Loner

by Rae, Harloe

  “Did you know that I’m leaving tomorrow?” I catch a brief glimmer of shock register across Grady’s features. A twitch snags his eyebrow. His throat bobs with a heavy swallow. He rolls his gaze off mine, avoiding the truth. If I hadn’t been standing so close, watching his every move, the reaction would be missed.

  “And your point?” It appears he’s choosing to address the wall.

  “I’ll be gone. We won’t see each other anymore.” I hold my breath while waiting for more honesty to show.

  Grady’s lips tighten. “So, you came for a farewell fuck?”

  I wrinkle my nose. “Must you be so crass?”

  “Don’t act like this is a new development.” His tone is flat and stiff.

  I rub my temples. I’m beginning to see the massive error in my ways. But my heart is stubborn. “I always wanted things to be different between us.”

  “Sorry to disappoint.” His tone reveals he’s anything but.

  I’m already waist-deep. Why not wade a bit further? “It’s not too late, Gray. I’m here now. This is what I’ve been waiting for.”

  “Wait longer. You’re still a fucking kid, Sutt.”

  “I’m eighteen. Only two years younger than you.”

  He waves off my words. “Age is just a number. You’re sheltered as fuck. Get out and experience the world before shackling yourself to the gutter. Get outta here before Jace finds you missing.”

  Rather than retreat, I erase the remaining distance to his bed. “I don’t care about my brother.”

  Grady’s snort resembles a bull. “I sure as shit do.”

  Of course he does. They might as well be related by blood, not just sentiment. Defeat appears in two large boulders weighing my shoulders down. He won’t budge, no matter how hard I push. A seed of nostalgia plants itself in my mind. I find myself changing tactics as a last-ditch effort. “Tell me a happy something, Gray.”

  His chuckle is empty. “Nah, we’re too old for that shit. But nice try. Don’t have any spare joy to share.”

  I blink at the unshed tears slowly building momentum. I want to scream at him. Demand that he forgets the pain and anger for one second to see what’s standing right in front of him. But I force the fire down. “Want me to tell you one?”

  “Won’t change my mind.”

  I glance away to hide my wobbling lip and wet lashes. “Will you at least hold me for a bit? Like you used to during storms?”

  “Sutt—”

  “Please, Grady. I never ask for anything from you.” I scoot forward until my legs bump the mattress.

  With a resigned sigh, he opens his arms. “All right, fine. Five minutes, then you’re going home. C’mere.”

  I nod and quickly cuddle into his side. He smells of a hardworking man, that familiar mix of motor oil and fresh hay. I snuggle deeper while inhaling the scent of my dreams. “Remember the first happy something I gave you?”

  Grady nods, his chin ghosting across my forehead. He doesn’t protest while I tug us along some pleasant highlights. I fill the chilly silence with sunny chatter. Grady doesn’t add to the conversation, keeping it one-sided. It’s probably for the best. Nothing he shares lately is good.

  My five minutes loop several times before I run out of steam. We’re stuck at a fork in the road. Sad as it might be, I find myself turning in the direction that leads away from him. “I’ll miss you, Gray.”

  A rumble rises off his chest. “Yeah? Try forgetting me while you’re at it. You’ll be better off.”

  I don’t bother responding. With that final blow, a gate slams shut between us. The clang ripples through me, solidifying what I’ve been trying to deny. This is the end of us. But this has always been the story of a girl desperately in love with a boy. Irrevocably and unrequited.

  I’m ready to leave these well-worn pages behind.

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  Ask Me Why

  One deep breath. Two slow blinks. Three hollow beats.

  I’m still here.

  After three years, that reminder isn’t as necessary. But everyone has their bad days. This is definitely one of them. Until an adorable little boy dashes into my store. His zest for life makes me smile in a way that’s been long lost. Then I meet his father.

  Well, confront is more like it.

  Brance Stone is volatile.

  Offensive.

  Harsh.

  And can’t be bothered to care.

