Rocking Love

By Crystal Steadman

Zoe, a college student navigating her way through her academic journey, unexpectedly attends a rock concert with her best friend. Little did she know that this concert would change her perception of her favorite band forever. Upon meeting the band members, Zoe discovers that the lead singer, whom she idolized, is actually an unpleasant and arrogant individual. Determined to distance herself from Dead Angels, she vows to never listen to their music again and swears off attending their concerts. This decision is primarily fueled by her desire to avoid encountering the obnoxious lead singer, Sean McKnight, ever again.

However, fate has a peculiar way of intertwining people's lives. Zoe soon discovers that one of her classmates, who she considers a friend to some extent, happens to be related to the very same jerk she despises. This revelation becomes evident when Zoe and her friend Sara attend a frat party hosted by Michael, the cousin of Sean. To Zoe's dismay, she unexpectedly comes face to face with Sean at the party. Despite her strong dislike for him, she decides to maintain her composure and pretend not to recognize him, as it is highly unlikely that he remembers her. After all, why would he? Or so she thought, sarcastically emphasizing her disbelief.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crystal Steadman
• Release date: Nov 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223739982

Crystal Steadman

Crystal Steadman is an American Author. She started writing books at the age of 15, but she didn't publish her first book until she was well into her 30's. Crystal writes romance novels, but she is starting to dip her toes in other genres.

Book preview

By: Crystal Steadman

Rocking Love      0

By: Crystal Steadman      0

Chapter 1      10

ZOE      10

Chapter 2      19

ZOE      19

Chapter 3      30

SEAN      30

Chapter 4      40

ZOE      40

Chapter 5      50

SEAN      50

Chapter 6      62

ZOE      62

Chapter 7      72

SEAN      72

Chapter 8      84

ZOE      84

Chapter 9      94

SEAN      94

Chapter 10      103

ZOE      103

Chapter 11      113

SEAN      113

Chapter 12      124

ZOE      124

Chapter 13      133

Sean      133

Chapter 14      142

ZOE      143

Chapter 15      154

SEAN      154

Chapter 16      165

Zoe      165

Chapter 17      175

SEAN      175

Chapter 18      184

ZOE      184

Epilogue      195

ZOE      195

Year later      195

Sean      197

10 Months later      197

Chapter 1

  ZOE

So, there's a frat party tonight and Sara is trying to convince me to go. It's been a while since we've attended one and she thinks we need to let loose. But I really hate going to those things. It's just a bunch of drunks acting stupid. Plus, I really need to study for the finals.

Damn it, Zoe, you never go out and do anything. You are going to this damn party with me whether you like it or not. So, get your 'pretty little' ass upstairs and get dressed on your own or I will drag you kicking and screaming upstairs and dress you myself. Now go, Sara says, pointing to the stairs.

Yes, momma, I'm going. But if I fail these finals, it's going to be your fault, I yell at her from the hall.

God, she is so damn bossy.

Stop being so damn dramatic. You're one of the smartest people in our classes, so you going out one night will not interfere with your grades. Besides, it's the damn weekend, Sara retorts.

As always, she is right. I always overreact when it's test time and I never go out and have fun like a normal college kid. So, I go up to my room and find some nice clothes to put on and do my hair. I even put a bit of makeup on.

An hour later, we arrived at a humongous house. Holy shit! I exclaim.

This is a frat house? I ask Sara.

No, this is one of the college students' houses.

Fuck! He must be rich as hell.

Let me guess, you don't know this guy from Adam, I look at Sara with a deadly look.

It's just like my friend to get us in some shit we know nothing about.

Yes, ass, I know him very well. He is in our math class and he sits with us at lunch, but you wouldn't know about any of that because you always have your head in a damn book. Now stop all your damn complaining and get out of the car, Sara deadpans.

I stick my tongue out at her as we get out of the car. You sure are being awfully bossy today, I tell her.

And you're being a fucking Debbie downer. So, stop with your shit and let loose or I'm going to kick your ass.

Sara's rudeness is pissing me off tonight.

Fuck... you asshat.

What the fuck is up your ass tonight? I came, didn't I? So knock your shit off or I will get back in this car and go home, and you will just have to find yourself another way home.

Sara laughs so hard. Now there's my friend I know and love, she says, throwing her arm around my neck and walking us to the back of the house where the party is in full swing.

By the way, where did you pick up 'asshat' from? she asked me.

Jordan says it all the time in class and I guess I just picked it up, I laugh.

That figures. It sounds like something that would come out of Jordan's mouth.

I also hear a lot of the other guys saying it. It's really popular with the boys.

Leave it to you to pick something up from the guys, she says.

