Beneath The Stain
by Amy Lane
Β
Blurb:Β
In a town as small as Tyson, CA, everybody knew the four brothers with the four different fathers– and their penchant for making good music when they weren’t getting into trouble. For Mackey Sanders, playing in Outbreak Monkey with his brothers and their friendsβespecially Grant Adams–made Tyson bearable. But Grant has plans for getting Mackey and the Sanders boys out of Tyson, even if that means staying behind.
Between the heartbreak of leaving Grant and the terrifying, glamorous life of rock stardom, Mackey is adrift and sinking fast. When he’s hit rock bottom, Trav Ford shows up, courtesy of their record company and a producer who wants to see what Mackey can do if he doesn’t flame out first. But cleaning up his act means coming clean about Grant, and that’s not easy to do or say. Mackey might make it with Trav’s help–but Trav’s not sure he’s going to survive falling in love with Mackey.
Mackey James Sanders comes with a whole lot of messy, painful baggage, and law-and-order Trav doesn’t do messy or painful. And just when Trav thinks they may have mastered every demon in Mackey’s past, the biggest, baddest demon of all comes knocking.
Available to pre-order at
Release Date:
August 29, 2014
Five Ways to Buy
Option 1: Serial PackageΒ
- Automatically get each part with special content on your bookshelf as it is released and the digital novel upon release. Serial runs 8/29/14-10/10/14. Novel releases 10/17/14.
- $12.99. This option only available through dreamspinnerpress.com.
Option 2: Serial Deluxe PackageΒ
- Automatically get each part with special content on your bookshelf as it is released and the digital novel upon release. Serial runs 8/29/14-10/10/14. Novel releases 10/17/14.
- Also received a signed paperback mailed to you upon novel release.
- $24.99 +shipping. This option only available through dreamspinnerpress.com.
Options 3: Serial Only (7 parts)Β
- Buy individual parts with special content weekly for $1.99. Serial runs 8/29/14-10/10/14.
Options 4 & 5: Novel
- Purchase the complete novel in eBook or paperback, no special content included. Pre-sales begin 9/17/14. Novel releases 10/17/14.
- eBook $6.99, paperback $17.99
- Upon complete novel release, the serial will no longer be available.
Excerpt
You Canβt Always Get What
You Want
You Want
… from the Mighty Hunter GazetteβΒ April
20
20
And special news, our very own
homegrown band,Β Outbreak Monkey,Β will be performing a six-Β song set between D.J. Boomerβs dance
music at the Graham Winters High School prom. The band, headedΒ by McKay
βMackeyβ Sanders onΒ lead vocals, Jeff Sanders on bass and their brother
Kell Sanders on lead guitar, also features Grant Adams on second lead and
Stevie Harris on drum set. All members are Graham Winters High School students
and we are proud to have them play!
homegrown band,Β Outbreak Monkey,Β will be performing a six-Β song set between D.J. Boomerβs dance
music at the Graham Winters High School prom. The band, headedΒ by McKay
βMackeyβ Sanders onΒ lead vocals, Jeff Sanders on bass and their brother
Kell Sanders on lead guitar, also features Grant Adams on second lead and
Stevie Harris on drum set. All members are Graham Winters High School students
and we are proud to have them play!
THEΒ FIRSTΒ time
McKay Sanders kissed his brotherβs best friend, Grant,Β they were getting
high in a burned-out carΒ in the field behind MackeyβsΒ apartment
building. Kellogg, who looked old enough to buy even thoughΒ heβd just
turned eighteen, had spent ten dollars the brothersΒ didn’tΒ haveΒ onΒ cheap
Muscat. By the time Grantβwhose father had moneyβbrought out the pot, Kellogg,
Jefferson, and Stevie were passed out on the old campΒ blanket Stevie had
brought from his dadβs garage.
