Crossroads: Double Cross Series, #1

By P. Sawyer

** This is a re-published version of the same story previously published under Paige Matthews. New Cover, new name- same story**

Everyone finds themselves at a crossroads in their life. 

Caleb Cross is not your typical front man. His is not the bad boy, partying, love 'em and leave 'em persona, although his public image states otherwise. Being the lead singer of the popular rock band, Double Cross, there are a lot of things the fans and the public do not know about Caleb. Sure, he likes to have a little fun now and again, but after a publicity stunt goes wrong, he is determined to shed the ultra-bad boy image. 

Katherine "Kat" Summers is not a typical woman. Not a girl who gets star struck or easily impressed, Kat is content with being herself and who she is. When Kat's company is hired by Caleb Cross to rebrand him, she finds herself re-evaluating everything she knows about herself and about her life. Trying to maintain who she is against what she begins to desire, proves to be difficult for her.


For Caleb, hiring a new publicist to help reshape his image was the easy part. What he didn't count on was being reunited with the one girl that made him question everything about himself. He's forced to confront himself once more, in order to learn what he truly wants, and who he truly is.

• Language: English
• Publisher: P. Sawyer
• Release date: Mar 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393769309

Book preview

Chapter 1

Isat at the bar in this little hole-in-the-wall establishment on the outskirts of a town in North Carolina. I was decked out in my best hide the rocker disguise, and, to be honest, not many people even took a second look at me. I was wearing a long sleeve, lightweight shirt, to cover the tattoos that wrapped my arms and my back, and had on my dark sunglasses, and a hat drawn low on my forehead, to try and hide my face. Hell, it seemed to be working. I hadn't been screamed at, mauled over, or even touched, since sitting here.

I looked around the bar as best I could, while trying to keep my head down, so as not to attract any attention. I just wanted a few hours to think; to be away from the damn chaos that came with being in the spotlight all the time. Couldn't I get that?

The scene I took in was one of relaxation and simplicity. The local town folk were in conversation with each other, yet occasionally looked in my direction, making sure I was still not a threat, I suppose. It was fine. They protected their own, and yet left me to my business.

Want another one? I glanced up at the red head that was behind the bar. I hadn't seen her come in, but, then again, I was wallowing in my beer glass rather than paying attention.

That'll be great. Thanks, I acknowledged, and pushed my glass towards her. I watched her turn and walk half way down the length of the bar, to where the taps were located, to pour me another Guinness. She had a killer body on her. The jeans she wore stopped right below her hip bone, and accentuated the full curve of her ass. She was wearing a black tank top that hugged her breasts nicely, allowing for a subtle view of her cleavage. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail, and she had a tattoo at the base of her neck; a Celtic infinity knot.

Here you go, she said as she slid the Guinness back at me. That'll be $5.50. She stood waiting for me to respond.

I have a tab going. It's under Anderson, I answered dryly. Tyler Anderson was the fake ID that I used when I was trying to be an unknown. She nodded, and leaned over the bar so that I was the only person that could hear her.

You sure that it isn't Cross?

I let the question hang in the air for a moment, before I looked up at her, right into those big green eyes. How did you know?

I recognized you the minute I came in. Your disguise is good, but I’d recognize that piercing anywhere. You’re lucky; the older residents don't listen to rock, so you're good there. She stood up and placed her hands on her hips. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. She slapped the bar in front of me before turning around. The piercing she was referring to was the eyebrow piercing I had, which boasted a very unique ring.

Thank you, I muttered, as I watched her walk away to take care of a local she called Ray. Why didn't she freak out? Go postal, like most women do? Hell, if anyone knew I was here, I'd be mauled within an inch of my life.

I drank my beer slowly, trying to relax, taking in the peace and quiet that it had given me. I watched the locals’ chit-chat about sports, who was with who the night before, and town politics. I was staring into my beer again when the little red-head came back.

So, what brings you here to Tad's? I wouldn't have thought that this was the kind of place for someone like you to hang out at. She wiped the bar down, as I contemplated my answer.

