Pieces of Me (Midnight Steel Trilogy Book 1) Read online

  Laz silently toasted his friend and reminisced back all those years ago to a small pub in London. They were playing in a dive called The Blindside and had just come off a quick fifteen-minute break. He had started the opening riff for Dealt This Hand when something deep inside told him to play his heart out. And he had done just that. The rest of the band had taken their cue from him, and they played the tightest and the best ever.

  As they were starting to gather their equipment, a man came over and introduced himself to them. He handed Laz his card – Quincy Harris, A&R for Excalibur Records. All four of them looked at this small balding man somewhere in his thirties and laughed. He was the antithesis of rock and roll, but they were soon to find out, he had an uncanny ear for the best.

  Quincy had explained to them over a few pints that Excalibur was a young record label and that he had been out looking at a few bands that night to see if any had potential. He had passed on all three bands and stopped there at The Blindside just to grab what he hoped would be a quiet pint before heading back to the hotel. He had called it fate that he chose that bar. The young musicians laughed at him until they realized he was serious.

  Laz remembered Quincy’s exact words all these years later. “Fellows listen to me. There I was taking a sip of my beer when you came back on stage. I figured I was stuck with another half-ass band. Then you started to play, Laz and I froze. And when Ethan began to sing, and you all came together so perfectly, I knew it. I knew you guys were the band that we needed at Excalibur. And I knew that once we could get you guys recorded and out on the radio, you would make big waves in the music industry.” And Quincy had been undeniably right.

  A smile graced Laz’s face as he remembered the excitement they all had back then. Quincy was offering them a chance at their dream. And they took it with both hands!

  He had been a good friend to them all these years as he made his way up the Excalibur ladder. While they looked and acted like the epitome of rock and roll stars, he still looked like an accountant, but he had a mind and the ear of a genius. And they still missed him, especially now that the label was more corporate than ever.

  “Here’s to you mate,” Laz said as he toasted his friend yet again.

  Now gazing around the room, he took in some of the craziness that was going on in the fancy, high priced suite. He saw a few of the crew playing a drinking game around one of the tables in the room. The tequila was flowing very freely over there, as was the laughter.

  His well-trained eye noticed a few people with their backs turned to the crowd. He kept his eye on them. Then just as he expected, when each person was turning away they rubbed under their nose. That was Laz’s confirmation that they were doing coke. That didn’t make him happy at all.

  Which made him look for Davey.

  Even across the room, he could see the glazed look in Davey’s eyes and the bottle of Stolichnaya vodka in his hand. Davey had always been a hard drinker, but his use of drugs, usually cocaine, had been an on and off problem for the band. Much to his chagrin, Laz could see that Davey was using again tonight. “At least the tour is over,” he thought to himself.

  The noise level in the room was escalating. Between the music, the laughter, the multitude of voices in general, it was hard to hear anyone much at all. Laz found himself watching Davey try to juggle two extremely friendly females. Davey’s present condition wasn’t going to allow him to get too far with either one of these ladies, but from what Laz was witnessing, they sure were really trying.

  A crashing commotion across the room brought Laz’s attention to several more members of their road crew that were horsing around and knocked over a lamp. Knowing how crazy, but dedicated their roadies were, Laz smiled at their antics. He had seen worse from them, far worse and the night was still young. Anything was certainly possible with these guys, and that helped to make the long tour a lot less tiring.

  With his attention directed elsewhere, Laz didn’t see the tall buxom blonde that slipped next to him. “Hey Laz, it’s been awhile,” she purred into his ear.

  He took a deep breath before he turned. “Crystal.”

  “I know you’re happy to see me Laz. You always have been in the past, and I’ve only gotten better. I have a few new tricks to show you.” She used a brightly painted fingernail to trace a path down Laz’s chest. The blatant expression on her face told him exactly what she was offering.

  Everything.

  Laz had met Crystal several years ago. She was one of the many women who traveled the concert circuit. They followed whatever band or bands were on tour. Their popularity would last as long as their figure and looks did.

