The Price of Love: Rockin' Country, #2

I

One Day at A Time

A Rockin’ Country Novella

Celebrity Couple.

Perfect in the public eye; imperfect in private.

Perfectly imperfect for each other.

Reaper and Harmony are finally off the road and ready to just be Garrett and Hannah. Excitement turns into fear when they start to learn more about each other. Gone is the glitz and glamour of hotel rooms and living on the road.

Now it’s real-life, and they have to learn how to deal with one another on a day-to-day basis.

Will they be able to withstand the pressure, or will they fold under the weight of the public machine?

They know the only thing they can do is take it one day at a time

Chapter One

It was after three o’clock in the morning when the two of them pulled into the garage of Garrett’s Huntington Beach home. When Hannah had decided that she wasn’t going straight home, she called her parents and explained the situation. They were supportive and promised to go check on her house for her—telling her that they wanted to meet Garrett as soon as possible.

I hate that it’s dark and I can’t see the views I know you probably have, Hannah pouted as she stepped out of his sports car. It was the same one he’d had in Nashville the first day they’d gone out together. She loved that car.

Yeah, too bad we couldn’t get a later flight. At least you’ll be able to see what the inside of the house looks like. As they had come into the gated community that he lived in, he’d tried to point out some of the things he liked.

He came around the car and grabbed her hand in his. Butterflies danced in her stomach, and she wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t like this was the first time she was going to a boyfriend's house. She and Ashton had done it a couple of times, more so in the beginning than towards the end. Never had she felt at home with him, at his house. Hannah didn't want to feel the same way with Garrett. Underlying fear had her nerves on edge. What if she stayed here with him and they realized that maybe they weren't as compatible as they seemed to be?

You okay? he asked as he let her hand go to separate the keys on his key ring.

Yeah, just nervous, she giggled.

Why? He grinned at her giggle. It's just me here.

I guess, she shrugged. This is all still new to me.

Never stayed at Ashton's? he asked as they walked inside and he put a code into the security system.

No, I did. This. Us. It feels different.

Hannah was having trouble articulating her feelings. She couldn't put into words how important this was for her, for them, and for their relationship. With other people this was probably easy; with her, it felt like the rest of her life counted on how this visit went.

It's supposed to, he told her as he walked into what she realized was a kitchen and began turning lights on. When it's important and it means a lot, it feels different. We're not playing house here, Han. This is the real fuckin' deal.

She huffed and he stuck his tongue between his lips. Knew that would get ya.

Just as she was about to ask him a question, she heard the clickety-clack of nails and the unmistakable sound of a dog collar. Before she could say anything, Garrett was on his knees, his arms wide open for what looked like a gray Doberman pinscher. The dog whined, running towards his owner, and threw himself into Garrett's arms, yipping and whining, obviously excited.

Hey, Havock, he cooed, running his hands over the dog's head and using his fingers to scratch the hair there. Did you miss me?

Standing back, she watched as Garrett had a seat in the middle of the kitchen floor and let the dog pounce on him. Havock, as Garrett had called him, was so excited that he kept licking the man's face. His chest heaved until finally Garrett stuck his hand out and pointed his finger in the 'down' direction. Sit, he commanded, and the Doberman obeyed.

You wanna come meet him? He looked back at Hannah.

I didn't want to interrupt your reunion, she smiled, slowly walking over to where the two sat.

Garrett's face burned. It's been a little while since he's seen me for longer than a few days. He's my boy. He ruffled the hair on the dog's head again. C'mere, he indicated, holding his hand out to her. He needs to smell you first. He's a trained guard dog. He'll take you down if you aren't careful.

Dogs hadn't ever been something that she and her family had, so this did make her a little uncomfortable. Not so uncomfortable that she couldn't stay in the same home with them, but she wasn't sure how to act.

Havock, this is your new roomie, Hannah, he introduced them.

