Out Of Place (Face the Music Book 2) (22 page)

He glanced at the little blond boy who was the ring bearer. They hadn’t been introduced yet. That would happen today. That was a little more nerve-racking than being at the wedding—which had started late.

He’d expected that. What he hadn’t expected was to recognise the bride. She was the busy rep from the radio station. He doubted that she’d recognise him, as she’d barely had time for him and Gemma. They weren’t big enough stars.

The service ended. Rhys stood up. “I have to appear in some family photos. Are you getting some with Oli?”

Ed raised his eyebrows at the nickname. “I don’t think so…I’m not really…” he was the spare dick at the wedding, why had he agreed to this?

“You’re here. She’s here and Jules’s rich husband is paying. You’re drinking the top shelf with me ‘cause I need a partner in crime and Shaun’s buddies are too sensible. Today you’re family.” Rhys slung his arm around Ed’s shoulder. “You were brave enough to attend, you get the perks and Olivia told me to make sure you had a good time.”

Olivia had told him much the same thing. Rhys had been in Europe for the last year and didn’t know anyone except family, and he wouldn’t want to hang out with his aunts and uncles or Shaun’s fancy friends. Having already met a few, he understood exactly what Olivia had meant.

“You’re angling for free tickets.” Rhys had already worked it out. As they’d waited for Julie he’d turned in his seat and said that he’d seen Selling the Sun play last summer. It must have been one of the album launch gigs.

“I’m offended and grateful.” Rhys grinned.

The photos took another hour and he did manage to have a couple taken with Olivia. It felt kind of strange. Like he couldn’t breathe properly when he put his arms around her. They were all dressed up for someone else’s wedding but for a moment it was like he’d stepped through a mirror and into an alternate life, or was glimpsing a possible future.

He hadn’t wanted to let her go. He’d also realised that she had no underwear on. Nothing. She’d whispered something about refusing to be a sausage when his hand had slid over her butt. The dress was ankle-length so nothing was going to accidentally show…but it was a thought he hadn’t been able to shake.

It wasn’t until after the meal and the dancing started that he was actually able to be with her. He walked up to the table and asked her to dance. This time there were no handcuffs involved and he wasn’t concerned that she’d bolt—although she looked ready to leave the bridal party table.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me, Olivia?” The sister smiled, but Ed saw through it. He’d met people like her before, all smiles and daggers.

Olivia drew in a breath, as if trying to draw up strength. It wasn’t the first time he’d seen her struggle with her sister today. Being an observer and listening to Rhys talk had given him an insight into the family.

“Julie, this is Ed, my date.”

Nah…he wasn’t going to let Julie off that easily. She’d been making Olivia’s life hell and obviously hadn’t let up for the wedding, probably because he was here. He put out his hand and plastered on his best suck-ass smile. “Ed Vincent. We met at the radio station a couple of weeks ago.”

Where was the photographer when you needed him?

Julie’s face went from smug to realisation in a couple of seconds. Now she knew who he was. He may not be that famous…but right then it was enough.

Julie looked at Olivia. “You’re dating a rock star?”

Those words had never sounded sweeter.

Olivia smiled at him. “Yeah, I am.”

Thanks for reading
Out of Place
. I hope you enjoyed it.

If you’d like to know more about me, my books, or to connect with me online, you can visit my webpage
shonahusk.com
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@ShonaHusk
, or like my Facebook page
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www.escapepublishing.com.au

Reviews can help readers find books, and I am grateful for all honest reviews. Thank you for taking the time to let others know what you’ve read, and what you thought.

You’ve just read a book in my
Face the Music
series. The other books in this series are
Out of Rhythm
(more info over the page),
Out of Time
and
Out of Chances
(coming later in 2015).

If you liked this book, here are my other books
Secret Confessions—Sydney Housewives: Meagan
.

This book was published by Escape Publishing. If you’d like to sample some more great books from my fellow Escape Artists, please turn the page.

