MANAGER. MUSIC MANAGER. KARLEE never considered herself doing such a thing. Karlee drifted around aimlessly and hung out for years feeling unsure of what to do with herself and how to spend her time. She was intelligent, sharp, and witty. She was tough and had no problem saying the hard things. That never bothered her. She refused to back down if she was right and could usually convince the opposition to accept her viewpoint. She won most of her arguments. Rob used to fling his hands up in defeat and admit, “Fine. You’re right. I don’t know how you always manage to be right, but…”
But yes, she usually was.
And on top of that, she knew the music business. This local, smaller audience was almost a yawn for her.
That was probably because no one could impress her and certainly not intimidate her. She was Rob Williams’ stepdaughter. Ha. What could possibly top that? Her very existence lifted her into a privileged status as a birthright.
The advantage? She had unique negotiation skills and confidence in her bargaining abilities. She had to employ everything she knew in every deal and booking she made for Xavier Moon.
Xavier started earning money. For once, it was enough to cover all their travel expenses, which were significant. They both were paid handsome salaries for their work. They explored and made love in all kinds of new cities and small towns, stopping at pretty portside villages and rural, densely forested areas, like in the shadow of Mt. Rainier or Mt. St. Helens. They followed the Columbia River, venturing out to the ocean to walk on pristine beaches and uncrowded places. They deliberately avoided Xavier’s hometown, taking the longer, more scenic route rather than traveling through Montesano. Karlee begged him to show it to her but he declined.
“I want to forget my past and how I lived before all this happened. That was before I knew how it felt to be loved by you and your family. So please, don’t make me remember things that are best left forgotten.”
In a rare mood, she acquiesced and strangled her own curiosity. There was nothing pleasant about his childhood or hometown and that was really what this was all about. That was the reason it was so important to Xavier that he make it in the business. That was what drove him to become so ambitious. It was also why Karlee and her family became so important to him.
Returning to her parents’ home, they were welcomed with hugs, kisses, long talks, home-made dinners and an overall sense of joy. Their unconditional care and concern often left Xavier speechless, and he even felt sheepish at times, although he loved it.
Rob seemed to be living vicariously through Xavier. They frequently stayed up until two or three AM, just the two of them talking in the living room long after Karlee and her mom trundled off to bed. They traded anecdotes about being on the road, and the crowds, the mishaps, and the mistakes. Laughing together and enjoying each other’s company, Karlee immediately suspected Rob was reliving his own past. But unlike Rob, alcohol wouldn’t tank Xavier’s career and he had no fear of Xavier drowning his potential in that kind of poison.
Karlee and Xavier never bothered to imbibe. Neither one of them cared much about it, so they rarely ordered cocktails.
Naturally, a few invites to private parties, or joining the crowd after hours at the club were regular options. Whenever drugs and alcohol were offered, however, Xavier and Karlee exchanged looks and politely declined. Holding hands, they both knew how to work the rooms and the new crowds while remaining sober. They were totally in sync with each other without any effort.
As the album’s official release started to approach, Xavier collected his team. He had producers, lawyers, handlers and schedulers. The only one he trusted, of course, was Karlee, who grew busier with so much responsibility and his incessant reliance on her for everything.
Rob asked Xavier if he wanted to tour with him and Zenith, saying they could perform together, but Xavier declined. “Someday maybe, if I ever make it,” he explained. “But as long as I’m dating your daughter, I can’t have you favoring me. I have to earn it or I’ll be marked forever as your bitch. You know what I mean?”
Rob’s gaze shone with respect. “I do know. And you’re right.”
“You’ve already given me so many chances that I can never begin to thank you enough.”
“To tell you the truth, I really don’t like touring anymore. It takes too much out of me and I did it for too many years. I sometimes make exceptions for certain performances or venues that I like or when it’s for a good cause. But what you’re gearing up for? No, thanks. I just don’t have it in me anymore. And honestly, I’m glad those days are over. We can still make music, new and old, and people still buy our albums. Sure, we’re on the decline, but Spencer and I accepted that already and we both welcomed the tradeoff. He’s raising four kids and his wife works insane hours, so he quite frankly doesn’t have the time.” Rob shook his head, grinning perhaps at the mental image of Spencer as a dad? Xavier wasn’t sure, but it seemed likely.
“Just be careful…” Xavier thought of how many dozens of conversations ended with Rob’s warning. Usually regarding Karlee. “I trust you with something I never thought I would trust anyone with: your fame and my daughter.”
