Bad Beats: A Rock-Star Step-Brother Romance

by C. L. Riley

  “Rick, or should I say, Reggie, put a ring on your finger not long after we parted ways. This was all part of your game to get back at me for what, I don’t know. You were the one who screwed me over. Why all the hate? Is it because I made it big and you weren’t along for the ride? Did Reggie convince you we were going nowhere? It’s sad, you know. I loved you. I would have brought with me. Had I known you wanted to sing and had such a great voice, I would have helped your career. Now it’s too late. I love someone else. I love her in a way that you could never have competed with, even on your best day.”

  Reggie starts over the wall.

  “What Reggie? You wanna fight? Why? Because I told it how I see it. Does the truth hurt? You got Lila. You seem good at your job. What was the point of all this?”

  He steps back and reaches for Lila’s hand, mouthing something at her. They start to leave, but Lila turns back and glares at Chloe.

  “It was all her idea, you know. Chloe tracked me down and told me how much she hated you. She’d seen me singing on YouTube. She found that song you wrote for me mixed in with Slyder’s music. This was supposed to make me a star.”

  William, who has been silent through all our exchanges, finally speaks up, blowing my mind. “Too bad you weren’t such a backstabbing bitch, I would have signed you. You better be glad I’m not going to industry black ball you. I can’t promise Shag or someone else won’t. It’s sad you might have thrown away your dreams and talent over such childish nonsense.”

  He’s right it is sad. Lila can sing. I have to give her props about that. Had she come to me right, apologized for the past, I might have helped her. We’ll never know now. I’ll talk it over with Cadie. If she’s cool with it, I won’t put up any roadblocks to her future career.

  It’s up to my girl.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Cadie

  “I never wanted to draw attention to myself, but that’s all I do.”

  -Slash

  Sex in the sand, on the beach, under the sun-shielding, portable canopy, with the warm ocean licking at my feet, is the way to go. This particular spot has become our favorite place to shag these past weeks. With Shag dozing next me, I allow my mind drift back to the time immediately following that fateful breakfast.

  After our major showdown that went nothing like Jagger planned, the producers threatened to sue Shag if he violated his contract. Once again, Jagger Hewitt came to our rescue. He used his technical wizardry and bottomless bank account to make sure that what was eventually labeled “The Breakfast Breakdown” was released as the next episode, online and off. Next he sent out a survey, asking if people would be satisfied, declaring me the final winner and watching my relationship with Shag progress over the course of the next two weeks.

  You see where I’m going with this?

  Shag completed the show. Every episode aired. And viewership increased even more after “The Breakfast Breakdown.” With an additional push from William and his father at Rogue Beat, the production team accepted the updated (totally revamped) format and went on to make millions right along with us.

  That’s right. Shag got the biggest bonus available, and Roping a Rock-Star became the most watched ‘reality’ program in the history of ‘reality’ programming. The last episode/webisode aired three weeks ago and we’re still trending at number one on every social media platform. Other rock-stars are clamoring for a chance to be on the show. Shag and I have been asked to co-host the next season with a new director and production team behind us.

  We haven’t decided yet. We’re too busy enjoying each other.

  The band is finishing up their album right here on the island, in Jagger Hewitt’s personal recording studio (yes, he has one of those too). My dad and Regina flew home along with Josh, who has become the official owner of my rats.

  Robin and me are doing fantastic, best friends forever, and all that good stuff. Now that she has her own guy, she’s happier than I’ve ever seen her. She credits me and Shag for her hookup with the billionaire Frenchman who looks like a rock-star but can’t sing or play an instrument. Money can’t buy true talent. He’s the first to admit that.

  Slyder and Chloe, jaw dropper, are parting ways. They decided to do things amicably and will share time equally with the one good thing they created together: their son. She even apologized to me and is pursuing counseling to help with whatever it is that makes her want to destroy lives. I hope it works.

  We heard Lila signed with a solid indie record label and Shag, with my approval, decided to gift her the old love song. Releasing it to her was like completely closing the door on that part of his life. He will get credit for writing it, earning more money if she makes it the hit it deserves to be.

