Grundy County: A Starstruck Novella

By Elle J Rossi

Welcome to Starstruck, a showplace for talent, a playground for love. A collection of contemporary romance novellas that will leave you breathless and craving more.

Grundy County: A Starstruck Duo featuring Jaded and Crushed.

JADED

MARRY ME, BROOKLYN.
Four years ago Brooklyn ran from that plea and straight toward what she dreamed would be a better future. An aspiring fashion designer destined for more than the boredom of small town life and the strain of a whiskey-saturated family, she launched herself toward the runways of New York.

I CAN'T.
Emmett couldn't compete with the glitz of the big city, let alone erase Brookyn's emotional scars. When she turned down his proposal and left him behind, he poured what was left of his heart into his music. He got through with three rules: Play the guitar. Play the field. Forget about Brooklyn.

Now Brooklyn is back and the past and present collide inside Starstruck when Brooklyn fills in as lead singer for Emmett's band. Night after night of thumping bass and passionately sung lyrics reminds them of every delicious memory they ever shared. But a sizzling attraction can only go so far when emotions are raw and trust is fragile. Emmett still wants forever. Brooklyn is only good at temporary.

Can two hearts find a way to truly connect off the stage, or will they stay forever jaded?

**************

CRUSHED

Jenna Adams has one rule: Never date a playboy. She's been there done that, and a year later, still bears the scars and the weight of the shameful secrets. It doesn't matter that she's totally crushing on a man who is all the things she's vowed to avoid.

Oh yeah, Quinn Huntley is definitely not the right guy for her. From his sex appeal, to his motorcycle, to his one and done motto, he's got player written all over him. That he happens to be the kick-ass drummer for the Starstruck house band only adds to his allure. And lately he seems to have all his flirting and sexy smiles aimed right toward Jenna.

Jenna's secrets start to unravel, and when Quinn jumps in to help, offering to be her date at a mandatory office party held at Starstruck, sexual sparks turn into a whole lot more, and Jenna learns perception is not always reality. Will she take a chance on Quinn and break her own rule? Either way, her heart could end up crushed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elle J Rossi
• Release date: Mar 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201908072

Elle J Rossi

Elle J Rossi is a gypsy at heart, always searching for the elusive, always seeking the real meaning of truth. Along with weaving tales that help her escape from the daily grind, she creates cover art for authors around the world. For fun she cranks country music and sings to anyone who will listen. Her husband, two children, and three cats keep her company along the way and guarantee she doesn’t get permanently lost in the Enchanted Forest.   Connect with Elle at: https://www.facebook.com/ElleJRossiAuthor   https://twitter.com/ElleJRossi   http://www.ellejrossi.com

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Grundy County

GRUNDY COUNTY

A STARSTRUCK DUO

ELLE J ROSSI

Black Poppy Books

Grundy County

A Starstruck Duo

with

Jaded & Crushed

Copyright © 2022 Barbara Justen Hisle

Cover Design © Evernight Designs

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without written permission of the author.

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is

entirely coincidental.

CONTENTS

About The Series

Jaded

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Crushed

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

About the Author

Also by Elle J Rossi

ABOUT THE SERIES

Welcome to STARSTRUCK, a showplace for talent, a

playground for love. A collection of contemporary novellas that will leave you breathless and craving more.

(novellas sold separately)

---

OBSESSED by Beth Ciotta

WRECKED by Cynthia Valero

JADED by Elle J Rossi

PLAYING WITH FIRE by Mary Hughes

CRUSHED by Elle J Rossi

DESIRED by Kathy Love

JADED

Full Page Image

MARRY ME, BROOKLYN.

Four years ago Brooklyn ran from that plea and straight toward what she dreamed would be a better future. An aspiring fashion designer destined for more than the boredom of small town life and the strain of a whiskey-saturated family, she launched herself toward the runways of New York.

---

I CAN’T.

Emmett couldn’t compete with the glitz of the big city, let alone erase Brookyn's emotional scars. When she turned down his proposal and left him behind, he poured what was left of his heart into his music. He got through with three rules: Play the guitar. Play the field. Forget about Brooklyn.

---

Now Brooklyn is back and the past and present collide inside Starstruck when Brooklyn fills in as lead singer for Emmett’s band. Night after night of thumping bass and passionately sung lyrics reminds them of every delicious memory they ever shared. But a sizzling attraction can only go so far when emotions are raw and trust is fragile. Emmett still wants forever. Brooklyn is only good at temporary.

---

Can two hearts find a way to truly connect off the stage, or will they stay forever jaded?

1

Whether we like it or not, Earth rotates endlessly.

Birds spread their wings and fly.

Wounds don’t always heal.

Internal scars seldom fade.

Blood is red. The sky is blue with moments of grey that cloud our vision.

Facts are facts that can be argued but not disproved.

Sooner or later everyone dies.

