“It’ll be fine,” he promised as he took my hand and led me into the house.
They were all in the kitchen, I faltered as Matt saw me and grinned, alerting the others to our presence.
Theo spun and laughed out loud. “Thank God! Although I didn’t expect you to come out of the bedroom so soon,” he joked. I flushed scarlet.
Corey was smiling as she ate some fruit, she winked at me and I blushed more. My eyes flicked to Connor. He was staring at our joined hands.
“Connor…” I started. His eyes met mine. They switched to his brother.
“I love her Con,” Colton said simply, “I’ve always been in love with her.” Colton shrugged as he admitted it but his grip on my hand was tight and firm. My heart clenched, I squeezed his hand.
“And you?” Connor looked at me.
I nodded, “I love him too.” An answering squeeze. “Although I would really have liked to say it to Colton, rather than tell you first,” I scowled at Connor.
Connor nodded as he accepted that.
“All the time?” He asked me. I shook my head.
“No,” I glanced quickly at Colton, “I don’t know when it happened, but it wasn’t when we were together Connor,” I answered truthfully. Connor’s face showed his relief.
Then he grinned. That Connor Dawson grin we all knew so well.
“Dad’s going to be so fucking pissed. He does not like you Ari,” he chuckled. I narrowed my eyes at him.
“He’ll get used to her, she’s not going anywhere,” Colton said as he pulled me into him. I looked up at him and he dropped a kiss. I took it and then looked at Connor. He grinned at me and the relief I felt was overwhelming.
“It’s fine,” he nodded like he was just realising it, “you look great together,” he admitted. “You look…right.” He placed his own hand on Corey’s shoulder. She smiled up at him, as she linked her fingers through his.
“It’s good to have you home Ari,” Connor said to me. My heart felt like bursting. I looked at Matt and Theo who both grinned at me. We moved further into the kitchen, Matt hugged me and dropped a kiss on my head as he always did. Colton tugged me back beside him and flushed at Matt’s low chuckle.
“Hey Ari, guess what? It’s going to snow next week,” Theo declared as he poured a beer.
“Thank God,” Matt muttered as he reached over to take the beer, “this stupid heat was making us all act crazy.”
We laughed and as we did, I felt the tension that had been hanging over all of us for different reasons, finally dissipate. With extreme happiness, I looked around the kitchen, taking them all in. These guys, my family.
I looked up at Colton, he had been watching me and now he smiled slowly. “I love you,” he whispered.
I reached up and kissed him softly.
“I love you too.”
~The End~
This is my first book and I most definitely did not take a step on this crazy journey alone – yes, I used the ‘J’ word. So even though it’s my first book and it may not be the done thing for the first one, I have some people to say thank you too.
Marlee, I told you I had been writing a story for fun, you demanded – don’t even try to deny it – you demanded I send you the first chapter. You read it and told me I was publishing along with you. We were going to share this pain together. I do not regret that initial conversation and I do not regret a step taken getting here. Thank you, my friend, for sharing the pain.
Jane, you are an absolute diamond. I adore you. You put up with my raging self-doubt and my absolutely insane belief that I am always bothering you when I ask for something. You’ve kept me on track. Plus, you do this for fun! You’re a crazy chick and yes, that is crazy fabulous.
To my AMAZING editors, Josie and Dave. You. Are. Zen. Masters. I genuinely couldn’t have done this without the encouragement you have provided from the day I sent those test pages to you. You have instilled confidence and self-belief. You are genuinely one of the reasons I had the confidence to be bold enough to think I could publish this book. Thank you for accepting my weirdness.
To my wonderful mum, who as soon as I told her I was writing a book she immediately demanded to read it. Like right then. She didn’t doubt I could do this. She was my first pre-order on Amazon and has asked me throughout - why isn’t it ready yet? Well, it’s ready mum and I pray to all that’s holy that you like it. Remember I love you…don’t be a mean critic!
To my ARC team, thank you! You took a huge chance on me, you came in blind and you stayed. Your words of encouragement and support have meant so much. You genuinely have made my heart happy and have helped ease my nerves so much. Remember, you can’t leave now, once you’re in, you’re in for life (insert evil laugh).
As this book starts with me mentioning him, it has to end with him. Darren, I love you. Through every single moment of this, when you lost me to nights of writing – and NFL – you have listened to every single moment of book cover deliberations, swag bag contents, grammar panic attacks, self-doubt, excitement, resolve and general months of nothing but book, book, book. Plus, you have kept me fed in coffee throughout. You are my absolute hero. I have one thing to say to you…can I write another one?
Eve L Mitchell lives in the North East of Scotland, in the UK. She writes under a pen name, because otherwise her Secret Agent status will be revoked. Eve has dreamed of being an author ever since she learnt to read and is now finally stepping towards that dream. Vast amounts of coffee and sarcasm fuel Eve into being one of those irritating people who have the insane belief that the glass is always half full (unless it’s empty, which means there is no coffee); the sun will still be shining tomorrow (unless the apocalypse happens and then there is no coffee), and is known to reply to any woes with: ”Well…it could be worse” (because there really could be no coffee).
Eve is also prone to bursting into loud bouts of off-key singing. Much to the joy of all around her.
For more information on Eve L Mitchell, follow any of the links below:
Website: https://evelmitchell.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evel.mitchell.90
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