Xavier smirked and replied, “You sound as if fame is Satan incarnate, on a mission to destroy all who approach it.”
“No. But fame is fickle and mean and monstrous. It’s a flame that can be fuel for warmth or a fan on a wildfire. It can. I know it could have killed me when I was your age, but as it turns out, I needed to experience alcoholism, losing a baby, and ruining my marriage. In my recovery, which has been going on for years, I worked other jobs, and met a single mother of three. We fell in love and only then was I capable of handling it. I was finally able to figure it out. So I actually envy you and your youthful advantage. But as always, I advise you to be careful.”
“That’s easy enough to do. I have Karlee. No bullshit allowed with Karlee.” Xavier smiled at Rob with genuine affection, thinking of her scowl at him the other night. A tall, hot, dark-haired woman attempted to pick him up by fluffing his hair with her hands and batting her doe-eyes at him with obvious intention. He ducked his head away from her grasping hands and quickly left, all but slapping her hands and her face for her impunity. Karlee raised her eyebrows until he firmly dismissed her and said to leave him alone.
“Yeah. Nothing ever gets under her skin. Not many people do either.”
“So you don’t need to worry about me. She is much better at taking care of herself than I could ever do. She actually takes care of me.”
Rob laughed and replied, “Then perhaps I should be wishing you luck.” His mouth sobered and he added, “I do wish you luck, Xavier. I really do. I think you’ve got it. You’re going to do it. Make it and do everything right. Without fucking everyone around you. And without damaging yourself and others. Without ruining it from excess pleasure-seeking that will take all the things you love away from you in a matter of months, or a few short years. All the love you now possess for the singing, creating, playing and performing belongs to your music. Concentrate on that for decades to come. Let the music be your guide.”
He listened to Rob. He wanted it so much and he was so close. They were almost finished producing the album. Most of the songs were written by Xavier and two were by Rob and Spencer. That was Rob’s decision because he didn’t want to snatch Xavier’s spotlight. After a heated discussion and intense debate over the singles they planned to release, there were no qualms about which ballad title would be the first: “Haunted Stars.” It was the obvious choice because it could rise the fastest and go the furthest. Everyone from the artists to the suits agreed, so it was unanimous. Rob had an uncanny ear for successful songs and his opinion mattered more than anyone else’s as far as Xavier was concerned.
Earlier that week, someone caught a photo of him and Karlee kissing just as he exited the stage of a popular comedy club that featured musical acts. The snapshot went viral in a matter of days. The idea that Rob Williams’ stepdaughter was dating a new singing sensation made it ripe for the press and gossip hounds, especially the social media sites. It was just salacious enough to share.
The nasty trolls went after Karlee too. They ripped Karlee to shreds, dissing the way she looked, dressed, and acted. She was called a cold bitch and an ice queen who preferred to stand like a spector in the wings, watching and controlling Xavier with her mind.
“God damn them. I never expected this.” Xavier tossed his phone down too hard but it bounced off the hotel bed harmlessly.
Drying her hair with a towel, Karlee shrugged. “Don’t go down any rabbit holes. There will always be a new one you haven’t read. Just let it be. Prove them wrong. The best revenge is living well. And as for me?” She shrugged and said, “Eh, who cares? I never get on the stage and since I never plan to, what the hell?”
“You knew it would happen.” Xavier stated.
“That I’d be ridiculed as the daughter-slash-girlfriend? Sure, I knew. Or that I’d be called a leech, a clinger and a user? Some people have speculated that I control you with mental telepathy. Whatever. Yes. Of course, I know. I had to watch it when it happened to my parents, which was most of my life.”
Edging forward, he grabbed her and kissed the top of her head. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she leaned into him, letting her head fall on his shoulder. He sighed and the sense of peace that her solid presence always provided for him made him smile. “Thank God for you,” he whispered before kissing her wet scalp again. Without moving, Karlee hugged him.
“Don’t waste too much time and energy on it. Okay?”
“I won’t. But I still have to get used to it.”
“Try harder. You will. Believe me.” She lifted her head and smiled. “Now we have an interview to go to.”
It was with a local magazine writer. Xavier grumbled, “They make me more nervous than anyone else.”
“If you come across all sheepish and kind, interesting and mysterious, you’ll do fine. Believe me, you got this.”
He shook his head. “I just want to sing and make money.”
