Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Taz
Catered lunch in the boardroom of a high-rise office building with a top-notch publicist, while trying to forget the hottest night of my life with a girl who was way of my league. This couldn’t be my life.
Avery was a stunning blonde with an all-business, don’t-mess-with-me vibe, that would have scared most guys off even if she wasn’t married to Ty Mcall, one of the biggest names in country music.
She stared at me intently with steepled fingers. “So, you’ve got a story to tell. Luc’s already given me the cliff notes version, but I want to hear what makes you.”
“What makes me?” I reached for my bottled water and took a sip, while considering her question. “A lot of dumb mistakes. Lessons learned. Hard work. De—”
“There’s more than that,” she said, waving me off. “That could be anybody. There’s something different about you.” She pointed at me. “That’s why you and your music struck a chord with record labels. Very few people have the It Factor, but professionals, like Luc, can see it a mile away.”
“If you say so.” I shrugged. “I don’t know what you want me to say, Avery. I write what I feel. And I’ve got a lot of…” Tabling the colorful language in deference to a classy lady, I said, “Messed up stuff going on inside of me, I guess.”
“A lot of people have been through it, Taz. But they can’t channel it like you can. They can’t put pen to paper the way you can. And that voice…” She shuddered. “Gives me chills every time I hear it.”
“Thanks.” What was I supposed to say to that? I wasn’t used to compliments and didn’t know how the hell to take them.
She smiled, like she could sense my uneasiness. “You’ll get used to hearing how talented you are, trust me on that. You’ll get used to the screaming fans, people stopping you for selfies and autographs and—”
“Ugh, what makes you think I’d want to get used to that?”
“Because you want to make something of yourself, to make your daughter proud.”
Apparently, the abbreviated version of the story Luc told Avery included my daughter, which pissed me off. She was off-limits. “I don’t know what you think you know about my relationship with my daughter, but—”
“I know there isn’t one, but you’d like there to be. And I think I can make that happen.”
She was tempting me with the only thing I really wanted: a shot at being a real father.
“How?”
Her half-smile said more than her words ever could.
You don’t know who you’re dealing with, buddy.
“Give me her name. I assume she’s on social media.
I’ll reach out to her. Send her the link to the song you wrote for her, assuming she hasn’t heard it already.
Really talk you up, tell her I’m her dad’s new publicist. Any teenage girl would be intrigued, once she realized it wasn’t a scam, of course. ”
“I don’t think her mama would go for that.
Last I heard, she hates my guts.” Through a lawyer, I’d found out where they were living and how to send the child support payments, but that was all I had.
No confirmation from my ex they’d been received, or a word about how our daughter was doing or whether she ever asked about me.
“Fame has a way of softening people up, Taz. Even vindictive exes. So, I’m telling you, if your real objective here is to re-connect with your daughter, while getting your music out there, I can help you do both.”
I leaned forward, elbows on the table, with my hands clasped. “You really think I’m good enough? Because I’m not interested in wasting your time, Luc’s, or mine, just to chase a longshot.”
She laughed. “My friend, I’ve known Luc Spencer a long time and he doesn’t bet on longshots. Ever. If he sees something in you, you’re going all the way to the top. And you can take that to the bank, and cash it, along with all the multi-million-dollar checks that’ll be rolling in.”
I took a deep breath, trying to process everything she promised. If it was true, it would change not only my life, but my family’s lives too. I could finally make up for all the grief I caused them when I was a teenager.
My old man could retire from his job as a long-haul truck driver.
My mama wouldn’t have to work long hours as a waitress at a greasy diner anymore.
I could pay off the mortgage on the ranch bungalow they’d lived in for forty years.
My kid sister could stay home and raise her twins.
I could send my daughter to college, without her having to take out student loans it would take years to pay off.
“You want this,” Avery said, leaning forward. “I can see it in your eyes. So, what the hell is stopping you from signing on that dotted line already? Let us make you famous, Taz.”
“Damn it, you’re one hell of a salesperson. Anyone ever tell you that?”
She smirked. “Only every other day.”
“I bet.” I may be crazy, but I’d been accused of that before. At least this time my crazy was legal. “Alright, Avery. You talked me into it. Let’s do this thing.”
I was having beers at Jimmy’s with a few buddies from work, when my fantasy girl walked through the door.
Damn. I’d been trying to get her out of my head since she kicked me out of bed a week ago.
But she kept taunting me… in the shower, my dreams, while I was driving, working, writing music. She was everywhere.
My friend, Tommy, who’d been the one to upload the videos that changed my life, slapped me on the back as his eyes followed mine to the front door. “Dude, I know you think you’re gonna be a star and all, but that girl is still way out of your league.”
All the guys laughed, and I didn’t blame them. A girl that looked like Grace sleeping with a guy like me was laughable. Yet it happened. And I couldn’t forget it, no matter how hard I tried.
I smirked as I brought the longneck to my lips. “You’d think so, wouldn’t you?”
Tommy frowned, casting one more look in Grace’s direction. She hadn’t spotted me yet, but I had no doubt she’d bail once she did.
“You’re not tellin’ me you’ve tapped that. ‘Cause I know if you had, we’d all have heard about it,” Tripp, or as he liked to call himself, The Drywall King, said, laughing.
“I’m not tellin’ you a damn thing,” I said, letting my eyes rest on Grace.
She was wearing tight faded jeans, a fitted, low-neck white top, and high heeled sandals. Reminded me how good it felt to have those legs wrapped around my neck while I made her scream my name.
