True Romance: True Romance Rocker Series, #1

By Lashell Collins

Sweet, sexy Thaddeus Kyle is not like the spoiled, ego-driven rock stars with fame and fortune at his fingertips and a different beautiful woman in his bed each night. Not anymore anyway. Nearly forty, he's been in the game all his life, just a blue-collar working class musician chasing dreams of rock superstardom amid the crushing weight of a loveless marriage and brutal breakup. But when a real rock and roll legend offers Tad a spot in his band, the sudden worldwide exposure leads him to the woman who could be the greatest thing to ever happen to him. If he can only manage not to screw it up.

Shelby Finnegan is a woman on the go. A celebrated wildlife photographer with a yen for conservation and saving endangered animals, she hasn't had much time in her life for things like romance. The painful past she keeps buried deep doesn't help matters on that front either. But when her love of rock and roll gives rise to an infatuation with her favorite rocker's new bass player, she suddenly finds herself daydreaming about little else.

Sparks fly during a chance encounter backstage, sending Tad and Shelby down a path of friendship that hints at something much deeper. Is the burning promise of passion only wishful thinking, or could it be true romance?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lashell Collins
• Release date: Jan 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9781540187260

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

March, 2011

Would you recognize the opportunity of a lifetime if it came at you? The greatest thing to ever happen to you?

Most people like to think they would, and Tad was no different. But when his brother asked him that very question just the day before, it threw him for a loop. He was as puzzled by it now as he’d been then.

Slightly irritated to still be mulling over the question, he pushed it to the back of his mind and concentrated instead on the music. On the guitar in his hands, and the camaraderie of his bandmates. The energy of the crowd.

He smiled at the pretty redhead standing at the front of the stage, singing right to her as his band played on. Crystal was her name.

Or Christy?

Something that started with a c anyway.

The realization that he couldn’t quite remember made him feel like shit. He wasn’t really that guy, was he? He frowned to himself as he watched her.

She came to a lot of House Jam’s shows with her friends, and Tad enjoyed flirting with her. They had done a little more than flirt once or twice.

Okay, they’d done a whole lot more than flirt, but he got the feeling she was hoping for more than a few casual hook ups. Much more than he was willing to give, so he knew the mental block on her name was nothing more than a defense mechanism.

Still made him feel like shit though.

"Thank you! That was a song off my decades-old solo album that you might have missed. It’s called Field of Vision. It didn’t break any top 200 chart listings so, I’m sure you probably did miss it, Tad said, poking fun at himself to the audience’s delight. He ran a hand through his long black hair, pulling it away from his face. But thank you for indulging me."

He smiled as he looked out over the cheering crowd. The Mint wasn’t exactly a large venue, but House Jam’s steady gig there each Tuesday night was always packed and rocking, and for a band playing mostly covers, it was gratifying to have such a dedicated following.

All right, here’s one of my personal favorites. Probably one of your favorites, too. This is called ‘Hold Up.’

The crowd cheered again as the blaring guitar riff began and the pulsating drums kicked in. The popular rock anthem was always a crowd pleaser, one that usually got everyone moving, head banging, and singing along.

He loved it.

As they played on, Tad suddenly caught sight of a very familiar figure pushing his way through the crowd toward the front of the stage.

Quentin Silverman.

Quick to his friends.

Quicksilver, as Tad had dubbed him back in high school in Whitefish, Montana. He smiled at his friend when they made eye contact, and he gave a nod when he deciphered the silent We need to talk hand gestures.

Twenty minutes later when the band finally ended their set, Tad shot backstage and splashed some cold water on his sweaty face.

Then he pulled off his sweat-soaked Ramones t-shirt and shrugged on a fresh one. He grabbed a bottle of cold water and took a swig as he headed out to the bar to find his friend. He spotted him easily in the crowd. The black spiked hair always acted as a beacon.

Quicksilver!

His friend turned around with a big smile, and Tad pulled him into a huge hug.

How’s it going, Thaddeus?

I’m good, man. What’s shaking, Daddio? I haven’t seen or heard from you in two months, man. I thought you were busy riding with The Outlaw!

Quick laughed at the Wild West reference, and Tad smiled.

What’s going on, man?

Well, I am riding with The Outlaw, as you put it, Quick answered. But the trail doesn’t begin for a few more days yet, so I just thought I’d come down and heckle you for a while.

