Whisky Melody: Rock Star Romance, New Adult College Romance (Tennessee Romance Book 2) (16 page)

The first round of the competition was over, and all they could do now was stand onstage and wait. Next to them was the woman with two-toned hair. When she looked over at them and gave them a broad grin and a thumbs-up, Charlie sucked in air.

Ashley grinned back at her. “She looks like the type who’d shove that guitar up your ass if you do anything she doesn’t like.”

“Maybe I’d like that,” Charlie said with a shrug.

Logan snorted, Zip shook his head, and Mike chuckled.

“Hmm. Well, that explains a lot,” Ashley said.

Charlie gave her a lopsided grin. “I’m sure it does. Maybe now you know why I let you kick my ass. I like it. I’m secretly all submissive and stuff.”

Zip muttered, “TMI, dude. Totally TMI. Next, you’ll be telling us you like to wear a dog collar and get spankings or something.”

Logan sputtered, but his laughter quickly morphed into a hard cough.

Ashley wiped her damp palms on her jeans.

Charlie, though, continued to stare at the girl. “I really think I just fell head-over-heels in love, yo. I mean, how could I not?”

Mike muttered, “With your luck, her boyfriend will be the one shoving stuff up your butt…like his foot. Hell, maybe she’s married, or she could be a total lesbian.”

“I have nothing against dating a lesbian, dude,” Charlie retorted, “nothing at all. In fact, isn’t that every guy’s dream?”

“A lesbian who wants to butt diddle you with a guitar? Great. Now I’m not gonna sleep for an entire week.”

Logan hushed them, but they were all grateful for the distraction.

The emcee was deliberately holding off on the announcement, delaying it for dramatic effect. He took it a little too far, but it was what everyone expected. When the audience began to audibly complain and yell, he realized it was time to stop screwing around. He leaned over the mic, looking at the envelope in his hand.

In an instant, everyone fell silent. The crowd waited breathlessly. Ashley closed her eyes while Logan’s hand found hers. Her heart beat even more loudly, but for some odd reason the decision didn’t seem as important as it felt before.

They had smoothed things out, and she knew Logan loved her. Kaylee was gone, and while she missed her already she was grateful that she was okay and that she was safe, in a place where she would get the help she desperately needed. She’d even had the chance to speak her piece to her aunt and uncle, and that was a huge relief too.

Not only that, but despite everything Charlie had done, she was glad he and Logan had finally made peace, too. They were brothers, and they needed each other. Logan would never like Charlie’s father, but he had finally begun to see that Charlie was not the same as his father, and that had helped Charlie see that he didn’t have to be like the man.

The emcee tore the envelope, and he pulled out the verdict. His face screwed up, and he held off for just a moment longer, teasing the crowd. Finally, he announced, “And your winner of Rock Star Royale Round One is…Whisky Lullaby!”

The crowd went nuts.

Logan swept Ashley up, his hands going to her bottom as he lifted her high in the air. Her legs wrapped around his waist. The cheers and shouts died away in that moment, and it was as if they were the only two people there, just the two of them, locking eyes, and saying everything they had to say with nothing more than the rhythm of their heartbeats and pulses.

He lowered her, and her legs slid between his. She felt his hardness poke into her belly and was sure she was going to die. She wanted him again, needed him so much, and she would have taken him right then and there if he would have let her.

Whisky Lullaby left the stage in a blur of clapping people, smiling faces, and ear-splitting applause.

In the back, Charlie headed for the young guitarist, eager to introduce himself.

“Back it up, buddy,” she said, holding up a hand. “You look like just the kinda trouble I don’t need.”

Charlie gave her a hangdog expression. “I was about to say the same thing about you.”

Logan shook his head and drew Ashley away, heading toward the dressing room again.

Her eyes moved up to his profile. “What are you thinking?”

“How much I want to get you into the nearest bed.”

“That’s funny. I was just thinking the same thing.”

He gave her a grin that melted her heart. “Then why are we standing here?”

“Beats me,” she said with a shrug. “Maybe it has to do with something about winning this kick-ass first round!”

He took her hand. “How does it feel?”

“Like heaven.” The words came out before she could stop them. “How does it feel for you?”

His hand gripped hers. “Like…coming home.”

