by K E Osborn
“You’re killing me here, babe. I need to hear the word.” He swallows hard.
My eyes open wide and I gasp. “Oh gosh, sorry… yes. Of course. A million times… yes.”
His mouth is on mine quickly and I press my lips back to his, kissing him so passionately my knees feel weak even though he’s holding me up, supporting me like I know he’s going to continue to do for the rest of our lives.
Epilogue
ALEX
ONE MONTH LATER
The wedding was beautiful and I’m so happy I was invited. I honestly didn’t think I would be, but being a part of the Recoil family is really cool and Lunar made such a beautiful bride. I’m at the reception and there’s still no sign of Matt. He’s probably having way too much fun with his date, and they got distracted before the wedding and they’re busy getting busy if you know what I mean.
“You look a million miles away,” Ria says as she comes up to me with our drinks, her belly popping out slightly more as her tight dress accentuates her curves.
“Just wondering where Matt is.”
Ria smirks. “Your date not doing it for you?”
I look over to Ronan the redhead and my lip curls up as I sigh. “He’s too…” I pause as he starts dancing along to a rock song in an Irish jig.
“Say no more, I see what you mean.”
“Ladies! We’re drinking,” Tillie slurs as she and Lunar walk over. Tillie slumps down next Ria. “Still with the straws, Ria? We’re friends, right? I can call you Ria now, yeah?” Tillie slurs and I smirk as I look to Lunar and giggle.
Ria giggles too. “Yes, you can all call me, Ria. We’re friends now… and Tillie, you’re drunk.”
“I am. Yes, that’s true. I will not deny those allegations. But… I’m not drinking from a straw.” She laughs.
“Okay, I’m gonna tell you ladies something. I only recently told this to Nate, like as in a couple nights ago,” Ria says.
We all shift closer to her like she’s going to tell a secret and Lunar opens her eyes wide like she’s surprised.
“My dad was an Israeli soldier. He would go away on military exercises all the time when I was young, but every time he came back from service he would bring me a straw… you know a crazy curly one from whatever country he’d been to. He said to always drink using a straw and that when I used the straw he was with me.
“Then one day we got the call that he was killed in action… I was devastated. So devastated that I took all the straws to bed with me every night for comfort. That continued until we moved to America, where Mom said I had to stop sleeping with them and that I could only have them on display in my room and use them to drink from. I know it’s unhealthy and it’s a psychological thing, but every time I drink, I have a straw… so my dad’s with me. I just wanna feel close to him… he was my real life action hero.”
My eyes mist up and I watch Tillie wipe a tear from her cheek and Lunar purses her lips like she’s trying not to cry too.
“Wow! I’m so sorry, Ria,” Lunar says.
Ria smiles shaking her head. “It’s okay, you didn’t know.”
“No, I judged you thinking you wanted a straw because you were being a bossy cow. Fuck!” She rubs her hand over her face. “Working with you, getting to know you and seeing the real you now, I’m sorry. I don’t know why I ever hated you.”
“You hated me?” Ria asks with a smirk.
“Maybe not hate… that’s a strong word to use, sorry. But it was close. I’m glad I’ve taken the time to know the real you now.” Lunar leans in hugging Ria, and I smile while Tillie sits back wiping more tears away from her cheeks.
“This is so beautiful,” Tillie says and I chuckle to myself.
“Where’s my wife?” Danger calls out as he comes over with the other guys.
“Here babe.”
Ryan furrows his brows.
“Babe, why are you crying? Who made my girl cry?” Ryan acts like he’s out for blood.
She giggles slapping his chest and shakes her head. “No one. It’s just so beautiful, Ry. We’re gonna get married like this too and it’s gonna be sooo beautiful.” She starts crying again and Ryan looks down at her and laughs.
“Ha… you’re smashed!”
She nods and he chuckles bending down to lift her up over his shoulder. Tillie squeals as he smacks her butt. “I’m getting this one home… night guys.”
