Bad Beats: A Rock-Star Step-Brother Romance (24 page)

I have a good idea. The games have begun.

Masters is the first through the gate. “What’s going on here? Who are all these people and who authorized them to land?”

Jagger Hewitt motions the three newest arrivals closer. “Why don’t you pull up a chair? There is plenty to go around.”

“Did you authorize this, Hewitt?” Masters demands, ignoring his offer to sit and eat.

“And if I did that wouldn’t be an issue now would it, considering I own this island and control who can or cannot enjoy its beauty.”

“We had an agreement. Perhaps we should talk about it in private,” Masters blusters, his face getting all splotchy.

“I don’t think that’s necessary. You can express your concerns here. We’re all friends; some of our visitors are family even.”

Masters finally takes the time to look over our diverse group. He visibly gulps when he spots Chloe. Simon Crabs has enough sense to stay quiet and takes a seat. William follows his example, accepting a plate from Josh. The producer sticks to coffee.

“Surprise visits are not something we discussed. There are privacy concerns with the show. I don’t need to spell it all out for you, do I?”

Cadie’s father clamors to his feet, pulling up my mom. “We have been trying to reach our children to share some good news. Had we been able to reach them by phone or email, we would have. Instead I had to email Mr. Hewitt, who generously offered to fly us out to see them. Kids, we’re married. We eloped. That’s what we’ve been so eager to tell you both.”

My mouth drops. Cadie’s fork clunks on her plate. Masters throws back his head and laughs, and Chloe has the nerve to shout:

“That is so gross! Now Shag and Cadie are brother and sister. They’ve been sleeping together.”

Cadie is out of her chair before I have a chance to stop her. She’s marches over to Chloe and yanks her out of her chair by the hair. “You little, conniving bitch. All you do is hurt other people. You have a wonderful husband, a baby, money, and it’s just not enough for you, is it? Let me help you answer.”

I snigger when Cadie maneuvers Chloe’s head, turning it side to side.

“No. That’s true. It isn’t enough. You have to tear down everyone else, don’t you?”

Again, Cadie tugs Chloe’s head, this time up and down.

“Yes, I thought so. Let me tell you something. Shag and I will never be brother and sister. We don’t share blood. We started dating before we ever knew our parents had met. And, because of that last reason, we didn’t grow up together. As long as we don’t get married, it’s not illegal and it isn’t immoral.”

Cadie releases Chloe’s hair.

Crying, Chloe collapses into her chair and turns to Slyder for support.

Slyder raises his palms and scoots his chair away from her.

Her whole expression changes, and for the first time in my life, I almost feel sorry for her. Her shoulders slump and her bottom lip quivers. More tears follow, but no one moves to offer comfort.

“Sorry about that, everyone. Didn’t mean to get out of hand,” Cadie says, her voice trembling. “Dad, Regina, congratulations. I’m so happy for both of you. I hope you can be happy for us.”

“No!” Masters interrupts. “You promised to be the wildcard. This contest isn’t over yet. We still have another two weeks of taping.” Our director looks like he’s about to join Chloe in the cry-baby corner.

I hope like hell Jagger has this all taping.

Cadie hugs her father and my mom, motioning for me to join her.

They embrace us both, and my mom whispers, “We’re not getting married. I love this man. Marriage has always led to divorce for me, so this time, I’m trying something new. A long term, permanent relationship, without the vows.”

Not to be undone, her father adds, “We want you kids to be happy without any stigma. You don’t need that kind of judgment.”

“Really?” Cadie gives her dad a funny look, almost like she’s asking for his approval on some deeper level.

I realize then I don’t know anything about her parents, nothing significant about her mom or her family dynamics, growing up.

“Really honey. I’m so sorry. We’ll talk more later. Regina, should we go explore this paradise?”  He makes sure the last question is heard by everyone.

They leave hand in hand at the same time another gold vehicle zips across the lawn.

“What are they doing here?” Masters shrieks. “What is going on?”

No one answers. Everyone is too busy watching the new arrivals climb off the cart and head toward us. They don’t bother coming into our patio area, parking themselves outside the wall.

