Always Been You Read online

  Always Been You Copyright 2016 by KT Grant

  Cover art Copyright 2016 by Insatiable Fantasy Designs

  Smashwords Edition

  The reproduction or utilization of this book in any form by mechanical or other

  means is forbidden by law. Copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and

  may result in fines of up to $250,000 or imprisonment.

  This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or

  persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Always Been You

  As assistant general manager of the prestigious Janus Casino in her hometown of Atlantic City, Whitney Baker’s life couldn’t be better. At twenty-seven, she’s on the fast track in her career, although her love life has stalled. But when it’s announced one of the biggest pop singers in the world will headline at the casino, Whitney’s past comes back to haunt her big time. Singing diva Corinne Simone was Whitney’s friend in high school, and her secret teenage crush. Graduation night, she lost her virginity to Corinne who then rejected Whitney for her shot at stardom.

  Corinne has returned home not only for the offer of a lifetime but to change her life. She’s sick of the secrets and lies she was forced to show the world in order to become a pop culture phenomenon.

  Now is the perfect time to reveal her true self to her fans. But it might be too late to right the wrongs of the past and embrace the life she was born to live.

  Always Been You

  By

  KT Grant

  Acknowledgment: Thanks to B.S. Without you this story would have never came to pass.

  Dedication: “If music be the food of love, play on.” – Williams Shakespeare

  CHAPTER ONE

  Mondays were never my friend, and this Monday proved to be a real bitch. I forgot to set my alarm, which was no one’s fault but my own. I woke up thirty minutes late to rain hitting my bedroom window. Jumping out of bed, I scrambled to get dressed, hoping the traffic caused by ongoing road construction wouldn’t be too much of a hassle.

  I had a top-secret meeting this morning with Vincent Turner, vice president of Hitt Entertainment Media and owner of the Janus Casino in Atlantic City. The fact he wanted me to be there along with his general manager and senior operations manager, who happened to be my older brother, proved how much of an asset he considered me as his assistant general manager.

  I didn’t bother with a shower, using the fifteen minutes I had left to throw on a peach jersey V-neck silk blouse, black skirt, and matching flats. I wished I had more time to style my hair, but tucking my shoulder-length locks in a clip would have to do. I didn’t even bother with much makeup, just some cover-up and lip gloss. With my favorite cherry-toned metal rimmed glasses in place and a bottle of water for the ride, I rushed out to my car, cursing myself as the rain came down for not buying a new umbrella to replace my broken one.

  This summer at the Jersey Shore was disgustingly hot and humid. I’d never seen such a crappy season before. Tourism was way down, but, for some reason, the gamblers were there in high numbers. Janus was one of the lucky casinos, unlike some on the boardwalk that had filed for bankruptcy. My job was secure, so no worries there.

  But, presently, I had bigger concerns. Thanks to the pouring rain and the aggravating construction that had been the bane of my existence for the past two months, my twenty minute commute ended up being more like forty minutes. I was so screwed.

  At least I didn’t have to drive around in circles to find a place to park. I had my own reserved spot in Janus’ parking garage. A great perk of my job, which may be on the line now. I speed walked in my serviceable flats toward the elevator. My cell phone pinged. Pulling it out of my bag, I scanned the text message from my brother, Ernesto, as I boarded the elevator, trying to catch my breath. My chest heaved and perspiration dotted my forehead. My bangs fell over my eyes and dampened the lens of my glasses. I was such a mess. Based on his text of five exclamation points in a row, I expected him to give me some major eye rolls and sighs.

  Not taking any chances, I called him. He picked up before the first ring ended.

  “Where are you, Whitney?” he asked in a less biting tone than I anticipated.

  “There was a ton of traffic on Pacific. I’m in the elevator. I’ll see you in less than five minutes.” With nimble hands, I plucked my compact from my purse. Thrusting aside my bangs, I inspected my face. It was a good thing I had the dark complexion of my Latino roots. Other than a slight redness on my cheeks and around my mouth, I didn’t look too much the worse for wear. My slightly disheveled hair I had just colored dark-caramel brown last week really brought out the amber hue in my eyes already accentuated by the lenses of my glasses.

  He let out a long-suffering sigh. “You slept in, didn’t you?”

  “My alarm didn’t go off,” I muttered. There was no use lying. He would find out the truth one way or another.

  “Figures, with Vincent here.” His loud exhale, which I assumed was one of disappointment, made my face heat more.

  The doors opened, and I darted across the casino floor toward another bank of elevators that would take me to Vincent’s office on the top floor.

  “I’ll be there in a jiff. I’m not even stopping at my office or grabbing a coffee,” I said in a winded voice and jiggled my foot, waiting for the elevator doors to open.

  Nest started to say something but a muffled male voice in the background interrupted him. He responded with a chuckle, and the tension coating my belly evaporated. The elevator doors opened, and I went in.

  “Karl’s asking about you. He said he can’t begin his day without seeing you.”

  I smiled as a different type of warmth filtered through my body. Karl was Nest’s best friend and Vincent’s right-hand man. I’d had the biggest crush on him in middle school. Those feelings eventually changed after my girlish infatuation turned to another member of his family.

