Dad Bod (Under Construction Book 1)

by Silla Webb

  We make it back to the girls with mere minutes to spare before the Mason cup drops. They each eagerly take the cups of hot cocoa from the cardboard tray, sippin’ slowly and lettin’ the warmth soothe them. I wrap my arms around Jordan’s waist from behind, pressing my face in the hollow of her neck. She smells like vanilla and sunshine, the only scent that can calm the storm within me when panic edges its way up in my chest.

  I don’t like crowds of people, but Jordan and I rarely get a night to ourselves; besides, it’s New Year’s Eve. I couldn’t imagine ringin’ the new year in without her.

  The whirlwind of 2019 flashes back through my memory, knockin’ the air from my lungs. It’s hard to believe just eight short months ago I lay near death, clingin’ to life just to see my little girl’s face one last time. Okay, so it wasn’t really death, but damn if a panic attack often doesn’t feel like it’s killin’ ya! That event spurred a chain reaction that brought me to this very moment in my life, kneeling before Jordan as the clock strikes midnight.

  Her hand palms her mouth, and her eyes spring fresh tears as she chokes back a sob.

  “I love you, Jordan. Just say yes.” There’s no need to proclaim my undyin’ love for her in front of thousands of people; Jordan knows exactly what she means to me.

  I slip the ring from the box and take her hand in mine, kissin’ her palm. “YES!” she exclaims, tacklin’ me to the cold, hard ground. She locks her lips on mine and pours every ounce of love and devotion she feels for me behind the kiss.

  A chorus of cheers surround us, but I only see her.

  Jordan is my saving grace, the anchor that steadies the rocky, tumultuous storms in this hellacious thing we call life. She made me the man I am today—fuckin’ literally, and I’ll give each breath I breathe to love her endlessly.

  THE END

  For now…

  What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas…

  Until it doesn’t.

  Get ready for Pretty Boy, Maverick Reynold’s story coming in Spring 2020.

  MEET SILLA

  Silla Webb was born and raised in the coal fields of Eastern Kentucky. Southern bred and cornbread fed, she is THE Southern Belle. Meshed with a barefoot backwoods country gal persona and you have the epitome of HBIC. She is cloaked in strength and sarcasm, which bleed through in the fictional heroines she brings to life beyond the pages. Silla is known for her sassy mouth and her sweet tea personality, so long as you don’t touch her cupcakes! When she's not editing for a fellow Indie author, she’s slaying her own words. Silla is most notably known for the Buried Secrets series, featuring coal minin' bad boy Colton Weston and arch nemesis Drew Varney, but her talents far exceed Romantic Suspense. In 2020, Silla will release her upcoming Contemporary Romance/Romantic Comedy series-Under Construction, co-written with her Soul Sista and debut author, Kaden Layne.

  Together, this dynamic duo have written the must-read series of 2020 with side-splittin’ humor, unexpected life changes, and happily ever afters where every character is under construction and all relationships are a work in progress.

  Follow Silla / Join Sassholes Reader Group

  More Books by Silla Webb

  Covered in Coal

  Lies Beneath the Surface

  Mend the Seams

  Rock Bottom

  Depths of Darkness-Coming Summer 2020

  MEET KADEN

  Kaden Layne was born and raised in the Appalachian Mountains of Southeastern Kentucky. When asked the age-old question, who are you? Kaden’s response is simple—I am a work in progress. Kaden is ‘Moms’ to a sassy, strong-willed teenage girl, a coach’s wife, likes to think of herself as the cool mom, and loves her friends and family fiercely. A Southern independent mess with a passion for reading all the words, which has since helped her fall in love with writing her own words too. A new author in the Indie community, on most days you will find Kaden in a gym cheering on her favorite girl and part of her heart on the court or boys from her current or former basketball family. Kaden loves cupcakes with buttercream icing, watching sports,

  messy buns, leggings, long sweatshirts, gossip sessions with her Soul Sista and traveling with her daughter.

  Follow Kaden

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  LOVE, SILLA

  FINALLY! I’m BACK! Did you miss me? Maybe just a little?

  YES, even I nearly gave up on myself, but the souls of too many characters are embedded deep within my very bones. I can only write their stories when they are ready to talk to me, and like me, many of my characters are stubborn.

  Boss, my inspiration for Madden Davenport—yes, ladies. I have my very own Dad Bod with a thick and sexy beard, always lifts me up and encourages whatever path I’m on. After being my very breath for twenty-one years, this man has carried me through more storms than I’ve embraced alone, and he never gives up on me, even when I’m ready to give in on myself. I love you, Boss, for seeing the beauty in me and always believing in me. You will forever be the fictional book boyfriend I write about because while I’ll never share you, I’ll always share your amazing traits through my writing so every woman can experience the same love and happiness you give me. #throughthestorm

  To my amazing children, always remember, every three-day word stint and these baggy eyes are for you—to give you all the luxuries and experiences life can afford. To show you what hard work and dedication can offer—dreams becoming a reality.

