“From what I’ve seen you are in a league all by yourself, babe, but this—”
“This is the right thing to do. Martin and Adam always protected me. By having the studio here, I can spend time with Kayden and you, and we have the safety of my parent’s place. We’ll keep it low key, maybe take a few breakthrough artists a year to cover costs and update equipment. Dad has given me permission to throw up a few cabins so that we can live here when you’re recording, Flynn. Trust me you’re not a charity case. I believe I can take you to the very top. I wouldn’t do all of this if I didn’t believe that.”
Tracing his fingertips lightly from my shoulder to my wrist made small ribbons of delight ripple throughout my body. It was affectionate, but it sparked so many feelings and emotions. The way his loving, sleepy gaze bored into my soul shifted something deep inside my heart like nothing else ever had. It had made us feel closer somehow.
I knew I’d never love anyone my whole life the way I loved him. I read about once-in-a-lifetime events that happen to a tiny minority of people. Since the day I’d met Flynn, there had been two in my life. One where he slashed a gaping hole in my heart and climbed inside, and one where my heart splintered into a million pieces with the death of my brothers.
In the short time Flynn had come back into my life, I’d felt things I never thought I would feel again. A damaged heart that healed in response to his love until it wasn’t afraid to pick up the pace when he stared lustily in my direction. A heart that skipped a beat and fluttered at his touch, then squeezed when he said something to me that showed his vulnerable side.
Once Flynn got his head around having his own studio, we had a few meetings with Ryan and James before we headed back to Flynn’s place in Chicago with a firm plan to move our operation back to Iowa. I’d been concerned that Niamh was going to be left alone for long periods while the band cut the album, but Flynn reminded me she was hired to keep house and knew to expect long periods of time on her own.
The main thing was to keep his song-writing and plans for the band under wraps until the court had decided the fate of Bernie and Tyler, Flynn’s former band manager and rhythm guitarist. The ongoing criminal investigation into them drugging Craig and Flynn meant the guys were still under contract to their current label until a court said otherwise.
Telling the band we were relocating brought a few questions from Jonah and Lexi. As for Craig and Simone, they were ready to roll wherever I needed them to be.
“We’re heading to Martin Adams recording studio December first,” Flynn told everyone with the slightest hint of emotion cutting into his voice when he said their names. Lexi raised an eyebrow, “Who is he? Never heard of him.”
Flynn glanced in my direction, and I saw his lips close tight. His jaw tightened and the little muscle group right at the sides of his ears ticked when he became irritated, “Martin Adams isn’t a person, Martin and Adam were Valerie’s brothers— the studio is named after them,” he said like she was stupid not to know that.
I slid my hand into Flynn’s. I gave it a small squeeze of gratitude for dealing with Lexi, and he glanced at me with a look of concern.
Craig interjected and sounded excited, “So I’m going to meet the infamous Kayden, huh?”
“Indeed,” I beamed happily that he was interested in my big brother.
“Kayden?” both Jonah and Lexi asked in unison.
“Valerie’s brother,” Flynn replied.
“Jeez, how many brothers do you have exactly?” Lexi asked, and rolled her eyes as if she was bored.
“Did you live in a hole before you got here?” Simone spat with an air of distaste in her voice.
“What? What the fuck did I say?” Lexi retorted.
“Martin and Adam were Valerie’s two brothers that were killed in an accident a couple of years ago, Kayden was the one who survived,” Simone informed them.
Jonah had the grace to look appalled at the news, demonstrating he had no idea about the horrible history in my family. Spontaneously, he stood and hurried across the room, wrapped his arms around me and hugged me tightly. I felt his sincerity when he expressed his sorrow for my loss.
Lexi on the other hand shrugged and commented, “How was I supposed to know that? So they were in the music industry before they died?”
“Jesus, Lexi, don’t make me regret having you with us, the studio was named in their memory. Valerie built the studio,” Flynn bit out harshly.