  Not that I want him to. I get frostbite just looking into Brance’s glacial stare. But there’s something undeniable about him.

  My misery suddenly craves company. The suffocating numbness lifts whenever Brance is near. That alone should have me running in the opposite direction. Try as I might, there’s no avoiding him. If only I could understand why. As if he’d let me.

  I don’t ask. He doesn’t tell. A silent, bitter truce settles between us.

  That was our first mistake.

  It’s certainly not the last.

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  GENT: An enemies to lovers standalone

  Raven Elliot blasts into town like a wrecking ball—striking and devastating.

  With a few simple words, my reliable routine crumbles to dust.

  “Is this seat taken?”

  I could close my eyes and let her voice wrap around me like a lover’s caress.

  But this isn’t that type of story.

  And I’m sure as hell not that kind of man.

  She hovers in my space, batting her lashes and smiling shyly.

  The glimmer in her sapphire eyes is a promise of peace.

  But I’m not falling for it.

  And Raven doesn’t take the hint.

  What starts as a battle of wills, explodes into a turf war.

  She stands directly in my path everywhere I turn.

  No matter how hard I shove, she won’t budge.

  Raven seems dead set on driving me insane.

  But I was here first.

  And I’m not going down easy.

  After all, no one ever taught me how to treat a lady.

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  LASS: A friends to lovers standalone

  She’s the one I’ve been saving myself for.

  Addison Walker is every fantasy I never dared to believe in.

  Moving to this town was already monumental.

  Finding her removes any lingering doubt.

  She’s bold and vibrant.

  Beautiful and confident.

  Far too good for the likes of me.

  Luckily, I’m not good at avoiding temptation.

  But is she?

  My desire is growing beyond control.

  I’m done watching on the sidelines.

  When opportunity strikes, I eagerly take advantage.

  Signing on the dotted line before thinking twice.

  The repercussions cross my mind far too late.

  When she swiftly sticks me in the friend-zone, there’s not a damn thing I can do about it.

  Addison is just down the hall—might as well be miles away.

  Every lingering glance drives me to the edge of sanity.

  She speaks to my deepest cravings like a siren.

  Our chemistry blurs every line.

  This battle seems impossible to win.

  Yet my determination doesn’t wane.

  It only takes one night to change everything.

  After all, I didn’t wait all this time to settle for less.

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  MISS: A second chance standalone romance

  The boy she loved is gone. The man I’ve become doesn’t deserve her.

  Delilah Sage was the first girl I loved, my first for many things, but that’s only the beginning. She was a warm embrace after especially hard nights, offering comfort where there was only pain. Delilah kept me from sinking and I promised her forever. I should have known better.

  I ruined the only good in m
y life. Now all I have is regret, constant and relentless. My need for Delilah hasn’t faded after all these years. She’s the only woman who understood me. There’s no moving on from that. I’ve accepted my fate of being alone. This is what I deserve.

  Until I’m handed a second chance—whether I want it or not. A job brings me back to the small town I swore would stay in my past. The memories and mistakes are waiting to greet me. I try to keep my distance, but Delilah has always been my weakness. One look won’t hurt. How quickly I forget she’s impossible to resist.

  After all, letting her go was never my intention.

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  Redefining Us

  A standalone friends to lovers, military romance.

  In order to truly save him, I need to redefine us.

  Xander Dixon was my best friend.

  Loyal and dependable.

  A brave warrior.

  A permanent presence in my life until that fateful day he boarded a plane headed overseas.

  Xander’s unwelcome silence haunted me for three years…

  Until he suddenly resurfaces.

  Blinded by misplaced fury.

  Trapped in a pool of darkness.

  Unable to escape the perpetual pain.

  Though it would be easy to walk away, I refuse to give up on him.

  I want to know his misery and torment, so I can rescue him.

  Then Xander will finally be mine.

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  Forget You Not

  A standalone sweet second chance, military romance.

  I didn’t believe in love at first sight until Lark stood before me.

  Pretty sure I would have married her on the spot.