I guess I needed a place where I wouldn't get recognized, but that didn't work out that well, huh?

For the most part it did. No one would bother you, even if they did know who you were. Just not the way we run things around these parts; you should know that from growing up around here.

Even after hitting it big a year ago, it still astonished me that so many people knew about my life, about where I grew up, what my favorite color was. Any privacy had gone out the window.

I guess you’re right. I don’t know; part of me just needed a break from the chaos of the tour, of the new album, the fans.

I wish I could do that, just get up and go. There’s not much around here for us towns folk. She squished her lips together, and shrugged her shoulders.

Well, isn’t there something that you dream of doing; hope one day that you’ll accomplish, no? I don’t even know why I asked that, I normally didn’t give a shit. Yet, something about this bartender had me intrigued. She couldn’t be that much older than I was, and, in the music industry, I was old at 29.

She shrugged her shoulders again. Isn’t there something everyone wishes to accomplish? I always thought that I would have moved out of here after college, but, hey, one thing led to another, and here I still am...working weekends at a bar, and still attempting to be taken seriously in my day job.

What do you do? I asked, as I slid my empty glass toward her, signaling for a refill. I watched her reach for the glass and move toward the Guinness draft.

Let’s just say I work in public relations and leave it at that. She switched her eyes back to the glass. I watched her shift uncomfortably as she stood. I wonder what that is about.

Why don’t you want to talk about what you do?

Why are you here hiding from your life? Her snappy remark hit home, of course. She wanted her privacy as much as did I.

Touché.

She slid the pint glass in front of me.

Here you go, Mr. Anderson. She took a step back and then looked at me. The Matrix, seriously?

I broke out in a laugh, the first time in a while. Yeah, but how...? I was confused. I honestly didn’t know how she would have guessed that was where the last name came from. Hell, my band mates didn’t even get it.

Public relations, remember? I’ve had my fair share of aliases that I needed to help combat inquisitive minds, let alone think up. I used to work with a management company prior to this job.

Hey, Kat...need a refill, a voice from the other end of the bar beckoned. She nodded in acknowledgement to the man.

I’ll be back.

I can’t wait.

She smiled, and headed to the other end of the bar to refill whatever order needed her attention. I watched as she worked her way around the bottles of liquor, putting on a show for the older men, regulars, I assumed, by the way she interacted with them, joked with them. It was relaxing to just watch life go on as it did. I couldn’t wait for her to return. She fascinated me, something I hadn’t felt in a long time. I turned my attention back to my beer, when my cell phone when off. I grabbed it from my pocket and looked at the caller ID; it was my brother, Gabe.

Yeah? I offered, answering the phone.

Where the fuck are you? His voice was distant, rushed. I could hear the commotion in the background.

Far away from whatever shit is going on there.

Get your ass back here now. You are missing out, brother. There are some hot ass blondes waiting for you. I heard the sound get muffled as he put his hand over the phone, and the muted voices of whoever was with him.

Yeah. That’s all yours, bro. I’ll be back later. Night. I ended the call before he could respond. I shoved the phone back into my pocket, sighing at the chaos that my life had become. Now, don’t get me wrong; I enjoyed partying, the girls, and the attention. Hell, I could have any of the groupies, any night. Fuck, I could have a few of them at the same time, if I wanted to, but part of me didn’t.

Penny for your thoughts? the sweet angelic voice broke through.

I smiled and took a sip of my beer. You’d need more than a penny. Hey, can I ask you a question?

She was wiping down the bar again, and stopped to turn to me. Sure, I guess.

Why didn’t you go all fan girl on me? Maul me?

Not my style. No offense, but the whole rock star thing doesn’t impress me. She shrugged her shoulders again, in a matter of fact way.

Ouch. Please don’t hide your disgust. I held up my hands in surrender, and laughed.

