Forever in my Heart: The Subzero Series, #4

By Rebecca Elise

Forever in my Heart is Book 4 in The Subzero Series.

It's been two years since Jack proposed to Chloe and she is more than ready to tie the knot. Their wedding day is fast approaching and nothing is going to stand in their way. Not even Subzero announcing that they are leaving to open on tour four weeks before the big day. 

Two days before the wedding, Chloe finds herself dealing with a drunken night Subzero had while they were away and Jack promises her a drama free honeymoon...but is that even possible where Subzero is concerned?

*** This book contains mature content. ***

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rebecca Elise
• Release date: Sep 23, 2014
• ISBN: 9781502250803

Book preview

This book is dedicated to everyone that has been waiting

for the conclusion of Jack and Chloe’s story

and for everyone who believes in love at first sight.

Prologue – Chloe

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Two years earlier...

­ Is it possible to feel annoyed and excited at the same time? It must be because that is exactly how I am feeling. Jack and I have been dating for a little over a year now and recently decided it was silly for us to continue living across the hall from each other, so today I am happily moving out of the flat Drayton McGuire had set up for me and into Jack’s. It is amazing how moving across the hall has been more of a pain in the ass than moving from one country to another. Granted, I only boxed things up last time and shipped them out and everything was set up when I got here. This time, I didn’t box anything. I’ve just been moving things across the hall a little at a time over the past few weeks. You would think that makes things easier and less stressful, but it doesn’t. It just means that when I am looking for something I have twice the area to search because I don’t know if it is in my place or his. That ends today though and I couldn’t be happier about that.

Abby moved in with Tyler a week ago. It was weird to not have her here at first but honestly we didn’t really see each other any less. Tyler is growing on my dad but I think dad is still secretly worried that Abby is going to call home one of these days saying that she is having a bunch of little blue-haired babies.

I take one more final walkthrough in my flat to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything. I need to turn the keys in within the next forty-eight hours so I have to doublecheck that nothing is being left behind because once it is gone it will be gone for good. Okay, so maybe that is a little dramatic. I am only moving across the hall so surely if I realized I had left anything I could just ask the new tenant about it.

So is that everything then? Jack asks.

I walk into the living room where Jack is sitting, going over the set list for tonight’s Subzero show. I sit down next to him and he wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close to him as he places a quick kiss on the side of my head.

Yup, as of right now, we officially live together.

Best news so far today. Are you coming to the show tonight?

Yes, of course! Abby and I are going together actually, so could you drop me off when you pick up Tyler?

I can. Could you do me a favor? Could you wear something pretty?

I turn to look at him and frown. Don’t I always look pretty?

Jack’s face turns bright red. Of course you always look pretty. What I meant was...was...well I was just thinking that...that –

It’s okay, I laugh. I have plenty of pretty things. I am sure I can find something extra pretty to wear tonight.

Jack flashes a grateful smile. Thanks love. I should start getting my stuff together. We need to be on our way in a bit.

~*~

Everyone seems to be in full party mode by the time we arrive at Stoaked. Subzero is setting up on the stage while the DJ is busy spinning tunes. I feel a little out of place in my black knee grazing, strappy chiffon dress, but Jack wanted pretty and I definitely feel pretty.

Abby and I push our way through the crowd until we reach the bar. I wave my hand when Dex looks our way and he immediately comes over to us, which causes some people who were already waiting for drinks to start complaining.

Hey, knock it off or I’ll cut you off before you get started, Dex threatens them. The complaints stop, so they must have known he was serious.

Jack asked me to give this to you. Dex winks as he slides a Pina Colada across the bar. 

Thanks, I laugh.

Jack and I took a trip to the Dominican Republic a few months ago. The resort we stayed at was all-inclusive and made the best Pina Coladas ever. I don’t think there was a single moment that week where we didn’t have a Pina Colada in hand. Not even when we were trying other drinks.

Look, there’s Skylar and Wes. Abby points to a group that is congregated close to the stage.

We start pushing back through the crowd to where they are. We pass Jocalyn along the way, already dancing around. We are almost to Wes and Skylar when I stop dead in my tracks. Standing with them, laughing at something Wes is saying, is Nick and Noelle. Nick turns to me and smiles. I run over, careful to not spill my drink or fall flat on my ass.

What are you doing here? I exclaim as I throw my arms around my brother’s neck.

We wanted to surprise you. Are you surprised?

Am I surprised? You came from New York to London without telling me! Of course I am surprised. Where are you guys staying?

We have a hotel room.

Noelle pushes Nick aside and pulls me in for a tight hug. I’ve missed you!

I am about to respond when Subzero takes the stage. Jack looks over at me, smiles and wiggles his eyebrows.

Pretty, he mouths to me.

Hello everybody, we are called Subzero, Noah yells into the microphone. Is everybody ready to party?

The crowd starts screaming and jumping up and down. Nick grabs Noelle’s hand and spins her around. We all laugh as she squeals in surprise. I finish my drink and set it down on the table behind me. I grab Abby’s hand and we start bopping up and down with everyone else. The band is about four songs in when Dean starts strumming a slower tune on his guitar. I recognize it right away. It is "Fall into my Heart", the song Jack wrote for me during our break up. Noah grabs the microphone out of the stand, walks over to Jack and throws his arm around Jack’s shoulders.

