Sweet Memory (The Painted Daisies #1), page 1
SWEET MEMORY
THE PAINTED DAISIES
BOOK 1
LJ EVANS
This book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing people and locations, the events, names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
SWEET MEMORY © 2023 by LJ Evans
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored, in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher of this book. If you find this book on a free book website, it is stolen property and illegal to download.
Published by THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID PUBLISHING
www.ljevansbooks.com
Cover Design: © Emily Wittig
Cover Images: © Unsplash | weston m, Deposit Photos | VadimVasenin and Dekues, iStock| Punnarong, and Adobe | npstockphoto
Content & Line Editor: Evans Editing
Copy Editor: Jenn Lockwood Editing Services
Proofing: Karen Hrdlicka
Sensitivity Editor: Hong Kobzeff
Library of Congress Cataloging in process.
Paperback ISBN: 979-8-88643-910-6
eBook ISBN: 979-8-88643-908-3
Printed in the United States
030823
CONTENTS
Playlist
PROLOGUE
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Epilogue
GREEN JEWEL - SNEAK PEEK
Message from the Author
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Other Titles by LJ Evans
https://spoti.fi/3y21AZk
For those who have lost the one person they thought they couldn’t live without, may there be a light that shines through your darkest days, and at least one voice who knows exactly what you need.
PROLOGUE
SAVING GRACE
Performed by The Cranberries
TWENTY-THREE MONTHS BEFORE
LANDRY: This photo showed up at the farmhouse this morning. I’d prefer to keep it between the two of us until we’ve assessed the real threat level.
***image of a blond-haired, teen guy and a black-haired, teen girl on stage with their arms around each other while singing with the rest of the band in the background. All the faces are scraped off and the words, I will make sure you’re never happy, are written atop it.***
GARNER: The fewer people who know, the better chance of us keeping it from the press, but I’d advise at least telling them.
LANDRY: We’re leaving Grand Orchard in a couple of days, and Paisley will never see Jonas again, so hopefully it won’t matter.
GARNER: This could be about more than the two of them. It could be about the band.
LANDRY: That’s why I’m sending it to you.
GARNER: The attendees at the promo event were limited. I’ll go through the list and see if I can come up with a possible suspect.
TWENTY-TWO MONTHS BEFORE
PAISLEY: Is it strange that I miss Grand Orchard when we only left five minutes ago?
JONAS: Is it strange that I feel like meeting you was just a dream?
PAISLEY: If it was, then we had the same one.
TWENTY-ONE MONTHS BEFORE
TREVOR: Hey, you know that kid Jonas got into the beef with?
MARCO: Yeah.
TREVOR: He got arrested. Breaking and entering. Stole some art and computers from the girl’s place. The one he and Jonas were fighting over. He tore her room up pretty good. I think he wanted to find out where her parents took her.
MARCO: Okay. Keep an eye on it for me.
TREVOR: Going to tell Jonas?
MARCO: No. He blames himself enough already. If the asshole is going to jail, there’s no reason to upset him.
TWENTY MONTHS BEFORE
JONAS: CONGRATS on The Red Guitar going platinum!
PAISLEY: I sort of can’t believe it. Landry is already practicing her award speech.
JONAS: You ALL should be practicing. It’s absolutely going to be nominated.
PAISLEY: ***Laughing GIF*** No way am I talking at the Grammys. I can barely get my butt onstage to perform. At least once I get out there, I have the music to lose myself in. Can you imagine all those eyes waiting for me to talk? ***Shivers GIF*** ***Puke emoji***
JONAS: Say it with me: “Paisley Kim is a FUCKING GENIUS ROCK STAR!”
PAISLEY: ***Embarrassed emoji*** I gotta go. The band wants to celebrate.
JONAS: Do me a favor?
PAISLEY: Yeah?
JONAS: HAVE FUN!
PAISLEY: Fun? What is this fun you speak of?
JONAS: I’m serious, Paise. You’ve earned this. Enjoy!
SEVENTEEN MONTHS BEFORE
JONAS: Remember months ago when I told you the album would win a Grammy? I hate to say I told you so, but I TOLD YOU SO!
PAISLEY: We saw Brady and got to thank him in person for producing our album. It wouldn’t have won any awards if it wasn’t for the two of you.
JONAS: ***Embarrassed emoji*** I didn’t do anything. I can’t believe any of you even listened to me.
PAISLEY: You have a natural talent, Jonas. It’s not just about the lyrics or the notes. You see how it can be put together.
JONAS: Puhlease. You’re the natural talent. There would be no lyrics or notes without you.
PAISLEY: How are your classes going?
JONAS: I see what you did, changing the subject. But I’ll allow it. I hate high school. I don’t fit in here. But then, I never fit back in Austin either. At least there I had Mel. The night classes at Wilson-Jacobs are the best part of my days now.
PAISLEY: I’m in awe of you. I barely got my G.E.D. with Landry’s help. I can’t imagine juggling high school and college.
JONAS: I hate to be the one to break it to you, but I don’t think you’ll ever need to worry about going to college.
FIFTEEN MONTHS BEFORE
JONAS: How was the show?
PAISLEY: It was really emotional being in Korea. Mom and Dad were here, and we got to visit with family we’d never met before. Then, our parents pissed Landry off because they asked when we were going to be done with the “band thing” and everything went to hell.
JONAS: Landry is scary when she’s mad.
PAISLEY: I never want to be on her bad side.
JONAS: ***Same GIF***
PAISLEY: Wait, what are you doing texting me? Wasn’t prom tonight?
