From the moment Quinn Montgomery sat behind her first snare and cymbal set, she was destined for fame and glory. As Hush Note's infamous female drummer, she sets the rhythm for the band's chart-toppings hits. When people tap their feet to their music, it's to her pulse. Quinn is content to live in a world away from her family and the cage of her youth. Her only regret is leaving Graham Hayes behind without a goodbye. No matter how many sold-out stadiums she plays, no matter how many crowds sing her songs, his voice haunts her when the music stops. When a family tragedy forces her to return home to Montana, she plans to leave the second she's paid her respects. But seeing Graham again turns her life upside down. As a boy, he wasn't able to make her stay. As a man, he might be her future. If they can mend their rifts and find solace in the refrains.
She took one step before stopping. A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth, the same corner I’d kissed earlier, and I fought the urge to stand and capture that mouth again. Her smile broadened, though there was pain in her eyes.
“Colin is a cool kid. You’re a good dad, Graham. I always knew you would be.”
She might as well have stabbed me in the chest.
“Thanks,” I said, watching as she walked away.
Fuck me.
When had I never loved that woman?
Maybe that kiss had woken me up. Maybe it had made me realize how goddamn lonely I’d been without her. I had Colin, but there was a corner of my heart that would always belong to Quinn.
I should have followed her nine years ago.
Because now it was too late.
Meet Devney
Devney is a USA Today bestselling author who lives in Washington with her husband and two sons. Born and raised in Montana, she loves writing books set in her treasured home state. After working in the technology industry for nearly a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to enjoy a slower pace at home with her family. Writing one book, let alone many, was not something she ever expected to do. But now that she's discovered her true passion for writing romance, she has no plans to ever stop.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars - Would Recommend to a Friend
Review Copy Provided by Author
Oh the warm and fuzzies!! I loved this story of a woman who has reached the peak of her career and has the opportunity to revisit past choices and see if there can be a different path to take.
The approach Ms Perry took to Quinn’s story eases the reader into what created the situation our rock finds herself in as she returns home for the first time in nine years. I enjoyed getting to know Quinn, Graham, Colin, and the Montgomery/Hayse families.
Rifts and Refrains is a story centered around grief, but filled with hope, healing and rebuilding brides that may have been broken, but not burned. I was pulled into the story and was disappointed when the reached the end. I definitely want to read the stories for the other members of Hush Note!
From the moment Quinn Montgomery sat behind her first snare and cymbal set, she was destined for fame and glory. As Hush Note's infamous female drummer, she sets the rhythm for the band's chart-toppings hits. When people tap their feet to their music, it's to her pulse. Quinn is content to live in a world away from her family and the cage of her youth. Her only regret is leaving Graham Hayes behind without a goodbye. No matter how many sold-out stadiums she plays, no matter how many crowds sing her songs, his voice haunts her when the music stops. When a family tragedy forces her to return home to Montana, she plans to leave the second she's paid her respects. But seeing Graham again turns her life upside down. As a boy, he wasn't able to make her stay. As a man, he might be her future. If they can mend their rifts and find solace in the refrains.
Devney is a USA Today bestselling author who lives in Washington with her husband and two sons. Born and raised in Montana, she loves writing books set in her treasured home state. After working in the technology industry for nearly a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to enjoy a slower pace at home with her family. Writing one book, let alone many, was not something she ever expected to do. But now that she's discovered her true passion for writing romance, she has no plans to ever stop.
I was supposed to show Cole the city, as a favor to a friend. I was aware of his reputation, a seductive charmer hellbent on bachelorhood, but I hadn't prepared for him to get past my defenses. Cole was nothing like the serious businessman I imagined. He was sinfully hot, funny and way too flirty for my broken heart. But, it was just vacation after all. I thought I'd never see him again.
Only I do.
Cole calls me the very day I return to New York. My residency has been my sole focus for the past few years—my passion and my refuge.
