Sheer: A Hollywood Romance (Exposed Book 3)

by Sarah Robinson

  "They haven't called yet, but I put my phone on silent for the ceremony," he told her.

  "Can't you just put it on vibrate?" she asked. "I really don't want to miss their call. This could be it—today could be the day!"

  He chuckled and leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. "Babe, even if we do get the call, it's not going to be today. We'd have to travel to wherever the child is, wait for the delivery, then it'll be several days or weeks before we can take the baby home."

  She knew he was right, but this entire process had been so exhausting and exhilarating all at once. After having two children, they'd decided not to have any more of their own. Being pregnant was a huge roadblock to her career as a dancer, but even then, they both knew that they'd always wanted to give a home to a child in need.

  A few weeks ago, they'd finally been paired with a young, teenage mother who was giving up the rights to her child. The road was going to be difficult, because their future child was going to be born with a cocaine dependency. There was no doubt that it would be an uphill battle to bring this baby to full health, and every ounce of Teagan was terrified that their future baby wouldn't make it.

  Her due date was next month, so now they were just waiting for the call that it was time. The doctor had warned them that it was likely the mother would deliver early because of the drug use during the pregnancy and other complications from the baby's lack of nutrition. So, they were prepared. Everything was already ready—the nursery, the tiny baby clothes, the formula. But even being fully ready, she couldn't help her nerves at the entire process.

  If the baby arrived and didn't make it, Teagan was certain her heart would completely break. She'd been to the ultrasounds, she'd met the mother, she'd spoken to her future baby. She was already in love with him, and they'd already named him Pace.

  He already felt like theirs.

  "Don't worry," Reed reassured her, wrapping one arm around her shoulders. "This baby is going to come, and when he does, he'll be okay. We've prayed so much for him. He's going to be okay."

  Teagan leaned against her husband's shoulder, sighing and hoping that he was right. Something about the way he spoke to her, the way he just seemed to know it was all going to be all right…she believed him. She'd always believed him.

  Their family was at the core of who they were, the core of their entire lives. Teagan had found that her true love was in Broadway, so while she still did the occasional dance film, including being on Break Down 4 now, she continued to work on the stage. She'd won several awards for her work, and while that wasn’t why she did it, she loved the recognition for all her hard work.

  Reed had continued acting, starring in film after film that continued to be box office successes. He mostly worked in romantic comedies and had gained quite a name for himself in that field. Paparazzi continued to follow him around, but Teagan didn't even mind anymore. He was great at what he did, and he loved doing it.

  The best part about his work is that the filming wasn't long, and often he was able to take jobs in New York City where they lived or taken them to the set with him. Their family was rarely apart if they could help it, and even when they were, he'd come home every free moment he had. Being a father and husband was Reed's number one priority, and Teagan felt that love and dedication from him every day.

  "I love you," she whispered, placing a quick kiss on his cheek.

  He smiled at her, those light green eyes sparkling every time he looked at her. "I love you, too." Suddenly his eyes widened. "Oh, shit."

  "What?"

  "My pocket just vibrated." He reached down and fished out his phone.

  "Oh my God, is it time?" Teagan leaned over to see the screen. Sure enough, it was their lawyer. "Holy shit!"

  "Hello?" Reed answered the phone quietly, and Teagan leaned in to listen to the conversation.

  "Mr. Scott, how are you doing?" the lawyer said.

  "Great," Reed replied. "What's going on?"

  "It looks like we might have a baby soon!" he explained, excitement in his voice. "She's at the hospital, but the contractions are very far apart. The doctor said it's still going to be quite a wait, but everything looks like it's going well so far."

  "Isn't it too early?" Reed asked, clutching the phone tighter.

  "It's early," the lawyer agreed. "So, the baby will probably be kept at the hospital for some time, especially with his complications already. But I'll go ahead and text you the room information, so come on down when you can. It's almost time for you to meet your son."