McKay Sanders kissed his brotherβs best friend, Grant,Β they were getting
high in a burned-out carΒ in the field behind MackeyβsΒ apartment
building. Kellogg, who looked old enough to buy even thoughΒ heβd just
turned eighteen, had spent ten dollars the brothersΒ didn’tΒ haveΒ onΒ cheap
Muscat. By the time Grantβwhose father had moneyβbrought out the pot, Kellogg,
Jefferson, and Stevie were passed out on the old campΒ blanket Stevie had
brought from his dadβs garage.
It was a celebration, of
sorts, for landing the prom gig.
sorts, for landing the prom gig.
The older kids had hogged
all the Muscat, though, and Mackey felt left out. Kellogg keptΒ saying itΒ wasn’tΒ right to get his little brother drunk,Β and Mackey kept saying itΒ wasn’tΒ right to drink in frontΒ ofΒ him, but by the time Kellogg was too drunk to
argue, thereΒ wasn’tΒ any wine left.
all the Muscat, though, and Mackey felt left out. Kellogg keptΒ saying itΒ wasn’tΒ right to get his little brother drunk,Β and Mackey kept saying itΒ wasn’tΒ right to drink in frontΒ ofΒ him, but by the time Kellogg was too drunk to
argue, thereΒ wasn’tΒ any wine left.
Jefferson and Stevie had
finished off the other bottle all by themselvesβjust sitting quietly, not
making any waves like they usually did, passing the bottle between them.
finished off the other bottle all by themselvesβjust sitting quietly, not
making any waves like they usually did, passing the bottle between them.
βBoy, you two argue a
lot,β Grant said after Kell let out a gut-busterΒ of a yawn and fell asleep
quick as a baby.
lot,β Grant said after Kell let out a gut-busterΒ of a yawn and fell asleep
quick as a baby.
Mackey grunted and
prodded at his older brother with his toe. The three brothers present looked
nothing alike. Kell was built like a tank, with rounded shoulders, a brown-eyed
glare, and plain brown hair that he buzz- cut short to his scalp. He was like
born practicality, which was why hoarding the wine rankled Mackey so badly. An
expenditure like thatΒ wasn’tΒ going to happenΒ again.
prodded at his older brother with his toe. The three brothers present looked
nothing alike. Kell was built like a tank, with rounded shoulders, a brown-eyed
glare, and plain brown hair that he buzz- cut short to his scalp. He was like
born practicality, which was why hoarding the wine rankled Mackey so badly. An
expenditure like thatΒ wasn’tΒ going to happenΒ again.
βHe gets mad,β Mackey
said, letting out a sigh. He slouched backΒ inside the shelter of the car,
peering through the doorframe at the iron grayΒ sky. βHeβs the one who
takes care of us, you know? But not in the band.β
said, letting out a sigh. He slouched backΒ inside the shelter of the car,
peering through the doorframe at the iron grayΒ sky. βHeβs the one who
takes care of us, you know? But not in the band.β
It was true.
Kell could play guitar
ably enough, but Mackey….
ably enough, but Mackey….
βYou can play
everything,β Grant said with admiration. βYouβre theΒ one who puts the
songs together, figures out who should be playing what.Β And the shit you
write on your own….β
everything,β Grant said with admiration. βYouβre theΒ one who puts the
songs together, figures out who should be playing what.Β And the shit you
write on your own….β
Mackey smiled at him a
little shyly. Grant had the most interesting face, with a long, straight nose,
full pink lips, and almond-shaped hazel eyes. When Grant looked at him with
admiration, it stopped his breath andΒ pulled rubber bands in his stomach.
βI just….β He stopped because GrantΒ was reaching into his pocket, and he
pulled out a baggie full of weed andΒ papers. βOoh….β
little shyly. Grant had the most interesting face, with a long, straight nose,
full pink lips, and almond-shaped hazel eyes. When Grant looked at him with
admiration, it stopped his breath andΒ pulled rubber bands in his stomach.