I've loved and lost and I don't know how to open up again. But Cole is melting my fears with every kiss and touch, willing to move mountains to make me happy and help me heal.
And what scares me the most? I might just let him.
This was a light, fun read. Cole and Laney were both interesting characters, but I never felt like I knew them very well. For as much time as these two spent together, I was a little disappointed that there wasn’t more character development.
This story was really carried by the interaction between Cole and Laney with his extended family (and her friends). It really seemed to be a book that was meant to position other characters in the series where they need to be for their stories to take off. There was so much room for this to be a more robust story, it felt as if a lot of potential conflict and other items were left on the table.
I get that at this point, it sounds like I didn’t enjoy this book, but I did. I needed a light, fluffy read with likeable characters and Ms Hagan delivered with that here. I’ve read Ms Hagan before, but not this whole series. I am curious about both the prior books and what is to come.
Meet Layla Hagen
Welcome! My name is Layla Hagen and I am a Contemporary Romance author.
I fell in love with books when I was nine years old, and my love affair with stories continues even now, many years later. I write romantic stories and can't wait to share them with the world. And I drink coffee. Lots of it :-D
*Prices are accurate at the time of posting, please double check before one clicking. All links belong to E-Reading After Midnight and we may be compensated.
From USA Today bestselling author comes the second book in the Lost Boys series of interconnected standalones. Holden and River's emotional and heart-wrenching journey to love, redemption, and their happy ever after.
When You Come Back To Me by Emma Scott is now live!
At Santa Cruz Central High School, they called them the misfits, the outcasts, the weirdos. But most of us knew them as the Lost Boys...
Holden Parish survived his parents' horrific attempts to make him "the perfect son." After a year's stint in a Swiss sanitarium to recover, he has vowed to never let anything--or anyone--trap him again. Brilliant but broken, he seeks refuge behind alcohol, meaningless sex, and uses his wicked sense of humor to keep people away. He only has to ride out one year in the coastal town of Santa Cruz with his aunt and uncle before he inherits his billions and can make his escape. Disappear.
Falling in love is not in the plans.
River Whitmore. Star quarterback of the Central High football team, Prom King, Mr. Popular, ladies' man. He leads the perfect life...except it's all a lie. His father has River's future in the NFL all planned out, while River's dream is to run the family business in the town that he loves. But his mother's illness is tearing the family apart and River is becoming the glue that holds them together. How can he break his father's heart when it's already shattering?
River's carefully-crafted façade explodes when he meets Holden Parish. A guy who dresses in coats and scarves year-round, drinks expensive vodka, and spends his free time breaking into houses for the fun of it. They're complete opposites. River seeks a quiet life, away from the spotlight. Holden would rather have dental surgery than settle down.
Holden's demons and River's responsibilities threaten to keep them apart, while their undeniable attraction crashes them together again and again, growing into something deep and real no matter how they resist.
Until one terrible night changes everything.
Lost Boys is a new series of interconnected, coming-of-age standalones from USA Today bestselling author Emma Scott, coming in 2020
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
On the stage, Miller spoke into the mic in a low, almost shy voice. “Hey, my name is
Miller Stratton. I’m going to play a song by Coldplay. It’s called ‘Fix You.’”
I let my gaze slide to Holden, studying the contours of his profile—his chiseled jaw and
cheekbones, strong nose, full lips. He swallowed, and I watched the movement of his Adam’s
apple. Thoroughly masculine. Nothing feminine about it.
“Can I help you?” he whispered, eyes forward.
“It sucks not talking to you,” I said, as Miller strummed the first chords of the song. “I
don’t know why. You’re arrogant as fuck.”
“Fair. You’re a grilled cheese sandwich.”
I snorted. “A what?”
“Shh,” Holden said. “Listen. This is our song.”
Our song. Nothing was ours. There was no us. But Miller sang that if you never try you’ll
never know, and the words pierced me like arrows.
