Beauty from Surrender by Georgia Cates Read Free Book Online Page A

"Umm, I just got home from my mom's."
    "How'd that go?"
    I hadn't had enough time to process Jake Beckett, so it wasn't something I was ready to discuss, especially over the phone. And Addison is going to have a come-apart when she finds out. "It was fine."
    "What about your meeting with your record pro-doucher?"
    I can't help but laugh every time I hear Addie call Blake a pro-doucher. The name is so fitting. "It went great. He was very cooperative—until he followed me out to my car and basically held me down while he threatened to ruin my career if I didn't come back to him."
    I hear Addison huff. "Did that fucker hurt you?"
    "Nah! You know I'm a tough bird. He scared me a little, but it's more likely that I'm the one who hurt him. I don't think he'll be needing a vasectomy any time soon. I can say with a fair amount of certainty that my knee probably busted his balls."
    Addison cackles. "I'm really glad to hear you racked 'em good for him, but what does that mean for your career?"
    I sigh deeply before I admit where I stand, as if it'll make it sound better. "It means I've lost it all—everything I've worked so hard for—and I'll have to start over. All because I refused to have an affair with a married man."
    "But that's not fair!" she yells and almost bursts my eardrum. "You can't walk away with nothing. He should at least have the decency to give you back your songs."
    She didn't see the fury on his face. "That's not going to happen, but it's okay. Really. He can hold my songs hostage if he wants. I still own half so he can't give them to anyone else. And I have new material that's way better than any of my old stuff."
    "That's because all of them are about him."
    I don't have to ask whom she's referring to. "They are, but they're honest and from my heart."
    "Then they'll go platinum ten times because fans know when it's real. They'll get what he means to you. I just wish he would."
    Me too.
    "I have good news." Her words are cheerful but her voice lacks its usual pep. "At least I hope you think it's good. I'm coming home tomorrow. Cleve has an audition for me and says it's mandatory that I'm back on Thursday for it."
    Thank goodness. I don't think I could go on being alone in the apartment. "I'm thrilled you're coming home, but you don't sound excited."
    "The audition is with a band and I won't be lead vocalist." Not being lead could definitely be a problem for Miss Front and Center. "I'll have to share it with a dude."
    "Those kinds of bands are doing really well in country right now. It's sounds like a great opportunity," I encourage. "Would I know them?"
    "Southern Ophelia."
    "Damn, Addie. They're hot right now. Like, really hot. I can't believe one of their vocalists walked away in the middle of all that success. That's crazy."
    "Maybe, but it's not what I want because it's not my style. I just don't see me being happy with sharing the spotlight. You know I love being the center of attention. It sounds like a great gig, but the whole thing is so rushed. Heather quit last week and they're scheduled to cut an album next month, so it won't give us long to mesh. After that, we'd be hitting the road for six months to promote the album."
    Addison was no spotlight sharer, but Cleve was right in thinking this was a good move for her. As such, it was my job to encourage her. "Addie, that sounds like exactly the opportunity you need to give your career a huge jumpstart. Cutting an album and going on the road—that's huge. And who knows? You could love singing with a guy."
    "I'm gonna hate it. I just know it."
    Always the pessimist. "There are worse things."
    "I'm sorry, Laurie," she apologizes. "It's really insensitive of me to be whining to you after what happened with Blake."
    Frankly, I'm a little shocked by her consideration. Her relationship with Zac seems to have changed her in a very positive way. "It's sucks but I'll be okay."
    "I know, but I haven't been very considerate of your feelings. I've been a shitty