βI just….β He stopped because GrantΒ was reaching into his pocket, and he
pulled out a baggie full of weed andΒ papers. βOoh….β
Grant looked down at the
other three, who were sleeping soundly in the late afternoon chill.Β βI was
gonna share,β he said mischievously, βbut Kell was a dick about the wine, so I
thought you and me?β MackeyΒ nodded, captivated by the thrill of the
forbiddenβand by the way that cherry-ripe mouth pulled up at the corners when
Grant smiled.
other three, who were sleeping soundly in the late afternoon chill.Β βI was
gonna share,β he said mischievously, βbut Kell was a dick about the wine, so I
thought you and me?β MackeyΒ nodded, captivated by the thrill of the
forbiddenβand by the way that cherry-ripe mouth pulled up at the corners when
Grant smiled.
βI’veΒ never, uhm….β
Grant shrugged. βMe and
Kell do sometimes. But, you know, Kellβs usually a good guy.β
Kell do sometimes. But, you know, Kellβs usually a good guy.β
Mackey reflected on his
sleeping brother. KellΒ wasΒ a good guy. For example, Mackey had a confused memory of their
youngest brotherΒ Cheeverβs dad, the one dadΒ they thought would stick
around beyondΒ giving the baby a first name. Cheeverβs dadΒ hadn’tΒ been very
patient, andΒ heβdΒ hatedΒ Mackey. Well, MackeyΒ wasΒ sort of a smartass. Heβd probably had that fist coming. But thatΒ hadn’tΒ stopped Kell from stepping up andΒ hitting Enos Cheever right back.
Mackey and KellΒ had both needed stitches after that, but their mom had kicked
Enos Cheever outβchild support or no child support. That was okay. Kell and
Jeff had been almost old enough toΒ work by then. Theyβd only needed
assistanceΒ for a couple of months.
sleeping brother. KellΒ wasΒ a good guy. For example, Mackey had a confused memory of their
youngest brotherΒ Cheeverβs dad, the one dadΒ they thought would stick
around beyondΒ giving the baby a first name. Cheeverβs dadΒ hadn’tΒ been very
patient, andΒ heβdΒ hatedΒ Mackey. Well, MackeyΒ wasΒ sort of a smartass. Heβd probably had that fist coming. But thatΒ hadn’tΒ stopped Kell from stepping up andΒ hitting Enos Cheever right back.
Mackey and KellΒ had both needed stitches after that, but their mom had kicked
Enos Cheever outβchild support or no child support. That was okay. Kell and
Jeff had been almost old enough toΒ work by then. Theyβd only needed
assistanceΒ for a couple of months.
βHeΒ doesn’tΒ like it that
I can boss him around,β Mackey said glumly. βHe… heβs the leader, right?
But…Β but IΒ hearΒ the music, and it just makesΒ sense, you know? And… and
you canβt do itΒ wrongΒ just βcause itβll hurt Kellβs feelings. ItβsΒ augh!βΒ He was waving his hands
around, trying to findΒ words, which was funny, because Mackey actuallyΒ wrote songs.Β He
closed his eyes, ignoring Grant rolling a number, and tried to make a song out
of it.
I can boss him around,β Mackey said glumly. βHe… heβs the leader, right?
But…Β but IΒ hearΒ the music, and it just makesΒ sense, you know? And… and
you canβt do itΒ wrongΒ just βcause itβll hurt Kellβs feelings. ItβsΒ augh!βΒ He was waving his hands
around, trying to findΒ words, which was funny, because Mackey actuallyΒ wrote songs.Β He
closed his eyes, ignoring Grant rolling a number, and tried to make a song out
of it.
βHe wants to keep me
happy and he wantsΒ to keep me fed, he makesΒ sure thatΒ I’veΒ got
blankets andΒ a place to sleep in a bed, but the music in my heart is like a
freight train. It goes and it goes and when I stop it, itβs like pain, but my
brotherΒ doesn’tΒ see itΒ doesn’tΒ hear itΒ doesn’tΒ feel it,Β andΒ allΒ thereΒ is to do is shove him out of the way. Donβt want to hit my brother with the
freight train.β
happy and he wantsΒ to keep me fed, he makesΒ sure thatΒ I’veΒ got
blankets andΒ a place to sleep in a bed, but the music in my heart is like a
freight train. It goes and it goes and when I stop it, itβs like pain, but my
brotherΒ doesn’tΒ see itΒ doesn’tΒ hear itΒ doesn’tΒ feel it,Β andΒ allΒ thereΒ is to do is shove him out of the way. Donβt want to hit my brother with the
freight train.β
Mackeyβs eyes smarted,
because the friction with Kell hurt. TheyΒ were tight. TheyΒ hadΒ to be tight, because
Tyson, California, had a population of ten thousand, and it was a small enough
town that the woman with the four sons and four fathers was sort of famous.
