Stay Awhile

by Gia Riley

  She sits back in her chair and shakes her head. “That won’t be a problem, but I wish you’d reconsider. There’s other ways to go about this that we haven’t tried.”

  “I’m done, Katey. Just make it happen. I’ll do my part—you’ll do yours.”

  “What about Garrett? He’s already in the picture, Connor. Are you going to be able to walk away knowing there’s a damn good chance they’ll end up together?”

  I swallow the lump in my throat, already sick to my stomach he’s going to get my wife and daughter while I get nothing.

  “I have no choice,” I tell her, wishing it had never gone this far—wishing that Megan and Laney would be left alone. But as long as I’m walking around trying to live a life with them, they’ll never be safe.

  “Just do what you have to do and let me know when it’s time.”

  “I’m going to have to lock you up if you want it to look legit. And I think you should tell Megan as much as you can. She’ll find out after you’re gone, and it’ll only hurt more coming from your parents or me.”

  “Fine, I’ll write her a letter and leave it at the bank. She’s going to hate me—more than she already does.”

  “She’ll miss you, Connor. No matter what, she’ll miss you.”

  Maybe that’s supposed to bring me some relief, but all it does is make me want to keep piling on the lies to protect myself—to bide myself a little more time. But I can’t do that to her anymore. She’s going to be confused enough as it is trying to figure out what’s been the truth and what’s been nothing more than a fabricated or twisted version of reality.

  “Just do whatever you have to until it’s time. I feel like the longer this takes, the more chances they’ll have to get to Laney and Megan.”

  I can tell she agrees this has to happen quickly, even if she wishes the circumstances could be different. “You messed up when you were eighteen, Connor. One mistake shouldn’t destroy your entire life.”

  “Then figure out a way to clear me, because these self-riotous assholes aren’t going to stop until I’m dead anyway.”

  “I can’t trace a single piece of evidence back to Sarah’s family. They have the kind of prestige and power that gets them anything they want without lifting a finger. So trust me, I’m just as sick of their games as you are. If I could, I’d have this case flipped around so fast, you’d look like a god damn hero.”

  “Instead, I’ll look like the coward.”

  How’s that for justice?

  Megan

  Six months later . . .

  “I THINK I’M GOING TO throw up,” I tell Vanessa as she zips me into my lace gown. I wanted a July wedding in the park, something completely opposite from the last ceremony I had. The hotter the better—anything to keep me from thinking about snow and Christmas trees.

  “Megan, you’re seconds away from marrying Garrett. The marriage certificate is one hundred percent legal. You have nothing to worry about.”

  Suddenly, it hits me. “I really don’t, do I? This is really happening.”

  “It’s happening and I want you to enjoy every second of it,” she tells me as we leave the dressing cottage on the edge of the park.

  Thousands of weddings have taken place in this very spot, and I’m smart enough to know not all of them have survived the test of time. But Garrett and I are different. Today time is on our side. We’ve already endured some of the hardest months of our lives—and we’ve come out stronger than ever.

  This is the easy part. The part we don’t have to think about and can just let happen.

  “Do you see, Garrett?” I ask my sister as my heart beats out of my chest.

  When we agreed we’d see each other before the ceremony, I was hesitant. I always thought it was bad luck for the groom to see the bride before she walked down the aisle, but there’s no such thing when it comes to us. Not when you find the person you’re meant to be with.

  I’m thankful we planned this. I need him to calm me down.

  “He’s coming. Just stay right where you are and don’t look.”

  “How much longer?”

  Vanessa laughs and says, “Give the guy a chance. A minute and he’s here. I’ll let you have your moment in private. Knock on the cottage door when you’re done.”

  “Okay, thank you,” I tell her as she walks away.

  By the time the cottage door closes, I hear my favorite sound, Garrett’s voice. “Turn around, baby.”

  Taking one last deep breath, I hold onto my flowers and bite the hell out of the inside of my cheek. Like I’m moving in slow motion, I see the rest of the world flash by me until Garrett’s body comes into focus.

