Antonio's Anticipation

By Samantha Rae

Antonio Ryan was no stranger to Spring City, Ky, so when he received word, he was a finalist in the Twelve Drummers Drumming competition slated to take place there at Christmastime, he felt like he was going home. While his parents and most of his immediate family lived in Louisville, he moved to Nashville to pursue his dreams of being a professional musician after he finished college. The debonair dresser, full of attitude and swagger left the competition with a pocket full of cash and a new drum kit to wow Music City upon his return. But it was the phone call he received on Christmas Eve that would be the best Christmas gift he'd ever received.

Sierra McKnight, former FBI agent, had nothing to prove and everything to prove at the same time. As the newest hire at Phoenix Securities, Sierra's first assignment sends her to Nashville, Tenn., where she will accompany an up-and-coming country music band whose songs are topping chart after chart. As their head of security, she has trouble getting to know the drummer whose new reputation screams arrogant celebrity. The fans love Antonio...a little too much, it seems...and she must learn to protect the one person who inconveniently gets under her skin.

Sexy Antonio makes playing drums look easy and charming fans even easier, but when a stalker fan threatens his life, can he trust his security team and let Sierra in? Or will his career end faster than it began?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fiery Vision Publishing
• Release date: Oct 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201734091

Samantha Rae

Samantha Rae completed writing her first novel on her 16th birthday. New Beginning is her first novel in the Twiddle series. She grew up in Clifford Ontario. When not in school or writing her novels, she finds herself reading, drawing, and playing her guitar. Follow the Twiddle Series on facebook for all up-to-date information.

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Antonio’s Anticipation

By

Samantha Rae

Acknowledgement

Thanks to Kitka and Ebony for all the support and being great sounding boards.

Chapter 1

Antonio Ryan had just won $10,000 and received a phone call of a lifetime. Sonny Fisherman of Country Vibe Records needed a drummer. Anticipation was a county band that had a record deal, but no drummer. This was a chance of a lifetime and he was taking it. He was also going in style; Antonio put a down payment on a tour bus for the band.

Antonio Ryan had been singing and playing drums for as long as he could remember. The girls loved him, but they tended to get him in a little hot water. Antonio couldn’t help it if the ladies loved the drummer, plus he knew that his body was in great shape. He had spent hours practicing and it showed in both his abs and his arms. Antonio took after his Italian mother. He had the black hair and eyes that were black as coal. Antonio’s arrival to Nashville was uneventful and Sonny was right; the guys of Anticipation were talented and he was ready to contribute.

***Six Months Later***

Antonio, play that riff again, said Johnny Batts, the guitarist. He was a whiz with the guitar and could match Antonio’s playing with the instrument.

Yeah, man, Antonio played back the riff that Johnny wanted. Just as Johnny began playing, the vocalist, Rick Vincent, began harmonizing. Stone Cox began playing his steel guitar, and the sound they made together was amazing. As musicians, they all were storytellers much like Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw and Luke Combs. Antonio enjoyed learning from the guys and having the opportunity to work with musicians that played a variety of instruments. The album had been released, and it had been received by the country music community with great reviews. They were preparing to leave on a national tour in about a week. Antonio was excited his hard work was finally paying off.

Antonio, do you have a date tonight with that hottie that you picked up from Neon last night? laughed Johnny.

Antonio was in the process of taking his drums apart to put them on the tour bus. The one he bought with his winning was the one the band members lived in while on the road. Once the album took off, he paid off the bus and made a bunch of upgrades. There was a wide screen television, all the gaming systems to play during the trip, a deluxe kitchen for midnight cravings and the bunks. The back room was reserved for the band members when their girlfriends or wives would come to visit. Johnny and Rick were both married while Stone and Antonio were the single ones. Johnny and Rick teased the boys about their escapades with women, but they enjoyed hearing about them too.

Which one, I got so many numbers last night I can’t keep track of them. I can hand you a few, Antonio teased.

You better think again, Loverboy, a voice laughed. Johnny’s wife Trish walked into the loading area. Antonio watched her kiss Johnny deeply, then flip him the bird. Trish had a huge smile on her face.

Trish, you know you want to leave Johnny, just let me sweep you off your feet, Antonio laughed, trying to give her a kiss on her face.

Trish punched him in the arm, Antonio keep that mouth away from me. I have no idea where it’s been.

Stone busted out laughing. I’m sure Antonio doesn’t know where it’s been either.

Fuck you guys, Antonio chuckled as he walked to load the last of his drums.

Sonny Fisherman came through the doors, Hey guys, are you about finished packing all the equipment in the bus?

Sonny, when are we going to be famous enough to have other people to the loading? Antonio yelled.

After you have won your first Grammy or Country Music Award, Sonny smirked.

Antonio smiled, What’s the plan for the trip?

You guys are three days on and one day off, Sonny explained.

Stone said, That’s not too bad.

One thing, Antonio. Please watch the groupies. We’re still getting letters from the last few girls that you pissed off, Sonny huffed.

Fine, I’ll try to make it more clear to them, but I can’t help if they want the drummer, Antonio laughed as he showed his muscles.

The guys threw towels at him.

Antonio saw Sonny walk toward him. What’s up?

I’m serious about the girls. You’ve been getting really descriptive posts from a groupie named Nessa, Sonny explained.

Well, well I didn’t know the girl was into writing porn, smirked Antonio.

Do you know her? asked Sonny.

No, I was joking. I’ve no idea who Nessa is, Sonny. I’m careful. I always use condoms, Antonio explained.

That’s not the kind of description I’m talking about. Nessa is obsessed with not sharing you with anyone and how she wants things to end with her. You only love her, Sonny stated.

Wow, that’s crazy. But I’m always careful, I promise, Antonio said.

I know, kid. You need to be extra careful because I’ve never seen posts like these, and I’ve seen a lot of shit in my days, Sonny said. Our IT department can’t trace them, so I’m probably going to be bringing in extra security from a group called Phoenix Securities. They come highly recommended from my tattoo artist, Jett Blackstone.

Johnny, Rick and Stone walked over to see what was happening.

What’s going on? Johnny asked.

Sonny explained the situation to the guys, and of course, all of them were concerned about