Beyond Dreams: The Hutton Family Book 5 Page 2

  “Everyone loves a Cinderella story.” Her eyes lit up as she worked yet another angle to convert me on her plan. “What’s more romantic than a superstar like you, swooping into some unsuspecting girl’s life and whisking her away to see the world? It’s a dream come true. A win-fucking-win. You get the boost to your brand. She gets…” Athena gestured around the plane. The leather seats. The premium drinks. Amos and Brock and Joe lounging, half-drunk and pretending not to listen. “…this.”

  “She’s not a publicity stunt.” I didn’t know what she was, but she wasn’t that. I resumed playing, my music wrapping around me, pure and true and so much easier to understand than money-hungry managers and beautiful girls with haunting eyes.

  “Look.” Athena sighed, dropping the bullshit and going for the truth. “You and I both know that putting out great music isn’t enough anymore. You need to connect with your fans. Let them know you. You won’t let us talk about your past, even though that’s a goddamn goldmine of goodwill right there…”

  I stopped playing on a sour note. “My past is off limits. You talk about any of that shit and every bleeding heart out there will rip open and cry for poor little Collin West.”

  “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

  “People feeling sorry for me sounds pretty fucking bad to me.” I glared. “You will not dredge up any of that crap just to make a few more bucks.” In a world filled with people complaining about every tiny thing, I wanted to spread reasons to smile. Not horror stories like my childhood. My past was what it was. It wouldn’t define me, not while I had anything to say about it.

  Joe met my eyes, quirking an eyebrow. A silent question asking if I wanted him to intervene. I shook my head. My best friend had fought too many of my battles for me as it was.

  Athena held up her hands in defeat. We’d had this conversation enough times, she knew I wouldn’t budge. “So the past is off limits, and you never talk about your present…”

  I gave her my most charming smile. “I’m just some guy who can sing and play guitar. What’s there to talk about?”

  “The guy who sings and plays guitar, for starters.” She rolled her eyes. “But if you’re not going to do that, the least you can do is let people daydream about your future. Can you imagine how many fans would die to be in this girl’s shoes?”

  “I really don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks. She’s coming on this tour with me…”

  “Good.” Athena had the audacity to look like she’d won the argument.

  I perched Stella on the tips of my boots. “But that’s it. No press releases. No blog posts. No articles. No pictures. She’s coming because I like her. Because her music is…” I waved my hand, too frustrated to find the right word. “It needs to be heard.”

  “You’re the fastest rising star in the industry. You tell me how you’re going to bring this girl on tour, get her music heard, and keep her a secret? What are you gonna do? Hide her in your hotel? Livestream her playing with a bag over her head?”

  I bit back a retort because she had a point. I wasn’t sure how I’d keep Harlow a secret, I just knew I wanted to.

  Athena bobbed her head. “That’s what I thought. Once again you have this big idea with no clue how to actually make it work. That’s what you pay me for. And I’m telling you, if you want to make it work, you’re gonna have to get good with the publicity.”

  Instead of responding, I played even louder, letting my music speak for me. Fuck you, it said as my fingers drummed along the frets. Fuck you for taking everything in this world and making it about money.

  Unable to keep quiet any longer, Joe sat up and leveled my manager with a ferocious glare. “Enough, Athena.”

  She huffed a response. “Go ahead, Collin. Ignore me all you want, but I promise you. This will all work out. If you follow my lead, they’re gonna love her, which means they’re gonna love you even more.”

  Chapter Three

  Harlow

  My brother’s wedding and the reception that followed perfectly captured Eli’s audacity and Hope’s humor. From a live butterfly release when they said their vows, to male erotic dancers hijacking the rest of the ceremony, to crazy performances at the reception. The drinks were strong and the food was good, and even though I’d hoped to spend the day with Collin, I barely gave his absence a second thought. I wouldn’t waste my energy on someone who couldn’t be bothered to answer a question.

  Not responding was a response.

  A powerful one.

