by KT Fisher
My dad shakes his head. “I’ll set up some scouts and have them filter out the best. You and the lads need to concentrate on your album and then when you’re free, you can listen to the final girls and make a decision together. Just let me know who you choose.”
“Sounds great.” But I get out my mobile, just to text Liam and Cade to check with them. My dad did make us work for it in the beginning, but now that we’re signed to D Records, the record label he runs with his band mates, Decoy, he likes to help out as much as possible without becoming too involved.
“This calls for a beer!” Leo cheers, getting up from his seat and while he’s in the kitchen, I get a text back from both of the guys and they thinks my dad’s idea is perfect for us. Looks like we’re doing this.
The final ten girls have auditioned in front of us today and it’s frustrating to say, but none of them are right for us. They can sing, no doubt about that, but they just wouldn’t gel with our band.
“Fuck.” Liam looks up to the ceiling when the final girl leaves the room.
“Yeah.” I nod, knowing exactly what’s going through his head.
“What are we going to do now?” Asks Caden from the other side of me.
My phone vibrates in my pocket and I take a look, I put it on silent out of respect during the auditions. It’s a photo from my brother, Noah. He’s sat on a sunny beach, shades on and a beer in his hand. Grunting out of annoyance, I shove it back into my pocket.
“Easy.” I stand from my seat and leave. Liam and Caden quickly following behind.
“The girl with the green tints in her hair was ok.” Liam suggests as we step outside into the fresh air.
“Tints?” Laughs Caden. “Think you mean highlights.”
“Well sorry for not having a shit ton of sisters.” Liam rolls his eyes.
“Three.” Caden shouts, holding up three fingers in Liam’s face. “I have three sisters.”
“You only like her because she was eyeing you.” I point out and Liam laughs.
“It would be a bonus for her to be hot.”
We jump into my car and drive back to my place, all the while I can’t fight back the annoyance from the day. I really had my heart set on finding the perfect girl to help us out. Some of them were already huge stars in their own right, but they wouldn’t suit our music. I want the rawness and I didn’t hear that in any of the girls today.
“Fin, you’re brothers are trending on Twitter.” Liam laughs from the back of the car.
It doesn’t surprise me, I’m guessing they have posted a photo of the both of them at the beach, their torsos showing and making the girls wild. They’re pros at all that, and they learnt it all from Grace. She’s taught us all how social media can help you out and my brothers especially take advantage.
“Oh.” Caden mutters from the passenger seat, catching my attention.
“What?” I ask.
“So is your sister, Grace.” He shakes his head. “Photos of her with your mum in the Caribbean sea, everyone’s loving them.”
I scowl over at him. “You better not be fucking looking!”
Caden almost drops his phone in a fluster. “I’m not.”
Liam’s quiet laughter drifts to the front of the car. “What about Cade’s sister, Chloe?”
Caden’s back straightens. “Yeah Fin, I remember telling you to keep away from my sister and how did that go?”
I roll my eyes. “Oh come on! I didn’t know who she was, but Chloe knew exactly who I was didn’t she?”
Liam is still laughing while Caden remembers just how much his little sister Chloe tried to get into bed with me. I didn’t know who she was, all I saw was an attractive girl trying to catch my attention all night in the club and after she had spent an hour grinding on my dick in the VIP area, Liam eventually realised exactly who the girl was gagging for my cock and I knew I had to stop. Caden wasn’t happy when he found out, but like I keep reminding him, I was innocent. The last time I had seen Chloe, she looked completely different! It wasn’t my fault I hadn’t seen her since she had blossomed into a gorgeous girl.
Caden flashes me an annoyed look as we pull up in front of my house and I have to laugh as we get out the car. I round to Caden’s side of the car and Liam wedges himself between us, an arm around each of us. “How about we go to the clubs tonight boys?”
A smile spreads across our faces, and our stressful day turns into a possible great one because when the Lunacy boys go out, we have a fucking top time. A thrill spreads through me as I prepare for the music, the drinks and all the women.
