Superstar Read online

  Superstar

  Roslyn Hardy Holcomb

  roslynhardyholcomb.com

  Superstar

  Smashwords Edition Copyright May 2014 Roslyn Hardy Holcomb

  All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the original purchaser of this e-book only. No part of this e-book may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any printed or electronic form without prior written permission from Roslyn Hardy Holcomb.

  Cover Artist: Whit Holcomb

  This e-book is a work of fiction. Though it might refer to historical events and actual places might be mentioned, the names, characters, places and incidents are either made up by the author or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, or locales is completely coincidental.

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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  Chapter One

  Thad opened the door of the art gallery and took a quick peek inside. Just as he suspected, it was crowded as only these celebrity bashes could be. So many people in glittery formal wear it dazzled his eyes. After a moment’s hesitation he walked through the door. Under normal circumstances he wouldn’t even consider coming to such an event, but his bandmate’s wife was throwing the book release party for her best friend. There was no question of being a no-show. She’d have his head. He had no delusions that he was invited for his sparkling personality; celebrity presence meant media attention, and media attention would help her friend sell books.

  He looked around, admiring the way the white walls of the gallery, which were designed to frame the priciest art in the city, seemed to do the same for some of the most famous people in the country. Bryan, lead singer for his band, Storm Crow, was playing an acoustic set in an alcove and much of the crowd had migrated in that direction. It didn’t take him long to locate Callie and her best friend Tonya, they were standing back a bit from the crush of the crowd. Callie was hugely pregnant and wearing a drapey dress that made her look like an earth goddess. Tonya’s dress was closer fitting and showed off her elegant figure in a way that definitely got his attention. As if that was necessary. He knew everyone thought he had a crush on Tonya and he supposed he did. Certainly if he thought he had a chance at all, he would’ve made a play for her long ago. Unfortunately like everyone else she still saw him as the gangly boy who joined a rock band when he was much too young. He’d once hoped she’d want to be play Demi Moore to his Ashton Kutcher, but that had never happened. What they had was a mild flirtation that they both enjoyed. The kind you have when you know things will never go any further. Damn. He made his way toward them. The sooner he let Callie know he was there the sooner he could leave.

  “Hi, Thad,” Callie said as she gave him a hug, at least as much of one as she could manage considering the size of her belly. “You’re looking good. So glad you could make it.”

  “You knew I wouldn’t miss it,” he said to Callie, watching Tonya. She was always beautiful, but tonight her face was lit up with excitement, her cheeks flushed a dusky hue. But her eyes were troubled. He wondered what was going on.

  Tonya extended a hand and he used it to pull her into his embrace.

  “Congratulations,” he said, pausing to inhale her fragrance. She always smelled wonderful, like warm a warm sunny day. He wondered if it was some delicious fragrance, but suspected it was just her.

  “Thank you, and thank you for coming,” Tonya said.

  Thad had only been with them for a moment when a buzz started across the football stadium sized room.

  “Isn’t that Sioux Dupree over there?” he asked, pointing to the young pop star whose wild mane of cherry Coke colored hair made her stand out even in this crowd.

  Tonya looked at Callie. “What on earth is she doing here? For that matter what’s she doing out of rehab?”

  Callie laughed. “Supposedly she’s been clean for a while. She’s taken to following Storm Crow around. I think she wants to collaborate with them. Maybe open for the next tour.”

  “Say what? Her music is nothing like Storm Crow’s,” Tonya said, a frown marring her smooth brow.

  “Apparently she has a new sound or gig or something. I don’t know all that much about it. Bryan won’t talk to her, which is why she’s following him around,” Callie said with a dismissive shrug.

  “You’re the only woman I know who wouldn’t worry about a beautiful young pop star following her husband around,” Tonya said.

  “Bryan could’ve had a pop star each day of the week and two on Sunday if he wanted. He chose me instead. I’ve got nothing to worry about. Come on, I’ve got more people for you to meet,” Callie said.

  Their conversation was relegated to the background as Thad became aware that Sioux was making her way toward them. And if she was coming to him she could want only one thing.

  “Hi Thad,” Sioux said as she turned him away from Callie and Tonya. He paused as a brief frisson of awareness sizzled along his skin where her wildly tousled hair brushed over his bare arm. She looked good tonight, her short cream-colored leather skirt showed off her toned legs to their advantage while the bright orange halter-top did the same for her arms and shoulders. The color radiated like a jewel against her sienna hued skin. Her hair was wild and free tonight, almost overwhelming the daintiness of her heart shaped face.

  Thad sighed as he looked down at the petite singer. “He’s not going to talk to you. You really need to stop stalking him this way.”

  “He’ll talk to me if you come with me,” she said, looking up at him with luminous brown eyes. Thad shook his head. Surely she wasn’t crying. He’d never understand her obsession with his band.

  “Nope, he’ll just be pissed at me, too,” Thad said.

  “Come on, Thad. I promise it won’t take more than a minute,” she said her eyes becoming impossibly more doe-like.

