Title: Starting From Here
Series: Starting From, #3
Author: Lane Hayes
Narrator: Michael Dean
Publisher: Lane Hayes
Release Date: October 23, 2020
Length: 8 hrs and 23 mins
Genre: Romance, Bisexual, Enemies to lovers, Rock and roll, Second Chance, Fake Boyfriend
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Synopsis
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.
When we stopped at a gas-station-slash-mini-market on the way to Santa Fe, he loaded up on an array of disgusting treats. I glanced at his armful of chips, candy bars, and a case of water, shaking my head.
“What’s with all that crap?”
“Trip treats. You know the drill,” he replied, dumping everything on the counter. “If we break down on an interstate in the middle of nowhere, we won’t be hungry.”
I pulled out my credit card and narrowed my gaze at the yellow bag he added. “No Funyuns. That’s a rule.”
“No, it’s not. The Funyuns stay.” He flashed a bright smile and extended it to the attendant who heartily agreed they were amazing while she swooned over my boyfriend…I mean, Declan. “They’re a classic. Your mom loves ’em too.”
I waited until we were on the road to bring it up again. “What’s with my mom and you and Funyuns?”
Dec kept his gaze forward and his hands on the steering wheel, a mischievous smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
“They were our inside joke. I ate dinner at your house one night when we were maybe eight, and our favorite snacks came up. I said I loved Funyuns, and your dad and sisters and you groaned. Rachel said they were repulsive, Maggie said they were gross, and you said they tasted like snail butt. The discussion devolved from there. And while your sisters were grilling you about the last time you ate snail butt, your mom leaned over and said, ‘I like them too.’ From that night on, she’d slip a bag of Funyuns into my backpack every so often. We never talked about it. She’d just wink and gave me a thumbs-up sign.”
“Ha. Sounds like my mom.”
“It’s true what they say about random acts of kindness. Your mom was always good at giving unconditionally.”
I smiled. “That’s true.”
“Want to know something funny? I haven’t actually eaten those things in fifteen years. I don’t know if I really like them anymore.”
I twisted in my seat to stare at him in dismay. “Then why buy them?”
“They remind me of you.”
I opened my mouth and closed it. Twice. “Should I be insulted?”
“No, moron. Good memories, you know?”
My heart did a somersault and triple axel. I pursed my lips to rein in my grin. “Yeah. But…Funyuns?”
Dec chuckled. “Open ’em. Let’s see if they’re still delicious.”
I sighed heavily and ripped the bag open. I handed a couple to Dec, then picked up a single ring, staring at it suspiciously before crunching into it.
“Oh. Yuck.” I rolled down the window, spit the onion ring in my hand, and threw it. There was a decent chance it landed against the SUV, but it was a rental so who cared?
Well, Dec did. “Jesus, T! What are you do—oh. Ew. These aren’t as good as I remembered.”
“Told ya they sucked. You’ve got the real deal. Don’t waste your money on old memories. I’m dumping these.”
“Do not litter!”
“I’m not throwing away the bag. Just the Funyuns.” I tipped the bag over, sending the processed treats flying in the wind.
Two seconds later, Dec pulled the car to the side of the road and pointed vehemently. “I cannot believe you just did that. You have to go pick them up.”
“Pick them up?”
“Yes. They’re everywhere…all over fucking New Mexico!”
“They’re biodegradable, babe,” I said with a straight face.
“Are you sure? Do you know that? Does anyone know that? You can’t just go around throwing crap out of moving vehicles in the middle of fucking nowhere. Someone could get hurt!”
“By a flying Funyun?”
Dec opened his mouth to argue or defend Funyuns everywhere, but he met my gaze and busted up laughing instead. We both did. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d laughed that hard. I had tears in my eyes and my stomach hurt.
He laid his head against the seat rest and sighed. “Okay, well…now that I’m sufficiently traumatized, it’s your turn to drive.”
“Deal.”
I waited for Dec to skirt the SUV to the passenger side, then I pulled him into my arms and fused my lips to his. We stood on the side of an interstate on a cold February afternoon, kissing. No tongue, no groping…just a sweet embrace and a tender touch. And when my traitorous heart soared, leaving me breathless and dizzy, all I could think was…
I don’t want this to end.
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Lane Hayes loves a good romance! An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and were winners in the 2016, 2017, and 2018-2019 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a not quite empty nest.
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