Tad laughed. I’m glad you did, man. It’s good to see you! He stared at him for a moment before his smile grew bigger. I am so fucking happy for you getting this shot, Quick. This could not have happened to a nicer guy. The fucking Outlaw, man! How excited are you?

Quick’s huge grin told Tad everything he needed to know. Who wouldn’t be excited to get the chance to play with one of the greatest rock guitarists the world had ever seen?

Jesse Lee James was a bona fide living legend in the world of rock and roll. When his first band, Stoned Devotion, hit the scene back in the early 1980s, Jesse Lee was dubbed the greatest rock guitarist in the world, and he deserved the distinction.

Legend was too small a word as far as Tad was concerned. Icon was a much better fit. They didn’t call him The Outlaw of Rock and Roll for nothing.

You want to meet him? Quick asked with a sly smile.

Tad stared at him for a moment, not fully understanding the question.

What, like right now? Is he here?

Quick nodded. Yeah, he’s at a table near the back. He motioned in the general direction with his head, and Tad froze.

Shit.

The mumbled word was more an expression of wonder than a curse, and Tad suddenly felt his mouth go dry.

It wasn’t like he’d never met any of his musical heroes before, because he had. You couldn’t go an entire lifetime in this business and not eventually rub elbows with at least a few of the people you’d admired as a teenager.

Hell, Tad had even been lucky enough to share the stage with a few of them a time or two. But Jesse Lee James was on a whole different level from any of the other rock gods he’d been fortunate enough to meet.

Quick gave a small tap on Tad’s arm. Come on.

They pushed through the crowd with Tad firing off greetings to House Jam’s regular followers and fending off offers to stop and talk a minute, promising to make his way back around.

He followed Quick over to a booth in the back corner of the club where Jesse Lee James sat holding court with his hot, ex-stripper wife and his bodyguard as he spoke with a couple of other guys.

As Jesse finished up with those two and looked at Quick, Tad actually rubbed his suddenly clammy hands over the legs of his jeans. He felt like he was fifteen years old and about to meet his rocker hero, going total fanboy when what he really needed right now was to play it cool.

He was about to meet a fellow musician, that was all.

Yeah, right, he thought to himself.

Hey, Jesse, I want you to meet my friend, Tad Kyle.

Quick slid into the circular booth and scooted in for Tad to follow.

Hey. It’s good to meet you, man. Jesse reached out his hand as Tad slid into the booth. You sounded pretty good doing your thing up there. You got a great little band.

Tad shook the man’s hand feeling completely mortified as he realized they’d played one of Stoned Devotion’s iconic songs while the man himself was out in the audience listening. He laughed at the irony of that and accepted the compliment.

Well, thanks a lot. But I’m pretty sure we botched ‘Hold Up’ a million different ways.

Nah, not at all, man. It sounded great, Jesse smiled. Hell, you’ve probably played that song a whole lot more than I have if you’ve been playing in cover bands for a while.

Tad laughed at that thought, but it probably had a lot of truth to it. Plus it was just incredibly cool and humbling to have The Outlaw tell you that you sounded great playing one of his songs.

Well, thank you. That means a lot coming from you.

Quick here tells me you can play just about anything, Jesse said, giving Tad a good once over. No instrument is off limits. That true?

Tad chuckled, giving his friend a quick glance before he replied, Well, you know Quick exaggerates.

It was a lighthearted joke, but when Jesse cocked an eyebrow at him and glanced at Quicksilver, Tad got the feeling he wasn’t amused.

Uh, but no, I just… when it comes to rock I am something of a jack of all trades, I guess. Tad gave a nervous smile as he tried to clear up his earlier response. Lead guitar, rhythm, bass, keyboards. I’ve done it all over the years. I play a mean harmonica. And I’m no Quicksilver by any stretch of the imagination, but I can jump behind a drum kit and not embarrass myself too badly, I suppose.

They all laughed at that, and Tad felt himself relax a little.

Jesse pointed at him with a smile. And you’ve obviously got a hell of a voice. That’s a smart way to stay in the game, man.

I suppose it is, but I never really looked at it that way, Tad said. I was just always obsessed with music and wanting to be in a band, you know? It just manifested itself by me trying my hand at everything, I guess. Each instrument, vocals. Whatever the guys around me locally needed to make a band happen.

