Just an Illusion - Encore

by D. Kelly

  Just an Illusion

  Encore

  D. Kelly

  Just an Illusion Encore

  Copyright © 2018 D. Kelly

  Editing by – Beyond DEF

  Cover design by – Regina Wamba – Mae I Design and Photography - http://www.maeidesign.com

  Formatting by – Brenda Wright, Formatting Done Wright

  Original lyrics written by Dee Kelly

  This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information contact

  Dee Kelly www.dkellyauthor.com

  This book contains mature subject matter and is not appropriate for minors. Please note this novel contains profanity, sexual situations, and alcohol consumption.

  ISBN: 9781732639416 (ebook)

  Dee Kelly

  P.O. Box 940123

  Simi Valley, CA. 93094

  Table of Contents

  Books by D. Kelly

  Dedication

  Introduction

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  Bonus Epilogue

  About the Author

  The Acceptance Series –

  Breaking Kate – Book One

  Catching Kate – Book 1.5

  Releasing Kate- Book Two

  Loving Kate – Book Three

  Christmas with the Houstons – Book Four

  Stand Alone Novels

  Chasing Cassidy

  Sharing Rylee

  The Evolution of Us

  The Last Resort Motel – Room 13

  The Illusion Series

  Just an Illusion – Side A

  Just an Illusion – The B Side

  Just an Illusion – EP

  Just an Illusion – Unplugged

  Just an Illusion – Encore

  Illusion Series Spin Off Books

  Interlude – (Jordan’s Story) Jan. 29th 2019

  Broken Beats – (Darren’s Story) April 2019

  Untitled – (Eli’s Story) July 2019

  http://www.dkellyauthor.com/all-books

  Before you journey into the conclusion of Sawyer’s story, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank all of you. The Illusion Series came from deep within my heart and is my personal favorite of my books to date. Your love for these characters is almost as deep as mine, and I’m eternally grateful you found room in your hearts for them. You may need a few tissues but not nearly as many as you needed with EP. I hope I’ve touched on all the important things to give you a clear picture of how Sawyer felt about everything.

  If you’re not in our EP Facebook group, I strongly encourage you to join us. The group is our haven where we talk about the series and I answer all of your questions—or I try to. It’s also where you get first access to all the upcoming information to the Illusion Series world. And maybe a few sneak peeks! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1916016678629629/

  There is more to come. For some reason, I can’t seem to let go of this family. You’ll find the pre-order for Interlude is already up. Interlude is Jordan’s book and releases January 29, 2019. You can order the e-book as well as the paperback which is being published by Ever After Romance. Pre-order information is on my website: www.dkellyauthor.com.

  In April of 2019, Broken Beats will release. This is going to be Darren’s story, and I’m beyond excited to share this special book with you.

  Lastly, in July of 2019, I will be releasing Eli’s story. It doesn’t have a title just yet, but it will soon. All three of these men are special to me, and I can’t wait to give you more insight into their world.

  As you finish the book, be sure to keep reading to the very end or you’ll miss a surprise! Hint – It’s a bonus chapter!

  Also, for those of you who may not be on my mailing list at this time. During the last few months, I’ve been releasing weekly newsletters to my email subscribers. They’re all posted on my blog so if you’d like to catch up make sure to check them out. You can find my blog on my website: http://www.dkellyauthor.com/blog/

  I’ve been asked many times for the playlists to these books. I’m in the process of setting up a Spotify playlist for the series. As soon as it’s available, I’ll share the links on my website, in my reader group, and through my mailing list. Be sure to follow me so you will know when it goes live. You can sign up for my mailing list here: http://www.dkellyauthor.com/mailing-list/

  Thank you so much for taking this extraordinary journey with me. It’s been my greatest pleasure bringing these characters and their stories to life for you.

  Live today, like there’s no tomorrow.

  XoXo,

  Dee

  Some of life’s greatest blessings are ones that can’t be seen with your eyes but are instead felt with your heart. For all of you who believe in the unbelievable, this book is for you.

  “No one you love is ever truly lost.”

  ―Ernest Hemingway

  To Nate, and any of my other children who end up following him down this rabbit hole. Cadence, this also includes you.

  Four books. That’s how many you’ve read by now if you’ve made it to this point. If you haven’t, stop and go back to the beginning. It’s a lot to ask of anyone. I’m sure you have expectations and fears—most people would by this point—but you’ve just read lots of things about your parents and family that most kids would never find out. I don’t think all kids should read about sex, drugs, and rock and roll, but I don’t believe in family secrets. I do, however, believe in appropriate timing, which is why I’ll be waiting until your late teen years before offering you this story.

  I know you’ve been bombarded with heavy and emotional topics. Forgive me if I’ve damaged you somehow. We can only do this one last time; it’s all our hearts can take. That means this book has to include everything: memories I need to have and the story you need to know. I hope we’ve raised you to be comfortable talking to us about any subject. If you keep reading, promise me you will skip anything which might make you feel uncomfortable.

