Faded (Rock Star Trilogy) (7 page)

Thank you, Alec
...
He's also addicted to the energy drink. I grab one for myself, and hold one out for Mona.

“Thanks,” she says, taking it.

I take her outside by the pool. I haven't gotten a spray tan in way too long, and I am starting to get pasty white. “So,” I say, taking a seat on a pool chair, “you were about to tell me why you hate Stephan.”

Mona looks up at the cameras. “Do they have to record this?”

I look at the director. “Yes. And you already signed a waiver.”

She sighs. “I don't think I should tell you on camera, Scarlett. It's kind of personal.”

My curiosity gets the best of me, so I grab her hand, and pull her behind me. As we are running through the house, I am tearing off my microphone. I push her inside the guest bathroom on the second floor, and lock the door behind us.

I hear the door jiggle and hear Peter curse.

My phone goes off again. It's Alec.

Why the HELL did you lock Peter out? - A

I ignore the text, and turn to Mona. She looks like she's about to break out in tears at any moment. She reaches inside her purse and hands me an envelope. The outside it addressed to
Mona
.

“Read it,” she demands.

I pull the letter out and start reading.

Mona,

If you're reading this, it means that I am no longer in this world. I am sorry that I left you so early in life. I'm sorry that I will never be there to see you graduate. I'm sorry I won't be at your wedding. I'm sorry I won't see the birth of my grandchildren. But, most of all, I'm sorry that I never got the chance to tell you the truth in person. I had plans on telling you after you turned 18. But really, there is NO good time to tell you.

I am in love with another man who is not your father. His name is Steven Montgomery, and he is the true love of my life. But Steve
n is married to another woman, and I knew he would never leave her for me, so I married your father. Your father is a good man. He loves me, and he has been so good to you.

The truth is, Steve
n Montgomery is your real father. You see your father couldn't have children. It was such a surprise to him when I got pregnant. But I wasn't surprised. I knew the truth.

I told Steve
n. I begged him to leave his wife and marry me, but his wife was also pregnant. He wouldn't leave her, and he knew that my husband would take care of us. So I lied to your dad. Even now, he doesn't know the truth. You can tell him if that is what you want, but I leave it up to you, Mona.

I tried to break it off with Steve
n, but I couldn't. Every time I looked in your eyes, I saw him. I missed him. So we have been seeing each other in secret.

This must seem silly to you, but what Steve
n and I have is REAL, TRUE love. I hope one day you can experience a love like ours. I only hope that your love doesn't have to be kept a secret.

Know that I love you forever.

—
Mom

As I hand the letter back to Mona, I realize that my hands are shaking.

“Stephan is your brother.” As the words leave my mouth, I can hardly believe them.

She nods, as a tear starts to escape her eyes.

“Have you told your father?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “I'm afraid he won't love me anymore if I tell him,” she whispers.

“How long have you known?”

“Three and a half years.” Her voice quivers as she tells me.

Suddenly, I feel mad at her mom. She should not have put this burden on Mona... She was only
fourteen when her mom died. That's way too young to carry it alone.

“I'm sorry.”

After reading this letter, I feel like I understand Mona better. I do see why she hates Stephan. In her mind, he is just a representation of everything that is screwed up in her life. She feels like she’s continuing the lie by not telling her father, yet she’s scared to tell him. Maybe he wouldn’t love her anymore if he knew the truth.

“But you know,” I continue
. “It's not Stephan's fault. And if you gave him a chance, he would love you, Mona. You're his
sister
. How could he not love you?”

“I've been so mean to him.”
I can hear repentance in her voice.

“He would understand why. If you just showed him this letter, and you apologized...”

She cuts me off. “NO! I will
NEVER
tell him.”

With that she walks out of the bathroom slamming the door behind her.

Crap.

Now what am I supposed to do?

3:01
PM

Lies

I spend
the rest of the afternoon getting chewed out by my director, Peter. Once he wires me back up, he explains how important it was to catch everything that goes on. I pretend that what Mona told me isn't a big deal, and I apologize profoundly. He seems to buy it. Once they wire my microphone back on, I go back to school to pick up Stephan.