Out of Rhythm

Shona Husk

‘With fun, authentic characters, sexual tension that leaves you on tenterhooks, and wonderful world building, Shona Husk is an awesomely talented Australian writer and it’s fantastic to read rock star romances set here at home.’

Kylie Scott, author of the
Stage Dive
series.

They might be one of the hottest up-and-coming bands in Australia, but the members of Selling the Sun have a lot to learn about life, love, sex and each other.

Coming off a successful Australian tour and prestigious industry award nominations, Gemma Field’s life should be perfect. Instead her parents want her to get a real job, the second album isn’t coming together, and her best friend, Kirsten wants nothing to do with her.

Falling for her best friend was never going to make life easy. After an almost accidental drunken kiss almost six months ago, they aren’t even talking. Gemma can’t even talk about it with anyone – not her family, not her bandmates, not even the one person she used to share everything with. Instead she lives in a space of indecision and pain, and it’s affecting all aspects of her life, including the band.

Kirsten Vincent missed Gemma like crazy, but did she miss her as a friend or as something more? She’s confused and Gemma is hurt, and the consequences of a bad decision will affect more than their personal lives. Will another kiss, a sober kiss, a kiss with intent, do more damage, or could it be the start of something more?

Face the Music Book One

Unstitched

Jacquie Underdown

A new adult story about what happens when you meet the perfect guy at the worst possible time.

Anthea has loved him since her earliest memory, but she has no idea who he is, or if he even exists. But her heart belongs to him, and no one else can ever take his place. That is until she stumbles into Lucas, lead singer of Perennial. He is sexy as hell, passionate, and, most importantly, knows the answers to questions that Anthea has always had.

Lucas knows he is different from other guys – but Anthea is different to other girls. He is drawn to her, craves her, needs her. He also has secrets, secrets that will tear Anthea apart. He needs to share them, but to share them could end their relationship, and Lucas isn’t willing to take that risk. But secrets have a way of coming out, and Lucas can’t stay forever.

Theirs is a passion that is meant to last forever, but time isn’t always quite so linear…

Treasured Secrets

Kendall Talbot

From Romantic Book of the Year winner Kendall Talbot comes an adrenaline-fuelled new series with sexy characters, exotic locations, and action-packed adventure.

The last place Rosalina expected the clue to a 700-year-old mystery to lead is back into the arms of Archer, the one man who broke her heart. But neither can solve the puzzle without the other, so together they set off on a new adventure, weaving from Tuscany’s underbelly to Archer’s luxurious yacht in the Greek Islands, trying to ignore the sparks that still fly unhindered between them.

Archer desperately wants to salvage the relationship he shattered years before, but fighting for Rosalina’s love soon takes a back seat to fighting for their lives. They aren’t the only one on the trail for the treasure, and their competition isn’t bothered by ethics and morals to achieve their goals. With evil close on their trail, and Archer wrestling with the remnants of a childhood tragedy, Rosalina begins to wonder if perhaps there are some secrets that were never meant to be revealed.

Miracle In March

Juliet Madison

A new Tarrin’s Bay novel from best-selling author Juliet Madison. She took a break from real life, and found what she didn’t know she was looking for.

Emma had plans, travel plans, going-far-away plans, but her family means everything to her, so when they needed help, she was there to deliver it. Running the family business of beachside cabins in Tarrin’s Bay might not be the same as the French Riviera, but Emma finds a certain level of peace in the beautiful setting and small town community.

But when she finds that her ex-boyfriend, a man she left behind without explanation, staying in one of the cabins, her peace is ruined. She knows the only way to get it back is to share the secret she’s been hiding for five years, and admit to him the limitations that she now carries. But James has his own truths to share, and he’s not the man that Emma once knew.

They are both in very different places than before, but it’s a time for renewal and second chances when their reunion brings secrets to the surface, dreams to be remembered, and the realisation that they are both in need of a little miracle.