Wildest Dreams: Book 1 in The Redneck Devils Trilogy Read online

  Copyright © 2021 Vanessa Karkheck

  All rights reserved

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

  ISBN-13: 9798714872181

  Cover design by: Art Painter

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2018675309

  Printed in the United States of America

  This goes out to anyone who opens this up and reads that first page, thank you, and if you read to the end- even more thanks!

  Wildest Dreams

  An Introduction

  They say love is like a rollercoaster, full of ups and downs, thrills and fears, and spontaneous surprises that make your heart pound; but what they don't tell you is that sometimes those surprises can twist and turn your life around to a point where you wind up in jail. No, I'm not the one locked behind bars but maybe I should be.

  Afterall, I never expected for one small thing to grow into something so big that it imploded my life, breaking it into a million pieces that I couldn’t put back together. I never would have expected that I would end up in a position where I have to rat on my boyfriend, or go to jail myself. But it happened. All because I found myself involved with The Redneck Devils- and if you don’t know who or what they are, you’re lucky because you don’t want to; but I thought I could handle it, I thought I knew what I was getting myself into, most of all I thought he was worth it: but I was wrong. So here I am, being forced to write an excruciatingly truthful statement, giving every detail of the last few months- including my involvement with Zander and The Redneck Devils- despite the fact that it could, and most likely will, get me killed.

  Chapter 1

  It started like any other morning, my phone waking me up as my alarm rang in my ear; I reached over to turn on the radio so I could listen to the morning traffic and news report, but it was that song, that damn song, that always played right before the news and I was sick of it. I reached over and slammed the power button off, not wanting to hear another second of that song, but it was inevitable. It was everywhere.

  After rushing to get ready and running downstairs and out the door, I got in my car only to crank the engine and hear that same song playing. I lowered my head to my steering wheel and took a big breath, letting it out slowly before lifting my head up again and easing my car into reverse. I didn’t change the station; not this time. What was the point when that song seemed to follow me wherever I went?

  I pulled into the parking lot of my favourite book store, Novella, and waited in my car for the clock on my dash to turn to nine thirty when the doors would open for the day. I rolled down my window and pulled a cigarette out of my pocket, inhaling deeply as I lit the end. This was it. The day I had been anticipating for the last six months. The day James McCloud released his new novel, and I was going to be the first one to buy it.

  As the numbers of the clock finally changed from nine twenty-nine to nine thirty I opened my car door, dropped my cigarette butt on the ground, and walked towards the store’s entrance, blowing smoke out of my mouth as I went. I smiled at Glenda, the owner of Novella, as I swung the door open and inhaled deeply, breathing in the smell of books; it was the best smell in the world.

  “Good morning, Ali.” Glenda was an elderly woman in her sixties. This bookstore was her pride and joy and I’d been coming here for many years, finding solace in the pages of the novels on the shelves even when I couldn’t afford to buy them myself. At first, when Glenda found out, she was furious with me. She called my grandmother but upon hearing my story she was overcome with so much despair for me that she forgave my actions and allowed me to find whatever comfort I could in the shelves of her store, and for that I was grateful. “I can only assume you’re here for McCloud?”

  “Oh, Glenda, I’m here to see you, too, of course.” I smiled. “But yes, essentially I am here for the book.”

  Glenda laughed and pointed me in the direction I knew the book was in. “Feel free to browse our other new sellers as well! There’s a wonderful one about a young woman meeting her prince charming in a coffee shop.”

  I laughed and shook my head; Glenda was a romantic, she believed love could be found anywhere: a coffee shop, a park, and especially a bookstore. I, on the other hand, have had it proven to me time and time again that those who loved you would only leave you; but I wasn’t about to burden Glenda with my cynical beliefs.

  Then the music started, and once again that god damn song began to play. I glanced back at Glenda who shrugged and gave me an apologetic look as I raised my eyes up and sighed. I just couldn't escape it today.

  I sat alone waiting by the phone

  When you didn't call

  I threw it at the wall

  Your face clear in my head

  And the words that you said

  Echo in my ear

  It's all I can hear

  You wrecked me

  Ripped me to pieces

  This can't be the way

  You want it to be

  Baby why can't you see

  I don't want to be free

  Come back to me

  Ali

  I couldn’t stand to hear the heartbreak that was so clear to me as he sang those words and when my name came up in the song I squeezed my eyes shut and turned towards the bathroom rather than the shelves. I needed a minute to take a few deep breaths and straighten my head. Those lyrics kept echoing, though, as I shut the door and locked it. That’s what I get for dating someone in a band, I guess.

  Nick was my first real boyfriend. He also happened to be the lead singer of Shattered Life, an indie rock band who played tons of covers while writing their own songs from their tortured teenage years. We had met back when I was in ninth grade and dated up until a few weeks ago. His band had recently been signed to a record label who insisted on getting an official single out, something new and not from any of their old EP’s that they’d created and sold online. When Nick and I broke up, they still hadn’t had a completed song. Three days later, though, they released 'Come Back To Me', which blew up and debuted at number three on the charts, and I’ve been hearing it everywhere ever since.