Hannah snickered when he called her a roomie, but then forced herself to relax as she put her hand out to the dog. He sniffed her a few times and made a circle around her before sitting in front of her and licking her fingers. Does he like me?

Yeah, he likes you. Garrett laughed as Havock licked her hand and then lay down on the ground on his back. Nobody wants to see your junk, buddy. He clapped his hands. C'mon, let's give her the tour.

If Hannah had ideas about what his house looked like, it didn't begin to compare to what the reality of it was.

Do you really need all this room? she asked as they entered the fourth bedroom. It was decorated the way she figured a typical bachelor pad looked. His basement was amazing—even to her. It had a fully stocked bar, a pool table, a lounge area, and a huge set up for video games. He mentioned that he hosted tons of game nights and they sometimes went into the wee hours of the mornings.

Nah, but when you're young and you have money…you have an image to uphold. Especially when you're out here on the West Coast. You're lucky you grew up in Nashville where it's so laid back.

It's not as laid back as you think. There's a good ol’ boys club that took me a long time to break into.

But you weren't expected to drive an Escalade right outta the box now, were you?

He had her there. No, I wasn't. But ya know, I think that comes from there being so many songwriters in Nashville. There's only really a select few that are making a ton of money. Most of the people who roll up outside of a recording or writing session are in a rusted-out pickup truck. I mean, most of the artists write music to make money. That's what a typical Nashville deal looks like. If I had no songwriting credits, I'd be living like a college freshman, and that's no lie.

Even with touring?

It was still so odd for her to be able to have these conversations with him. She'd never been this comfortable with Ashton to have these kinds of talks; it felt good to have them with Garrett. I got my butt kicked on my touring gig to tell you the truth. I make pretty good on the merchandising, but I should have held out for a bigger piece of the ticket pie. Shell and I wrote that down for next time. We both knew there would be a few things we didn't exactly do right, and that was one of them. Learned a lesson with that.

That's good, though, as long as you learn from your mistakes. There's not a damn thing wrong with that.

A silence encompassed them, and she rocked back and forth on her heels. So we've been all over this house, and there are two things I'm wondering.

What's that?

Number one, what's the back yard look like? Number two, what's your bedroom look like?

Well, I can answer one question right now. He grabbed her hand and pulled her in the direction of a closed door at the end of the hall. This is my bedroom.

He opened the door and allowed her to walk in before him. She turned around to give him a little grin. It was exactly how she imagined it would look. The walls were a gunmetal gray, dark carpet covered the floor, all of the furniture was black, and in the middle sat a huge bed. It was four-poster with dark covers.

You really are dark sometimes, aren't you?

Garrett shrugged. It's all a part of my personality. Why should I get rid of one part to make the other part better? I am who I am.

She couldn't argue with that. He really was who he was, and she realized that there wasn't anything she would ask him to change. There was no reason to ask him to change. Hannah loved him exactly the way he was.

Come over here. He maneuvered her over to where a set of double doors sat in the wall.

She watched as he moved the curtains back and then opened them. It led out onto a balcony that had all-weather furniture. She loved it already.

This is amazing.

Believe it or not, this is where I do a lot of writing. It's so damn peaceful, and you can get inside your own head out here. I close those doors and, in essence, I close that world off, and I escape into my own world. I get rid of everything that's bothering me or whatever I'm going through in my life. This is my own little piece of heaven right here.

It was so special to her that he was showing her this part of him—this place that he obviously loved. Ever brought anyone else here? she asked on impulse.

Nope, I've never seen myself being happy with anyone here. I get the feeling you already love it just as much as I do.

Grabbing his hand, she pulled him to her and then put her hands on his hips. I'll reserve judgment on that until you show me the back yard.

You're beautiful and smart. You save your opinions until you really know what you're dealing with. I'm gonna have to remember that about you, Hannah Stewart.

Slowly, he pulled her over to the edge of the balcony and pointed down. Take a look at the back yard.