“I take that smile as a yes.” Liam taunts as I unlock the front door. Little fucker.
Chapter Four
The night out with Liam and Caden turned out to be one hell of a night and morning, so I gave myself a couple of days to recover. Now, I’m going to my parents to update my dad on the auditions. He keeps texting me but I’ve been dodging his questions. If I don’t answer him soon enough, he will be knocking on my door, so I figured I would go to him.
As soon as I approach the house, I see a boy standing in the doorway. I park the car and march over, seeing my little sister Haiden, her head just poking around the corner of the doorframe. .
“No, I can’t.” I hear her whisper.
“Haiden?” I ask and I visibly see the boy jump. Haiden’s eyes are wide as she watches me stand next to her friend. “What’s going on here?”
Haiden looks down at her feet, deciding not to answer me.
“You’re Finley.” The boy points out, finally looking at me.
“I am.” I nod, looking between them both. “And that makes me Haiden’s big brother, so who are you and why are you both whispering at the front door?” I ask them. “Does dad know you’re out here Haiden?” I decide to add for good measure.
“Fin.” Haiden snaps, her voice still a whisper. “This is Lucas and he’s just a friend, so you can leave us now.”
“Lucas?” I ask. “Do you want to come in Lucas?”
“No.” Haiden answers as Lucas is beginning to open his mouth.
I look to Lucas, smiling slightly and I know it’s not a friendly smile. “So tell me Lucas, are you two just friends?”
“Erm.” Lucas mumbles, looking to Haiden and then back to me. He’s squirming so bad I almost laugh, but I have to keep a straight face.
Haiden fully steps outside, facing me with her hands on her hips. “Leave him alone now Finley.”
I place a gentle hand on her shoulder, and lean in close. “Chill little sis, I’m playing with you but I’m pretty sure dad wouldn’t like you talking privately out here.”
“How do you know?” She asks, and I’m a little thrown back by the attitude.
I straighten myself up. “I’ll go and get him, shall I?”
Haiden reaches out and grabs onto my arm. “Don’t.”
“Then hurry it up.” I kiss her on the forehead and turn to Lucas. “Hurt her and I will kill you.”
I step beside Haiden as she sighs heavily, and leave them to it. Not for long though. I search for my parents as I enter the house, music is playing in the living room and I see Grace with her laptop on her knee, busying herself with something. I eventually find my dad in the back garden, sitting down with a beer in his hand and enjoying a rare, British sunny day.
“I was going to ring you later.” I sit on the one opposite seat to my dad from across the small round table.
“Yeah I figured, that’s why I came here.”
“Trouble with the auditions?” He asks, and I suspect he already knows.
“None of them were right.” I lean back into the chair and tilt my head up to the sky. I still feel frustrated when I think of the auditions. I really wanted to find a suitable girl for the band. The songs April created with us were amazing, they would no doubt be a great success with our fans. We could have gained more fans from whoever the girl would have been, and she could have added more to her fan base too. It would have worked out for both the band and her,
and now I’m pissed that she’s too hard to find.
“You will find someone, in time.” Dad smiles and I laugh.
“You sound like you’re giving dating advice.”
Dad laughs along. “I guess it’s similar, the perfect woman for you is hard to find and the same goes for the band.”
My mum then joins us outside, and thankfully my dad updates her on the search because I get more pissed the more I talk about it.
“Yah know.” My mother begins as she sits with us. “Have you thought about asking Lily?”
“But Lily is with Glitch.” I obviously point out.
“Maybe Lunacy and Glitch could collaborate?” My dad suggests, and if I’m honest with myself, I already thought about it, but I don’t want to for the same reasons I can’t with my brothers.
“They’re too busy with their own stuff.” My dad sees right through me, but he understands my reasons and doesn’t say anything.
Suddenly loud music drifts towards us from inside the house, and my dad frowns. “What in the hell?”
“It’s Haiden.” My mum sighs, getting up from her seat. “She’s obsessed with this song.”
