Unexpected Love
Unexpected Love
This is my second attempt at fan fiction but only the 1st I’ve ever published: based on TRR by Pixelberry publishing. Author’s Notes: Characters owned by Pixelberry studios, I have no claim to the characters in this story.
Though this story is loosely based on the same characters and my MC (Cindy Jo Beckett) also called (Jo or affectionately Jo Jo) the story comes through a little differently with my MC having had a dark painfully hard upbringing. Her past will unfold as the story is told. Main characters remain in this story and maybe later some new ones. Timeline of Choices: Pixleberry story will vary.
Summary: This Drake -x -MC AU will be focused on a chance meeting where Liam didn’t meet her in New York only Drake by chance…..later after this series is complete , I will rewrite the series where Liam becomes a LI as well. So prepare for a slow burn and some angst: I hope you like it……if the music hyperlink doesn’t open search Hannah Trigwell Stay with Me on youtube. Should really listen from the point it’s introduced in the story.
Chapter One:
Cindy Jo was sitting alone in her two bedroom apartment in Manhattan New York; her phone buzzed on the coffee table next to her. Picking it up she sees a message notification from Daniel her co-worker and best friend from the bar she currently waitressed at in downtown Manhattan and her Uncle Mitch from Texas. She decided to read Daniels first. The two had worked together for almost a full year now and had become quite close. She loved him like a little brother though he was only a year younger than her. Message Daniel-“Jo Jo I need a huge favor?” she replied “what?” Daniel states “I had agreed to fill in for Michael tonight over at the New Blues Club downtown but I got a last minute date and she’s a total hottie and I don’t want to turn her down because she may not give me another chance!” “Can you PLEAAAASE fill in for me? It was as if she could hear the whine in his voice as if he’d been standing there begging her.” Cindy Jo sat there and thought about it and said why not….it’s not as if I had any plans or a hot date tonight anyway!” She sees the phones blinking dots awaiting his reply……. “I’m sorry JoJo and that’s a little your fault you are so shy and closed off.” Grrr she scoffs out loud without replying to his last comment he types back “I’ll call you when I’m close by …there’s a dress code and I took the liberty of getting you a dress on the off chance you’d say yes.” Fine she replies see you later.
She then opens the message from her Uncle Mitch “Hey sweetie just checking in you ok?” she simply replied “I’m fine Uncle I picked up an extra shift for Daniel tonight at the Blues Bar down the street.” Uncle Mitch immediately replied “another shift….you are 22 sweet pea when are you going to stop working so much and enjoy your youth?” It’s not like you need the money?” Cindy Jo replied “I know I’m just helping Daniel out tonight that’s all….stop worrying so much! I love you and I’ll talk at’cha later.” She nearly jumped off the couch as her phone loudly rang in her hands and Daniels face came across the screen; she swiped right to answer saying “Jesus Daniel you nearly gave me a heart attack!”....Daniel laughing loudly clearly amused stating I just love it when that sultry Texas accent of yours comes through!” I’m parking now I’ll be up in a minute.” She said okay see ya in a sec!