“We heard there was a party?” Lila snips. “Oh good God. Chloe, what are you crying about?” She glances at Reggie who raises a brow. “I was in the middle of a private surfing lesson. Can someone please tell me why I’m here?”

My phone beeps. I glance down. It’s a text from Jace, instructing me to tell Lila she’s the next one off the show, and that because of our past relationship, I’m giving her a heads up.

“Lila, Rick, sorry to interrupt your lesson. I just want to let Lila know I will not be giving her another backstage pass.”

Simon Crabs finally speaks up. “You can’t just make a decision like that. There are other votes to consider.”

“I want her off. We’re never getting back together. Besides, even if I wanted to, it would be kind of hard.”

Lila has the nerve to ask, “What do you mean…hard?”

She really is a piece of work. “Lila, besides the fact I can’t stand you, there’s a slight problem. You’re already married.”

Masters lets out a tortured groan.

“Rick, or should I say, Reggie, put a ring on your finger not long after we parted ways. This was all part of your game to get back at me for what, I don’t know. You were the one who screwed me over. Why all the hate? Is it because I made it big and you weren’t along for the ride? Did Reggie convince you we were going nowhere? It’s sad, you know. I loved you. I would have brought with me. Had I known you wanted to sing and had such a great voice, I would have helped your career. Now it’s too late. I love someone else. I love her in a way that you could never have competed with, even on your best day.”

Reggie starts over the wall.

“What Reggie? You wanna fight? Why? Because I told it how I see it. Does the truth hurt? You got Lila. You seem good at your job. What was the point of all this?”

He steps back and reaches for Lila’s hand, mouthing something at her. They start to leave, but Lila turns back and glares at Chloe.

“It was all her idea, you know. Chloe tracked me down and told me how much she hated you. She’d seen me singing on YouTube. She found that song you wrote for me mixed in with Slyder’s music. This was supposed to make me a star.”

William, who has been silent through all our exchanges, finally speaks up, blowing my mind. “Too bad you weren’t such a backstabbing bitch, I would have signed you. You better be glad I’m not going to industry black ball you. I can’t promise Shag or someone else won’t. It’s sad you might have thrown away your dreams and talent over such childish nonsense.”

He’s right it is sad. Lila can sing. I have to give her props about that. Had she come to me right, apologized for the past, I might have helped her. We’ll never know now. I’ll talk it over with Cadie. If she’s cool with it, I won’t put up any roadblocks to her future career.

It’s up to my girl.

Cadie

“I never wanted to draw attention to myself, but that’s all I do.”

-Slash

Sex in the sand, on the beach, under the sun-shielding, portable canopy, with the warm ocean licking at my feet, is the way to go. This particular spot has become our favorite place to shag these past weeks. With Shag dozing next me, I allow my mind drift back to the time immediately following that fateful breakfast.

After our major showdown that went nothing like Jagger planned, the producers threatened to sue Shag if he violated his contract. Once again, Jagger Hewitt came to our rescue. He used his technical wizardry and bottomless bank account to make sure that what was eventually labeled “The Breakfast Breakdown” was released as the next episode, online and off. Next he sent out a survey, asking if people would be satisfied, declaring me the final winner and watching my relationship with Shag progress over the course of the next two weeks.

You see where I’m going with this?

Shag completed the show. Every episode aired. And viewership increased even more after “The Breakfast Breakdown.” With an additional push from William and his father at Rogue Beat, the production team accepted the updated (totally revamped) format and went on to make millions right along with us.

That’s right. Shag got the biggest bonus available, and
Roping a Rock-Star
became the most watched ‘reality’ program in the history of ‘reality’ programming. The last episode/webisode aired three weeks ago and we’re still trending at number one on every social media platform. Other rock-stars are clamoring for a chance to be on the show. Shag and I have been asked to co-host the next season with a new director and production team behind us.

We haven’t decided yet. We’re too busy enjoying each other.

The band is finishing up their album right here on the island, in Jagger Hewitt’s personal recording studio (yes, he has one of those too). My dad and Regina flew home along with Josh, who has become the official owner of my rats.