“The studio is Flynn’s,” I corrected quickly and widened my eyes at him for not being amiable in accepting my gift.
Lexi’s eyes narrowed as she tried to make sense of the silent battle that passed between us, “You bought him a studio? I had no idea you were that wealthy. I’d figured it was Flynn…”
“Lexi, didn’t your mother ever tell you not to take things at face value? Flynn and me…nothing is as it seems. It would probably be better for you not to worry yourself trying to figure out how we’re the way we are. Just accept we’re head-over-heels-in-love with each other,” I said, as Flynn slid his hand across my hip, and pulled me close to his body.
I tried to walk away, but he grabbed my hand and spun me around, grabbed my hips, and pulled me flush against his front while his arms wrapped tightly around my waist and chest. I loved when he held me possessively like that, and I instantly stroked the skin on his warm forearms. I felt instantly secure and at peace, while Flynn continued to state what I meant to him.
“Damn straight, we are. My little vixen, Val here, is as cute as a button, but as shrewd as they come. She’s the better half of me for sure.”
Craig snickered and bumped shoulders with Flynn, “When you’re finished gushing about one another you want to finish telling us what the plan is?”
I took over and explained that we were having two modular homes situated next to the studio for the band to live in during the week. They were supposed to have two days off one week and three days on alternative weeks until the album material was completed. Once I had ironed out all the details, the band were informed that they would continue to rehearse at the gym until we moved across states to Iowa just after Thanksgiving, if the building work was completed on schedule.
*****
As it happened, the finish date had turned out to be the week before Thanksgiving, but we’d already decided our first one together should be a private occasion with my parents and Kayden. It was an emotional time for all of us, and our third one without Martin and Adam.
For a long time, I’d struggled for something to be thankful for after God had been so cruel in destroying my fabulous family. That Thanksgiving was as perfect as it could be without my missing my brothers. I spared a thought for Ziggy then too, because I’d loved him and missed the friend he’d been to me as well.
My parents shared stories about us as children, and we’d laughed until we cried. We cried together when we recalled some of the tender moments and the antics of all of us kids. My parents shared some of the cringe-worthy times we’d endured when our mom had made us perform songs as the entertainment for our neighbors. Even Kayden stared open-mouthed at them, horrified that they’d shared all our dirt with Flynn.
There were a few times when I choked with emotion as Flynn shared a couple of memories of his own, he’d never spoken about the brothers he’d lost before, and when he had, I was glad. I’d often wondered what he was thinking when I’d cried openly about my loss, but during those times, Flynn seemed quite unfeeling and had never reflected on his. It was like we’d had this huge thing in common that was never spoken about.
I was even more surprised when he spoke about his love for me and how my family had made him feel a part of it. He thanked my parents for giving him their trust with me and told Kayden he was a special guy. I saw that my mom and dad appreciated his gesture.
We discussed our plans for the band and I especially enjoyed Kayden’s suggestions about adding some dramatic percussion to one of the other songs Flynn had been working on. Shortly after that, Ka
yden left to drive over to Amber’s place and the rest of us called it a night.
As we headed up to bed, I realized Flynn and I had been together three whole months. That wasn’t really a lot of time by most relationship standards, but it was hard to recall a time when I’d slept alone. So much had happened in so little time with us and the pace that our relationship had moved at was a little scary at times. That being said, I was surprised at how liberal my parents had been in their acceptance about us being together.
Later that night I’d mentioned all of that, and how grateful I was for their blessing with Flynn. I’d been drying the dishes after dinner with my mom, and acknowledged that I knew how Flynn and I lived wasn’t what she’d had in mind for her only daughter. Her face softened in recognition of my honesty and told me she’d felt something special between us the first time I’d walked in the room the day I’d met Flynn. She went on to say that after the death of her boys she and my dad were of the opinion that Kayden and I should grab our opportunities with both hands.
