The Winner Takes It All

By Audrey Harte

Annie and Casey are both heading to New York City for the next round of auditions for The Next American Superstar. They're officially a couple now and seem to be happy as clams, but what will happen as they continue getting to know each other better? How will their relationship fare under extreme amounts of stress as they both compete to win the title and grand prize of a five million dollar contract for their own show in Las Vegas?

Only one can win. Will their love survive this final test?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Audrey Harte
• Release date: Oct 13, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311803856

Audrey Harte

A self-published author of romantic and erotic fiction, Audrey Harte was born and raised in Hawaii but spent her junior high and high school years in Scottsbluff, Nebraska before moving to Los Angeles, California on her own at the age of 17. She loves living in the City of Angels, which she has proudly called home for the past 18 years. She is currently working on a stand-alone F/F romance titled Sunset Stripped, tentatively scheduled to release in June 2017. The untitled book 2 of the Love in NYC series has been put on the back burner while she focuses on the new F/F romance. Her first book, Love in All the Wrong Places, was released on April 10th, 2013, and the second book in the same series, All the Right Things, was released on February 13th, 2014. The third and final book in the Love in L.A. series, The Winner Takes It All, was released on October 13th, 2014. Say Anything was released on April 3rd, 2015, with the cover featuring actor/model/former Harlem Globetrotter and Washington Generals player, Tyler White, and fitness model, Catherine Gontran. You can follow all three of them on Instagram (@audreyharteauthor, @tylerdashwhite & @_coryvegas

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Copyright © 2014 Audrey Harte

Smashwords Edition 2014

The Winner Takes It All

Copyright © 2014 Audrey Harte

Smashwords Edition 2014

Published by Audrey Harte

Cover art © by Christopher Neil

Interior Design by Angela McLaurin, Fictional Formats

https://www.facebook.com/FictionalFormats

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any print or electronic form without permission

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person, living or dead, any place, events or occurrences is purely coincidental. The characters and story lines are created from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The subject matter is not appropriate for minors. Please note this novel contains profanity, explicit sexual situations, and alcohol and drug consumption.

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

EPILOGUE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

AUTHOR'S NOTE

SOUNDTRACK

To anyone who has ever started writing a book and thought they couldn’t finish it, you can. Just keep writing. Doesn’t matter if you think it’s crap—just write. Get it down on paper. You can always fix it later. What matters is that you keep writing.

"I’m going to put marbles in your mouth like you’re Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. You need to open your mouth and round your vowels." A short, stocky gentleman in his early forties, David Campbell had been a vocal coach for fifteen years. Annie found him by searching the ads on Craigslist (surprise, surprise). After contacting him for his rates, she almost changed her mind about accepting her parents’ generous offer to pay for voice lessons for her birthday. Annie wasn’t sure her father had been fully aware what these lessons could cost. It’s not that she would call him cheap, but he was definitely frugal to a fault.

Surprisingly enough, Alexander Chang didn’t bat an eyelash. He simply asked where to send the check. Her heart overflowed with gratitude and affection for her father. Annie had been afraid that her parents wouldn’t be supportive of her pursuing this opportunity. Even though it was her biggest dream, she figured they would say to figure it out on her own if she really wanted it. Their support meant she could better her chances of making it to the finals.

The voice lessons had been a huge help. After seeing David for two months, she could already hear a definite improvement in her vocal abilities and technique, her breath support was getting stronger, and he was teaching her how to belt without damaging her vocal chords.

"Annie, you should be able to fit in three fingers while you are singing. I cannot stress enough how important it is for you to open your mouth. Come on now—three fingers in your mouth. Let’s see them."

Annie obediently put three fingers sideways in her mouth as he instructed. Her jaw popped as she did so, making her wince and pull the fingers back out. That’s so uncomfortable, she protested.

David shook his head and gestured for her to replace the three fingers in her mouth. Rolling her eyes, she complied as he began to play the introduction of the song they’d been rehearsing for the past week. His head nodded in time to the music as he played the opening bars.