JONAS: I told you I wasn’t going.
PAISLEY: I was sort of hoping you’d change your mind so I could live vicariously through you.
JONAS: If you were here, I would have asked you to come.
PAISLEY: If I wasn’t on tour, I would have said yes. I would have danced with you under a disco ball and maybe had my first kiss.
JONAS: …
PAISLEY: I can’t believe I just said that. I wish there was a delete button.
JONAS: I would have kissed you. I would have kissed you, and the teachers would have had to tap us on our shoulders and tell us to separate because it would have gone from G to R in about two seconds flat.
FOURTEEN MONTHS BEFORE
LANDRY: Where are you?
PAISLEY: Don’t panic. I’m on the roof.
LANDRY: You can’t do shit like that.
PAISLEY: You all went out clubbing. What was I supposed to do, sit on my hands in the hotel suite watching Sesame Street?
LANDRY: I’m coming up.
PAISLEY: I don’t need an escort, Lan. I’m not twelve. I’m older than you were when we first signed with Lost Heart Records.
LANDRY: You’re right. But my eighteen was really different than yours.
PAISLEY: I can’t even believe you said that.
Minutes tick by.
LANDRY: It’s been fifteen minutes. Where the hell are you?!
PAISLEY: I’m in my room. I need some space.
LANDRY: Paise. I’m sorry.
PAISLEY: I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
TWELVE MONTHS BEFORE
PAISLEY: How was Austin?
JONAS: I had to leave early.
JONAS: It’s embarrassing.
PAISLEY: Embarrassing is having your entire band treat you like you need to be tucked into bed every night. Nothing you say could be more embarrassing than that.
JONAS: I almost lost it at the taqueria. Artie’s brother was saying shit about Maliyah.
PAISLEY: What does he have against your foster mom?
JONAS: Nothing. It was an excuse to take a jab at me.
PAISLEY: Are you hurt?!
JONAS: No, she dragged me out of there before I took a swing.
PAISLEY: I’m sorry.
JONAS: Back to therapy I go.
PAISLEY: Honestly, therapy is a good thing. I’m finally seeing someone. My parents don’t know. They’d hate it.
JONAS: Why?
PAISLEY: They just don’t believe in it. Like with my dyslexia, they thought I just had to try harder, you know?
JONAS: I’m the one who’s sorry now.
PAISLEY: Don’t be. I’ve always had Lan. She fought for me like Maliyah fights for you. She’s a good sister, even when I’m upset with her.
FOUR MONTHS BEFORE
PAISLEY: It’s official! We’ll be in Grand Orchard to record our third album in July!
JONAS: Chills. I just got chills at the thought of seeing you again.
PAISLEY: My heart hurts it’s so excited. Is that lame?
JONAS: If it is, then we’ll be lame together.
THREE MONTHS BEFORE
TREVOR: Artie was released from prison.
MARCO: It’s been nearly two years. That’s a century in the life of a teenager. Hopefully, he’s learned his lesson and moved on.
TREVOR: Still not going to tell Jonas?
MARCO: No. He’s over the moon with graduation and The Painted Daisies coming back into town. I’m not going to ruin any of it for him.
TREVOR: He can handle it.
MARCO: I don’t want him to have to handle it.
THIRTEEN DAYS BEFORE
JONAS: TOMORROW!!!!
PAISLEY: Less than twenty-four hours until I get to see you!
JONAS: I’m nervous.
PAISLEY: Me too.
JONAS: We’re friends, right? That won’t ever change?
PAISLEY: That won’t ever change.
THIRTEEN DAYS BEFORE
Article in THE EXHIBITOR:
It’s official! The Painted Daisies are headed back to Brady O’Neil’s studio in Grand Orchard, New York.
***Image of the outside of La Musica de Ensueños Studios ***
What the world wants to know is how the band can top the Grammy award-winning songs of The Red Guitar even with the help of the legendary country singer and the little-known Jonas Riccoli who were credited with making the band’s sophomore album such a success.
***Image of Jonas and Paisley on stage singing together with huge smiles on their faces.***
Stay tuned folks. I’m off to see for myself.
CHAPTER ONE
Paisley
CRYING UNDERWATER
Performed by Dami Im
TWELVE DAYS BEFORE
Paisley’s emotions roller-coastered back and forth from high to low as she watched the apple orchards on the outskirts of Grand Orchard come into view. Frenzied excitement spread through her, the anticipation twisting in her chest until it physically hurt. She was going to see Jonas again! For the first time in two years! Just as quickly as the happiness came, it was swallowed by doubts that turned her stomach. What if it wasn’t the same? What if the easy banter they’d found in texts and an occasional phone call disappeared in person? What if she wasn’t what he expected?
Paisley’s finger pressed automatically into the raised, star-shaped birthmark by her eye as a tap, tap, tap of metal against metal drew her gaze from the view outside the Escalade to her sister. Landry had her hands in prayer mode with the rings on her two middle fingers beating out a rhythm. Tall, thin, and willowy with a sharply pointed chin, enormous eyes, and black hair cascading past her shoulders, Landry had an almost fairy-like vibe.
“What’s going on in that head of yours?” Landry asked, the huskiness of her tone a complete contrast to her fragile appearance.
Early in their career, a critic had said Landry’s voice was better suited to life as a phone-sex operator instead of a singer. The intended cruelty of those words had turned Paisley’s stomach even when they hadn’t been directed at her. But not Landry. It had motivated her to prove him wrong. When they’d won their Grammy last year, her sister had sent the man a picture of her holding it with a middle finger extended.