  Dressed in a navy suit with a crisp white button-down and striped tie, he’s never looked more handsome than he does today. My eyes travel the length of him, all the way to the tips of his brown dress shoes.

  “You did good,” I tell him.

  But when I find his eyes again, they’re so focused on me, I’m not sure he even heard my compliment.

  “I want our next kiss to be as husband and wife, but you’re not making it easy. You’re so fucking beautiful, Megs.”

  “Thank you. I’m more nervous than I thought I’d be, though.”

  Shaking his head, he reaches for my hip, pulling me closer. “It’s just me and you up there, Megan. Me and you. Nobody else.”

  The photographer’s snapping pictures of us and I catch the flash every now and then, but Garrett’s right. An earthquake could hit right where we’re standing, splitting the world in half, but as long as he’s by my side, we’d be just fine.

  “The night you gave me the keychain, you answered my prayers and you gave me an escape. I thought I’d never go home again, but that’s what you’ve always been for me. My home. My comfort. And my greatest blessing. I love you so much, Garrett. And I’m ready for my forever and always with you. I’m ready to be your wife.”

  He rests his forehead against mine; the urge to kiss him so strong it’s taking every ounce of willpower not to touch him.

  “My wife,” he whispers with a smile. “I love the way that sounds.”

  “Me, too.”

  “Before you came back into my life, I went to work every day. I love what I do, but it wasn’t enough because I was missing the best part of me. So, thank you for shutting my sister up and finding me when I needed you the most. I have everything I’ve ever wanted now, Megan. I have the two most beautiful girls in the world.”

  I knew I wouldn’t be able to hold it together, so I don’t even try. I let Garrett hold me and let it all out. Because when I stand beside him in a couple minutes, there’s no looking back. From here on out, we’re doing life our way—and we’re doing it together.

  The lies are gone.

  No secrets remain.

  We’ve finally found our way back with trust in our pockets and smiles on our faces. We’ve fought the world and we won.

  I’m so glad I chose to Stay Awhile.

  Connor

  “I LOVE YOU, DADDY,” MY little girl says as she runs and jumps into the arms of her new father.

  No longer held back by casts, broken bones, or lies, she’s happier than I’ve ever seen her. I can’t even remember the last time she looked at me the way she’s looking at Garrett.

  If I could go back, I’d hug her one last time and tell her how much I love her, because I hate that her last memories of me will always revolve around the accident and all the shit I made her keep a secret.

  Once I walked away, I knew today was only a matter of time. That once Garrett could get his hands on Megan, she’d fall hopelessly in love with him, just like I thought she would.

  Katey warned me to stay away from the park today and that coming back into town was a risk that could blow up my entire cover. But I couldn’t let today go by without one last glimpse of my family before I left the country for good. I needed to see the final piece of the puzzle in place—to see with my own two eyes that my sacrifice was worth it.

  Megan w
ill never know I’m the one who gave this life to her. That I chose to walk away and to give her the happiness she deserved.

  I may live with regret for the rest of my life, but the lies I battled with and the hurt they caused, it had to end.

  After seeing my little girl in pieces, I had to make a choice. I could stay awhile, praying they left my family alone, or I could leave for good, sparing them from tragedy—because if they got to Laney once, they’d do it again. They wouldn’t stop until every person I loved was gone.

  Sarah’s family wanted revenge, and they’d go to the ends of the earth to get it. My daughter’s life was in jeopardy, and regardless of how much it hurt, I only had one option to end all the pain. I had to disappear.

  The world thinks I’m selfish. That I’m a liar and a fraud.

  But I’m none of those things.

  My family is safe and they’re free.

  We’re all free.

  May Connor Campbell rest in peace.

  Enjoy the playlist for Stay Awhile

  Dear Readers,

  I can’t thank you enough for choosing to read Stay Awhile! With millions of books at your fingertips, it means everything to me that you picked up my book. The entire project began as a novella for a holiday anthology. Because you loved it so much, I decided to expand their story and give you more.