Hearing her cue, Annie took a deep breath and began to sing. Singing was always the fastest way for her to feel grounded again. Effortlessly navigating her way through the familiar verse, she lovingly caressed each note as it passed her lips. For her, there was no happier feeling than when she was singing. The more emotion she could convey in a song, the better. She loved everything from light-hearted, bubble-gum pop to deep, bluesy ballads filled with passion and angst.

The current song she was singing, Impossible by Shontelle, was a powerful R&B ballad. She loved the way she could weave her vocal chords up and down the scale as she sang each impossible.

After struggling through two more sing-throughs with her fingers in her mouth, Annie breathed a sigh of relief as David finally nodded his head in satisfaction.

Much better, Annie, he said solemnly.

Annie had to turn around and grab her water bottle to smother her giggle.

Now let’s do it again. This time without the fingers.

This time, she was more aware of widening her mouth and could hear the difference it made… subtle but nice. When she finished, she shivered as she felt goose bumps run up her arms. It was exciting to train with a professional who could help her be the best vocalist she could be. It made her feel that much better about her chances of going on past the finals and maybe even having a shot at winning.

Annie grabbed her purse and waved good-bye before pulling the door shut behind her. As she made her way down the short sidewalk to the street, Katie pulled up in her new Lexus SUV. It was sleek, black, shiny, and sexy as hell, and Annie was super jelly. Katie had booked back to back modeling gigs with Guess and Marc Jacobs, and she had decided to treat herself to a new car. Annie knew she’d do the same if she ever experienced the same good fortune.

Hopping into the passenger seat, she leaned over to Katie, offering her a cheek kiss.

Hey girl, Katie said as Annie closed the door and started to fasten her seatbelt.

Hey, thanks for picking me up and taking me to the mechanic. I would Uber it, but since I’m trying to save money right now…

Shut it, lady. I’ll always give you a ride if I’m around. Besides you know I’m looking for any excuse to drive my new baby.

Annie grinned at her friend and settled back in the plush leather seat, breathing in deeply of the new car smell. Usher’s You Make Me Wanna was playing softly in the background, and as Katie pulled away from the curb, she turned up the volume, bathing them both in the richness of the R&B artist’s velvet vocal stylings.

Damn, I haven’t heard this song in forever.

It’s a classic, Katie said somewhat defensively.

Definitely a classic, Annie agreed. So what are you up to this weekend?

I’ve got a date tonight, and tomorrow I’m going to a house party in Malibu. You wanna come?

I’d love to, but Casey’s flying in tonight, and we’ve only got tomorrow together before he has to leave again.

So bring him with you, or are you guys planning on staying in bed all day? Katie wiggled her eyebrows at Annie as she grinned.

Annie smacked her shoulder in response. Shut up. I’m not some kind of nympho, you know. I do know how to exercise self-control.

Katie snorted. What a crock of shit.

Laughing, Annie nodded. Okay, okay. Maybe I don’t have the best self-control when it comes to my man, but can you blame me?

Not at all. Casey is one fine-ass specimen of a man.

That he is, and he’s all mine, Annie said smugly, wrapping her arms around herself as she thought about her sexy man. Sometimes I still can’t believe it… I pinch myself every now and then when I’m with him.

You definitely lucked out. I hope this guy I’m meeting tonight is just as sweet and at least half as fine as Casey.

Annie laughed again. Well, good luck with that.

Gee thanks! Katie said sarcastically, sticking her tongue out at Annie.

Haven’t you seen his picture?

I have, but half the time, these guys don’t look as good in person as they did in their pictures.

True that, Annie agreed with an emphatic nod. So who’s up to bat tonight?

Antonio… he’s Brazilian. Owns his own restaurant in Beverly Hills.

Mmm, sounds hot and rich. Is he taking you to his own restaurant for dinner?

Katie shook her head as she pulled up in front of the mechanic. No, we’re just doing drinks at Villa Blanca.

Annie whistled, looking impressed. "Isn’t that one of the places owned by Lisa Vanderpump from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills?"