Robin and me are doing fantastic, best friends forever, and all that good stuff. Now that she has her own guy, she’s happier than I’ve ever seen her. She credits me and Shag for her hookup with the billionaire Frenchman who looks like a rock-star but can’t sing or play an instrument. Money can’t buy true talent. He’s the first to admit that.

Slyder and Chloe, jaw dropper, are parting ways. They decided to do things amicably and will share time equally with the one good thing they created together: their son. She even apologized to me and is pursuing counseling to help with whatever it is that makes her want to destroy lives. I hope it works.

We heard Lila signed with a solid indie record label and Shag, with my approval, decided to gift her the old love song. Releasing it to her was like completely closing the door on that part of his life. He will get credit for writing it, earning more money if she makes it the hit it deserves to be.

Oh…Robin stopped drinking, officially. Jagger, who could care less about booze, stopped too, just to support her. I think things are moving
a lot
too fast with them, but who am I too judge. Sometimes the stars align just right and insta-love happens, even to a previous, borderline man-hater like me.

As for Misty and Marcus, not a word on Misty; she’s dropped off the face of the earth, forgive the cliché, but it’s true. Marcus is begging for a job at LMZ. When a super rich Frenchman made an obscene offer to the owners of
Rolling Rock Magazine
, they couldn’t refuse. The first thing the new owner did was fire Marcus Rodriguez and flag him as un-hirable. Did I mention, meeting Jagger Hewitt has been a real benefit?

Anyway…

Ready to reveal two secrets to Shag, I tickle his side. “Wake up sexy rock-star…”

“What? You ready to go again?” He rubs his eyes and reaches for my breast.

“In a minute. First, I need to tell you something.”

He sits up, suddenly awake. “You’re pregnant?” His eyes fill with hope.

Wow.
I wasn’t expecting that reaction. It gives me something to think about, that’s for sure.

“No, hon. Not pregnant; not yet. But it’s good to know if I was pregnant you’d be excited. I’ll log that away for future reference. I kind of want to get married first. I know that’s old fashioned, all things considered.”

“Duly noted, babe. So no bun in oven. What then?”

I have to swallow my giggles. The first thing I have to share is serious.

“Yesterday you asked about my mom again. I know I’ve been evasive when it comes to her, and I know you’re just learning to handle gut-wrenching stories, but I think you’re ready, and most of all, I am finally ready to share. Only my father and Robin know the story of her death.”

He pats the space between his legs and I move between them, making him my human chair and leaning my head on his shoulder.

“When I was a teenager, I was a brat. Selfish, rude, outspoken.”

There’s a rumble against my back.

“Hey, I felt that. So I can be those things now, but in all seriousness, I was a hellion. I had my mom wrapped around my finger. If I wanted something, she’d do it for me, regardless of how it inconvenienced her. I overheard my father and her arguing about the issue more than once.

I left school early one day, not feeling well. An hour later, I realized I left an important project behind. I was feeling better by then but didn’t want to take the bus back to pick up my work after the final bell. I begged and pleaded until my mom gave in like she always did. She picked up my project, and on the way home a drunk driver hit her car with such force it flipped. We were told it rolled three times before hitting a telephone pole. She died in the hospital three days later.”

“Fuck, babe. I’m so sorry. It wasn’t your fault. It was that drunk asshole’s fault. Another reason why drinking and drugging upset you. I’m sad I couldn’t have met the awesome woman who helped create such an amazing woman. Did she have red hair too?”

“She did, and my dad has always said I’m a younger version of her. It was the accident that changed our relationship. I thought he blamed me. He became very overprotective and paranoid, worried he’d lose me too. That’s when I turned to food as a form of comfort. I wouldn’t turn to chemicals so I ran to chocolate and chips and…”

“Hey, we’ve talked about the weight and food thing. I love your body. I like to enjoy a meal with you. If you start eating one lettuce leaf like some of the women I’ve known, we’re gonna have problems.”

Now I laugh, wiping away a few stray tears at the same time. “I promise. We won’t have that problem. I like food. I just don’t like to cook it.”

“Remember what Hewitt said, he’ll just hire someone to cook the food as long as there’s a pretty lady to enjoy it with. That’s not word for word but close enough.”