Chapter 11 ~ Valerie
All coming together
The Monday following Thanksgiving, the prefab houses we ordered to have built were ready, and I knew that money definitely talked, because what we’d managed to pull off was pretty unbelievable. Two fully functioning homes, and a state-of-the-art recording studio, all completed to the highest standards in less than eight weeks.
We’d been fortunate that my dad had tons of building contacts in our town, which kind of guaranteed it was smooth passage with our permits to build. The land around our home wasn’t used for agricultural use, and as our nearest neighbor was my dad’s best friend, and lived half a mile away, it hadn’t been that difficult to gain permission for everything we’d wanted to do. With water and other utilities already on site, it hadn’t been that hard to pull it all together once the plans had been drawn up and approved.
Carl, the site manager, called to ask our opinion on the tiling in the bathroom and kitchen floors, so Flynn and I met with him and got to see the homes. They weren’t all that luxurious, but they were spacious. I felt excited that we’d have a place of our own. I knew we had Flynn’s place in Chicago, but that was his before I went to live there, and it didn’t really feel like mine.
The smaller cabin was two thousand square feet, and it was our personal space. It had an open plan design with a vaulted ceiling. A floor to ceiling bank of windows faced out toward the open countryside, but it had still felt private. The space was light and airy. There was a romantic en-suite and mezzanine bedroom with a king sized bed above the sitting room. The kitchen was small but modern and fully functional, and had a small table area to sit down and enjoy meals.
Our biggest luxury was the two people Jacuzzi tub and pressure shower in the bathroom. That was on Flynn’s wish list after he’d shared how tired his body felt following his time on tour. I thought that when we were home, we’d be able to share some romantic nights in there.
Lee’s quarters were situated in a small annex to the side of the cabin that had a self-contained apartment. There was a connecting door leading directly into our place if we needed him.
The second cabin was less luxurious and much larger at three thousand, eight hundred square feet. I’d spared the expense on the finer things because I never wanted it to be a long-term, hang out for any of the band that they’d never want to leave, just a place to lay their heads close to the studio when they were working on an album.
Their cabin had five beds and five baths, each with a queen bed, a sofa, desk and TV. Each room led into the central, open-plan space featuring a kitchen, dining area, and den. Craig, Simone, Jonah, and Lexi had the cabin to share and as this was almost twice the size of the one we had, I’d figured there was enough space for them to have their privacy when they needed it.
Ryan and James would utilize the other two rooms on the nights the band worked late, but I’d also rented a couple of apartments in town for those two, because they both came from California, and I knew weekends at home would be few and far between. Javier, our PR guy, always stayed in a local hotel. I sent most of our social media stuff via email and we Skyped anyway, so we rarely had to be in the same room.
Flynn and Javier communicated mostly by phone as well, and he only took personal calls from a handful of us that had his second phone number along with his legal team. His primary phone was diverted to Javier, who handled almost all of his calls for him.
The day we made the move and flew down to my parent’s was the first time the band had been together outside the confines of Flynn’s home. Lexi was trying hard to be sociable, and I’d felt I should give her the opportunity to redeem herself. When I looked objectively at her, I actually felt sorry for her because she was only a few years older than me, and from what I’d gathered from listening to her talk to Lee, her life hadn’t been all that easy either.
When the guys saw the studio and their accommodations they were all excited, and it was the first time I’d truly felt we were coming together as a team. It had been a long few months, and we’d achieved so much. RedA, with their music, Simone with the band’s image, Javier with the PR and branding, and me with the business side of taking care of a band.
Jonah had been especially helpful with Flynn and me. Nothing was too much for him, and he seemed really easy going and much quieter than he had been in the beginning. I’d put that down to nerves and since he’d settled I’d figured the way he was by then was the true Jonah.
As the drummer, Jonah got to lay the beat down for the track before the others were needed. Afterward, he’d sit listening to the sound engineer, but sometimes he’d sit in the resting space at the back of the studio with me. I was usually knee deep in my work, but having him close by felt quite nice. I felt comfortable around him.