I took my hand out of my pocket and let it hang by my side again. Again, my skin
brushed Holden’s, sending shards of heat dancing up my arm while Miller sang about lights that
ignite your bones.
I looked at Holden and he looked at me.
Without letting myself think, I slipped my fingers around the side of his hand and slid my
palm against his. He gasped slightly—a small intake of breath only I heard in the darkened
auditorium. Then he let his hand settle into mine. Another heartbeat, and our fingers laced
together.
“And I will try,” Miller sang, his rich voice hovering in the air in that silent auditorium.
“To fix you.”
A short silence fell before the crowd erupted in thunderous cheers, unlike anything I’ve
ever heard. Miller’s version of the song was unlike anything I’d ever heard either, as if he were
singing directly to me. To us.
Because it’s our song.
Under the cover of applause, I let go of Holden’s hand and tugged the cuff of his coat.
“Let’s go.”
I left without looking back but heard Holden’s footfalls following. Warning bells clanged
in my head but were drowned in the thrashing beat of my heart that felt as it were trying to break
free of its prison like it had at the pool. Only this time I was stone cold sober. No excuses.
I pushed open the door next to the auditorium—the back area of the band room that was
for instrument storage. Huge basses loomed in dimness, and drums of all sizes and styles lined
the walls.
Holden followed me in and shut the door behind him. “Hello, friend.”
“I put in my college applications,” I said as he approached me in the darkness. “I’m going
away to Texas or maybe Alabama this summer.”
“Establishing the rules, are you?” he drawled, though his voice was thick and tinged with
nerves.
I swallowed hard. “Nothing’s changed. Nothing can change.”
“I told you,” Holden said, in front of me now. “I’ll never ask you for anything. I don’t
have anything to give. Except this.”
I wanted to tell him that wasn’t true, that I was the one who had nothing to offer. I
shouldn’t have led us here. I should walk out, but his goddamn voice, the scent of him, his
presence was overwhelming. My hands itched to touch him, to grab him and…
Kiss him?
My first kiss with a guy. It seemed as if I’d been waiting a lifetime for it and yet the
moment was rushing at me like a speeding train.
“Stop thinking, River,” Holden whispered. “We’re here. Right now.” He leaned in.
“What are you going to do?”
Meet Emma
Emma Scott is a USA Today and Wall St. Journal bestselling author whose books have been translated in five languages and featured in Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, New York Daily News and USA Today's Happy Ever After. She writes emotional, character-driven romances in which art and love intertwine to heal, and in which love always wins. If you enjoy emotionally-charged stories that rip your heart out and put it back together again, with diverse characters and kind-hearted heroes, you will enjoy her novels. Visit www.emmascottwrites.com
RECENT RELEASES
Someday, Someday (M/M standalone)
A Five-Minute Life (standalone)
Bring Down the Stars (Beautiful Hearts #1)
Long Live the Beautiful Hearts (Beautiful Hearts #2)
COMING SOON:
A new YA/NA series of interconnected standalones, coming in 2020
"At Santa Cruz Central High, we called them the misfits, the outcasts, the weirdos. But most of us knew them as the Lost Boys."
When You Come Back To Me is the second book in the Lost Boys series, so both River and Holden are characters that we met in book 1 (The Girl In the Love Song), but we get to know them both so much better here.
The timelines between the two books are pretty much concurrent, so if you are reading the books in order, there are scenes where that will be very familiar. It’s not necessary to read the books in order, this is very much a stand alone, but be prepared for spoilers if you read out of order.
Now that all of that is out of the way - can I just say WOW! I am so impressed with how Ms Scott is able to dive into the mind of a high school senior and let us see behind the scenes to what these very complex characters are thinking and feeling. We see issues related to identity, life goals, family health struggles, and the heavier ideas of emotional and substance abuse. All of these heavy and hard things are woven into this young adult romance in such a way that we are rooting for these two people to find their way through to a happy ending.
