It's time to drop this double standard
Apr 10, 2023 11:00 am
Hello! The grass is slowly turning green. The sun is shining, and I'm ready to get out and enjoy it! I'm in spring cleaning mode and can't wait to tackle some of the garage mess that's accumulated for years. What's on your spring to-do checklist?
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INSTALOVE SPOTLIGHT
Back Stage Pass: short & steamy, close proximity, enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract, grumpy sunshine, redemption romance - now with a bonus scene linked at the end of the story.
Can we do away with double standards?
This book caused quite a stir among a few readers. They were disappointed in the main character, Kat, saying she was a liar and didn't deserve Milo. But please don't judge Kat for going undercover.
Kat isn't any different than a main male character who doesn't disclose his true identity from the beginning. Romances are full of male bosses, single dads, and celebrities who don't disclose they're the boss, have a child, or that they are famous. The truth always comes out. They redeem themselves, and we swoon over them. Kat isn't any different except, she's female.
The Cast of Characters:
- Hope has a recurring role in Dessert First and gets her HEA in Gingerbread & the Guy Next Door.
- The band plays on... Milo is hot under the collar when he finds his neighbor canoodling with Maggie in Schooled by my Roommate. (Wade didn't disclose his true identity to Maggie, but we LOVE him for his playful, caring side.)
- Regis is on the hunt for the one-night stand that got away. He's in for the surprise of his life when he finds her in Sing Me a Lullaby.
- Psst...we haven't seen the last of Indigo. Keep an eye out for her story. There's a hint to who she has her eye on in Sing Me a Lullaby. Can you guess who?
Scroll to read the first two chapters. Hit the button above to read more.
Back Stage Pass contains copyright material.
Chapter 1
Kat
“Oh, come on, Kat. I need your help.”
The desperation in Hope’s voice is unmistakable. She must be in bad shape to ask for my help. My specialty in college was getting fired from waitressing jobs. Never a dull moment with me around dropping trays and spilling drinks.
"I can't, Hope. I'm on a strict deadline here." I balance the phone between my shoulder and chin as I stuff items into my go-bag. I've got one more shot at the most important interview of my life before tonight's concert. “Besides, I don’t know the first thing about catering or hosting, whatever it is you do.”
"This is an important gig, Kat. Johnny called in sick at the last minute, and I'm already short-handed." Hope lets out a long sigh. "Deep Thunder is a big deal. Hot Mess Catering will be in the big league.”
“What? Who did you say?” I perk up and stop packing my things. I plop down in the swivel chair and press the phone closer to my ear as if it will help me pay attention. Surely, I didn’t hear her correctly.
Deep Thunder is the hottest indie group on tour. It's also Milo Cooper's group. The guitarist refuses to take my calls or calls from any other interviewer. He hasn't given an interview to any magazine since Deep Thunder started climbing the charts. No one knows anything about him except he’s a brooding, grim-faced musician.
“Deep Thunder. The indie band in town for the next three nights." She's practically pleading now. "This is important, Kat. You know I'd be there for you."
"Geez, Hope.” I let out the breath I’ve been holding and uncross my fingers. She did say Deep Thunder. “That’s the band I’ve been hounding for the last six months trying to get an interview. I’ll do it.”
“Wait. Is that the Cooper guy you keep talking about?”
“The Milo Cooper. Elusive egomaniac who won't say two words to reporters. Groupies even say he's aloof. He's untouchable." It irritates me when stars won't give fans the time of day. If it weren't for the fans, they wouldn't be stars. "Jerk."
“Hey!”
“Not you, Hope. Milo Cooper.”
“So, you’ll do it? Help me?” Relief filters through her voice.
“I will. One condition. No one’s to know I’m Katherine Jennings. Milo will have me thrown out if he gets even a whiff that I’m a reporter.
"Thanks, Kat. Use Katie’s badge. She’s on vacation. Meet me at Hot Mess Catering by noon.”
I practically squeal with delight as I spin in the chair. Miles, B-Side magazine editor, will have to promote me now. No one has gotten as close to Milo as I’m about to be. The ink will be dry on my article before Milo knows what hit him.
Chapter 2
Milo
“Why do we have to do these things?” I pick up a pigs-in-a-blanket from the catering tray. Appetizers before the show suck. Nothing too spicy. It’s all bland. "Can't we skip the meet and greet once in a while.”
"Stop whining, Milo." Indigo tosses a piece of kale in my direction. "People don't buy CDs and albums like they used to. They stream and buy singles that pay next to nothing. Backstage passes are the add-on items that butter our bread. You like to make money, don't you?"
I know how backstage passes work. And yes, the money’s good. It’s helping Mom pay the bills since Dad left. Maggie, my little sister, deserves a stable home. A few more years, and she'll be off to college.