  Laz had helped himself to her obvious charms many times in the past, but in recent months he didn’t want such an easy, used conquest.

  “C’mon, Luv,” she said mimicking his accent. “Let’s find a quieter place to be alone.” Crystal gave Laz’s jean-clad crotch a squeeze. She certainly wasn’t shy.

  Laz had enjoyed her aggressiveness back when he only cared for a warm, sexy female body in his bed. Crystal was around quite a bit when they were on tour, and she offered herself up every chance she got. But now, she didn’t interest him at all.

  “Crystal, Luv,” he growled between clenched teeth. “Get your hand off of my pride and joy right now. My answer is no. Same as it was last week and the week before that and the week before that.”

  “But Laz we’re so good together!” she whined.

  “If I want a cheap, easy fuck, then you are acceptable. But good together…no, we aren’t. And Crystal, there is no together, and there is no we, so go back to your little whorehouse and try those used up charms on someone else.” Laz knew his words were cruel, but she had pushed him too far these last few weeks by refusing to listen to him.

  Crystal’s eyes widened in shock at his words. Her perfectly made up smoky eyes welled up with tears. “You are a heartless prick, Laz. You use women and toss them away just like the trash. You’ll be sorry someday you bastard! You can count on it!”

  “Crystal, don’t try to lay any guilt trip on me. I took what you so readily offered me and countless others. Shall I name names? Shall I? The best and worst of rock have been in your pants, and I no longer want to be included in that tawdry list. So go work your overused wiles on someone else.” Laz turned away from her as he took another sip of Glenlivet.

  He saw the slap coming from the corner of his eye, and his incredible reflexes enabled him to catch her hand before she touched him. “Go, Crystal. Now! If you try that one more time, you will find yourself gone from this party and no longer welcome on anyone’s tour! Do you understand my meaning? Now go!”

  Knowing that Laz did, in fact, have the power to blacklist her from the world of rock and roll, was the only reason she slinked away. His harsh words hurt her, but her anger at him was even stronger. Crystal had at least enough control to know that now wasn’t the time, but at some point, Laz would regret his horrible words and she would get him back.

  “Patience Crystal, patience,” she thought to herself as she crossed the room looking to find someone to take her mind off of Laz. “He will be sorry one day, and that day he will discover that crossing me was the wrong thing to do.”

  Meanwhile, Laz downed his scotch in several deep gulps. He knew he was right in getting rid of the blonde and maybe he could have been a bit nicer about it, but when she had the nerve to grab him as she did, all he saw was red. This was the exact type of woman he wanted nothing more to do with. It sure didn’t help that right then she reminded him of someone he never wanted to think of again.

  It was Caroline that caused his relationships to last no longer than a maybe a week. Most would be around for just a night, others a bit longer and in between were women like Crystal.

  Laz had left a long string of broken hearts from one end of the world to the next. For most of his career, he had never wanted a serious relationship with anyone. He was young and famous, and he wanted to try it all.

  And then, la
ter on, he refused to get close to anyone. Because the one time he truly fell in love and gave his heart unconditionally to someone, it was so painful for him that he vowed to himself never to go through that again.

  To him, love was pain and pain was Caroline.

  Chapter 2

  Corie Monroe placed the last of her grocery bags into the back of her black four-wheel drive Tahoe. The small shopping center that she was at was bustling with more activity than usual. A late winter storm was fast approaching, and it seemed that everyone was stocking up on necessities once again. Sometimes, wintertime in Maine seemed like one long nonstop snowstorm.

  After making sure her bundles were secure, Corie climbed onto the leather driver’s seat and started the SUV. She smoothed down her windblown hair the best she could. Her unruly mass of light brown curls cascaded halfway down her back, and the wind had just wreaked havoc with them. Meanwhile, her green eyes twinkled in delight. She positively adored snowstorms and loved the anticipation of one.