She snickered. “That’s cute. Like any job is comprised of only what you want to do. It’s never that. It’s always a blend of good and bad. Marketing plays a huge part in the fine arts. Look at it this way, music, painting, sculpting, drawing, acting, and writing are all some version of entertainment for people. The crowds and genres vary of course, but at the bones and the core, it’s all the result of marketing. You have to sell images to people of the things or experiences that can enhance and enrich their lives. The things that make their days brighter and go beyond work and pure survival. You’re still finding your niche, but you will soon know your target audience and then you can throw everything you’ve got at your disposal to sell your name to those same people. Shining the spotlight on you and your music will naturally convince a few to like it and in no time, they’ll have to buy it. As with all art, one must cast a huge net to sell enough product to make any money. The royalties you get from your songs will be only a tiny profit to you per unit. So it requires huge sales for you to earn the money I imagine you’re thinking about making.”
He blinked, then simply cracked up. “Have I told you how horny you make me when you talk like that?”
Tilting her head, she scoffed and dropped her towel. Then she turned over and said with a seductive smile, “Well, your marketing appointment awaits us, so I guess you’ll just have to be horny when you go to it.”
He groaned in mock despair, visibly entranced by her tiny, naked butt and the way her back tapered into the gentle slope of her shoulders. He whistled. “Well, that was definitely worth the view.”
They showed up for the magazine interview. Several more followed in the coming days. Some were written in magazines and others were aired on the radio and TV. As they toured the local states and performed for larger and larger audiences, the buzz about them grew rapidly. Maybe it was due to Karlee’s ties to Zenith. She shrugged it off. “Gotta use whatever we can. Cast a wide net, you get a lot more of everything. Anything that boosts your name into the subconscious minds of the public is a gift. You’re dating the daughter of a legend, so we have to capitalize on that.”
Smirking at her retort, Xavier knew it literally meant zilch to her. How could he not admire someone who so thoroughly didn’t give a flying fuck what anyone thought of her? Other people’s opinions were irrelevant to Karlee and in no way determined who she was or her mindset. Her sense of confidence and validity existed without being a rock star’s daughter, and she was practically unscathed by it.
Xavier hoped her future as a rock star’s girlfriend left her unaffected. In the beginning, that particular problem never came up. Now, he saw how his world involved her in ways she never experienced before. But he had complete faith that Karlee could handle anything.
And thrive.
Karlee was already his rock, his rainbow and everything that lay between.
“Do you ever get used to it?” Karlee asked her mom the question she hated the most but she wanted some advice.
Rebecca was at another gathering for Rob. He was playing at a local Seattle club, one that Zenith was known for. Dozens of groupies surrounded him. Even now! Karlee stepped back and evaluated her stepdad as neutrally as she could. Ignoring the fact that he was just her damn dad, how old did he look to her? Definitely not fifty. He didn’t act fifty either. Not even remotely. His hair was still dark, and slightly peppered with gray. She expected he’d only get more gorgeous when it became all silver. His hair was still thick and shiny. His facial hair varied according to his mood but now there was none. His sleeves of tattoos, and style, and physical demeanor transported him far from the world in which they actually lived.
Karlee thought of her mom’s prim, ordinary lifestyle and daily routine.
Xavier wasn’t there tonight. A sore throat kept him in bed for a few days and he tried to catch up on his rest. Karlee came along primarily to witness her mother’s role, one she was also stepping into. She’d been aware since the age of six when Rebecca married Rob, that he was a famous rock star. For a little girl, it was just another fact of her life. Nothing extraordinary. No stigma or burning curiosity about it. As her understanding grew, she sometimes found it amusing. She never considered the emotional toll on her mom, especially when Rob got mobbed by sexy, young, gorgeous women and girls. They offered him anything he asked of them. Karlee never considered the difficulty in keeping a marriage intact. Jealousy, insecurity, and miscommunication had no place in their situation.
Karlee tried to imagine how hard it was to be ordinary under such circumstances.
The side the public did not seek. The one they stared at with open hostility and disdain. Sneers and eye-rolling when the familiar question was demanded: what could she possibly have that would capture the interest of a rock star?
Her mom smiled at her. “The adulation? The fans? The fawning women? Is that what you’re asking me?”
