Strong Enough

by Teresa Hill

  STRONG

  ENOUGH

  Book One

  A Novel Series

  By Alexis Alexander

  Copyright © 2013 Alexis Alexander

  Smashwords Edition

  Published by Alexis Alexander

  Copyright © Alexis Alexander, 2013

  Cover Photo(s) by: FuriousFotog

  Cover Model: Mike Crowson

  www.musclemotives.com

  Cover Design by: Sarah Hansen at Okay Creations

  Edited by Kathy Krick

  e-book formatting by Paul Salvette

  Characters, events and storylines are works of fiction from the author. Similarities or resemblance to any person, living or dead, any place, event or occurrence is strictly coincidental

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book by be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the expressed written permission from the author/publisher

  All rights reserved

  People cross paths in life, their purpose unknown but with reason

  Because of you:

  Mike Crowson, thank you for all the relentless support, encouragement, trust and pure friendship. Couldn’t see my life without you in it, you’re family now.

  Stacey Corkum, my ABA (Awesomenes Behind the Author) what can I say sista of mine, you were there for the happy, sad, tears and laughs and I can’t say thank you enough.

  And to M, you cared when few did and for that thank you.

  Additional Thanks:

  To my Editor – without you well, the book would have serious issues

  Hazel St James – for talking me off many a ledge in this process

  Kris Adams – Because you are a huge support (pimp queen) and great friend

  Alvin Wallace – Because you saw something I had a hard time seeing and the enthusiasm you always have when talking about the book.

  And to the countless others that have been supportive and patient in the process of this book release. I sincerely hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Zane Bauer

  Chapter 1

  Leaning across the rail, it was easy to see the path of green in front of me. Nothing was blocking my view. Oh this is too easy; I thought to myself, these guys won’t even know what hit them.

  “Hey sweetheart, you gonna take the shot or what?”

  Pausing for a moment, I let my blue eyes drift upward, my long auburn hair fell over my shoulders as I hovered above the table green, knowing full well I was exposing my super cute Victoria Secrets soft pink bra under my black V-neck fitted sweater to the group of frat boys leaning against the wall from the table. I knew what I was doing. Tight Miss Me jeans that fit me like a glove, fitted V-necks, low enough to show the tops of my cleavage when standing but give a little more of a peep show when leaning forward and my athletic 5’9 frame always throw my opponents off their game.

  How should I play this? I thought to myself. Dumb chick who doesn’t know a cue stick from a hole in her ass? Or maybe confused “how do I hold the stick” college bimbo?

  Well, since neither of them are me, and it would make me physically sick to think that I would have to act like one of these dumb ass girls that hangs out at the local college pool hall to hit on guys, I suppose I better stick with being me.

  Glancing over at the blond haired, green eyed, semi built “You know you want me” frat boy, I took a shallow breath and smiled and batted my baby blues at him.

  “9 ball bank off the center rail to the side pocket.”

  Not missing the look of surprise on “wanna be stud” and the smirk that showed up on my best friend Jodi’s face, I knew this was going to be fun.

  Leaning a little closer to the green, I take a deep breath. Focusing on the cue ball, my attention is suddenly shaken by a voice that sends shivers down my back. “Dear god who is that talking?” I whispered to myself. The voice was dripping sexy and confident. His southern drawl caught me and wouldn’t let me go. I stood straight up looking for the person who matched the voice. Come on, say something again…dammit don’t stop talking. Of course, no such luck. The voice was gone. But the chills it left on me were still very evident.

  “Can we get back to the game sweetheart?” Wanna be stud said. Of course his voice caused no reaction but irritation out of me. These frat boys are all alike.

  Dragging my eyes and body back to the table, I line up my shot, and close my eyes briefly to steady myself. Pulling the stick back, I take aim at the cue ball and released it with a bit of controlled force. As expected, the cue slams into the 9 ball with enough top spin to slightly pull the ball back after striking the 9. The 9 banks off the center rail and quickly slides into the side pocket just as I knew it would, solidifying my win.

  “You have got to be kidding me, you hustled me?” Wanna be stud questioned.

  “Hun, I don’t know what you mean? You guys stopped at my table and asked me if I wanted to play for a small wager. You offered a round of drinks if I won. Never did you ask if I knew how to play. So how exactly is that me hustling you?” I stated with a little slight upturned smirk knowing damn well my initial response to them asking to play was something along the lines of oh I don’t know if it’s a fair fight.

  Ok so, I was referring to myself playing them. It wasn’t a fair fight. I knew that, Jodi knew that, the four guys at the table next to us knew that, hell the bartenders and the bouncers knew that. I am a three time state billiards champ for petes sake. It never fails that guys come into this pool hall, looking to drink, play pool and hit on the girls. They never expect me to know how to play. I think that’s what makes this so fun for me.

