She spins and smiles at him, before jumping on his back. “Let’s go for a swim, big boy.”
He charges for the ocean, Brady and Parker following behind.
I laugh, watching as Mason disappears under the water.
Soft, small hands wrap around my middle. I lift my arm and drag Kalani in front of me, spinning her to face the ocean.
She giggles when I dip my head into her neck.
“I like your family and their friends. Brady’s my favorite.”
“That so?” I growl into her skin.
“Mmm.” She pushes her ass into me. “And I thought your shoulders were big…”
I bite her neck and she laughs. “You better quit it, baby, or you’ll pay for it later.”
“Is that supposed to be a threat, Handsome?” I can hear her smile, prompting my own.
“It’s whatever you want it to be.” I kiss her shoulder, then rest my chin on top of her head. “Heard from Mia yet?”
“Not yet.” She shakes her head against me. “She has to work through her own shit first. She’s in her own head and no one can change that but her. Shouldn’t be too much longer.”
“And Parker? Is he good?”
“Parker… needs someone to need him. So, ‘good’? I don’t think so, but I do think he’s happier now, here, with us.” She sighs. “But she’ll come.”
My brows pull in. “Who?”
She shrugs against me. “The one who needs a hero.” Her words are so simple, so sure. She wants her friend to find what he’s looking for, what she feels he needs. “Whoever that is… she’ll come. And he’ll be ready for her when she does.”
I squeeze her tighter.
“Tell me their story?” She inclines her head toward Ari and Chase, sitting far too close to each other on a beach towel.
I glance toward the water, making sure Mason isn’t about to charge.
“Arianna’s had a thing for Chase since they were kids, but Mason won’t allow it, if Chase is even interested. My dad seems to think he is, but Mason’s his best friend. I’m not sure Chase is willing to risk that.”
“Lose the friendship or lose the girl.”
“Shitty, but yeah. I guess that’s how his mind works.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure…”
I look back to the two, and my eyes narrow, watching as they lean in toward each other. “Mason will kill him.”
“Doesn’t look like either of them care right about now.” She laughs. “These next few weeks are going to be interesting for these guys. All five of them in one house, no parental supervision.”
“Shit’s gonna be a nightmare.”
When she laughs, I reach down to thread my fingers through hers, lift her left hand to my mouth, and kiss the small diamond that rests there. She sighs and melts against me.
“Parker’s leaving tonight.” I whisper, kissing each knuckle. “I get you all to myself for three whole weeks.”
Tilting her head up, she looks into my eyes, then she squeezes my hand.
Because she’s here; she’s got me.
And she does, all of me. Everything I am, everything I have or will have, is already hers.
This girl. This blue-eyed, black-haired girl, who had no one and wanted nothing, chose me. She let me in, let me love her.
And she loves me back just as hard.
She’s my everything and I’m her only.
I squeeze her tighter, pulling her closer.
“I love you, baby.”
She smiles, a big beautiful one she’s only ever given me, and my heart stops. “I love you, Handsome.”
She’s so beautiful.
So perfect.
So… mine.
Playlist
Wrong Way - Sublime
Numb - Linkin Park
My Immortal - Evanescence
The Reason - Hoobastank
Breaking The Habit - Linkin Park
Just A Kiss – Lady Antebellum
Ride - Somo
Close - Nick Jonas
Acquainted - The Weeknd
Bring Me To Life - Evanescence
Somewhere I Belong - Linkin Park
Never Gonna be Alone – Nickelback
Stay - Rihanna
I’m yours - Justine Skye
Just A Fool - Christina Aguilera
How Can I Help you Say Goodbye - Patty Loveless
Blurry - Puddle of Mudd
Far Away - Nickelback
Acknowledgements
Hot damn! Where do I even begin? First, let me tell you how this story came to be…
About two years ago I started writing. I would write and delete and rewrite. The story was so clear in my head, but putting pen to paper was proving to be difficult. It wasn’t giving me everything I knew it could, so I shelved it and decided to write something different. No plot, no end game, just write. And Fumbled Hearts was born.
I had no idea when I started this book that I would fall for these characters the way I did. As the words went on, I could feel the passion burning for this world Nate and Kalani and their friends were creating. And before I knew it the book was finished.
I didn’t realize until it was done what I had actually written about – a stubborn girl who needed someone.
See, when I was young, there was a point when things began to spiral in ways I never saw coming. Then I met my future husband. At fifteen and sixteen, we were just babies, but somehow, we were exactly what the other needed. And here we are, three kids and fourteen years later.
This isn’t our exact story, not by a long shot, but it’s interesting that when I freed my mind from the stress of the book I wanted to write, it gave me this.
So, thank you to the man in my life who helped create a beautiful love story without even realizing it.
And now for my girls…
My editor, Jenn, thank you for challenging me. Thank you for helping me turn my book into something I could be proud of and for not yelling at me after we deleted 2,500 words only for me to add more than that back in other areas. Pretty sure I owe you a strong coffee.
My Proofreader, Cat, thank you for your kind words and extra eye. I look forward to working with you in the future.
Alexandrea D., my book soul sister, you have NO IDEA how much you did for me when you agreed to beta read. All your thoughts and play by play comments meant so much to me. The brutal honesty you gave and your questioning things was exactly what I needed. Thank you for rereading time and time again because you wanted to. Your dedication to helping me through the writing process did not go unnoticed. I hope to hug you in person one day.
My awesome beta girls, Lisa and Meagen, thank you for your comments and feedback. I am so happy you girls went on this journey with me. I hope we can do it again.
Rachel, my personal crisis center, thank you! Thank you for talking me off the ledge and pushing me to move forward when all I wanted to do was take a step back. Having someone who was at the same point as me through all the amazing madness has been invaluable. Thank you. Can’t wait for our next lunch date.
SE Hall, you’re likely to never see this, and I’m totally okay with that. But, seriously. I have no words. Just, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything. Thank you for the books you write that inspired my soul. Thank you for allowing me to see inside your world. Thank you for reading my book and helping make it all it could be. If, with my words, I could make one person feel the way I feel when reading yours, I’ll have accomplished more than I ever thought possible. Thank you.
Melissa Fucking Teo – Bish! You’re a rock star and a half and an all-around badass. If it wasn’t for your detail oriented mind, I never would have noticed that Nate never actually confirmed he was a good boy and kept it in his jeans. And for all the behind the scenes stuff you helped me with -there was a ton- thank you.
My work homies, damn! Thanks for entertaining me and helping make Kalani who she is without even knowing it! Love your faces!
BookSmacked Promotions, blo
ggers, and reviewers, thank you for your support and helping me get Fumbled Hearts out there.
And to the readers, you taking a chance on a new author is appreciated more than you will ever know. I hope you enjoyed Kalani and Nate’s story as much as I enjoyed telling it.
About The Author
Meagan is a cookie dough crazed, jukebox junkie who tends to speak in lyrics. Born and raised in California, she is a married mother of three crazy boys who keep her bouncing from one sports field to another, depending on the season, and she wouldn't have it any other way. Starbucks is her best friend and words are her sanity.
Ways to Connect
You can stalk her on Facebook:
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Meagan Brandy
Email:
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Fumbled Hearts (A Tender Hearts Novel) Page 39