When Stephan gets into the car, I immediately feel awkward. I know this
mind-blowing
secret about him, yet I can't say a word. I want to, but it's not my place to — it's Mona's.

“Are you ok
ay?” he asks me.

“I'm fine,” I manage to
choke out… Crap, I've got to do better than that. “I just wasn't feeling well, so I left after lunch.”

“Oh no. I hope you're not getting sick.” He's concerned, and I officially feel like the worst girlfriend ever.

“Nothing a nap couldn't fix.” I lie so easily, that it scares me. I hate lying.

Why did Mona have to put me in this situation?
She doesn’t even know me. Why would she trust me with this huge secret?

Maybe she wanted me to tell Stephan? I mean, why else would she tell ME. But then, after I read the letter, maybe she chickened out. If I told him, her whole life would change.

BU
T…
maybe I could talk her into it. I am a pretty persuasive person. Though Stephan seems immune to my powers, maybe she is too... They
are family
.

“You're really quiet,” I barely hear Stephan say. “And you're driving
the speed limit. Something is definitely wrong.”

Well, maybe I'm not as good of a liar as I though
t. “Um...” What do I say?

My phone starts ringing. It's Alec. Oh
, thank God.

“Hello,” I answer, a little too cheerful.

“I'm going to text you the address of the studio. Be prepared to work your ass off, and get here as soon as you can.”

Alec doesn't give me a chance to respond. He just ends the call. Seconds later, I get a text from
him with the address.

“Do you want to go home or go to the studio with me?” I ask Stephan. “I'm probably going to be there all night, and it will probably get boring.”

“No, I want to go. It sounds fun.” He seems excited.

I laugh. “Ok
ay.”

“So why aren’t you recording
at the studio in your basement?”

“A lot goes into recording a professional album, but I don’t have the equipment needed for the best sound. My studio is more for
my entertainment than anything else,” I explain.

On the drive, I think about the first time I was in the studio recording. I was
so excited
. We were recording my album
Jaded
. After two weeks straight of eighteen hour days, it got old quick. But even now, after recording four albums, I still get excited the first few days. It’s when exhaustion sets in that it stops being fun.

I can't help but dread schoo
l…
At least when I was recording my other albums I didn't have to deal with schoolwork. This is without a doubt going to be a miserable few months.

Maybe I can convince Bridgett to let me get a tutor
and stay home from school.

Probably not.

They like “school drama” for my documentary. Or reality show. Whatever the hell it is.

As I pull into the address that Alec gave me, I check the numbers on the building a couple of times.

“This can't be it,” I tell Stephan. Then I see Alec walk outside and wave me in.

What the f...

“There is a studio inside this house?” I ask him, as I get closer. I am really beginning to question Alec's sanity.

“Yes
. This studio is
amazing
. The guy who owns the studio works with my dad. Great quality.” Alec names off a band that recorded an album here, and I’m impressed. Maybe it won’t be so bad.

Stephan and I follow Alec inside.
First, he introduces us to Otto. He is going to be recording for me. Otto i
s…
interesting, to say the least. He has long hair, like I seriously think it's longer than mine. It's pulled into a low ponytail to the back. If I had to guess, the dude had to weigh at least 300 pound
s…
And he's
MY HEIGHT
, 5'1”. I don't think I've ever met a guy as short as me.

“Let's start by laying down the music tracks,” Otto says.

“Okay. I'm playing all my own music. Get me a ticker set at 98 BPM.”

I grab my sunburst
, American made,Fender Telecaster out of the case. Alec has brought all my guitars, but for recording I like using my Fender. It has an amazing soun
d…
As it should, considering how much I paid for it.

“Let's lay down a clean guitar track,” Otto says. “Just simple rhythm. We can add the fancy stuff later.”

I smirk at him. “Oh, this isn't my first time in the studio.”