  I have been coming to this pool hall since before I could drive. My dad use to play pretty frequently and since his buddy Danny bought the place when he retired from the Air Force; it was never an issue when I tagged along. I practically grew up in this place. When my dad died, I felt more of a pull to be here, to play the game, his game and even more to be just as good at it as he was. It is as if when I’m here, when I’m playing, my dad is right here with me. It’s been five years since he died, and Danny never said no when I walked in. I think he has always known it was the only way I could keep my dad with me. The only rule was, no drinking until I turn 21, and ALL the bartenders knew it. Unfortunately I was only 17.

  “Ok Ok, you worked me this time, but it’s cool, I would play this or any game with you if you continue to wear shirts like that and bend over the table,” he said with a wicked grin and that all too familiar twinkle in his eye.

  “Keep your eyes in your socket jackass, she’s spoken for.”

  What? Excuse me? Who the hell? I thought as I quickly turned around.

  “ADAM!!” I leaped from the table I was leaning against and flung myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck so hard trying to pull him into me. God I missed this boy.

  “Oh my god, what are you doing here? When did you get back? Where are you staying? How long will you be here?”

  “
Wwooohhh Reece slow down sweetheart.”

  Adam Snow was my heart. I knew, but he didn’t. Adam was three years older than me and had graduated two years ago. I have known and loved Adam since the first time I saw him. We had just moved to West Texas and were moving into base housing. I was walking up to the front door of our new house as the movers pulled up. It was then that I first laid eyes on Adam. He was tall, lean and athletic with spiked dirty blond hair. He was wearing board shorts and flip flops in the hot Texas heat. He was the cutest boy I had ever seen. He glanced at me standing on the stoop and waved. I turned around behind me to see if he was waving at someone else, only to find a brick wall. I blushed and waved back. That was my first memory of Adam. We quickly became close, but I was always just his “little Reece.” I could never say he acted like a big brother to me, because there was something between us, I just could never tell what. We spent most of our time together when we could. The whole school wondered what was up between us, but it never stopped the girls from coming after him.

  Yes, he was handsome; actually, he was more than handsome. With saucer size brown eyes and a smile that would melt any heart, Adam Snow was a hottie. Even more so, he had a heart of gold and a personality that could win awards. He was what most would call a total package.

  I was devastated when he told me he had joined the Army after graduation. I was in complete shock. Adam knew, he knew about my dad, he knew that I loved him even if he didn’t know what kind of love it was. I couldn’t understand how he could just leave me like that. Before I could even wrap my mind around what was happening Adam had left for basic training and I haven’t seen him in eighteen months and two days. Ok, so yes I have been counting.

  “Sweetheart, I can’t breathe.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry, I just, well I just can’t believe you’re standing here,” I said with a slight hang of my head and releasing my hold around his neck.

  Taking my chin in his hand and tilting it upwards, Adam slowly lowered his lips to my forehead and kissed it softly. “God I’ve missed you,” he said before wrapping his arms around me again.

  “Wait a minute,” I said looking at him puzzled. “We just talked this morning and you said you were heading out to the field. How… when… why… I don’t understand.”

  Chuckling, he leaned into my ear and whispered, “I wanted to see the look on your face when I surprised you, and by that welcome, I am so glad I did.”

  A slight blush crept up on my cheeks as I looked into those brown eyes. The eyes that have seen me in every way a person can. Every way except romantically.

  “Aaahhhhheeeemmmmmm, hate to break up your little welcome home party you are having here but I want a rematch,” wanna be stud said with a bit of irritation.

  “Now that I know you can play, I won’t go so easy on you,” he continued.

  By this time, Jodi had already snuck over and said a quick hi to Adam and was standing next to him.

  “Um, excuse me, go easy on her? You have GOT to be kidding me jackoff. My girl Reece can play you every which way under the sun and you STILL won’t beat her.”

  Yep that’s my best friend Jodi for you, open mouth and God knows what will come out of it. Gotta love her though.

  “Listen bitch, I wasn’t talking to you.”

  OOHH bad choice of words, before anyone knew what was going on, Adam had wanna be stud, up against the wall with his forearm, his rather large and recently tattooed forearm I notice (note to self, ask about the wording on his forearm), across his neck and leaning very close to him.

  “Watch who you call a bitch boy, you and your frat brothers have overstayed your welcome at Reece’s table. I suggest you apologize to the lady for big a royal dick and take your drinks and move on. I would hate to end up in jail my first night back in town because I have to stick my foot up your ass.”

  Releasing the guy from his grip, Adam steps back next to Jodi and I and gives a crooked smile to them as he waits for the frat boy and his band of brother’s response.

  Looking left and right among his friends, who by the way didn’t bother to jump to his aide great, group of brothers you have there, he slowly looks to me and then the table. Deciding he preferred to have his ass uninhibited by Adams foot, he picked up his beer, grabbed his stick and motioned with a flick of his chin to his brothers. As he walked passed Jodi he gave a quiet and quick, “sorry” and then moved down the hall to an open table.

