed her, hard, and then let the tip of his nose gently brush again hers.

That was it.

No words.

Colby turned and walked to the stage.

Tessa backed up and watched him as he became visible to the crowd. They got louder. And Colby started waving his arms, getting everyone moving. They all started jumping and bouncing, moving with the music.

“We’re back!” Colby shouted.

And that’s all it took.

Willow Son was officially back. They went right into a song… and they didn’t stop. This wasn’t some dumb show to look fancy because they were signed with Portis. This was a rock show. This was Willow Son showing the fans - the world - they were far from done. And each song somehow sounded better than the previous one. Colby ran the stage corner to corner, jumping off, going into the crowd, working harder than Tessa could have ever possibly imagined a rockstar work.

She had a front row seat tonight… and she wanted one for the rest of her life.

* * *

Willow Son stood at the edge of the stage. Colby pointed out to the crowd and couldn’t stop waving. The feeling in his chest was unbelievable. Never once did he believe the band would never play a show again, but it had been too damn long. Now it was back to business and back to being the rockstars they were meant to be.

What Tessa didn’t know was that Colby had used some favors and contacts to get her schedule for the rest of the year. Wherever she went on business was where Willow Son would be going on tour. They’d take a tour bus, they’d fly, whatever, to and from the studio, to shows, to anything needed.

Colby would be with Tessa as much as he could.

Temping fate? Yeah.

Controlling fate? Definitely.

But he loved her. He wanted her. He needed her.

Once he was off the stage, he peeled his shirt off his body and tossed it to the side. The band huddled around him, the energy from the show still flowing through them.

Portis approached, a drink in his hand. “Gentlemen.”

Colby nodded. “Portis.”

“Shall we announce this?” he asked.

“Tell us what you thought of the show first,” Colby said.

“Simple. I’m on the roof of my restaurant. I’m enjoying a thousand dollar plate of food. I’m surrounded by the most beautiful women in the world. And you know what? None of it compared to the sight before my eyes. Willow Son taking twenty-five thousand people and removing them from their lives for two hours. It’s big, gentlemen. It’s big. Dare I say it, but I’m honored.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed the show,” Colby said. He grabbed Portis by the shoulder. “But you’re wrong about something.”

“Oh?”

“The most beautiful women in the world? They don’t stand a chance…”

Colby walked away from Portis and scooped up Tessa in his arms. He kissed her, held her, letting the energy of the show go to her. It never felt so good to be alive, to live a dream, to have love.

An hour later, after Portis gave a half drunk speech about Willow Son, the fireworks started to go off.

Colby sat on the side of the stage, leaning on a guitar rig, Tessa curled up between his legs. He stroked her hair, kissed her cheek, and waited.

When a firework exploded into a heart, he squeezed Tessa tighter.

“That one’s for you, pretty eyes,” he whispered. “You make my heart explode.”

She looked back at him, smiling, eyes glossy again.

It was money well spent.

But nothing mattered… money, fame, being a rockstar… in the moment Colby and Tessa stared at each other. All that mattered then was love.

The rockstar and pretty eyes.

* * *

(EPILOGE)

Jett finished another strong shot, but it wasn’t strong enough. Nothing was ever strong enough, that’s just how it was in the life.

Everything was so busy, again.

Crowds coming and going. Portis celebrating Willow Son. Willow Son celebrating Willow Son. The rockstars who shouldn't have made it did make it and were going to be something even bigger. That meant more work, more touring, more of everything.

Jett knew everyone in the band had their skeletons hiding. Their demons were alive, maybe not attacking, but certainly lurking. There was a phone number Jett could have called right then to take care of some things for him. First off, the feeling of being so alone around so many people. That was one thing he could never talk to the band about. Being rich and famous put him in the limelight and put him in front of a lot of people all the time. The one night stands, ten minutes of pleasure, all of that was great.

But it didn’t take away what the true lonely feeling was like.

There was one thing that helped.

Those little white pills.

They were fucking brutal to mess with, but sometimes Jett just needed them. He never took too many at once. He couldn’t talk to the doctor again because that would lead to questions, options for other treatments. The truth was… Jett just wanted to feel good. To feel normal in the madness that was his life.

From past to present, it collided together.

It weighed on him terribly.

But just one of the pills could help. That’s what they were for.

Just talk to Harry…

His mind reasoned with him over and over about it.

Harry could have made a call. Shit, he could have pulled a favor. Better yet, Portis probably had connections that went up and down the coast. But Portis wanted the band to be good. To be on the straight line.

The straight line.

That’s what Jett was looking for. The straight line. Just to chill out for a minute. To sleep off the show, the signing, the everything that had been happening.

Before the show started, like some kind of fate or whatever, Jett got a phone call from an old friend. It had been months since he’d seen his friend. That’s because Jett refused to worry about the lonely feeling and the pills for a while. Plus, his doctor had helped him with a legal prescription. That was dry, and now his friend was hang around near the front gate at the stage. Just like he always did. Hands in his pockets, headphones around his neck. Looking like any other Willow Son fan, right? That was the purpose of the guy.

Jett broke away and wandered toward the front of the gate. The rest of the band was talking with Portis and Harry. There were drinks, women, a night of anything goes.

That’s what Jett wanted.

That anything goes kind of feeling without hurting or feeling lonely.

He walked up to the guy - his friend - and nodded. “Autograph?”

“Hitting the big time again,” his friend said. “You sure about this?”

“I took your call, didn’t I?”

“We haven’t talked in a while. Thought you cleaned up and got help.”

“I don’t need help. I’m good where I am. You good?”

“Always.”

Jett reached into his pocket and took out some cash. He never looked around, never wanting to be suspicious. The cash had a marker with it.

The guy - his friend - took the cash and Jett took the top off the marker.

Jett was then handed a little black pouch. Usually it was filled with guitar picks or random shit, the white pills on the bottom. Jett took the pouch and put the marker to his friend’s palm. Hey, some fans were crazy, right? Women wanted their breasts signed. Guys sometimes asked for their arms to get signed.

“Thank you,” Jett said. “You have…”

A hand clamped down on Jett’s wrist.

He looked up and saw a thick guy standing behind his friend, lip curled.

“Hold up, my man,” Jett said. “I’ll sign for you next.”

“No,” the guy said. “You’re going to come for a ride with me…”

Jett opened his mouth to laugh… maybe tell the guy to go screw himself…

But then Jett looked at his friend. He mouthed I’m sorry.

Jett looked back to the thick guy and his opened his jacket.

He revealed a badge.

Jett had just been caught buying drugs.

* * *