Mine (Alpha Novellas #1) Read online

  “Have you spoken to him?”

  “Yes, which ended with us in fighting, then in...other places.”

  Sex was never the issue.

  Another lie, I told myself.

  “Is it Summer?” she asked, looking over her glasses.

  “It’s all of them. After Natalie, I thought maybe...but I can’t, Courtney. His life is too much, you know that.”

  ◆◆◆

  The glasses she wore inside were proof. The paparazzi followed her around, not just because of her socialite status, but for the chance to get a glimpse of her famed brother.

  Natalie had been his way of getting even with me. When I pushed him away, he found comfort with her. Seeing them together had brought me to some dark places, and I realized how addicted I was to Austin. That was when I decided to stop working for him.

  When the rumors circled around about them getting married, I confronted him. That night was one of the worst of my life. We fought often, but not to that level of destruction. The brutal honesty and the knowledge Austin was one drug I could never break free from solidified our dysfunctional relationship.

  We ended up in bed, breaking Natalie’s heart in the process. Sadly, she wasn’t surprised.

  ◆◆◆

  “Austin told me again, he would quit.”

  She shook her head.

  “Like I’m supposed to live with him not doing what he loves? I get that he loves me, but he loves his work and being without that creative outlet...Courtney, you know it scares me. He’s not the same boy I met way back when. He found his passion, and we all have acting to thank for it.”

  She took off her glasses. “Give yourself some credit.”

  “I won’t live with him being unhappy.” My father had left my mother for his dreams.

  They’d met in a dive bar. He was a guitar player in a rock band and had lived, ate, and breathed music. They got married when she found out they were pregnant with me. He took care of his family by working at the automobile factory. Playing in seedy clubs at night didn’t pay the bills. The resentment ate him up, and one day, out of the blue, he decided to leave us. My mother said it was the best thing for her. She was suffocating, knowing she was preventing his dreams.

  My mom loved my dad. He was her life. He broke my mother’s heart when he left, and it could never be mended.

  “One day, you two will be able to be together. Maybe try—”

  I raised my hand, and she didn’t even bother to finish.

  The waiter came and placed the bill in front of us. I grabbed it, and Courtney scowled. Placing my credit card on the table, I smiled.

  “It’s on Austin.”

  She raised her glass and laughed.

  ◆◆◆

  I hated my job.

  Not hate, hate, just despised the people, my boss, the overall experience of being there.

  I stayed because it paid the bills. I wasn’t into finance, and accounts payable wasn’t a life career choice, but I was compensated nicely for not finishing college. It also gave me the flexibility for my night job, which, if it were up to Austin, would be my only job.

  That wasn’t going to happen.

  I was under the radar as a part-time assistant for Austin’s agent, Raymond Hues. No one cared about the assistant. If we were photographed, I’d either be cut out or given the caption of Skylar Lowell, Raymond Hues PA. No one cared or noticed me—just the way I liked it.

  If anyone went snooping, they would find that I was an official employee of Star Agency under Raymond, but Austin paid my salary. It’s all in savings because it felt wrong taking money from him, but that was one argument I didn’t win. Now, the credit card was a perk. It took a lot of money to blend into his events and look the part when needed.

  ◆◆◆

  Kicking off my heels, I grabbed the bottle and poured, then gave it a splash of Ginger beer and guzzled down the sweet honey bourbon. Flopping on the couch felt too good, and I wanted to crawl into bed after my drink.

  My cell buzzed, and I ignored it the first, second, and third time until it rang. I looked over and mentally wished I didn’t, but he had a key.

  “What?”

  “Monty’s tonight for dinner.”

  “Nope.”

  “Yes.”

  “Austin, I’m exhausted. I’m sure Summer can keep you company.”

  “Just say the word...”

  I sighed heavily. “She does seem like a nice person. One who deserves your undivided attention.”

  “The NDA explained this relationship is not exclusive. Trust me, she stays warm at night.”

  “Ew, just, nope. No one wants to know that you are a walking STD. One who...” I stopped. I needed to change direction.

  “You know I stay clean.”

  “I can’t have this conversation right now.”

  “I’ll come over—”

  “No!”

  “Is someone there?”

  That made me mad. He knew there was no one else.

  “Yes, and I’m about to show him the time of his life!”

  He laughed.

  That pissed me off more.

  I hung up.

  Finishing my drink, I decided to order takeout before heading to bed. I didn’t mean to get caught up in an old eighties movie, but it was comforting. Adding the noodles while I watched brought back fun memories.

  Courtney and I would have sleepovers and gorge on junk all night when James was away. We started the ritual when Austin went out for auditions. He started playing extras and landed a few small parts here and there. He didn’t want to leave Courtney alone, even though she was officially an adult. He trusted me. I was a good neighbor, and soon a trusted friend.

  My phone lit up from the motion sensor camera, and I could see him walking across my living room. Our eyes met when he opened the door.

  “Dinner was that good?” I asked. It was still early.

  He pushed me over on the bed and grabbed the container in my hand while he made himself comfortable.

  “Wasn’t the expensive meal satisfying?”