They hadΒ to have each otherβs backs or CheeverΒ wouldn’tΒ have survivedΒ kindergarten.
because the friction with Kell hurt. TheyΒ were tight. TheyΒ hadΒ to be tight, because
Tyson, California, had a population of ten thousand, and it was a small enough
town that the woman with the four sons and four fathers was sort of famous.
They hadΒ to have each otherβs backs or CheeverΒ wouldn’tΒ have survivedΒ kindergarten.
Mackey blinked and took a
deep breath, then coughed.
deep breath, then coughed.
Damn, pot was strong.
He gazed at Grant, who
was staring back in awe over the glowing ember of the joint. Grant held the
smoke for a minute and exhaled,shaking his head. βGod, itβs gorgeous when you
do that,β he said, hisΒ voice choked.
was staring back in awe over the glowing ember of the joint. Grant held the
smoke for a minute and exhaled,shaking his head. βGod, itβs gorgeous when you
do that,β he said, hisΒ voice choked.
βDo what?β Mackey asked,
notΒ able to stop staring at him.
notΒ able to stop staring at him.
βPull music out of the
air,β Grant said, the dreamy smile on his fullΒ lips maybe a side effect of
the pot, but maybe not. Grant was sitting in theΒ back of the car, his feet
at the foot of the blanket the others were sleeping on. He passed Mackey the doobie
around the doorframe, and Mackey regarded the joint with a little bit of fear.
air,β Grant said, the dreamy smile on his fullΒ lips maybe a side effect of
the pot, but maybe not. Grant was sitting in theΒ back of the car, his feet
at the foot of the blanket the others were sleeping on. He passed Mackey the doobie
around the doorframe, and Mackey regarded the joint with a little bit of fear.
βJust inhale?β he asked
nervously, and Grant grinned.
nervously, and Grant grinned.
βNever done this before?β
he confirmed, taking the doobie back.
he confirmed, taking the doobie back.
Mackey shook his head,
knowing his face was flushing in spite of the iron mountain chill.
knowing his face was flushing in spite of the iron mountain chill.
βHere,β Grant murmured,
taking another hit. He stood up, stillΒ holding the smoke in his lungs, and
knelt in front of Mackey, so close theirΒ lips almost brushed. Mackeyβs
mouth fell open, because,Β holy God, Grant wasΒ right there,Β and
Mackey had been trying not to look at him like he had wanted himΒ right thereΒ since
he was twelve years old.
taking another hit. He stood up, stillΒ holding the smoke in his lungs, and
knelt in front of Mackey, so close theirΒ lips almost brushed. Mackeyβs
mouth fell open, because,Β holy God, Grant wasΒ right there,Β and
Mackey had been trying not to look at him like he had wanted himΒ right thereΒ since
he was twelve years old.
Grant took his open mouth
for invitation and exhaled, right betweenΒ Mackeyβs parted lips.
for invitation and exhaled, right betweenΒ Mackeyβs parted lips.
Mackeyβs inhale was so
gentle, the smoke hardly tickled. HeΒ didn’tΒ choke or cough like heβd seenΒ other
people do, just breathed in subtle-like,Β afraid to startle Grant or make
him move in any way. His exhale was even quieter, letting the smoke trickle out
through his lips and his nose, where it stung.
gentle, the smoke hardly tickled. HeΒ didn’tΒ choke or cough like heβd seenΒ other
people do, just breathed in subtle-like,Β afraid to startle Grant or make
him move in any way. His exhale was even quieter, letting the smoke trickle out
through his lips and his nose, where it stung.