Good to have those skills though. I’m not that well rounded, Jesse admitted as he gestured to his bodyguard at the end of the booth.

The large man stood up, allowing Jesse and his wife to follow.

It was good to meet you, Tad.

Thanks. It was an honor to meet you, Jesse, Tad said as he shook the man’s hand once more.

Noon? Jesse asked, looking at Quick.

Yep. See you then, Quick said.

It was an odd exchange, and Tad frowned as Jesse walked away with his small entourage. He turned back to Quick with a puzzled smile.

What the hell was that about?

That’s just Jesse. Quick smiled. He’s very to the point.

Okay. And what was the point? Tad asked, still trying to figure out his brief meeting with The Outlaw.

Quick just smiled and shook his head. Are you free tomorrow from about noon?

Tad shrugged his shoulders. Yeah, I can be. What’s going on?

You want to come jam with Jesse?

Is this a trick question? Tad asked, and Quick laughed. Hell yeah, I want to jam with Jesse!

Cool. Bring a bass and meet me at Aces, all right? Quick instructed as he slid out the other side of the booth and stood up.

Aces Rehearsal Studio?

Yep. You know where it is?

Yeah, I know it, Tad confirmed as he stood up.

Okay. See you tomorrow, dude.

They pounded fists and Tad watched with a puzzled smile as Quick made his way to the exit.

CHAPTER 2

A re you shitting me right now?

Tad laughed as he checked his rearview mirror and changed lanes.

Theo, man, I swear on my vinyl KISS collection that I’m being straight up with you. Jesse Lee fucking James. The Outlaw of Rock and Roll, right there in my face. Shaking my hand. Complimenting my skills!

His brother’s laughter came rolling through the phone, and Tad smiled as he drove to Aces Rehearsal Studio.

Well, what was he like, man? Come on!

He was awesome, are you kidding? And, of course, I had to try and play it cool, right? Had to try and be all professional and everything, but inside I felt like a fucking teenaged girl at a boyband concert or something. I wanted to scream and cry, and pull his hair and shit.

He was exaggerating, of course, but he loved making his brother laugh. Always had.

In fact, for as long as Tad could remember, that had sort of been his role to play in their twin dynamic. Theo was the serious artist who always looked for the deeper meaning in everything, while Tad was the free spirit who tended to take life at face value.

They were the quintessential yin and yang, the two sides of the proverbial coin. They complemented each other as only twins could.

Theo’s laughter suddenly gave way to a bout of coughing that lasted just a little too long for Tad’s tastes, and he frowned as he stopped at a red light.

Life always had a way of reminding him that rock and roll was not everything.

Hey, how you doing, man? You feeling okay these days?

He heard Theo sigh as his coughing fit subsided.

I’m right as rain, Tad. Just the stray cough here and there. Hey, did you get the new designs I sent you the other day? You never said.

It was a skillful avoidance of the topic at hand, and Tad knew it. But he also knew how much Theo hated it when everyone obsessed on his health. Besides, he knew if Theo were truly in physical distress he would feel it, just as he had all their lives.

Yeah, I got them, he replied.

I tried to play around with that heart motif from the old album art like we talked about. I thought maybe we could pick one or two of the designs and get some t-shirts made up or something. Like we did for House Jam. We can sell them straight from your website if you want. Your fans might get a kick out of it.

Theo sounded genuinely excited, and Tad had to smile. They’d shared a love of music as kids, but Theo’s true passion was art — drawing, painting and graphic design — and Tad knew his twin got a thrill out of designing the graphics he used for his website and his album cover art.

No matter what band he happened to be in or what project he was working on, he always went to Theo whenever he needed some sort of visual art, and his brother loved providing it.

Yeah, I love the way you tapped into the old album art. Those flaming hearts were very cool. I’ll call you later tonight and we’ll go over them all right?

Yeah, sounds good, Theo answered as Tad slowly pulled into the parking lot at the rehearsal studio.

Well, I’m here. A ripple of excitement ran through him as he turned off the engine. Jam session with The Outlaw. Unbelievable, man.

Just imagine how Quick must feel every day, Theo said.

Right?

They were silent for a split second before Theo said, I’m proud of you, bro.

Tad smiled. Why? Because I’m getting ready to go live out our inner fourteen-year-olds’ rock star fantasy?

