WIP Wednesday featuring Ann Edwards
Chapter 1
Zayn
Ugh! I don’t remember ever partying as hard as we did last night. As soon as we got off stage, we started celebrating Tanner and Sofia’s engagement. Of course, it only got worse once Spotted Leopard joined in after their set. I am so glad we don’t have a concert tonight. I plan on spending the day sleeping this off.
I get up and go to the bathroom. Grabbing a bottle of water from the mini-fridge, and popping a couple of pain relievers along the way. I no sooner get back in bed, getting comfortable, when I feel weight pressed against my back and an arm is thrown across my waist.
I jump out of bed like my ass is on fire.
“Who the fuck are you and what are you doing in my bed? Get out, now!”
From the scent, I can tell it’s a woman. Not to mention the tits that had been pressed against my body seconds ago. I can’t see a face. All I can see is some partially blonde hair. About six inches of the roots, are black. When I get a look at her face, I shudder. She has black smudged all over her face, looking like a damn racoon. I am guessing it was eyeshadow and some thick eyeliner. Yes, I know what eyeliner is. I have worn it on stage and for photo shoots but that doesn’t mean I like it.
“Baby, what do you mean get out?”
“Don’t baby me. Get dressed and get out before I call security.”
I grab the first pair of pants I can find, and pull them on. I am looking for a shirt when I notice something on my hand. My LEFT hand to be more specific.
“What the fuck is this?”
“Baby just come back to bed, I need to feel you again. You told me we would continue celebrating after you got some sleep.”
“Celebrating what? GET UP!!”
I am beyond pissed off. My hangover is totally forgotten, thanks to the woman in my bed.
“Fine.”
She climbs out of bed, pulling on some skimpy silver dress. She pushes her hair out of her face, and then plants her hands on her hips. I see something on her left hand that catches the light. Marching toward her, I pull up her hand to inspect, as soon as I get within reach.
“What the fuck is this? I don’t mess around with married women.”
“Well, you are the one I am married to, so you might need to adjust your thinking.”
“We are NOT married.”
Instead of answering me, she walks out into the main part of the hotel room. Looking under several pieces of furniture, she stands back up with a purse in her hand. She rummages around in it for a minute, and then pulls out a piece of paper, thrusting it into my chest.
“THAT says we are!”
Chapter 2
Harlyn
It’s the beginning of May, and the school year is quickly coming to an end. I am looking forward to having the summer off, with nothing but a pile of books that I have been waiting to be read. I teach fifth grade at Gordon Elementary, just outside of Seattle, Washington.
I am straightening up my class room, before heading home for the day, when my best friend Pam walks in.
“Harlyn, you are NEVER going to believe it. I got us tickets to the Spotted Leopard concert.”
“I thought it was sold out?”
“It was, but they added another show.”
“Wait, what do you mean us?”
“You are going with me!”
“Uhm, sorry but no. Get someone who actually listens to their music to go with you. It would just be a waste of money if I went.”
“Come on! You HAVE to go. This is THE show of the year. Perpetual Fantasy is opening for Spotted Leopard. All that man meat on one stage, YUM!!”
“Sorry, I will pass, maybe next time.”
“That’s just it. There probably won’t BE a next time.”
“What do you mean? Are they splitting up or something?”
“No, not at all. Rumor in the industry is that Perpetual Fantasy will be headlining their own tour next year. Spotted Leopard is heading to Europe after the US portion of the tour. This is the ONE time to see the two bands on one stage.”
“That is good for them, I guess. Perpetual Fantasy that is. I just don’t see how I would enjoy it when I don’t listen to either of their music.”
“Plllleeeaaassseeee”
Pam knows that I hate when she does that. I tilt my head back, looking at the ceiling and taking a minute before I answer her.
“Fine.”
“Yeah!!” She starts jumping around, and pulls me into a hug. “We are going to have SO much fun.”
Before I can respond, I hear a throat clear from behind us. I turn around and see Claudia Jackson standing in my doorway. She has one hand on her hip, while the other is holding a stack of papers. She has her upper lip curled in sneer.
“How can I help you, Claudia?”
Claudia and Pam can’t stand each other. Every time they are in the same room, I am on pins and needles waiting for them to go at each other. Claudia teaches fifth grade, the same as me. Her room is across the hall. Pam teaches sixth grade, and is one floor above us.
“Harlyn, I was wondering…Would you be a dear and grade these papers for me? I have a hot date tonight and couldn’t possibly get them done in time for tomorrow.”
Before I can respond, Pam steps around me, hands on her hips, staring Claudia down.
“How do you know that Harlyn doesn’t have a hot date as well?”
“What, with Ben and Jerry?”
“You bi-”
“Ladies, how are things going?” We are interrupted by the principal, Alice Wilcox.
Claudia’s mother and Alice are really good friends. Claudia likes to flaunt that fact. She thinks that it entitles her to certain liberties that the rest of us cannot.
“Oh, Alice dear, I hope your husband, Ronald, is feeling better. Harlyn here just agreed to grade my papers tonight, since I have that date with your nephew George.”
Claudia is going out with Alice’s nephew? Really? And when did I actually agree to anything?
“Harlyn…what a nice thing for you to do for Claudia. Just make sure you keep in mind to grade like Claudia does. We wouldn’t want to be giving anyone the wrong score now, would we?”
With that, Claudia drops her papers on my desk, practically chasing Alice down the hallway.
“One of these days you are going to stick up for yourself.”
“You mean like I did with you about the concert?”
“That’s different. I am trying to get you out of your comfort zone and try new things, have adventures. I am not pawning my work off on you. This is ridiculous.”
“You are not wrong. What was I supposed to do? Call her a liar in front of Principle Wilcox?”
“I don’t know, but this chaps my ass. I am glad I teach sixth grade and she knows better to try that shit with me.”
“I was going to binge watch a new show tonight. So much for those plans. Come on, let’s get out of.”
I am a long time reader, wife and mother of dogs, from Pittsburgh.Ann Edwards is my pen name. I have been married to my wonderful husband Dan, for twenty years now. We have two fur-babies that rule our house. I also have a full-time job.
I prefer romance and will read almost any genre. One of my best memories that got me completely hooked was when a friend of mine, who was a book store manager, recommended Outlander to me. I average 3-5 books a week, depending on my schedule and length of books.
For years I considered writing. I never really took the time to sit and do it, or research what it would take to get published. Early in 2021 Dan had some very serious health issues. Once he was better I decided to go for it. Life was not going to wait for me and if I didn’t get started I never would. I had been searching for one specific genre and at the time, it seemed like no one was writing what I wanted to read.
Some of my influences include C.M. Owens (including all of her pen-names), Piper Davenport,and Alanea Alder. I like my stories to have lighthearted moments as well as a good plot twist that you don’t see coming.
My friend Ashley has been one of my biggest supporters and loudest cheerleaders. Without her I don’t think that I would have gotten past the second book.
I currently have several series, in the Havoc Predator MC world. I also plan to write about Spotted Leopard and Wicked Lady. If all goes well, there will also be a next generation of Havoc Predators as well.
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