This is a well crafted story that pulled me in with its overall message of hope, healing, and the power of (all kinds) of love. The secondary cast is excellent. Some of whom flow through the Lost Boys series and some that are specific to this book - I am very much looking forward to seeing Ronan’s story in the conclusion to the Lost Boys series.
From USA Today bestselling author comes the second book in the Lost Boys series of interconnected standalones. Holden and River's emotional and heart-wrenching journey to love, redemption, and their happy ever after.
When You Come Back To Me by Emma Scott is now live!
At Santa Cruz Central High School, they called them the misfits, the outcasts, the weirdos. But most of us knew them as the Lost Boys...
Holden Parish survived his parents' horrific attempts to make him "the perfect son." After a year's stint in a Swiss sanitarium to recover, he has vowed to never let anything--or anyone--trap him again. Brilliant but broken, he seeks refuge behind alcohol, meaningless sex, and uses his wicked sense of humor to keep people away. He only has to ride out one year in the coastal town of Santa Cruz with his aunt and uncle before he inherits his billions and can make his escape. Disappear.
Falling in love is not in the plans.
River Whitmore. Star quarterback of the Central High football team, Prom King, Mr. Popular, ladies' man. He leads the perfect life...except it's all a lie. His father has River's future in the NFL all planned out, while River's dream is to run the family business in the town that he loves. But his mother's illness is tearing the family apart and River is becoming the glue that holds them together. How can he break his father's heart when it's already shattering?
River's carefully-crafted façade explodes when he meets Holden Parish. A guy who dresses in coats and scarves year-round, drinks expensive vodka, and spends his free time breaking into houses for the fun of it. They're complete opposites. River seeks a quiet life, away from the spotlight. Holden would rather have dental surgery than settle down.
Holden's demons and River's responsibilities threaten to keep them apart, while their undeniable attraction crashes them together again and again, growing into something deep and real no matter how they resist.
Until one terrible night changes everything.
Lost Boys is a new series of interconnected, coming-of-age standalones from USA Today bestselling author Emma Scott, coming in 2020
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
Emma Scott is a USA Today and Wall St. Journal bestselling author whose books have been translated in five languages and featured in Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, New York Daily News and USA Today's Happy Ever After. She writes emotional, character-driven romances in which art and love intertwine to heal, and in which love always wins. If you enjoy emotionally-charged stories that rip your heart out and put it back together again, with diverse characters and kind-hearted heroes, you will enjoy her novels. Visit www.emmascottwrites.com
RECENT RELEASES
Someday, Someday (M/M standalone)
A Five-Minute Life (standalone)
Bring Down the Stars (Beautiful Hearts #1)
Long Live the Beautiful Hearts (Beautiful Hearts #2)
COMING SOON:
A new YA/NA series of interconnected standalones, coming in 2020
"At Santa Cruz Central High, we called them the misfits, the outcasts, the weirdos. But most of us knew them as the Lost Boys."
When You Come Back To Me is the second book in the Lost Boys series, so both River and Holden are characters that we met in book 1 (The Girl In the Love Song), but we get to know them both so much better here.
The timelines between the two books are pretty much concurrent, so if you are reading the books in order, there are scenes where that will be very familiar. It’s not necessary to read the books in order, this is very much a stand alone, but be prepared for spoilers if you read out of order.
Now that all of that is out of the way - can I just say WOW! I am so impressed with how Ms Scott is able to dive into the mind of a high school senior and let us see behind the scenes to what these very complex characters are thinking and feeling. We see issues related to identity, life goals, family health struggles, and the heavier ideas of emotional and substance abuse. All of these heavy and hard things are woven into this young adult romance in such a way that we are rooting for these two people to find their way through to a happy ending.
This is a well crafted story that pulled me in with its overall message of hope, healing, and the power of (all kinds) of love. The secondary cast is excellent. Some of whom flow through the Lost Boys series and some that are specific to this book - I am very much looking forward to seeing Ronan’s story in the conclusion to the Lost Boys series.