Come on, let's go get drunk, Sara says, pulling me through the gate at the back entrance.

Holy shit, this place is bigger in the back than in the front. It has an enormous pool and a deck coming off the back of the house, and a bar area to the side. And still enough room to walk around the yard.

I come from a country home, and this house has almost as much room as my property.

Hey ladies, you came! Michael yells from where he is standing, talking to a group of guys. He makes his way over to us with two cups in his hands.

Here you go, ladies, he says, handing us a cup of beer.

Are you two hungry? We have some barbecue ribs and hamburgers. Hell, we have all kinds of stuff. My cousin is home for a couple weeks and he can throw down on the grill.

I smile at him as sweetly as I can, trying to make my rejection of his food offer not sting so badly.

No, thank you. I ate before I came, I tell him, but of course, my so-called best friend rats me out.

Don't listen to her. Yes, we would love some food. We will walk with you and make our own plates, she gives me her 'don't fuck with me' look before turning around and following Michael over to where the food is.

I'll take a burger and some of the little barbecue sausages, I tell Michael, because if we're being real, I'm starving.

Okay, beautiful, coming right up. And what about you? Michael asks Sara.

Well, sport, I have a bigger appetite than my friend over here does, Sara says, pointing her thumb at me. So, I will take a rack of ribs, fries, and a burger.

Damn, a woman after my heart, Michael says, smiling at Sara.

I walk away, eating my burger, and let Michael and Sara talk. My best friend deserves to have a guy pay attention to her after that douchebag Sammy broke her heart.

After approximately 10 minutes of conversation with Michael, Sara exclaims, Hey!

In response, I retorted, Hey yourself.

Sara proceeds to inform me that Michael wants us to join him in meeting some of his acquaintances.

Why don't you go ahead? I suggest. I'll stay here and enjoy my beer.

Nope you're coming with me. Sara tells me, grabbing my hand and dragging me along.

I playfully stick my tongue out at Sara as we navigate through the crowd, until we finally reach Michael and a group of guys.

I was taken aback. The guy standing opposite me bears a striking resemblance to Sean McKnight, making me question my eyesight. God, I hope he doesn't remember me. The last time we crossed paths, he made a point of belittling me, at his concert, and I made a full of myself by telling him off in front of everyone.

Michael proceeds to introduce us to everyone. The guys acknowledge us with a nod, and it seems that Sean doesn't recognize me.

That is, until Sara asks him if he remembers us from one of his concerts and how he knows Michael.

Sara is just within reach, so I discreetly pinch her in the back to silence her.

When she turns around to inquire about my actions, she reads the message in my eyes and understands that I didn't want him to recognize me. Naturally, she responds with her own what the fuck, you're going to explain this later expression.

I'm sorry, I don't, Sean apologizes. We have so many concerts in a week that I can't keep up with the people I meet. I know it may come off as arrogant, but it's the truth.

That's completely understandable, I reassured him. So, how do you know Michael?

We're actually cousins, Michael proudly announces.

Oh, that must be pretty cool to have a famous singer in the family, Sara comments.

Absolutely! I always get attention from girls when I mention he's my cousin, Michael boasts.

Sean playfully hits Michael on the back of his head, calling him an asshat. What? Michael asks, rubbing the spot where Sean hit him.

I can't help but laugh at their banter. I think I'm going to grab another drink, I inform Sara.

You want me to come with you? she asks.

No, I can manage. I tell her and walk towards the makeshift bar Micheal has set up for everyone.

As soon as I arrive, an unexpected force seizes me from behind. Instinctively, I attempt to free myself by pushing away the intrusive hand, only to find it tightening its grip, pulling me closer to the person's body. Startled, I hear Sean Mcaknight's voice addressing me, Well, well, firecracker. Did you honestly believe I had forgotten about you?

Unfazed by his presence, I retort, I couldn't care less, and forcefully push his hand away. Determined to distance myself from the situation, I stride towards the bar and request a couple of beers from the bartender. Just as he hands them to me, Sean tries to snatch one from my grasp. Firmly, I assert, I've got them, thank you, and proceed to walk away.

What's your damn problem? Sean asks, his voice trailing closely behind me.

Fake people, that's what. How am I fake, huh?

Don't pretend like you don't know. I understand. You still feel guilty about embarrassing me that night, but honestly, I've moved on and I'm fine.

Wow, you're something else. Sean retorts, thrusting the cup back into my hand and storming off towards the group.

                          ♾️

So, care to explain why you and Sean were exchanging hostile glances the whole time we were talking to Michael and the others? Sara asks me later that night when we're back home.