  Reed reached over and squeezed Teagan's hand. "Thank you. We'll be there as soon as possible." Then he hung up the phone.

  "It's time," Teagan whispered, her eyes widening. "We have to go!"

  "Go tell your sister," he said, already beginning to stand up. "I'll get the kids in the car."

  "Reed?" she paused for a moment, her hand on his forearm. "I love you."

  He grinned. "I love you, baby. You're the best mom to these two I could ever have dreamed of. I know you're going to be just as amazing with Pace."

  Teagan grinned, placing a soft kiss on her husband's lips. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me."

  "Right back at you, beautiful."

  Simone

  There was absolutely nothing more uncomfortable than being on stage singing to a small crowd of people waiting for a vow renewal to start while also being nine months pregnant and feeling like a bloated whale.

  Simone ran her hand over her giant belly, continuing to croon into the microphone. Honestly, she had agreed to sing at her older sister's vow renewal as a favor, but definitely hadn't expected it to last this long. She wondered what was delaying them.

  Grant was sitting in the front row, and he blew her a quick kiss.

  Finally, she saw Ben walking up the aisle toward them. Strangely, Teagan and Reed were also standing up where they were sitting and looked like they were about to leave.

  A warm sensation washed over her, and suddenly Simone's eyes widened. Holy shit, did I just pee myself? If she was being honest, peeing on herself wasn't entirely a new concept during this pregnancy. She and Grant had only been married for a few months when they'd discovered they were pregnant with their first child, and it had been a huge adjustment for both of them—although they were both thrilled with the news. They’d taken their time getting married and so they certainly hadn’t planned on rushing into parenthood, but life had other plans for them.

  Grant had moved his parents to New York City in their own apartment so that they would be around for when the baby came. His career had finally steadied out because he'd created and produced a musical on Broadway that was turning into one of the biggest hits New York had seen in decades. The job kept him around, and she was thrilled to have him at home all the time.

  Her own career was flourishing with the success of her first solo album, hitting platinum records and earning her a Grammy in the process. It still felt surreal, and she honestly couldn't believe this was her life. She was set to do a tour across the country and internationally about six months after the baby was born, which made her really nervous, but Grant and the baby were going to come with her the entire time.

  Still, as famous as she might be now, she had just peed herself in front of a crowd of people. Glancing down between her legs, she realized that there was a giant puddle of liquid around her feet and the bottom of her dress was soaked.

  Grant was suddenly standing in front of her. "Babe!"

  "Oh my God, hide me," she whispered, trying to hide her mortification. "I peed myself!"

  Her husband laughed, gripping her hands. "I think your water just broke, Simone. That's not pee."

  She looked down again, then a sudden crack of pain split through her body and she squeezed Grant's hand as a scream rippled through her. "Oh my, God! Was that a contraction? Holy fuck, they're horrible. Oh my, God! The baby is coming! This baby is going to come out of my body! How? Holy shit, I need drugs."

  "Simmy?" Teagan was standi
ng next to Grant now. "Are you okay?"

  "I need to go to the hospital!" she said, panicking and realizing that a watermelon sized child was about to squeeze through her vagina. Sure, she'd watched the birthing videos, but now that it was about to happen, she was just fucking terrified.

  "We're headed there now! Our birth mom is in labor," Teagan replied. "Come on."

  She took one of Simone's arms while Grant took the other.

  "Let's go!" Ben was by them. "I'll drive!"

  "What about the vow renewal?" Simone asked, feeling terrible that she was blocking their plans. "Aria's been so looking forward to today."

  "We can always postpone it," Ben replied. "Aria would much rather be here with you. I'll go pull the car around. Reed, go get Aria!"

  Twenty minutes later, the entire Reynold's family was at Cedars-Sinai Hospital as Simone was rushed into the delivery room with Grant by her side and everyone else waited in the family area. It was by far one of the most difficult experiences in her entire life, but many, many hours later, Simone held their little girl, Mia, in her arms.