“Night,” I call out as everyone laughs.
I’m more than a little annoyed at Matt. People are leaving to go home, he’s missed the entire event. This is really bad form all because of a girl. She better be bloody good is all I’m saying. Suddenly my cell rings breaking me from my thoughts.
I fumble with my purse and grab my cell to see unknown number flashing. I think about letting it ring out, but I figure I may as well answer it seeing as it’s in my hand.
“Penelope’s Sperm Bank… you yank it, we tank it,” I say into the cell with a smile.
“God, are you ever serious?” Matt asks down the line.
“Matt, where the hell are you? It’s practically over!”
“I’m a little detained—”
“Well, getting busy with a beaver shouldn’t take precedence over your friend’s wedding, sir!”
He laughs. “How was your date?”
I groan looking over at the Irishman who’s at the bar talking to a ficus. “Ronan was a bust. But there’s an Aussie biker called Techie here, though. He’s a babe, total hottie… and that accent plus bad boy… oh my God. Can’t say as I haven’t thought about—”
“Alex, I don’t have much time.”
“Huh, what do you mean? Time for what?”
“To talk… I’m in a bit of trouble.”
My stomach sinks and I stop joking instantly as I straighten my shoulders. “Okay… what’s wrong?”
“Alex, you need to come to the police station and bail me out. I’ve been arrested…”
TO BE CONTINUED
Turn the page for:
Fret: The Recoil Rock Series #4
Prologue
MATT
I’ve been arrested.
Fuck!
The press is going to have a field day with this…
Tillie is going to have my balls…
Oliver is going to kill me…
Alex… Fuck! Alex will either laugh or be so disappointed in me I’ll never hear the end of it.
And Nate? Well, he’ll probably be the only supportive one. He’s being super responsible now he has Ria and a bub on the way. Actually, he’s really stepping it up, while I seem to be going in the complete opposite direction.
I’m always the responsible one. The smart one. The intelligent one. The one who keeps everything and everyone together, and now here I am, in a cell, being charged, and missing one of my best friend’s wedding.
Could I have fallen any lower?
“Levine?” a cop calls out into the massive cell that’s currently holding three other men besides me. One man—which I’ve already had a minor clash with—recognized me as the bassist from Recoil. Apparently, he’s known to the rapper, Debt Money, and of course with our band’s history with said rapper, me and T-Dog here don’t exactly see eye to eye. I seem to have managed to calm the situation before it’s gotten too out of hand, with a quick transaction of handing over my watch in exchange for none of my bones being broken. I’d say that’s a damn good trade personally.
“Yeah,” I call back looking at the cop who’s not even looking into the cell. His eyes are wandering around like he’s completely bored with his job. Who can blame him, I guess?
“You can make your one call now.”
I stand up and walk toward the large black barred gate as he unlocks and opens it. He lets me walk through taking my hands and putting them into a set of long, chained handcuffs.
“Is this really necessary?”
He half-smiles. “Sorry man, just following protocol.”
While letting out a long sigh as he lo
cks the cell door, I set off with him down the hall to a line of phone booths.
He leads me to one and nods to it. “You have one call and five minutes… make it count.”
With a quick exhale, I think about who to call. My first thought is Tillie—damage control is probably best in this circumstance, but coping a grilling from her is not on my list of must-haves right now. Oliver is probably the next in line, but to be honest, I don’t want his judgment either. Nate would be understanding in this kind of situation, but I don’t want him to see me like this—he looks up to me.
No, I can only think of one person I need right now… Alex. She’d be wondering where I am anyway, and is probably pissed at me for not showing up. Even though she knows everyone, I know she’d be feeling awkward by herself at the wedding. I should have been there for her, and I simply wasn’t. I’m a fucking shitty friend.
“Anytime rocker,” the cop says breaking me away from my thoughts.
I grab the phone and dial Alex’s cell. It rings a few times and then finally answers. The music is clearly audible through the phone, so I know she’s still at the wedding when she answers with her usually ridiculous greeting.