When she looked down, she knew that this was the place for her. There was a huge pool—much bigger than hers at home. To the left of it was an outside dining area along with what looked like an outside fireplace. She had always wanted something like this, but Tennessee wasn't exactly conducive to it, with the summers being so hot and muggy and the winters being a crapshoot. It was landscaped beautifully, and she saw a volleyball net further back on the property as well as a gate.

That gate leads to my own personal part of the beach.

You were right, she told him as she looked up into his eyes. This is a little slice of heaven.

It is, he agreed. But it's been damn lonely. I think it's been waiting on you.

In little moments of truth, he could completely undo her. It was a part of his personality that she still wasn't used to and wasn't sure that she ever would be. Garrett had the habit of just throwing out little things like that in everyday conversation.

Maybe I was waiting on it, she corrected. Maybe I need it even more than I thought I did.

For the first time in a very long time, she felt at peace. There was no one running her this way and that. No one asking for an autograph. She wasn't sitting at her Nashville home feeling bad that she wasn't hanging out with family or friends. That's what they expected her to do when she was in town and not working. Hannah was doing something for herself for a change, and she had a feeling she was going to enjoy every single minute of it. A jaw-popping yawn came out of her mouth at that moment, and Garrett leisurely ran his hand down her back.

Why don't we go to sleep? This will all be here in the morning. I can take you down to the beach.

That sounded so good to her. Does anyone know I'm here?

Just my parents and Stacey. I haven't even shared it with the guys yet. So we can keep it quiet if you want.

I really want to enjoy myself and relax.

He framed her face with his hands. You have nothing to explain to me. We'll do whatever you want to do. I'm happy you're here.

And so was she.

Chapter Two

Hannah could hear the ocean from where she lay wrapped up in Garrett’s arms. She could smell the salt from the water and the breeze that came in from the doors they had left open when they had lain down. Behind her, she could feel the beating of his heart, steady like a drum. Opening her eyes, she took in the colorful images that spread across his skin. One arm rested loosely around her neck, the other around her waist. He made a noise deep in his throat and then stretched languidly against her.

Morning, his deep voice whispered in her ear.

Morning, she answered back, turning her body around in the circle his arms had made around her. How do you ever go on tour away from this place?

He chuckled. It’s not easy when I get used to it, but then I have to remind myself that going away from it is what gives me the means to have it.

True, but this is like paradise on earth, she sighed. Even from where they lay, she could see the blue sky. It looked like a gorgeous day.

It is. This is my favorite place in the world to be besides where you are.

The sentiment made her heart skip a beat, and she wondered if they were moving too fast. Pushing that doubt into a corner of her brain and locking it with a padlock, she sighed. It was so peaceful here, this place he had built for himself. Would he be happy in Nashville with her—if that’s what it came down to? You couldn’t hear the ocean there, you couldn’t smell salt off the water. There was no gentle breeze. Where she lived was quiet, that much was true, but the summers were miserable, and the smell of the lake definitely was not the same as the ocean. Could she ask him to give it up?

Hey, you okay? His eyes were much more an emerald color in the morning, especially against the dark scruff of a beard that had grown overnight.

She shook her head slightly, pushing those thoughts out of her mind. Perfect, she grinned up at him. What are we doing today?

Garrett hadn’t missed the way her brow had furrowed with worry. It was obvious in the way she had shoved it off that she didn’t want to talk about it, but he would definitely be bringing it up later. Figured we could hang on the beach for a while. It’s not like the south though, you won’t be able to swim in this water yet. Havock likes running out there, and he hasn’t had a chance to do it with me lately. Then we could come back and swim in my heated pool. Stace mentioned she might come over tonight.

That would be great. I’m not close to many women besides Shell. She and I are kind of all we’ve had for the past few years. We do almost everything together, so it would be nice to spend some time with someone else.