  Let’s talk about love. It’s the reason you’re reading these books in the first place. Nate deserves answers to all the questions I know he’s going to have about Noah, Mel, and me.

  Love is the one thing that continuously grows in a family and should never dissipate. Growing up, my parents’ affection for us was felt as much as it was known. Hugs were endless in our house, so was their support and understanding. For me, it’s still hard to comprehend how there’s room in my heart to grow with each new child. There were times—especially when the twins were on their way—that I was afraid my heart couldn’t make any more space, but I was wrong. The heart has infinte room for love.

  It’s ironic how we assign love to the heart. In all actuality, I think it resides in our souls. I’d never given it much thought until we lost
Noah, and then I thought about it often. It doesn’t matter where I am or what I’m doing, if I think about Noah, I sense him. I feel his love far and wide, and whatever makes it happen and brings on that sensation, well … I think it’s greater than the fist-sized organ residing in my chest. What it doesn’t explain is why the heart aches so much in relation to emotions, which is likely why most people link love with the heart. That pain is real and runs deep, leading me to believe our hearts are what tether us to our souls.

  Loving my wife and kids is effortless. Parenthood, though, is scary. The responsibility, the fears, knowing how easily I could screw you all up, is overwhelming at times. Especially when it comes to Nate. Like all my kids, my love for him is indescribable, but so are my fears. I’m not just raising him for me, but for Noah too. Though I always knew fatherhood was in my future, I’d never imagined Noah wouldn’t be my partner in crime through the journey. Nor did I think for one moment there would ever be a time where I was raising his son for him. Without him here, I’m conscious of things I wouldn’t have been before. I do some things the way I think he would so our kids will benefit from Noah’s guidance and open heart. Although it isn’t how I pictured it, our kids are growing up together in the saddest yet best ways possible.

  Damn, I miss him … every single day. When I first lost him, I missed him with every single breath. Having Nate with me has helped ease some of my pain. I may not have my brother anymore, but I have the best part of him with me, and I will never take that for granted.

  Not having Noah around when Noelle was born was extremely difficult. He was the first person I wanted to show her to, the first person I wished could hold her and love on her, and it wasn’t possible. When the twins made their debut into the world, Noah’s absence hit me even harder. It was another milestone in my life my brother wasn’t here to experience. When we got the photos from the hospital, Mel started an album and put their pictures side by side with one of Noah and me at the same age. It’s surreal how much they look like us.

  Princess’s goal was to finish my book before she went into labor. But the twins were eager to meet their parents, and Mel ended up on bedrest for two months. When that happened, I took all the notebooks and files away and put them in my office. The story could wait; my wife and babies’ health were my only concern.

  After the twins came, it took us about a year to get back on track with the story. We wanted to finish, but we weren’t in a rush to get back to the upcoming sadness. When it was time to write again, I realized this half the story wasn’t as focused on Noah as I thought it would be. Although his presence is heavy throughout this part of the book—it’s more about me and how I changed as a person after one night in New York City.

  Once I got over being disappointed the story had shifted from my original intention, I acknowledged it was a good thing. I wanted my kids to see people can change when they want to. There are no rules set in stone stating otherwise. Each day is a chance to change your course and make a new beginning for yourself. Your failures on Monday do not get to define who you are on Tuesday—not if you don’t want them to.

  This story started out as something for Nate and me, and partially for Mel too, so she would know all the things that maybe she’d never asked. It was a way for me to let Nate know my love for him is infinite, as it is for all of my children. Nathaniel Noah Weston is my son, every day and in every way.

  Now that we’re wrapping it up, I’m excited to share it despite my fears. Children should know their parents aren’t infallible. We make mistakes. Even on my most misguided days during this journey, everything I did stemmed from love, even if I didn’t see it back then. The one person who understood that before any of us was Noah, and I’m thankful he knew me as well as he did and loved me for me, flaws and all.

  That’s how Mel and I love each of our kids. Remember, when you’re scared, frustrated, or disappointed, there isn’t much we haven’t seen or experienced, and we will never love you any less—it just isn’t possible. We hope you’ll come talk to us after you’ve let the story settle from start to finish and that you all come away from this journey with a better understanding of who your family actually is. Not just your aunts, uncles, grandparents, and parents, but the people we are beneath those titles. Who we are to you is defined by much more than what you call us.

  All our love, xoxo.

  New York City

  As we leave the venue, we’re herded into a limo to be taken to the hotel where we have to schmooze with the label executives. We’re forced to do this at least twice a year. I’m not sure why they bother. Other than having a financial stake in our band, we don’t have much in common with these guys. Each time we meet up, it’s all bullshit and fake platitudes, and it’s the one thing I will not miss when the tour is over.

