Read Online Bad Beats: A Rock-Star Step-Brother Romance by C.L. Riley - Free Book Online
Authors: C.L. Riley
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her, I untie the bandana that shields her eyes. I know Slyder is hiding somewhere nearby recording her shocked expression. My guess is the tree in front of us, to the left.
I’ve brought her to the lakeside spot where we lost our virginity. We were way too young. Shit… we’re still young. We only graduated from high school two years ago, but she’s it for me. We broke up once, for a few weeks, about six months ago. I thought I was going to die without her.
Refusing to dwell on the past, I look up at the sign that asks the one question that will define our future.
‘Will you marry me, Lila?’ is professionally etched, across a massive, vinyl banner that’s stretched between two trees. On cue, as planned, Roxie cuts the strings holding a bouquet of fifty white balloons. They billow skyward, creating a stunning spectacle above the lake.
Lila gasps and lets out a cry that sounds more pained than excited.
“N-o-o-o-o!” she wails.
Our friends and family, who have been hiding in a nearby barn, stream out, eager to celebrate and unaware of the developing crisis. The ballad I wrote just for Lila starts playing, courtesy of the state-of-the-art sound system we set up in the barn, sharing the space with our guests.
Everything is perfect…except her reaction.
I move in front of her and drop to my knee. When I look up, it’s not love I see reflected in her eyes. It’s regret.
“I can’t,” she whispers. “Oh, God. I should have told you. I was going to, but the time was never right.”
Forgetting we’re in a mob of people who have gone quiet, I demand answers, “What are you talking about? I love you. You love me. It’s time, baby. I don’t understand. This is what we always wanted.”
She shakes her head.
Reggie, our self-proclaimed roadie, has moved closer and is hovering near Lila, making no attempt to hide his smug expression.
“When we broke up, I got together with Reg. I never stopped seeing him. I didn’t know how to tell you. I love you, but I’m in love with him. Shit, Sean. This wasn’t supposed to happen.”
“You fucker!” I lunge for one of my oldest friends.
He could have stopped this nightmare, but it’s obvious, he wants to see me suffer the humiliation of losing Lila to him in public. Roxie had pointed out his jealous streak more than once, but I’d brushed off her warnings.
Stix and Marx grab my arms. Slyder jogs over from his hiding place.
“He’s not worth it, man. She’s not either,” Slyder yells before turning his attention to the two traitors. “Get the fuck out of here while you can. When we’re at the top of the charts, you’ll both regret this.”
“You’ll never make it!” Reggie shouts as he pulls Lila away. “Talent-less wannabes.”
Reggie’s opinion means very little to me, but Lila has always been my biggest cheerleader.
She turns back, an ugly sneer distorting her otherwise perfect face. “I hate Crude Element. Reggie’s right. You guys suck.”
Even with her parents present, their own shock palpable, she flips us off.
And the switch to my heart follows her example, flipping to the off spot at the sight of her middle finger. I decide right then and there that women are good for one thing—sex.
So far, I’m the only one in my band who hasn’t decided on a stage name.
Thanks to Reggie and Lila’s sick stunt, I’ve got one now.
I’m Shag fucking Steal. I intend to do a whole lot of shagging to make up for lost time.
Sean is dead, buried, and there is no resurrection date anywhere on the horizon.
“Shag, are you okay?” a timid voice asks, reminding me what and who exactly triggered my worse memory ever.
I release her hand like its shooting flames and step back. “This was a mistake. I gotta go.”
Not bothering to explain, I leave the woman who could be my undoing or perhaps my salvation, standing by the rail.
After about ten steps, I give into temptation and glance back. There is no way I can miss the confusion and hurt
I’ve brought her to the lakeside spot where we lost our virginity. We were way too young. Shit… we’re still young. We only graduated from high school two years ago, but she’s it for me. We broke up once, for a few weeks, about six months ago. I thought I was going to die without her.
Refusing to dwell on the past, I look up at the sign that asks the one question that will define our future.
‘Will you marry me, Lila?’ is professionally etched, across a massive, vinyl banner that’s stretched between two trees. On cue, as planned, Roxie cuts the strings holding a bouquet of fifty white balloons. They billow skyward, creating a stunning spectacle above the lake.
Lila gasps and lets out a cry that sounds more pained than excited.
“N-o-o-o-o!” she wails.
Our friends and family, who have been hiding in a nearby barn, stream out, eager to celebrate and unaware of the developing crisis. The ballad I wrote just for Lila starts playing, courtesy of the state-of-the-art sound system we set up in the barn, sharing the space with our guests.
Everything is perfect…except her reaction.
I move in front of her and drop to my knee. When I look up, it’s not love I see reflected in her eyes. It’s regret.
“I can’t,” she whispers. “Oh, God. I should have told you. I was going to, but the time was never right.”
Forgetting we’re in a mob of people who have gone quiet, I demand answers, “What are you talking about? I love you. You love me. It’s time, baby. I don’t understand. This is what we always wanted.”
She shakes her head.
Reggie, our self-proclaimed roadie, has moved closer and is hovering near Lila, making no attempt to hide his smug expression.
“When we broke up, I got together with Reg. I never stopped seeing him. I didn’t know how to tell you. I love you, but I’m in love with him. Shit, Sean. This wasn’t supposed to happen.”
“You fucker!” I lunge for one of my oldest friends.
He could have stopped this nightmare, but it’s obvious, he wants to see me suffer the humiliation of losing Lila to him in public. Roxie had pointed out his jealous streak more than once, but I’d brushed off her warnings.
Stix and Marx grab my arms. Slyder jogs over from his hiding place.
“He’s not worth it, man. She’s not either,” Slyder yells before turning his attention to the two traitors. “Get the fuck out of here while you can. When we’re at the top of the charts, you’ll both regret this.”
“You’ll never make it!” Reggie shouts as he pulls Lila away. “Talent-less wannabes.”
Reggie’s opinion means very little to me, but Lila has always been my biggest cheerleader.
She turns back, an ugly sneer distorting her otherwise perfect face. “I hate Crude Element. Reggie’s right. You guys suck.”
Even with her parents present, their own shock palpable, she flips us off.
And the switch to my heart follows her example, flipping to the off spot at the sight of her middle finger. I decide right then and there that women are good for one thing—sex.
So far, I’m the only one in my band who hasn’t decided on a stage name.
Thanks to Reggie and Lila’s sick stunt, I’ve got one now.
I’m Shag fucking Steal. I intend to do a whole lot of shagging to make up for lost time.
Sean is dead, buried, and there is no resurrection date anywhere on the horizon.
“Shag, are you okay?” a timid voice asks, reminding me what and who exactly triggered my worse memory ever.
I release her hand like its shooting flames and step back. “This was a mistake. I gotta go.”
Not bothering to explain, I leave the woman who could be my undoing or perhaps my salvation, standing by the rail.
After about ten steps, I give into temptation and glance back. There is no way I can miss the confusion and hurt
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