Against the Boards Read online

  Against the Boards

  Indianapolis Eagles Series Book 5

  Samantha Lind

  samanthalind.com

  Against the Boards

  Indianapolis Eagles Series Book 5

  Copyright Samantha Lind 2019

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, distributed, stored in or introduced into any information storage or retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic, photocopying, mechanical or otherwise, without express permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, story lines and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons, living or dead, events, locales or any events or occurrences are purely coincidental.

  Trademarked names appear throughout this novel. These names are used in an editorial fashion, with no intentional infringement of the trademark owner’s trademark(s).

  The following story contains adult language and sexual situations and is intended for adult readers.

  Cover Design by Jersey Girl Design

  Cover Photograph by Sara Eirew

  Cover Models Helene Bujold & Mike Chabot

  Editing by All About The Edits

  Proofreading by Proof Before You Publish

  Created with Vellum

  Dedication

  For my cousin, Jackie.

  May you never be forgotten.

  May your joyful spirit forever live on.

  Your life may have been cut short here on earth, but your memory will forever be remembered in our hearts.

  Contents

  1. Reese

  2. Austin

  3. Reese

  4. Austin

  5. Reese

  6. Austin

  7. Reese

  8. Austin

  9. Reese

  10. Austin

  11. Austin

  12. Reese

  13. Austin

  14. Reese

  15. Austin

  16. Reese

  17. Austin

  18. Reese

  19. Austin

  20. Reese

  21. Austin

  22. Reese

  23. Austin

  24. Reese

  Afterword

  Coming Soon

  Acknowledgments

  Also by Samantha Lind

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Reese

  “Thank you, Indy!” I call out to the sold-out crowd filling the arena we’re playing tonight. “I always love playing here. It feels like coming home, even if this isn’t my hometown.”

  “We love you, Reese!” fills my ears from all corners of the audience. I step back from my microphone stand and just take in the audience.

  “While I have your attention, let me introduce you to my band. Over here,” I say into my mic, walking over to Brett on the left side of the stage, leaning against him as he softly plays the riff they typically play when I introduce the band. “Please say hello to my bass guitarist, Brett Adams!”

  As Brett launches into his bass solo, I walk to the other side of the stage, stopping next to David. “Next, we’ve got, on lead guitar, David Burns,” I announce, as the crowd cheers for him as he walks forward and plays his own solo.

  “Here, we have the lovely Miranda Olsen, on the keys and background vocals!” I pause and walk over in front of the drum set to grab a bottle of water, and take a quick sip as Miranda finishes up her solo.

  “And last, but certainly not least, I introduce you to one of Indy’s own, Mr. Michael Erickson, on drums!”

  The thunderous applause and cheers for Mike when I introduce him rivals what we hear when we first hit the stage each concert. I love seeing my band get recognition. They deserve it just as much as I do. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

  “Thanks for letting me introduce you to these amazing people who I consider my family! Now, let’s get back to what you paid for tonight—the music!” The opening beats start for my most recent single. “I have to thank you all so much for making this song soar to number one on the country charts since we released it to the radio a few weeks ago! I’m so glad y’all are loving it so much,” I say, before diving into the song.

  “Great show tonight, Reese,” Mike calls out to me when I enter the room the arena has set up for us. “The crowd was on fire tonight!”

  “Thanks, they sure were. I’m still so amped up from all of their energy.”

  “Excuse me, Ms. Blackwood, are you ready for visitors?” one of the arena security guards assigned to stand guard at this room asks.

  “Sure, do you know how many people are waiting? I thought we did all the meet and greets before the concert started?”

  “Not official meet and greet passes, ma’am. Laura Erickson and a few other people from the Eagles team are with her, they have full-access passes.”

  “Yes, please let them in,” I tell the security guard.

  While I wait, I grab a bottle of water from the ice bucket on the table and take a few big gulps before I begin filling a plate with food from the spread laid out in front of me.

  “Reese! You were incredible tonight!” Laura calls out as she walks into the room, along with a group of people from the Eagles team.

  “Thanks! It was amazing out there tonight!” I tell her as she wraps me in a hug.

  “Let me introduce you to everyone,” Laura states, turning toward the group of people filling the room. “You already met the guys, and these are their wives and girlfriends. Becca Taylor is Scott’s wife, Kinley Kelly is Brian’s, Madison Murphy is Richard’s wife, and Mark, of course, is with me. Austin Jones and Johnathan Camps are both unattached.”

  “Nice to meet y’all. Please, make yourselves at home and grab some food if you’re hungry,” I tell everyone, inviting them further into the room. I scan my eyes over Austin, taking in his tall sinewy frame. His dark hair and day-old stubble lining his cheeks have my fingers itching to run along his jaw to see what it would feel like underneath my fingertips. It’s obvious from the way his t-shirt pulls across his chest that he’s well-built.

