The Recoil Rock Series Box Set

by K E Osborn

  “Matt? You’re calling me early, is everything okay?” Alex asks, and I smile hearing her chirpy voice, she always is a morning person.

  “I’m okay, just having a dilemma.”

  She chuckles as I hear her rushing about. “Well, how’s that different from any other day? You’re such a drama queen, you know?” she teases, and I exhale rolling on my side and looking at a photo on my bedside of us at the Rosalie House fundraiser all those months ago.

  “I know, but how would you get through your day if I didn’t make it interesting for you?” I reply, and she snorts.

  “True story. So what’s wrong… you run out of cookie dough ice cream? Need me to stop by the shop on my way over tonight?”

  It’s Tuesday… Taco’s tonight… I roll my eyes looking down under the sheets at my stomach. My abs are still there, I’ve been putting in extra workouts to work off all the ice cream I’ve consumed, much to Whisper’s disgust. Plus, the workouts help let off some of the tension inside me. I’m not sure why I’m so tense lately. Sure, I’m happy for the guys, I love that they’re all loved up. I’m so happy that they’re all happy, I just feel a little left out.

  The only person not leaving me out at the moment is Alex. She’s here whenever I need her, and it’s nice having someone have your back.

  “Matt?” Alex asks breaking my rambling thoughts.

  “Sorry, what?” I ask.

  “Dude, did you sleep dial me?” she asks through a chuckle.

  I stifle a laugh and shake my head even though she can’t see me. “No, sorry. So, I have a question. How do I choose who to take to the wedding?”

  She’s silent for a moment, and then the noise in the background stops. “Who excites you more? Don’t go off looks alone. Who makes your skin prickle and your heart race? Who do you want the message to be from when your cell beeps with a text?” she asks, and I glance at the photo of us again taking a deep breath.

  “I suppose when I get a message, I hope out of the two, I guess Madeline, which surprises me ‘cause I thought with Charlotte being the Maggie doppelganger, I’d go for her first. But like you said you can’t go on looks alone.”

  She’s quiet for a brief moment but then replies, “Then… there’s your answer.” Alex’s tone is somewhat somber like maybe she’s slightly disappointed or something. I can’t quite read it. Gnawing on my bottom lip, I exhale.

  “You going to ask Ronan?”

  She is quiet again for a pause. “I guess.”

  “Alex, are you okay?” I ask, and she starts moving around again making noise.

  “Look, I gotta get ready to go into the gallery, we have a heap of collectors coming in today, and Nate has to shoot out for an appointment with Ria. So I have a full on day if I’m going to make it to Taco Tuesday… I’ll see you tonight?”

  It’s almost as if she’s avoiding the question… it’s odd, but I let it go. “Okay, have a good day. I’ll see you tonight.”

  “I’ll get some ice cream on my way. Later gator.” She hangs up before I have a chance to say anything further.

  Sinking back into my pillows, I furrow my brows wondering why Alex shut down like that. Maybe she and Ronan had a bust up? Or maybe they’re going amazing, and she just doesn’t want to tell me, because she doesn’t want to be another one of those happy couples in my life. No, surely she wouldn’t keep that a secret from me, would she?

  Swallowing hard, I bring my cell back in front of my face and dial Nate’s number.

  He picks the phone up pretty quick, and I hear Ria giggling in the background as Nate laughs as well. I roll my eyes as he answers. “Bro, what’s up?”

  “Is Alex fully dating Ronan?” I ask, and Nate scoffs out a laugh.

  “Huh? I thought you’d know more about that than me?” he asks, and I slump further into my bed.

  “As far as I’m aware they’re just still talking on Messenger, but have they met? Do you know?” I ask, and Nate stops laughing and sighs.

  “No, they haven’t met. From what I can tell she talks to him a couple of times a day, but that’s it. It’s not serious, Matt, her face doesn’t light up when he messages her. She actually looks kinda disappointed when her phone goes off and it’s him.”

  I exhale feeling… relief?

  What the hell…

  I don’t know why I’m feeling that way. She’s my best friend, I should want her to be happy and not sad in her friendships with other men.