  Relaxing against the table, I look up at Adam and smile. “Glad to see the Army hasn’t changed you,” I said with a snicker. Adam was never violent. I think in all the years I have known him I have seen him get in one fight and that was with his dog because it chewed up his favorite pair of Vans.

  “Aw Reece, you know I will always defend you, and since Jodi is part of you, she gets my protection too,” he said with a grin as he looked at Jodi.

  In true Jodi style she kissed him on the cheek before bouncing over to the next table to chat up the four guys we knew playing.

  “Ok, so spill, I want all the details. When did you get into town, where are you staying, how long you staying….”

  Laughing, Adam leaned against the table next to me crossing his legs out in front of him and his impressively muscular arms across his now much broader chest. “I got in about, oh, thirty minutes ago. I am staying with my aunt and uncle and I am on leave for the next two months. I have been saving up my leave time over the last eighteen months, so that I would be able to come back and spend it all with you, and that is why I haven’t been home. I have missed you,” he said with the most endearing look which caused my insides to turn to mush.

  With my mouth hanging open slightly, I just stared at him. I didn’t realize until this moment how much I have missed him. How much I need him around me. He calms me and makes me feel loved and safe. Even if it isn’t the way I would like for it to be. Us, Adam and me, in an actual relationship. I would not give up what I have with him for anything.

  Reaching up to brush the back of my hand along his jaw, I just looked at him. “I have missed you so much Adam. Even though we talk every day, my life feels so different with you gone. I was afraid I would never see you again.”

  Looking me square in the eyes, he reaches up and cupped my face in his hands. “Reece, you have no idea how much I have needed to see you, to touch your face. I have spent endless hours thinking about you after we talk. You are my best friend in the whole world. No one knows me like you do. No one makes me feel the way you do.”

  Looking at him in complete astonishment, I just don’t know what to say. All I can do is stare into his beautiful face and smile. Then he says it, and I’m honestly not sure I heard him correctly.

  “Reece Miller, I am 100% completely in love with you and I don’t know what to do with myself without you.”

  HOLY SHIT! Did I just hear him right? Did he just say he LOVED ME? As in love me like a friend or love me like a guy should love a girl. Or is it a brotherly love. What other kinds of love could it be? Oh MY God, he just said he loved me. Shit! Snap out of it Miller! He’s standing here looking at you and you haven’t said anything back.

  Realizing I was completely talking to myself in my head and very silent, I did the next best thing I could.

  Reaching up I slid my hand around the back of his neck and gently pulled Adams face to mine. Pausing briefly to look into his eyes, I closed mine and pressed my lips to his. The warm soft feeling of his lips hit me like a brick wall causing me to gasp a little for air and right at that moment Adam slid his tongue into my mouth and slowly and sweetly began to explore mine moving softly against me. Gentle yet passionate the kiss has me on cloud nine. I can’t feel my toes, my hands are moving in his hair but I can’t feel my fingers. My lips are burning, but a good burn, a deep passionate burn. Ever so slightly Adam pulls back to tug on my bottom lip juuussstt a bit. Holy hell that’s hot!

  Whistle and cat calls. “GET A ROOM WILL YAH!”

  And just like that, it ended. Realizing we were still in public
we both smiled against each other’s lips and pulled apart.

  “I don’t think I could have asked for a better response,” he said as he slid his hand up and down my arm that was holding me up on the table.

  “Adam you have no idea how long I have wanted to hear you say that. I have loved you for so long, but I would never give up our friendship if that wasn’t how you felt so I have kept it to myself. Not even Jodi knows how I feel.”

  Oh crap, now I have to deal with Jodi later once were alone.

  “I’m sorry I haven’t told you sooner. I don’t know what it was that made me tell you now except I couldn’t keep lying to myself,” he said.

  “Lying, what do you mean?”

  “Reece, I have always felt something for you, I just never understood what it was. I knew it wasn’t a brotherly love or a best friend love, but I always treated it that way. I think I was scared. Just like you, I never wanted to lose you and I thought if I told you and you didn’t feel the same, well, I thought you would stop being my friend because it would be too awkward. But I couldn’t take it anymore. I have been away from you for so long, and shit Reece, I don’t know what to say except I can’t do it anymore. I can’t hide the feelings and I can’t leave you again.”

  “What do you mean you can’t leave me again?” I asked with a perplexed look on my face.

  “We will talk about it later okay?” He said quickly. “This isn’t the time or place.”

  My face heated up and my head started to feel a little light. What did he mean by can’t leave me again?

  “Ok, we can talk later.” Boy was that not what I wanted to say! I think I officially will not be able to sleep until we have talked.

  “Well I am exhausted after the trip back, seven hours of flying kind of sucks,” he said with a smile.

  “I am gonna head to my aunt and uncles, but I want to pick you up in the morning for breakfast. Is that okay?”

  “Oh okay, yeah sure, breakfast. What time?”