  What I wouldn’t do to be able to get a closer look at all those muscles.

  “You were amazing tonight,” one of the women tells me, pulling me from my thoughts about Austin. I believe Laura said her name was Becca.

  “Thank you! It was a phenomenal night on stage. I’m happy y’all enjoyed yourselves.”

  “I’m so glad I was feeling well enough to come,” the pregnant one says, rubbing her small baby bump.

  “When are you due?” I ask.

  “Late spring,” she replies, a smile filling her face as her husband steps up behind her. He slides his own hand around her bump and hands her a bottle of water.

  “Congratulations! Kinley, correct? Sorry, I’m horrible with names.”

  “Yes, I’m Kinley, and thank you. We’re really excited for this little one,” Kinley tells me, looking up at her husband, who winks at her and pulls her a little closer.

  I chat with the ladies a few more minutes before they say goodnight and head for home. With Becca, Scott, Kinley, and Brian gone, I head over to where Laura is standing, talking with her brother and the other guys who came in here with her and Mark. They’re discussing where we’re headed next, once we pull out of Indy in a couple of days. It’s been so nice to have a few extra days to stay here in town. We’ve been able to get out of the tour buses and get some much-needed relaxation and time apart. I love my band, but everyone can use some time to themselves to regroup, and I intend to do just that.

  Chapter Two

  Austin

  I watch Reese from my peripheral vision as she moves around the room, talking with everyone. I’ve seen pictures of her online over the last year or so, but never really paid any attention to her until we met earlier today at lunch. She was nothing like I expected her to be. The few celebrity singers I’ve met in the past have all been bitchy and so self-centered that I don’t go out of my way to meet them.

  At lunch, she was so down-to-earth, asking questions about the team and how we thought our season was going to go. She didn’t brag about the huge world tour she was headlining, or the awards she was currently in the running for.

  And she was so goddamned beautiful I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

  I typically swear off women during the season, but she makes me want to break my own rule and get to know her better. Unfortunately, between my job and hers, nothing could really be possible between the two of us.

  “Austin, right?” Reese says, sidling up next to me. I’m standing at my full height of six foot one, and tower over her. I’d guess she’s about five foot five or so. She’d fit perfectly in my arms. Where the fuck did that thought come from?

  “Yes,” I reply, dragging my eyes down her body as discreetly as I can. What I wouldn’t do to get my hands on her, but I take a deep breath in and start running through stats in my head, willing my dick to calm the fuck down and not embarrass myself in front of this beauty.

  “Did you enjoy the concert?” she asks, biting her bottom lip. I’ve never been jealous of someone else’s teeth, but fuck if I wasn’t exactly that right this moment. Fucking jealous, wishing I was the one biting that lip.

  “I did. It was a different experience watching a concert from the box, but I still enjoyed myself. Di
d you enjoy yourself?”

  “Absolutely! One of the best concerts we’ve had so far.” She smiles. “I wasn’t lying when I told the crowd that it feels like coming home when I play here.”

  “Where do you guys play next?”

  “Louisville, then up to Columbus, Detroit, and then up to Toronto. We head back down to Pittsburgh before we get a break for the holidays, and then New York City on New Year’s Eve for one of the countdown specials on TV.”

  “Damn, that’s one hectic schedule. Makes my travel schedule look like child’s play,” I say with a laugh, bringing my beer bottle up to my lips.

  I watch as Reese tracks the movement of the bottle and don’t miss how her eyes dilate slightly when I swallow down the last bit of beer.

  “You want to get out of here?” I ask, dropping my hand back to my side and tapping the bottle against my leg. I hope I’m not reading her wrong in this moment.

  “Ummm…” She pauses and looks around the room at those left. “Sure,” she says, smiling up at me. “Did you have someplace in mind?”

  I set my beer bottle down on a small table and grab her hand. “I know just the place, come with me,” I say, tugging her close to my side as we walk towards the door.

  She stops as I reach out to open the door, looking back at where the guys are huddled together in the back of the room. “Give me a second,” she says, breaking away from my side.

  “Take your time.”

  Reese walks over to her bandmates and says something to them before they all turn to look at me. I get quite the stare down from everyone, but I stand my ground and hold their gazes. Reese is a grown ass woman, and if she wants to leave here tonight with me, that’s her prerogative.

  Reese makes her way back over to me once she’s finished with her conversation. I take her hand once again, linking our fingers back together as I open the door, and usher her outside to the players’ garage where I parked.

  “Are you hungry?” I ask, once we’re both buckled in my car.

  “A little,” she says, a giggle slipping from her lips.

  “What’s so funny?” I ask, placing her hand in mine. I don’t know what it is about this woman, but I can’t keep my hands to myself.