They headed out of the venue, their desire and elation from the win second only to their love.

“You think Charlie has a shot with that chick?” Ashley asked.

Logan chuckled. “Beats me, but if anyone deserves a shot I guess it’s him.”

“True.”

Logan’s hands on her body as they paused in the parking lot to kiss and hug each other made her forget everything else. In her head, a long melody played out, one so sweet and perfect that she wanted to capture it and put it to paper, then play it back forever and ever.

“I love you, Logan.”

“I love you, too. You’re the music that moves me. I know that sounds stupid and corny, but it’s true. You really are the music that moves me, Ashley.”

She put her hand on his heart, and he placed his on hers. At the same time, they both felt it, that music within them. The sweet melody that would always be there for them and flow through them.

One Week Later

Logan’s nerves were on edge again. He had been called into the offices of a small but prestigious label, along with Ashley.
This could be it. The big one.

They sat there together, giving each other scared looks but not saying a word. She carefully moved her hand over to take hold of his, and he gave her a reassuring smile.

The offices were cool, and it wasn’t just because the air-conditioning was cranked up to freezing. The décor was all white, with occasional pops of color that were too few and far between to warm up the place. The walls seemed too tall, and the receptionist sat behind a desk that seemed much too low.

The stunning blonde with a cool smile on her otherwise-expressionless face finally tapped a button on her phone, picked it up, murmured something, and said, “Yes, immediately.” She stood, tugging on the hem of her tight pencil skirt. “You may go in now. Follow me, please.”

The two of them walked behind her on shaky legs, still holding hands.

In the office, the man behind the desk exuded power. His suit was tailor-made, and his head was crowned with a well-cut thatch of silver and black. His eyes, piercing blue, swept over them, then dropped to his desk. “Please have a seat,” he said, gesturing to the two chairs in front of his desk.

They sat dutifully, and Logan was the first to speak. “Mr. Collins, we appreciate you inviting us,” he blurted. “I’m not sure why we couldn’t bring the whole band, but I’d like you to know up front that any decisions will have to be run by all the other members.”

“I’m not interested in your band.”

The words dropped into the air, an even cooler pocket than the cold draft blowing straight down on them from the ceiling vent.

Logan blinked. “Then why are we here?”

Mr. Collins tapped a pen on his desk. “Why do you think you are? I want to make stars out of you.”

“You just said you aren’t interested in the band.”

The pen tapped against the desk again. “I’m not.”

Logan looked at Ashley, and he noticed that she harbored confusion and wariness in her eyes, as if she was staring at a snake and wondering whether or not it was venomous. He looked back at Bert Collins. “Come again?”

“I couldn’t care less about your band. They’re…mediocre at best. I want to package you as something else.”

Mediocre at best?
Logan silently raged.
Mister, you say that shit about Whisky again, and I’ll kick you right in your own damn package!

Ashley stiffened. “I beg your pardon?”

Bert Collins’ eyes went to Ashley and assessed her carefully. “You have what it takes, the two of you. I can sell your story and careers. Right now, you’re cute, lovers and musicians, perfect fodder for all those tweens twittering the hell out of everything. I give your band two albums, and the audience will be utterly sick of you. I propose we put you out as a duo. I really don’t care what your band does. They can stick together, knowing you two are a duo with them playing backup, but they can’t do interviews, and they won’t be playing on the albums.”

“What?!” Logan stared in shock. Somehow he knew this would happen one day, just not this soon. He also didn’t expect the loyalty that tugged strong inside of him. “How can you even suggest that we cut our band off our albums?”

Bert Collins leaned forward. “Logan, we represent the best studio musicians around. They play for pay, rates not royalties. Royalties suck the money right out of album sales. We can market the two of you in the long term. The way I see it, we can use the press to our advantage to keep the steam rolling for a while. Stories can be written about your breakup, and then you can put out solo albums that will sell like hotcakes to fans who support one or the other of you. Even if we turn one of you into a villain, it’ll result in new fans and more sales. Everybody likes a bad guy now and then, right?” he asked, looking smugly at Logan. “The big money’s in solo artists, but to get you there, you need a story. We can give you that story.”