Yep, Antonio claims that he is friends with Lisa. We’ll see.

Nice. Well, let me know how it goes. And thanks again for the ride.

Don’t mention it, and yeah, I’ll keep you posted. Are you going to come to Malibu tomorrow or no?

Let me run it by Casey tonight and see what he says. Can I let you know?

Yeah, I’ll be up late, or you can let me know first thing in the morning, but get back to me either way so I can give Andrea a heads up.

Oh, it’s Andrea’s party? Well, why didn’t you say so? I’ll talk Casey into it. But I’ll let you know for sure by tomorrow.

Andrea Rodriguez was a talented, world-renowned photographer who had worked with both Annie and Katie on multiple occasions. She had a bubbly, vivacious personality, a keen eye for high-fashion photography, and one of the biggest hearts around. And she happened to throw some pretty incredible beach parties. There was always some celebrity or another showing up, keeping things interesting.

Leaning across the console, Annie gave Katie a quick squeeze and a peck on the cheek, then hopped out of the SUV, closing the door behind her.

As she walked up the driveway to the door of the repair shop, Sako, the owner came out, beaming a big smile at her. Hi, Annie. Good to see you again, he greeted her.

Hi, Sako. How have you been? Annie smiled warmly at the older man. She’d been coming to his repair shop for years and knew she could count on him to always be honest. He wasn’t like a lot of mechanics who took advantage of women when they brought their cars in, telling them they needed all kinds of unnecessary services done to their vehicles.

Good, good. Your car is ready, he said, waving to her Grand Am, which was parked along the side of the shop.

Great, thank you. Did you figure out what was wrong with it?

Yeah, it’s the valve I mentioned to you before. You remember last time we tried to clean it?

Right, I remember. So did you end up replacing it this time?

We did, but I didn’t charge you for labor since we cleaned it last time.

Cool, thanks. I appreciate that, Annie said as she followed him into the shop to pay the bill. She had just handed Sako her credit card when her cell phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, she saw that it was Casey. Hey you.

Hey, princess. I just landed, but we’re not at the gate, yet. Where you at?

Just picking up my car from the mechanic. Am I still coming to your place tonight?

Yeah, I should be home in an hour or so. Can’t wait to see you.

Scribbling her signature on the receipt, Annie smiled again at Sako and mouthed thank you before grabbing her keys and exiting the shop. I can’t wait to see you, either, she said, sliding into the front seat of her car. I know it’s only been a few weeks, but it feels like it’s been months.

I know, and I’m sorry I haven’t been able to get back to L.A. to see you. Kayla’s had me in rehearsals on all my off days.

Annie barely refrained from grinding her teeth upon hearing the pop star’s name. She knew this was just business for Casey, but she didn’t trust Kayla—not for one minute. I’m sure she has. It’s cool, babe. I get it. See you soon, kay?

Okay, love you.

Hearing Casey profess his love made her smile again. She knew he loved her, but she was still getting used to hearing him say it. Love you, too. Bye.

An hour later, Annie was stuck in bumper to bumper traffic on the 405 south, gritting her teeth at the whopping 5mph she was travelling.

Don’t you stupid people realize I haven’t seen my man in forever and only have a couple of days with him before he disappears again? she yelled in frustration, even though no one could hear her. Argh! I hate L.A. traffic!

Groaning, Annie leaned back against the headrest and took some deep breaths as she tried to calm herself down before she burst into tears. She didn’t often experience road rage, but in this case, time really was her enemy. When it took another fifteen minutes to go a mile, she finally called Casey to give him an update.

Finally! Let me buzz you up, he started to say upon answering the phone.

I’m not there, yet, she moaned.

What? Where are you?

Stuck on the fucking 405.

Oh man… well, how much longer do you think you’re gonna be?

Annie sighed as she glanced at the clock on her dashboard. I dunno… I just passed Sunset, but I’m literally sitting in a parking lot right now. I might be another thirty minutes or so at this rate.

"It’s okay. You’ll be here soon enough. I’m going to jump in the shower, kay?