“I know we’ve discussed it before but I never fully grasped it.” She smiled and stared downwards. “It was so obvious that Rob loves and adores you. And why wouldn’t he? You are adorable. Wonderful. Funny. Talented. You guys are better together than apart, like peanut butter and jelly. Sometimes I have to stop to realize it’s Rob who gets all that attention.” She made a face as she pointed at him signing autographs and taking pictures with girls her own age. “I still struggle to see him as an idolized rock star. In the context of our house and when he’s interacting with us, it’s all so average and normal, I really can’t think of how…”
“How I could be enough to satisfy him?” Her mom slipped her arm through Karlee’s. “Because I just am. That’s my daily pep talk. I have to trust him. I give all my trust to him and he knows I mean it. He could cheat on me without me ever knowing. Look…” Rebecca waved at the women surrounding him. “And this is nothing compared to a decade ago. The world tours. The packed stadiums. The endless parade of women. Naked breasts as pert and beautiful as the mountains in spring were often tossed right into his face when he performed and they still are. He’s also had women’s panties tossed at him. I have to believe he loves me too much to cheat and I still do. Plus, have you seen how he looks at me? Even after all these years? That’s why I trust him. Stupid women and girls who think they can steal his affection. What do they know of his sense of humor? Or his loyalty to me and you girls?”
Karlee nodded. “I know that. But being you is especially difficult and different.”
Her mom tugged her into a hug and then released her. “I know. I was stressed from the start when I worried that this could become your path too. I never dreamed it would be. Not in a million years. I sometimes have to shake my head to realize this is our new reality. Xavier is this generation’s version of Rob. And you dating him is ironic since you’re so much like me.”
“Did he ever cheat on you?”
“No.”
“Was he ever tempted to?”
Rebecca’s shoulders shrugged. “I don’t believe so. I’m sure he notices lots of beautiful women because some are just too spectacular to ignore. But he always comes home at night. That’s enough for me.”
“Because you’re the only real person he knows,” Karlee muttered.
“I hope so. It’s a decision, hon. One we both make every day. Not just him.”
Karlee smiled and asked, “And what about all the articles and nasty bloggers that insist on tearing apart every outfit, strand of hair, and plain feature about you? How do you manage to ignore all that stuff?”
“You mean being called pasty-faced, with ugly freckles, freakish red hair, old, matronly, motherly and other cruel descriptions? I know it’s a bitter pill to swallow. The worst part of living with someone famous. I’ll never scoff at you about that. It’s just hard, honey. It’s a hard path to tread but you agree to it when you become involved in that kind of a relationship. It’s about the toughest part to accept. So if you choose that path with Xavier, make sure he’s worth it. He better be making the same choice, otherwise…” Rebecca waved at the gawking women again.
Karlee looked over and Rob seemed to sense them. His gaze lifted and he looked around until he found them. Seeing her mother, Karlee didn’t miss the small, personal, sexy smile Rob gave to Rebecca. She glanced up to find her mom pressing her lips together with a little head nod and smile. Karlee never appreciated her mother’s sex appeal because, you know, parents and sex are a cringe-worthy image. But their connection was so obvious and real that all the other women melted away. They disappeared. They ceased to exist.
“Don’t forget he’s all yours. He adores you. He picked you. They might want him but he wants you… and that’s pretty potent. It goes a long way as a balm to all the hardships and trials that come up.”
Karlee failed to stifle the outright laugh that escaped her. “Like you can lord it over them all… just quietly?”
“Yep. And, oh hell, yes, I do that. And there is nothing sexier than watching him perform and seeing the crowd’s reaction as they idolize him before we go home. Home being where I get to insist he make dinner, or do the dishes, or simply watch TV with our daughters. Those are the perks of such extremes. Home versus the freaking world.”
“I never knew you liked it so much.”
Her mom smiled and nodded. “I do now more than when you were young. I worried about its effects on your lives. The body guards’ constant presence and finding ways to encourage your social lives. But there were plenty of times when I loved it. You fell into this by an accident of fate. I know that. You also fell in love. I saw Xavier fall for you. He fell pretty hard. Harder than you did for him—”
“I’m not so sure about that.”
“I am.” Rebecca shrugged. “It was obvious how clueless he was. You’re young and you have no kids, so it’s okay to live it. And enjoy it. It’s exciting to share an adventure. You aren’t leaving anyone, like I had to leave you girls. You aren’t a mother so there is nothing holding you back. Go, baby. Be part of his journey if it’s what you want. Be smart. Stay safe. Don’t get so caught up that you’re crazy, but you can live it and love it even sometimes.”