Theo laughed. Nah, man. Because you’re about to take the first step into an amazing future for yourself, and you don’t even realize it.

Tad frowned for a moment as he thought about that. Nah, bro. Quick just invited me to a fun jam session with one of my heroes. That’s all.

Maybe so, Theo said. "But we both know who you know in this life goes a long way, and you’re about to go in there and jam with Jesse Lee James. That’s a hell of a connection to have in your pocket. Now hang up the phone and go in there and impress the shit out of him, like I know you will."

Tad grinned, but he knew his brother had a point about making valuable connections. But at thirty-eight years old, Tad knew the chances of him hitting the big time were pretty slim. That ship had sailed nearly twenty years ago when Leanne got pregnant, and Tad had missed the boat.

Almost overnight he had gone from a promising start to a solo career, to steady gigs at local venues and then some studio session work when he eventually moved out to Los Angeles. Nowadays, he played his weekly gigs with House Jam and maybe the occasional special event around LA with some of his rocker buddies.

Still, through it all, Theo had been his greatest supporter, always telling him not to quit. Not to give up on his greatest dream.

All right, bro. I gotta get in there. But I’ll call you later and tell you all about it.

Pictures. I want photographic evidence, Theo teased, and Tad laughed.

I’ll see what I can do!

They hung up and Tad looked at the building and took a deep breath. Then he got out of the car and pulled his bass case out of the back before he marched toward the building.

He’d heard a lot about Aces studio all his life. It was a fairly famous rehearsal space, and Tad knew some pretty big bands had used the place over the years. Bands he loved and had grown up listening to. That history alone was enough to make this visit special for him.

Once inside he stood for a moment just looking around and taking it all in, letting the creative energy flow around him.

As he ventured further inside, he spotted Quick standing in front of his drum kit talking to Maxwell Corigan. That guy was the former lead singer of a crazy successful boyband until he quit amid a firestorm of controversy several years back. After that, he put out a solo album that tanked, and then withdrew from the public eye for a while. So it was a big shock to the music world when he hooked up with The Outlaw seemingly out of nowhere.

This should be interesting, Tad thought to himself.

There was another guy that Tad didn’t know strapping on a white Gibson Firebird and looking as out of place as Tad suddenly felt.

Thaddeus!

Quick called out, snatching his attention, and Tad smiled as his friend motioned him over.

Hey, man. Meet Max Corigan, Quick said, starting the introductions as Tad approached. And this is Billy Lane.

Good to meet you both, Tad said as he shook hands with both men.

I hear you’ve got a voice to go along with your guitar skills. Max looked him in the eyes, and Tad was caught off guard.

Well, I’ve never had any formal training or anything, but I do okay.

I’ll be the judge of that, Max said. How are you on harmonies?

Tad shrugged. I can sing harmonies all day long.

It was an odd thing to ask a person right off the bat, and Tad was about to comment further when Jesse Lee entered the room strapping on his iconic Les Paul Custom Standard.

Tad Kyle, musical jack of all trades, Jesse said, as if he were announcing it to the room. He smiled at Tad as he came over and shook his hand. Glad you could make it out, man.

Thanks for the invitation.

"So, do you know anything off the Stupid Reckless album besides ‘Hold Up’?" Jesse asked, his eyes holding a bit of amusement.

Tad laughed. Stupid Reckless — Jesse’s first album with Stoned Devotion. It was to rock and roll what Michael Jackson’s Thriller was to pop.

"Yes, I do. Stupid Reckless is part of the collective soundtrack of our human existence by now, I think. Probably anyone from our generation knows that album backwards and forwards."

Jesse grinned. Cool. Strap on and plug in, man. Let’s do this.

Quick gave him a friendly slap on the arm before he jumped behind his kit, and Tad went about pulling his bass out and plugging into an amp. When he was all set, Jesse gave him a mischievous look.

Turn Me On.

Oh shit, Tad thought.

Talk about jumping right into the deep end of the pool.

‘Turn Me On’ was a song off the Stupid Reckless album that was known for the killer bass line that ran throughout it. It was a song Tad had played many, many times with various cover bands over the years, but this time he would be playing it with The Outlaw himself.

He glanced over at Quick and they exchanged a smile as the drummer counted the song off.

As soon as he began the famous opening bass line, Tad felt his anxiety skyrocket. But almost as quickly as it did, the craziest sense of peace overtook him.

