Kade, p.1
Kade, page 1
Kade
A Second Chance Rockstar Romance
Jane Anthony
Jane Anthony Author
KADE: A Second Chance Rock Star Romance
Copyright © Jane Anthony 2016
All rights reserved
Names, characters, and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously.
Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or
dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the
publisher. No part of this book may reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical means, including but not limited to
printing, file sharing, and email, without proper written permission from the
author.
Cover Design by:
Cassy Roop, Pink Ink
Designs
Editing by:
Nichole Strauss, Perfectly
Publishable
Proofreading by:
Jenny Sims, Editing4Indies
Contents
Dedication
Prologue
1. Chapter 1
2. Chapter 2
3. Chapter 3
4. Chapter 4
5. Chapter 5
6. Chapter 6
7. Chapter 7
8. Chapter 8
9. Chapter 9
10. Chapter 10
11. Chapter 11
12. Chapter 12
13. Chapter 13
14. Chapter 14
15. Chapter 15
16. Chapter 16
17. Chapter 17
18. Chapter 18
19. Chapter 19
20. Chapter 20
21. Chapter 21
22. Chapter 22
23. Chapter 23
24. Chapter 24
25. Chapter 25
26. Chapter 26
27. Chapter 27
28. Chapter 28
29. Chapter 29
30. Chapter 30
31. Chapter 31
32. Chapter 32
33. Chapter 33
34. Chapter 34
35. Chapter 35
36. Chapter 36
37. Chapter 37
38. Chapter 38
39. Chapter 39
40. Chapter 40
41. Chapter 41
42. Chapter 42
43. Chapter 43
44. Chapter 44
45. Chapter 45
46. Chapter 46
47. Chapter 47
48. Chapter 48
Epilogue
Novels by Jane Anthony
About The Author
Find Jane Online
Acknowledgements
Steph and Rod Forever
Prologue
The shrill ringing in my room is like a five-alarm fire drill. It’s six a.m. For a split second, I think it’s just another ordinary day — alarm goes off, I get up and make some coffee, then wake up Shay — but today is anything but ordinary.
The disastrous events of the last couple of years roll through my mind as I get dressed. There has to be some small detail I’ve forgotten. Something that didn’t seem important at the time, but might have been a clue as to what went on beneath the surface. Yet, try as I might, nothing stands out. In fact, the more I think about it, the more of a blur the last few years of my life become.
Quietly I sit, sipping my coffee and watching the clock. Every tick closer to nine seems like another inch closer to doomsday. My stomach’s in knots, and my heart is ready to burst from my chest. I can’t do anything to stop this. It is what it is, and I have to move on, but it’s so damned hard, I can barely breathe.
Like it or not, today is the start of my new life. First stop: divorce court.
Chapter 1
“Congratulations on finally dumping that weight around your ankle!”
My best friend, Jenny, sits in my kitchen, watching the coffee I made her go cold. She never fully understood my lifestyle choice. To Jenny, getting married is a fate worse than death. She claims to love the ‘newness’ of relationships. First kisses, stolen glances, the rush of someone new between the sheets. Her personal motto has always been ‘once the butterflies disappear, so do I.’ She’s my best friend, my confidant, and my polar opposite in every way.
“He isn’t an ankle weight, Jenny. Ugh, why am I still defending that horse’s ass? What is wrong with me?” I reply, trying to rub out the tension headache building between my eyes.
Regardless of what Jenny thinks, I love my life. Loved my life. It was quiet and safe. Bob worked and took care of the bills, while I stayed home with our daughter, Shay. Life was perfect. Until that home-wrecking slut joined our family.
Starting a new dental practice meant long hours for Bob. Keeping the house, Bob’s books, and making time for a very active toddler was pushing me to the limit. The answer to all my problems was Cami.
Young and energetic, she could play games with Shay for hours. She was a godsend. So much so that even when the practice took off, Bob insisted we keep her. I told him if he was home more, it was silly to have the nanny come so often, but he was adamant. Besides, Shay loved her. She’d become part of the family.
As usual, Bob spoke, and I quietly went along.
I was so blind.
“The only thing wrong with you is that you allowed that pompous asshat to run your life for far too long. You earned yourself a scholarship to art school, graduated summa cum laude, then just resigned yourself to a life of servitude to that dictator you called a husband. Once you get out in the real world, you’ll see there is way more to live for than life in the suburbs with Dr. Bob.”
Easy for her to say. She’s pretty and blond and doesn’t have a single stretch mark on her porcelain skin. She practically lives at the gym. I, on the other hand, am short with unruly curls and boring brown eyes. My hourglass figure makes it hard to dress, and my weekly Zumba classes aren’t really doing as much as I’d hoped for my post-baby bod. I’m hopeless. I wasted all my pretty years on Bob. He was my first and only everything.
I was just sixteen when we met. He was a senior, captain of the football team, and I couldn’t believe someone that popular would actually date me, the shy art nerd. It seemed like all the girls in our school were practically lining up to date him.