  Pushing aside the sudden rush of memories better left in the past, I rolled back my shoulders as the doors opened to the top floor. Nest waited in the small reception room leading to Vincent’s office. When he saw me, he hung up and waved me over.

  “Sorry, sorry,” I said, blinking through my foggy glasses as I reached his side.

  He scanned me from head to toe and, grabbing a tissue from the box on Vincent’s secretary’s desk, handed it to me. “For your glasses.”

  I thanked him. Clearing the condensation from my lenses gave me a chance to catch my breath and find my equilibrium.

  He nodded in approval after I finished with my polishing and drew me in for a hug. “Glad you made it, Nee.”

  “Don’t call me that here.” I poked him the ribs, a warning against the shortening of my name he still used when he was a toddler and had trouble pronouncing my first name.

  His brown eyes sparkled with his normal cheer. He was such an easygoing guy it took a lot to make him cross. He winked and patted my back.

  “There she is!” Karl walked forward, coffee in hand. “I made it exactly as you like it.”

  “You’re a sweetheart.” I took the offering from Karl who flashed his pearly whites. He had prominent laugh lines around his mouth to go along with his tanned face. Unlike Nest, who didn’t mind sitting in an office, Karl spent as many hours as he could outside. Blond haired and blue eyed, his Nordic handsomeness was the complete opposite of Nest, who was much darker all around, from his looks to his clothes, although his personality was almost identical to Karl’s.

  “Glad you’ve joined us, Whitney.” Vincent stood in his doorway with his arms locked behind his back. He was the tallest of the group, and the oldest, at thirty-eight, almost a decade older than me. Unlike Karl and Nest who wore oxford shirts and blazers, Vinc
ent was decked out in a dark-gray pinstripe suit, complete with a tie and vest, including a pocket watch. He was a striking man even with pockmarked cheeks from a bad case of childhood chicken pox. But he had beautiful brown eyes and long lashes that made me envious. He was a powerhouse of a man who took over the room just by being there. Unlike most of his employees, I had better insight on my employer who counted Nest and Karl as his closest confidants.

  “There was traffic.” I shrugged and sipped my coffee.

  A small smile hovered around Vincent’s lips. I’d never witnessed a full-blown one from him. He was always reserved in my presence, even with Karl and Nest around. “Of course. Plus, the rain doesn’t help matters. We can begin now you’re here.”

  He motioned me in and then walked over to a circular glass table covered with pastries and fruit. He held out a chair for me. When I was situated, he took the seat on my left while Karl and Nest grabbed the other ones.

  I’d been to Vincent’s office many times. He had a great view of the shoreline, hidden this morning by the fog and rain. I wondered how often he stared out the window, contemplating all he had accomplished at such a young age.

  Karl eyed the pastries in delight. “Great spread.” He took a plate and filled it with Danish and coffee cake, while Nest and Vincent chose a more reserved selection of fruit and bagels. I settled for my coffee, my stomach still too jumpy for me to eat anything.

  The three men talked of inconsequential things like their plans for the weekend and sports. I inserted a response here and there, more anxious to know what the meeting was about.

  Vincent finally cleared his throat and then rose from his chair. Karl continued eating, while Nest folded his arms on the table and gave Vincent his complete attention.

  “I asked you to meet with me so early today because I wanted you to be the first to know the good news.” Vincent stared at the other men with a very satisfied expression. “Karl, would you like to do the honors or should I?”

  A huge grin appeared on his face. “I only offered a suggestion. You made it happen.”

  Nest sent me a confused look, as if I was in the know. I shook my head.

  “I can’t wait to see your reactions.” Karl rubbed his hands together.

  Vincent curled his hands around the edge of his chair and leaned forward, staring right at Nest. Something unspoken passed between the two I found odd under the circumstances, but I let it go.

  Nest lifted an eyebrow. “Don’t keep Nee and I in suspense. Tell us your amazing news.”

  I shot him a disgruntled look at his use of my nickname, which he ignored.

  “Next week, we will make a public announcement. We have signed one of the hottest pop stars of the decade to headline sixty shows for the next two years exclusive to Janus. We’re the only casino in Atlantic City, and on the East Coast, to produce this type of event,” Vincent said, pride apparent in his voice.

  “That’s amazing.” I took off my glasses to wipe the lenses again. There had been rumors about a possible headliner. Major celebrities had performed at Janus before, but for limited engagements. This was a huge undertaking, and an expensive one. Whoever they’d signed must be extremely popular and could generate major ticket sales. Most of the entertainers who had performed for Janus in the past had sold out many shows.

  “You’ll recognize the name.” Vincent took a deep sip of his coffee. “It’s Corinne Simone.”

  I clenched my fist around my glasses and gaped at him. This had to be some sort of joke. It couldn’t be her.

  “Whitney,” Nest said with concern in his voice.

  He was the only one in the room who anticipated my reaction. Not even Karl knew what she had done to me.

  I looked at Karl. “Your sister?”

  “Yup. I flew out last month to see her and presented Vincent’s offer. She said yes and should be”—he checked his watch—“here in a few hours.”

