Accidental Rockstar: a Single-Dad Rock Star Romance

Danielle doesn’t want the job babysitting an alcoholic rock star, but she has no choice. It’s Ben’s last chance to atone for his past and keep his visitation rights to the one person who matters: his daughter. It’s strictly business… until an overzealous fan goes too far.

Ben peeked out at the audience. Sold out. He couldn’t help smiling to himself; not bad for a guy from a Minnesota Iron Range town of 981.
All he’d wanted to do was make a living with his music. He’d never expected to become a famous rock star.
But apparently he was. According to his agent, Benjamin Lawson was the hottest up-and-coming musician in L.A. He’d gone from festivals, to small clubs, to opening for bigger names, to his own tour in less than a year.
Sometimes he couldn’t believe he was the Benjamin Lawson that appeared on the celebrity blogs and magazine covers.
“All ready!” One of the roadies held up his hand to indicate one minute, and a familiar rush of nerves swept through Ben. He glanced at his keyboardist, Chandler—the only original band member he’d managed to talk the label into keeping. Chandler gave him a curt nod, then disappeared onto the dark stage.
The drummer started the beat, and Chandler started the build-up on the keyboard. By the time Ben got on stage, they would have the fans screaming for him…

***********************

“That was crazy!” Chandler said as he and Ben threw themselves into the limo. The driver hit the accelerator even before the door closed. As the last two off the stage, Ben and Chandler had to run while security guards tried to hold the fans back. People were streaming out of the concert hall, some even slapping their hand on the limo as it picked up speed.
Across from Ben, his manager had his phone to his ear. “Set it up for day after tomorrow. The sooner we get someone for him, the better.” He snapped his phone closed.
“Ah, Loren, that’s sweet of you, but I can get my own someone,” Ben said, already thinking about all the sexy women at the after-party who could help him come down from his performance buzz. He would have his pick…
Chandler cackled, but Loren scowled at them. “I’m talking about a personal assistant, not a sex partner.” He pointed at Ben. “You’re doing too much screwing around. It’s gonna get you in trouble.”
“Ah, come on, Loren,” Chandler said. “He’s working his ass off. Let him enjoy the spoils.”
Loren’s scowl deepened. “Just stay away from the booze,” he said. “And use protection.”
Chandler howled with laughter, but Ben frowned. Why did Loren have to remind him about the alcohol? “You could just say ‘great job tonight’ and leave it at that.”
Loren sat back in his seat. He folded his arms across his chest. “Great job,” he deadpanned.
Ben’s phone chirped before he could think of a response. He glanced at the screen. “It’s CeeCee.”
“Put her on speaker,” Chandler said.
He did. “Hey, Babe.”
“Ben!” CeeCee’s radio voice filled the car. “Where are you?”
“Atlanta,” he said. “We’re in the limo. Just left the gig.”
“Headed for the after party, baby!” Chandler pumped his fist.
“Let me guess,” she said. “Shower first?”
Ben laughed. When he performed, he often came off the stage dripping sweat—and that was a serious turn-off when it came to sexual partners.
Of course, she knew that already.
She sighed. “I’m jealous. But happy for you, of course.”
“Couldn’t have done it without you.” Ben was thankful they’d been able to remain friends.
“Ah, flattery will get you everywhere,” she said. “Heck, you don’t even need flattery. Do you realize you’re being compared to Rick Springfield?”
He did know. “Crazy, huh?” he said. “Love that guy’s music.”
“You should do a cover of Jessie’s Girl,” she said. “When you’re in concert, you could replace the name Jessie with some random fan name. Make a contest out of it or something.”
“That’s actually a good idea,” Chandler said.
“The PR people would eat that up,” Ben said. “I’ll check into it.”
“I miss you.” He could almost see CeeCee pout over the phone.
“I miss you, too,” he said.
“Ha,” she said. “I doubt that. How many women have you shagged since you left Minnesota?”
Chandler laughed.
“CeeCee, your language shocks me,” Ben said with mock outrage.
“Come on, with your good looks and the cache of being a rock star?” She said. “You’ve got them lined up, I’m sure.”
“Okay, I confess.” He couldn’t help grinning. “I’ve met some interesting women.”
“More than met!” Chandler chimed in.
“I heard that,” CeeCee said. “Ooh, you bad, bad boy!” There was a pause, and then she sighed. “I do miss the sex.”
CeeCee had never been shy about sex, and had always been complementary about his contributions in that regard, but this was a surprise. Surely she wasn’t re-thinking their friend status?
The last time they’d been together that way was in November, when she’d been his date for his brother Jamie’s wedding.
That was also the last time he’d seen his daughter.
It had been Ruby’s second birthday. Even the icy reception from his ex-wife couldn’t dull the joy of seeing Ruby.
As it often did when he thought of his daughter, his chest started to ache. Ignoring Chandler’s look, he took the phone off speaker. “Surely you’ve got your own pick of the litter there in Minneapolis.”
CeeCee had moved on, too; their partnership had helped her make the move to a radio station in a much bigger market.
She sighed. “It’s not the same.”
No, it wasn’t. As much as he enjoyed the sex he was having now, it had been more… comfortable… with CeeCee. Perhaps because he’d never felt like she was with him because of his name or status…
He turned his head toward the window. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine,” she said. “Just getting used to a new place, you know?”
“Yeah.” Boy, did he did know.
“Anyway, my peeps just got here, so I gotta go,” she said. “We’re going to a late show at some place called the Underground in downtown Minneapolis.”
“Have fun and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
She laughed, sounding like her old self again. “Ditto!”