  Whatever the reason for his sudden silence, I could worry about it later. Sitting with my family at the reception was time to celebrate Eli, Hope, and the Elvis impersonator taking the stage.

  “This wedding is a freaking circus,” I said to Eli, laughing incredulously as the man in a white jumpsuit glittering with rhinestones tapped on the microphone.

  “Then it’s all going exactly to plan.” My brother glanced at his new wife as our sister-in-law Maisie joined us. I smoothed my hand over the silk of my bridesmaid dress and offered her the chair next to me. She gave me a smile that was a little too big with eyes that were a little too bright.

  “What?” I asked, checking my hair in case something had come out of place.

  “Oh, nothing.” Maisie peered into the drink in her hand. “This thing’s going to my head, that’s all. Eli sure knows how to make ‘em.”

  Everyone knew Eli’s drinks were strong, but Maisie didn’t look drunk.

  She looked excited.

  Expectant.

  Devious.

  “Why do I get the feeling you’re not being honest with me?”

  Maisie shrugged, making such an innocent face, she had to be guilty of something. “I don’t know what could have given you that impression.”

  As the opening strains of Can’t Help Falling in Love started over the speaker, Hope turned to her new husband. “This is another great surprise.”

  He pulled her close and whispered something in her ear. When she drew back to ask a question, he put a finger over her lips. “Patience, cricket,” he said, then winked as she giggled. My brother would do anything to make Hope laugh, including sounding like an idiot as he botched clichés just so she could correct him. Their happiness warmed my heart and I let out a sigh of contentment.

  Onstage, Elvis started to sing. The man had an amazing voice but didn’t even bother trying to sound like the King. If I could sing like that, I wouldn’t want to change it either. This guy…

  His voice was good.

  And familiar…

  Very familiar…

  In fact, he sounded a whole lot like…

  I gasped, covering my mouth as I realized who was on that stage, even as I couldn’t bring myself to believe it. Eli beamed at me and Maisie gave a cute little shrug of her shoulders then threw back the rest of her drink. “Oops,” she said. “Maybe I’m not as drunk as I thought I was.”

  There was no denying who that voice belonged to. That man, up on that stage, at my brother’s wedding, was Collin Freaking West. His songs were everywhere. His name was on everyone’s lips. And his eyes were locked on mine as he sang one of the most romantic songs ever written.

  The wedding guests stopped and stared, captivated by the rasp of his voice as it tore through the reception hall.

  As the lyrics faded, Elvis beamed. “Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Hutton!”

  I stood, blinking in surprise as the man pulled off his wig, revealing a shock of red hair that outed him as one of the most famous musicians in the world. He stepped off the stage as I ran his way, stopping a few feet short of bowling him over.

  I wanted to leap into his arms and scream with delight, but considering he was who he was, and that we’d only met in person once, that seemed a little over the top. But, the mere fact that he was there at all—dressed as Elvis, I should add—was a whole lot over the top. If no response counted as a response, what did pulling off a caper of this magnitude mean?

  For that matter, what was the proper protocol
for a superstar suddenly appearing at your brother’s wedding because you invited him? After he made you doubt yourself so hard you questioned your own sanity?

  As I stood, frozen in place and grinning like an idiot, his name spread like wildfire through the guests. People crowded around us, starstruck, dumbfounded, and desperate to get close to the man. Phones came out and whispers flew. My name circled around his and I couldn’t imagine what people were thinking.

  “Sorry I’m late.” Collin’s chestnut eyes glinted in the low light, the corners crinkling with happiness. He reached for my hand. Threaded his fingers with mine. Ran his thumb across my knuckle. His touch sent my heart racing and I swore everyone could hear it thundering against my ribs as if it was planning its escape.

  “I can’t believe you came.” I knew I was smiling at him like an idiot. I knew and didn’t care. “Or that you didn’t tell me. If I wasn’t so excited to see you, I’d hit you.”