“Penelope’s sperm bank, you yank it, we tank it,” she calls down the line.
Smirking, I shake my head. “God are you ever serious?”
“Matt, where the hell are you? It’s practically over!” she almost yells, the annoyance evident in her tone.
With a wince, I slump slightly. “I’m a little… detained—”
“Well, getting busy with a beaver shouldn’t take precedence over your friend’s wedding, sir!”
Her usual way with words has me smirking. Before I hit her with my news, I want to find out how her night went. “How was your date?”
She groans exaggeratedly. “Ronan was a bust. But there’s an Aussie biker here, though called Techie. He’s a babe, total hottie… and that accent plus bad boy… Oh. My. God. Can’t say as I haven’t thought about—”
The guard looks at me and taps his watch. So I give him a nod and interrupt Alex’s tirade. “Alex, I don’t have much time.”
“Huh, what do you mean? Time for what?”
“To talk. I’m in a bit of trouble.”
Her voice softens and takes a serious tone. “Okay… what’s wrong?”
“Alex, you need to come to the police station and bail me out. I’ve been arrested…”
She’s quiet for a pause, takes a deep breath, snorts, then bursts out laughing. “Oh, good one, Matt, you almost had me there.”
Exhaling, I let her laugh it out until she slowly stops and then pauses again. “Wait... Matt, you’re not laughing. What the hell are you playing at? Are you really at the police station?”
“Yeah Alex, I’m really here. I need your help. Can you grab Nate and come down? I need to be bailed out.”
“Fuck! What the hell did you do?”
I guess for you to understand where I’m at now, I have to take you back to where this all started…
Chapter One
THREE AND A HALF MONTH’S AGO
Making my way to Nate’s gallery, I’m slightly nervous. This is the first time I’m seeing this place—his passion other than the band—and I feel kind of like an asshole for not knowing this place even existed.
I know he loves his art, and I understand he leaves the house and heads off somewhere to paint. I just never knew the extent, and the fact he had his own place to delve into his creativity. I really wish he’d opened up to me. It bothers me that he felt I wouldn’t have supported him in this, and even more so that he was alone in this dream until Zaria came along. Now Zaria is gone, I want to be the one to help him harness his energy into something productive for himself.
I’ve been told he has two staff members working for him at the gallery—his cleaner Robert, and his manager slash curator Alex. I don’t know much about Alex other than his name. It’s good he’s employed a guy to work for him, a chick could be awkward, I suppose.
Making my way down the street, the signage is excellent as I look down toward the entrance. It’s bright and attractive and would definitely catch my attention if I were walking past. Alex has done an excellent job so far with curb appeal.
My hands are firmly in my pockets as I approach the doorway because I’m nervous as hell. Nate doesn’t know I’m coming, and I want more than anything, for today to go well for him. It’s going to be a big day, and I want to be here for him.
As I approach, I see a glimpse of a tiny framed woman standing inside the doorway next to Nate. Her hair is a mixture of white blonde and aqua. As I get closer, I notice she has a surprisingly cute little nose ring and two lip piercings that give her that extreme edgy grunge look. But despite all that, she’s dressed immaculately and professional. It’s a stark contrast to her face and hair. Although her outfit does have a slight sixties feel to it, it’s still very professional looking and doesn’t match her overall ‘look.’ It’s like she’s dressed for work. But the thing that does catch my attention is her eyes. They’re stunning. Not the color as they’re quite dark—almost black—but the size. They are huge doe eyes that resemble a cartoon character. They light up her face, while her lashes curl up giving her this total innocent look, even though everything screams hardcore bad ass. This chick’s a walking contradiction, and I’m slightly taken aback as I step up to the gallery while taking in every detail of her cute face. I can’t help but wonder who the hell is she? Maybe she’s another artist. She looks the type.