I put on my Bose headphones, and plug my guitar into the chord Otto hands me. Bridgett and Stephan are both staring at me in amazement. Alec, however, is watching Otto.
We've both done this so many times that it's second nature to us.

I hear a click, and see the red light come on. I count to five in my head, and start playing, keeping it simple and clean.

A lot of musicians play by note, or scales, but I play by ear. I don't need anything when I play — just me and my guitar. I love playing. It's the
best
feeling in the world, and I’ve missed it.

After we put down the track, Otto
seems very satisfied. “Good. Now, let's put down a temporary voice, and then we'll record the rest of the music.” He flips a switch, and another room lights up.

Inside the room, there is yellow foam on the wall.
There is a single microphone in the room, and headphones are strung from the ceiling. It's not the most professional looking studio I've seen, but it's efficient. Once I'm inside and am situated, I signal at Otto, and he starts the track.

Time literally flies. Once I laid down my temporary voice, we finished the music. I got to play the drums, all the guitars, and the bass. Alec laid down a few piano tracks for me, but there
were
NO SPECIAL EFFECTS
. Just me. I have to admit,
just me
sounds pretty damn good.

After we laid down the music, I recorded the lead vocals, then the back up and harmony vocals. Between the Red Bull, and being so pumped about being in the studio, I didn't even realize it was late. Bridgett
is asleep on the couch, and Stephan is starting to nod off in the chair beside her. When I finish, it is nearly two in the morning.

“Ca
n I listen?” I ask Otto, excitingly.

“Tomorrow,” he promises. “I'm going to mix it. I don't want you to hear it until it's perfect.”

“That's okay,” Alec says before I can protest. “Our rock star has to get to bed. She has school tomorrow.”

I roll my eyes. “Don't remind me.”

Saturday, October 25

10:34 AM

Lazy days are the best.

The week passes in a blur, and I feel like a walking zombie at school for the most par
t…
But when I'm recording, I feel alive. I forgot just how much I missed playing music, and the fact that it’s actually
my music
makes it that much better.

I've laid down three tracks so far, and they sound
amazing
. I have to admit that Otto really knows his shit. And, I've learned, he has quite a sense of humor. Working with him is fun, and I will definitely record with him again.

Alec and Bridgett flew out late Friday night to go to LA. Alec has a meeting with his record label or something. I'm not sure why Bridgett went, but I sure
was glad to have a day of
f…
and to have the house to myself.

The camera crew was off for the weekend, which I couldn't be more thrilled about. A whole two days of not having to fix my hair, or make up!
When I wake up, I throw my hair up in a messy bun and put on a pair of green sweatpants and a pink tank top.

Lazy days are the best
. And I got to sleep in until almost eleven.
SCORE
.

I am lying on my couch, flipping through the channels, when I hear a voice.

“Nice hair.”

I look up to see Stephan smiling at me. He's been here so much that he doesn't knock anymore.
I want him to always feel welcome.

“I think I'm going to watch
Vampire Diaries
. They have it on Netflix. You know there is a vampire on the show named Stephan. I wonder if he's as hot as you.”

“I doubt it,” he says, sitting down beside me.

“Me too,” I agree.

“S
o…
we have the whole house to ourselves?”

“Yep.”

“So we don't have to worry about being quiet.”

I roll my eyes, and pretend to be annoyed.
I don’t want him to know his
dirty talk
turns me on. “Do you think about anything other than sex?”

“Who says I was talking about sex?”
He challenges me.

“Were
you?”

“Yes, definitely,” he confirms. “But that's not the point. You didn't
know
that I was talking about se
x…
Which means that you were thinking about it too.”

I throw my pillow at him. “
Vampire Diaries
or
Gossip Girl
. Take your pick.”

He groans. “If I'm forced to watch, I guess I'll go with
Vampire Diaries
.”

I push play. “Good choice.”

I cuddle up next to Stephan.

I quickly decide that my Stephan is way hotter than the one on
The Vampire Diaries
. I also decide that I'm
TEAM DAMON
. Vampire Stephan is way too boring. Besides that, Ian Somerhalder is pretty hot for an old dude. I would totally tap that. (You kno
w…
if
I wasn’t dating Stephan).