  “She does light up when some other guy messages her, though,” he says, and I raise my brow sitting up suddenly in bed.

  “She does? Who?” I ask, and he chuckles.

  “I dunno, don’t pay much attention, to be honest. You’re her bestie, shouldn’t you know this shit?” he asks, rubbing salt in the wound.

  Maybe Alex doesn’t tell me everything.

  Maybe I’m not as trusted to her as I thought I was.

  “Yeah, I thought I was, but maybe I don’t mean as much to her as I thought I did.”

  “Wait, whoa, what does that mean?” he asks.

  I slide my legs out of the bed as they dangle off the side to the floor. “Maybe no one is on my side,” I say and hang up the cell throwing it to the edge of the bed with a huff.

  It suddenly beeps with a text, and I roll my eyes and pick it up to see a message from Nate.

  Nate: Are you okay?

  His messages are getting so good now, Ria’s teaching him to read. Plus, having her there with him will help him immensely.

  Me: Fine, just need to figure a few things out…

  Nate: I can come over? I don’t have to go with Ria to her appointment till later today

  Me: I’m good, spend the day with Ria. Thanks though. P.S. You have mad writing skills now bro!

  Nate: Ha Ha, Ria might be helping me, but I’ll take the credit!

  Me: Hi Ria! But really, I’m okay, sorry to worry you. Also please don’t tell Alex I called you…

  There’s a long pause, and I know Nate is debating this in his head. He and Ria are very good friends with Alex, and if there’s a problem with our friendship they would want to tell her, but they would want to keep a promise to me, too. I’m putting them in a bind. I know that. I’m an ass for doing it, but I don’t want Alex to know I’m checking up on her.

  Nate: Only because I love you, but you need to talk to Alex. You guys are too good a friends to let something, whatever this is, fester. Okay?

  Sighing, I nod even though they can’t see me. I type back my reply.

  Me: Message received loud and clear. Have a good day guys. Love you both too.

  I go to throw my cell back on the bed, but instead, I bring up the Lovepessimist app and open up the message with Madeline. Gnawing on my bottom lip, I take a deep breath and type out five simple words.

  Me: Would you like to meet?

  I hover over the send button clenching my jaw furiously. I’m going through the options in my head. Weighing up the pros and cons. I can’t decide whether to hit send or not when my cell beeps in my hand frightening me, I jump, causing a ripple effect, my arm jolts, which causes my thumb to tip and hit the screen right over the send button. I open my eyes wide as the five words are sent to Madeline before I’ve truly made my mind up on whether to send them or not, and the little tick symbol shows next to the message as delivered.

  “Shit, shit, shit,” I say standing up and pacing my bedroom. I glance at my cell and wonder how the fuck that happened while my heart races.

  This could change everything.

  It suddenly lights up green, letting me know she’s read it, and I stand up quickly waiting for her to reply. “Fucking hell, I was never this nervous with Jaci,” I murmur as the little typing bubbles appear bouncing up and down.

  Shit! She’s typing back.

  I pace back and forth waiting for her to reply, and it comes in quickly.

  Madeline: Do you have any plans today?

  I choke on thin air as my eyes pop out of my head. I wasn’t prepared for this. I wan
ted to make this first meeting a big event, but then again I did that last time and look how that turned out. Maybe it is best to do something more impromptu?

  Me: Only tonight. I have dinner with a friend, but I can do brunch or lunch?

  I type back feeling some nervous tension in my stomach. I so badly want this to work out. I don’t want another repeat of Jaci. And Madeline ticks so many of my rules it’s not funny.

  Madeline: Brunch sounds nice, I can come now if you’re free? Would you like to meet somewhere specific? Or shall I come to your place?

  I let out a stifled laugh. Wow, trusting. That’s kinda strange, but she obviously can’t come to my place. No way. But I figure we can go somewhere they know me, and don’t tend to bug me. Plus, I’ll take Scott from security with me to stand in the background.

  Me: Do you know Finlay’s Irish Pub? The one with the green shutters?