  Thad sighed. They’d been here before. He knew the persistent little manipulator wouldn’t leave him alone until he did as she asked. He waved goodbye to Tonya and Callie and took off with Sioux close on his heels. He weaved his way through the crowd with Sioux behind him until they finally reached the alcove where Bryan was playing. Bryan sat in a straight back chair, his favorite Fender Mustang guitar on his knee as he strummed one of the lullaby songs off their new album. As always he had the crowd transfixed and almost silent. He and Sioux stood back until he finished the song. Though he had collaborated on the song and usually played lead something about the way Bryan sang it tugged at his heart. He could just envision the devoted father rocking one of his beloved babies to sleep to the tune. When it became apparent the other man was taking a break and the crowd began to drift away Thad walked over to him.

  “Hey Bryan, you got a minute?”

  Bryan’s smile immediately evaporated when he saw whom Thad had with him.

  “Sioux. Thad, how’s it going?” Bryan said with a wary glance.

  Sioux’s smile lit up her elfin face. “Hi Bryan. Wondered if you listened to that demo I sent you.”

  Bryan looked up at the ceiling. “I told you, we don’t need another opening act on this tour.”

  “I know you already announced Crystal Clear. I was just thinking that maybe I could do a couple shows, just here in the States,” Sioux said.

  “Tell you what, why don’t you talk to our manager, B.T.?” Bryan suggested. “Look, I need to take a smoke break.”

  Sioux p
ractically jumped out of her skin in excitement while Thad stared in astonishment at Bryan’s rapidly retreating back as the other man headed toward the exit doors.

  “Did you hear what he said?” she asked grabbing his arm.

  “Don’t get too excited, Sioux, Bryan probably told B.T. to give you the brush-off.”

  “Why would you say that?”

  “Well for one thing, Bryan doesn’t smoke,” Thad said and then he sucked his teeth in annoyance. The way her face fell made him feel as though he’d kicked a puppy. “Sioux, why are you doing this?”

  “I’ve always wanted to open for Storm Crow.”

  “You were in the biggest girl band of the past decade. Now you want to be an opening act? It makes no sense. Besides, didn’t you give up music?”

  “After my last trip to rehab, you mean?” she asked looking into his eyes with a directness that belied her pop princess reputation.

  “Well yeah.”

  “I haven’t given up music. I gave up being Sioux Dupree.”

  Thad frowned. “Wait. Isn’t that who you are? If you’re not Sioux Dupree who are you going to be?”

  “I’m going to be me, but not her anymore. You know the whole stage person. Designer clothes. Huge entourages. That whole thing. That’s not me anymore. I don’t think it ever was.”

  Thad frowned, thought about exploring the subject further, then decided to leave that topic alone. He was less likely to end the conversation wanting to jump off the nearest bridge. When dealing with Sioux the crazy could sometimes get that deep.

  “I’m thirsty,” he said when he spied a bar not far from the alcove. Sioux walked with him over to the bar where he ordered his favorite beer while she sipped on a sparkling water. “So do you need the money, or what?” he asked.

  “Anyone ever tell you you’re too blunt?” she asked with another pointed look.

  “Sure. But it’s the best way to find out what I want to know.”

  “No. I don’t need the money. I was with Honeychile for most of my life. I made a ton of money and my dad took good care of it. And me.”

  “Did he really?” He couldn’t keep the skepticism out of his voice.

  “No child star horror story here --well other than the obvious one. Yes, I’m a drug addict. Yes, I crashed and burned rather spectacularly and my parents shipped my strung out ass off to rehab and kept doing it until it took. But no, money is not a problem for me and never will be. I’ve got more than enough for the rest of my life.”

  “So, what’s up with stalking Bryan? Other than the obvious, I mean.”

  She leaned against one of the large concrete pillars that were scattered throughout the former warehouse. Even whitewashed, they gave a gritty edge to the stark white space. Sioux pursed her lips. “I always wanted to play rock music. And I always loved Storm Crow. I learned to play listening to Storm Crow and would practice every chord, every note to the point that my parents would hide my guitar just to get a break from the noise. Your posters are all over my room. I have whole libraries full of Storm Crow Fake Books.”

  “So why didn’t you? Play rock, I mean.” He’d known this woman for two or three years, but had never known she wanted to be a rock musician. It was like that every time he saw her. He always discovered something new. He couldn’t help but be fascinated by the layers.

  “My dad. You know Honeychile was his third group, right?” Thad nodded and she continued, “Well, when I told him I wanted to sing, he said he could make me a star of a girl group, but he didn’t think he could make me a rock star. And that was that.”

  “Your dad made you be in Honeychile?” he asked. Against his will, his mouth turned down in distaste. He’d met lots of stage parents over the years and almost all of them were abusive jerks screwing up their kids’ lives to make a comfortable living for themselves.

  “No. No. That’s not how it was. I was a kid. I wanted to be a star. I didn’t want to bang around playing little clubs and coffee houses. I wanted what my mama had. Huge arenas. Glamorous gowns. Magazine covers. Lights. Entourage. I guess I thought I’d let them down by wanting to be a grungy rocker. Hell I don’t know what I wanted,” she said shaking her head.