  I hope you enjoyed Garrett and Megan’s story—and that I made you proud.

  Xoxo,

  Gia

  GIA RILEY WRITES BECAUSE IF she doesn’t, she’ll go crazy. Her stories are born from everyday life and the inspirational world around her. Whether tragic or funny, she loves the reality that lurks inside fiction and the power of bend words into stories.

  When she’s not writing, you can find her roaming the aisles of Kirkland’s, up to her elbows in Play-doh, or trying to hunt down spoilers for her favorite TV shows. She loves reality TV almost as much as she loves a good chick flick. She’s also hopelessly addicted to Starbucks and the revolving menu of specialty drinks.

  You can connect with Gia on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. She also has a website for you to follow.

  If you’re on Facebook, feel free to join her reader group, Gia Riley’s Book’s. Stop by anytime, she loves hearing from readers!

  HERE’S WHERE YOU CAN FIND HER:

  www.authorgiariley.com

  Email

  Facebook

  Twitter

  Instagram

  Sign up for her Newsletter to stay up to date on sales, new releases, and giveaways.

  NEW ADULT ROMANCE

  Lighter

  Weightless

  YOUNG ADULT ROMANCE

  In Pieces

  CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

  Rock the Boat

  Rock the City

  FIRST OF ALL, I WANT to thank you for taking a chance on a girl from the country with a dream to write. Without you, none of this would be possible. I’ve had a chance to meet some of you at various signings and your enthusiasm is what fuels me.

  To the creative forces behind Stay Awhile:

  Nichole Strauss of Perfectly Publishable Editing, you’ve been a pleasure to work with. This book is stronger because of you. Your professionalism and attention to detail has made the editing process seamless. I look forward to working with you in the future.

  Christine Borgford of Perfectly Publishable Formatting, as always, your work shines. Thank you for your attention to detail and amazing eye. And thank you for hooking me up with Nichole. You two make a fearless team.

  Letitia Hasser of RBA Designs, thank you for capturing my vision of Megan. Working with you was seamless and a pleasure. You did a beautiful job.

  Linda Russell of Sassy Savvy PR & Marketing, thank you for all you do. Whether you’re keeping me organized or offering laughs, you always make my releases the best they can be.

  To every blogger who has supported me, thank you for taking the time to promote my work. A simple post or shout out makes my entire day. Always remember, no matter how big or small you are, your voice matters! Thank you for all you do.

  To my Nachos, Mandi, Megan, and Stephanie, thank you for being the most inappropriate friends a girl could ask for. Your daily distractions make my world go round.

  Tina Bell, your Garrett love has made me smile every single day. The way you listen to my ideas and help me turn them into words is everything. You help me write with my heart instead of my mind.

  Kelly Williams, thank you for gobbling up each chapter and making sure I stay true to my story. As always, it’s been a blast working with you on this book.

  Megan Decker, my Cheeto for life. This book happened because of you. Enjoy your sexy doctor. Your wish is my command.

  Marni Mann, my writing partner. Thank you for talking me off the ledge when I needed a push in the right direction. Your plate is full, yet you manage to make time for my words. I’m excited for our book and all the adventures to come.

  Stephanie Rose, the journey continues. Whether we’re talking about our stories coming to life, creating new book boyfriends, or venturing to signings together, I’m glad you’re in my corner. Keep going after your dreams.

  To my parents—thank you for always believing in me. Ever since I was little, coming up with crazy ideas, you’ve never once told me my dream was too big. Whether I was sucking it up in the outfield or succeeding on the infield, you’ve always been my biggest cheerleaders. You gave me the belief in myself.

  And finally, my husband and son. Our journey is different than most, but it’s ours. Thank you for supporting me and this crazy dream. I’m so lucky to do what I love every single day with you by my side. Knowing you’re proud of me is everything. I love you both. I’ll always use my voice for you.