  “Few hours?” I croaked, followed by a wince. I would soon see Corinne again after a ten-year absence. We had been in the same class together in high school, and, well, borderline friends, my feelings more in the crush category. But any long-lasting relationship ended the morning after her graduation party when she broke my heart.

  “Karl and I are going to meet her at the airport and welcome her home,” Vincent announced and drew his smartphone from his jacket pocket.

  “She’s staying for two years?” I asked, still trying to process the information making my head spin.

  “Indefinitely,” Karl said. “Corinne wants to resettle on the East Coast. She’s going to make Atlantic City her home base for now, near her family and friends. She’ll stay in a suite at Janus until she can find a place.” His grin expanded, and his face brightened in joy. “It’ll be great having my little sister back and surrounded by those who care about her and only want the best for her.”

  “What about the paparazzi and other press outlets? They’ve been rough on her this past year.” Nest shared a sympathetic look with Karl.

  I tried my best not to check up on Corinne in magazines and online, but it was hard because of her extreme popularity. After ten years, it still hurt hearing her name. But it couldn’t be helped, especially since she entered rehab for “exhaustion” six months ago. The press had a field day with that bit of drama. Back in high school, she had been extremely dedicated to her craft. She was the least likely person to turn to drugs or alcohol. But, then again, I never knew the real Corrine, only the façade she showed the world.

  “She can handle the press. She also agrees with me that she needs a clean break and distance from some bad influences out west.” Karl crossed his arms and glared at no one in particular. His cheek twitched, a sign of annoyance. “Regardless of what the tabloids say, she isn’t a drunk or an addict. Hell, she even thinks cigarettes are evil and is trying to get me to quit smoking. She’s dedicated to her work and won’t disappoint us. I can promise you that right here and now.” He jabbed the table with his finger to bring his point home.

  “Simmer down, tiger. We believe you.” Vincent clapped Karl on the shoulder and then folded his arms behind his back. “Let’s keep this news quiet for a day or two. As soon as Corinne signs the contracts, which will be sometime today, we can then start the promotion blitz. By midweek, the world will know Corinne Simone is a new member of the Janus family.”

  “She’s just in time for your ten-year high school reunion on Friday,” Nest injected.

  What was the point of him bringing that up here?

  Vincent looked at me in surprise. “You went to school with Corinne?”

  “Yes, we were in the same class. Her last name was Simonides then, like Karl’s, but she changed it to Simone for her first album.” I put my glasses on and flexed my cramped fingers.

  “Whitney used to play piano with the band and during musical performances,” Nest offered.

  I hit the side of his foot with my own to get him to shut up. Reliving my past with Corinne was something I didn’t want to share with my boss.

  “Corinne mentioned the reunion. You two can go together and make up for lost time. She can’t wait to see you,” Karl said.

  What the hell? I shook my head, stunned. She wanted to see me? The way things ended between us—

  “Whitney will be able to catch up with our star sooner than Friday.” Vincent hung his arms over the back of his chair and focused on me. “Tonight, the three of us, as well as the head of the theater and the entertainment department, will have dinner with Miss Simone to welcome her home and to celebrate the start of her beautiful business relationship with Janus. We have reservations at Marc Stevens Steakhouse for six o’clock.”

  “Great,” I muttered, less than thrilled by the turn of events. Ten years wasn’t long enough. Coming in contact again with the person who used me for her own selfish enjoyment and then rejected me because she had to protect her reputation wasn’t my idea of a fun time.

  Karl and Nest rose from their chairs and shook hands, congratulating
one another. I continued to sit, staring out the window at the murky sky and the slashing rain, suddenly overcome with deep sadness and regret. My broken heart that had taken years to heal began to crack again.

  CHAPTER TWO

  I threw aside the entertainment magazine I had bought during lunch and stared up at the ceiling in my office. Setting my glasses on my desk, I closed my eyes and concentrated on taking deep breaths. I had been on edge since the meeting this morning. In less than an hour, I would see Corinne and pretend to play nice. I hope I didn’t end up rocking in some corner after all was said and done.

  I wasn’t usually an emotional person, but when it came to Corinne, I couldn’t find the balance I relied on for work and any personal decisions I made. I was a glutton for punishment.

  I couldn’t help myself and bought one of the tabloids at one of the casino gift shops to read about Corinne’s latest antics then mounted a two-hour Internet search. She’d been busy the past ten years, performing all over the world. She’d also had her share of romantic entanglements, all of which were with those of the male persuasion. Not surprising since she was a sex symbol to a huge male audience, making bank on her pseudo-seduction of them with her come-hither lyrics and breathy voice. Women wanted to be her because she lived the perfect straight-woman fantasy, adored and admired by millions across the globe.

  She had played up the heterosexual role so well that even I was fooled.

  “Ready to go?”

  I opened my eyes, and, putting my glasses back on, viewed Nest in the open doorway. He wore a different a tie and had changed in to a more casual jacket.

  I didn’t keep a change of clothes in my office like my brother. But at least I’d had the good sense to fix my hair and makeup. I rubbed the middle of my forehead with the heel of my hands, a slight ache digging under the skin. I wanted to go home and hide in my apartment for the next two years.