How to Fall For a Rockstar: a single mom, grumpy sunshine, small town, rockstar romantic comedy (Cas

Chapter 24

Get it – when you realize why women throw their panties at rockstars

Leia

“Do you want to call and check on Isla?” Fender asks as we walk to Electric Vibes, the one and only bar in Winter Falls.

We just finished dinner at the Naked Falls Brewery with Indigo and Virginia and his bandmates and are off to the bar for a few drinks. I’m excited since I haven’t had a chance to visit the bar yet. I heard it’s a hippie haven.

I check my phone. “She hasn’t messaged and I don’t have any missed calls. She’s probably fine.”

She’s staying overnight at her friend Storm’s house. I spoke to Honor when I dropped her off and I feel confident my daughter’s in good hands.

“I don’t mind,” Fender says.

I study his face. Worry lines bracket his eyes. “Do you want to call and check up on her?”

He shrugs. “It wouldn’t hurt. The last time she was away for the night, she got sick.”

She didn’t get sick, Storm did, but I don’t correct him. Not when it’s obvious he’s worried about my daughter. Butterflies flutter with excitement in my stomach at his show of concern. I’ve waited a long time for someone to share the burden of raising a child with.

He’s not sharing the burden, I remind myself. He’s temporary.

Liar. Liar. Pants on fire.

I ignore my inner voice and dial Isla’s number.

“I’m fine, Mom,” she answers.

“Well, hello to you, too,” I greet and then throw Fender under the bus. “Fender wants to say hi.”

He snatches the phone from me. “Having fun, cutie pie?”

I can’t hear her answer but the smile on his face is enough for me. My ovaries nearly explode at those dimples appearing for my daughter.

Let’s make a baby with him.

My inner voice must be high. I am not going to have a baby with this man. I’m not ready to have a serious relationship with him. A baby isn’t a possibility.

Need I remind you of the liar, liar pants on fire situation?

I ignore my obviously drunk inner voice as Fender ends the call and hands me my phone.

“Satisfied?”

Before he has a chance to answer, Gibson pushes his way in between us. “Who were you calling cutie pie? Are you two in a throuple? Can I join?” He waggles his eyebrows. “I promise not to behave.”

Fender slaps a hand on Gibson’s face and pushes him away. “No.”

Gibson juts out his bottom lip. “But I’m fun. I promise I’m fun.”

Before I can tell Gibson I don’t fall for pouting, a woman screeches, “I don’t care, Uncle Mercury.” She’s standing in front of the bar blocking Old Man Mercury from the entrance.

“Get out of my way, Mercy,” he grumbles at her.

“No. You shouldn’t be drinking.”

“I’ll drink if I damn well want to.”

“The doctor said—”

“I don’t give a shit what the doctor said.”

Gibson strolls up to them. “If the man wants a drink, let him drink.”

Mercy glares at him. If she could spit fire from her eyes, he would be a pile of ashes. “I don’t recall asking for your opinion. In fact, I don’t know who you are.”

“Gibson Lewis.” He bows. “At your service.”

“Whatever.” She turns away from him to face Old Man Mercury again. “Uncle Mercury, you said—”

He wags a finger at her. “No, I didn’t. You assumed.”

“Excuse me.” Gibson stands in front of Mercy. “Do you not know who I am?”

Mercy plants her hands on her hips. “Do you not see I’m busy?”

“She’s awesome,” Indigo declares. “She’s going to be my next bestie.”

“Lucky woman,” I mutter.

“Leia Wilson, don’t you use your sarcastic tone with me. You love me and you know it.”

“Against my will.”

“I’m with Leia,” Virginia says. “Leave the woman be.”

Indigo laughs. “You’re hilarious.”

Jett snags Gibson’s wrist and draws him away from the woman. “Try to accept your defeat with some grace.”

Gibson’s eyes are the size of saucers as he stares at Mercy. “She didn’t know who I was.”

Fender wraps an arm around my shoulder. “Shall we go inside?”

“I’m with Fender,” Dylan says as he clasps Virginia’s hand. “Those two could argue about whether it’s dark outside or not for an hour nonstop.”

“You aren’t going to stop them?” Virginia asks.

“I’m off duty.”

Cash leads Indigo to the bar. At the door, Indigo stops to wave at Mercy. “See you later.”

Mercy stares at Indigo. She’s probably wondering if Indigo has lost her mind. I get it. I’ve wondered the same thing many times myself.

My mouth gapes open when we enter the bar. “It is a hippie haven.”

The walls are covered with memorabilia from the hippie age – posters of Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell, and Jimi Hendrix to name a few. The chairs and tables are a mishmash with none matching each other. And the lightbulbs are all different colors giving the entire room a psychedelic feel.