And so do dreams…

Brooklyn Mathews had no misconceived notions she’d be bombarded by a round of robust cheering and jovial hugs when she opened the front door, but she sure as hell didn’t expect to walk straight into the line of fire.

You need to get your shit together, Sarah.

Screw you.

She recognized her mother’s voice and the slurred phrase she’d heard her entire life, though she barely recognized the woman. Mom, or Sarah as she preferred to be called, had lost at least ten, maybe fifteen pounds since Brooklyn had last been home. The dark circles under her eyes mimicked a fighter who’d gone twelve hard rounds and lost. Her opponent, on the other hand, was a complete stranger.

Eyes narrowed under thick brows, he stood with one hand on his hip and pointed a shaky finger at her mother. As if ashamed of the tremble, he made a fist and dropped his arm, slapping his thigh with a loud thwack.

Familiarity swooped in. Brooklyn had seen that look before. This man, like the others before him, was on the verge of snapping. She slid her hand in her pocket and grabbed her phone. Just in case.

A heavy breath. Collected now, he jabbed the air in time with his words. I’m done. Done.

A hissed, The hell you are. Sarah screeched like a banshee and lobbed a beer bottle across the room. He didn’t so much as blink when the bottle sailed past him and bounced off the wall, leaving a trail of beer running down the dingy paint.

Brooklyn winced and sucked in a sharp breath as another bottle whizzed by. Like live wires, her nerves tingled. Neither of them noticed her. Nasty words flew between the pair with hurricane speed, as vile and vicious as they were unique. She shook her head and looked around the disheveled mess formerly known as her home. Inch-thick dust clung to every available surface. Not that there was much of that. The living room looked like a cross between a flea market and laundromat. Was there any wonder she’d stayed away? Where were Devon and Nat? A glance at the clock reminded her they’d still be in school for another two hours. Thank God. They didn’t need to hear any of this. The profanity spewing from her mother’s drunken mouth would make a trucker blush.

Who was she kidding? They’d heard this and probably worse. She’s the one who’d been out of the house for four years. She’s the one who’d escaped. Devon and Natalie didn’t have anywhere else to go.

She considered turning around and heading back to the bus station. Devon’s innocent face popped into her head, permanently squelching the idea. It had taken a lot for her little brother to call her and ask for help. His changing voice had broadcasted more than embarrassment. A quiet desperation had come through the line loud and clear. For him and Natalie, she’d stay.

This is my fucking house, you bastard. Sarah kicked an empty whiskey bottle across the room.

Brooklyn slammed the door. Two heads swiveled in her direction like rubber-necked turkeys. The motion caused her mother to wobble on her feet. Lucky for her, the couch cushioned her fall. She reached across the coffee table and snagged a pack of cigarettes, her bloodshot eyes never leaving Brooklyn’s. A flick of a lighter. Once…twice before the spark became a flame.

Who the hell are you?

Sarah laughed. She’s nobody.

Razor-sharp words cut. Brooklyn hid the emotion that swelled in the pit of her stomach as a stream of smoke and memories choked the air. Metaphorical hands squeezed her throat. Tighter. Tighter. They’d never been close, but she’d always held out hope she and her mother could have some sort of relationship other than one laced with bitterness and accusations. She turned away from the piercing green eyes and offered the man her hand. I’m Brooklyn. Sarah’s oldest daughter.

His gaze bounced between mother and daughter. Yeah, I guess I see the resemblance. A deep breath and then, It’s nice to meet you.

She bit her tongue. God, she hoped she didn’t resemble her mother, but she’d hold back her ugly comments and be the bigger person… again. The fact that he’d managed manners despite, or perhaps in spite of, the tension in the room had Brooklyn sighing. A weak smile. And you are?

Tom. Tom Hall. If you’ll excuse me…

She did just that, nudging her heavy suitcase to the side with her leg. Holding the door open, she nodded when he walked out and leaned against the doorjamb until she was certain he wouldn’t be returning. Turning back to her mother, she prepared herself for battle. But Sarah didn’t scream. She didn’t make snide remarks about how Brooklyn thought she was superior to everyone else, or how Kramer, Illinois was better off without her. Hard to go toe-to-toe when you’re passed out cold.

Welcome home, she thought to herself. Except nothing about these four walls or the nearly comatose woman sprawled on the couch evoked any sense of peace. This wasn’t home anymore and Brooklyn had to wonder if it ever really had been. Other memories, the kind that were so raw and deep they threatened to paralyze, crowded in.

Marry me.

A whispered, No.

Marry me, Brooklyn.

I can’t. A tear falls, silent yet screaming.

She firmly shoved them to the recesses of her mind, though they refused to sit anywhere other than center stage in her heart. Leaving had come with a high price. Coming back had been even harder, and she hadn’t seen anyone other than her mother yet. She hadn’t seen him.

You can. A knuckle across her cheek. Marry me.

Brooklyn swallowed hard. She’d told herself no regrets. Four years later and she still felt as if her heart had been ripped out of her chest. The guilty hands were her own.