See, you took it the wrong way. I just meant that I’ve dealt with numerous celebrities, and let’s say that whole persona thing doesn’t impress me. I am content being who I am, and I don’t have to throw myself at them. She stopped cleaning the bar and looked me in the face. I spend so much time watching people clean up their messes, that I am more disgusted than impressed. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to offend.

None taken. I am sitting in a bar on the outskirts of Raleigh, drowning my sorrows in a few pints. I offered her the glass in salute.

I watched as she turned to the rows of liquor behind her and grabbed a bottle of Jose. She placed two shot glasses on the bar, and poured us each a shot. Here’s to us. She clinked the glasses together, and downed her shot. I followed suit, feeling the burn of the tequila sliding down my throat. Even after years of drinking the shit, I still wasn’t used to it.

Here’s to us, I replied, as she poured us another shot. Now, go easy. I still have to get back to the hotel.

You’ve had three pints since I’ve been here, and, according to your tab, three before that. I don’t think you should really drive, do you?

Unless you have another option, I’ll have to ride back to the hotel. I watched her mind churn, as she debated that last sentence. Even though I could be fucking any one of the blondes that were backstage last night, here I was, hoping that she would give in for one night, that she would let me break that shield, help me break mine. Damn it, this girl was something.

She leaned in toward me, over the bar. Not in your wildest dreams, rock boy.

I shook my head and laughed. It would have been so easy to have anyone, anyone but her. She bounced away again, to the other end of the counter. I was surprised that the bar wasn’t busier, it being close to midnight. I finished my beer, and threw a hundred dollar bill on the bar. That should cover the tab, and leave her a big tip. I got up and headed toward the door.

Mr. Anderson? she called from the other side of the bar. I turned to look at her, my hand on the knob of the door. Good night.

Good night, I responded, laughing to myself. Why the fuck didn’t I fight harder for her, seduce her more? I guess I had become a pussy.

I SAT ON MY BIKE AND waited for her to come out. It was a stupid notion, one I wasn’t sure would pay off, yet I waited. I was going to leave, but I wanted one more chance to talk to her. One more chance for something. It was around one thirty when she came out. Yeah, I waited an hour and half, pussy that I am.

Hey? I yelled, as she walked to her car. Stopping, she turned toward me and smiled.

I thought you left?

I jogged over to her. I was going to, but I wanted to see you again.

And you waited an hour and half? She chuckled and shook her head. You wanted to see me that badly?

Believe it or not, yeah, I did. I can’t tell you why, but you intrigue me. I stepped up to her, backing her up against her car. Come back to the hotel with me. Please. My lips were inches from hers, and I could feel the heat from her.

She took a deep breath. I already told you, I don’t do celebrities. She shifted uncomfortably, trying to put more distance between us.

I’m not asking for that, at least, not now. I hope, maybe, but just come spend the night with me. We can talk, we can eat. I don’t care; I just don’t want to spend the night alone.

She side stepped away from me. I’m sure you have enough people around that hotel that you won’t spend the night alone. Her voice had a sarcastic quip to it, and she diverted her gaze to the ground.

Placing myself in front of her again, I lifted her chin up so that her eyes met mine. But it’s not them I want to spend my time with. Please come back with me. Why the fuck am I begging? Caleb Cross doesn’t beg.

I watched her as she contemplated her decision. My finger was still on her chin, and we were just inches apart. The desire to claim her mouth was overpowering. I wanted to know what she tasted like, what she felt like.

One condition.

Name it.

I take my own car. She pulled her head back again, attempting to gain some space.

Fine, but I’ll follow you. Hilton North Raleigh. Let’s go. I paused before I turned and headed toward my bike. I watched as she took another breath, got into her car, and started the engine. I fired up my bike and headed north toward Raleigh. Let the fun begin.

WE ARRIVED AT THE HOTEL about twenty-five minutes later, and I threw the valet a hundred to take care of her car and my bike. I could see the trepidation in her posture. She was shifting from side to side, and inhaling deeply, trying to calm whatever nerves she had. I came up behind her and placed my hand on the small of her back, leading her toward the lobby. Let’s go. I directed her toward the elevators, and punched the number for the floor that I was on. With any luck, we can sneak in without my brother or the other members noticing.