3:57 PM

You wish.

After watching a few episodes of
The Vampire Diaries
, Ethan comes over to hang out, so we decide to go surfing. While I still haven't mastered the art quite yet, I have managed to stand up on my board about five times, which is huge progress.

“So what did you and Mona talk about on Monday?” Ethan asks me as we are waiting on a wave. “She's been so quiet ever since you two ditched school.”

My eyes glance over at Stephan, whois now looking at me curiously. Why did I lie? Ug
h
…

“U
m…
” I look back at Ethan. “Just girl stuff. I'm sure if she wanted you to know what was said, she would tell you.”

“Why didn't you tell me, Scar? Is that why you were acting so weird on Monday?” Stephan asks.

“Yeah. I'm sorry. It's just Mona asked to talk to me. It was personal, and I promised that I wouldn't tell anybody. It's her business to tell.” It’s also Stephan's business. He has a right to know the truth. And I feel so guilty about keeping this from him. But I don't tell them that.

“Ok
ay,” Ethan accepts my answer, and paddles toward an oncoming wave. Stephan however is sitting there, looking at me like he's trying to figure me out.

“I'm sorry I can't tell you more.”

“I know there is something that you're not telling me, but I trust you. I know you'll do the right thing. If you ever need to talk, I'm here.”

And then Stephan has to go and say something like that. I want so badly to tell him, but I can't. It wouldn't be right. It's Mona's place to tell him.

Damn it, why did Mona have to tell me?

“This one is small, you should catch it,” Stephan urges me.

So we both paddle out together. I manage to stand up and am excited when I don't fall right away. But the shore is coming fast, and I've never actually ridden all the way in so I don't know what to do. As soon as my board hits the sand, I go flying forward. I land face first in the sand with my mouth open.

I hear Stephan and Ethan running up to me.

“Are you okay?” Ethan asks.

I pull my face out of the sand, and
start spitting the sand out of my mouth. When I do, Ethan and Stephan both laugh at me. I glare at them.

“No
t…
” I stop to spit. “Funny.”

They keep laughing. “Yes it is,” the
y both agree.

“I'm going to wash my mouth out and take a shower,” I say, storming past them.

“Oh, come on, Scarlett!” Stephan runs up beside me. “It was funny.”

I spit again. “Maybe it will be funnier once I get all of this sand off me.”

“Do you want help? I would be glad to assist you in the shower,” he offers.

I can't stay mad at Stephan long. “You wish.”

When I come out of the bathroom, Stephan is waiting for me in my bedroom. I'm only wearing my bra and a thong. I scream and try to cover myself up with my hands.

Stephan is topless from surfing, and he has on his blue swimming shorts. He looks good, and for a second, I'm almost distracted by the fact that I'm basically naked.

“What are you doing?”

“Oh, come on,” he smirks. “I just saw you in your bikini. Your bra and panties cover up more than it did.”

“My bikini wasn't a thong. Close your eyes,” I demand.

He does as I ask. I walk with my butt facing the wall on the way to my closet, and then I run inside. I put a short, white skirt, and a red lace tank top, and walk back into my bedroom.

“Did Ethan go home?” I ask Stephan.

“Yeah, I think he's going to Mona's house or something,” he answers. “Mind if I take a shower?”

I swallow hard. “Um, sure,” I say, trying not to sound affected.

Right before he walks into the bathroom, he turns around. “It's only fai
r…
” I'm about to ask him what he means, when he turns his back to me and pulls down his shorts. I only see his butt for a second before he walks into my bathroom.

I can't help but smile.

He has a nice ass.

6:51 PM

Wedding night

“Let's go on a date,” Stephan says when he walks out of the bathroom.

“Right now?” I ask.

“Yeah.”

“Okay. Where are we going to go?”

He thinks for a couple of seconds before responding. “Do you know how to play pool?”

I laugh. “I’m a rock star. Of course I know how to play pool. I am unbeatable.”