  "She's as beautiful as you," Grant murmured, gently caressing his daughter's head as he leaned over them. He kissed Simone's head. "You did amazing, babe."

  Simone smiled down at Mia. "She's absolutely perfect."

  The door to the hospital room pushed open, and Simone's mother stuck her head in. "Is it time to show off my new granddaughter yet?"

  Simone nodded, chuckling. "Let them in."

  "I'll give you and your sisters a moment," Grant said. He gave her a quick kiss and then left the hospital room.

  Betty slipped into his place by Simone's side, oohing and aahing over the baby. Aria was the first to enter, still wearing her lacy vow renewal gown.

  "Oh, Aria, I'm so sorry I ruined your big day," Simone said to her older sister.

  Aria shook it off. "Don't worry about it, honey. I'm much happier getting to meet my new niece—healthy and beautiful! We rescheduled the vow renewal for next weekend. Already been together ten years, what's one more week?"

  "I'm definitely going to be there this time, with a plus one," Simone said, gesturing toward her daughter.

  Aria laughed. "She's more than welcome. God, she's gorgeous, Simmy. I can already tell you're going to be an amazing mom."

  "Thank you," she replied. And honestly, coming from Aria, one of the best moms she'd ever met, that was a huge compliment. "I'm so in love with her already. Like, I didn't even know this level of love was possible."

  Teagan barreled into the room next, her own face aglow with new own news. "Simone! She's gorgeous!" She gazed down at Mia.

  "How's Pace?" Simone asked, because she'd been dying to find out the news about her nephew ever since they'd gotten here. "Is he here yet?"

  Teagan nodded, her smile lighting up her entire face. Simone immediately recognized that bursting-with-love, new mom expression on Teagan's face. "He's so perfect. He's in the NICU for a while, so I can't bring him to show you, but when you're feeling up to it, we can go see him."

  "I can't believe our kids are going to share a birthday," Simone replied, still mesmerized by her own daughter's sleeping face. She couldn't look away, as much as she wanted to give attention to everyone else around her. She could stare at that tiny nose and little lashes all day long.

  "Joint birthday parties!" Teagan offered, laughing.

  "I think it's good luck," their mother spoke up, gently kissing the head of her new granddaughter. "I know that's what your father would say."

  The sisters were quiet for a moment, remembering their late father. Simone wished he'd been here, but she knew he was watching from Heaven.

  "I love you ladies," Simone finally said, looking up at her mother and her sisters with tears brimming over her lashes. "I feel so blessed to be part of this family. To be a Reynolds, even if I'm a Mercer now. I feel so honored to be able to bring another woman into our clan. I just…I wouldn't be where I am without you three. I wouldn't be me without you all standing beside me."

  Aria swallowed hard, wrapping an arm around Simone's shoulder. "I know what you mean. You all are my world."

  Tears were already sliding down Teagan's cheeks. "I fucking love you guys."

  "Christ, Teag—language," Betty said, but her arms were wrapped around her daughters as she cried too. "I am so honored to be your mother, all of your, and this little one's grandmother, all of my grandchildren."

  They stayed like that for a moment, just reveling in the female power and love in that room. This was her family, this was her identity. The Reynolds sisters were a unit that could never be broken, and here in this room, they'd never felt more bonded.

  And one day, their children would all feel the same.

  Subscribe to Sarah’s Newsletter!

  For more news on upcoming releases, giveaways, freebies, and exclusive excerpts, make sure to join Sarah’s newsletter sent out 1-2x/month!

  >> JOIN HERE <<

  Want Alerts on $0.99 Sales for Sarah’s Books?

  Follow Sarah Robinson on Bookbub for deal alerts when any of her novels go on sale for limited times!

  >> JOIN HERE <<

  Keep reading for a short excerpt from another novel!

  Excerpt from Breaking a Legend

  A Kavanagh Legends Novel

  Now Live

  Purchase a copy at the author’s website:

  booksbysarahrobinson.net/my-books/kavanagh-legends/breaking-a-legend/

  Prologue

  Three!