Startled, Karlee’s eyes got as big as saucers as she gaped at her mom’s words. “I never pictured you telling me such things.”
“But I mean every word of them. Have fun. Live large. Don’t get hurt. But do it. I would have if I met Rob the way you met Xavier.”
“But we’re not like those girls. The divas and groupies and super fans.”
“No. We’re the ones the stars choose to come home to. So…” She shrugged, lifting her eyebrows with a smile. She appeared so superior and seductive, unlike Karlee’s usual impression of her mother. The kinship and respect she felt for Rebecca was never to this level before. Not with her own mother. Adult woman to adult woman. Damn. It felt different. New and strange. But totally awesome.
“They do, don’t they?”
“Damn straight.” Rebecca let out a laugh and Karlee joined in.
She threw herself against her mom, hugging her tightly. “Thank you. For not interfering with Xavier when the signs pointed to this. For not cutting me off from him. I might have listened. And thanks for trusting me to do this. Most parents would freak out over it and scare their kids in desperation instead of offering them advice and support. But this is everything I never knew I wanted. I want to be with him when it happens and that surprises me. But thank you for not hindering me. If you had disapproved or laid a guilt trip on me, I doubt I would have rebelled, no matter how big I might talk. I’m—”
“What, honey?”
“I’m pretty happy. Excited. I can’t wait to see what happens next and where we might go. I’m freaking good at managing his affairs and we’re having so much fun together. I thought it would be dreadful. Something I had to get through. Like Rob’s fame and career affected us. But being Xavier’s partner in this is very different and I love it.”
Rebecca grinned. “I understand. So live it. Embrace it.”
Karlee turned toward the crowds and something huge swelled in her heart. Had she finally found something meaningful to do? Something she loved? In the same industry she thought she disdained and resented? It wasn’t taking Xavier from her; it seemed to be pushing him toward her as she helped him succeed.
Reassured by her mother’s words, she finally decided it was okay to continue dating a freaking wannabe, up-and-coming rock singer who looked a lot like her stepdad. Now that she was increasingly becoming his most important sidekick, she was relieved.
She wanted this. It was finally okay to admit it and embrace it. And grow excited over it.
The first time Xavier heard from his useless, asshole, son of a bitch father, he ignored the text, and it went unanswered. So did the next ten that he sent. Xavier really detested the horrible man. He had no intention of ever seeing his family home again. He had no family. Nothing. Never. He had to raise himself. His mistakes were numerous but he did so much better than his pig of a father did. The man charged him rent to sleep on a filthy couch. He also had to pay for the food his father was legally required to provide for Xavier as a minor. The old bastard was cheap, mean and stingy. He beat Xavier for unwarranted punishment. His constant neglect was a trauma to Xavier that left him feeling stranded, hungry, ignored, and emotionally alone.
The bastard got wind that Xavier was making his splash around the area, so he decided to locate Xavier. Holding his hand out in order to get some of it was his basic plan. Xavier blocked him on his phone and let it die there. He had nothing for him anyway. Xavier had no father. He was an orphan. If his fame kept growing and his dream came true, the ensuing buzz would no doubt draw more attention his way. Eventually, some industrious music reporter would find the angle on him, and get the dirt on his father. Great. But Xavier had no comment; let his father’s demeanor speak for itself.
Luckily, he was done with him for good.
The album was scheduled for release in four months, but they insisted on circulating five separate singles beforehand. The model of releasing increased content over time instead of one big splash was gaining traction with the sponsors. Only an established artist could drop a secret album overnight and receive a huge wave of support. They released Xavier Moon’s album with a slow stream of only one song per month. Their intention was for all the streaming platforms to take notice long before the actual album was released.
The promotional work was successful. The photos and write-ups showed up everywhere. Some came from the backing of the label, but most of it was owing to Karlee’s hard work. She knew what made Zenith skyrocket and saw how much it changed in the fourteen years since Zenith attained success until now.
Xavier’s intrigue was building. Attention was being drawn to the mysterious Xavier Moon. He was rapidly attracting a loyal following. Karlee saw signs that the fans would be extremely rabid and possessive toward him. That meant he struck a chord with a huge slice of the population. That meant a huge break. That meant a chance to completely revolutionize the industry with his version of the music scape, reflecting Xavier’s life.
It was about to happen. Karlee tingled with anticipation. It was destined to be. That insane, epic adventure was just about to take off and become the wildest, most wonderful experience of both of their lives. Together, they were prepared for it all to happen.