  That song, however, was a reminder of what I did and how much I had really hurt Nick, which had never been my intention, but there was only so much I could take. Back when he was getting noticed by the record label he never had time for me, or so it felt, and I did some stupid things. Like cheating on him.

  I hadn’t intended for it to happen. I knew the moment I walked through the door that it had been a mistake to go to that party. You know that feeling you get when something bad is going to happen? A sort of clairvoyant premonition? I had that, but I was feeling lonely and rejected after Nick cancelled our date night for the third time in a row so he could meet with yet another PR agent from the label in hopes of getting the single completed. So I did what any teenage girl whose boyfriend was ignoring her would do: I got drunk.

  It started innocently enough; I had a few drinks at my friend Gina’s house before we decided to leave for the party. Gina knew a ton of people and she always got invited to the most outrageous parties; this one, in particular, was being thrown by some college guys she’d met the weekend before at the club. We called a cab and discreetly took some shots of vodka in the backseat- that was my first mistake. Vodka, as you’ll soon find out, has neve
r done any favours for me. It’s the bane of my existence to be honest. And yet, I can’t seem to stay away from it.

  When we arrived at the party I had a decent buzz going on and I was feeling pretty good about myself. Until I checked my phone to see that Nick still had not texted me back. A dark feeling overcame me, but I decided I wasn’t going to let it, or him, ruin my night. I walked into the party, head held high, determined to find another drink. Gina walked away, waving to a group of guys, leaving me alone in a room full of people I didn’t know, and I weaved through the crowd trying to find the kitchen where I was positive the drinks would be.

  The keg sat beside the counter, red solo cups littering the floor around it. I grabbed what I hoped was a clean one from the stack and poured myself a cup. It was warm and flat, typical keg beer, but I continued to chug it until the cup was empty before refilling it and stumbling away into the crowd. There were tons of faces, all blurred to me, and bodies pressed against me. I looked around, trying to find Gina, when I felt a hand brush against my ass.

  “Watch it,” I slurred, turning quickly- too quickly. The room spun and I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping it would stop. I didn’t even notice that my beer had dropped out of my hands during the process.

  “Shit! I’m sorry,” someone said. “I didn’t mean to touch- I mean, it was an accident and- oh fuck. Here, just let me help you.” I felt a hand on my arm and I shrugged away, my eyes still closed, and stumbled right into a body.

  “Don’t touch me,” I snarled. I felt the hands grab hold of me again but I was too dizzy to shake them off. “Leave me alone.”

  “I’m sorry,” the voice said again. Hesitantly I opened my eyes, just a crack, and tried to focus on the face in front of me, but it was impossible. “I really didn’t mean to-.”

  “It’s fine.” I said, or I thought I said. I wasn’t too sure how clear my words were as I squeezed my eyes shut again.

  “Can I get you another drink?” Convinced the room had finally stopped spinning I opened my eyes again and tried to focus on the guy; it took a minute but finally a face came into view. A handsome face, with brown eyes and dark hair- and a beard. I never thought beards were attractive before, but at that moment it was the hottest thing I’d ever seen on anyone. Ever.

  “Uh,” I blinked, speechless.

  “C’mon,” he reached his hand out again but this time he waited to see if I would grab it. Any other time I would have walked away, made the right choice, maybe even gone home- but not this night. I was sad, I was lonely, and I was drunk. None of these are good reasons for doing what I did, but it happened anyways. I reached out my hand and took his.

  Chapter 2

  The water was cool on my face as I splashed it, trying to get my thoughts under control. It’s just a song. No one knows it’s about you, I tried telling myself, but I knew that wasn’t true. Anyone who knew about Nick and I could figure out who 'Ali' was, even if he refused to speak about it in interviews. If there was one thing I was thankful for, it was that Nick and I had broken up before his fame blew up, but that doesn’t stop reporters from prying into his personal life. I was certain that some day I would receive a phone call, and it would be from some reporter that had somehow managed to track me down.

  I hadn’t spoken to Nick in weeks, not since we broke up, but I felt like I knew everything about him and Shattered Life. I tried to stay away from the articles and news reports but our town was proud of that fact that a local band was signed by a big record label, and they were making it known. As I walked out of the bathroom I spotted a display of magazines and on the cover of the latest issue was Shattered Life, along with an ‘exclusive interview with the band’. I sighed, shaking my head as I made a mental note to talk to Glenda about the content she chose to sell in her store.

  I finally headed for the aisles, towards the fiction section, and down the row that James McCloud’s books were. It was deserted as I approached the books written by authors who started with 'M' and I scanned the row, my eyes instantly falling on Hazard Wave.