  Loralye, my living, breathing Sass Brat—aka, Belle—you’re the daughter I never had, and you’re too young to know or understand any of this, but honey, your personality brought a fictional character to life, and that’s pretty cool, kid. Although, I literally created one or two of those personalities, so really, I’m the ultimate mastermind.

  To Cassy Roop, our amazing cover designer—you brought Madden Davenport to life!! THANK YOU.

  To A.M. Guillams—I’m so thankful for your friendship.

  Cassandra MacRae—You’re a true original Miner, and your support has been unwavering. Always eager to help in every way. Thank you for encouraging me, inspiring me, and believing in me and my stories.

  Tammy Forsyth—Oh lady, I can’t express how much you mean to me. You’ve always been so supportive of me and my work, and your professional input was the perfect finishing touch to this series. Thank you!

  A huge thank you to our alpha and beta team—A.M. Guilliams, Angela Marie, Ashley Stein, Cassanda MacRae, Christy Wolford, Helena Rizzuto, Jennifer Gray, Julie Bailes, Katie Lynn, Mandee Migliaccio, Mel LuvsToRead, Sara Vogt, Tammy Forsyth Vanessa Morse. Your feedback and support have been so amazing! We love each of you!

  Thank you Jenni McCoy Alford for being the extra eyes! You are invaluable, and I appreciate all of your help!

  To Julia Reed at Red Hatter Book Blog and Natasha Carrere at Read. Review. Repeat, thank you for hosting the blog events.

  To Normandie Alleman—thank you for mentoring me. You always have advice and words of encouragement to offer, and I’m so thankful our friendship has flourished this last year. I love you!

  To our Sassholes Readers—you’re the real MVPs. At one point, I’d resolved to the fact that I’d never publish another book again. Yet, readers would still reach out and beg and plead for more of the Buried Secrets series. In all due time. I promise, Drew Varney will tell his story when he’s ready. He’s just worried about his conclusion. ?? To each and every reader who has followed me since day one, the readers who like, comment, share. The readers who interact and keep in touch—THANK YOU! You’ve been a constant reminder of my passion for publishing and the talent I often hide behind.

  LOVE, KADEN

  For so long publishing an actual book has been a dream of mine. The fact that I am actually writing these acknowledgments is surreal to me, and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t overcome with emotion. This book along with the help and support of others has made a hobby a reality for me.

  Thank you to my husband for reciprocating and supporting me while I chase these drea
ms. I may sit in the stands and cheer him on literally as he chases his by means of coaching on the sidelines of the basketball court or mentoring kids, and finding a way to cheer me on while I sit with a computer in my lap is very different, but he finds a way to do it. I know that I am not the easiest to get along with most days as I am stressing to get the words in my head into print along with juggling a full-time job and our crazy sports-filled lives, but you stick by me and offer words of encouragement when I feel like quitting. I am thankful for you each and every day. I love you, pal.

  My daughter is honestly the very best part of me. Since I began toying with this dream of writing, she has been one of my biggest cheerleaders, even though she’s baller by trade. Thank you, Sass, for keeping me on my toes, keeping me well versed in what all the cool kids say now, suggesting the best music and keeping me young. Thank you for all the writing material our conversations and road trips inspire; there is a little part of you in all of my very best lines. Even though I am not all that old, I hope you always remember that YOU CAN DO ANYTHING. You can chase your dreams all throughout your life, and you are never too old to do anything you set your mind to. This world is yours for the taking. Be yourself unashamedly, and aim high. Thank you for making me the “cool” mom, I love you as big as the sky.

  Thank you to my fabulous cousin and her spunky little boy—

  thank you for the love and support. Also, for the coolest one-liner material straight from the mouths of babes.

  I love my family and friends so much; I wouldn’t be anywhere today without them. I cannot thank them enough for the love and support they each show me in every aspect of life.

  Words cannot do justice to the thanks I owe to my Soul Sista, Silla Webb. Both professionally and personally she is there for EVERYTHING. This book would not be possible, my writing dream would not be coming true if it wasn’t for her. This lady is so unbelievably talented, and I am in awe of her hard work, determination, and brilliance. Thank you for dealing with my procrastination habits, my bouts of doubt, and passive attitude. I honestly do not know what I would do without you beside me, pushing me to pursue my passion every day. Thank you for being my shoulder to cry on, person to vent to, and everything else in between. You really are the Sista to my Soul. I freaking love your guts.

  Alpha and Beta readers—thank you for all the input and feedback. What you do only helps us as writers be better at what we do.

  Thank you to all the blogs who helped get the word out about the first book in the Davenport Construction Series.

  Special thank you to those readers who take the time to read Dad Bod. I hope you fall in love with this group as much I have.