  “I definitely earned it, if the urge continues.” Collin indicated the wedding guests, who edged closer as a collective, trying to eavesdrop on our conversation. “This’ll go smoother if I give them what they want,” he whispered, leaning close enough for me to catch a hint of his cologne, to feel the heat of his skin against my cheek. “Be right back.”

  With that, he stepped away from me, opening his arms wide to the crowd. A woman shrieked, fanning her face and hopping in place with excitement. Collin accepted an overly personal hug, then gave her a vibrant smile as she posed for a picture with him. He shook hands with men, making eye contact and giving genuine attention to every person in the clump surrounding him. The energy was intense, but Collin handled it with grace.

  Behind him, I noticed two men I didn’t recognize. Broad shoulders. Stoic faces. Black suits and eyes locked on the singer as he signed autographs and posed for pictures. Between them was an imposing woman who watched the spectacle with dark eyes and cherry lips. A silk dress clung to her lean frame and razor-thin heels had her as tall as the hulking men on either side. She watched Collin like she owned him and studied me with unfettered curiosity. I pegged her as someone whose business was Collin, and hoped she was his agent or manager, and not a girlfriend.

  A little away from the trio, a dark-haired man leaned against the wall with his arms folded over his chest, and a bored expression on his face. He noticed me watching and lifted an eyebrow, then went back to staring at his shoes.

  Feeling like I’d stepped into an alternate universe, I pulled out a chair and sat next to Maisie, absently playing with the hem of my dress while I waited for a superstar in an Elvis costume to finish with his fans so he could talk to me.

  I glanced at my sister-in-law, barely able to formulate sentences. “You knew?”

  “Collin asked me to clear it with Eli a couple days ago. He wanted to surprise you.”

  Eli perched on the seat next to me. He rested his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands. “It killed me to see you down at the docks, ‘cause I knew you were hurting. I almost spilled the beans then, but didn’t want to ruin the surprise.”

  “Do you even know how crazy I’ve been driving myself over him? I almost forgive you for letting me think he ditched me.” I tilted my head and held out my hands. “Okay. That’s a lie. I forgave you the second I saw him.”

  Maisie patted my knee. “I told him you would. I also told him that if you got too upset over him ghosting you, then I’d tell you everything and not feel bad about it at all.”

  “You should have told me three days ago, then.” I laughed, remembering how forlorn I’d been at the docks. It was amazing how much could change in the course of a few hours. “Who are those people with him?” I eyed them as they eyed me, each of us sizing up the other.

  Maisie peered at the crew. “The big guys are his bodyguards, Amos and Brock, otherwise known as the Brutes in Suits. That woman…” She shifted in her seat and lowered her voice. “That’s Athena Wetherstone, his manager, slash agent, slash attack dog. He hired her after I left Los Angeles. She’s hell in heels, that one. Scarier than the Brutes, that’s for sure. Plays to win, even if she has to fight dirty. And the hunk on the wall is Joe Channing, Collin’s best friend.”

  I blinked and nodded, trying to digest the information. “Why’s he here?”

  Maisie shrugged. “Joe goes where Collin goes…”

  “I mean, why is Collin here?” I didn’t care about Joe, or the Brutes in Suits, or that scary woman in the too-tall shoes. Not one bit. The only person that mattered was Collin.

  “You’d know the answer better than I do.” Maisie grinned. “But my guess is that he’s here because there’s a certain hot blonde he wants to see.”

  Eli cleared his throat and stood. “And on that note, I’m out.”

  Collin met my eyes over the shoulders of an excited fan. I blushed and bit my lip as I lifted my hand and wiggled my fingers at him.

  “What am I even supposed to say to the guy?” I asked Maisie. “Just go with ‘Hey? How’s it going?’ like he isn’t Collin West? Like he isn’t freaking royalty and I’m not…me?”

  Like looking at him didn’t get my nerves twitching and my heart fluttering? Like thinking of him didn’t feel like fairy tales and daydreams and other childish nonsense?

  “Collin’s just a man, Harlow. A talented man, with a lot of drive and discipline and just the right kind of luck. But he’s no different than you and me.”