I'm not really in the mood, I reply flatly.

Well, tough luck, sister. Spit it out, Sara demands.

Ugh, fine. I told him to forget about me like he has been doing for the past three months.

Damn it, Zoe! Why do you always do that? What's so wrong with getting to know someone other than me?

Sara, I'm nearing the end of my nursing school journey, and soon I'll be fully committed to my career as a nurse. Currently, I simply don't have the capacity to invest in a romantic relationship. In fact, I struggle to find enough time for you and my family.

The conversation is over, I say, making my way to the kitchen for a glass of water.

You always run away whenever I try to talk to you, she mutters, frustrated.

Why am I still friends with you? I ask her, exasperated.

Because you love me, and you know I'm the only one who will be honest with you, Sara replies, playfully elbowing me in the ribs.

Unfortunately, that's true, I admit with a sigh.

Sara laughs, knowing she has a point.

I really don't have time for any drama right now. Besides, he's Sean McKnight, for god's sake, I explain.

You should write a book about your life. I could even publish it for you, Sara suggests.

You're such a nerd, I tease her.

I know, but so are you, she retorts, flashing a mischievous smile.

Well, I'm going to go lay down and get some sleep. The few beers I had are making me tired, I announce.

You're such a party pooper, Sara pouts.

Just then, Sara receives a text and her face lights up.

Go ahead and go to bed. I'm just going to call Sammy and see what he wants. He just texted me, she says excitedly.

Damn it, Sara! I thought you were done with that jerk, I exclaim.

Sara smiles sweetly. I thought I was too, until he texted me just now. I owe him a minute of my time to listen, Zo.

You don't owe him anything, Sara, I yell at her. He's just going to break your heart again.

Don't worry, Mom. I'll be fine. This time, I won't rush into anything. I just want to hear what he has to say, I promise. So, stop worrying so much, Sara reassures me, kissing me on the forehead before leaving the kitchen.

I don't believe it! You're simply afraid that you might genuinely start having emotions for someone. Shaking my head, I leave the kitchen and make my way up the stairs to my bedroom. As I approach the bedroom door, my phone vibrates. Hmm, who could be texting me at this late hour?

Unknown Number: Hey there, firecracker, it was great seeing you once more. Just wanted to let you know how attractive you looked tonight.

"Your Rockstar!"

Holy hell, how did he get my phone number? Should I respond or just let it go? After a moment of contemplation, I decide not to respond and head to bed.

The next morning, Sara and I wake up around the same time. As I finish my shower, the smell of breakfast wafts through the air. It's our usual routine - on Sundays, we take turns making breakfast.

So, how was the rest of your night? I ask Sara, hoping she didn't end up calling her ex-boyfriend. He's no good for her, and we've known that since high school. Their on-again, off-again relationship has caused her so much pain.

It was great, she replies with a smile. I talked to Sammy until around two this morning. We caught up on everything. He really misses me and wants me to go out with him tonight to the club.

I can't help but shake my head in disbelief. Sara is always falling for the same guy, over and over again. Sara, Sara, I sigh, you, my beautiful friend, will never learn, will you?

At least I'm putting myself out there, she retorts defensively.

But are you really, Sara? I ask, my voice filled with concern. I see a girl who's comfortable with an asshole who hurts her every chance he gets. You deserve better, but you're settling just so you don't have to start over with someone else.

Am I warm? she asks sarcastically.

Whoa! I exclaim, taken aback. Now who's being a bitch, Sara?

She rolls her eyes and tells me to just eat my damn breakfast. I can't help but laugh at her feisty response.

Let's get serious for a minute, I say, my tone softening. You know how I feel about that douche, but if you're genuinely happy with him, then go be happy. Just promise me one thing - promise me that you'll guard your heart for the first month, at least.

Yes, mom, I promise, Sara says, handing me my plate of food with a playful smile.

Later that afternoon, while Sara's at the club with the douchebag, I find myself sitting in the little bedroom we converted into our study room. As I'm engrossed in my textbooks, my phone pings with a text message. It's from my sister, Phoebe, asking if I could watch the kids for her and her husband, Chad, next weekend so they could go out for their anniversary.

Of course, I'm more than happy to help. I don't have much of a social life anyway. I quickly text her back, letting her know that I would love to watch the kids. My niece and nephew are 13 and 11, and even though they're growing up, my sister still prefers not to leave them alone. It's okay with me since I enjoy spending time with them. One perk of going to college in my home state is being able to see my family regularly, even if it's just for a short visit.

Phoebe responds with gratitude, expressing how much she and Chad need a proper date weekend and how the kids have been missing their Aunt Zo. I smile