Jazzed Up

By Laura M. Baird

Jaz Reynolds needs a new lead for his band. One note, one look is all it takes for him to know Cheryl Mathers is the one. Now to convince the sultry jazz singer to make the leap to a different genre and tour with him. When their chemistry rockets off the charts, can he convince himself this is business only? Or will he take a chance to find his own love of a lifetime? 

Cheryl Mathers has always wanted music to be center stage in her life. The offer to tour with world-renowned pop-rock band, Jazzed Up, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. With each day in Jaz's presence, she falls more and more for his charm and allure. But she's been burned by love in the past and is hesitant to risk her heart. 

As the two find their rhythm and embrace their attraction, a life-altering revelation rocks their world. Will the power of promising of love be enough to bring them back into harmony? 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laura M. Baird
• Release date: Aug 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223018162

Laura M. Baird

An avid reader-turned-writer, I've also worked over seventeen years as a dental hygienist. I'm thrilled to see my dreams come to life, and hope to provide readers with many more years of sensual romance filled with laughter, maybe a few tears, and always a happily-ever-after. Married over twenty-six years to my own stud, we've raised two wonderful sons, enjoy the beauty of the Northwest, and proudly cheer on our Boise State Broncos. When not staying active and juggling multiple tasks, I'm consuming plenty of great reads.

Book preview

Jazzed Up

Laura M. Baird

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Laura M. Baird

Copyright © 2023 by Laura M. Baird

All rights reserved.

Names and characters are fictitious and a product of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to persons (living or deceased), places, or events, is purely coincidental.  

The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or any other means without the permission of the author is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author's right is appreciated. 

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. 

Jazzed Up was previously included in the limited-edition romance anthology, Rock My World.

Contents

About Jazzed Up

1.Chapter One

2.Chapter Two

3.Chapter Three

4.Chapter Four

5.Chapter Five

6.Chapter Six

7.Chapter Seven

8.Chapter Eight

9.Chapter Nine

10.Chapter Ten

About the Author

Bonus Material

About Jazzed Up

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Jaz Reynolds needs a new lead for his pop-rock band, and after one note, one look, he wants sultry singer, Cheryl Mathers. But keeping their relationship strictly professional is proving to be the biggest challenge of his life.  

Cheryl won’t pass up this career-changing opportunity with her secret celebrity crush, and with each passing day in Jaz’s presence, their undeniable chemistry rockets off the charts. 

As the two find their rhythm and embrace their attraction, a life-altering revelation rocks their world. Will the power of promising love be enough to bring them back into harmony? 

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Chapter One

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The band is fine. We can fix this.

Jaz Reynolds sat in a posh office located in downtown Chicago, lying through his clenched teeth as his stomach churned with disgust.

Disgust at himself for being in denial. Disgust with his band mate who had decided a party with barely legal young men sounded like a fun thing to do, which then got blasted on damn social media. Not the first time his antics were trending topics, but enough was enough. And then more disgust with himself for not intervening sooner yet still defending the jackass who’d been a best friend for nearly all of Jaz’s thirty-seven years.

Jaz, Sade, his manager and other best friend, began with a sympathetic tone. You know I love you, and you know I love Marshall. You’re both like brothers to me. But, she held up her hand to stop his attempt at interrupting, "but, dammit, his thoughtless actions are having repercussions that could end your career. You, who started this band with natural talent, pure grit, and determination. You, who took it from weekend gigs to international tours. You, who has the softest heart in the world while others don’t care in the least about taking advantage of that fact."

Jaz wrinkled his nose at what he knew was praise. For all his fame and fortune, he still never did well with kudos. I’m simply a kid who’s living my dream making music I love.

Sade scoffed, chuckling. You’re a grown man who is adored the world over. But I always loved that about you; your humbleness. She came around her desk and sat beside him on the couch in her office, taking his hands in hers. I know you don’t want to face the fact that Marshall needs to be cut from the tour. She squeezed his hands harder when he tensed. Temporarily. He needs help. His addictions and reckless stunts are slowly destroying him, and I don’t want you and the others to suffer the consequences.