“I remember, and I’m not trying to lose weight. We just walk a lot here and shag more.”

He kisses my neck. “We do shag an awful lot. Think we should slow it down?”

“Never,” I whisper. I can see where this is headed and I still have one more thing to reveal, a good thing.

“I’m not quite done. So whatever that hard thing is poking at my back, it needs to settle down for a few more minutes.”

He groans. “Can’t promise that.”

“This is news you’re going to like. I’ll talk fast. Jagger wants you to help him design a lighthouse for that one cliff on the island’s east side. It doesn’t need one, but he’s always wanted to have a lighthouse. I might have mentioned your dream, and he was onboard in an instant. He wants to make it a deluxe lighthouse, totally livable. And…he wants it to be our home when we’re not in LA or on the road.”

Shag lifts me off his front and easily manoeuvres me onto my back. “You’re not joking?”

I reach for his hair that’s growing back so fast it’s like he’s put miracle grow in his shampoo bottle. I give it a tug.

“Would I ever joke about something this important? I know what helping with a lighthouse will mean to you. I’m guessing you like the idea.”

“Like? More like love it.” He pushes my hair away from my forehead and kisses me gently. “There is one thing I love more than any lighthouse, song, food, money…more than anything. That’s you, Cadie Cat. And please believe me, I am so sorry about your mom. If you need to cry, I’m here for you.”

I pull his head down, angling my mouth to meet his. Our tongues dance and twirl, searching and exploring. Shag Steal doesn’t just kiss, he makes love to my mouth. When he kisses me, it’s like his mouth is connected to my clit. Despite the tropical weather, I shiver all over, arching into his caresses. As much as I enjoy our rough naughty times, I’ll never get enough of the gentler, patient version of Shag as my lover.

Always aware of my moods, he maintains his softer touch, palming my breasts, while continuing to kiss me senseless. I’m so wet and achy, I need him inside me now. His kisses and the soft caresses have me hovering on the brink, and he hasn’t touched my pussy. There’s a fresh urgency between us.

“Shag, please, love me now.” I stretch my legs wider, never happier to already be naked.

Running his hands through my hair, his gaze locked on my mine, he pushes in. I love the way his piercing scrapes my walls, setting my nerve endings on fire. Once he’s seated inside, he goes still.

“Look at me, babe.”

My eyes flutter open. That cocky, crude, bad boy expression I’ve grown to love has momentarily been replaced by something akin to reverence. This crazy, smart, sexy, and totally talented man is devoted to me.

I smile and scrape my nails down his back, trigging the smirk that makes my toes curl in the sand.

“That’s my girl,” he whispers, his hips coming alive, matching my rhythm. 

My back arches and my hips undulate as I meet him thrust for thrust. The tide is coming in and the surf slithers under and around us, bathing us in its warmth. The sensations of sand, sea, and Shag are too much and I combust, crying out as my body soars. Shag loses himself a second later, his grunts and groans a symphony to my ears.

Knowing I give this man as much pleasure as he gives me is something that never ceases to amaze me.

“Cadie, we need to go. That orgasm sent me over the edge and a new song is banging around in my head. I gotta get it on paper.”

I kiss him hard. “What’s it about?”

“Have you ever played poker?”

“No, but I know you have.”

“There’s something called a Bad Beat. It can send even the best players on a tilt, totally affecting their decisions and their luck. With you in my life it’s like I can forget about the Bad Beats, because I’ve got the winning hand every time with you.”

I don’t have clue what he’s talking about, but it just might be one the sweetest things he’s said.

Another song inspired by me: Bad Beats.

“I guess I should learn to play poker then.”

“You’d do that for me?” His voice holds a hint of awe.

“Haven’t you figured out yet I’d do just about anything for you, Shag Steal.”

He slaps my bare bottom, brushing the sand off in the process. “I have some great betting games we can play.”

I shake my head and laugh. “No doubt you do.”

We gather our stuff, leaving the canopy behind. We’ll be back tomorrow.

Shag is already humming his new tune. From what I hear, it’s got hit written all over it. I might be a little bias, but it has got one hell of a bad beat.