Read STAGESTRUCK - The Complete Series Online
Authors: Alice Ward
STAGESTRUCK - The Complete Series
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STAGESTRUCK is a steamy New Adult romance by Alice Ward - This is part one of a two part series.
Twenty one year old Kate Harper has everything she needs to take New York City by storm - a trust fund, and a dream to see her name in the lights on Broadway.
And the Big Apple has just as much to offer her - including the handsome Max, a definite perk to her new job at a trendy restaurant. Hooking up with him is enough to bring stars to anyone's eyes, especially hometown girl Kate.
But life in the big city isn't all champagne and roses and gorgeous guys. When she becomes the target of envious actresses, Kate doubts she has what it takes to survive in the city long enough to realize her dream.
But fate has other ideas, in the form of Dylan Matthews, a legend on Broadway. He's a lady's man, and Kate has caught his eye.
Matthews might just be Kate Harper's chance at the big time, but what about Max?
How do you choose between your dream career and your dream man?
The STAGESTRUCK Series is intended for a mature audience, 18+ only.
I moved into my New York apartment on a cloudy, dreary day in September. The moving company had already delivered my furniture and most of my boxes; I’d packed a few suitcases of clothes and some personal items into a rental car and made the long drive from my hometown of Waterloo, Iowa to my new Sunnyside neighborhood. My older brother, Nathan, had volunteered to keep me company on the drive and then fly back to Iowa, but I’d declined. I was starting a new chapter in my life, and I wanted to start it alone.
I circled the blocks around my new apartment building four times before I found a parking spot close to the front door. I unloaded two suitcases and hauled them up the three flights of stairs that led to my new home. I unlocked the door and discovered that, as I’d feared, the moving company had left all of my things in a cluttered pile in my living room.
‘Well, what can I expect?’ I thought to myself. ‘That’s what happens when you go with the lowest bidder.’
My move from Iowa had been expensive, my new apartment even more so. And none of it would have been possible without my grandmother. Mimi, as I call her, has always believed in me and supported my dreams. My parents had been outraged when I dropped out of community college and announced that I was moving to New York to pursue my dream of being on Broadway. Mimi, on the other hand, had agreed to release my trust fund early so I wouldn’t have to stress over paying rent in the big city.
I unzipped one of my suitcases and removed the going away present Mimi had given me. It was a two sided silver frame; on the right was a picture of Mimi and I together at her eightieth birthday party, on the left was a letter she’d written me.
“Dearest Kate, There are no words to describe how proud of you I am. If everyone had the courage to follow their passions the way you are, the world would be a much happier place. I love you, and I can’t wait to see your name in lights. Love Forever, Mimi.”
“I’m going to make you proud.” I said out loud as I set the frame on the bar that separates my kitchen from my living area.
My apartment is incredibly small, but it’s clean, well maintained, and in a safe neighborhood. The safety issue had been a sticking point for my father. Once he accepted the fact that I was leaving home, he started researching the best areas in the city for a young single girl to live alone. At first he’d insisted that I find a roommate, but my mother had talked him out of that. I’d heard them arguing about it a few months before I moved.
“For god’s sake Carl, she doesn’t know anyone in New York.” Mom had said. “Do you really want her to live with a stranger? She could end up stuck with a drug addict, or a serial killer.”
Dad gave in and we’d made a family trip to New York to look at apartments. When we’d stumbled into Sunnyside, I’d known that I’d found my new home. The area is full of middle class families, trendy cafés, and cute, one of a kind boutiques. And, most importantly to me, the apartment is only a fifteen minute ride away from the Manhattan Theater District.
As I surveyed the mess left behind by the movers my doorbell chimed. The noise startled me, and I felt anxious as I moved toward the door. A look through the peephole showed a slender brunette woman waiting in the hallway. I put on my friendliest smile and turned the knob.
“Hi! You must be my new neighbor! I’m Janette, it’s so nice to meet you.” She grinned.
“Hi.” I replied. “I’m Kate Harper. Please, come in.”
She stepped into the apartment. “Looks like you have quite a bit of work on your hands.” She observed as she looked around at the boxes. “I’d be more than happy to help you unpack. I’m so glad that the super rented the place to you… I saw some of the other potential renters and for a minute I was afraid that I’d have to move.” She laughed.
“That bad, huh?” I asked.
“They all had kids.” She explained. “I’m a singer, so I work nights and sleep during the day. The last thing that I need is a bunch of little brats making noise next door.”
“You won’t have to worry about that with me.” I assured her. “With any luck, I’ll be keeping the same hours as you.” I told her how I’d come to the city to try my luck in the theater.
“Thank god… a kindred spirit.” She smiled. “I have friends on Broadway. No one big, understudies and support people mostly. But I can make some calls for you, if you’d like.”
“That would be great.” I answered with a smile. “I have an appointment next week with an agent, Marion Russo. If it’s not too much trouble, I’d love to know what kind of reputation she has in the industry.”
“Consider it done.” Janette smiled. “I’m actually meeting some of my friends for drinks later tonight. Why don’t you come with me? You can pick their brains, get some tips for your interview with Marion. If you have a portfolio, bring that along as well. You never know who you might run into.”
I couldn’t believe my luck at living next to someone who had connections in the industry and I told her so; Janette laughed in reply.
“It’s not luck.” She told me. “This is New York, everyone knows someone in the theater business.”
“Even so, it’ll be nice to have a friendly face next door. But could I maybe tag along with you some other night? I have so much unpacking to do…” I said, gesturing to the living room.