He pulled back slightly. And you two haven’t killed each other yet? Aren’t women supposed to be straight-up bitches to each other sometimes?

Oh, that’s not to say that sometimes I don’t wish she would go away, Hannah laughed. But it just never worked out that I didn’t need her help.

That sounded so selfish, but it was the truth.

Damn, woman. Hopefully in this time away you’ll learn to do some shit for yourself, he joked.

What he said wasn’t that far from the truth. She’d counted on Shell for most of their friendship and working relationship just because that was what she was used to. This time she had out of the spotlight should be used to grow up. The life phase of her being selfish should end.

You’re right. It is time for me to learn to do some things for myself. That’s my goal while I’m off on break. To become a grown-up.

That’s not what I meant. I don’t want you to think that I think you’re a child. I know you’re not, but in this business you can get coddled. I don’t want you to be that way. I want you to be able to stand up for yourself and not let people walk the fuck over you. You’re much better than that, Han. When I’m not there, I want to know that you can take care of yourself.

The words that came out of his mouth were a contradiction to her. He wanted her to grow up, but he also wanted to take care of things for her.

You have to let me grow up too, Garrett. She told him softly.

C’mon Havock, Garrett yelled, tapping his hip as he ran down the beach, the dog hot on his heels.

Hannah giggled as Havock jumped on Garrett, knocking him over and rolling them both around in the sand. She stood further away from them down the beach, taking pictures with her phone. She had never seen Garrett like this, and she wanted to document it. It was a totally different side of him that she wanted to keep with her forever.

You okay? she asked as she jogged up to the two of them

He lay on his back, chest heaving, wet sand covering every part of him. Havock lay beside him, also panting.

Can you grab his dish and two bottles of water from my bag? he pushed out between breaths.

One for you and one for him? she questioned, a brow raised.

He nodded, putting a hand on his stomach and pushing his back up off the sand with the other. There’s absolutely no workout in the world that’s as good as playing on the beach with this guy.

She tossed him his bottle of water and then set the bowl down on the sand. Havock saw her and waited patiently as she unscrewed the top on his water bottle and poured a healthy portion into the bowl. There ya go, she told him in a soothing voice as he leaned his head down and began lapping it up.

Glancing back at Garrett, she saw his head tilted back, his Adam’s apple moving up and down as he demolished the bottle of water she had just handed him.

Let’s sit here for a few minutes, and then we’ll head back, he told her, patting the sand next to him. He wore my ass out.

She had a seat next to him and leaned into his side. It was comforting when his arm came behind her back, and he tucked her in against him, cupping her hip with his palm. He missed you.

I missed him too. Garrett grinned when the dog came over and lay at their feet, putting his head on Hannah’s shoe. He likes you, and I like that.

Very carefully she weighed whether she really wanted to ask the question on her mind or not. In the end, her curiosity won out. Does he not like everyone you bring home?

It was a quiet question, one he almost hadn’t heard over the waves that beat against the shore. She came on tour with me, but I never let her in here. This has always been my sanctuary. I’ve never brought another woman here besides you. He just normally doesn’t take to new people—period.

Doing a fist pump was probably not in good taste, she decided, but she really wanted to.

His phone made a noise beside him, and he glanced at it. Oh shit, come on. We gotta get back to the house. Stace is on her way.

It was on the tip of Hannah’s tongue to ask if Brad would be coming with her, but she wondered if big-brother Garrett had picked up on the vibes the two of them were throwing off of one another. In the end, she decided to keep her mouth shut.

Then I guess we better get going, she grinned as she stood up and patted her thigh. Havock stood quickly at the ready, looking back at his master.

See, he’s already minding you better than me. Garrett shook his head.

As they walked down the beach the way they had come, he put his arm around her shoulder and tucked her close to his body. In all the times he had been home and thought about what it would be like with a woman around, never in his wildest dreams did he imagine it would be like this. He felt at peace, his wandering soul was level, his need to be in front of a huge audience—it wasn’t there for the moment. For the first time in as long as he could remember, it just wasn’t there.

