by Leigh Lennon
"Whoever the fuck is in here, the police are on their way," I lie.
A light illuminates my way into the living room, and I see the one person who's always had access to my life, sitting on my sofa.
"I don't know if announcing that is the smartest thing you've ever done. If I was a stone-cold killer, I'd just shoot you and leave before I could be caught."
His red hair is a little bit lighter, almost a strawberry blond. But I miss the dimple in his chin when his radiant smile doesn't cover his face.
"Um, what are you doing here?" I ask this question as if I don't want him in my space. “You made good time back from Atlanta. Did you watch the game?” I ask, but in his expression, I know he’s not going to answer my question.
"First, you've been so intent on tracking me down, calling me several times a week and reaching out to my manager, too. Now I'm back in town, and I thought I'd stop by, to see what the hell has you so eager to see me after a year, Dal."
Dal—it has always been his nickname for me, and the corners of my lips curl up at his little form of affection.
“And second,” he continues, “I couldn’t bring myself to watch the game.”
This gives me pause to think, why he wouldn’t watch the big game. He loves football, almost as much as I do. But I skip over this for now. "So, you just break into my house?" In my tone, I'm playful, almost a flirt, but he's not falling for it. He's immune to me.
"I can't break in when it's the same fucking code from when we were together," he bites out.
A shrug is my response to him as I approach, stopping three feet away from where he sits on the couch. "You have to know I've come out." It's a feeble attempt at winning back his trust.
"Yeah, I may have seen it on my social media feed. But what the hell does it have to do with me?" He's still sitting as if this is an everyday negotiation for him.
"I miss you."
His sardonic laughter fills my home. "You miss me. A fucking year later, and you still miss me?"
"Yeah, but it's more. I've never stopped loving you. I know I screwed up, but…"
Something has changed in his demeanor, and he pushes up from the couch and rushes me, until our noses touch. In this small little exchange, I'm given a hint of all I've missed in his life.
"I had a lot to lose, too. You were established. I was not. Fuck, I was still playing in bars. I had barely anything to my name, and I came out. It was a pact, we promised one another we'd do it together, but when it was your turn, you refused."
He's angry, but I know the fire and anger in his amber eyes. I've missed it.
"I was stupid, so fucking stupid."
He pushes off me as though my touch will undo him.
"And you're so fucking late, too, Dal."
It's how he leaves my house and my life. And I know it's the last time I'll ever see him again. The whole world may know him as Banks Weston, but I simply know him as the only person I've ever loved.
My Only Regret
Coming Soon.
A Note to My Readers
I hope you enjoyed Crush and Ryder’s Story. If you loved this book, I’d love for you to leave a review on Amazon.
Be sure to add My Only Regret to your TBR for the latest information on Banks and Dallas’s story, or pre-order today.
Do you love Christmas stories? My next release, Lots of Naughty & A Little Nice will release November 18th. Add to TBR for a sexy and fun holiday story or Pre-Order today.
What I Have Learned Along the Way
I love MM books and tend to write in tropes I love to read. The idea of Crush and Ryder materialized as a friends-to-lovers and enemy-to-lovers book. And I knew right away, there would be children in this book. I gravitate toward writing children because I’m a mom and my kids are my life. And because I tend to be around sassy kids quite often (every hour of every day) I wanted to showcase both Brooklyn and Loretta in this story.
I love to pick names for my characters my husband never allowed me to name our own kids. I heard the name Loretta through the grapevine of a friend of a friend’s kid. I knew instantly I’d have a Loretta in my story. It’s appropriate I used this name for this little girl because in the American meaning, it signifies purity. In the English meaning, it indicates sweetness. This is very appropriate for Loretta Hanley, since she’s both innocent and sweet. Don’t forget sassy, too.
I hope you loved both Brooklyn and Loretta. You never know, one day maybe they’ll get their own stories.
And as far as My Only Reason, I hope you fell in love with Ryder and Crush as I have.
Until the next book,
Leigh
Other Books by Leigh Lennon
The Power of Three Love Series
Foundations
Fahrenheit
Famous
Forgiven
Father/Son Duet
Like Father Like Son
Different as Night and Day
425 Madison Avenue Series (Multi Author Series)
Must Love Coffee
Must Love Forever
With Me in Seattle Universe Novel
Forbidden with Me
False Start
Dungeon Elite
Temptation
Corruption
Devotion: Coming Soon October 2020
Fans of Football Series
Color Blind
Rules of Submission
The Jake Davis Novella Series (Now in a Box Set)
The Complete Package
Stand Alone Books
Stockholm
The Last Breath
It Takes a Village!
Thanks to everyone!
First and foremost, to the women who take the very rough draft of my words in the rawest form and treat it with the utmost care and respect. Nancy George—you’ve become my friend and I treasure you! I knew you were perfect for this book, with the love we both share for football. Kelly—you’re wonderful and I count myself lucky to have met you. And like Nancy, you have eagle eyes for football terms. Rebecca- you’re the sweetest! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the time you take to help me. And Megan—my vomit sister! You’re always so eager to help me in any way. I count myself lucky to have found you.
Ashley—I adore you so much and am so glad you’re now part of my team! And you push me to be a better writer!
Auden, thanks for the support you give me always and how you embrace my kind of crazy. I’m so happy to be on this journey with you.
Jenny Sims—Thanks for the commitment to my books, to make it the best it can be.
Julie— After working with you for so long, I’d never think about publishing a book without you. You’re truly a gem.
Kelly—I can’t say enough about you! You’re the best PA ever! And I love that you’re my PA!
Thanks to my dear friend, Elizabeth—who will listen to every story so many times, you know my characters as well as I do. I love you!
Dawn—You’ve been a part of my life for so long, I don’t remember you not being there for me. You give me so much support in everything I do, and you embrace the fact I write naughty scenes without judgement.
Amie and Miranda—I love the friendship we’ve forged through books! Y’all are some crazy ones and I adore you so effing much.
To Najla—what can I say? This is yet another freaking awesome cover! You rock.
I can’t say enough to my Facebook group page: Succulent and Sassy Reads! You all are so awesome and I am humbled you follow me and encourage me to continue writing.
Thanks so much to my incredible arc team and to everyone who read an advance copy and posted a review. You ladies are so valuable to me!
I want to thank my readers because without you, this would not be possible!
Of course, none of this would be a possibility without the hubs and our little ones who call me Mom. I love you more than I can express.
~Leigh
About the Author
Leigh Lennon is a mother, a veteran and a
wife of a cancer survivor. Originally with a degree in education, she started writing as an outlet that has led to a deep passion, writing twelve books. Now ready to publish all of them, she lugs her computer with her as she crafts her next story. Her imaginary friends become real on her pages as she creates a world for them. She loves pretty nails, spikey hair and large earrings. Leigh can be found drinking coffee or wine, depending on the time of the day.
Please stalk Leigh Lennon on Social Media
www.authorleighlennon.com
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