I glare at Indigo, but I’m not irked at her. Indigo plays drums better than anyone on the circuit. She also loves the attention of fans, especially when she gets to meet the eager, young girls who aspire to be like her. She’s a real role model. She’s vegan, doesn’t do drugs, and volunteers in her community when she’s not touring or in the studio. I hope Maggie has the same moxie as Indigo when she’s older.
“The difference between me and you, Indigo, is you like the attention.” She throws another piece of kale and laughs. “I don’t like strangers touching me, pretending we’re best buds for a photo op. They’re not interested in who we are as people. They want bragging rights to a personal photo for social media.”
“And that’s why you get bad press. You’re too grumpy. Put a smile on your face for the fans and the press. They might write nicer things about you. You could start by saying yes to that Jennings reporter. B-Side magazine is a big deal.” She shoves a fork full of leafy greens in her mouth, chews, and swallows, then laughs harder. "Hell, you might even get laid once in a while."
I throw the mini hot dog wrapped in stale bread at her. She dodges, picks it up and chortles. She loosens the dog from the bun and slides it in and out, eyeing me while she laughs.
“If this isn’t a metaphor for what you need, I don’t know what is.”
I let out a puff of air and shake my head. Good ole Indigo. She's capable of making a sexual innuendo out of anything. I fill my plate with a few more appetizers and plop down on the couch beside her.
There's no chance in hell I'm giving an interview to Katherine Jennings. She's pushy, aggressive, and won't take no for an answer. She's after a headline like everyone else.
The security guard opens the door, and the two women catering crew wheels in a cart with more snacks and drinks. One more chipper than the other. Once we finish eating, they’ll replenish food for the meet and greet.
"Hi, everyone." The perky one smiles brightly and wiggles her fingers in a delicate wave. “I’m Hope with Hot Mess Catering. If there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ve got all the snacks on your list and a few extra special items for after the show.”
Hope’s sidekick follows dutifully, following close behind with her eyes cast downward. She’s more suited to a library than a concert greenroom.
Her eyes dart around the room, then land on me. Our eyes lock as she nervously pushes up the black-rimmed cat-eye glasses sliding down her slender nose. Her hazel eyes widen, and her cheeks flush pink. Her long blonde hair hangs loosely over one shoulder, bundled in a thin black elastic band. The white button-down shirt she’s wearing stretches impressively across her heavy breasts. Shirttail pleats flair over her curves, displaying the finest hourglass figure I’ve set eyes on.
Hope points to something on the cart and instructs the woman in white to pass it around. She awkwardly picks up the tray and a few items fall. Her cheeks flush brighter pink. Hope swipes up the dropped goods with a napkin and throws them in the trash.
"You've got this," she says quietly. Her hand rests on the woman's forearm as she nods reassuringly.
The woman in white smiles and begins working the room, offering snacks from the tray. When she gets to me, she leans in but I'm too distracted by the cleavage on display beneath her buttons.
“Care for a triple chocolate walnut brownie?” Her voice is low and soft, the tremor catching in her throat barely audible.
When our eyes meet, I’m embarrassed to be caught staring at her breasts. The corners of her mouth curl into a sweet little grin.
“Uh, thanks,” I glance at her name tag. “Katie.”
“You’re welcome…um…”
She raises an eyebrow and holds her gaze to mine. She's waiting for my name. Seriously? She doesn't know who we are? Jude, our lead vocalist, would be offended if someone didn’t recognize him. He loves attention and stardom, whereas I welcome anonymity anytime we’re not on stage.
“Milo. Milo Cooper.”
I offer my hand, and she reaches to return the handshake. The tray tips sideways, and Indigo reaches to steady it. Katie lunges forward and trips on my foot. She flails, reaching for anything to catch her fall. She falls forward and I’m caught between her outstretched hands. Her hand grasps my thigh as she braces a knee between my legs. Her breasts cradle my chin as she finally stops her descent.
I steady her with a firm hand on her hip while the other molds itself to the curve of her waist. I breathe her in, enjoying the proximity and her hand so near my manhood it twitches. My heart beats out a quick rhythm as heat rises from my gut, then spreads throughout my chest.
Snickers drift across the room, and I'm hyper-aware of the spectacle we’re making. Katie struggles awkwardly to push off the couch.
“I am so, so sorry.” She struggles to upright herself while steadying herself with a hand to my shoulder. Her face flushes hot pink when her eyes settle on my loopy, stupid grin.
"I'm not." When I wink, an equally flirtatious smile washes over her face.
♥♥♥
Continue reading Kat and Milo's story.
♥♥♥
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XOX Piper