Chapter Three

Garrett leaned back against the seat he occupied on his patio and looked at the group of people that had gathered together. This was what it was all about. So many times in his day-to-day life he forgot that. He forgot what it was like to enjoy the people that made life worth living. Glancing over to the left, he watched Hannah and Stacey laugh with his mom. They were cracking up, and he couldn’t help the smile that played at the edges of his lips. A peace that he had never known settled into his gut. It scared him, almost more than the unease of not knowing where he was going in life, but he was ready to take it by the balls and show it who was boss. These moments were pivotal, and he knew without a doubt he couldn’t fuck them up.

Please tell me you really didn’t do that, Hannah giggled, holding herself around the midsection.

No, girl, I did, Stacey said as she stood up with her beer, gesturing at the two of them. "I said ‘Motherfucker, if you think your friend’s garage band is better than my brother’s and you can prove it, I’ll suck your dick. Not an issue.’"

Hey! he yelled from where he sat. That caused him to see red. He didn’t like to hear her talk like that—especially when she seemed to have some misguided sense of protecting the band. They didn’t need protecting. Please tell me you didn’t say that.

Brad sat over to the left of the group of women, and Garrett didn’t miss the scowl that he directed towards Stacey. He still hadn’t been able to get his mom to tell him what she’d meant that one day when she’d mentioned something about Stacey and Brad. Obviously something was going on there—he just didn’t know what.

I just told her I did. It pissed me off, Stacey yelled. It really did. There were so many people who talked shit about her brother and the band because they didn’t personally know them. They just assumed they did because of a few magazine articles that they got from the store. It killed her when they talked that way about people that she cared so much about.

He walked over to the group and grasped Hannah’s hands, pulling her up so that they stood chest to chest. Then he had a seat, pulling her into his lap. Please don’t talk about sucking a guy’s dick around me. Mom? Can’t you talk some sense into her?

You know how she is about you and the guys. She’s fiercely loyal. Thanks to you, you made her that way. I think you forget, but she’s a grown woman who can make her own decisions.

That’s right, Stacey told him. I can make my own decisions, and that was a good bet. They sounded like shit.

That was a bad bet, he told her, his green eyes flashing with warning and annoyance. Don’t do it again.

Hannah turned so that she was facing him. She loves you, and she wanted to defend your honor. You do so much for her; let her do what she feels like she should for you.

But— he protested before she leaned forward, pressing her lips to his.

Don’t argue with me, she told him playfully, pulling on his ear.

He set his beer bottle down on the table and stood both of them up, turning her around and, wrapping her legs around his waist. Normally this would embarrass her, him being so affectionate in front of everyone else, but they’d all had a few drinks, and they were all friends and family. I’ll argue with you if I want to, he whispered in her ear.

Hannah felt his large hands on her lower back, rubbing the expanse of skin that was bare from where her shirt stopped and her shorts started. A slow smile spread across her face. You will, huh?

Yeah, he flirted back with her.

Seeing him like this made her a little cocky. Digging her feet into his back, she was putty in his arms as he started walking with her, grasping her thighs as he did. It wasn’t until she looked down, that she realized where they were.

You wouldn’t. She dug her fingernails into his shoulder as he held her over the edge of the pool.

Oh, but I would. Especially for grabbing my ear like that. He leaned in and kissed her on the forehead before he dropped her, watching as she sank under the water.

She came up sputtering. You are such a jerk, Reaper. She purposely called him by his stage name.

He laughed, eyeing his sister. She stood along with everyone else, giggling as she watched Hannah fight her way out of the pool. As he stalked over towards Stacey, she shook her head, backing away. No, no, no! she screamed as she took off running.

Garrett raced after her, catching her easily around the waist. Never joke about sucking a guy’s dick for me again, he told her before