Jessica Peterson has revealed the cover for Southern Hotshot!
Releasing: December 10, 2020
Cover Design: Najla Qamber
Photographer: Wong Sim
Model: Mitchell Wick
Lusting after the woman trying to steal my job is stupid. Sexting with her? That's a game-changing fumble.
Emma Crawford became enemy number one the second she stepped foot on Blue Mountain Farm. She might think I'm just a dumb jock, but I know she's a stuck-up wine snob who believes she'd be a better exec than me.
She can take my position over my dead body.
But with her ridiculous curves and fearless smarts, she's becoming one giant distraction just when I need to prove my worth most.
Lucky for me that I have a secret internet sext partner to blow off steam with. My nightly dirty chats with V scratch all the itches Emma gives me.
Emma and V couldn't be more different--except it turns out they're the same person.
Just when I thought this scenario was enough of a disaster, I'm falling for the co-worker I can't touch and can hardly stand.
Even a hotshot player like me can see this is a game we're both gonna lose.
SOUTHERN HOTSHOT is a full length, STANDALONE small town novel. It is the second book in the all new North Carolina Highland series.
SOUTHERN SEDUCER: Beau + Annabel's Story SOUTHERN HOTSHOT: Samuel + Emma's Story
Jessica Peterson writes smart, sexy romance set in her favorite cities around the world. She grew up on a steady diet of Mr. Darcy, Jamie Frasier, and Edward Cullen, and it wasn’t long before she started creating irresistible heroes of her own. She loves strong coffee, stronger heroines, and heroes with hot accents.
She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband Ben, her daughter Gracie, and her smelly Goldendoodle Martha Bean.
When I inherited the Dallas Oilers from my father , I became one of the youngest owners in hockey history. Even though the team was at the bottom of the hockey standings,
I had big plans to change that and bring the Cup to Dallas.
Falling in love was something I never believed would happen to me.
You’d think I was getting everything I ever wanted with the girl and the winning record, but I still have a promise to fulfill to my childhood best friend.
Becca
Never let them see you sweat has been my life motto since I decided to make a name for myself as the most-sought-after sport agent.
I know what it takes to close a deal, and only want one thing—to be the best.
Until I felt his touch one night, and everything I thought I knew was forgotten. Nico is everything I've never let myself want.
But all my cards came crashing down the minute I read the headlines.
COVER & EXCERPT REVEAL
BOURBON NIGHTS by Shari J. Ryan
Release Date: October 19, 2020
Cover Design: MadHat Studios
SYNOPSIS
The heavy burden of caring for the well-being of another life shouldn’t fall on the shoulders of a teenager. But I never complained or shied away from it.
I had this friend. He needed me.
As the years went by, I continued to find myself drawn to those with pain in their eyes, wanting to ease their anguish with a smile or a joke.
That was what first lured me to Journey.
I quickly learned she bristled at even the suggestion of her vulnerability. We may be like oil and water, but I revel in fighting for her attention. This fiery beauty is worth the wait, and I’m playing the long game.
She claims not to be the commitment type, but I see hope and refuse to give up. Can I convince her we belong together? Or will I be the one left hiding my own pain behind a smile?
From USA Today Bestselling Author, Shari J. Ryan, comes the highly-anticipated conclusion to The Barrel House Series!
Maybe she knows I’m outside, waiting. I’ve parked far enough away to be out of sight, but Journey must have a sixth sense for men like me. She eats my “type” for breakfast and always seems to have the upper hand. Why I’m attracted to that, I do not understand.
While standing beside her Jeep, expecting her exit from The Barrel House, I notice a slight scratch on her fender. The Jeep is a rusty orange color, but light enough to show flaws. I wonder how she feels about flaws. If someone sneezes near my truck, I have a fit and go through the carwash.
I shove my thumb beneath the hem of my shirt and stroke at the scratch, seeing if I can tell how deep it goes. Oh, it’s not bad. I could buff that out for her.
