Starting from Series by Lane Hayes – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read

Starting from Series by Lane Hayes – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.ilovenovels.com Sun, 07 Mar 2021 09:17:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 http://www.ilovenovels.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/favicon.png Starting from Series by Lane Hayes – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.ilovenovels.com 32 32 Starting From the Top (Starting From #5) Read Online Lane Hayes http://www.ilovenovels.com/starting-from-the-top-starting-from-5-read-online-lane-hayes Sun, 07 Mar 2021 09:05:38 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/starting-from-the-top-starting-from-5-read-online-lane-hayes Genre: M-M Romance, Romance Authors: Lane Hayes Series: Starting from Series by Lane Hayes
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Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 93957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)

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Read Online Books/Novels:	Starting From the Top (Starting From #5)
Author/Writer of Book/Novel:	Lane Hayes
Language:	English
ISBN/ ASIN:	B08PY277F8
Book Information:
The guitarist, the dad, and a band on the rise… Johnny A quiet place to live and some time to recharge before my band heads out on the road again sounds amazing. I wouldn’t mind a distraction too, but my new neighbor is off-limits. There are rules about not getting involved with your bandmate’s ex, right? And Sean isn’t my type anyway. He’s too bossy, too commanding, and he has way too much baggage. I’ve learned that it’s best to let go of the heavy stuff. So why am I so drawn to him? Sean Coming out later in life has taught me to protect my privacy at all costs. And while juggling a handful of businesses and two kids isn’t easy, I excel at the art of multitasking and keeping everything separate. But Johnny blurs those lines. He’s easy-going, sweet-natured, and cool. In short, he’s everything I’m not. I want to know all about him…starting from the top. ***Starting From The Top is a MM, bisexual romance with some rock and roll, an age gap, and a little family fun! Each book in the Starting From series can be read as a stand-alone.
Books in Series:	Starting from Series by Lane Hayes
Books by Author:	Lane Hayes

1

Johnny

“Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in face of certain defeat.”—Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man

Sunlight flooded the space through the wall of newly installed windows, casting an ethereal glow reminiscent of a church at sundown. It bounced off the shiny hardwood flooring and sleek built-in cabinetry in the living area. Everything sparkled and shone like a shiny penny. Well, not everything. The cans of paint stacked beside the tower of scaffolding where the ceiling’s peak was at its highest ruined the illusion. Or maybe it was the death metal blasting through the speakers.

Nah, music was life. It brought depth and character to this otherwise blank canvas and made it feel a little more like home.

My home. My first ever actual house. I’d bought this place myself with my own hard-earned rock and roll money. No outside assistance and no roommate needed to help pay the mortgage. This was all me and damn, it felt good. A reason to celebrate for sure.

I played air guitar as I danced around a ladder, adding a screechy soundtrack for effect. When the song climaxed with a wicked crescendo, I fell to my knees, raising my phantom instrument above my head like a true rock god performing in front of twenty thousand fans. I held my pose, then collapsed theatrically with my arms and legs spread wide and a big, stupid grin on my face. My cell buzzed in my pocket before I could jump to my feet and take a bow to my party of none.

I sat up and answered my phone with a self-satisfied grin. “Marry me, Ann. I’m in love.”

The woman on the line chuckled softly. “I’ll pass along the proposal. This is Fiona, her business partner. She’s in Aspen at the moment, but I promised to check in on her famous client.”

I snorted. “I don’t know about famous, but thanks for checking in. Wyatt’s doing an amazing job.”

“And what do you know? I’m sitting here with Wyatt now, chatting about a few of our upcoming design projects. I’ll put you on speakerphone.”

“Hey, Johnny. What do you think?” a masculine voice inquired.

“I think it’s fucking amazing. I love it,” I gushed.

My contractor chuckled. “Which part? We still have a ways to go, you know. What do you think of the paneling in the entry?”

“Awesome.”

“And the tile in the master bathroom?”

“Freaking beautiful,” I replied, lying flat on my back to stare up at the ceiling.