I get up from my seat and follow the sound, her voice is exactly what I’m looking for.
“Finley?” My dad asks, but I ignore him and continue to walk through the house until I reach the living room. My youngest sister, Haiden is dancing around the living room. She spots me watching but continues anyway, she’s never been bashful and Gracie is laughing as she sits on the sofa.
I look to the TV, seeing a gorgeous girl dancing on the screen. Her blonde hair is long and almost touches her plump bottom. Her voice is amazing, it’s raw but it still carries the girlish charm.
“Who is that?” I ask nobody in particular.
Haiden stops dancing. “It’s Riley James!” She shouts over the music. “Don’t you know that?”
I shake my head in answer and she rolls her eyes, deciding to continue to dance. Her voice is what drew me in here, but her beauty has me stood still. I have to have, not just for the band, but my bed.
Today is a day for shopping with my best friend, Cassie and she adores shopping with a passion. I don’t have a big love of fashion but I’m glad my best friend looks out for me, and knows my size because she sorts me out massively!
We just enter another shop, when my phone starts to ring.
“Riley, this dress would look stunning on you.” Cassie gushes as she runs over to a purple dress on display.
Laughing, I reach into my bag and grab my phone. I groan to myself because it’s my manager. He’s good at what he does, and has helped me get to where I am now, but I can’t help but feel uneasy when I’m around him. Even Cassie calls him a sleaze and she’s the nicest person I know. “One sec.” Cassie rolls her eyes as I answer, but goes on to browse. “Hello?”
“Riley!” My manager, Marcus answers. “How’s my girl doing?”
“Hey Marcus, I’m just shopping with Cassie can I call you back?” I ask.
“No I need to talk now Riley so stop what you’re doing and listen.” My jaw tenses as he talks and I have to remember to keep calm. “I have some amazing news for you.”
“Really?” I ask, waiting patiently.
“I just got a call from D records, they want you.” My heart nearly stops. D records is one of the top recording labels and I’ve only ever heard good things about them. It’s hard to become signed to them but once you do, you’ve made it. The band members from Decoy, who all own the label even made their own kids work hard before signing them up.
“What?” I gasp.
“Don’t get too excited darlin’, they’re not signing you.” He laughs and my heart plummets to the floor. The way Marcus just delivered that was why I fucking hate him. “Do you know Finley Parker?”
I almost laugh down the phone. Of course I know who Finley fucking Parker is! He’s the lead singer and guitarist of Lunacy and the oldest son of Jax Parker, lead singer of Decoy. Even if you don’t like his band’s music, Finley is known for his part in bringing his parents back together. He was involved in a huge love story and even though I was only two when it happened, I know all about it.
“Yes I know him.” I answer.
“Well he’s personally asked for you to collaborate with him for some new songs on Lunacy’s album.” I almost faint right there and then. Cassie must sense my hysterical mood and quickly stands in front of me, waiting not so patiently to see what the matter is. “They want a female vocalist to feature on some of their tracks, they want it to be a permanent position and offer themselves to your album too.”
“Are you serious?” I whisper, I’m almost too afraid to talk and ruin this moment.
“What?” Asks Cassie, practically bouncing around me.
“Deadly.” Confirms Marcus. “Shall I tell them that you say yes?”
“Yes!” I scream. “Definitely yes!”
“They want to meet tomorrow at 12. I’ll text you the address.” And Marcus hangs up, leaving me in a daze.
“Riley?” Cassie repeats. “What’s going on?”
“Lunacy want me to feature on their album.” I reply, not quite believing what I’m saying.
“Lunacy?” Asks Cassie, tilting her head to the side as she thinks and then her face breaks into a huge smile when it clicks. “The one with the three hot guys? Who sang Top Lover at the festival last year?”
With a huge grin, I nod. “They want to find a girl who will feature with them.”
“And you’re doing that right?” Cassie asks. “You have to!”
“Oh I said yes.” I nod. “Do you think I’m stupid?”