  Two!

  One!

  Fight!

  The crowd roared around him as the bell sounded, vibrating through his entire body. Rory Kavanagh immediately moved into position, his head low and his fists in front of his face. His arms were tucked in, shielding his body as he advanced on his opponent. This was it. A lifetime of practice, sparring, training: It was all for this moment.

  It was all for this fight.

  He was bigger than his opponent; this would be a simple win. He had the strength, he had the power. He towered over him by several inches, his shoulders broader, and his muscles thicker. This fight was in the bag. Punch, block, jab, shield, kick, sidestep. His opponent was moving fast, but Rory practically danced around his attack. He rained down jab after jab, his opponent staggering backward with a bloody lip. The bell sounded and both men retreated to their respective corners.

  “Water,” Rory grunted, leaning against the cage side as his father handed him a water bottle, his brothers eagerly watching from outside the cage. He dumped a mouthful of water onto his tongue before swirling it around and spitting it out into a nearby bucket.

  “You’re doing great, Rory, but remember technique. You’re too heavy-handed on power, and you’re not focusing on skills. That’s how fighters get hurt.”

  “I’m fine. This is in the bag.” Rory tossed the bottle at him, strutting back toward the center of the ring as the ref began announcing the start of the second round.

  “Fight!” The ref backed up quickly as the men converged on one another. Rory landed the first hook, blocking the return. Breathe, focus.

  And that’s when it happened.

  He blinked in surprise as blinding pain coursed through him. He looked down for a second, just a second, and it was over. Rory hadn’t even seen it happen; his opponent had been too fast. He looked down at his leg, but it was entirely twisted at the knee and bent the wrong direction. Bones were protruding and blood trickled morbidly down his calf. Searing pain inexplicably mixed with tingling numbness shot through his body in pulsing currents as he wavered.

  Then all he saw was black. He felt the cage floor hit the back of his head as he went down hard. He heard the screaming from audience members, his family included. The ref’s whistle was blaring and medics were asking if he was okay.

  Rory said nothing, and gave in to the black.

  Chapter One

  “I will tell you when I’ve had enough.” He spoke through clenched teeth, slowly raising his silver
eyes to stare down the irritated bartender.

  “Rory, come on. Don’t make me throw you out.” The bartender peered sideways at him, clearly exasperated as he draped a dishrag over one shoulder.

  Rory Kavanagh narrowed his gaze, anger coursing through his blood as he contemplated reaching across and smashing the arrogant prick’s face right into the wooden bar. Instead, he stood and reached into the back pocket of his jeans, tightening his jaw in frustration. Separating a few bills from a rather thick wad of cash, he tossed them down next to his glass before turning and heading for the door.

  As the infamous oldest Kavanagh brother stalked in their direction, the bouncers securing the entrance straightened, giving him a wide berth as he shoved his way out into the cold night air. Rory stumbled slightly as he turned right and slumped his shoulders, shoving his fists into his jacket pockets to keep warm. The alcohol warmed his insides, but still wasn’t a match for the winter chill as he made his way north on Kepler Avenue in the Bronx.

  Rory slid one hand out from its warm haven to shove back his messy long brown locks with a quick sweep of his fingers. Glancing around, he was a bit surprised not to see more people roaming about the Woodlawn neighborhood on a Saturday night. Taking advantage of the momentary privacy, he pulled out an orange pill bottle from his pocket, shaking a few white pills onto his palm. He closed the container and stuck it back in his coat before dropping the pills onto his tongue and swallowing them dry. He was used to the sensation as well as eager to feel the numbing he knew would soon follow.

  Yawning slightly, he slid his phone out of his pocket and turned on the screen, revealing that it was already one in the morning. He was feeling tired, but he wasn’t ready to call it a night just yet. Turning at the next intersection, he made a beeline east to Katonah Avenue, eager to get to O’Leary’s Pub before their last call in an hour.