I had no intention of darting from room to room to give them my report card, which I assumed was what this phone call was all about. Ann Berenson’s interior design firm was a well-respected entity, and Wyatt was a newbie.

Wyatt Pearson might have been new to the West Coast, but he’d been in the construction industry for decades and had an impressive résumé. He knew what he was doing. I’d trusted him to turn my mid-century ranch-style home into a modern retreat, and he’d delivered. He’d been diligent, timely, and thorough. It wasn’t quite finished, but I had no doubt that the end result would be spectacular.

Wyatt snorted. “Why do I have a feeling your eyes are closed?”

“They are,” I admitted. “But I took a quick peek when I got home from the studio. It’s really coming along. What’s left to do?”

“The guest bathroom, the closet installation, and we’re waiting on a few light fixtures. I wanted to start painting on Monday, but Ann wants to approve the colors first and—”

“Oh, shoot,” Fiona groaned. “She needs that color wheel.”

I heard them chatter amongst themselves. The gist was that Wyatt had left that very specific color wheel with a client or at Fiona’s ex’s house…I lost track. Ann was flying directly to Orange County to meet with a real estate agent who wanted them to handle staging and blah, blah, blah. They were kind of killing my buzz. I was about to excuse myself from their conversation when I realized the real estate agent in question was my friend’s mom.

“Look, if it’s important, I can deliver it. I’m going to see Dec’s mom at a barbecue tomorrow,” I interjected. “Get it to me before noon, and I’ll hand it over.”

“Oh wow, that would be a huge help,” Fiona said. “I’m going to call Ann from another line. Keep talking. I’ll ask Sean to get it to you. Thanks, Johnny.”

“Uh, sure.” The line clicked. “Who’s Sean?”

“Her ex. I just redid his home office,” Wyatt replied. “He lives a couple of blocks away from you.”

“Oh. Well, I’m going to run errands later. If you give me his address and ask him to leave the book on his doorstep, I can swing by his house tonight on my way home.”

“I hate to ask you to do that.”

“You didn’t ask, I offered. It’s not a problem at all.”

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Starting From Somewhere (Starting From #4) Read Online Lane Hayes http://www.ilovenovels.com/starting-from-somewhere-starting-from-4-read-online-lane-hayes Fri, 20 Nov 2020 21:22:28 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/starting-from-somewhere-starting-from-4-read-online-lane-hayes Genre: M-M Romance, Romance Authors: Lane Hayes Series: Starting from Series by Lane Hayes
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Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34927 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)

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Read Online Books/Novels:	Starting From Somewhere (Starting From #4)
Author/Writer of Book/Novel:	Lane Hayes
Language:	English
ISBN/ ASIN:	B08M6FG9YJ
Book Information:
The guitarist and the geek… Bobby J- What can I say? I’m a man of many tastes. I know what I like, and I’m not afraid to go for it. And I like the adorable geek from the bar. A lot. He’s smart and sassy…and he doesn’t seem to know or care that I’m in a hot up-and-coming band. However, I just found out he’s the new intern at Scratch Records. Uh-oh, this could get tricky. Cody- Confession…I’ve flubbed my mission. My quest is to research cool things and interesting people before I start my job as aerospace analyst—not fall for a rock star. My internship won’t last long if I can’t control this infatuation. Bobby J might look like a bear, but he’s fun and sweet and…oh boy, I think I’m in over my head. But maybe that’s not such a bad thing. After all, you’ve got to start somewhere. Starting From Somewhere is a MM, bisexual romance with some rock and roll and a little nerdiness! Each book in the Starting From series can be read as a stand-alone.
Books in Series:	Starting from Series by Lane Hayes
Books by Author:	Lane Hayes

1

Bobby J

“Someday, somewhere—anywhere, unfailingly, you’ll find yourself, and that, and only that, can be the happiest or bitterest hour of your life.”—Pablo Neruda

The Zebra Den was the ultimate dive bar—complete with dark, dingy corners, sticky tabletops, torn leatherette barstools, and a pervading air of quiet desperation. In the plus column, the bartenders were friendly. They poured a strong drink, offered conversation if you were interested, left you alone when you weren’t, and they played decent music. Oh yeah, and it was right next door to the studio, which made it an ideal place to unwind after practice.

