There were so many other things he could have said.
“Sorry I missed your sixteenth birthday.”
“Congratulations on straight A’s . . . again. I hear you’re in the running for Valedictorian.”
“Thank you for helping your mother.”
“Thank you for not whoring yourself out like Adriane.”
I wait each time he’s away for him to just tell me he loves me. He loves his country. That’s admirable. He loves my mom, that’s expected and a gift. Me, I’m not sure what he feels. Some days I think he hates me, and others I know he regrets me.
“Adriane, come on.” I find her in her dad’s office…in his brandy. “Fuck, Adriane you’re gonna be in trouble.”
“Live a little.” She slurs. I’m envious of her. She has the same life I do: a dad who puts duty before family, one that looks through her and never at her. And here she sits, sipping brandy and giving her archetypal ‘fuck you’ to all who see her.
“Dinner will start in a few minutes. Hurry up!”
“Relax. I’m getting my pre-game going before I have to go to Deacon’s.”
I don’t understand them. He pseudo-commits, and she follows suit. I definitely don’t understand her getting drunk before having sex with him. I mean that boy is easy on the eyes. Our core group of six is an attractive bunch. Deacon, Mason, Caden, Avery, Adriane, and me.
Our parents are best friends, so it was expected of us. It’s not a hardship…except Adriane. I don’t know if you can be friends with her. I pretend. I strive to be her friend but she’s just . . . Adriane. “I’ll meet you at the table.” I rush from the office and bump into a hard body. His arms shoot out to steady me, and I look into the most intense brown eyes I’ve ever seen. They aren’t just brown. Their chocolate. Mocha. Dreamy.
“You okay?” That voice. Sex on a stick dripped in multiple orgasms. I talk a big game for being a virgin, but I just found a candidate to give that job to.
“I’m fine.” I look at his uniform. Airmen. My bet is that he’s a new recruit but did well on his exams. I see them in and out of my house daily—someone for my father to bond with. To mentor since I’m such a disappointment.
“Heading back to the dinner?” He hasn’t looked away from my face, and I can’t stop watching his lips move.
“Yes.” He puts his arm out for me to take hold and escorts me in. My father greets him pleasantly while I’m the gum on the bottom of his shoe.
“Brody. Thanks for finding my wayward daughter.”
“No problem, Sir. She wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary. Powdering her face, I’m sure.” He lies well.
My mind shouts
danger
but my body shouts
follow
.
He comes to my house every day for a week. My dad thinks it’s to learn and mold. I know it’s for me. On the eighth day, he takes my virginity. On the ninth day, he leaves on a mission with my dad.
On the thirtieth day I meet his fiancé.
On the thirty-first day I begin fucking my best friend. Mason Adler.
On the seventy-ninth day Adriane finds out she’s pregnant.
On the three hundred and fifty-fourth day, she delivers Julie Douglas.
On the four hundredth day she walks away.
She is the only one who knows my secret.
In between those days, Brody came over. He never tried to explain. He never addressed me at all. Looks like my father shaped him. Created a clone.
I hate Brody Collier. I love Brody Collier. I hate him for making me love him.
Playlist
Tell Me He is We
T-Shirt Thomas Rhett
Whisper Chase Rice
Make You Miss Me Sam Hunt
Pony Ginuwine
Wrecking Ball Eric Church
Ride Chase Rice
H.O.L.Y. Florida Georgia Line
Acknowledgements
First, the readers. You find me on my lowest days and turn it around. THANK YOU.
Terri – From day one you’ve been a strength for me. We’ve had some fun trips, amazing laughs, even if I have to hoard Goobers in my hair because you don’t feed me. Thanks.
My betas:
Tracy –You find shit I didn’t even realize I’d typed. 20/20 right there ☺ Your belief in me is amazing and wanna ride the elevator with me?
Helena – Cussing me out has become your forte and that’s when I know I’ve nailed it. And your song choices are always spot on. THANK YOU. You’ve become an amazing friend and I know I can call you anytime.
Jeneane – Sex. LOL. I love you don’t cuss me when I don’t write it but then you cheer me on when I do. I know if I can make you happy it’s gotta be steamy. PeenQueen. XOXO
Kristen – I love you aren’t afraid to tell me “That doesn’t work.” It makes me dig deeper, push harder . . . all while envisioning you stuck to the gum wall. LOL. I love you!
Ebbie – Thanks for taking a chance on me way back when . . . I’m sorry for all the damage done to your kindle. XOXO
Keara – YOU CAME IN LIKE A WRECKING BALL. HAHA. I wouldn’t change a thing. Neither would you because then you’d be without me and I’m pretty fucking great. Modest too. ☺
Erica Duvall – When I sent you a message with an SOS plea with all the information about Kansas, you jumped in. Your research and knowledge helped bring this story to life and I’m forever grateful.
Colleen Noyes – You didn’t know me and offered to help me. You got to know me and still help me. You’re kind of dumb ☺ So kidding, you’re just a bitch. LOL. Seriously, for everything but mostly for being you.
My Reader Group- I love y’all. I know I’m not present like I should be . . . but damn it all those books to read steal my time.
For the girl who was my friend – then life took us down a different path. We’ve both found our way back and it’s been amazing. And real. And I kind of missed it. No carbs and cigarettes before bed. I love you CB. ☺
To ALL the Blogs – I know I suck and don’t reach out – chicken shit right here – but the love you have for our words is amazing. I don’t know how I ever found books before you and THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for all your hard work.