She finally locked eyes with me. She whispered a few words to her pretty blond friend, and strutted to the bar, ignoring all the appreciative looks from men as she passed.
Huh. She hadn’t bailed when she saw me. What did that mean? Judging by the scowl on her face, she wasn’t interested in listening to my lame-ass apology again, but that didn’t mean I wouldn’t try, one more time. ‘Cause it wasn’t every day a guy like me got a shot with a goddess.
“Man, if you’re telling me you banged her, and managed to screw it up,” Tommy said. “You’re dead to me. And I don’t give a shit how rich and famous you’re gonna be.”
The guys had been busting my chops ever since I signed with Spencer Records, and I didn’t blame them.
If it had been one of them to sign, I’d have given them a hard time too.
They thought I’d forget about them, start hanging with guys in my new tax bracket.
But I had nothing in common with the Trey Turners and Ty McCalls of the world.
These were my people, and always would be.
“Excuse me, boys,” I said, sliding out of my seat. “I think I’m gonna buy the lady a drink before some other asshole beats me to it.”
“You’ll be back here with your tail between your legs when she shoots you down, Taz!” Tripp yelled as I walked away. “Don’t say we didn’t warn you!”
I slid in next to the pretty blond at the bar, Grace’s friend, since some yuppie dipshit was chatting up my girl.
“Taz,” the blond said, extending her hand with a sly smile. “Mr. Three-peat himself. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
I grinned when I caught Grace’s eye and she blushed as I took her friend’s hand. “What’s your name, beautiful?”
Grace rolled her eyes, obviously at me, and not the guy trying and failing to hold her attention.
“Kaitlyn.” She nudged her friend, giggling. “Those songs you posted online…” She fanned her face dramatically. “When you cut those, I’m downloading them and playing them on repeat.”
“Thanks, though I’m not sure they’ll make the cut on the new album.” I gestured to the bartender. “Can I buy you ladies a drink?”
“What do you say, Gracie?” Kaitlyn asked. “Think we should let him buy us a drink?”
“Excuse me,” Grace said to the guy next to her, while glaring at me. “Can I have a word with you, Taz?”
I rubbed my hands together. “Thought you’d never ask.”
“Outside,” she snapped, leading the way.
I glared at every slimy bastard who ogled her, while trying to ignore the catcalls from my childish friends, as we made our way outside.
She led me away from the door and fisted her hands on her hips. “What do you think you’re doing?”
I raised my hands, unable to keep the smile on my face from spreading. She was even sexier when she was pissed, if that was possible. “I don’t know. What am I doing?”
“Offering to buy me a drink after you called me—”
I touched my fingertip against her full pink lips. “I didn’t call you anything, baby. And never would.”
“No, but you implied! And for the record, I have never even asked a man out, let alone invited one home!”
I took a step forward, causing her to back up, until her backside was nearly pressed against the brick building. Bracing my forearm against the wall, above her head, I leaned in, whispering, “I like that I was your first.”
She huffed, pushing against my chest. “Get out of my way, you brute. I’m going back inside, to find a real man.”
Ouch, she’d taken direct aim below the belt and hit her target. “I seem to recall you thinking I was a real man,” I said quietly. “When you were panting my name, begging for more.”
She blushed, but her eyes spit fire. “How dare you—”
I cupped her chin with my thumb and forefinger, looking into her eyes. “You are so beautiful.”
Sucking in a breath, she said, “You’re crazy if you think your tired lines are going to work on me.”
“I meant it, but tell me what it’ll take for you to agree to one drink, one dance, that’s all I’m asking.” I’d take a hell of a lot more, if she was offering, but I knew I’d have to bust my ass to earn an invite back into her bed.
“Why would I want to do that? You’ve already told me what you think of me.”
“No, I haven’t.” My eyes trailed over her body. “I think you’re beautiful, sexy, smart—”
“Shut up, Taz.”
I smirked, loving the fire and ice treatment. “A firecracker in the sac—” My hand drifted to her hip. “And I’m an idiot for opening my big mouth and ruining what could have been a good thing.”
She raised an index finger. “One night, remember? That’s all we agreed to. So, we were never going to be a thing.”
“Yeah, about that…” I bit my lip, watching with satisfaction when her eyes slid to my mouth. “I’ve got a bit of a problem. I can’t get you out of my head. The way you kiss me…” I leaned in, whispering in her ear. “The way you taste, smell, that look on your face when you co—”
“Enough,” she said, sounding breathless as she rested her hand against my chest.
“Have you thought about me at all?” I couldn’t remember ever working this hard to get a girl to give me a second chance, but I’d never met anyone like Grace before.
“No.”
My lop-sided smile called her a liar without having to use words.
She rolled her eyes. “Fine, I may have thought of you once or twice.”
“When?”
“What?”
“When did you think of me? When you crawled into bed at night? Was the scent of me still on your sheets?”
She drew a deep breath, shaking her head. “I’m not having this conversation with you.”
“Gracie, I’m sorry.” I waited until her eyes met mine before I said, “I didn’t mean to offend you. I was just worried about your safety. There are a lot of sick bastards out there and I’d hate to have to kill someone for hurting you.”
“Why would you care if someone hurt me?”
Just the thought of it made me curl my hand into a fist. “I don’t know how, but you got under my skin. Like I said, I can’t get you off my mind.”
She bit her lip, looking thoughtful. “I heard you signed with Luc.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I did.”
She sighed. “I guess we could have one drink, to celebrate that. It is kind of a big deal.”
I smiled, slipping her hand into mine. “And that dance?”
“Don’t push your luck.”