Something I Need (xoxo Nashville Book 1) (27 page)

“No way. I’ve learned my lesson. I won’t do that again,” he promised and shook his head. “And you can’t run.”

“I won’t. And we take this slow.” She threaded her fingers through his thick hair.

“Anything you want.”

With nothing else left to say, they lunged at each other, their lips colliding. Cash shuffled and moved them sideways, pushing Jonte’s back up against the wall, gently squeezing her ass. Jonte pulled at his hair and he moaned in her mouth.

“God, I love it when you do that.” He burrowed into her neck, kissing and nipping her right there.

“Slowly, remember?”

“So we can’t go play wallbanger on the bed I bought just for you?”

Jonte giggled. “I would love to play wallbanger with you, but sex has never been our problem. That’s why I think we need to take it off the table for a little bit.”

“Can I throw you down on that bed and make you come with my mouth, then?”

Yes, please. But no.

“Cash!”

“Joking,” he said with a chuckle. “Okay. So let me get this straight. You want normal, couple-y, non-sexual, fully clothed stuff, then?”

“Exactly.” She nodded.

“Fine.” He huffed melodramatically, clearly mucking around. “By the way, you were amazing last night.”

“You were there?”

Cash nodded and kissed her again, pushing her harder into the wall, attacking her tongue and devouring her mouth.

“I didn’t see you,” she said. She’d looked and had been certain he wasn’t there.

“Trust me, I was incognito over by the bar, sitting right in front of the photographer who approached you after the pandemonium Dolly caused.”

Jonte shook her head. No way. She would have been able to spot him if he’d been there.

“I got my country on, borrowed one of Pop’s Stetson hats and all.”

Holy crapballs. She loved the idea of him all cowboy-ed up and let out a whistle. “Now that’s something I’ve gotta see.”

“One day.”

J
onte and Cash
had a crazy busy couple of weeks following their reunion. They took two days off mid-week to drive back to Ohio and grab the rest of Jonte’s stuff. Jonte apologised to Tyrone, who was disappointed she wasn’t staying on, but he understood. Back in Nashville, Sierra was more than happy to have Jonte permanently at The Big Bang
,
playing alongside Dean and Seb.

The hardest day for Jonte was definitely the day Jack flew home. She knew he had to go, but loved the week they’d spent together. Jack promised to work on their parents and told her not to give up on her dreams. Cash still wasn’t his favorite person in the world, but the two of them had tried to get along. Jonte was grateful the men left things on an amicable note.

Dean, the cheeky bugger, had sneakily recorded Jonte’s latest American Country Star
audition and then gone and shown it to the manager at The Stage. After seeing the performance and all the buzz in the local paper from her elimination two weeks ago, the manager had happily agreed to let her play.

So now, on a super busy Thursday night, Jonte was going to play a set at The Stage.

Dean, Dolly, Tanner, Cash, and even Seb were seated at one of the front row tables, ready and eager to cheer her on. Taking to the stage, she was a bundle of nerves and excitement. Carefully, she sat her guitar in the stand and slid onto the seat in front of the piano.

“Thanks for having me here tonight.”

A low rumble of claps and cheers swept through the crowd, contrasting with the whoops and screams coming from her friends. Wow. Talk about giddy. She had found the best friends in the world. How had she gotten so lucky?

Jonte laughed and shook her head. She straightened up and launched straight into the version of “Forever & Always” she’d performed at her audition two weeks ago. Barely stopping to thank the audience for their applause, she followed up with John Legend’s “All of Me.” Having warmed up, she leaned over and reached for her guitar, smiling.

“I think we need something a little more upbeat.”

The crowd roared back at her in approval.

“I’m actually gonna need some help from my friend. Dean, can you come up here?”

Dean’s face was comical in its confusion. Yeah, so she hadn’t worded him up on her plan, figuring he’d never agree to it. She gestured with her hand for him to join her. “Come on, Dean,” she sang into the microphone.

Dean swiped his Stetson up off the table and headed for the stage, taking the steps two at a time. He shook his head and whispered, “You’re unbelievable,” as he sat down on the long piano stool with her.

Together they played Kid Rock’s “All Summer Long,” which Jonte had made a point of learning on the guitar in homage to that first kiss with Cash,
and then “Friends in Low Places”
.
The crowd stomped and clapped, going wild when they finished. Dean tipped his hat at Jonte and left the stage so she could conclude her set solo.