“Why are you touching my Jeep with your shirt?” It’s good to know all I had to do was touch her car to summon her presence.
“There’s a scratch. Did you see it?”
Like the gentle flower Journey is, she storms forward and nudges me away from the spot. “What the hell? That wasn’t there this morning.”
“You inspected your Jeep before leaving home this morning?”
“I would have noticed it,” she corrects herself.
“I can buff that right out for you. Nothing to worry about.”
“How do you know I can’t buff it right out?” she replies, and it’s evident she’s taking offense to my chauvinistic offer.
I place my hands on my hips and widen my stance. “You know, I don’t recall trying to be an asshole to you, at least not in the way you’re responding to everything I say. In fact, I have tried hard to be nice to you despite your inability to reciprocate.”
Journey huffs with aggravation, rolling her eyes up toward the sky. “Brody, why are you trying so hard to reconnect with me?”
I could remind her that she made the first move at the school, but I’ve said it enough times. She knows what she did. She re-sparked something that never fizzled out all the way.
“I don’t know,” I say. I’m not sure how else to answer at this point. I feel the need to break down her wall and I’m not one to give up.
“Well, that clears everything up,” she says.
“You know, by the way you speak to me, you’d think I did something as horrible, like steal your Jeep and return it in pieces, but I haven’t done a damn thing, so what’s your problem?”
She turns her back to the Jeep, facing me.
The sun blares its mid-morning rays into her eyes, turning the green hues to turquoise. “I can’t do this. I’m not in a place where I can offer someone attention or friendship. Rather than lead you on, I figure it’s best to keep things simple.”
“You kissed me,” I remind her. Again. Like I wasn’t going to.
“Yeah, I don’t know why I did that. I don’t know what I was thinking. I had an urge and acted on it, and I shouldn’t have. It was a mistake, and I apologize for being inappropriate.”
Ouch. I wish I hadn’t brought it back up again. I think I’d prefer wondering what initially sparked her desire. I hold my hands up in defense. “Okay, okay, point taken. I’ll back off.”
With a couple steps back, I prepare to turn back for my truck and leave her be, but there’s a squint to her eye. Maybe it’s the sun, or maybe she’s thinking she’s wrong.
“Why were you waiting here, anyway?” This is where she bates me back in so she can sucker punch me once more.
I can take it.
“I wanted to see if we could go grab a coffee?”
Journey’s gaze floats across the street to the coffee shop. “I’m not up for any deep meaningful conversations or epiphanies about life,” she says.
“We don’t have to talk at all. I know you like coffee, and I like coffee, so I figured what the hell, if two people enjoy coffee, they should just have one together, right?”
She’s breaking at the seam. I can see it.
“Fine, but you’re paying,” she says.
“Only if I can borrow three bucks.” I take a step forward and playfully nudge her at the shoulder.
“I figured that would be the case,” she says.
I hope that her words are just another bout of sarcasm, and not because she thinks I’m a lowlife who has accomplished nothing and can’t afford to buy her a cup of coffee. “I have to grab my purse out of my car. One second.”
“You keep your purse in your—unlocked car?” I ask, watching her open the driver’s door without unlocking the doors.
“Who will take it around here?”
“Do you know every single person in this town or anyone who might drive through, looking for trouble?”
“Yup,” she says.
“Cool.” While she’s digging for her purse, I open the app on my phone for the coffee shop and place an order for two and pre-pay.
In silence, Journey retrieves her purse and closes her car door. I decide it’s best not to mention locking her Jeep. Instead, I follow her toward the street. A car flies by and the coast is clear, which instinctively causes my hand to land on her lower back as she steps off the curb. Journey stops short in the street and twists around to look at my hand. I retract my arm and shove my hand in my pocket. “Sorry, it’s a bad habit of being a gentleman. I won’t do it again.”