He could almost feel Theo’s calming energy, strong and persistent, as if his twin were standing right beside him. It was a wild sensation, but a familiar one.

Whenever they were apart and one of them was going through something particularly stressful, the other would inevitably feel that anxiety overload and send wave after wave of positive mojo his brother’s way. It was a completely involuntary response, and neither one of them were ever exactly certain how it worked. They only knew it did.

He felt his anxiety melting away as he lost himself in the music. By the time Maxwell started to sing the opening lines, Tad was in his element.

Rock me now. Rock me long.

Turn me ‘round. Turn me on.

Rock me slow. Love me long.

Turn me ‘round. Baby turn me on.

It hadn’t been discussed outside of Maxwell’s strange questions, but the mic was there in front of him, so Tad did what came naturally and jumped into the chorus, effortlessly harmonizing with Maxwell.

The singer shot him a surprised smile and a thumbs up as they played on. Jesse’s guitar solo was an epic thing of beauty that made Tad wish Theo had actually been there to witness it, and when the song ended The Outlaw looked at him and smiled.

Tad Kyle. Musical jack of all trades, gentlemen.

Jesse’s tone said he was quietly impressed, and Tad grinned at him.

Quick? Jesse addressed the drummer, but his gaze stayed on Tad.

Yeah, boss?

Still looking at Tad he replied, You did not lie to me, son. Your friend here’s got some serious chops.

Tad laughed a little and looked down at the floor.

Why did he feel embarrassed having his talent discussed right in front of him?

I don’t know why you doubted me, boss. Quick looked from Jesse to Tad with a grin.

Never again, my man, Jesse said as he removed his guitar and handed it to his tech. Never again.

He turned to Tad with a suddenly serious expression.

"Okay so, we’ve got a few TV spots booked before we hit the road next week. We’ve got ToNite Tonight on this coming Thursday, and then the Jody Morgan Show on Friday. Then we jump over to England for a week of music festivals before getting started with the European leg of the tour."

Jesse kept talking, rattling off the finer points of their upcoming European schedule, but Tad didn’t hear much of anything else. He stood in stunned silence for several seconds as the realization of what just happened began to sink in for him.

He looked at Quick, who gave him a sheepish grin, confirming it all for him. Then he turned back to Jesse and held up his hands.

Whoa. Wait a minute. I… I didn’t realize this was an audition.

Jesse stared at him, saying nothing more, and Tad felt uneasy.

I thought I was just here to hang out and jam for the day.

Jesse glanced over at Quick, and then back at Tad. Yeah, that was done on purpose. I find that if you come in with an audition mindset, you’re nervous and thinking too much. It’s hard to get out of your own head, you know what I mean? But if you come in to just hang out and have fun, you’re more relaxed and the music flows. We all get a truer feel for each other.

Tad nodded. It made sense, but he was still in shock.

Look, Tad, here’s the deal. Jesse looked him in the eyes as the others stood by and listened. "When I left Stoned Devotion nearly fifteen years ago, it was a major difference of opinion. I didn’t have anything to prove, I just didn’t enjoy my work environment any longer. It was a toxic situation that I had to remove myself from, or die. I chose not to die.

"Since then I’ve put a couple bands together and released some projects, but nothing’s felt right. So when I decided to do my solo album, it was basically just me and Max. They all thought I was crazy as hell for that shit. Said it would never work — a pop singer from a fucking teenaged boyband? Now they’re calling him the best voice rock has heard in twenty years, and I’m the rebel who took a chance."

Maxwell smiled and gave Tad a slight bow of his head.

I did both guitar parts on the entire album while Max carried all the vocal duties, Jesse said. The rest was all just friends from other bands on some songs and studio musicians for the rest. But this tour is a different matter. I need a touring band. I was lucky enough to pull together Quick on drums and Billy on rhythm guitar. And now dates are set, and venues are booked. But the bassist we had just wasn’t working out. I need someone reliable. Someone with killer bass skills who knows Stoned Devotion material inside and out.

He pointed to the drums. "Now, your boy, Quick, here insists the musician I’m looking for is you. After hearing you play ‘Turn Me On’, I’m inclined to agree with him. That shit felt right to me. It felt like we’ve got a musical chemistry here we could build upon. So tell me, can you fit the bill, or not?"

Tad was speechless for a moment as a million things began to run through his mind —