Garrett’s head pounded, and not from the hangover that would greet him with the sunrise, but from being slammed against the wall. Or maybe it was from the few punches that came later when he crashed to the floor of Ye Ole Boston Brew Pub and knocked his head on the beer-stained tile.
He rubbed his unshaven face, and dried blood flaked into his hand. Great. He needed a shower and an aspirin, but the Boston city jail offered neither. Where the hell was Peter? It had been over an hour.
The sharp edge of the narrow bench he lay on cut into his back, making his already battered body even more sore. He only hoped the other guy felt worse. The jerk had the audacity to call him washed up. For Christ’s sake, he was only twenty-two. He’d accomplished more in the last five years than that asshole would in a lifetime.
Reaching for his phone, he remembered the cops had taken it, along with his wallet and keys. Damn it.
“Garrett Jamieson,” a bored cop with thinning hair announced, unlocking the cell. “You’re free to go.”
“About damn time,” Garrett huffed, rising slowly. He tugged his shirt into place, smoothed back his hair, and followed the officer down a long corridor past several cells with other perps. He couldn’t wait to get away from this hellhole. The officer opened a solid metal security door, and Garrett walked through, relieved to be free.
In the far corner of the waiting room, studying the Most Wanted posters, his brother waited, wearing faded jeans and a gray T-shirt.
“Hey Peter,” he called. “See anyone you know?”
Peter turned with a smirk on his face and his hair still ruffled from bed. “Just checking to make sure your ugly mug isn’t up here.”
Garrett sneered. “It wasn’t my fault.”
“Never is.” Peter sighed. “You realize this is becoming an annoying habit. You’re lucky your Jag is still in the shop from your crash last week, otherwise you might have added drunk driving to your record.”
“Stop acting like an old woman.”
“You have more to worry about than me. Dad isn’t going to be happy about this.”
“No reason Dad needs to hear about it.”
“You’re kidding yourself if you think you can keep this under wraps. A couple of photographers are outside. You’re busted. Again.”
Garrett stepped to the counter and signed his discharge papers.
“At least I know how to live a little. You’re tied down to a ball and chain.”
His brother grinned with a smile that melted millions of young girls’ hearts. “Well, I happen to have the hottest ball and chain on the planet.”
Garrett rolled his eyes as he collected his personal effects. Peter was so in love it made Garrett ill. It’s not like he wasn’t glad for his brother, but Peter and Libby were so damned happy all the time, he wanted to puke.
“Yeah, and you’re missing out on the best years of your life,” Garrett snapped.
“How’s that? I’ve been watching you drink yourself into oblivion, rack up speeding tickets, and pick a fight every chance you get. You don’t look too happy to me.”
“You ever think that maybe you’re to blame?”
“How do you figure that?” Peter asked, opening the door to exit the police station and ducking his head as cameras flashed.
“Seriously?” Garrett stopped suddenly. “You’re the one who broke up the band.”
Under the Spotlight Synopsis:
After an embarrassing stint on a reality-TV music competition years ago, Riley vowed never to sing again. Now she's behind the scenes, working at the prestigious Sound Sync recording studio, and life is looking up. But then Garrett Jamieson, the oldest brother in the famous Jamieson brothers band, crashes into her world.
Garrett has hit rock bottom, and he is desperate to reinvent himself. After calling in a few favors, he ends up working at Sound Sync to learn the ropes of record producing from the industry's best. And he can't believe his luck when he discovers that Riley has been keeping a secret—she is an amazing singer. By producing her album, he's sure to top the record charts again. But Garrett is forced to use every trick in his arsenal to persuade the sassy girl to record.
Riley refuses to sing—or even entertain the thought of it—and sparks fly as Garrett finally meets his match. But in the heat of the moment, one stolen kiss changes everything. Will Riley be the first person to finally rein Garrett in, or will Garrett succeed in getting Riley back under the spotlight?
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Under the Spotlight Playlist
By Angie Stanton
Many authors write or brainstorm to music, including myself. Music can transport us to another place, coaxing us to feel every emotion from great joy to devastating grief. Here is my playlist for Under the Spotlight.
All of Me by John Legend
I still remember the first time I heard this song one day while writing. It came on the radio, and the lyrics jumped out at me.
What would I do without your smart mouth? Drawing me in, and you kicking me out.
Our heroine, Riley, is a spitfire and Garrett is attracted to her like a moth to a flame.
We are Young by Fun.
YOLO! Remember when this song came out? It was everywhere and the perfect
anthem for living large, which is what Garrett does.
We are young, so let’s set the world and fire, we can burn brighter than the sun.
People Like Us by Kelly Clarkson
Don’t you love Kelly Clarkson? This song is great. It’s about people who have a tough situation in life, like our heroine, Riley Parks. Sometimes we want to throw in the towel because we’ve hit rock bottom, but this song gives such hope.
Fall for You by Second Hand Serenade
The best thing about tonight is we’re not fighting…
Garrett and Riley knock heads a lot and this song shows the journey from fighting to finding true love.
Teach Your Children by Crosby Stills Nash and Young
I came across a version of this song done by Hanson. Teach Your Children by Hanson
It’s the three brothers singing around one microphone. I actually put this song in the book at a really emotional time. I’ve watched it many dozens of times while writing Under the Spotlight.
Back to December by Taylor Swift
Garrett is a handful to say the least. Eventually he comes to realize he’s a jerk and this song epitomizes his apology.
This is me swallowing my pride, standing in front of you, saying I’m sorry for that night.
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