“Well, you didn’t buy the top in the last shop and that would have looked divine on you!” She shrugs. “Was Sleazy Marcus his usual self?”
“Unfortunately.” I grumble. “Come on, let’s get me a new outfit for tomorrow.”
“What’s tomorrow?” She asks eagerly.
“I’m meeting the band.”
“This is huge Riley, I mean you’re successful in your own right but Lunacy could take you to a whole new level.” Cassie’s happiness for me only adds to my excitement. “Plus, that lead singer is hot!”
“Cass.” I warn. “I’m not going there.”
Cassie rolls her eyes, but wraps a comforting arm around me. “Not every guy is TJ.”
I ignore her, and I get her to focus on finding me a new outfit because I want to look my best for this meeting. Yes, Finley is super fucking sexy and so are his band mates, Caden and Liam, but I can’t and I won’t go there. This is strictly professional.
As I drive to the meeting place, I’m so nervous and I’m hoping the sounds of The 1975 blasting through the speakers will calm me. I’m wearing my brand new outfit, some black and white checked skinny fit, high waist trousers, and a black, long sleeved cropped top. Cassie said I should wear my black heels, but that’s not what I’m aiming for, so I choose some black flats instead. I begin to feel sick as I park in front of the recording studios, and try to gather myself before entering the building.
This will be a huge deal for my career, but that isn’t what I’m most excited for. I’m more eager to start recording songs and hearing the end result. I have no idea how mine and Lunacy’s fans will react, and I’m eager to find out. I’m the type of artist who enjoys performing and creating new sounds for people to enjoy and I’m certain everyone will be curious as to how we will work together. My excitement takes over my nervousness as I step out from the safety of my car.
I’ve never met Lunacy, but I do know they’re all great looking guys and I’ve always secretly appreciated how sexy Finley is. Whenever I’ve either watched a music videos of theirs, or saw them perform on the TV, I was always taken in by Finley. I’m not alone either, girls literally throw themselves at him. Honestly, I’ve seen YouTube videos of girls lying at his feet, begging him to go home with him however as sexy as he is, he’s a huge player and that throws me off. It’s not attractive. Why do men
, who are good looking and have money, think they can pick up and drop women whenever they please.
Taking a deep breath, I enter the building and let the receptionist know that I’m supposed to be meeting Finley. At the mention of his name, she eyes me weirdly and I’m immediately on guard. Is this woman jealous that I’m here to meet the band? She picks up her phone and rings through to the room, this is how I know it’s a posh recording studio. Not many studios have receptionists that call the room to let them know they have guests.
“Hi Mr Parker, someone is here to see you.” Her eyes flicker up to mine and it annoys me more. “Riley James?” She asks, her mood lifting slightly.
I nod in answer, and I’m actually happy to see her look a little panicked. She hangs up the phone and clears her throat.
“I’m sorry Miss James,” she quietly apologises “Mr Parker is coming down to greet you.”
What? Finley is coming to meet me at the door? Does he usually do this?
The receptionist flashes me a small smile. “Sorry, I didn’t realise it was you.”
I nearly tell her to shove her apology and that it shouldn’t matter if I’m a celebrity or not, but the sound of a door opening and closing has me frozen. I look to my left as Finley rounds the corner, and jogs down the few steps. He smiles towards me, and my heart flutters. Shit! Finley is fucking hot. His jet black hair is styled to look messy, his handsome face is even more shockingly admirable because of his intense, grey eyes. I’m stuck on the spot, unable to move as he approaches me.
“Riley.” He stops right next to me, and I can’t stop staring at his muscled, tattooed arms that fill his shirt sleeves so perfectly that I ache to reach out and touch him.
“Finley.” I greet and he smiles and damn him for the sexiest smile on earth. That’s so unfair, I privately sulk. Finley is going to be trouble, I just know it.
“I’m glad you came.” Finley glances over to the receptionist, and then motions for me to follow him.
“You have a great proposal.” I reply, walking side by side with him.