Fury began to pool in the pit of Logan’s stomach. He looked over at Ashley, and her face was set and white, her mouth hanging open. “So you expect us to dump our band and then pretend to break up?”

Mr. Collins’ cold eyes swept over them. “Let’s be honest. You two will probably break up long before that. Being a duo will probably be the hard part. By the time we’re ready for your solo album, we’ll be lucky to keep you from killing each other, and you’ll be sick of acting like a couple.”

Logan stood and pointed at Bert Collins, his whole body shaking from head to toe. “Dude, this is really uncool.”

Bert nodded. “Welcome to the industry, son. That’s the way it is. There are no happy endings in entertainment. It’s all just…Facebook fiction, trending bullshit. As much as we hate to admit it, it’s not about art or passion anymore. This is a business, concerned with profits and bottom lines. The sooner you start looking at it that way, the sooner you’ll get where you wanna go. You think the Biebers and Gagas of the world got where they are with no help from the agencies and the press?”

“I don’t want to do things like that,” Logan said. “Whisky Lullaby is the real deal, and if we can’t—”

“Don’t bullshit me, young man,” Mr. Collins said, rudely cutting him off. “You want it, all that fame and fortune, and I’m offering it to you. Walk out of here if you want to, but rest assured these offers don’t come along very often. Your band might be hot at this moment, thanks to Royale, but even the best dishes get cold mighty quick in the music business…and who the hell wants to eat a cold dish?”

“You don’t know anything about us,” Logan snapped.

Bert Collins laughed. “Kid, you’re a carbon copy of hundreds of others who’ve walked through my door. I’ll tell ya what, though. I like you, so I’ll give you this one free. Most people don’t get to walk outta here and come crawling back later, begging me to hand over the contracts. I’ll give you a day, though. Think it over but let me know by exactly this time tomorrow what you wanna do. If I don’t hear from you within twenty-four hours, I’ll assume you’re not willing to sign. That’s all. You may go.”

Unable to see anything but red, even in that unnervingly white office, Logan grabbed Ashley’s hand. “You won’t hear back from us,” he said stiffly as she stood from her chair and moved over beside him. “In fact, I’ll tell everyone I know to stay the hell away from you and this slimy studio.”

Collins shrugged. “Your loss…and theirs.”

“You want to split up our band!”

He leaned back in his seat, staring at Ashley. “Look, since you’re obviously not signing, I’ll be straight with you. I lobbied for just you. The other CEO said no way and insisted that it had to be a duo or a no-go. To be honest, I don’t care about her one iota. The only member of your band I want is you.”

Logan’s let go of Ashley’s hand and slammed his fists down on Bert Collins’ desk in a rage. His ribs expanded and contracted as he struggled to contain his anger. “You son-of-a-bitch!”

Collins stood to meet his hard stare. “I’m telling you this because I’ve known plenty of guys like you, hungry artists with real talent. I’ll still give you a day to think about it, but if you come back here to sign, know it’s for going solo. In other words, the two of you can sign now, or else it’ll just be you signing tomorrow. You got that?”

“I’m not signing anything!” Logan said, his guts practically boiling. His fingers clutched the edge of the desk so tightly that his knuckles were white. “Screw you.”

Collins chuckled and sat back down. “I like that. All that emotion will come in handy when we’re cutting tracks. I’ll see ya tomorrow, kid.”

“Like hell you will.” He fished in the air behind him, and Ashley found his hand. Logan led her to the door, and he didn’t dare look back. He was too afraid he would go over to that desk, snatch up a pen, and sign. After all, it was all there, all laid out for them: an actual music career, albums, music, money, and fame. Bert Collins had offered him all he’d ever wanted, but accepting it meant giving up his band.

“Logan, you have to go back,” Ashley said, tugging on his hand as soon as they stepped into the sunlit parking lot.

He glared at her. “What? Are you crazy?”

“You have to.”

“The hell I do.”

She put her hands on her hips. “The hell you
don’t
.”

He glared at her. “Are you nuts, or do you just need a hearing aid?”

“No, but you might. They want
you
. They’re willing to take me to get you, but you’re all they really want. This is your dream, everything you’ve ever wanted, what you’ve dreamt about. You have to go back in there and take the deal. Just do it, Logan.”