  Oh…Robin stopped drinking, officially. Jagger, who could care less about booze, stopped too, just to support her. I think things are moving a lot too fast with them, but who am I too judge. Sometimes the stars align just right and insta-love happens, even to a previous, borderline man-hater like me.

  As for Misty and Marcus, not a word on Misty; she’s dropped off the face of the earth, forgive the cliché, but it’s true. Marcus is begging for a job at LMZ. When a super rich Frenchman made an obscene offer to the owners of Rolling Rock Magazine, they couldn’t refuse. The first thing the new owner did was fire Marcus Rodriguez and flag him as un-hirable. Did I mention, meeting Jagger Hewitt has been a real benefit?

  Anyway…

  Ready to reveal two secrets to Shag, I tickle his side. “Wake up sexy rock-star…”

  “What? You ready to go again?” He rubs his eyes and reaches for my breast.

  “In a minute. First, I need to tell you something.”

  He sits up, suddenly awake. “You’re pregnant?” His eyes fill with hope.

  Wow. I wasn’t expecting that reaction. It gives me something to think about, that’s for sure.

  “No, hon. Not pregnant; not yet. But it’s good to know if I was pregnant you’d be excited. I’ll log that away for future reference. I kind of want to get married first. I know that’s old fashioned, all things considered.”

  “Duly noted, babe. So no bun in oven. What then?”

  I have to swallow my giggles. The first thing I have to share is serious.

  “Yesterday you asked about my mom again. I know I’ve been evasive when it comes to her, and I know you’re just learning to handle gut-wrenching stories, but I think you’re ready, and most of all, I am finally ready to share. Only my father and Robin know the story of her death.”

  He pats the space between his legs and I move between them, making him my human chair and leaning my head on his shoulder.

  “When I was a teenager, I was a brat. Selfish, rude, outspoken.”

  There’s a rumble against my back.

  “Hey, I felt that. So I can be those things now, but in all seriousness, I was a hellion. I had my mom wrapped around my finger. If I wanted something, she’d do it for me, regardless of how it inconvenienced her. I overheard my father and her arguing about the issue more than once.

  I left school early one day, not feeling well. An hour later, I realized I left an important project behind. I was feeling better by then but didn’t want to take the bus back to pick up my work after the final bell. I begged and pleaded until my mom gave in like she always did. She picked up my project, and on the way home a drunk driver hit her car with such force it flipped. We were told it rolled three times before hitting a telephone pole. She died in the hospital three days later.”

  “Fuck, babe. I’m so sorry. It wasn’t your fault. It was that drunk asshole’s fault. Another reason why drinking and drugging upset you. I’m sad I couldn’t have met the awesome woman who helped create such an amazing woman. Did she have red hair too?”

  “She did, and my dad has always said I’m a younger version of her. It was the accident that changed our relationship. I thought he blamed me. He became very overprotective and paranoid, worried he’d lose me too. That’s when I turned to food as a form of c
omfort. I wouldn’t turn to chemicals so I ran to chocolate and chips and…”

  “Hey, we’ve talked about the weight and food thing. I love your body. I like to enjoy a meal with you. If you start eating one lettuce leaf like some of the women I’ve known, we’re gonna have problems.”

  Now I laugh, wiping away a few stray tears at the same time. “I promise. We won’t have that problem. I like food. I just don’t like to cook it.”

  “Remember what Hewitt said, he’ll just hire someone to cook the food as long as there’s a pretty lady to enjoy it with. That’s not word for word but close enough.”

  “I remember, and I’m not trying to lose weight. We just walk a lot here and shag more.”

  He kisses my neck. “We do shag an awful lot. Think we should slow it down?”

  “Never,” I whisper. I can see where this is headed and I still have one more thing to reveal, a good thing.

  “I’m not quite done. So whatever that hard thing is poking at my back, it needs to settle down for a few more minutes.”