He swallowed, his mouth
dry from the smoke and from the way Grant was staring at him, seemingly as
mesmerized as he was by thoseΒ golden eyes and moist red mouth. βHowβs
Sam?β he asked, because Samantha Peters had been GrantβsΒ shadow for the
past year.
dry from the smoke and from the way Grant was staring at him, seemingly as
mesmerized as he was by thoseΒ golden eyes and moist red mouth. βHowβs
Sam?β he asked, because Samantha Peters had been GrantβsΒ shadow for the
past year.
βNot here,β Grant
whispered, and the movement made their lipsΒ touch.
whispered, and the movement made their lipsΒ touch.
Mackey closed his eyes,
because Grant started this, and Mackey was fourteen to his seventeen. Grant
would know what to do.
because Grant started this, and Mackey was fourteen to his seventeen. Grant
would know what to do.
Grantβs lips on his were
whisper-soft,Β then angel-soft,Β then GrantβsΒ tongue swept into
his mouth, acrid with the bitter taste of weed, but something in it was sweet.
Something in it made Mackey open his mouth to beg for more.
whisper-soft,Β then angel-soft,Β then GrantβsΒ tongue swept into
his mouth, acrid with the bitter taste of weed, but something in it was sweet.
Something in it made Mackey open his mouth to beg for more.
Grant took advantage,
pushing him back against the seat, taking his mouth more, and more and more,
until Mackey was pressed against the burned-outΒ seat frame, his hands
buried in the thick top strip of Grantβs hair, his lips being bruised and his
mouth plundered by his brotherβs bestΒ friend.
pushing him back against the seat, taking his mouth more, and more and more,
until Mackey was pressed against the burned-outΒ seat frame, his hands
buried in the thick top strip of Grantβs hair, his lips being bruised and his
mouth plundered by his brotherβs bestΒ friend.
The smell of pot smoke
sharpened, turned plastic, and Grant jerked his head back.
sharpened, turned plastic, and Grant jerked his head back.
βShit,β he muttered. The
joint had fallen onto the blanket at their feet, and he spent a moment stomping
it out as it smoldered. When heβdΒ killed the ember, he glanced at Mackey
sheepishly.
joint had fallen onto the blanket at their feet, and he spent a moment stomping
it out as it smoldered. When heβdΒ killed the ember, he glanced at Mackey
sheepishly.
βGot lost in your eyes,β
he said, and Mackey watched curiously asΒ two red crescents surfaced on his
sharp cheekbones, like disappearing ink coming to life.
he said, and Mackey watched curiously asΒ two red crescents surfaced on his
sharp cheekbones, like disappearing ink coming to life.
βI could get lost in you
a lot,β Mackey confessed, feeling brave andΒ bold, and Grant found
something to look at far away.
a lot,β Mackey confessed, feeling brave andΒ bold, and Grant found
something to look at far away.
βMackey, maybe donβt
count on me like that, okay?β
count on me like that, okay?β
Mackey had to search far
away too. Well, of course, right? Two guys get high and they do something
crazyβdidn’tΒ mean shit, did it.
away too. Well, of course, right? Two guys get high and they do something
crazyβdidn’tΒ mean shit, did it.
Didnβt mean a goddamned
thing. βYeah, well. You know. StrongΒ weed,Β right?β
thing. βYeah, well. You know. StrongΒ weed,Β right?β
βYeah,β Grant murmured.
βStrong.β His hand was firm on Mackeyβs shoulder then, and Mackey closed his
eyes as he felt the rasp of Grantβs chilled palm against his cheek. βStrongerβn
shame.β
βStrong.β His hand was firm on Mackeyβs shoulder then, and Mackey closed his
eyes as he felt the rasp of Grantβs chilled palm against his cheek. βStrongerβn
shame.β
Mackey had to. Had to see
his face.
his face.