I took a sip of beer, then set my glass down, scanning the bar briefly before tipping my head toward my friends, who had apparently found something hysterical.

“What are you laughing at?” I asked, narrowing my gaze as I swiveled on my seat to face Declan and Tegan.

“You,” Justin chuckled. “Someone catch your eye?”

“Nope. But the night is young,” I singsonged, waggling my brows lasciviously.

“Not for us. We have to let Chester out.” Gray drew a few bills from his wallet and draped his arm over Justin’s shoulders. “Are you ready, babe?”

“Let me finish my beer first.” Justin leaned into his boyfriend’s side and flashed a sweet smile at him.

Justin and Gray were a striking couple with an eighteen-year age difference. Justin was the lead singer of our rival band, Zero, and Gray was a well-respected Grammy-winning songwriter. Okay, “rival” was the wrong word. The guys in Zero and Jealousy were actually pretty good friends these days. As the marquee bands for Scratch Records, we felt a joint responsibility to get our fledgling label up and running. We’d had a rocky start, but Charlie, our fabulous manager, steered us through the worst of it.

And yeah…it helped that Tegan and Declan had mended old fences. Jealousy’s lead singer, Declan, and Zero’s drummer, Tegan, were ridiculously in love. They weren’t gross about it, but I caught those dopey looks they shared every once in a while. It was kinda sweet. They were a hot couple: Dec was movie-star handsome with longish brown hair, blue eyes, and the toned physique of a swimmer. His boyfriend, on the other hand, looked like a badass tattooed wrestler. No lie. Tegan’s muscles had muscles.

I studied the Celtic design inked on Tegan’s forearm for a second, then glanced up and sighed when I caught the gooey-eyed lovefest happening. Tegan and Dec wore matching “I’m so gonna do you when we’re alone” expressions. Note to self: find new friends. Preferably single ones.

“Yeah, we should go too,” Dec said, tearing his gaze from Tegan’s to sip his beer.

“Really? One measly beer and you’re ready to roll?” I hoped my lopsided smile erased my whiny tone. I didn’t want to go home; it was too damn lonely. “The least you can do is help me find a drinking buddy.”

Justin gave me a pointed look as he stood. “I have an idea. Call Johnny.”

Ouch.

I raised my glass and sighed. “He wouldn’t pick up the phone.”

“Hey, I don’t know what happened between you two, but you were good friends. Buy him a bottle of Jack and fuckin’ fix it already,” Justin huffed.

“Justin…” Gray warned.

“What? I’m just saying what everyone else is thinking. Do us all a favor and talk to him. Johnny’s a good guy. He’ll listen. Tell him you’re sorry and—”

“Hang on. What makes you think I did anything wrong?” I narrowed my eyes and shot a menacing look that by rights should have made him flinch.

Justin wasn’t fazed. He squeezed my shoulder and laughed.

“Dude, you’ve got trouble written all over your face. If a bad idea is in the works, I know you probably have something to do with it. And I respect that.” He paused to offer me a high five. “But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to deal with the consequences. That’s life. Own up, apologize, and move the fuck on.”

“Who are you, and what did you do with Justin?” Tegan asked in mock bewilderment.

Justin swatted his best friend upside the head and jumped out of reach before T could retaliate. He slipped his hand into Gray’s and grinned. “I’m mature now. Right, babe?”

“Something like that.” Gray kissed his cheek and tugged his hand. “Let’s go. See you guys.”

Justin made a phone-call gesture as he walked away, chuckling when I flipped him off.

“He’s right, you know,” Dec said softly.

Apparently, my evil glare needed a tune-up. He raised his brow in challenge.

“Fine,” I conceded gruffly. “Can we drop it? Any second now, you two are gonna leave me stranded at the bar, so let’s end the night on a high note. Help me find some sexy trouble.”