  He groans. “Can’t promise that.”

  “This is news you’re going to like. I’ll talk fast. Jagger wants you to help him design a lighthouse for that one cliff on the island’s east side. It doesn’t need one, but he’s always wanted to have a lighthouse. I might have mentioned your dream, and he was onboard in an instant. He wants to make it a deluxe lighthouse, totally livable. And…he wants it to be our home when we’re not in LA or on the road.”

  Shag lifts me off his front and easily manoeuvres me onto my back. “You’re not joking?”

  I reach for his hair that’s growing back so fast it’s like he’s put miracle grow in his shampoo bottle. I give it a tug.

  “Would I ever joke about something this important? I know what helping with a lighthouse will mean to you. I’m guessing you like the idea.”

  “Like? More like love it.” He pushes my hair away from my forehead and kisses me gently. “There is one thing I love more than any lighthouse, song, food, money…more than anything. That’s you, Cadie Cat. And please believe me, I am so sorry about your mom. If you need to cry, I’m here for you.”

  I pull his head down, angling my mouth to meet his. Our tongues dance and twirl, searching and exploring. Shag Steal doesn’t just kiss, he makes love to my mouth. When he kisses me, it’s like his mouth is connected to my clit. Despite the tropical weather, I shiver all over, arching into his caresses. As much as I enjoy our rough naughty times, I’ll never get enough of the gentler, patient version of Shag as my lover.

  Always aware of my moods, he maintains his softer touch, palming my breasts, while continuing to kiss me senseless. I’m so wet and achy, I need him inside me now. His kisses and the soft caresses have me hovering on the brink, and he hasn’t touched my pussy. There’s a fresh urgency between us.

  “Shag, please, love me now.” I stretch my legs wider, never happier to already be naked.

  Running his hands through my hair, his gaze locked on my mine, he pushes in. I love the way his piercing scrapes my walls, setting my nerve endings on fire. Once he’s seated inside, he goes still.

  “Look at me, babe.”

  My eyes flutter open. That cocky, crude, bad boy expression I’ve grown to love has momentarily been replaced by something akin to reverence. This crazy, smart, sexy, and totally talented man is devoted to me.

  I smile and scrape my nails down his back, trigging the smirk that makes my toes curl in the sand.

  “That’s my girl,” he whispers, his hips coming alive, matching my rhythm.

  My back arches and my hips undulate as I meet him thrust for thrust. The tide is coming in and the surf slithers under and around us, bathing us in its warmth. The sensations of sand, sea, and Shag are too much and I combust, crying out as my body soars. Shag loses himself a second later, his grunts and groans a symphony to my ears.

  Knowing I give this man as much pleasure as he gives me is something that never ceases to amaze me.

  “Cadie, we need to go. That orgasm sent me over the edge and a new song is banging around in my head. I gotta get it on paper.”

  I kiss him hard. “What’s it about?”

  “Have you ever played poker?”

  “No, but I know you have.”

  “There’s something called a Bad Beat. It can send even the best players on a tilt, totally affecting their decisions and their luck. With you in my life it’s like I can forget about the Bad Beats, because I’ve got the winning hand every time with you.”

  I don’t have clue what he’s talking about, but it just might be one the sweetest things he’s said.

  Another song inspired by me: Bad Beats.

  “I guess I should learn to play poker then.”

  “You’d do that for me?” His voice holds a hint of awe.

  “Haven’t you figured out yet I’d do just about anything for you, Shag Steal.”

  He slaps my bare bottom, brushing the sand off in the process. “I have some great betting games we can play.”

  I shake my head and laugh. “No doubt you do.”

  We gather our stuff, leaving the canopy behind. We’ll be back tomorrow.

  Shag is already humming his new tune. From what I hear, it’s got hit written all over it. I might be a little bias, but it has got one hell of a bad beat.

  Epilogue

  Cadie

  One Year Later

  “If you have stage fright, it never goes away. But then I wonder: is the key to that magical performance because of the fear?”