When he asked me out, I thought he was joking. Blond, handsome, and built, he could have had anyone he wanted. He was like a teen heartthrob. The kind of guy girls swoon over in TigerBeat magazine. And, for some strange reason, he wanted me. Why me? I was a mouse. A dust mite. A piece of cellophane. You could walk right by me and never even know I was there.
In hindsight, that’s probably what he liked about me the most. I let him control everything. He made the plans, and I tagged along, happy and content just being in his company. Bob was my world. I would have done anything to make him happy, but he never was. Nothing was ever enough for him. He just wanted more. More money, more things…more women.
My eyes well up with tears as the memories wash over me. No matter how hard I try, I can’t pinpoint exactly when everything fell apart. I’d been so busy deluding myself into thinking everything was fabulous that I’d overlooked so much.
Jenny’s face softens as the first tear trickles down my cheek. “God, I’m so pathetic,” I whine.
“No, you’re not, Ains,” she says softly, taking my hands in hers. “I’m sorry; I shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss Bob when I know how badly you’re hurting.”
“No, it’s not your fault. You’re right. I know Bob isn’t worth all these tears, it’s just…” Saying it out loud somehow makes it feel more real. Bob and Cami looked so cozy sitting side by side in the courtroom earlier, while I sat there alone feeling fat and depressed. He promised me happily ever after, but he destroyed that vow along with my heart.
Jenny rips a paper towel from the holder near the sink and wipes my tears the way she'd done a hundred times in the last year. "Let's get out of here. You don't need to be sitting here crying about Bob anymore."
Sucking in the last of my sobs, I nod. "Yeah," I agree, but deep down, I know my tears are nowhere near over.
***
“Give us two beers, two shots of tequila, and keep ‘em coming!” Jenny shouts. I shoot her a look, and she shoots me one right back. “Your daughter is with your parents, and you’re a free woman. Live a little!”
The Blue Stone Bar and Grill is jam-packed full of professionals in suits getting their happy hour buzz on. Being out at five o’clock is alien to me. Normally, I’d be rushing around to prepare dinner for my family. Where I belong.
Skipping the shot, I reach for my beer. “Getting hammered isn’t going to help my situation, and I have a lot to do tomorrow after I pick up Shay from my parents’ house.”
“Oh, yeah. The ‘Family Vacation,’” replies Jenny, using air quotes, her voice dripping with disdain.
Our yearly vacation was always a big event. Bob had it in his head that he was a successful dentist, and as such, we should be taking vacations that “make people jealous.” He’s so pompous sometimes. Shay and I would have been just as happy at the Jersey Shore, but Bob needed bells and whistles. He needed to travel, see the world.
Last year, we spent three weeks in Egypt. It was hot, and the food was terrible, but Bob loved it. We’d briefly discussed doing a month in Europe this year, and I’d assumed that with everything going on, that plan had left the table. Imagine my surprise when I found out he and Shay still intended to go—with Cami.
“How are you holding up with all that?”
“I’m dealing with it.” It’s a lie. I know it, and Jenny knows it. In reality, I’m hanging on by a thread. Not that I was dying to go, but the thought of being without Shay for a whole month makes me want to crawl in a hole and cover myself with dirt. It’s like going a month without water. Impossible. Losing her every other weekend is hard enough. I half considered telling her she couldn’t go, but she was so excited. How could I say no?
“Well, what if I told you I might be going on a little extended vacation of my own?” Jenny’s Cheshire Cat grin spreads from ear to ear. It always seems unintentionally devious. Whenever I see it, I somehow know trouble is lurking around the corner. My mother refers to her as “That Jenny.” As in, “What has ‘That Jenny’ gotten you into this time?”
The idea of her taking a vacation is new information. Jenny doesn’t do anything without running it by me first. She’s the type of girl who uses the bathroom while talking on the phone. Crude yet hilarious at the same time.
“I couldn’t say anything until it was official, but I took on a new client at my PR firm. We’d been in discussions for months, and it was killing me not being able to tell you, but you know how it is.”
I nod, but in reality, I have no idea how it is. Jenny is one of the most successful people I know. She started her own public relations firm from the ground up and worked tirelessly until it was a pretty big name in the industry. She represents many famous people and always has the best gossip. I have so much insider information I could probably write a book.
“Brace yourself for this one. It’s Black Diamond.”
The frosty carbonation lodges in my windpipe, causing a teary-eyed choking fit. She’s going to be working with Black Diamond. Black. Diamond. Just hearing the band’s name makes me want to pump my fists in the air. Black Diamond has been my favorite band since college—a fact I’ve kept well hidden in my current social circle. I’m not sure poetic lyrics like ‘close those eyes and let me love you to death’ fit in with the Coldplay crowd that generally surrounds me.
Every word drips with erotic torment. Not only are they heavy and loud, but their lead singer, Kade Black, is the epitome of hot rocker dude. He’s vulgar and cocky, with a voice sexy enough to make me break out in a sweat. And the body on him…don’t even get me started. It should be illegal for one man to be that hot. It’s not fair to the rest of the world.
Needless to say, Bob hates Black Diamond.
