by Gen Ryan
“I’m done. I didn’t go back. I was up for reenlistment and didn’t sign. I’m out. I should have been out years ago when you begged me to stay and start a family. When you told me that this life wasn’t what you wanted. I won’t lie and say I haven’t made mistakes. That I didn’t run out on our marriage, but it was because I was weak. Damaged. Broken. And I still am. But my God, Rainey, falling in love with you at seventeen was the best thing that has ever happened to me. I can’t throw that all away.”
This couldn’t be happening. Not here. Not now. After all these years of trying to get Parker to understand how this life was impacting me, he cheated on me, we filed for divorce, and now he wanted me to forgive him?
“I took a letter with me from the box you kept of all of our memories.” He pulled a crinkled, grayed piece of lined paper out of his pocket and read.
“I forgot how beautiful the world was until I saw your face.
Your smile makes me forget all the pain.
Your touch brings me to a better place.
Chaos was my life until you calmed it.
Disaster was my soul until you mended it.
You saved me.”
Tears streamed down my face. I ripped the letter from his hand and clutched it tightly. “But you broke me, Parker. You tore me into a million pieces. You stepped out on our marriage when I needed you the most.”
Parker’s own tears fell. “I’m sorry. I know that isn’t enough. That these are just words. I’m going to get help. Finally see someone about my own issues. I promise you that I will spend the rest of our life together proving to you that I am the man you married eight years ago. I can fix this. We can fix this. Don’t give up on us yet. Our story may have started when we were young, but it’s going to continue forever. It has to.” Parker fell to his knees, pulling me against him.
We wept together, standing in the doorway to what was once our home, the place where so many memories were made. The place where so many promises were broken.
What the fuck was I supposed to do?
The End
For Now
Rainey, Levi, and Parker return in January 2018 in Out of Goodbyes.
More from Gen
OUT OF GOODBYES
(Hopelessly Devoted Book 2)
Just when Rainey finally gets her life together, her high school sweetheart, Parker, decides he’s ready to fight for her. His promises threaten to tear apart all that Rainey has fought for. Her happiness and heart included.
Levi Hayes has fought hard for Rainey’s trust. When he finally wins her heart, he fears it all might be taken away. But he’ll fight for Rainey, even if doing so threatens to bring up memories he’d rather forget.
For Rainey to make her choice, she must let go of a past that took everything from her and hope she can finally live for herself, and find her forever happiness.
It’s not over yet!
More Than Words, the first in another character’s story, is coming in March 2018!
https://www.hottreepublishing.com/out-of-goodbyes
THREE EMPTY WORDS
(Stand-alone Novel)
Melanie Smith has spent her entire life waiting for her happy ever after. For a moment there, everything is hunky-dory until her boyfriend falls in love with another man. Trying to move on, she makes every effort to find "the one."
Watching everyone around her find love, leaving her knee-deep in spinster status, Melanie decides on a new path: become a surrogate for her ex-turned-best friend. She doesn't bargain on a two-for-one deal: a baby for bestie... and a new man.
Join Melanie on her journey as she navigates the highs and lows, the cravings and confusion of love and trying to find meaning in those three empty words.
https://www.hottreepublishing.com/three-empty-words
BEAUTIFUL MASTERPIECE
(Thin Red Lines Book 1)
Madison Harper is no stranger to monsters.
After surviving an unimaginable childhood, she fights her past every day and dreams of working for the FBI to protect the innocent from monsters like her own father. Her plans are clear: finish her PhD, then join the next class of trainees.
Her father’s escape fast forwards her plans.
The two agents assigned to protect and instruct Madison offer her so much more than she ever expected. They teach her about love and pain, trust and loss. But not everyone can or should be saved.
Will Madison avoid being her father’s last Beautiful Masterpiece?
https://www.hottreepublishing.com/beautiful-masterpiece
BEAUTIFUL SACRIFICE
(Thin Red Lines Book 2)
Avery Grant has only known a life of fighting crime. Following in her father's footsteps, she graduates top of her FBI class and plans to move quickly up the ranks. She has her entire life planned out until she meets Detective Evan Bradley.
Evan is everything that Avery vowed to avoid. Married to his job, Evan fights every day to do what's right, whatever the cost.
Faced with a satanic cult that is sacrificing the innocent, Avery and Evan must work together to apprehend the criminals before any more innocent lives are lost. As they both struggle to navigate through their pasts and growing affection, Avery and Evan fight against a ticking clock and their own feelings.