  “Mmm,” he moaned. “Kings?”

  I grabbed my container back. “Yes.” I took the fork from his hand and shoved it back in the container, placed it on the nightstand, and turned to him.

  “Why aren’t you with Summer?”

  He huffed.

  “Austin, it’s the holidays. I’m sure she would appreciate you spending some time with her.”

  “I told her I would be home later.”

  Bile rumbled up at the word “home.”

  He reached over and touched the side of my face gently, and his finger feathered lightly over my lips.

  “There is something we need to talk about,” I said.

  “Go for it.”

  His finger was distracting enough, but the thumb he pushed between my lips was maddening. I leaned my head away from his grip.

  “I want my key back.”

  He laughed.

  “I’m serious.”

  “Not going to happen.” He leaned against my headboard and made himself comfortable.

  “I’ll change the locks.”

  “I’ll break down the door.”

  We glared at each other.

  I knew he would, which would cause a scene with the neighbors. My private entrance in the back allowed him to come and go undetected, but he would enjoy making a scene.

  “We need to keep this strictly on a friendship basis.”

  “What the hell are you talking about? We are friends.” He flailed his arms.

  “Austin, just friends.”

  “That’s not happening. I need you too much.”

  “You have Summer.”

  He crawled closer to me. “If this is an issue, she’s gone.”

  “See, this isn’t healthy. We both need to be in normal relationships.”

  “The reason why I’m not is you won’t be in one.”

  “Being a celebrity’s girlfriend—”

  “Wife
!”

  That always caught me off guard.

  “Whatever isn’t easy. Austin, every one of your girlfriends gets bashed in the press. The weak ones quickly go insane, and the strong ones eventually break. I’ve seen it, and I don’t want to go through that.”

  “I would never let that happen to you.”

  “The others—”

  “They were never you. The only reason there was ever a ‘they’ is because you pushed me away. I don’t want this. I’m proud to have you by my side. I want the world to know you’re the love of my life, my lover, and my friend, but you keep betting against us!”

  “I’m realistic.”

  “You’re a coward.”

  He was right.

  “I may be a coward, but I’m willing to put your happiness first.”

  “Bullshit. You are a selfish...”

  I narrowed my eyes.

  “You decided what’s best for us. I decided you are full of shit! Try, but you will never keep me away from you.”

  The tension grew, and his blazing blue eyes showed his dark soul.

  “Now you’re a stalker? You have to have me, or no one will?” I laughed as I slid off the bed. Grabbing the takeout container, I walked to the door, but before I could leave, Austin grabbed my wrist.

  “I mean it.”

  “If I said the words, we both know you would have no choice. I’m saying the words. I don’t want you to be like my dad. Now, let me go. It’s time.”

  Chapter 3

  Austin

  “You okay, babe?”

  Her hand cupped my face, careful with the pink claws on top. Her green eyes had thought behind them. She played a ditz to her favor, but it didn’t work on me. Summer was a crafty woman.

  “I’m good. Tired, but I need to do this.”

  I squeezed her other hand.

  The turbulence finally smoothed out, and while everyone got comfortable, my stomach still tossed.

  This was the last thing I wanted, being away from her.

  Courtney took the best parts of our parents, and when she was born, left them with rotten cores. Courtney planned for a group of kids to visit the movie set this week, and I couldn’t let them down. Skylar knew damn well I wouldn’t, and her timing was meticulously planned.

  It was hard enough convincing her we could survive a Hollywood marriage, but her past always dictated her decisions. I’d been trying for years to break the hold her father had, but it was getting harder to defeat the past.

  “Would you like something to eat, Mr. Morgan?” The gleam in the stewardess’s eyes told me exactly what she wanted me to eat.

  “He’s fine,” Summer snapped. She loved getting out her frustrations on anyone she could...anyone other than Skylar.

  She stared back at me, fluttering her fake lashes as her bright red grin grew. Summer would lay that same look on Skylar, wishing her dead. I understood her. The sweet, caring girl she played in public had shown her other side to me several times.

  Summer was tired of sharing and thought she had a chance. The only chance she had was to leave.

  “Austin, did you go over the contract?” Raymond asked, as he walked past me and sat down across from us.

  “Yes, send it to Skylar to review.”

  “Don’t you have lawyers to review it?” Summer puffed.

  “Of course, but if it’s any of your business, Skylar reviews everything.”

  She bit her lip like a good girl and shut the fuck up. I wasn’t in the mood after the shit Skylar came at me with last night.

  She’d lost her damn mind.

  We were made for each other. Skylar could deny that as long as she wanted, but she couldn’t live without me.

  “Mr. Morgan, the pilot said the ETA will be one o’clock, sir.”

  I nodded to her, with the thought of taking a nap in the back bedroom. However, I needed to get hold of Skylar. She’d been ignoring my calls all morning. I grabbed my cell, but still no response from her.

  Keep playing these games, Skylar. I will end them.

  I hit the call button and waited for her to answer.

  “Wait one minute,” she rushed. A few seconds passed. “Okay, okay. Hey! Are you on your way?”