Honestly, I was more interested in changing the topic than anything. I had a mess to clean up and I knew it. But there was no point in stewing over things I couldn’t change.

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Starting From Here (Starting From #3) Read Online Lane Hayes http://www.ilovenovels.com/starting-from-here-starting-from-3-read-online-lane-hayes Thu, 01 Oct 2020 21:34:04 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/starting-from-here-starting-from-3-read-online-lane-hayes Genre: Gay, GLBT, M-M Romance, Romance Authors: Lane Hayes Series: Starting from Series by Lane Hayes
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Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 88586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)

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Read Online Books/Novels:	Starting From Here (Starting From #3)
Author/Writer of Book/Novel:	Lane Hayes
Language:	English
Book Information:
Two bands, one goal, and a second chance… Declan- Everything is finally going well. I have a new band, a new label, and a debut album coming out. And then my drummer breaks his wrists. Just my luck. I need a quick replacement to record one more song, but my options are limited, and of course, the obvious candidate hates my guts. Okay, so I may have given him a few reasons over the years, but isn’t there an expiration date on holding a grudge? Tegan- I don’t trust Declan McNamara. Sure, he’s talented, smart, and has more sex appeal than any one person should be allowed. And yeah, he may be a rock star in the making, but beware—he’s trouble. However, our new record label’s survival may depend on a truce and extreme measures…of the fake boyfriend variety. If it’s our best shot at the big time, I’m willing to set the past aside and start over…here and now. Starting From Here is a MM, bisexual romance rock and roll style…rival bands, fake boyfriends, and a second chance at a new love story. Each book in the Starting From series can be read as a stand-alone.
Books in Series:	Starting from Series by Lane Hayes
Books by Author:	Lane Hayes

1

Declan

“What you seek is seeking you.”—Rumi

The streetlight illuminated the early morning fog like a spotlight on a darkened stage. The parking lot was deserted, but it wouldn’t be for long. The city would be wide awake soon with people hustling to work or school, anxious to get a head start on their day. Knowing the lack of activity was temporary made it seem special, although at the moment, it felt eerie.

I shook off the fanciful notion as I let myself into the side entrance of Scratch Records. I’d been running on caffeine and adrenaline for a couple of weeks now. I was bound to be a little loopy at the ass crack of dawn. Three hours of sleep wasn’t going to cut it, but I had to get this song down before it faded from consciousness. The words weren’t a problem—I just needed a beat. Something slow and sexy.

I made my way along the dimly lit corridor, bypassed the contemporary-style reception area, and headed for the narrow hallway leading to the studio. Excuse me…studios, plural. There were two. Ours and theirs. A small lobby area served as a holding zone of sorts. If Zero and Jealousy were better friends, we might hang out there and chill between practices. But we weren’t, so we didn’t.

Whatever. Not something to worry about at five a.m. Or at any time of day, if I could help it.

I pulled my key card from my pocket and opened the door to Jealousy’s studio, flipping on the overhead lights. It was a fairly basic space with vaulted ceilings and bluish-gray walls. The light hardwood floor was covered with a few knock-off Persian rugs for acoustic purposes, but other than the modern gray sofa near the recording studio window, the room was filled with instruments: a row of electric, bass, and rhythm guitars, propped neatly in the rack next to two large amps. Keyboards and a drum kit sat on the opposite side near the engineering equipment.

I kicked my shoes off and picked up my favorite guitar. Stella was a gorgeous amber Yamaha. I’d had her for almost fourteen years now. She’d been with me through tough times. Heartbreak and heartache, fear and longing. I’d played her till my fingers bled, ripping open my chest and pouring my soul into carefully crafted songs I hadn’t shared with the world…yet. That was about to change. I was ready to begin again. And I was hoping that with a bit of bravado, this old girl and I would finally be on our way.

My calloused fingers tripped over the opening chords of the song in my head as I sang a few lines.

“Coming from an old space to find a new way to—fuck.”