We’d had a few deep discussions about various topics, and he was quite knowledgeable about the music business, management issues, and marketing. During one of these discussions he actually disclosed he’d been seeking a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Finance, but dropped out to play in his buddy’s band.
During one of those animated discussions, we were laughing together when Flynn came and placed his hands above his head on the wooden door surround. I knew he was upset from the dark stormy look in his eyes and the angry scowl that knitted his brow.
“If you’ve finished hitting on my girl, dude, Ryan wants you to try something else to lay over that last track,” he said. Jonah nodded and continued to talk then realized that Flynn had barely contained his jealous tone.
Slowly, Jonah got to his feet and apologized for leaving me, “Sorry. Got to go, Valerie. We’ll continue this later, yeah?”
“Like fuck you will, you’re not paid to talk to her, you’re supposed to be out there paying attention to what’s going on,” he ground out. It was a side of Flynn I’d rarely seen.
Jonah’s eyes darted between Flynn and me, and when I said nothing he turned and muttered, “Jeez, I don’t need this shit, I was only passing time with her.”
“Yeah, and that’s all you’ll be passing with her,” Flynn slung back.
Once Jonah had gone back into the studio, Flynn almost threw himself onto the black leather sofa Jonah had vacated and stared in an uncomfortable silence.
I sat there dumbstruck and wondered if I’d imagined how annoyed he was, “He wasn’t doing anything wrong, Flynn. What’s gotten into you?”
“He’s spending far too much time around you. Every time I look at him, he’s hanging around you, or in your business.”
“Are you jealous? What the hell, Flynn? I’m his boss just as much as I’m yours, in case that had slipped your notice. He’s a nice guy, maybe a little lonely for stimulating conversation, so where is the harm in talking to me?”
“You are too innocent for your own good. I’ve seen guys like that before he’s slowly getting under your skin.”
“Bullshit, I’m his manager, and talking to me doesn’t get him under anything.”
/> “At the moment he’s talking, but somewhere down the line he’s gonna make a play for you, and you’re too fucking innocent to see it coming.”
“You think?”
“I fucking know it.”
“You’re ridiculous, but I’ll humor you. Supposing you’re right, do you trust me to deal with that?”
He pressed his hands on his knees and stood up, came around the table to where I was, and pulled me out of the chair. He placed his hands on my head and brought his face so close I felt his warm breaths across my face, “I need you to hear me on this. That guy is either trying to be a teacher’s pet, or he’s trying to worm his way into your affections. Listen to yourself, babe. You’re already defending him to me.”
I’d never seen Flynn being irrational before, but I had no idea where all his sudden insecurities had come from. “Whoa, calm down…”
Before I could say another word, he’d pushed me backward against the wall, and covered my body with this. Burying his face into the crook of my neck he inhaled deeply before showering my neck with tiny kisses. I felt the anger that had been building in me ebb away, “You’re mine, Valerie. Mine! I won’t have anyone mess with what we have. I’ll kill that guy before I’d let him come between us.”
Confused by his behavior, I considered how he could even have thought I’d be interested in Jonah when I was totally committed to him. “Flynn, I love you with everything I am, I don’t want anyone else. I have no idea where all this insecurity has come from, but Jonah doesn’t even register with me. You are all I need and more. Please accept that. I’m yours.”
I felt Flynn’s body slump against mine, instantly relaxed by my reassurance. “You make me fucking crazy, Valerie. I’m so gone for you, and I know it’s not attractive, but sometimes I can’t see straight around you, I can’t think straight, you consume my every waking thought, and to think that you’re back here with a guy while I’m in a soundproof booth makes my mind go dark.”
“You think it’s easy for me having Lexi around? Maybe you need to look at this from my perspective. I know she’s hitting on you. I’ve seen her pretend to lose her balance, and the subtle touches she tries to steal when she thinks she can get away with them, but she was your choice, Flynn. I’ve had to suck that situation up to support you.”
Ready For Flynn, Part 2 : A Rockstar Romance (The Ready For Flynn) Page 10