“
I highly doubt that, but let’s go.”

Ten minutes later, we pull up to “Marvin’s Tavern”. It’s a hole in the wall, which I like. Stephan pays for the table, and I rack up the balls.

“So is this just your excuse to watch me bend over?” I ask. I already know the answer.

He licks his lips suggestively and responds with a shrug. “Maybe.”

Thought so.
I grab a pool stick. “Do you want to break, or should I?”

He smirks. “Go ahead, Miss Expert Pool Player. Break away.”

I shoot the ball, knocking in two solid balls in the process. I look over at Stephan and I can’t help it, I gloat. “What was that you were saying about doubting me earlier?”

He rolls his eyes. “Are you going to gloat now?”

I nod. “Yes, yes I am. In fact, if we weren’t in a very public place right now, I would dance.”

“You’re annoying.”

I laugh. “You’re the one who asked me out.”

“A decision that I am already regretting,” he jokes.

We both laugh, and I can’t help but think that this feels like old times — Stephan teasing me. It’s how life is supposed to be. For the first time since Bridgett got sick, I feel normal again, and I realize that it’s Stephan.
He
is the only one who can make me feel this way.

“What are you thinking?”
he asks.

I’m thinking that
I’m in love with you
. But I don’t say it out loud. Instead I say, “Just imagining the look on your face when I beat you.” I bend over to shoot again and smile when I see Stephan checking me out from behind. I shoot the ball, and it goes in the pocket.

“I could watch you beat me all night. Se
riously. What an amazing view.”

I try to act annoyed, but the smile on my face deceives me. “Now I want to miss so it will be my turn to watch you.”

“I see that my master plan is working.”

“Master plan?” I question.

He puts his arms around my waist and leans down to whisper in my ear. “All I have to do is distract you.” He proceeds to kiss his way down my neck, and I shiver at the contact.

His plan is definitely working
.

“There is a problem with this plan of yours,” I inform him.

“And what’s that?” he asks between kisses.

“I can distract you too.”

He laughs. “Well, maybe that was my master plan all along, and I just told you the other plan was to distract you.”

“I’m confused.”

He kisses my neck again. “Maybe this is all part of my plan to seduce you.”

I turn around so I’m facing him. “You have a seduction plan?”

He nods.

“Please, elaborate.”

“It’s simple, really.” He pulls me closer, and says quietly, “I just get you so turned on that you are begging me to take you.”

I kiss him gently on the lips, and then whisper in his ear. “It’s not going to happen.” I then back away from him and proceed to shoot the ball. The whole time, my heart is beating so fast I feel like it could explode at any second. I have never been so turned on in my life, but I won’t tell him that.

“
You will break one day
,” he says confidently.

“Maybe, but maybe not. I’m a pretty strong
-willed person. I could make you wait until our wedding night.”

Stephan smiles. “Wedding night?”

Crap.
Did I just say that out loud
? Now would be a really great time for the floor to open up and swallow me whole. I turn away from him and try to think of something to say. I can feel the heat in my cheeks. Why, oh why, did I just say that?

“I’m sorry,” I finally speak. “I shouldn’t have said that. I didn’t mean to
imply that we were going to get married.”

“Scarlett, turn around,” he demands.

I turn around to see him standing directly in front of me. He puts his hands on the sides of my face, and tilts my head up so that I am looking at him.

“You’re really beautiful when you blush.”

My embarrassment is overpowered by happiness.

He kisses my cheek. “That’s better. Let’s just forget you said that.”

As always, Stephan knows exactly what to say to make me feel better. “Thank you.”

“Scarlett Montgomery
.” He nods approvingly. “I like it.”

“I thought we were forgetting I ever said anything,” I remind him.

“I was just testing it out, you know, for future reference.”

I shake my head. “Let’s just play.”

Stephan takes me home just after midnight, and he is a complete gentleman. He walks to me to my door, and gives me a goodnight kis
s…
The kiss isn’t forceful. It is a sweet, take my breath away kind of kiss. Then he tells me goodnight, and he goes home.