I sat on the edge of the sofa to tune my guitar. When I was satisfied Stella was ready, I tried again, coaxing the melody and twisting the cadence of my words to fit the notes. Crafting a song sometimes took me days or weeks. But every once in a while, it poured out of me in a matter of hours.

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Starting from Scratch Read online Lane Hayes (Starting From #2) http://www.ilovenovels.com/starting-from-scratch-2-read-online-lane-hayes Wed, 08 Aug 2018 13:57:33 +0000 http://www.test123.demo2.xyz/starting-from-scratch-2-read-online-lane-hayes Genre: Gay, GLBT, M-M Romance, Romance Authors: Lane Hayes Series: Starting from Series by Lane Hayes
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Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87863 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)

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Read Online Books/Novels:	Starting from Scratch (Starting From #2)
Author/Writer of Book/Novel:	Lane Hayes
Language:	English
Book Information:
Charlie Rourke is an ultra fabulous human whirlwind on a mission to launch the next biggest band in the world. However, he might have taken on more than he could handle when he signed on to manage Zero. Promoting a rock band and finding gigs shouldn’t be hard. They’re a talented group with a ton of star power. If Charlie can find the right record label, he’s sure he can help them get to the next level. The only problem is the skater boy slash bassist with a quirky sense of humor. He’s annoying and silly, and he’s exactly Charlie’s type. Except he’s straight. Ky Baldwin isn’t afraid to switch things up. He loves a challenge as much as anyone, but Charlie doesn’t make things easy. Zero’s manager is a force of nature with a razor sharp tongue, a quick wit, and a no-nonsense attitude. Ky can’t stop thinking about him. Winning over Charlie becomes Ky’s pet project. But when the ice between them thaws, neither is prepared for the intensity of going from enemies to lovers. They’ll have to decide if they’re willing to start from scratch and take a chance on the unexpected.
Books in Series:	Starting from Series by Lane Hayes
Books by Author:	Lane Hayes Books

1

Charlie

“Life is easy to chronicle, but bewildering to practice.”—E.M. Forster, A Room with a View

The screech of an electric guitar grated like nails down a chalkboard, but it was slightly better than the off-tempo thump of the bass bouncing off the studio walls. The lackluster sound wasn’t normal. This band was destined for greatness—though maybe not today. Over the past six months, Zero had gone from being a minor curiosity to a rock and roll band on the rise with a steadily growing fan base. Every one of their LA-area shows sold out in advance last month. That had to be a good thing. One offbeat practice and a bad review didn’t change anything.

Fine. One scathing review.

I reread the last few lines from the unflattering piece in Sound Cloud by Nelson Cormer.

Zero is a mediocre facsimile of a 1980s hair band. They’re proof, if anyone needed it, that manufactured sound and contrived formulas are alive and well. The foursome lacks chemistry and the panache of seasoned musicians like Declan McNamara…blah, blah, blah.

Utter bullshit.

And if you asked me, it was rather suspicious that the reviewer praised Declan McNamara. It seemed contrived. Everyone knew there was bad blood between Zero and Xena’s former guitarist. Obviously Nelson hoped a hint of discord would draw attention to his publication…and to Declan. I wondered who was pulling the strings there. It had to be someone with an ulterior motive. If I’d learned anything from my dad, it was to look for the angle. No one worked for free. As Zero’s manager-slash-promo-director, I had to keep an eye out.

However, I also had to keep perspective. A lot of people got off on tearing down artists who moved into the public eye too quickly. My experience with Instagram insta-fame taught me that for every ten people who loved you, ten others wanted to pull you apart. Haters were always gonna hate; popularity only made it worse. And Zero was popular. Okay, so they were popular in an “LA indie band” kind of way, but it was a good start. The buzz surrounding the band grew daily, while most people had no idea who Declan was or why he was persona non grata with Zero. Truthfully, I wasn’t one hundred percent clear about what happened, but I figured it had to do with sex or money. Or both. It always did.