Great. I knew this was a bad idea. She shook her head and hands at the same time.

No, it’s a great idea. I just don’t want to see them tonight. I want to spend the night with you. Doing whatever you want: talk, eat, fuck. Whatever. I raised my eyebrows and cracked a little smile.

I told you I wasn’t sleeping with you. Her hands now on her hips.

We’ll see about that. The elevator dinged and the doors opened. I could hear the music pounding from Gabe’s room; damn guy could wake up the entire hotel. I poked my head out and checked the hall quickly, before grabbing Kat’s hand and pulling her toward my room. I slid the key into the lock, and pulled her in; shutting the door and placing her back against it.

You are incredibly sexy when you’re playing hard to get. I slid my hands down over her waist and rested them on her hips, my lips inches from hers. You hungry? And, as quick as I was to start something, I walked away. She wasn’t ready yet, although I had a feeling it wouldn’t be too long.

No, not really, she replied, as she banged her head lightly against the door. So why me?

Why you what? I took a seat on the couch, and flipped through the room service menu.

Kat walked over and sat down next to me. Why am I here? Why did you wait an hour and half for me to get off work?

I placed the menu on the coffee table and turned to face her. Taking her face in my hands, I stroked her lips with the pad of my thumb. Because you are the one woman that, knowing who I am, hasn’t lost it. I grazed my fingers over her cheek, not wanting to break the contact. I felt her turn her face in to my hand, as I reached for the phone to call the front desk.

This is Tyler Anderson, in the executive suite. Yes, I need to order some food. There was a pause as the employee connected me to room service. Yes, I want a bacon cheeseburger, fries, fruit platter and... I motioned to Kat.

A cheeseburger, too, she said with a grin.

I nodded in acknowledgement. Add another cheeseburger to that as well. Yes. Thank you. I hung up, and turned back to her again. Tell me about you.

What do you want to know? She was playing with the hem of her shirt, trying not to focus her attention on me.

Let’s start with your full name. I heard one of the patrons call you ‘Kat’. I tilted my head to the side, attempting to make eye contact.'

My name is Kat Summers. I grew up not far from the town we were just in, and I’m finishing a degree in public relations, marketing and music. She finally looked up at me. What else?

Whatever you want to tell me, Kat, but first, tell me why you didn’t freak out when you realized I was Caleb Cross. I grabbed her hand again, and rubbed my fingers over her knuckles. God, I wanted her so bad. The thought of burying myself deep into her pussy... Instead, I let go of her hands, and made my way to the mini-bar. Would you like something to drink?

A soda, if you have one, she responded, quickly looking away.

Here you go, I said, as I retook my position on the couch. So, why didn’t you freak out?

Kat played with the hem on her shirt again. Because that’s not me. I can’t really explain it, but it’s not my thing.

A knock let us know the food we had ordered was there. I made my way to the door, grabbed the food, and tipped the server. I closed the door, and brought the tray back to the coffee table. Dinner is served.

We ate quietly, and the silence was unbearable. My name is Caleb Michael Cross. I grew up in that town we just came from, although it has been years since I set foot in it. I am a twin, Gabriel being my brother. My parents still live in the town, and part of the reason I was sitting in that bar tonight is because I couldn’t bring myself to see them. So, instead, I took a left, and ended up at the bar.

Why not? What happened? she asked, biting a French fry.

Nothing I want to get into right now. I put my plate on the table, and removed hers from her lap, placing it next to mine. Now, you I want to get into, right now. I moved myself toward her, until she was resting against the arm of the couch, her body slightly under mine. Swiping a loose strand of hair out of her eyes, I watched as she subconsciously wet her lips. I moved my hand up to her face and stroked her bottom lip with my thumb again. Just say yes. Please.

I watched as she contemplated my request. She had to have wanted this. She did come back