Minutes later he buzzes her apartment and she lets him in the building then also her apartment which was on the 5th floor of the building. Her mood instantly lifts as Daniel comes barreling into her apartment with his infectious smiles and giggles. “Hey baby-girl wait until you see this dress girl it’s to die for… you will definitely clean up in tips tonight!” She smiles stating as long as it draws tips and not unwanted hands on my ass then I’m all in. She opens the garment cover to reveal a beautiful blue sparkling tight fitting full length dress with a slit on the right side all the way up to her mid-thigh. Oh Daniel it’s gorgeous she exclaimed...I’m going to try it on right now. Hurry Daniel exclaimed clapping his hands chop-chop I want to help you get ready before I leave to pick up Charlotte. Cindy Jo asks why ya wanna help me get ready. You do know I’m a grown ass woman who can dress herself…right? I know Daniel states but tonight’s special and I want you to curl your hair and wear it down rather than up in an ugly ass ponytail!” Okay groans Cindy Jo returning to her room glaring at him with her hands on her hips and a bright white smile on her face…“Daniel you know I love you… but has anyone ever told you that for a cute straight guy you tend to have a wonderfully gay flare to your personality?” Daniel states… “Yes you do all the time and you know it’s only because I grew up with three sisters. Cindy Jo laughs and states “you know that I’m only teasing and I’m completely grateful for if it wasn’t for you I’d have no sense of style after moving here from Texas.” “Can you zip me up please?” He zips her up and she steps away turning to say “There what’cha think?” Daniel lets out loud wolfish whistle as he watches her turn a circle giving him a full view of the gown. Girl you’ve got nice heels to with that right? Yeesss she huffs putting on her silver stilettos she walks to her make-up dresser and starts signing to the radio while she applies her make-up and Daniel starts rolling her hair with her fat curling iron from behind her. Both enjoying the music and her singing in silence until she’s about done applying her make-up; Daniel looks at her reflection through the mirror in front of her and asks “JoJo when are you going to stop being childish about your singing abilities and start preforming for everyone? I know that George has offered a dozen times to let you sing at the bar over weekends!” JoJo chides at him “you know I only sing for myself….and that I’ve always used music as more of a therapeutic outlet to deal with…you know as she trails off that train of thought. I know states Daniel with a sad little smile but truly if I had your God given talent I’d be singing from the rooftops of all New York he stated matter of factly. Well it’s a good thing you’re not me she laughed. Ok are you about done she asked. He sprays her head full of hairspray and says done. She stands and looks in the full view mirror hanging of the back of her bathroom door and says not bad….not bad at all. Daniel whistles loudly and says “Gorgeous simply gorgeous.” “Alright baby-girl let’s get this show on the road.” he says. They leave her building and Daniel gives her a quick peck on the cheek and says “thanks for covering for me doll and try to have a good time tonight.” Okay she says “and you enjoy your hottie Charlotte tonight.”
About a half an hour later she enters the club and speaks to Eddie the club Manger Hi I’m Cindy Jo I’m supposed to fill in for Michael she says. Eddie says “Oh you must be Daniels friend he’s told us a lot about you.” “Thanks for helping us out tonight, we should be really busy being Friday night and all.” “No problem she states with a bright smile glad to help out.” Eddie thanks her for dressing up saying “Sorry for the short notice but you look great.” He instructs her to begin the shift helping out behind the bar and she can move to the floor as business picks up. She does just that serving all that enter and sat at the bar with a loving smile. Then a tall dark haired stranger catches her eye as he enters the club and walks towards her at the bar. He’s about 6’3 with a slender muscular physic sporting a denim button down with a white under-shirt and dark colored very nice fitting jeans…with little angry like scowl on his face he sits down and she crosses from the other side of the bar to greet him with a million watt smile “H i there I’m Cindy Jo what can I get for you tonight?” He glances up and notices her dress prominently hugging her body in all the right places and says “Whoa do all bartenders dress like that in New York?” He had a sexy accent she couldn’t quite place. She said well I really wouldn’t know this is my first night here I’m filling in for someone. Looking around the bar she notices the other waitresses and says now that ya mentioned it I do seem to be a little more overdressed than the others.” That’s odd she contemplated out loud. The handsome stranger says “that’s a thick accent you’re donning there, where do you hail from?” “Where do I hail from she chides. I’m from Texas and you? Where do you hail from Mr.? “It’s just Drake he says Drake Walker and I’m from a country close to Greece that I’m sure you have never heard of.” with a slight smile on his face. Smiling shyly she asks “So what brings you to New York just Drake and what will ya have?” “Whiskey and then he mumbles something under his breath she failed to catch then clears his throat akem I’m scouting accommodations to host my friends Bachelor Party next month.” Oh she says and what do you think? “This place is a little more uppity for my taste I’m more comfortable in a simple bar with some pool tables, but they prefer the more prestigious or I should say portentous clubs like this.” He dryly says. I duhnno this place doesn’t seem too bad at least it has live music she says warmly.”