  “Talk to Skylar.”

  The pain around my temples grew. I signaled the stewardess and mouthed for aspirin.

  “Hello, Austin. I’m fine, thanks for asking. James is doing well, too.”

  “Courtney, she wants to end us.”

  Summer choked on the water she was drinking.

  “Austin...as much as I want to say it would be the best thing for both of you, we all know it isn’t.”

  “Exactly why you need to talk to her.”

  The stewardess handed me the aspirin, and I swallowed them down, waving off the water.

  “Austin, let’s get her through Christmas, then maybe I’ll ease into a discussion with her. My psychologist said she can take on new patients, and I was going to mention it to Skylar. You two may want to consider going. But for now, I think waiting until January—”

  I hung up, then texted an apology. It was Courtney, she would be fine.

  “Babe,” Summer cooed, making herself comfortable across my lap. “If you need to talk, I’m a great listener.”

  Raymond’s head tilted toward us while he pretended to focus on whatever the hell he was reading.

  My bodyguards, Scott and Bill, were sitting across from him, deep into their discussion.

  My hand stroked down her spine, and she curled into me.

  I kissed her forehead, then whispered into her ear, “Skylar is none of your damn business.”

  The intake of her breath was heard, and she bit the red right off her bottom lip.

  ◆◆◆

  “Skylar, I swear if you don’t call me back, I will fly back there now and disappoint these kids!”

  She knew I was lying. Courtney would have my balls cut off.

  I called her voicemail back.

  “What more can I do, other than offer you my soul? I cannot live without you.” I sighed and faced defeat. She was winning this battle.

  “I wish I had a man who loved me as much as you love Skylar,” Summer said, as she walked into the hotel living area and went to pour herself a drink.

  I joined her at the bar.

  “She said the only reason you’re with me is to grow your career.” I poured a shot.

  She slammed down the glass, her face turning redder.

  “If I understood this relationship was going to be a threesome, I would have rethought being with you.” She paced the floor, her arms flailing.

  “Next time, read the NDA. Lesson learned, huh?” I chuckled, then slammed back the shot. The burn was welcome, and the results were instant.

  She walked past me and looked out the window. The sun was breaking through the clouds, and the view of the hotel garden was nice.

  “Why do you date anyone if nothing is ever going to become of it?” She choked on her emotion.

  I was told I was a bastard, often, but I wasn’t heartless. Standing behind her, I placed my hands on her shoulders, and she rested her head on my chest.

  “Summer, my first studio insisted dating would be good for my image and required it in my contract. Skylar and I were just starting out, and she didn’t want to be forced into the spotlight.”

  “You were engaged to Natalie. Surely, there had to be feelings there.”

  There were a lot of feelings, but none I would be discussing with Summer. That relationship almost made me lose Skylar. Hurting both hadn’t been planned. It hadn’t been fair to Natalie, and I regretted it.

  The NDA’s were updated after that and made things crystal clear.

  “Natalie signed an NDA, similar to yours.” My relationships would only require public appearances. Anything else was off-limits.

  “It has to be difficult, loving someone who can’t be with you.” Summer wrapped her arms around my neck. “I know how it feels, Austin. I would do anything for you.
..for the man that I loved, including sacrificing my happiness. I hope you understand. Damn the NDA. I know what I want, and if that means fighting for you, I will.”

  Her determined expression ended her point, and I gave her a warm smile. She nuzzled into my chest, and I could feel her relaxing in my arms.

  I leaned back, catching her eyes. She needed to see my face.

  “Summer, I know what I want, and it’s Skylar.”

  Chapter 4

  Skylar

  The day dragged on in the graveyard called my office. The closer it got to Christmas, the fewer humans were around. For the past week, I’d been a walking zombie. My addiction to Austin was strong, and the demon didn’t want to detach.

  He annoyed me as much as he could, but he had to complete filming by the end of next week. Hence, why I picked my timing to break free. He was out of town, and Summer was with him. Maybe with her, he would realize it was okay to let go.

  Only the thought of him actually doing so caused an eruption in my belly. I rushed to the ladies room, emitting the poison of him that flowed out. As I leaned across the cold stool, I wondered about my life choices, thoughts of him pulling my hair back, many times, as I got sick from over drinking flooded my mind.

  Austin was always there for me when I was ill. He never cared about the putrid stench.

  Cleaning up myself, I decided to end my day early. No one was around to notice, anyway.

  ◆◆◆

  Fastening my coat as I exited the turnstile, I headed to the nearest bar. It was hard to find one that wasn’t busy, even in the early afternoon. I slid onto a stool closest to the end, where I hoped not to be disturbed.

  “Whatcha havin’?” the bartender yelled.

  “Gin and ginger, please.”

  He laid down the napkin with a plunk of the glass, poured a shot, then another when I tapped two fingers on the bar.

  I slid my credit card to him. “Keep it open.”

  He nodded, and I welcomed down the smooth elixir. My eyes glanced up at the talk show in front of me. The other TV on the far right had on sports recaps. I took another drink and cringed when the smell of musk hit me.