  Quickly, Corie went over her mental checklist. Food and bottled water had just been taken care of. She had already stopped by the local hardware store for extra batteries, so all she had left, was to hit the gas station to fill up her three 5 gallon gas containers for her generator. However, she would do that on her way out of town. There was one more stop to make first.

  Corie carefully pulled her Tahoe out of the parking spot and drove toward the south end of town. She smiled as she passed through Main Street with all of its quaint, colorful storefronts. Corie just adored this little village, which was why she moved here to Ashland three years ago. It offered her the country quiet she needed, but it overflowed with the friendliness that small towns were known for. Even in her short few years here, she had gotten to know many of the townspeople, and they made her feel like she belonged.

  Originally from Boston, Corie found that city life no longer appealed to her. Since both of her parents had already passed on, nothing was holding her to the more metropolitan area anymore. Luckily for her, she had a portable job. As long as she had her computer or laptop, she could work absolutely anywhere.

  Corie had discovered the wonders of writing as a child. Her talent and imagination had developed into a successful career as a published author. Contemporary romance was her specialty, but she could also surprise her publisher by adding a bit of intrigue too. It was simply what she was born to do.

  Feeling quite carefree, Corie pulled into the parking lot for the Main Street Café. Their old faded wooden sign was swinging in the afternoon breeze. The Café wasn’t fancy, by any means, but just a local place where anyone could get a good inexpensive meal and the local gossip came free.

  She slid the car into an available parking spot and turned off the engine. Without even bothering to lock the doors, she bounded up the few steps that lead to the front glass door. A gentle tinkling of bells announced her arrival.

  The café was set up to be comfortable. Patrons could choose the high-backed old fashion booths with cracked red leather benches or sit on a stool at the counter. There were also a few red and white checked tables to choose from too. The café was definitely a throwback in time, but it was a mainstay in this small town.

  Corie looked to the left and then to the right. She saw a hand waving at her from one of the booths and turned in that direction. Along the way, she greeted Fred and Miriam Styles. When Miriam retired from teaching the year before, she also retired from cooking. Now they were daily regulars at the Café. Corie also stopped to ask Mrs. Howard how her new great-grandson was doing. With sparkling eyes, the new grandmother exclaimed, “He’s just so precious” and immediately brought out a book of photos. Corie looked at all of the pictures and “oohed” and “aahed” throughout all of the snapshots.

  Finally, she made it down to the booth and plopped herself down. “Sorry Kelsey, have you been waiting long?”

  “I’ve learned to expect that meeting you at noon, means that you will most likely show up around 1 o’clock,” Kelsey smiled.

  “Sorry, Kels. I really am. You know that I try to be on time, but…”

  “But, I love you anyway Corie.” Kelsey flashed a quick grin at her best friend. She could never be mad at Corie for being late. It was just the way she was. Kelsey and Corie had met a few days after Corie had moved to Ashland. They literally bumped into each other one day in the drugstore causing the display for antacids to fall over. Laughing, they fixed the boxes and became fast friends ever since.

  Kelsey had lived in Ashland all of her life and never entirely understood why Corie had left an exciting city like Boston, for a small backwoods town in Maine. Corie tried to explain how Boston was no longer a place that she wanted to be. The traffic, the noise, the hordes of people, and the change in her personal life, had pushed her to find some much sought after solitude.

  One day she had been exploring the back roads of the Maine countryside when she came upon Ashland. Corie instantly fell in love with the small charming town. On impulse, she stopped at a real estate office and asked about small farms. This where she found the place she had always wanted to call home. The property was hers within a month, and Boston was a long forgotten memory.

  While Corie was a successful author, Kelsey worked as the town librarian. Together they shared a passion for books, which solidified their friendship. Corie had traveled all over the United States while promoting her novels. On the other hand, Kelsey had never been out of Maine, so she enjoyed hearing Corie talk about the cities and places that she had seen.

  “How’s your day going, Corie?” Kelsey asked, tucking some loose strands of hair behind an ear.