  “I guess not. You were what, twelve?” he asked.

  “Ten when I started singing with Honeychile. Twelve when we won Sing. Sing. Sing.”

  “Yeah, I was eighteen when I auditioned for the band. I can see why it would be crazy at ten. What were your folks thinking?”

  “You can’t really blame them. My mama did the same thing and she was fine. Her parents did push her to be a star. They were dirt poor, though and her talent was all they had. My mama knew how it felt to be pushed and she didn’t want that for me, so they didn’t do it. They didn’t do it at all. They’re good parents, I was just fucked in the head. Me being an addict had nothing to do with Honeychile. Well besides, giving me access to more money than was good for me, of course.”

  Thad gave her a long considering look. For the first time he realized just how lost she was. The wistfulness in her tone was surprising coming from someone who had achieved superstardom on an unprecedented scale.

  “So what are you going to do now?” he asked, not sure he wanted to know the answer.

  “The only thing I can do. Sing.”

  ***

  Chapter Two

  Four Months Later

  “Do tell me B.T., what part of fuck no are you having difficulty comprehending?” Bryan snarled.

  Thad sighed as he walked into the rehearsal studio wondering what Bryan and B.T., their flamboyant manager, were fighting about now. Not that it really mattered. It was always something. It was just past nine in the morning and it was already indescribably hot outside, but the studio was chilled to a temperature generally reserved for morgues. The room was small, especially by L.A. standards, but the acoustics were exquisite and the electronics were the best to be had. Storm Crow had been using the facility since its inception and were loathe to practice or record elsewhere, even if the gray egg carton walls and cork floors had seen better days.

  “I understand perfectly well what you’re saying, guys. I just want y’all to seriously consider it,” B.T. said.

  “We’ve thought about it old man, we simply don’t want that young lady on the tour,” Jon said in his usual soft voice. “She’s seriously bad news and would harsh the hell out of our mellow.”

  “And we don’t appreciate the way you leaked the story to the media,” Twist added.

  Thad dropped his bag next to his guitar. Of course, they were fighting about Sioux Dupree. He was pretty pissed about that too.

  “I didn’t--” B.T. started.

  “Don’t lie!” all four band members said in unison before their manager could complete the denial.

  “Guys, I’m just saying we’re beginning the North American leg of the tour and our opening act is down with the flu. Sioux Dupree is ready and eager to open for you. What could it hurt?” B.T. said. Somehow the earnest expression looked out of place on his face. Thad wondered about that. Their crafty manager used to be much better at playing sincere.

  “What could it hurt?” Bryan bellowed. “That woman is nothing but trouble. It’ll only be a matter of time before she’s back in rehab. I’ve been in business with a junkie before. I have no interest in doing it again. We don’t need an opening act. We can go on without one,” Bryan said.

  “It’s not the same. She’s an opening act, not a part of the band. You’re not going into business with her. Besides you don’t even know her Bryan,” B.T. insisted.

  “She’s been stalking me for years. She tried to give me a blowjob at the VMAs and she was just a teenager then. God only knows what she’s up to now.”

  Thad sucked in a deep breath and raised his brows. This was news to him. He’d known Sioux for a while and she’d never mentioned this. Swear to God the woman was like peeling an onion. Despite himself, he felt an emotion he immediately recognized as jealousy. Jealousy? He’d never looked at her tha
t way before. Well, that was a lie. It was impossible not to see her as the beautiful glamorous woman she was, but it wasn’t like he had any kind of relationship with her. He shook his head and refocused on the conversation.

  “Well, did you take her up on it?” Thad wished the words back before they even left his mouth. Why the hell had he asked that? In all honesty he didn’t want to know, and it wasn’t like it was any of his business.

  Bryan stared at him as though he’d grown another head. “Of course not. She was a kid, besides I let that groupie shit go a long time ago. I took her back to her mother. She was so fucking wasted she probably doesn’t even remember it.”

  Thad ignored the sigh of relief that welled up in his chest as B.T. returned to the conversation. “She’s clean now. Hasn’t used in a couple of years. She needs a comeback.”

  “I’m sure she does, but not in my band. How the hell did you get caught up with her anyway? I knew she’d got her claws into Thad…”

  Thad shifted restlessly under Bryan’s bright blue gaze. “That’s not true,” he interrupted, annoyed by all the speculation in the media about him and the former pop superstar. “I’ve seen her at a few parties and we’ve hung out, but it’s not like we’re dating or anything. She’s tried to get me to help her get to you, Bryan.”

  Bryan rolled his eyes.

  “Not sexually, at least as far as I can tell. She wants to play with us,” Thad continued as he began to hook his guitar up to the amplifier.

  “What’s that again? Why the hell is she after us? She’s a pop singer,” Jon said, a frown peeping out from under his overly long bangs, which gave him a sheepdog effect.

  “Yeah, but she claims she really wants to sing rock,” Thad said.

  Bryan turned to B.T. again. “Have you heard her?”

  “Would I be talking to you if I hadn’t? I’m telling you, son, she’s good. Really good. You know having her open will bring all kinds of publicity to the tour.”