BRUTAL STRENGTH series:
Love Evolution
Love Revolution
Love Resolution
Love Rock’ollection Box Set
TEMPEST series (also available in audio):
SOUTHSIDE HIGH
Irresistible Refrain
Enticing Interlude
Captivating Bridge
Relentless Rhythm
Tempting Tempo
Scandalous Beat
The Complete Tempest Rock Star Series, Books 1-6
The MAGIC series (also available in audio):
Strange Magic
Dream Magic
Twisted Magic
ROCK STARS, SURF AND SECOND CHANCES series (also available in audio):
Outside
Riptide
Oceanside
High Tide
Island Side
The Complete Rock Stars, Surf and Second Chances Series, Books 1-5
FINDING ME series (also available in audio):
Find Me
Remember Me
Keep Me
ROCK F*CK CLUB Girls Ranking the Rock Stars series (also available in audio):
ROCK F*CK CLUB, Girls Ranking the Rock Stars, Book 1
ROCK F*CK CLUB, Girls Ranking the Rock Stars, Book 2
ROCK F*CK CLUB, Girls Ranking the Rock Stars, Book 3
ROCK F*CK CLUB, Girls Ranking the Rock Stars, Book 4
ROCK F*CK CLUB, Girls Ranking the Rock Stars, Book 5
ROCK F*CK CLUB BOX SET, Books 1-5
ROCK F*CK CLUB, Girls Ranking the Rock Stars, Book 6
Once Upon A Rock Star:
The Right Man
The Right Wish
The Right Wrong
STAY CONNECTED
For cover reveal, flash sale, and release alerts: Text ROCK BOOK to 33777
For chapter reveals and other exclusive content, sign up for the Black Cat Records newsletter
For behind the scenes, advance teasers, giveaways, and ARC opportunities, join my reader group, the Rock All Stars.
FOLLOW AUTHOR MICHELLE MANKIN
On Facebook
On Instagram
(Burners #0.5)
ABOUT THE BOOK
Going to the upcoming music festival leaves me with mixed feelings. I love all the bands, but I loathe one of the singers. The one who ripped my heart out, tossed it to the floor, and ground it down to shreds with his heel as he walked away.
But I’ve got a plan. A little tit for tat. Let’s see how much Lucian Cordero, lead singer of Burners, likes being on the receiving end of a “hit” and run.
Revenge will be a dish best served burned.
Aria
“I don’t think this is a good idea.”
“Aria, it’s a fantastic idea,” my roommate and best friend Lana replies.
I take a minute to close my eyes and gather myself as Lana makes me up with eyeshadow and liner. I haven’t seen Lucian Cordero in twelve years. We were once inseparable, in love, and best friends. Then he left me with a Dear Jane song. Granted, I knew he was leaving to go on tour, but to end things completely with a song? Fucking coward.
I snort, and Lana mimics me. “Thinking about he-who-shall-not-be-named?”
I huff, my nostrils flaring. If I could, I’d breathe fire every time I talk about him.
I scoff. “A Dear Jane song. Who does that?”
“He who shall not be named is who does that because he’s an asshole.”
“Damn right, he’s an asshole.”
“If he planned on walking out on you completely, you’d think that would’ve been something he mentioned before he spent three days in bed fucking you goodbye,” Lana seethes.
“My point exactly.”
“Open your eyes. Lashes time,” Lana instructs.
“Ugh. I hate this part.”
“I’m not putting mascara on. I’m using falsies.”
That’s not much better. I don’t like people touching my eyes. It’s a thing. I get panicky and lash out—with words or a fist, it depends on who’s doing the touching. I manage to get through it without punching Lana.
“I told you it wouldn’t be that bad.”
I nod. “And so you did.”
“And then going to the show won’t be that bad either,” she replies.
“I’m not so sure about that,” I admit.
“Why don’t you flip it around on him.”
I give her a look. “What do you mean?”
“Well, he left you with a Dear Jane song after your weekend-long goodbye. Why don’t you use him for a night and leave him with a Dear John letter? Granted, you won’t be able to cut a record and have it become a number one hit, but it’ll hit the mark.”
The suggestion hits me like a shot of adrenaline. My heart beats a mile a minute, my hands begin to sweat, but the panic doesn’t announce itself. Instead, a smile stretches my lips.
Lana laughs. “Like that idea, do you?”
“Oh, I love that idea. I’ll get one last fuck for closure, and this time I’ll be the one walking and leaving him behind.”
“Will you be able to?”
“What?” I ask.
She gets serious. “Leave him behind. You’re still hung up on him—”
I shake my head. “This will give me the closure I need. But can I write a Dear John letter slash song before we have to leave?”
“I’ll help you. Then we’ll get dressed to kill and rock our asses off.”
“I still can’t believe you won these tickets,” I tell her.
“I called every fucking time they had the tickets up for grabs. Thank you, by the way, for upgrading us to first class. Coach would’ve done me in with all those wailing kids.”
I choke out a laugh. “I thought you were going to go back there and stuff your sock in their mouths or something.”
“I don’t do kids. No, thank you.” She visibly shudders, and I snicker.
“They’re not so bad.”
“You can have them. All of them.”
“Why don’t we just focus on getting through this day and forget about kids.”
“Good plan.”
She goes to get some paper and a pen as I think back to that song.
Air, I can finally breathe.
I feel so empty when you’re not here with me.
We walked the line, then we crossed it.
Consequences be damned, we didn’t give a shit.
Life is good, happiness with you.
You stand by my side in everything I do
But, baby, you’re standing still, and it’s time to go.
I’ve gotta sing and put on a show.
It’s time for me to say goodbye.
It’s time for me to get high.
It’s time for me to party all night.
It’s time for me to stand in the spotlight.
You see what’s real down to the heart of me.
Sometimes what we want just can’t be.
I’m being pulled away, I need to go.
And, baby, I know you’ve got to stay.
It’s time for me to say goodbye.
It’s time for me to get high.
It’s time for me to party all night.
It’s time for me to stand in the spotlight.