  I swallowed as I reached my hand out to grab a copy. I’ve been reading James McCloud’s books since I was eleven. When I first discovered his novels I didn’t fully understand them, but there was something about his writing style that drew me in. I read five of his books within a month, and ever since then I’d been buying his books every year as he released them and they’ve become more relatable to me as I grew older. This was his tenth novel and it was supposed to be his best one yet.

  However, as I reached out I realized his books had been moved up on the shelf since the last time I’d been in this aisle. I stretched up on my tip toes, yet the book was still too far away. With a frustrated sigh I jumped a little, hoping to bridge the gap and extend my reach, but all I succeeded in doing was knocking the book over and pushing it further away.

  I grumbled, taking a step backwards in hopes that if I ran a little at the shelf I might be able to get enough momentum to jump high enough to reach the book, but when I stepped backwards I stumbled into something- or someone, stepping on what could only be their feet. Surprised, I quickly stepped forwards, spinning around to see who sneaked up on me, for I was certain the aisle had been completely empty when I first entered it.

  My mouth dropped open as my eyes landed on the culprit, and I’m almost certain I drooled. Deep blue eyes, sandy hair, and a brushing of stubble- hardly enough to be considered a five o’clock shadow but breathtaking just the same. And did I mention the smile as his lips slowly curled up and he revealed his brilliant teeth, which left me standing there speechless? I had never encountered a man as beautiful as him.

  I finally managed to shut my mouth, which was now feeling dry from hanging open for so long. The man just stood there, amused, that wonderful smile still stretched across his face as he watched me try and collect myself. I felt my cheeks start to warm as a flush spread across my face. “I’m sorry,” I finally managed to say.

  “It’s all right. Do you need a hand?” His voice was smooth, deep, and relaxing. I wanted to stand there and listen to him all day. Then I realized he’d asked me a question.

  “Oh,” I stammered, glancing back at the shelf. What had I been doing here again? Oh, right, the book. I cleared my throat, trying to compose myself. “That’d be wonderful, actually. It appears Glenda moved the shelves around a bit and I can’t reach the James McCloud ones.” I realized I was babbling and stopped talking quickly. Meanwhile, the handsome stranger glanced up at the row of books and I realized I hadn’t specified which one I wanted. “Hazard Wave,” I quickly added. “It’s his newest novel.”

  “I know.” I blinked, surprised, as he reached up and easily grabbed two copies, handing one to me and holding on to the other one himself. “McCloud is my favourite author. I wrote a ten thousand word essay on his writing style in university; it allowed me to graduate with honours.”

  I wasn’t sure which part of that sentence surprised me more: the fact that he knew and loved James McCloud as much as I did, or the fact that he had just graduated university. My heart dropped knowing that if he had any idea how old I was he wouldn’t be giving me the time of day. As it was I should have given up right then, knowing he was a lot older than me and way out of my league. But I was infatuated, and I wanted to see just how long it would take him to realize I wasn’t as old as he clearly thought I was. Maybe it was wrong of me to string him along like that, but it had been a long time since I had connected with someone so deeply, and I wanted to hold on to it as long as I could.

  “He’s a wonderful writer,” I admitted, hugging the book he’d given me tightly. “I’ve read all of his novels.”

  He paused, looking thoughtful. “You know, I would love to hear your thoughts on Deep Down; my professor thought my interpretation of it was a little excessive, however I’m sure anyone who knows James McCloud as much as I do would agree with what I said. Do you have some time?”

  I considered him for a moment, wondering if it was worth the trouble or if it wa
s a waste of time. But he was handsome and I was enjoying the attention he was giving me, and even though it was probably a huge risk on my part I wanted to do it.

  “I’d love to.” I said, flipping my dark hair over my shoulder and sending him my most flirtatious grin. I saw the playful sparkle in his eye as he reached his hand out towards me and introduced himself. It was this moment that I would turn back to later, when things got rough and complicated. This moment, where he and I both pretended to be someone we weren’t because we were trying to hide the truth about ourselves. This moment because it was where I fell for him, even if I couldn’t admit it to myself at the time.

  “I’m Zander.”

  And it was this moment I wish I could change, if only because it was the beginning of our complicated relationship, and because it all started with a lie. “It’s nice to meet you Zander, I’m Jade.”

  Walking up to the counter with Zander to purchase my copy of Hazard Wave was a little nerve-wracking: what if Glenda saw me, or us, and started asking questions? What if she blew my cover? What if Zander found out I lied to him? I was already regretting my decision to use the name on my fake ID but it was too late now, what’s done was done. However, when we got to the counter Glenda was nowhere in sight and the cashier, who must have been new as I didn’t recognize her, rang in my book, glancing at Zander who was standing in line behind me, and batting her eyelashes at him. I felt a sudden wave of envy rush through me. Zander, though, only had eyes for me and didn't even seem to notice the signals she was throwing his way. As she hit the total button he stepped forwards, setting his book down on top of mine. “Will you ring this in as well?” He glanced at me and smiled that breathtaking smile. “I was thinking, I would be honoured to buy you this copy of Hazard Wave, if that’s all right? As a memento, if you will.”