Grant was blinking hard,Β and
they both knew heβd deny it, but one hit of potΒ didn’tΒ give you eyeballsΒ that
red.
they both knew heβd deny it, but one hit of potΒ didn’tΒ give you eyeballsΒ that
red.
At their feet, Kell gave
a moan and rolled over, and that was the cue for everyone to wake up. They were
headachy and sick, and it was lucky Grant had brought a six-pack of water, of
all things, so they could at least rinse out their mouths after they puked.
a moan and rolled over, and that was the cue for everyone to wake up. They were
headachy and sick, and it was lucky Grant had brought a six-pack of water, of
all things, so they could at least rinse out their mouths after they puked.
Grant had driven them out
to the vacant field in his momβs minivan,Β and later that evening, he
stopped and let them run inside the grocery store to buy noodles andΒ spaghetti
sauce for dinner. Theyβd promised their mom theyβd take care of groceries if
she let them get away with not watching Cheever for the afternoon. When they
got to the Sanders boysβ apartmentΒ complex, Grant and Kell were giving
each other shit in the front seat. Mackey stared out the window and let their
banter wash over him, just like he ignored Jefferson and Stevie talking in
quiet undertones about comic books and naked girl pictures. Jeff and Kell had
best friends. Mackey had brothersβsix of them,Β if he counted Cheeverβs
little friend Kevin, whichΒ he did.
to the vacant field in his momβs minivan,Β and later that evening, he
stopped and let them run inside the grocery store to buy noodles andΒ spaghetti
sauce for dinner. Theyβd promised their mom theyβd take care of groceries if
she let them get away with not watching Cheever for the afternoon. When they
got to the Sanders boysβ apartmentΒ complex, Grant and Kell were giving
each other shit in the front seat. Mackey stared out the window and let their
banter wash over him, just like he ignored Jefferson and Stevie talking in
quiet undertones about comic books and naked girl pictures. Jeff and Kell had
best friends. Mackey had brothersβsix of them,Β if he counted Cheeverβs
little friend Kevin, whichΒ he did.
βSo, is Sam excited you
get to play at the prom?β Kell asked,Β laughing.
get to play at the prom?β Kell asked,Β laughing.
βYeah,β Grant said. For a
moment, he caught Mackeyβs gaze in the rearview, and then he glanced back
toward the road. βShe wants to dressΒ pretty and dance with me in a suit.β
moment, he caught Mackeyβs gaze in the rearview, and then he glanced back
toward the road. βShe wants to dressΒ pretty and dance with me in a suit.β
MackeyΒ didn’tΒ make a
noise or anything, but suddenly he knew, knew like it had been branded on hisΒ skin, that GrantΒ didn’tΒ want to danceΒ with a girl in a dress. And that it
would hurt worse thanΒ orange juice on chapped lips, but Mackey was going to
have to watch him do it.
noise or anything, but suddenly he knew, knew like it had been branded on hisΒ skin, that GrantΒ didn’tΒ want to danceΒ with a girl in a dress. And that it
would hurt worse thanΒ orange juice on chapped lips, but Mackey was going to
have to watch him do it.
About The Author
Amy Lane has four children, two cats, a love starved Chi-who-what, a crumbling mortgage and an indulgent spouse. She also has too damned much yarn, a penchant for action adventure movies, and a need to know that somewhere in all the pain is a story of Wuv, Twu Wuv, which she continues to believe in to this day! She writes fantasy, urban fantasy, and m/m romance–and if you give her enough diet coke and chocolate, she’ll bore you to tears with why those three genres go together. She’ll also tell you that sacrifices, large and small, are worth the urge to write.
You can can find Amy at
Β Β 
Β Β 
Β Β 
Β Β 
Β Giveaway
Swag Packets (5 winners will be selected)
First Installment of Beneath The Stain (2 winners will be selected)
All Seven Installments of Beneath The Stain (1 winner will be selected)
Presented by
Biting nails and hoping I can patiently wait for novel release. Sounds like another great Amy Lane book. @;-)
oh man, it’s getting really close, I can’t effing wait!!!