PROLOGUE
ANGIE
My heart thudsagainst my chest, and I’m nauseous. How did I get this so wrong?
“Babe?” Tommy questions while I jump out of bed and ignore him. Clipping my bra into place, I search for my clothes. When I can’t find my top, I decide to pinch his Oasis t-shirt, which is draped over the chair. Screw him.
“This can’t be a shock, Angie. Come on. We said from the start we’d keep things casual. The band comes first and you know that, so I don’t see the problem,” he says with one hand behind his head while slouching against the headboard.
Why is he being like this?
“It’s not just the band, though, is it, Tommy? I changed my mind and thought you had too. But no. While I’ve been bragging to the world and his wife about how fucking wonderful my drummer boyfriend is, you’ve been sleeping with other people.”
“Boyfriend?” he huffs, then smirks and shakes his head. “We never agreed to be exclusive.”
“Oh, stupid me for assuming,” I say, as my voice breakspainfully in my throat and I fight to pull the t-shirt over my head.
“Don’t do this to me, Angie.”
“Do what exactly?”
“Weigh me down with guilt. It’s not fair.”
Christ. He’s laughable.
While I do up the zipper of my jeans, I slip on my trainers. I don’t intend to hang around to be humiliated by a guy who, only a few weeks ago, was just another university student playing in a local rock band. Now, they’ve signed a record deal, he’s dropped out of uni, and he believes his own hype. Well, good luck, mate. I don’t need this new version of him. Fuck that.
“I trusted you, Tommy. How stupid am I?”
With my stomach in knots, I head for the door, but he leaps out of bed and grabs my arm.
“Angie, wait. Please, don’t be upset.” His thumb sweeps across my face, brushing away my flowing tears. His hazel eyes capture and hold my attention for more seconds than they deserve and, for a moment, the good guy is back. “I don’t want to hurt you,” his soft voice tries to soothe.
I’m mesmerised, I admit it. But I still have some self-respect, and his words won’t change the situation. For my own good, I have to break away.
“Too late, Tommy Graham. The damage is done.”
CHAPTER ONE
TOMMY
FIVE YEARS LATER
I love our fans,but fuck, they’re noisy. My name is called from ten different directions, and I give them a brief wave, but this isn’t my day. I don’t want to take anything away from the bride and groom. I have a job to do.
Calla steps out of a white 1960s Rolls Royce. I hold out my arms, hugging her briefly. “Everyone’s waiting. You look beautiful. Ash is a lucky guy.”
She blushes. “Thanks, Tommy.”
“Mummy.” Her daughter, Zoe tugs on the bottom of her mum’s dress, and Calla gently places a hand on her head.
“Are you nervous, chicken?”
Zoe pulls a face. “No, Mummy. I need a wee,” Zoe shouts. This kid cracks me up.
My smile soon drops and all the air leaves my lungs when my focus is snatched away in another direction. The girl who was mine for a little while stands by the bride’s side. Fuck me. She looks incredible.
“Come on, Miss Zoe.” Angie takes Zoe’s tiny hand andmy attention with it. “We can pop to the loo before Mummy and Daddy get married.” As Angie walks past and into the entrance, her eyes glance my way. “Hi, Tommy.”