It was at that moment the manager Eddie stepped on to the stage and announced that while the band takes a short break we have been blessed with the presence of the beautiful guests vocalists styling’s of Miss Cindy Jo Beckett as the spot light shone brightly on her behind the bar…..she mumbles I’m gonna kill that Sum Bitch!” loudly enough for Drake to hear her. As the crowd cheers for her to join the stage Drake lightly laughs and says “well Beckett can you sing?” She gives him a side glance and bashfully smiles at him as she’s walking to Eddie on the stage she says “I’m afraid I’m unprepared I don’t even have my guitar on me so I’m afraid I won’t be singing tonight.” An Awe fell across the crowd, she turned on her heal headed back to behind the bar when Eddie speaks into the microphone no worries Daniel brought yours by earlier today!” She freezes in her tracks as the crowd cheers for her to rise to the intimate stage …She slowly makes her way to Eddie on the stage and she whispers did Daniel put you up to this? He says yes now get up there and kill em.” She smiles widely trying to hide her blush and steel her nerves. Ahkem …she clears her throat well since this was sprung on me at the last moment I will just perform one of my favorite songs by Sam Smith: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGs2f1ncMgA
-Drake’s POV-
Oh my god she’s an angel…where in the hell does a bartender get that kind of talent? Is she looking at me? I would stay as long as she wanted me too….a blush crossing and burning his cheeks at the thought. He stares hard and listens intently as she continues to sing and though the entire club is still and silent as she sings he could only hear her even if they weren’t. The crowd cheers loudly as she finishes those that weren’t already on the dance floor stand from their seats clapping and cheering exuberantly. Eddie joins her on the stage once again… “Yeah Ladies and Gentlemen give it up once again for the voice styling’s of Miss Cindy Jo Beckett! Thanks babe that was just wonderful!” Eddie hugs her as she leaves the small stage.
She shyly walks back and shimmies behind the bar where she finds a smiling Drake as she approaches he says “damn Beckett that was awesome!” She kindly thanked him and boldly says you look much better with smile on your handsome face than that scowl you walked in with earlier tonight.” Drake thinks-(Is she flirting with me?) “Well I guess I owe that to you Beckett…thank you truly this is the best I’ve felt all day.” You’re welcome as out of the corner of her eye she sees Daniel with his arm around a beautiful redheads waists presumably Charlotte walking up to the bar… “Daniel you ass-hat she states a little louder than she meant to…..you set this whole thing up didn’t you? “Well I knew I’d never get you up there otherwise he said with a hearty laugh!” JoJo this is Charlotte…Charlotte this is my best friend JoJo. She leans forwards shaking the redhead’s hand it’s nice to meet you Charlotte. “JoJo Drake asked with his left brow raised?” “Yes she says it’s an affectionate name that only a few are given the privilege to use …though I’m seriously reconsidering your rite to use it Daniel she scowls at him with a meaningful glare.” Who’s your friend JoJo Daniel asked? She smiled and said Daniel this is Drake Walker he’s from somewhere close to Greece and likes whiskey! Nice to meet you he states and the two shake hands. Daniel says “Oh by the way come out from behind that bar you don’t have to fill in for Michael that was just a ploy to get you here, and by the way I recorded your performance!” Uggh she gasps as she comes out from behind the bar. Cindy Jo tells Daniel don’t go plastering that all over social media either and I mean it….It’s bad enough you bullied me on to that stage tonight.” Throwing his hands up in a mock defense he says ok I promise with a rueful smile.” “Well now what since I’m all dressed up and nowhere to go?” she asked to no one in particular. Well Daniel started to say and was abruptly interrupted by Drake stating well you could show me around some proper Bachelor Party venues since you know New York and I don’t he pleaded softly in the form of a question?” She smiled as she thought over his offer…I guess I could, now let’s get outta here before Daniel gets anymore bright ideas for me in his head!” He offers her his arm and Daniels calls out “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do as she takes his arm and waves goodbye to Daniel over her shoulder they walk out of the club into the cool crisp air. Well where to Beckett? Drake asked. She motioned this way pointing down the street to her right. Why do you call me by my last name she asks?
That’s it for tonight lovelies hope you enjoyed, and I’d love any feedback you’ve got to offer.