Will they be able to solve the case and avoid another beautiful sacrifice?
https://www.hottreepublishing.com/beautiful-sacrifice
BEAUTIFUL TORMENT
(Thin Red Lines Book 3)
Desiree Garcia always runs from her problems. But escaping memories and tragedy is impossible, no matter the distance. When her last FBI case pushes Desiree to her limits, she knows it’s time to move once more. This time, she heads back home and returns to her family and to her best friend she abandoned so long ago.
Hunter Collins was there for Desiree from the day they met at just twelve years old. He stood by her and waited for her, even when she joined the FBI, leaving him and all she loved behind. Now she’s back, he’s determined to not let her go again.
When faced with a police case that she can’t say no to, Desiree and Hunter navigate through the investigation as she faces the horrors of her past. As they struggle to solve the case, it’s up to Hunter to keep her tethered.
Will love and friendship be enough to save Desiree from herself and all that is tormenting her?
www.hottreepublishing.com/beautiful-torment
FIX YOU
(Trade Me Collection – Stand-alone Novella)
Maxwell Craver pretends his entire life to be someone he’s not. It used to be easier to lie to himself and to everyone who cared for him until Jason Lewis comes along and changes everything. For the first time, Maxwell thinks that maybe he can finally be his true self.
Jason Lewis has always been open about his sexuality. When he hires Maxwell to restore his new car, their connection and heat are instant. By agreeing to help him overcome his fears, Jason vows to fix him, even if it means breaking his own heart.
www.hottreepublishing.com/fix-you
LOSING YOU
(Trade Me Collection – Novella following Fix You)
After a tragic accident, aspiring pro-surfer Brad Morris, leaves his hometown of California to try to forget his pain. Unable to swim or surf since his loss, he focuses on a new career as a car mechanic and restorer. After years of struggling, Brad finally agrees to get help and attempts to gain back the parts of himself he lost that day in the ocean.
Colton James gave his all to his partner, Ben, but his all wasn’t enough. Dumped after buying Ben’s dream home, he buries himself further in his career as a police officer. But when he meets Brad, all bets are off, and Colton begins to question what’s more important: a job, or the one you love?
Clouded by their pasts, will both men be able to see beyond those they lost in order to have a future together?
www.hottreepublishing.com/losing-you
Acknowledgments
The Hopelessly Devoted series came into my head on the plane
to my very first Romantic Times Convention. I sat on the plane and sent an email to Becky while in flight. I just want to thank you, Becky, for accepting my idea without reading it first and knowing where my sometimes (okay a lot of the time) crazy mind can take me.
I started writing this during the convention and had it mostly done before I left. Crazy, right? There is nothing like spending a week with some amazing people to have spark those creative juices!
Love you all and I promise the next installment is already on its way to you! Hang tight! There is a happily ever after in sight! Just bring tissues. You’re in for a wild ride.
About the Author
You can find Gen curled up reading paranormal romance and romantic thrillers or frantically typing her stories on her laptop.
Forensic psychology is her trade by day, teaching and molding the minds of college students. Her interest in psychology can be seen in her books, each including many psychological undertones. Although she loves teaching, her passion, her true love, lies in the stories that roam around in her head. Yes, they all come from her mind—the good, the bad, and the totally insane.
Gen Ryan is an international best-selling author in multiple sub genres within romance. She lives in Massachusetts—no, not Boston—with her husband, daughter, and American Eskimo dog named Chewbacca. With each story she shares, she hopes her love for writing and storytelling seeps through, encompassing the reader and leaving them wanting more.
Follow Gen:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/genryanauthor
Website: www.genryanbooks.com/
Twitter: twitter.com/genryan15
About the Publisher
Hot Tree Publishing opened its doors in 2015 with an aspiration to bring quality fiction to the world of readers. With the initial focus on romance and a wide spread of romance subgenres, we envision opening up to alternative genres in the near future.
Firmly seated in the industry as a leading editing provider to independent authors and small publishing houses, Hot Tree Publishing is the sister company to Hot Tree Editing, founded in 2012. Having established in-house editing and promotions, plus having a well-respected market presence, Hot Tree Publishing endeavors to be a leader in bringing quality stories to the world of readers.
Interested in discovering more amazing reads brought to you by Hot Tree Publishing or perhaps you’re interested in submitting a manuscript and joining the HTPubs family? Either way, head over to the website for information:
www.hottreepublishing.com
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