Page 2 of Rock Star

I’d experienced a moment of disbelief when Jake Stanley phoned yesterday, asking if I was free to try out with the band today. When I’d realized it was for real, I couldn’t resist a squeal of happiness before confirming my availability.

So here I was, about to sing with the front man himself, and I’d be lying if I said my knees weren’t knocking together. At least I knew all of ChiMera’s catalog and had practiced his sister’s harmonies until I was practically hoarse; I was ready to give it my all.

The door to the waiting room swung open and Jake appeared. He was a good-looking dude— dark brown hair slicked back from his forehead, cornflower blue eyes— but too preppy. And, even if I’d found him attractive and wanted to respond to the way he was giving my body the once-over, I’d made the conscious decision to swear off men. My long-term boyfriend had dumped me last summer for a curvy redhead who didn’t spend all her time working her ass off like me. After I’d cried a river of tears, I decided to become an ice maiden rather than risk getting hurt again and, as time had gone by, I’d gotten used to being on my own. Made life a whole lot simpler, I told myself.

“Phoenix,” Jake said in a plummy British accent, “we’re ready for you.”

Heart thudding, I stepped into a wide rehearsal room.

Holy shit.

I stifled a gasp.

I hadn’t seen any pictures of ChiMera since they’d come out of rehab.

Wow! They’d changed.

My eyes widened. No longer the scrawny-looking guys they’d been while using, they were standing in front of me, so beyond ripped they were freaking shredded. They must have been working out; they’d bulked up hugely... tight t-shirts hugged their pecs and bulging arm muscles.

But it was Axel Wainwright who drew my full attention. He was so beautiful I forgot to breathe… not something anyone, let alone a singer, should ever forget to do.

Dirty collar-length blond hair all mussed up.

A close-cropped beard.

Smoldering dark-brown eyes.

Eyes that were trained on mine.

Tormented eyes…

“Phoenix.” He caught his lower lip with his teeth as he unleashed his sexy trademark smile, the smile that made women all over the world swoon. “I like your name.”

The breath I’d been holding left my lungs with a whoosh, and I felt my cheeks burn. “I hope you like my voice too.”

He stepped forward, his Gibson Thunderbird guitar slung across his broad chest, and I caught his masculine scent as he handed me a mic. “Let’s make a start, then,” he said in a curt, businesslike tone.

Okay…

In the background, Pierce slammed four trash beats on his drums before he played a roll. Rhys’ guitar started singing a keening note above Pierce’s pounding. I recognized the start of ChiMera’s big hit, ‘Live, Love, Lose,’ and remembered to breathe.

This was it.

Do or die.

This whole gig was an awesome opportunity for me. If I fluffed it now, I’d regret it for the rest of my life.

I’ve got this.

One hand clasping the mic, I smoothed down my hair with the other and came in at exactly the right moment.AxelPhoenix had done her homework; she sounded so like Ella I almost broke down. It was as if my sister had fucking returned from the other side. I shook my head to clear it of dark thoughts and leaned into the silvery microphone on its stand, playing a low beat on my bass.

I turned my head to gaze at Phoenix as I sang. She was staring at the opposite wall, her entire attention focused on the music. Only twenty-two, three years younger than Ella. And she was doing a great job, matching my vowel sounds. She was the third girl we’d played with today, and she was by far the best.

My chest ached as I thought about my sister. No one could replace her, no fucking way. I’d loved her so much; I’d never get over her loss. We’d been on the same wavelength our entire lives. Being siblings, our voices harmonized perfectly but Ella was always careful not to let hers stand out. Phoenix was doing the same. The guys all sang backup, but I didn’t have to push my voice so hard when a woman harmonized with me. Ella never wanted to be in the limelight. Would Phoenix be happy with that?

Ella had been strictly off-limits to the guys, resulting in them treating her like their kid sister as well as mine. If Phoenix joined the band, we’d have the same arrangement. No sex with the backing singer or it would rip us apart.

Bending into the mic, I raked my eyes down her smoking hot body, lingering on her gorgeous ass encased in those skin-tight jeans. Her t-shirt hugged what looked like a luscious pair of tits. I wondered if they were real…

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