“Y’all have been a great crowd tonight. I love music and performing,” Jonte said. “It brings people together and says so much. This last song’s for you, Cash.” Her fingers caressed the piano, beginning the intro of One Republic’s “Something I Need.”
Even though Seb was here tonight, it was important for her to let Cash know she was undeniably in love with him. For her, the point of the song, as the last line said, was that she wanted to
live
life with him.

These past few weeks they’d spoken about his dream, and she’d even gone with him to see Dr. Parker. It wasn’t going to be all sunshine and rainbows, but now they were on the same page, they could make it work. He was here. In a damn country bar, listening to her sing for Christ’s sake. And now she knew everything, she was so damn proud of him.

She’d come to Nashville desperate for a new life, but never imagined she’d have this life. This wonderful life. Her need to have everything right now was gone. Good things took time. She needed to slow down and enjoy the journey. Live for moments like this, otherwise she’d miss the magic.

Jonte finished up, did her trademark curtsey, thanked the crowd again, and skipped down the steps. On the last step, she was stopped by an older gentleman dressed in the standard Nashville uniform of a cream Stetson, Wrangler jeans, and a blue, red, and cream plaid shirt.

“You’re fantastic,” the stranger said, offering her his hand. “Jim Eagles, Empire Promotions,” he added and handed her a card. “Amazing by yourself, but even more so with your friend there.” Jim nodded at Dean, who was sitting at the table with the rest of the group.

“Thanks.” Jonte smiled and took the card.

“Call me tomorrow. I need an opening act for an upcoming tour, and I think you and your friend just might be it.”

Totally. Floored. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t speak, couldn’t move for a good ten seconds, Jim’s words playing over and over again in fast-forward mode.

Speak. Say something. Now.

“Wow. Are you serious?”

“Certainly am, ma’am.” He nodded. “Make sure my assistant Sue-Anne puts you straight through, okay?”

“Sure.” Jonte nodded back like one of those crazy bobbing animals people sat on the rear parcel shelf of their cars.

“Enjoy the rest of your night.” Jim tipped his hat and walked away.

Jonte gripped the card, jumped up and down, and then bolted to the table where Cash was standing and waiting for her.

“Who was that?” he asked, the rest of the group watching on, waiting for her reply.

“Jim Eagles from Empire Productions.” She tried not to shriek too loudly, seeing as Jim was possibly still within earshot.

“That’s fantastic.” Cash smiled and pulled her in close for a hug and a quick kiss on the lips.

“He wants both of us!” She handed the card to Dean.

“No way.”

“You can go ask him yourself,” Jonte replied with a satisfied smirk, ecstatic she’d dragged him up on stage with her.

“Right.” Dean let out a long breath and looked away.

Huh. That was weird.

“That’s amazing. I’m so happy for you two,” Seb said suddenly and stood up. “You did great tonight, J. I’m gonna head across the road now though. I told Sierra I’d pop in.”

“Sure.” Jonte smiled. She pulled away from Cash and gave Seb a quick hug. “Thanks for coming tonight. It means a lot to me.”

“No problem. I’m happy for you, and Cash, too. It’s good you two finally sorted everything out.”

“I should probably take off with Seb.” Dean jumped in for a group hug. “Have an awesome night, everyone,” he said over Jonte’s shoulder. “And I’ll speak to you tomorrow.” He nudged Jonte.

“Don’t say anything to Sierra just yet, okay?” Jonte said as the boys pulled away.

“No way,” Dean replied, looking back. “Let’s not jinx anything for you.”

Even though there were plenty of spare seats now, Cash pulled her down onto his lap. He rubbed her bare thigh, skimming just under the hem of her shorts.

“I always knew that you two were perfect for each other.” Dolly grinned, all smug and I’m-the-great-and-powerful-Oz style.

“No one likes a smart ass.” Cash glared across the table at her.

“Yeah, and after everything you did, you’re lucky we’re even talking to you!” Jonte said, suddenly remembering she was supposed to be mad with Dolly and Tanner.

“I’m gonna get us some more drinks,” Dolly sing-songed all innocently and stood up.

“Let me help you,” Tanner said and followed her to the bar.

“So what’s the go with those two?” Jonte nodded at their retreating figures.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, why aren’t they together?”

Cash rubbed at the stubble on his jaw. “I suspect they may have been when we were at high school. Although, if they were, it was all very hush-hush. I don’t think I was supposed to know.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” Cash nodded and nipped at Jonte’s shoulder.