I studied the band from my perch on the sofa in the studio. Zero had only been together officially for six months, but they each shared a history of some sort. Justin and Tegan had played in Gypsy Coma together; Justin and Johnny had worked at Aromatique, an adorable West Hollywood coffee shop until a month ago; and Tegan and Ky knew each other from high school. I was the newbie here, but in some ways, I felt closer to these guys than I did to friends I’d known my whole life. They felt like the cool older brothers I never had. They worked hard, but they knew how to have fun. And I appreciated that they made a point of including me in their silliness.

They were all good-looking twentysomethings with promising futures. Justin was a talented songwriter and a charismatic lead singer with a smoky, bluesy voice, Johnny was an innovative guitarist, Tegan rocked on drums, and Ky was…

Well, in my opinion, Zero’s bassist was the weak link.

Ky was lean and lanky with green eyes, sun-kissed skin, and longish dark-blond hair that always looked like it needed a good wash. His personal style and demeanor screamed laid-back California kid. Ky paired board shorts with old T-shirts advertising skateboard, surf, or ski gear every day. In cooler weather, he might throw a plaid shirt on and switch out his flip-flops for his ancient Vans.

Usually I was a huge advocate for embracing one’s true self, but stage presence mattered. I took the promotional part of my job very seriously. I couldn’t represent a vision I knew wouldn’t sell, and the Beach Boys zombie crossover look was a no. Today’s ensemble was a perfect example. Ky’s board shorts hung low on his hips, and his threadbare snug-fitted tee clung to his biceps like it was part of his skin. Every time he adjusted his fingers on the fretboard, his muscles flexed and strained against the “barely there” fabric. It was obscene. And yes, my dick approved. Not okay.

I shifted clandestinely to ease some of the pressure from my overworked zipper and refocused on the article just as they wrapped up the song. Thank God.

“What’d you think?” Justin asked with a mischievous grin.

“That was awful,” I replied, closing my laptop and stretching my arms above my head.

Johnny flipped me off, chuckling when Tegan threw one of his drumsticks at me. I flung the stick back at him and missed by a mile. It hit the wall and bounced off the high hat with a loud clang.

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Starting from Zero Read online Lane Hayes (Starting from #1) http://www.ilovenovels.com/starting-from-zero-1-read-online-lane-hayes Wed, 24 Jan 2018 01:57:33 +0000 http://www.test123.demo2.xyz/starting-from-zero-1-read-online-lane-hayes Genre: M-M Romance, Romance Authors: Lane Hayes Series: Starting from Series by Lane Hayes
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Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78163 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)

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Read Online Books/Novels:	Starting from Zero (Starting from #1)
Author/Writer of Book/Novel:	Lane Hayes
Language:	English
Book Information:
Justin Cuevas is going through a rough patch. A broken relationship, a scandal, and the demise of his band have shaken the aspiring rock star’s confidence. Working two jobs and sleeping on his friend’s sofa isn’t ideal, but Justin isn’t ready to give up yet. With a little luck, he’s hoping to re-launch his music career in LA with his new band, Zero. The key is to stay focused, and not get distracted by his past...or the sexy songwriter he can’t get out of his head. Gray Robertson has written dozens of hits and worked with some of the biggest names in the industry. But he’s never met anyone like Justin. The younger man is fiery, passionate, and smart. A powerful voice for a new generation. Other than an unforgettable one-night stand and a passion for music, the two men have nothing in common. Or do they? Justin knows the out-of-the-blue challenge to write a quintessential love song is a huge opportunity. And it’s the ultimate test for someone who’s doesn’t believe in happily ever after. When sparks fly, Justin and Gray realize they have a shot something special if they start from zero together. Maybe even love.
Books in Series:	Starting from Series by Lane Hayes
Books by Author:	Lane Hayes Books

1

Justin

“Everything must have a beginning…and that beginning must be linked to something that went before.”—Mary Shelley, Frankenstein

A spotlight fell over the lone microphone on the vacant stage. The dramatic illumination seemed unnecessary in a club as small as Carmine’s, where the maximum occupancy topped out at one hundred, but size wasn’t important. Of course, that was what all desperados said when making the most of a less than ideal situation. And things had definitely turned desperate.

