Runaway Love (12 page)

“Well, as long as we can start over again and on a clean slate. I can’t lose you again, Grace. I was a lost man without you this weekend. Thank God for Patrick’s dad letting Scottie sleep over because I was in no condition to even care for our son. I was frantic and broken when you left me for him. I was ready to get on a plane to get you when Scott called me and told me you were on your way home.”

I sigh and reassure Tony I’m not leaving again. For the first time, I don’t use sex to ease my insecurities and fool myself into thinking I’m making Tony feel better with my body. Instead, we talk about my past and what worries me. I let him in to my mind and soul. I let Tony see a glimpse of what’s in my heart so he can understand me better. Tony doesn’t judge me; he just listens with rapt attention. He truly cares about me. Afterward, we simply watch
I Love Lucy
until we fall asleep on the living room floor wrapped in each other’s arms. This is what family should be; this is love, happiness, and security. This is my life, every fucked up bit of it.

First, I have to thank God for guiding me on my writing journey.

To my husband, Airial: Thank you for being my best friend and an amazing partner. Without you in my world, I probably would’ve lost my mind. Thank you for being you. I love you!

To my mother: Thank you for being the best mother. I appreciate you truly.

Chloe, Mommy loves you! You’ve seen me pour my heart, soul, and time into writing this book. I hope you’ve learned that hard work and dedication do pay off in the end! Always try your best and put your entire being into any tasks that truly matter to you.

To my brother, Lance: Thank you for being a great brother and helping me when I needed the help.

To my aunt/sister, Sheliese: Thank you for being such a wonderful person. Thank you for letting me write my book on your tablet. Keep up the hard work - you can do whatever you set your mind to doing.

To my family and friends: Thank you for allowing me to tell you about my book every chance I got. I finally hit PUBLISH!!

To my two sexy old ladies, Francisca and Stephanie: What can I say about you ladies? Francisca, you’re wonderful and I love you! Thanks for being here from the start, making teasers and swag, and sending me inspiration. Stephanie, thank you for being you! I love your wonderful personality! You’ve been here since day one and have always given me honest and helpful feedback on my stories. I'm so proud to call you ladies my virtual sisters, and I can't wait for y'all’s first book to come out! I love you girls!

To my formatter, Angela: Thank you so much for your support and your creative approach to formatting. I love that formatting is more than just a job to you – you actually care about me and my book and you go over and beyond to ensure my book looks the best it can!

To my editor/guardian angel, Tina: What can I say without crying? You’re my blessing in so many ways. Words truly can't express how happy I am to have you as my editor and helping me on my journey of becoming an author. Thank you for the countless late nights of editing and the phone conversations to allow me to freely express my thoughts on my characters and their lives. When we talk, my story comes to life and feels as though it’s reality! We clicked right away, and I wouldn't trade you for anyone else. I love how you say, “You're the boss!”

To Iveta and her blog, Read It Woman: Thank you for being so amazing and expressing the love you have for my stories. I live for your feedback! I promise I’ll try my best to keep you on the edge of your seat.

To Kim and Not Enough Ebooks: Thank you for being awesome and helping me with getting my book out there. I’ll have many more books for you ladies to share!

To my Beta Readers: What can I say? I enjoy reading each and every one of y'all’s feedback. I'm glad y'all enjoyed
Runaway Love
, and I hope y'all stick with me on my journey. I have plenty of books for y'all to read.

And last but not least, to YOU the READER: Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for taking a chance on
Runaway Love
, and I hope you enjoyed this book as much as I enjoyed writing it. Your support, encouragement, and constructive criticism mean the world to me! Y’all are the reason I write, and I love and appreciate each and every one of you!

Pamela Washington is a proud native of Staten Island, New York who now resides in Charleston, South Carolina with her amazing husband and wonderful daughter.

Pamela LOVES to read! She enjoys the opportunity to enter into a whole new world and escape reality for a little while. Throughout her childhood, she could be found devouring books instead of playing outside with friends. Even as an adult, she reads every chance she gets! She’s extremely proud of her talent in picking out great books!

Pamela is quite passionate about her writing. She pours her heart and soul into everything she writes because she wants to give her readers a very special part of herself.  A self-professed hopeless romantic, Pamela loves love. However, not every story she writes will have a happily ever after. Pamela believes in keeping her stories true to life, and sometimes life just isn’t happy.

When Pamela isn’t reading or writing in her bed with her headphones on and Rice Krispy treats nearby, she’s most likely working her day job, hanging out with her family and friends, or indulging in some TV time with her favorite shows
Scandal
and
Empire.

This is just the beginning of Pamela’s professional writing journey, and she hopes you join her as she creates her own path in the literary world. If you would like to follow or contact her, please do so. She LOVES feedback!

E-mail:

[email protected]

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Now that you know Grace’s side of the story, turn the page to get a special glimpse into Tony and Scott’s perspectives!