Her stunning eyes lift up, and she notices me. They widen even more if that’s fucking possible. My heart skips a beat and my breath catches which take me by surprise. It’s weird, she’s not the normal type of woman I’d be attracted to. But there’s something about her that’s different, and I don’t know what it is. She definitely isn’t my type or the girl I’m thinking about looking for right now, she doesn’t meet any of the requirements on my checklist, but I can’t deny that she is rockin’.
I arrive at the door, and she looks me up and down with a smirk on her face as she stands next to Nate.
“Whoa dude, this is trippy,” she notes as she smiles widely and proceeds to shove a flyer straight into my face. “Welcome to the gallery of Artist Anonymous. We hope you enjoy your time here today. I’m the curator, Alex, and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask.”
Swallowing hard, the sound of her voice is husky and yet somehow angelic at the same time. What the fuck is with this chick? She’s an enigma.
She stands there, flyer out, and staring at me with the cutest of smirks. I gawk at her completely awestruck. Then it hits me. She said her name’s Alex… as in Nate’s Alex? The manager and curator that Ria hired for him. The woman I thought was a man? She’s definitely not a man. I casually look down to her medium sized tits and quickly back up to her big doe eyes. Definitely not a man.
“You’re Alex?” I ask.
She nods. “Mmhmm…”
While I’m still trying to comprehend that all this time I thought Alex was a guy, when she really is all woman, I shake my head slowly and blurt out, “But you’re not a dude?”
Alex chuckles. “Um… nope!” She places her hands on her tits, squeezes, and nods. “Yep, definitely not a dude.”
I make a little grunt, and think how hot that was while drawing my eyebrows together in semi-shock. “Nate, you said Alex was a dude!”
Nate jolts back watching me with a smirk. “What? No, I didn’t.”
Squishing my eyebrows even further together, I think back to our short conversations about Alex. “No, you’re right. I guess I just assumed from the name. How did I not know you were a chick?” I scrub my fingers through my hair. “Dude, Ria sent you a chick! No wonder you knew it was over for good.”
“Mmm, thanks...” Nate slumps his shoulders while Alex keeps looking from me to Nate and back to me again.
“Wow! It’s astounding,” she says.
“What?” I ask while raising an eyebrow.<
br />
“Well, you look so alike at first glance, but really you’re nothing alike. There are so many subtle differences,” Alex explains, and Nate and I both tilt our heads in unison.
“Really? People always have such a hard time telling us apart,” I state.
“Pffft, nah… I’d be able to tell you two apart easily. The first sign is that little fleck of gold you have in your eyes that’s different to Nate’s. His are pure blue whereas yours turn more to a goldy-green. Plus, you have more of a subtle freckle pattern just under your right eye. Nate doesn’t have that.”
“Wow, your attention to detail is really quite… um, scary,” I exclaim, while Nate chuckles.
“That’s why I love art, I see the beauty in everything.”
“Even a dipshit like Nate.” I chuckle to myself. Making light of every situation is something I do when I’m nervous or out of my comfort zone.
“Well, come in, have a look around, I think you’ll see Nate’s actually pretty damn good.”
Raising my eyebrow, I nod at Alex as she defends Nate from my nervous remark. Good on her for sticking up for him. I like her already. “I can’t believe I’ve never been here before.”
“It’s not like you knew about it, though… in your defense,” Nate says.
“True, but I’m proud of you, bro. Learning to read. Funging your Shui. Opening a gallery. You’re really stepping it up. I like this new you.”
He smiles weakly. “I couldn’t have done it without Ria. She pushed me to be better. To be honest, I wish she could see this… I miss her, you know?”
Alex looks out to the street. “Shit! People are actually coming. Quick, go away… now!” she murmurs gesturing with her hands for us to shoo. I laugh along with Nate as we walk off to another wall to check out one of his paintings as if we were interested in making a purchase, as a group of people come in. Alex gets right to work as Nate tenses up and chews on his bottom lip while looking around a little too noticeably.