“So they are starting their East Coast tour in a couple of days, and I’ll be going with them to revamp their promotion for it. Kade is apparently a huge hothead, and they want to bring me along to defuse any potential situations right away,” she continues, bouncing up and down in her seat with excitement. “Why are you looking at me like that? Aren’t you excited?”
My lashes flap as I collect my thoughts and wipe the deadpan expression off my face. A snake of jealousy winds around any excitement I'm able to muster at this point in time. It isn’t Jenny’s fault, but I’m finding it difficult to process her amazing news while still feeling so overwhelmingly sorry for myself. I’m not ready to end my pity party yet. The wounds are too fresh, but I plaster on a supportive grin and fake it. When everything fell to hell, Jenny was the only one in my corner. A true friend like her is a rare commodity; I'm not going to shit all over her big announcement. “Yes. Holy crap, that’s incredible! Congratulations!”
“Well, there’s more. The idea of hanging out alone on some crappy tour bus didn’t exactly thrill me. I mean, what if these guys all turn out to be douchebags? That would suck, right? I’m bringing an assistant to help out.”
“Oh, that’s cool! You guys will have so much fun!” I down the untouched shot in front of me. I need a solid buzz if I’m going to have to feign happiness all night. “Who are you bringing with you?”
Her grin dazzles so brightly you could probably see it from space. “You.”
Clearly, she’s had too many shots of tequila.
Jenny’s manicured fingers close around my arm. “Did you hear me, Ainsley? We’re going on tour with Black Diamond!”
“You’re nuts! I can’t just drop everything and go on tour with a rock band. I’m a grown-up. I have responsibilities,” I say, shooing her away with my free hand.
“What responsibilities? Shay is going to be in Europe this summer with Bob—the family trip you are supposed to be on, might I add. You were all geared up to leave town for a month anyway. You’re just trading in Europe for a tour bus full of hotties!”
The woman has lost her damn mind.
"It’s absurd. I’m a thirty-year-old housewife. I can’t go on a tour bus full of rock stars..." can I? It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, for sure. The air in the bar is stagnant and hot, but the mere thought of being in such close quarters with Kade Black causes my skin to prickle.
Overhead, the song fades out, and a low growl bursts through the speakers. I know this song. Title track, “Demon Speedway”, Black Diamond’s debut album. It’s a sign. I’ve had a shit year, an even worse day, and I deserve this.
Kade’s voice belts out the chorus:
Livin’ fast and dyin’ young,
Our wicked journey’s just begun.
Take a ride with me, baby, racing down the demon speedway.
My entire life, I've played it safe. I went to college, I married the doctor, I did everything I was supposed to do, and look where it got me? If I don't do something, I'm going to end up a bitter old hag who chokes to death on her own regrets. I close my eyes and seal my fate. “When do we leave?”
Chapter 2
Pulling up to my childhood home, I wish I were anywhere else. The gyno? A firing squad, perhaps? Anywhere but here. I just know the second I walk in that house my mother is going to start in on her crap again. She’s so old-fashioned. She and my father were married right out of high school, and she spent the last thirty-three years waiting on him hand and foot. With a role model like that, it’s no wonder I turned out to be Bob’s Stepford Wife.
My mother stands poised at the sink, scrubbing the porcelain basin. “Hey Ma, is Shay up yet?”
“Hi dear, come in. Yeah, she is upstairs packing her bag.” Her incessant scrubbing stops as she turns to greet me. “This is the way you leave the house? No wonder he ran off with that young girl. At least put on some makeup. You look exhausted.” She pats her damp hands over the tight curls framing her forehead to press down any flyaway strands that may have come loose. I roll my eyes. She has on a full face of makeup just to clean the house. My mother: Mrs. Perfect.
“He didn’t leave me because I run errands without makeup, Mom. Can we please not go into this now? I’ve had a rough night as it is.” The corners of my mouth turn down. Her harsh words cut deep. I feel haggard enough. I don't need her pointing out what's clearly written all over my face.
As the court date neared, I found it difficult to sleep, the finality of it all hitting me harder every time my head hit the pillow. First Bob left, and now, he’s taking Shay with him. To make matters worse, my inner turmoil turns to fear when I consider the possibility that Shay may want to live with her father and Cami instead of me. Cami is young, pretty, and fun — everything I know I’m not — and Shay just adores her.
“Well, you obviously weren’t doing something right at home. Men just don’t up and leave their wives for no reason, Ainsley.”
“Why are you always taking his side? You’re my mother, not his. He is the one who broke my heart and tore apart our family. I’m trying to figure out how you see this as my fault. I wasn’t the one screwing around!”
She turns back to the sink and resumes scrubbing the nonexistent dirt. “You should have tried harder, that’s all I’m saying. You could have forgiven him. When I was younger, you didn’t throw away a marriage. You learned to fix it and move on. Vows are forever, Ainsley.”
Apparently, Bob hadn’t gotten the memo.
Her stabbing words sting my heart. I can’t believe we’re having this conversation again. Tears burn my eyes, but I refuse to release them in front of her. There’s no point. “I am moving on, Mom, and you need to, too. I don’t need you to rub salt in the wound.”