Somehow, we make it to the coffee shop twenty feet away. I didn’t think there was a chance in hell we’d walk through this door together. “What do you want?” she asks.
“I already ordered us both coffees. They should be ready at the pickup counter,” I say, opening the glass door for her.
A sidelong glance and a couple of small steps, and we’ve made it to our destination. Journey approaches the pickup counter ahead of me and peeks at the slips before grabbing both cups. “Thank you for the coffee,” she says. “Do you still need the three dollars?” Her eyebrow arches with question.
“I was kidding. It’s something people do to make others laugh occasionally. Ever heard of it?”
Without a response, she moves forward and prepares her coffee at the condiment station. I’m going with the black version today. I think I could use the extra kick at the current moment.
I take a seat at one of the empty tables and watch Journey pour the cream into her coffee as if it requires a steady painter’s hand, then sprinkles in a bit of sugar. She takes a sip as she makes her way over to the table I’m at and takes long steps as if gliding toward the open chair. I agreed we didn’t have to talk, so I’ll just sit here until she decides the silence is too awkward. I can play this game as long as she can.
With two hands curled around her cup, she rests her elbows down on the table and stares at me. “What about me makes you want to sit here and have a cup of coffee?”
“I thought we aren’t supposed to talk?”
“You’re right,” she says, taking another sip.
“You remind me of myself. When I’m angry or hurt, I wear the emotions like a blinking neon sign. Your dad just passed away and I can’t imagine you must feel too good right now.”
“So, I’m a pity project?” she responds.
“Shit. Okay, you know what. Forget it. I was trying. I was. We knew each other for the first half of our lives, and I thought it would be nice to reconnect. You seem like life has taken a toll on you and I get it, so I figured you might want company. I was wrong, so I’ll leave you alone. I should have listened to your sister when she said you were unavailable.”
“Melody wouldn’t use those words,” Journey retorts.
“She said something along those lines and warned me to leave you alone.”
“And you didn’t listen?”
“I don’t like to listen to what people tell me to do. I enjoy taking the scenic route. And no, I don’t pity you. If you can take the shitty parts of life and turn them into anger rather than pain, I’d say you have a step up on most people., I think it’s noble that you can control your feelings like that. Most can’t.”
“People might disagree with your statement.”
“Maybe, but it’s better than crying about something you can’t change, right?”
Something I said resonates with her because her eyes widen in response. “Crying causes headaches and swollen eyes. It does nothing to fix the pain.”
“Exactly,” I agree.
Journey glances down at her watch. It’s a sign she’s about to end this little rendezvous and move on with her day. “How do I remind you of yourself?” she asks with a squint of her eye.
“That’s a loaded question, but for starters, I’m about to turn forty, divorced with a daughter who has an attitude that could scare a WWE wrestler away. I can count the number of friends I have on my third hand, and I have a vendetta against life for reasons no one needs to know.”
“Is that your way of luring me in?” Both eyebrows rise this time.
“If I was trying to lure you in, I would have given you the impression that I might spill all my secrets, but I don’t plan to do that.”
“So, you’re a tease,” she states.
“Much like yourself,” I reply with a quick wink.
Journey places her cup down and rests her chin in her hand while leaning on the tabletop. “Maybe you’re not so bad, Brody Pearson.”
“With that said, what do I have to do to persuade you into spending more time with me?” I’m all in now. I’ve placed my cards down on the table.
“I’m sure you’ll try very hard to figure out a way to do that,” she says with a hint of a smirk.
“This is a game to you, isn’t it?” I ask.
“A game,” she repeats. “If you see this as a game—one you’ll never win, we can call it what you’d like.” The second I think I find a weak spot; she strikes back.
Shari J. Ryan is USA Today bestselling author. She lives in Massachusetts with her wicked awesome husband, and two wild sons who fill her life with non-stop comedy.
With a life full of love, writing, drawing, TV binging, reading, and Starbucks, Shari is living her best life.