“No, Ashley.”

Her jaw tightened. “Logan, don’t stand here and tell me you don’t want this.”

“I want
us
: you and me and Whisky Lullaby.”

Her eyes searched his face. “Yeah, for right now, but how long will that be good enough?”

He sighed. “Look, I do want what he’s offering, the music career, but not like this—not at the expense of you and Charlie and the other guys.”

“This may never come your way again.”

He studied her face, wondering what he should do. He did worry that she would pack up and leave the band at the end of her senior year.
If she does that, isn’t Whisky doomed to fall apart anyway? Hell, for all I know, everything will change when we all graduate anyway
. He knew how hard it was to break into the music scene, and any deal with a label was a good deal, but he didn’t want to turn his back on the people he loved in order to take it.

Ashley shook her head. “Logan, you can’t walk out on this. You’ll regret it, and then… Well, one day, you’ll resent all of us.”

He ran a hand along her neck. “I won’t.”

She stepped back. “You will! Please at least think about it. At least take the day, like he said.”

“I don’t need to think about it, and I don’t wanna talk about it either.” He stormed toward the bike, with Ashley right on his heels. After she climbed on the back, he cranked the engine and sped out of the parking lot.

The wind blew around them, and Ashley had to hang on more tightly than usual because he was going too fast. Her heat seeped into his body, and he accepted it, even welcomed it, because at that moment, he felt really cold. He really didn’t want to think about Collins’ offer, because he knew it was wrong in every way. He just couldn’t ditch the people he loved and played with, not even for a record deal.

When they got back to campus and dismounted from the bike, Ashley rubbed her arms and looked down at her feet. “I have to get to the advisor’s office. I need to find another dorm room, a smaller one or something, before I get hit with a bill I can’t pay.”

He nodded but said nothing. His insides were twisted in knots.
Speaking of bills, just how much money am I passing up by not signing?
he wondered.
Sure as hell enough for her not to have to worry about that stupid rent or the scholarships.

She walked off, and Logan watched her go. Her jeans cupped her firm bottom, and her long legs moved with real power. He wanted to run after her, to grab her and make love to her right then and there. She always inflamed him so much, even when his mind was so full of everything else.

When Logan got back to his room, Charlie was waiting for him there. “Hey, man! Tell me what happened.”

Logan sat down heavily. “You don’t wanna know.”

“The hell I don’t!” Charlie passed him a cold soda.

Logan took it, popped the tab, and drank it down. The cold liquid and sugar helped balance him. He cleared his throat and said, “Dude, you won’t believe it if I tell you.”

Charlie leaned forward. “Try me.”

He rubbed his eyes, and the emptiness in his chest grew. “They wanted to sign only Ashley and me, but if I refused to sign us today, I have to go back in tomorrow and sign as a solo artist.”

Charlie leaned back and looked at Logan cautiously. “And what did you say to that?”

“Of course I told him to fuck off. What else would I say?”

“Man, are you crazy?”

Logan rubbed his temples and shook his head. “What’s with you people? Ashley said the same thing, that I should just take the deal and not worry about her or the rest of the band. Hell, she even thinks I should sign on solo. I don’t even know what to say to her right now.”

Charlie’s lips curved upward. “Try thanking her, ’cause she’s right, Logan. This is your big shot…but wait. Why doesn’t she wanna sign on with you?”

Logan poured the whole story out for Charlie, right down to the part where he wanted to stab Mr. Collins in the eye with the pen.

Charlie stood and paced the floor. “She’s right, bro. You should do it. We’d all understand.”

“But
I
wouldn’t. It’s wrong.”

“Logan, I’m shocked, man. Really. This is all you’ve wanted since we were kids. Yeah, Whisky’s good and all, but you’re the star, and we all know it. You’re the songwriter, and—”

“Ashley helps with that…a lot.”

Charlie nodded. “Okay. Well, anyway, she’s great onstage, with a real good voice, and smoking hot. But a star? Nope. She just isn’t. Haven’t you ever noticed that the fans are drawn mostly to you? You can’t buy that kind of star power, Logan. It’s just something you’re born with, and you’re the only one who has it. The label sees that, and they wanna capitalize on it. What’s wrong with that?”