About the Author
Leigh Ann Lunsford is a stay at home mom turned author. She writes Romance/New Adult and loves her happily ever after in all books and movies. She lives with her husband, son, and four dogs in Fleming Island, Florida. When she isn’t writing or reading you can find her stuck in front of really bad reality shows or watching Sons of Anarchy. Leigh Ann has a filthy mouth and a huge amount of sarcasm that knows no end. She hopes to give the voices in her head an outlet with many more novels to come.
Social Media/Email:
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/leighannauthor
Email:
[email protected]
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/25235051
Other Works by Leigh Ann Lunsford
Not Enough (Parker Siblings, #1)
Brielle Parker has her life in front of her; she just does not know how to live it. After years of not being enough for her parents, or the dreams she once had, how did one man Colby James show her she was actually more than enough?
Raised by her grandparents with her three siblings, Brielle was loved, no doubt. However, her grandparents were taken too soon, and she was left with her older sibling to try to raise her younger ones. She couldn’t help but let the doubts take over her life. Would she ever be enough? Then Colby walked in and changed everything, and just when she was facing her fears and falling in love for the first time, Colby ripped her heart out.
Will they be able to get past their mistakes to live the life they both want? Did Colby finally break Brielle when all he wanted to do was protect and love her? You can rebound from some mistakes, but some you just have to learn from and walk away. The love they have is true and pure, but will they finally be enough for each other?
Not Leaving (Parker Siblings, #2)
Addison Parker has loved one boy all her life, Tyler James. She met him the first day of school after moving to Tennessee to live with her grandparents. Through death, raising her younger siblings, betrayal, and heartbreak, he has been there. She has forgiven him for many things, but this time when he leaves, she decides he is not her future anymore.
Tyler James loves Addison Parker. He has made mistakes, but his love is always constant. He wants to be with her, but through lies and misunderstandings it doesn’t seem possible anymore. When a single moment changes his future, will he be able to come back and pick up the pieces of their relationship, or did he finally break all of her faith in him?
Not Hiding (Parker Siblings, #3
Cambree Parker has finally flown the nest and headed off to college in a different state, truly alone for the first time. Trying to escape from her sisters shadows, she runs from the lies and deceit that have plagued her family for years, and from the boy who stole her heart and shredded it in the process. Once there, she realizes her freedom is not all she hoped it would be. She misses her family, thinks of Max daily, and when she decides she wants to take control, she is attacked, leaving her family to fear for their safety. Can she protect her heart and remain safe when the source of her heartache has taken up permanent residence by her side?
Max Baird knew he messed up. His guilt over Cambree being attacked makes him doubt if he is good enough for her. He just knows he can’t walk away. She has told him she hates the lies, but the one he is keeping can blow her family apart, and he doesn’t know if she will ever forgive him. He has seen his share of sorrow and heartbreak, but he refuses to allow Cambree to suffer at his hands anymore. He will prove to her they can work. Hopefully he isn’t too late.
Not Over (Parker Siblings, #4
Dustin Parker had life and love in his grasp until the moment she disappeared without a good-bye. He has watched his sisters struggle, fall in love, and find a happily ever after. He thought it was his turn, but fate had other plans. Leaving the family again, this time to attend school across the country, he will play soccer, and try to keep her off his mind. All of a sudden in walks someone to occupy his bed but not his heart. Why is he promising her forever?
Teryn Hall has suffered years of abuse, held a prisoner in her home by the one man who should have nurtured and loved her. Her scars run deep, and when her pain bubbles to the surface she can’t control the memories and the anguish. She thought she was doing the right thing when she walked away. She thought he would wait for her. Didn’t he promise her forever? Right when she thinks things are back on track, the news of Dustin moving on could derail her.
Can love really survive anything?
Pieces of Paisley
Paisley Hull fell in love at sixteen; the forever kind of love: unexpected, passionate, consuming - her first. She never thought she could walk away from that kind of passion. Ignoring her heart, guided by her head, she never looked back.
Blindsided by the beauty of a tiny, hazel-eyed vixen, Jake Grant fell head over heels in love, vowing to keep her protected and not let his past taint her. He may have been overzealous in his attempts to show her how much he cherished her but he never thought she would walk away without a fight.
Nine years later, a now divorced Jake has a chance encounter with an engaged Paisley just a few short weeks before she is set to walk down the aisle. Wondering if they gave up too easily, the two embark on a journey through the jagged edges of their past. Can they overcome the obstacles to finally become one or is it too late for their second chance?
Brisé
He was seven. She was four. Neighbors and best friends. He was her protector. She was his reason. Each had their battles but they fought them together. He had a plan. She wasn’t aware.
She was seventeen. He was twenty. Tragedy strikes and their life is derailed. She leaves to heal and fulfill a dream to dance on stage. He is left behind and forgets how to live.
He stops searching. She begins looking. Can they ever set one another free, or does fate have something else in store for them?
Promise and Protect
District Attorney, Jessa Pierce, has the chance to make her career with a high profile case. To take the devil himself off the streets is the one thing she is focused on. Never taking into account the danger she put herself and those close to her in, tragedy strikes and derails her triumph. Forced into protective custody after an attempt on her life, the guilt of what has happened weighs on her. She is determined not to allow another person to be put in danger because of her decisions.
Detective Dalton Avery is the only man for the job of protecting her. He has a personal stake in this case and feels indebted to Jessa. Having watched her for years, never making his attraction known, he finds himself drawn to her when they are in close quarters. He tries to break through her walls, and each time he thinks he removes a brick, she puts two more up.