Standing around wouldn’t do her any good. She wheeled her suitcase to the room she shared with Nat, which was surprisingly clean in comparison to the living room, stripped the sheets from all the beds and started her first load of laundry. She grabbed a box of trash bags and began the process of cleaning the house.

Two hours later, she was drenched in sweat but at least the place looked better. And admittedly, she worked out some of the stress she carried in her shoulders. Every window in the house had been shoved open, but the gentle breeze did little to dissipate the permeating stench of smoke. She had a feeling nothing short of a bulldozer could fix that problem. She’d just finished washing the last dirty dish in the kitchen when her mother stumbled in.

Why are you here?

Brooklyn stared out the window, her knuckles whiter than the porcelain sink she clenched. The lawn needed mowed. The bus would pull up soon and all the kids would see the tall grass. Tomorrow. Tomorrow she would mow the lawn.

Answer me, Brooklyn Marie. Why are you here?

She opened her hands, one at a time, stretching her fingers, reaching for strength. She turned. Green eyes sparkled back at her as if excited by the possibility of an argument. Hair bleached to within an inch of its life curled around the nape of her mother’s neck. Devon called me.

No response. A little less sparkle. Sarah used to be pretty.

The words tumbled out, smooth, calm. He said you lost your job again. He said there’s never any food in the house. Natalie’s clothes are too small. He didn’t mention his, but I can only assume—

You know what you can do with your assumptions and superior attitude, Miss New York. Sarah stood, knocking over the chair. She stepped over it and grabbed a beer from the refrigerator.

No food. Plenty of beer.

Groceries. Tonight. Tonight she would buy groceries.

She mentally calculated her bills, refusing to show any sign of the panic racing through her veins. Didn’t matter. Devon and Natalie came first.

What’s the matter? Fashion world don’t want ya? Half the bottle drained. Well, here’s a news flash for ya… Neither do we.

Part of that was true, no doubt. The other part was saturated in booze and self-pity. Brooklyn didn’t respond. She glanced out the window as the bus rumbled by without stopping. Her stomach twisted into knots. Where are Devon and Natalie? Still calm. On the outside. Inside, she screamed and bellowed, raging against the bars like a caged gorilla.

A clink of a glass. A splash of dark liquid. Down the hatch. A shrug.

Seriously, Mom. Where are they?

I’ve told you before about calling me that.

"Okay, Sarah… where are they?"

Sarah lifted a bleached brow. The sparkle was back. What day is it?

It’s Friday.

The smile came quick. They’re at their grandmother’s until tomorrow afternoon. She threw back her head and laughed. It’s Friday and I’m going out.

Brooklyn should have been angry. Instead, all she felt was relief as Sarah danced her way out of the room, whiskey bottle firmly in hand.

I don’t know how long you plan to stay in town, she tossed over her shoulder. But you can’t stay in my house.

How could one respond to that? She waited in her room until she heard the front door slam before she pulled out her phone and scrolled through her contacts. Her mother had gotten ready in record time, she’d give her that.

She hadn’t told anyone she was coming back. Not even Jenna. They’d been inseparable since seventh grade. The fact that they’d drifted apart in recent years wasn’t for lack of trying on Jenna’s part. Brooklyn was the one with the issues.

HEY GIRL. I’M HOME.

Instant reply. STOP PLAYIN

NOT PLAYING.

*SQUEE* HOME AS IN HOME?

YEAH.

BE THERE IN 10

Unless things had drastically changed, Jenna’s ten would be at least thirty. In desperate need of a shower, Brooklyn grabbed her toiletries and headed for the bathroom.

Forty minutes later, Jenna breezed through the front door looking gorgeous and carefree. She smiled a full on smile that had both won and stomped on many hearts in Grundy County. Her mile long legs and brilliant blond hair didn’t hurt either. She wore a pair of skinny jeans, a snug blue t-shirt, and four-inch wedge sandals. A walking, talking fantasy.

You’re late, Brooklyn teased.

Jenna shrugged. I was busy. A creeping blush started at her neck and spread across her cheeks.

Brooklyn doubted the blush had anything to do with embarrassment. Busy getting busy?

Another shrug. Maybe. She tossed her purse on the floor. Get up off your pretty ass and get it over with.

Get what over with?

The mush. You know I’m about to mush all over your ass.

Brooklyn bit back a smile. True. She hated the mush but technically it wasn’t her fault. Hugs and love hadn’t been a part of her life. Not until Jenna forced her way in. Not until…

As if sensing the emotion simmering, Jenna gave her a quick squeeze and a smacking kiss right on the lips, making it as painless as possible. Soooo?

So, what?

Jenna lifted one sculpted eyebrow. Have you seen him yet?

No use in playing dumb. Brooklyn knew exactly who he was. Emmett Tyler. At one time she had known Emmett better than she knew herself. Knew every hard line of