  Noah yawns and rubs his temple before leaning back in his seat and closing his eyes. I should let him get some rest, but my worry about his injury far outweighs my decency.

  “Are you okay Noah?” My question pulls the attention of everyone else onto him.

  “Yeah, I’ve just got a headache. I popped some acetaminophen when we got off stage. I’m sure it will kick in soon.” With the strained expression on his face, he isn’t fooling anyone.

  “Want me to call Anna and ask her to have Mel bring your pain pills?” Wyatt pulls out his phone.

  “No, please don’t. I don’t want Mel to worry or fuss over me all night. I’m just going to rest my eyes until we get to the hotel.”

  He closes his eyes, and we all exchange a worried look. Noah hasn’t been himself since we landed in New York, and now I’m curious if his head has been bothering him more than he’s let on. Then again, Princess has been off the past few days, and I wonder if something is going on with the two of them. They seem solid, but I’d probably be the last person Noah would tell if they weren’t.

  I’ve been trying to give them space since they got engaged. Princess made her choice, and I’m legitimately happy for them, but it still hurts. Take yesterday at her book signing as an example. We’re all so damn proud of her, but my feelings were just a mixed-up ball of confusion. I spent the entire day and night walking a fine line of pride and happiness from the perspective of her friend, her soon-to-be brother-in-law and being the one who secretly loves her. Well, not so secret, but still …

  Tonight, she’ll be dressed to the nines and draped all over Noah while I’m stuck watching from afar—again. Alcohol and high-end groupies will be my escape tonight. It wouldn’t be so bad if I hadn’t seen her punch that girl the other day. There was something entirely too sexy about seeing her defend herself and her relationship that went straight to my cock—even if I know better.

  Sooner than I’d like, we arrive at the hotel. Mac and Ryan flank us as we walk inside. At least there aren’t any crowds here; they’re probably all camped out in front of our hotel now that it’s public knowledge where we’re staying, thanks to Princess’s fight.

  “What do you think the odds are for bailing out of here early?” Darren asks as we pile into the elevator.

  Wyatt replies instantly, “Hopefully they’re good odds. I’m exhausted and would rather expend my energy saying goodbye to my wife, if you know what I mean.”

  Laughing, Darren nods in agreement. “Me too. Well, not my wife but my … Belle.”

  I snort at his answer. “You were totally going to call her your baby mama.”

  Darren scowls at me before smiling. “I caught myself. Baby mama is bad, but sort-of-fiancée is just stupid, so she’s my Belle.”

  Darren and Belle are perfect for each other. She’s the only woman who has ever bantered with him and given as good as she gets. Like Princess, she was made for this world. I wonder if I’ll ever belong in the regular world. Celebrity status has its perks, but what I wouldn’t give to be able to grab coffee unnoticed without needing a disguise.

  The elevator doors open directly into the suite, and the party is already in full swing. Music plays loudly, and Noah winces a
gain. Between the music and everyone trying to talk over it, he’s going to be in for a long night. The girls won’t be here for a few minutes, and I need to find a drink before we have to sit down with the record execs. Once we’re finished with them, maybe we can get Noah out of here.

  “Drinks?” I raise a brow and look at our group, and they nod in agreement. Once we’re at the bar, though, Noah asks for water.

  That asshole Bob from the label catches my eye and raises his drink. I nod only because I have to play nice. While the rest of us wait for our drinks, Noah grabs his water bottle and points to a dim corner of the room.

  Within seconds, Warren, Bob, and three other label execs are sitting with Noah and waiting for us.

  “Shit, what is that guy’s name?” Darren whispers to Wyatt and me.

  “Steve?” I ask, but he’s already shaking his head.

  “Lance? Or that new guy Wilbur?” Wyatt adds, failing miserably.

  Snorting, I practically choke on my drink. “I think you mean Burt.”

  Darren’s eyes light up, “Yeah, that’s his name. If he had a fucking mustache, it would be a lot easier to remember. Like Burt Reynolds.”

  “Only you,” Wyatt says, shaking his head. “Let’s go save Noah and get this over with.”

  “If it isn’t the men of the hour!”’ Bob stands and enthusiastically pumps our hands like the suck-up he is.

  Lance speaks up as we take our seats. “The album is doing great, still topping the charts.”

  I catch Lance’s eye. He and I went head to head over this album a few times; he thought it was a bad idea. “Did you think it would do anything but?” I counter smugly, but he meets my gaze head-on.

  “Never doubted it for a moment. Now, let’s talk about the rest of the tour …”

  The women gather steps away from us, and my gaze roams around the room as the execs drone on about details only Warren truly needs to know. As usual, the women are gorgeous and as their lascivious appraisals rake over us, their desperation for a celebrity fuck becomes clear. Too bad for them, I’m the only one who’s single, and I’m not even in the mood to fuck tonight. Maybe that will change after a few more drinks.