  Kelsey wasn’t a beauty queen with her straight dark brown hair that hung past her shoulders and a pert upturned nose, but she had huge golden eyes set her apart from the norm. Corie, on the other hand, was striking. Tall and slender with a mane of dusty curls that always drew attention, she was the epitome of vivaciousness. Her friendly green eyes were always dancing with excitement. It was no wonder that the tiny town of Ashland accepted her with open arms.

  “Great! I got everything I needed, except to get some gas cans filled at Stan’s for the generator. Then it’s home to await the snow!” Corie’s face glowed with excitement.

  “I have never known anyone to love a snowstorm as much as you do Corie. I’m just so tired of it. Hopefully, this will be one of the last ones we get since its late March already.”

  “Oh c’mon Kels! It’s so much fun to cuddle up before the fire with the snow coming down. Add a hot cup of tea and a good book, and that is my ideal way to relax.”

  Since Corie had this conversation with Kelsey every year, she knew that Kelsey would never understand her love of snowstorms. It wasn’t just the snow, but the storm itself that held such an attraction. The wind, the wildness, and the power they held was what drew her to it.

  “I love curling up in front of a fire as much as you do,” Kelsey replied reaching for a menu. “But add a handsome man to the scenario and forget the fact that I have to try to get to work in the morning and sure that’s great.”

  “Point taken, especially the handsome man part. I sure could use one of those, but in the meantime I need food! Where is Tina?” Corie looked around and saw Tina, the café’s regular waitress, leaning on the counter flirting with one of the delivery drivers.

  “It’s a wonder Claude keeps her on. I think the last thing she ever wants to do here is work,” Kelsey growled. Tina and Kelsey had a history that went way back to high school, and it wasn’t very pretty.

  “Excuse me, Tina, we’re ready to order.” Kelsey rolled her eyes at Corie as she called out to the waitress.

  Tina took her time in strolling over to the table. Her platinum blonde hair was piled too high on her head, and the red lipstick she wore was a stark contrast to her pale skin. “Hi Corie, How are ya doing today? I guess you’re happy that we’re in for another storm. I hear this is gonna be a big one.” Tina smiled overly bright at Corie. Then she turned to Kelsey
almost as an afterthought and said, “Kelsey,” in a slightly annoyed tone.

  “Are you both ready to order? I’m kinda busy right now.”

  Kelsey looked around the café and saw only a scattering of customers. “I can see that you’re very busy Tina, so I’ll take a chef salad with French dressing and a cup of the minestrone soup. Plus a Diet Coke.” The sarcasm in Kelsey’s tone was all too evident.

  Ignoring the tension at the table, Corie asked what the special was. “Claude is making his meatloaf and mashed potatoes today,” Tina replied tapping her pencil on her pad.

  “Great. I’ll make that my dinner and have something light later. And a Diet Coke too. Thanks, Tina.” With the order taken, the frosty waitress headed back to the kitchen.

  “I just can’t stand that…that…bitch,” Kelsey growled.

  “No kidding!” Corie laughed. “Are you ever going to get over it?”

  Kelsey waited until Tina put the two sodas and straws down and was headed back to the counter before she replied. “Get over it? Get over the fact that she slept with Bobby when she knew we were together. Together for 14 months!”

  “It’s been over three years, Kels.”

  “Three years or thirty years, I will never forgive him or that skank,”

  “Kelsey…shh,“ Corie lightly reprimanded her.

  They stayed quiet for a few moments while Tina brought food to other customers near them. Kelsey waited until Tina was out of hearing before she continued.

  “You know how much I loved Bobby. And walking in on them in bed that night near killed me. He tried to apologize for days after that, calling it a moment of weakness. Weakness my…grrr. He knew that Tina and I never got along anyhow, so that made it even worse.”

  She had felt sorry for her friend. Bobby’s devastating betrayal had occurred just a few months before Corie had moved to Ashland. Their blossoming friendship had helped Kelsey through a particularly tough time.