“Well, maybe they need a little nudge in the right direction to find that spark again.”

“Shit. What exactly do you have in mind, sweetheart?”

“Just a little revenge, served up with a side of best intentions.” Jonte smiled and fluttered her eyelids in mock innocence.

“I could be down with that.” Cash nodded. “But can we start on that particular plan tomorrow? Tonight I want to take you to my place and end our stupid wallbanger embargo,” he said mischievously, his eyes all lit up.

Jonte leaned forward and pushed her whole body up against his. She teased his tongue with hers and tousled his hair, deepening their kiss. “Okay,” she finally said. “Let’s go bang some walls.”

T
hank
you so much for taking a chance on an unknown Aussie author! I hope you enjoyed reading
Something I Need
as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you did and have some spare time, I would be oh so grateful if you could share your love by leaving a review on Amazon and Goodreads so other readers can find my series.

I’m a bit of a talker and I would love to chat to you, so please stop by my
Facebook page
or come find me on
Instagram
. You can also find inspiration boards for all of the books in my
xoxo Nashville
series (and a few other books I’m playing with) on
Pinterest
.

In case you haven’t found it already, there’s a special sneak peek of
Another Love,
book #2 in my
xoxo Nashville
series, after my acknowledgement section. See where the friendships started with five year old Cash, Dolly and Tanner!

If you’d like to keep updated on new releases, the opportunity to win ARCs and have access to bonus content, please sign up to my mailing list -
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via this
link
.

Love Lena xoxo

T
hey say
it takes a village to raise a child and I say it takes a team to write a book. There are so many people for me to thank, so please stick with me as my list is long. I have to start with Sarah, my life-long best friend and creator of ‘the list.’ Without the list, I would never have sat down in the year of my thirtieth birthday to write anything. Thank you to my other life-long bestie, Eliza, for being the first person to encourage me and say, go query an agent. And to my oldest and dearest friend, Viv, our foursome would not be as awesome without you. To my husband and three daughters, I love you more than words can express. Thank you for your patience and belief in me. But no, you can’t read this book – xoxo.

To the wonderfully-wise-keeps-me-sane-every-day Kirsty McManus, you were my first ‘writer friend’ and I am thankful every day that we ended up in that QWC pitching course together 6 years ago. I never landed a deal with that pitch, but I got to keep you, so I think I’m winning. You pathed the way with your bravery and determination and shared everything to help me.

To the uber-awesome-grammar-goddess Tamyka Bell, I know I wasn’t your first choice as critique partner (because I wrote all that lovey-dovey romance stuff) but I was so, so happy to have you as mine. If you had of been organised with your final MA portfolio piece, this novel would not exist. Thank you for loving me enough to tell me my novel had become ‘Frankenstein’s baby.’ As always, you were right!

To my early beta readers – I love you. Thank you to Helen Branton for always offering your support and encouragement. To Indigo Davis for devouring
Something I Need
in one day and coming back with so much praise. To JC Harroway, my first RWA critique partner, for madly swapping chapters with me and pushing me to learn and grow. To Robby Dennis for reading
Something I Need
and encouraging me, even though my life is crazy and I’m still working through your wonderful novel.

To my 2015
First Sisters of Oz
Immersion sisters – Dorothy Ademak, Kristin Meacham, Melanie Milburne, Nas Dean and Wendy Leslie – you talented women inspire me every day. And my 2016
Dangerous Liasons Diva’s
Immersion Sisters – Kristin Meacham, Lauren James, Melanie Milburne and Michelle Somers – your support these past few days was amazing and generous and I am so lucky to call you my friends. To the wonderful Margie Lawson, you taught me how to make my writing sparkle and I am so grateful you came to Melbourne (twice!).

Thank you to Murphy Rae from
Indie Solutions
for doing the first edit and
C*Word Creative
for doing the final one. To Sam from
Quiet House
for being my first US beta reader and giving me the courage to keep going down the indie road. To Sarah Hansen from
Okay Creations
for my most beautiful cover. I didn’t know what I wanted but you got me and brought my characters to life. To Rebecca from
Rebecca Taylor Photography
for my author branding head shots. I hate having my picture taken and you were a miracle worker.

Finally a big thank you to all the bloggers and readers who will read this book and hopefully love it. I wanted to make you smile, I hope I did that – xoxo Lena