  The little typing bubbles appear, and I flare my nostrils hoping I’m doing the right thing.

  Madeline: I do, see you there in 30?

  I let out a heavy sigh, and a smile creeps on my face.

  Me: I’ll wear a black hoodie and jeans. I’ll sit at the table by the bar with the booth seat. Looking forward to meeting you, Madeline xo

  Madeline: I’ll be in a red dress. See you soon. xo

  I swallow hard. This is actually happening! I send off a quick text to Scott to ask him to pick me up in fifteen minutes, and I head to my wardrobe to get dressed. Once dressed, I splash on some cologne, not a lot just a spray, and grab my wallet and keys heading for the door. Scott’s waiting for me.

  “So we’re doing this again, are we?” he asks.

  “We’re trying. If she starts screaming or asking for my autograph, get me out of there, okay?”

  Scott chuckles in answer as we walk to the car. The drive isn’t long, and we pass the gallery on the way. I see Alex as we drive past, standing in the window positioning artwork, and my chest squeezes that I haven’t even told her what I’m doing. But it all happened so quickly that I haven’t really had a chance. Plus, I’m not really sure what’s going on with us right now. So I’m not going to talk to her until tonight, and I’ll fill her in on everything then.

  “So are you excited?” Scott asks as I turn to him, his shaved scalp making his head look unusually large and shiny.

  “Nervous. I don’t want another Jaci.”

  “Hmm… and no Alex to save you this time. I can promise you, I won’t be having a romantic dessert with you. I love you and all, but bromance only goes so far,” he says, and I chuckle.

  “You’re a dick.”

  “Yep, but I’m a buff dick, and I’m good at my job. That’s why you keep me around.”

  I groan. “True. What’s Dwayne doing today?”

  “Pretty sure, this afternoon, he’s going with your brother and Ria to the doctor. Nate’s being very protective.”

  I chuckle. “Hmm… yes, I can imagine.”

  “Okay, we’re here. Want me to pull in out back like normal?”

  I nod, and he pulls the car down the side street and into the back parking lot where the staff park. We know customers aren’t supposed to park here, but Finlay’s know us, and they gave us the okay to park in here on occasion. And if I need a quick getaway this is a good way to do just that.

  We step out and walk in through the back entrance. The pub is quiet. Not many people come in during the morning hours. Plus, it’s a pub, so most people come here to drink and not for the food. But the food here is exceptional, so that’s another reason I chose it.

  Walking in, I nod to Tamika, the usual bartender, and she smiles while gesturing to my usual booth. The one I said I’d be in. It’s got high walls surrounding it, so people don’t tend to look to see who’s in there. That’s why we always like this booth. Privacy.

  I take a seat, and Scott grins at me and sighs. “Good luck, bro. I’m just gonna be over here if you need me.” He pats my shoulder then heads to the tall table and stool opposite the booth. It’s far enough away that he won’t be able to hear our conversation, but close enough to know if anything’s going wrong.

  I’m tense.

  I’m nervous.

  As I lean back in the booth, I wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans while wondering what she’s going to be like.

  Will she look like her picture?

  Will she know who I am?

  Will she fangirl over me?

  I have no idea. I just have to wait.

  “Matt?” a deep, husky voice calls out from beside me breaking my thoughts.

  I look up to see Madeline. She looks exactly like her picture. Exactly like the freaking redheaded goddess of every man’s wet fucking dreams. Her figure is curvy but proportioned. Her face is model perfect. Her lips full and plump covered in red lipstick. Her eyes the brightest of bright green. Her lashes go on for days, and she’s wearing a red dress that isn’t revealing but is figure-hugging enough to make my cock twitch, reminding me that I am a man and I have needs. Needs that very much haven’t been met in a long, long, while.

  “Jesus,” I murmur.

  She smirks and bats her eyelashes. “Not Jesus, just Madeline, but it’s so nice to meet you. Finally. I was beginning to think you were never going to ask.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  I stand up and sigh. “Sorry it took so long, I just wanted to make sure it was the right thing to do.”