Sneak Peek:
The Protector,
Tony’s Story

I still remember the day I met Grace. What a beautiful and conflicted beauty she was! I wanted to be close to her more than she will ever know. Her haunting grey eyes called to me as they expressed the extreme loneliness and deep sadness that were slowly taking over her soul. I made a silent promise to her to always take care of her and make her happy. From the moment our eyes locked, my life revolved around Grace. 

We went our separate ways after we left the group home, but I always kept track of her. When Grace finally called me and said she needed a place to stay, I was elated. Grace was always in trouble and hanging with the wrong crowd. I tried to help lead her on the right path, but I soon realized she had to learn on her own. I loved her independent, stubborn nature. Hell, I loved everything about her.

It took a while, but we were finally able to build our perfect family with our son, Scottie. I know Grace doesn’t love me as much as I love her, but I’m okay with that. That may sound twisted, but I promised to accept her just the way she is – flaws and all. I know so many of Grace's secrets, but I’ll never tell her what I know. That would destroy our relationship. She thinks I’m always totally honest with her, but I can’t be – I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her. I know I’m the best man for Grace, and I know she knows it too, deep down. I’m the man who makes her feel secure, loved, happy, protected, and worthy. I’m the man she sleeps next to at night. I’m the man who saved her. Most of the time I can convince myself that Grace is mine even though I know her heart belongs to an unreliable, selfish, cocky asshole.

How did she find Scott? I tried my damnedest to keep Scott away from Grace, but I obviously wasn’t successful. He's back in her life, and Grace has completely changed. She doesn't think I’ve noticed, but I have. I know she’s conflicted as well – torn between her loyalty to me and her desire for him. I can only hope that her trip to England with Scott helped her find the closure she desperately needed so she can finally give me her heart when she recommits herself to me.

Our vow renewal ceremony was more amazing than I could have ever imagined. When Grace told me she loved me and only me, she made me the happiest guy in the world. I’m delighted for our family, and for our future, with my child growing inside of her. She doesn't know that I found the positive pregnancy test in the garbage, and I can’t wait for her to tell me so I can scream my excitement to the heavens and back. Our baby will bring us even closer and strengthen our relationship.

Our lives are back on track, and we’re both content. With Scott out of the picture, nothing can tear us apart. Well, nothing that is except for Allison. I saw her attend our ceremony even though she wasn’t invited. Allison is up to something, and I have a bad feeling about her intentions. Grace can’t learn about Allison being around again; she just can’t. Grace is finally mine; I finally have everything I’ve ever wanted, and I’ll do whatever it takes to protect what’s mine. Whatever. It. Takes.

Sneak Peek:
The Risk,
Scott’s Story

Why must everyone think I’m such a jerk for leaving Grace behind? It was either us struggling every day to make ends meet or us experiencing a lavish, worry free lifestyle if I was able to make it big in the soccer leagues. I had to take that chance for Grace. I didn’t want to continue living life worrying about where our next meal would come from or if we’d have a roof over our heads. Grace deserved better than that. I wanted to give her a life where she could be carefree and happy and never have to work. She could spend all her time writing and drawing and having sex with me. Yes, in my mind, rich sex would be far better than poor sex. I just wanted Grace to have a chance at happiness, and she wouldn’t get that living in squalor.

I remember when Grace came to Ms. Allen's home. She ignored everyone and stayed to herself. That was probably the smartest way to make it through life in a group home, but I knew she wasn’t happy that way. I knew there was more to her than a sad girl who read, drew, and wrote, and I was determined to find out who Grace really was. Once I got her to talk to me, we became friends. Our friendship soon blossomed into love. She was the love of my life, and I was hers. We were going to be together for the rest of our lives, and I promised to always take care of her. I made so many promises to her even though I knew I wouldn't be able to keep them. I knew I would let her down, but I never anticipated the extent to which I would betray her. 

As my success grew in the professional soccer leagues, so did my appetite and desire for the high life. For the first time in my life, I had everything I could ever want. I didn’t have to worry about money or surviving through the day. It was a glorious feeling! I loved the adoration of my fans and how they would cheer my name both on and off the field. I lived and breathed soccer, even to the point of getting caught up with my manager’s daughter, Maxine. I finally told Maxine that I could never love her, and she said she understood, but I could see the disappointment in her eyes. I hated that I was disappointing another woman.

See, even though I was living a great life, I never forgot about Grace. There were times when the guilt of what I did to her ate away at me; and yes, there were even times when I didn’t even think of her. Then I would feel guilty for not feeling guilty. It was an endless cycle. I never stopped loving Grace – she was still the love of my life. Without her with me, I felt incomplete and like I could never truly be happy despite my wealth and success. I thought about reaching out to her several times, but I always lost my nerve. I would’ve been heartbroken if she wouldn’t talk to me, or worse yet, said she no longer loved me. So, fear and guilt kept me from reaching out to her.