Jaz sighed, closing his eyes as his head hit the back of the couch. Jesus, Sade, this sucks. He took a breath before lifting his head and staring at her, seeing the compassion in her sky-blue eyes much like his own. For years, many thought them siblings due to their similarities not only with eye color, but jet-black hair and facial structure. Then of course the relationship rumors circulated, but they’d never ventured into romantic territory. Sade was now happily married and a mother to three children ‘Uncle’ Jaz adored. They’d weathered plenty together during their friendship of nearly twenty years. She’d been there for him, always encouraging, promoting, and eventually becoming the band’s kick-ass manager, celebrating the good times.

And she’d been the one there for him during one of the worst times in his life.

I know it sucks, Jaz, but it’s what’s best for everyone. We’ll get Marshall the help he needs whether he wants it or not. She drew her hands away, resting them in her lap.

Jaz chuckled, knowing just how tenacious Sade could be. Especially with the ones she loved. They may be angry at Marshall, they may want to knock his head a couple times with his very own favorite PRS electric guitar, but both still cared about their friend.

So, what does this mean for the tour? For a lead singer and guitarist?

Well, it is your band, so, your call. But remember, you started as lead vocalist... She grinned as she trailed off.

Oh, hell no. He sat forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. I’m good with harmony, but I’m not taking lead again. And I’m staying on my drums. We need a front man.

Or woman.

He considered that for a moment. Or woman.

Sade stood and poured herself a glass of water, taking a long drink. Maybe it’s time for something new and fresh for Velocity. I’ll issue an immediate press release, stating a hold on the tour indefinitely. Your fan base is loyal, and while there may be some grumblers, as a whole, this isn’t going to put too big a damper on the tour or the band’s reputation. Everyone goes through shit from time to time.

Jaz’s laugh held no humor as he hauled himself from the comfort of the couch, mimicking Sade by getting a drink.

Luckily, you have the next five days free, she continued. If you want the tour to continue as soon as possible, we’ll begin scouting for a lead singer and guitarist. There’s plenty of talent, not only locally, but across the nation. Hell, I’m even going to scour YouTube to see what I can find. Why don’t you do the same. Talk to the guys, let them know what’s happening and get their insight.

And when do we talk to Marshall?

Let me handle him. I’m–

No, Jaz shook his head. "You're not handling this alone. He’s my friend too, and technically, I’m his boss. I waited too long to handle this. With his mood lately, he’s liable to rip you a new one. Not that you couldn’t handle him, mind you. He cocked his head and raised a brow at her, earning a chuckle. We do this together. But before we do, we seek out a rehab facility and give him an ultimatum: he’ll get cleaned up and prove himself before returning with the band."

How long do we give him before he can return?

Jaz shrugged. Depends on his progress, and the band’s ability and desire to do well without his musical talents. I’m not saying we’re shit without him, because we’re not, but he’s been with me from the beginning, and despite his personal demons – hell, maybe because of them – he's well-loved.

"Yes, he is. We just need him to see he can still be well-loved and respected without making an ass of himself and contributing to the debauchery of young men."

Yeah, that, Jaz said softly. Marshall’s preference for male lovers wasn’t anything new or looked down upon, but when a man of thirty-six years lusted after young men nearly half his age, plenty of tongues wagged.

Sade placed her hand on Jaz’s arm. I know this is weighing on you, but for your own sanity, you need to realize you’ve done all you could for him up to this point. It’s time for an intervention and to let him know we’ll be here for him when he comes out on the other side.

Yeah, he echoed again. He gulped down the remainder of his water as Sade returned to her desk.

I’ll start researching programs while you talk to the others, and tomorrow morning we’ll go see Marshall. Then, we’ll start our search and see what needs to be done to reschedule or shuffle tour dates. Thankfully, the schedule is already light for the rest of the year.

Sounds like a plan. Jaz walked to the windows that faced the east, giving him a view of Millennium Park and Lake Michigan. The first day of September offered a bright, sunny day that was predicted to carry through the Labor Day weekend. You ever been to the Jazz Festival?

What? Oh, the Jazz Festival. Yeah, um, three years ago, I believe. Why? Thinking of going?

Toby loved it, he mused quietly.