  She draws her bottom lip in with her teeth, and I almost come on the spot.

  Fuck that was hot.

  “And was it the right thing to do?”

  I chuckle. “I’ll let you know at the end of the date?”

  “Good call.” She puts her hand out for me to shake, but I screw my face up and pull her into an embrace instead. She leans into the hug, and she feels nice against me. Her body conforms to mine, and we hold each other for just a moment before pulling away. Madeline looks up at me, and her green eyes sparkle as she runs her hand down my arm subtly copping a feel.

  “So Matt, I feel like I know a lot about you, and yet, I feel like there’s so much more to learn still,” she says as she walks to the other side of the booth and takes a seat.

  She’s said nothing about who I am or the band.

  Does she know?

  “What do you wanna know?” I ask.

  She smiles, and it’s genuine. “You’re an entrepreneur. So what does that mean, exactly? Like what do you actually dabble in?”

  Raising my brow, I look at her. I mean really look, trying to gauge if she’s playing me, trying to egg me on as if she knows who I am but wants me to confirm it, or if she honestly has no idea. I’m not sure how to play this.

  “So, I ah... dabble in music mainly. A little bit of philanthropy, but mostly music.”

  Her eyes light up. “Oh, that’s so cool. You said you played bass guitar, right?”

  I nod, and she smiles. “That’s cool. I always wanted to learn an instrument, but honestly, I’m musically challenged. I can dance, though. I’m pretty good at moving my body,” she says, and I raise my brow at her.

  “So, you’re a hostess, right?” I ask and she sort of smiles, but it’s more like a grimace. “I am. I’m looking at changing careers, though. I really want to get into dance. That’s why I’m in LA, to try and make it as a backup dancer, but it’s a hard business to get into. Everyone wants someone who’s willing to strip off and show all their flesh, and I’m not sure I’m completely comfortable with that.”

  I mentally note that she’s a little prudish. That goes in the tick column for the good girl vibe that I want in my woman. She may look like a sexy siren, but inside she’s still a good girl. I like that about Madeline. That’s the vibe I’ve been getting online too. That she believes in core values.

  “It’s good that you know what you want. I might be able to help you get into some video clips though, with clothing on, too. I’ll see what I can do,” I say and she furrows her brows.

  “You can do that?” she asks.

&nbs
p; “I have a few contacts in the biz, being in the music industry and all.”

  She tilts her head and purses her lips. “Are you in a band?”

  I tense up slightly, simply nodding my head.

  Her eyes light up, and she grins. “What’s your band called?”

  Here we go…

  “Recoil,” I reply in a somber tone.

  She squints like she’s trying to think hard. It shocks me slightly, and I let out a small stifled laugh as she shakes her head.

  “So, it sounds familiar, but I honestly can’t say I know any of your songs. Are you very popular?” she asks, and I swallow hard wondering if she’s having a laugh or being serious, but the blank look on her face tells me all I need to know.

  “Umm… do you like rock music?” I ask, and she screws her face up.

  “Oh no, not really, I’m more an R&B, sometimes pop girl, it’s easier to dance to. Rock is more just head banging. Can’t really dance to that.”

  I let out a bemused laugh, and sit back in my seat feeling more and more relaxed. “So if I were to say that I’m a little bit famous, would that scare you?”

  She shrugs. “You’re not famous to me. You’re just Matt, my match Matt. I don’t see you as any different. If you’re famous, that’s good for you, but it doesn’t affect who you are or how I see you, Matt. Sure it might affect our relationship and how we have to interact in the public, but that’s a hurdle we can work with if it gets that far… right?” she asks.

  My nerves settle even more. She’s saying everything right. I don’t know why I was so worried. One bad experience like Jaci doesn’t mean that every experience is going to be bad, Madeline is now proof of that.

  Suddenly, I remember when messaging Madeline about meeting up by accident, my phone beeped with a message, and I haven’t had a chance to check it. I subtly slide my cell out to see the text is from Alex. I sigh, and put my cell back away deciding to read it later. She can wait until I’m done with Madeline.