  “Nothing, just thinking about the threats my bandmates came up with in the few moments I was talking to them, on what they’d do to you if I’m not back to the hotel before morning. They can get a little overprotective of me sometimes.”

  I smirk, squeezing her fingers. “I’m not worried about them. I’ll have you back before the sun comes up,” I tell her as I pull out of the parking garage. “I like that they look out for you.”

  She sighs and drops her head against the head rest. “I know they mean well, and I do appreciate it most of the time. But it can also get old sometimes. They’re all like older protective big brothers. When Miranda joined the band this tour, they let up just a bit, now that I’m not the only woman in the group.”

  I drive us to a local diner that serves the best greasy late-night food in town and is a popular place on weekend nights with the drunk crowd. We walk inside, and I head straight for the back to try and grab a table out of the way so that we aren’t as noticeable. Reese sits down in the booth, and I slide in next to her. We’re facing away from the front of the diner, with the back of the booth helping to shield us from the other patrons here.

  Reese reaches over and grabs the menus tucked between the condiments and the wall, handing me one. “What do you recommend?” she asks, looking it over.

  “Depends on what you’re in the mood for. They have killer breakfasts, so I usually order one of the skillets. Just a warning, their portions are huge, so don’t expect to finish everything.”

  Once we’ve both settled on what we want, we pick up the little phone at our booth and call in our order. A few minutes later, a server brings our drinks and silverware, and lets us know our food will be out shortly.

  “So, tell me about yourself,” Reese says.

  “What do you want to know?”

  “Whatever you want to tell me,” she replies, bumping her shoulder against mine.

  “I’m twenty-five, I’ve played hockey since I could stand, for the most part. Was drafted at nineteen, played a couple seasons in the minors, and was called up and have been playing for the Eagles since.” I give her the quick rundown of my life. “What about you?”

  “I’m also twenty-five, grew up loving to sing. I was in my first competition when I was ten at the county fair, and continued playing any competition or festival I could convince my parents to enter me into. I got my big break when I was nineteen when I was on, and won, The Country Star. My contract from winning the show lasted four years.

  “Once I was out of that contract, I took a little time off to really figure out what I wanted from my career, and what message I want to portray in my music. Not having control over what music I released was a hard pill to swallow, and I dealt with some heavy shit during those early years. Everyone thinks winning a big production like that is all sunshine and rainbows, but they were some of my darkest days and almost made me want to quit.”

  “Damn. What made you change your mind?”

  “My love for singing, and realizing I didn’t know what else I would do with my life without it. That, and my band. They rallied behind me, supported me when I was at my lowest, dealing with things no early-twenty-something woman should have to deal with.”

  “After watching you onstage tonight, I think you made the right decision. You were amazing up there,” I tell her, as a server sets our plates down in front of us.

  “Can I get you anything else?” the young teenage girl asks, glancing between us. I know the moment she recognizes Reese as her eyes about bug out of her head and she gasps and almost falls over. “Oh my god, you’re Reese Blackwood.”

  “Hi, sweetheart. What’s your name?” Reese asks the young girl.

  “Sadie,” she tells Reese.

  “Nice to meet you, Sadie,” Reese tells her as she reaches into her bag and pulls out something, along with a sharpie. She signs her name to it before handing it to the girl. “Here’s a signed CD for you. That’s a limited edition, so make sure to keep it safe. You’re one of only a few hundred people who will have a copy of it.”

  “Thank you!” Sadie stammers as she looks at the CD Reese handed her before sliding it into her apron pocket. “If you need anything else, please let me know,” she finally tells us before backing away.

  “That was nice of you,” I tell her as I hand her one of the rolls of silverware before unwrapping my own.

  “I could tell she was a little speechless and figured it would make her day to get something signed. It’s why I carry around a few extra CDs of mine in my purse. I like to be prepared,” she says, shrugging her shoulders before digging into her plate of food.

  “Mhmmm.” She hums around her fork and my dick hardens in my jeans. “You weren’t lying when you said they had some of the best late-night greasy food.”

  I just smirk and take my next bite.

  We sit in that booth long after we finish our food, just talking about everything. Sadie keeps our waters filled until neither of us can’t stop yawning as the sun starts to peek out.

  “I better get you back to the hotel before your band hunts us down and hurts me,” I say, a smirk on my face as I think of what the guys might do to me if they knew we were still out together.

  “I can’t believe we stayed out all night, talking. I feel like I’ve known you forever,” Reese says, resting her head against my shoulder.

  I wrap an arm around her shoulders, holding her close to me for a few more moments, before sliding out of the booth and pulling her along with me. I’d stay in the booth all day, talking to her more, if we weren’t both fighting off sleep.