  -Stevie Nicks

  “Close your eyes,” Shag orders. “I’m going to carry you over the threshold.”

  “Oh, hell no! This baby is heavy. I need your back in working order.”

  He shushes me with a kiss. “Remember, eyes closed. And trust me. When you and baby are too big to carry, I’ll help you walk. You’re not there yet.”

  I let out a huff but there’s no arguing with my husband.

  We just finished our first season as hosts for Roping a Rock Star, still the biggest ‘reality’ program even without all the secrecy and bad blood. Our marriage was part of the show, and Jagger proposed to Robin the same day. Then, as if that wasn’t enough, Omar proposed to Jace. It was one giant love fest, and our viewers loved every minute.

  As he has so many times before, Shag scoops me up in his arms, holding me like a precious treasure. “You sure it’s not twins in there?”

  “Put me down!” I command, half serious.

  Of course he doesn’t, carting me up a walkway and through the door of our new island home.

  “Open your eyes, babe.”

  The minute I do, they’re flooded with tears. “Oh, my God. I’m so glad you kept me away from here. I can’t believe what you accomplished.”

  And I can’t. Our lighthouse home is the ultimate dream house—fully furnished, light, and airy, with a winding staircase and a freaking elevator. I cry when I see the elevator. I knew our master suite was on the third floor and have been worrying for weeks how I’ll make it up those twisty stairs every night with a watermelon in my belly.

  “Those are happy tears, right?”

  I nod, biting my lower lip to keep from a full on sob session. “You added a lift for me and the baby.”

  “And me,” he laughs. “I might be in shape, but I don’t want to climb those damn things either. Not all the time. Don’t forget my manhole is at the very top.”

  “Manhole sounds kind of wicked,” I tease, pretty sure he means to say man-cave. “Can I come inside your manhole, Shag?”

  My tears are all but gone when he wraps me inside his powerful arms. “How about I come inside your…”

  “Don’t say it! The baby might hear.”

  “That baby has heard the ‘f’ word so much it will probably be his first.”

  “Her first word,” I challenge. We’ve decided to wait until baby is born to learn the sex.

  “Everything all right in here?” Robin calls from the open doorway
behind us.

  “Why is she interrupting our moment?” Shag whispers, refusing to release me.

  “How easily you forget. Dinner and a poker game with Robin and Jagger and our bodyguards.”

  Begrudgingly he lets me go. “You’ll pay for this later, Mrs. Steal.”

  “I certainly hope so.” I move to greet Robin, swinging my hips for Shag’s viewing pleasure.

  “Woman, you better watch yourself. Keep it up, and we’ll be on the elevator and in our bed, guest or no guests.”

  Robin shakes her head. “Why don’t you two get a room? Geese.”

  “Why a room when we have a lighthouse?” I counter.

  “That’s right, Robin. We have a lighthouse,” Shag teases, sliding up behind me, his chin on my shoulder, and his hands on my tummy.

  Jagger appears, with Omar and Jace trailing him. “Shag, you might want to keep in mind, we have an island. Your lovely lighthouse is on the same private island.”

  He chuckles against me, and the baby moves.

  “Did he just kick my hand?” Shag asks, incredulous.

  “He’s telling you to watch yourself, buddy,” Omar says, getting in on our banter.

  Overwhelmed with unexpected emotions, something that happens all the time now, I grab Shag’s hand. “I think I need to rest for a few minutes. Help me upstairs.”

  Shag takes my hand. “You guys make yourself at home. My girl needs a brief break. The barbeque is all ready to go.”

  I can’t be sure, but I’m certain our four friends shake their heads and snicker at the same time, but only Robin is bold enough to say what’s surely on their minds: “Fine, go shag yourselves silly. We’ll be here when you’re done.”

  Shag sweeps me back up and marches to the elevator. The minute the door slides shut, his mouth is on mine.

  Let the shagging begin!

  ~The End~

  Available Now

  Scorched Souls – The Complete Saga Books 1-4

  The following is a sample from Scorched Souls: The Complete Saga