Hey does everyone know our bass player, Jack? he yells out.

YES!! everyone yells back. Someone even yells out, I love you, Jack!

Jack looks like he has something he wants to say. Do you have something you want to say ol’ boy?

As a matter of fact I do have something I want to say. Jack takes off his guitar and leans it against the wall behind where Tyler is set up with his drums.

Does everyone know my beautiful girlfriend? She’s called Chloe. Chloe, my love, where are you?

Abby pushes me towards the stage. For a moment I thought I was going to trip, but thankfully I manage to stay on my feet. Noah reaches out his hand and pulls me up onto the stage.

Ah, here she is.

Jack grabs my hand, pulling me towards the front of the stage. He kisses my hand and drops down to one knee. My heart stops beating as I realize what is happening and suddenly everyone else blurs into the background until it is only me and Jack alone on the stage.

Chloe, you are the most amazing person I have ever met and every day that we spend together I find myself falling more and more in love with you. You make my life fun and I can’t imagine what I would be like – what my life would be like – if I didn’t have you by my side. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?

Jack pulls a small black velvet box out from his pocket and opens it up. Inside is the most beautiful engagement ring I have ever seen. The center stone is a cushion cut diamond framed with smaller round diamonds and the white gold band is studded with princess cut stones. Jack stares up at me, his beautiful blue eyes look nervous as though there is a chance I would turn him down.

Yes! I exclaim. Yes, of course, I’ll marry you.

The crowd goes wild, cheering and whistling. Jack takes the ring out of the box and slides it onto my finger. Then, he stands up, wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me in for a slow, sensual kiss, which only makes the crowd cheer even louder.

I love you, Jack.

I love you too, Chloe...forever.

Chapter One – Jack

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Present Day...

It started with a phone call. That’s all it took. One simple phone call and everything changed. There’s just one tiny, miniscule problem – Chloe is going to kill me.

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We are sitting around a clean, glass table at Dreamweaver Records, staring open-mouthed at our manager, Colin. I don’t think any of us know what to do, what to say. It was always our goal to become more than just that band that plays local pubs every weekend and occasionally books festivals; those four idiots that have a history involving ridiculous stunts and women with questionable morals.

In hindsight, we would probably be a lot farther along in our music career if we had taken things more seriously when we first got signed. I am fairly certain that the only reason we didn’t get dropped is because our music is really good, and, despite the public’s perception of our antics, we do bring in a decent amount of money for four guys still doing the Friday night pub thing. Plus, the collaboration with Stardust was really good for us...well, career-wise that is.

Okay, hold on, back up a second mate, Tyler says. He touches his fingertips to his temples and then moves them away from himself, pointing his fingers at Colin. Let me make sure I am understanding exactly what you are getting at here, because I am not sure I understand you correctly. Fifty Three Stampede is headlining their first tour and are about to start the North American leg of it?

Yes, Colin says. He leans back in his black leather chair, crossing his arms over his broad chest. An amused smile plays on his face making him seem younger than his fifty-five years. Colin has told us before that we are aging him quickly, but I think he actually likes working with us. 

One of the opening acts had to pull out suddenly due to some sort of a medical emergency, Tyler continues.

Correct.

And we are being asked to fill the spot?

That is what I am telling you.

Tyler shifts in his seat and stares up at the ceiling for a moment before glancing back at Colin and cocking his head to the side. May I ask why?

Colin laughs, a deep, hearty, belly laugh. He throws his arms up in the air, clearly humored by the fact that we are questioning this. Didn’t you guys used to play with them?

We nod. As a matter of fact, they played a huge part in getting us auditions when we decided it was time to move things past Tyler’s parents’ garage and Dean’s parents’ basement. Their lead singer, Tom, is one of the reasons we were offered regular gigs at Stoaked and Barnaby’s. When Fifty Three Stampede was first starting out, Tom made it a point to get chummy with every bar owner in the area. With him vouching for us, we were able to get to the top of audition lists. He also helped us get our demo made and slipped it to someone at Dreamweaver, which got us to this very moment.

Look, they think you are talented. You guys have grown up a bit in the past two years. This is what you’ve been waiting for. Don’t question it, just say yes and we will get everything squared away.

Do you even have to ask? The answer is yes, absolutely, we want to do this. Let’s leave straight away! Dean exclaims as he smacks the palm of his hand down on the table. He must hit it harder than he planned to, because he glances down at his hand, frowning, before giving it a shake.

Noah turns to Dean, staring at him like he has lost his mind. You do realize that some of us have wives and fiancées that we need to consider before hopping on a plane. I can’t just call Caroline on my way to the airport and tell her I’ll see her in a few months.

Well, you won’t have to hop on a plane today, Colin tells us.

When exactly would we be leaving? I ask him.

Colin pauses for a moment and I can just tell that, while we might not be leaving today, we will be leaving soon. "You guys will need to be on