Axel's Anchor

By E.S. McMillan and P. Sawyer

Axel Bryant has lived a charmed life. Growing up in the shadow of his father, he is determined to make a name for himself. After losing a drumming competition, Axel returns home to make it big.

 

Bella Armstrong grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. With the cards stacked against her and dreams of becoming a prima ballerina, Bella has no room in her life for distractions.

 

When these two meet, will they be able to follow their hearts and make beautiful music together?

• Language: English
• Publisher: E.S. McMillan
• Release date: May 2, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223249047

Book preview

Prologue – Nelson Catherwood

Ring...Ring...Ring.

Looking around my dimly lit office, I took a deep breath before picking up the loudly ringing phone. Yes? I asked as I started to drum my fingers on my oak desk.

Mr. Catherwood? a trembling voice asked.

What do you want? I barked, not having time for the scared punk on the other end of the line.

I don’t think I can do this, he said quickly as my anger and frustration started to grow.

Danny, you really don’t have a choice. You have already gotten the ball rolling, I said calmly as I rolled my eyes.

Mr. Catherwood, Axel is my friend and I don’t really feel right about this.

You felt fine cashing my check a few weeks ago, I reminded the young man on the other end of the line. My patience with his waffling was wearing thin and I needed to end the call before I said or did something that I would come to regret.

I can return the money, Danny said quickly.

No! You will do what we agreed on, I barked. You agreed to help me get my son back, and I have already paid you handsomely. Finish the job and go about your life. Pounding my fist on top of the desk to drive in my point, I felt my anger surge.

Nelson, is everything okay? Elena, my beautiful secretary, asked from the doorway. The look of fear on her face told me that I needed to calm down.

Pulling the phone away from my ear, I looked at the young woman who was trembling in my doorway. She really was beautiful. I could almost see her with my son. Shaking the thoughts out of my head, I added, Everything is fine. Why don’t you call it a night and go home for the evening?

It’s only two in the afternoon, Elena said quietly with a slightly wavering voice.

You work too hard. Take some time and enjoy. I know that the sound of my voice was cold and tense, but I needed her to go. She was not only a distraction with her long blonde hair and ice blue eyes, but she was interrupting a very important call.

Mr. Catherwood? Are you still there? Danny’s voice called out through the phone that was still holding.

I’ll be right with you, I growled into the line as I kept my eyes trained on Elena.

Taking a step back from where she was standing, Elena kept her eyes on me. If you need anything, you know how to reach me, she said quickly.

Enjoy your afternoon. Oh, Elena, I called out.

Yes, Mr. Catherwood?

Close the door on your way out, I said sternly as I watched the fear cover her like a blanket on a cold winter’s day.

Have a great day, she said as she closed the door behind her.

What a great ass, I mumbled as I brought the phone back to my ear.

Mr. Catherwood, Danny’s voice timidly called out on the other end of the phone.

Just get it done! I growled. I want my son back home in the family fold and I want it now! Slamming the phone back into the cradle, I stood up from my desk and stalked across my office to the full-length window that overlooked the city. Memories of my son floated through my head and I couldn’t stop the tears from welling up in my eyes. I had messed things up so badly that my only son felt it necessary to change his name and move across the country to get away from me. Was I really that bad of a person?

Mr. Catherwood, are you sure that you are okay? Elena whispered into the room as she cracked the door open.

I whipped my head up to look at her. I screwed up. I am working to make it right, I explained as I looked into her eyes.

Is there anything that I can do to help? she asked as she took a step into the room.

Holding my hand up to stop her, I stated, I’ve got it under control if Danny does what he is supposed to do.

Taking a step back, she said meekly, I’ll see you tomorrow. Then she quickly added again, You know how to reach me if you need anything. Turning around and leaving the office, Elena left me to my thoughts as she quietly closed the door behind her.

I just want my son back, tumbled from my lips as my eyes fell to the picture on my desk of a young Axel Catherwood. 

Chapter 1 - Axel

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Dude, you’re back! Asher says as I roll my carry-on into the apartment we share. How was it?

I collapse on the couch opposite of him. It was fine. Didn’t win, but part of me thinks that’s for the best. The organizer was intense.

Asher nods and I shrug my shoulders. It’ll happen when the time is right, he says as I nod.

I know. The experience was cool. I mean my face is splashed across a calendar and whatever other promotions they did.

You could always finish Juilliard... Asher trails off as I shoot him a glare.

Not happening ever. I’m doing this on my own, I bite back.

Asher holds up his hands. Okay. Okay. I’m just offering it as another possible solution.

That should never cross your mind as a solution, and you know why. So drop it.

Fine, he pauses. Well, tell me all about the contest.

I shake my head. It was a contest. Twelve drummers all competing for one spot, although I think the winners were previously chosen.

Don’t be salty.

Honestly, I’m not. Some guy named Donovan Hughes won. He was pretty good. I just thought it would be a way to get my name out there.

Asher looks at me. Didn’t you have some calendar shoot or something?

I chuckle. Oh yeah that. I roll my eyes before continuing. That was not fun. I’m thankful they only had us take our shirts off. I’m pretty sure my dick was so cold it shriveled up inside of me.

Dude, TMI. Asher laughs and looks at me. Well, now your shirtless body will be plastered on walls of new adoring fans!

I shake my head and look at him. Yeah, there’s that.

But otherwise, was the contest worth it?

That’s still to be seen. Most of the guys were douchebags. I mean a few of them were cool, but no one I’d hang out with.

That’s because you’re who you are.

What does that mean, I say defensively.

You’re a loner, Axel. You don’t let many people get close to you.

You know why, I reply pointedly. Asher knows exactly the reason why I’m closed off.

You changed your last name for Christ’s sake. Unless you tell people who you were, no one's gonna know. Hell, you barely use any social media outlets. How the heck do you think people are going to find you without them?

I shrug my shoulders again. I don’t know. I mean the calendar and contest are probably going to blow all of that to shreds.

You knew that before you agreed to be part of the contest. You chose that potential outcome, he reminds me.

I know. The contest required us to submit an audition video and headshots. It was a conscious choice I had to make. One that could have repercussions I wasn’t sure I wanted to deal with at the moment. But I had to know if I had the talent or if it was just his name and power that was leading my career.

I get it, man. I really do, and I’m not saying your choice wasn’t the right one, but one day you have to let go of this grudge against him. You are talented. There’s no denying that.

Thanks, man, but I’m not selling my soul to him or anyone else he knows just to have my dreams come true. I’m going to do it my way and by myself. If it doesn’t happen, then at least my morals are intact.

Asher laughs as I stand and walk towards the kitchen. You’re the only one in this city that truly believes that.

Grow up the way I did, and you might too. I hand him a beer. We’re still on for the club tonight?

"I’m game if you