  The sequined Elvis costume clung to his trim waist. The deep V neckline revealed a strong chest. His hair, a vibrant red, shone like golden fire and his face lit up each time someone new offered him their hand. It was his eyes that got me, though—a brown so light they looked like copper, laced with emotions that ran strong and deep.

  Every time he glanced my way, chills raced down my spine.

  I scoffed at Maisie, indicating him as he handled the crowd. “He’s a little different.”

  My sister-in-law laughed lightly. “Okay. He’s a little different. But he’s also the guy you’ve spent all this time talking to. Nothing’s changed just because he’s finally here in person.”

  “That’s what you think,” I said, then sat up straighter as Collin extricated himself from the group and made his way toward me. The Brutes in Suits followed, with Athena a few steps behind. Maisie stood and greeted her old friend, giving him a quick hug.

  “I’d ask you if you were still flabbergasted,” she said, “but in that getup, you’re pretty flabbergasting.”

  Collin chuckled while Athena rolled her eyes. The woman gave me the onceover and it was all I could do not to shudder. She was equal parts pretty and terrifying, and something in the way she sized me up reminded me of my father—which didn’t exactly start us off on the right foot.

  “I promise I’ll introduce everyone shortly,” Collin said. “But I’m gonna take a moment and be selfish. I’ve traveled a long way to see this woman, and if you all don’t mind, if your name isn’t Harlow Hutton, you can clear the fuck out.”

  Chapter Four

  Harlow

  In the last few months, I’d done more than my fair share of fantasizing about talking to Collin face-to-face. In my daydreams, I’d been eloquent and charming. I batted my eyelashes and gazed at him with just the right amount of sweet mixed with heat. I knew just what to say, reacting perfectly to his witty setups. Our banter was quick and sharp. The chemistry thick. Electricity sizzled between us.

  Reality went a slightly different direction.

  With him right there in front of me, I found I had no idea what to say or how to react. Instead of flirtatious smiles and heated eye contact, I stared, dumbfounded. Instead of snappy one-liners and fabulous dialogue, I could barely remember how to breathe, let alone speak.

  Collin sat beside me, laughing lightly at my reaction. “Surprised?” he asked, his voice low, husky, and on a direct line to my libido.

  “Very.” I remembered to nod at the last second. Closing my mouth would have been a good idea, too. Maybe a smile would help light
en the mood. I blinked and conjured what I hoped was a pleasant grin and not a terrifying grimace.

  “I made Eli and Maisie promise they wouldn’t spoil the fun.”

  “They did a good job.”

  “You look beautiful.”

  “You look…” I took him in, with his hair sticking up every which way after coming out of the wig. The body-hugging white jumpsuit covered in rhinestones and glittering in the light. “…fancy.”

  “I feel fancy.” He sat back, those mesmerizing eyes roaming my face and I swore I could melt under the heat in his gaze. Growing up with four older brothers ensured I was a tad underexperienced in the flirting department through my teenaged years. After I moved to Seattle, and didn’t have them looking after me anymore, I dated a few guys. Had a boyfriend or two. Nothing serious, though. I was too focused on writing.

  A couple wandered by, trying to appear nonchalant, but quite obviously attempting to eavesdrop on the conversation. I could only imagine what everybody thought. Collin West sitting with Eli’s little sister, as she stared at him like a little girl trying to work up the nerve to talk to her crush.

  Collin stood, taking my hand and pulling me out of my chair. “Dance with me? This is a wedding after all. Dancing seems like an appropriate thing to do.”

  Without awaiting my response, he led me to the dancefloor and drew me close. As we swayed to the music, I swallowed a lump of excitement in my throat and tried to think of something to talk about. Despite what Maisie said, being with Collin in person felt different than talking over text. With the latter, I had the luxury of editing everything I wanted to say until it sounded perfect, of finding a response without being distracted by the way my body reacted to his.

  But now that he was with me, his arms drawing me close, his cheek pressed to mine, it was all I could do to think in a straight line.