“Nonsense,” she answered. “This is your first night in New York, we should celebrate. I’m not working tomorrow night, I’ll help you get the place set up then.”
“Alright,” I agreed with a hesitant smile. “What time should I be ready?”
“I’m meeting everyone at nine, so why don’t you come to my place around eight fifteen? We’ll toast to your new life and then jump on the Flushing Line.” She suggested.
I couldn’t hide the excitement in my voice. “So we’re going to Manhattan?”
“Of course we are.” She replied with a laugh. “There’s nowhere to party in Sunnyside… unless of course you’re idea of partying is one glass of merlot and getting to bed before ten. My unit is the one on the left; I’ll see you in a few hours.”
Janette went back to her apartment; once I was alone I squealed out loud in delight. I’d only been in the city for an hour, and already I had a new best friend.
Instead of unpacking, I’d spent hours trying to decide what to wear for my first night on the town. I didn’t want to go too overboard, but I wanted to fit in with the native New Yorkers. I finally settled on a pair of black slacks and a fitted emerald sweater. Promptly at eight-fifteen, I knocked on Janette’s door. As soon as she opened it, I knew that I was underdressed.
“Goodness Kate!” She greeted me with an air of frustration. “We’re going to a bar, not Sunday brunch… we’re the same size at least, get in here and let me fix you up properly.”
Janette was wearing a sliver slip of a dress with black fishnet stockings and towering stiletto heels. She looked like what my mother would call a ‘loose woman’, and I was both hesitant and excited at the idea of dressing to match her.
“What are you,” she asked as she led me to her bedroom, “a size four?”
“Four or six, depending on the brand.” I told her.
“Perfect, I have lots of stuff you can choose from.”
She slid open her closet door, revealing an expansive black and silver wardrobe. “Do you not wear color?” I asked with a teasing smile.
“What can I say? I front a rock and roll band, and this is what I’m most comfortable in. Black is the sexiest color, you know.” She answered with a shrug.
We got to know each other a little better while I scanned the clothes for something I’d be comfortable in.
“Are you from New York?” I asked as I fingered a soft satin mini dress.
“No, not at all,” She answered from her spot on the bed. “I grew up in Florida. Most of my family is still there, but I never really fit in with them. I moved out here when I graduated high-school, and I’ve been on my own ever since. What about you? Where did you grow up?”
“Waterloo, Iowa.” I told her. “It’s a small Midwest town in the middle of nowhere.”
“Did you leave behind a lot of family and friends?” She asked.
“Family, yes.” I answered. “Friends, not so much. I never really fit in with any of the cliques at my high-school. I’ve always been into theater, but I was too popular to fit in with the drama crowd. And I was too much of a theater geek to completely fit in with the popular crowd.”
“Damned if you do, damned if you don’t, huh?” Janette said with a smile. “I can understand that. Pull out that dress, the one three hangers to your right.” She instructed me.
I found the dress she was talking about and separated it from the rest of her clothing. It was solid black, a little longer than the others, with a modest neckline but a completely exposed back.
“That’s what I wear when we play in classier clubs.” Janette explained. “It will look fantastic on you. I have a stick on bra you can borrow if you don’t want to hang loose.” She added with a smile. “I think it’s in the bathroom. I’ll go get it while you change.”
I wiggled out of my clothes and slid the dress over my head. The fabric was soft and slinky, and I knew that the dress probably cost more than anything I’d ever worn. I wondered for a moment how Janette could afford both her rent and her designer wardrobe. ‘She must be a great singer.’ I thought to myself.
Janette returned to the bedroom. “See! I knew that that would look great on you.” She smiled. Now sit down and let me do something with your hair.” She gestured to the stool in front of her large vanity, and I did as she directed.
“Aren’t we going to be late?” I asked as I glanced toward the clock.
“We’re actually not meeting anyone until ten.” She explained with a mischievous smile. “I anticipated a wardrobe problem, so I lied about the time.” I blushed profusely at her confession.
“Don’t worry about it!” She said with a reassuring grin. “I was new to the city once myself. And I didn’t have anyone watching my back. I’ll show you the ropes, teach you to survive in the Big Apple.”
For the second time that day, I thanked God for my luck at landing next to such a great neighbor. As Janette curled my long blonde hair into sexy ringlets, she told me about the other people in the building.
“The first two floors are full of families.” She explained. “They all keep to themselves and, for the most part, they don’t cause any problems. The lady in the unit to the right of you is a completely different story. Her name is Mrs. Gareth, and she’s about a hundred years old. My band used to practice here until she damn near got me evicted for the noise. If you see her in the hall, don’t make eye contact with her. She’ll talk your ear off, and she’s a master at underhanded complements.”
“Alright, families on the first floors, cranky old woman on the right,” I recapped. “Is there anyone else that I should know about?”
“No one else of importance,” she answered. “Oh, except Paul! I can’t believe I forgot about him!”
“And who is Paul?” I asked.
“He lives in the unit at the end of the hall, on the left.” Janette explained. “He’s really handy. If something breaks in your apartment, you’ll have better luck going to him instead of the super. He’s also always stocked with killer pot, if you enjoy that kind of thing?”
Janette’s tone told me that she very much enjoyed that kind of thing, but I was taken aback by the suggestion. I’d never touched anything illegal; I tried not to sound judgmental as I told her so.
“I mean, it wouldn’t bother me if you smoked,” I quickly explained. “I’ve just never been in to it.”
“Have you ever tried it?” She asked.
“No…” I admitted.
“I’m going to broaden your horizons, Kate Harper.” She said with a devilish smile. “But not right now. Right now, we have a train to catch.”