“Cool, isn’t it?” Fender has to shout to be heard above the music blaring from the old-fashioned jukebox.

“I can’t believe I haven’t been in here before.”

“We’ll come more often,” he says as if it’s the most natural thing in the world for the two of us to be together. I’m not convinced yet.

The band gathers at a table in the corner where it’s less noisy. A woman arrives and slams a pitcher of beer on the table. “I don’t want any fights.”

“We don’t fight in bars,” Dylan claims.

“Anymore,” Cash adds.

“We also didn’t order this beer,” Jett says.

Gibson elbows him. “It’s free beer.”

“You don’t know it’s free.”

“Actually,” the waitress interrupts. “It is free. I’m Cassandra, the owner of this joint. You can have as many drinks as you want for free under one condition.”

Gibson raises his hand. “I volunteer as tribute. I can rock your world.”

“I’ll let my husband know.” She nods toward a man who appears to be a lumberjack sitting at the bar.

Dylan slaps a hand over Gibson’s mouth. “Ignore him. We all do.”

“What’s the condition?” Cash asks.

“You play a set.” She indicates the small stage where the instruments are already set up.

“Do the girls get free drinks, too?” Indigo asks. “Or just the band?”

Cassandra points to Indigo, Virginia, and me. “You three get free drinks. The other women in the bar who big mouth wants to seduce? No.”

“I prefer the word charm,” Gibson says.

Cassandra ignores him. “What do you want?” she asks Indigo.

“A porn star martini.”

“I’ll have one, too.” I’ve always wanted to try a martini, but my usual lifestyle doesn’t exactly scream cocktails.

As soon as Cassandra’s gone, Fender leans over to whisper in my ear, “Don’t drink too much. I have plans for us tonight.”

“I’ve never had drunken sex before.”

He smirks. “Then, have at it, firecracker. I’m happy to be your first.”

“Who’s ready to rock this town?” Cash shouts as he lifts his beer.

Fender frowns. “I’m not playing. Leia and I are on a date.”

Jett sighs. “Is this how it’s going to be from now on since the three of you are in love?” He nearly chokes on the word ‘love’.

I push Fender. “Go ahead and play.”

He glares at Jett. “Don’t listen to the asshole.”

“Seriously, it’s fine. Virginia and Indigo are here.”

“I’m her bestie,” Indigo declares.

Fender ignores her to ask me, “You sure?”

“I’m sure.”

He studies my face for a second before nodding. “Okay, I’ll play.”

The five band members down their beers in one go before standing and approaching the stage. The crowd begins to cheer. “Sinners! Sinners! Sinners!”

“Have you ever heard Fender play live before?” Indigo asks. I shake my head. “You’re in for a treat.”

Our martinis arrive and I sip on mine while I watch Fender get ready to play. After a few minutes, he nods at Cash.

“Good evening, Winter Falls!” Cash shouts as if he’s greeting a stadium of fans and not a group of people in a small town. “We’ve got a new song for you tonight.”

Indigo squeals and jumps out of her chair. She grabs my hand and pulls.

“I’m good.”

“You are not sitting in the corner while your boyfriend plays on stage.”

“Not my boyfriend.”

She rolls her eyes. “You keep telling yourself that.”

“Come on.” Virginia nudges me. “She won’t give up until all of us are in front of the stage.”

“Dog with a bone,” I mutter as I stand and follow her.

Fender notices me and winks. If rock gods were a thing, he’d be one with his bass in his hands, his biceps flexed, and his strong legs planted wide. Too bad he’s not shirtless with his tattoos on display.

“We’ve got a new song for you tonight,” Cash declares and nods to Jett who drums a beat to start them off.

Cash begins to sing.

I’ve been searching for a place to call my own;

Where the winds of change have never blown;

Yearning for a place to finally call home;

I”m gonna find that place to settle down;

Where the stars above never let me frown;

With every hardship faced;

I”ll carve my own space;

I”ve found my haven where I belong;

With her in my arms, I can’t be wrong.

Cash repeats the final lyric and Fender’s gaze finds mine. He stares into my eyes as he mouths the words. With you in my arms, I can’t be wrong.

My heart squeezes and I clutch my chest. I want to be the one in his arms. Always. Oh no. I’m falling for Fender. How did this happen? Yesterday I wasn’t ready for a serious relationship and today I’m falling in love.

Indigo elbows me and I’m thankful for the interruption from my thoughts. “Now you get it.”

“Get what?” I shout back to be heard.

“Why women throw their panties at rockstars.”

No one better throw their panties at Fender. I’ll eviscerate them before forcing them to eat their intestines. And they won’t be getting any ketchup either.

Fender’s mine.