My ragtag band of three was down a guitarist. Not good—especially tonight. Sure, our invitation to perform was last-minute and slightly suspicious. And yes, I probably should have waited for Johnny to confirm he was available, but no one turned Carmine down. His club might look like a basic dive bar…dim lighting, sticky floors, dark walls adorned with ancient concert posters, a tiny stage on one end, a busy bar on the other…but it was special.

Carmine’s catered to music business hopefuls and professionals. On an average night you might bump into an A-list producer, an aspiring banjo player, or your neighborhood barista. The “invitation only” policy elevated the opportunity to an elite status that made me wonder how the hell Johnny, Tegan, and I made the cut. We’d only recently started playing together full-time. Johnny on lead guitar, Tegan on drums, and me on rhythm guitar and vocals. We were still missing some key components…like a bassist, a manager—and hell, a name—but we figured we’d work out the kinks. We were young, motivated, and we had nothing to lose. Literally nothing.

But we needed Johnny. If he didn’t get here soon, we’d have to make some last-minute changes. Or bow out.

“What time did Johnny say he’d get here?” Tegan asked as he scanned the semi-dark area near the bar.

“He didn’t say. He couldn’t find anyone to close for him on three-hours’ notice,” I huffed. “I kind of hoped we’d catch a break and get a later spot, but Carmine said we’re going on first.”

“Shit.”

“You can say that again. This is beginning to feel like a disaster.” I tipped back my bottle and shot a weak smile at my brother, Rory, and his boyfriend, Christian, when they approached our table with a fresh round of drinks.

Rory slid a beer in front of me and patted my shoulder before angling his head toward the bar. “Heads up. Your ex is at the bar.”

We all turned on cue.

Fuck. Me.

Xena was hard to miss with her trademark long and curly raven hair, ubiquitous Doc Martens, and cherry-red lipstick. She had a way of standing out in a crowd even dressed entirely in black. She married edgy style with innate confidence. Her shoulders were back, her head held high, and her eye was always on the next opportunity. Which definitely wasn’t me—we were over and done six months ago. And there was nothing amicable about our split, so I had to wonder why she was here tonight. My luck couldn’t be that bad, could it?

“Well, that kind of sucks,” I groused, craning my neck to get a better look. She was talking to Carmine and someone in the shadows. “Did she say anything to you?”

“Yeah. She said ‘Hi.’ It freaked me out,” Rory grumbled.

Christian slipped his arm around my brother’s waist and kissed his cheek. “Poor baby. I’ll protect you. Which one is she?”

“The dragon in black,” Tegan replied, narrowing his gaze. “Hey, isn’t that—”

“It doesn’t matter. We’re on first. We can’t worry about her,” I said.

“You’re right. To new beginnings.” Rory raised his glass of water. “Break a leg, boys.”

I clinked my bottle to theirs and was almost ridiculously grateful when Rory changed the subject to the wicked LA traffic they’d battled to be here on a Wednesday night.

“Hey, we made a date of it,” Christian teased.

“You’re right. A romantic dinner at Chipotle,” Rory intercepted.

Christian smacked Rory’s bicep playfully, then chuckled when my brother winced and pretended to fall off his barstool. I rolled my eyes at their hijinks, though I appreciated the distraction. Christian and Rory were a cool couple: the football player and the math geek. They’d met when my brother tutored Christian for a statistics class last fall. Christian was a good-looking guy with brown hair, blue eyes, and broad shoulders. Rory was a couple of inches shorter than Christian’s six foot four, but his muscular physique, copious tats, and general badass vibe made him seem taller. They looked good together. And happy.

I could almost be jealous. But after the drama of the past few months, I was more than fine with my single status. I had bigger things to worry about. Like how Tegan and I were going to perform without a real guitarist. I bit the inside of my cheek and shot a worried glance at my friend, hoping he had a plan B. Tegan had more band experience than Johnny and I, plus he’d been a member of Gypsy Coma too. He knew Xena well, though not in the same way.

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