  Too bad fate had other plans.

  Duty called and I had to answer—no matter the consequences.

  There wasn’t a chance for goodbye, but I’d never forget her.

  Time has a way of creating change—but only on the surface.

  Even after all these years, I know Lark is mine.

  I belong to her just the same.

  The moment I see her again, it’s a done deal.

  All I’ve got to do is convince her this is forever.

  She can push but I’ll only pull harder.

  I’m not letting our second chance slip away.

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  Watch Me Follow

  A stalker, double virgin romance.

  Creep. Freak. Crazy Eyes.

  I’ve heard it all.

  Over the years, they’ve slammed me with every demeaning name in the book.

  Their taunts warped me like a steady stream of poison.

  Anger replaced anxiety as I started believing the cruelty spat my way.

  Until she showed up and changed everything.

  Lennon Bennett is pure innocence—warm sunshine breaking apart my stormy existence.

  She’s everything good and maybe I can be too.

  For her. With her. Because of her.

  Lennon doesn’t know I’m beckoned closer with each breath.

  She isn’t aware that I’m completely consumed with her.

  It’s become my sole purpose to protect her, by any means necessary.

  But if she discovers the depth of my obsession, it will be the end of me.

  So, I remain in the shadows.

  Waiting. Watching. Wanting.

  She’ll be my first. My last. My only.

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  If you’ve made it to this point, hopefully there’s a smile on your face. I loved writing Crawford, Keegan, and little Millie. Thank you so much for taking the time to read their story. Did you know that Loner is my tenth published novel? That still takes a moment to sink in. This journey over the years has been nothing short of incredible and I’m eternally gratefully to each one of you for taking the ride with me.

  First, I’d like to send you all a virtual hug full of warmth and hope. These last few months haven’t been easy. I’m very happy you’re out there and persevering. The fact you picked up Loner during these challenging days means more than I can ever shout from the rooftops. You’re incredible. Thank you, thank you.

  I have to give endless credit to my husband for his patience and kindness. When I’m deep in the cave or lost in my thoughts, he picks up all the slack for me. Not only is he the greatest husband, but also an exceptional father. I couldn’t do this without him.

  If it wasn’t for Renee and Jacquelyn, I’d be wandering around without a clue what day it was. These ladies keep me motivated and moving when I’d rather be napping. They also keep my life on track when I tend to forget the details. Thank you both so very much for making the days brighter for me.

  I am incredibly fortunate and eternally grateful to have Talia constantly by my side. We’ve been making beautiful magic together since this author life started for me. I can’t imagine spending endless hours working with anyone else. Her talent is bottomless. So much love to you, friend!

  Heather and K.k. are my beeches from another mister. These two are ridiculously impressive authors and always winning at life. I’ll take you two to the trash room any day of the week. Hopefully there’s a beach nearby that will lead us to Jamaica for another baptism. Just let me know where and when. I’ll bring the fruity shandy and floaties.

  Kate might pretend to be salty, but she’s honestly one of the sweetest ladies I know. She spins circles around me on the daily. How she gets so much done with a full house is beyond me. Thank you for always being there for me when I need to whine or complain or just send a random GIF. You’re not only a very talented author, but your graphics make me so very happy. All the hugs to you!

  Parker, Ava, and Leigh are a trio of awesomeness that I probably rely on too much. These ladies are truly incredible. Not only are they crazy talented and skilled in many avenues, but also have genuine and kind hearts. Thank you for always having my back, and front. So much love to you!

  It’s because of people like Keri and Katherine that the book community is such a positive space. These two are so encouraging and sweet and supportive. I’m very fortunate to have them in my life as friends. Let’s hope we’ll be together again next year!

  I need to give Ace a massive shoutout for being totally kickass. Not only is she an amazing friend, but she was vital in helping me make Loner even better. We’ll share a Sipping Pretty one day soon!

  A big thank you to Lauren for always stepping up to assist me with the multitude of tasks I pile on her lap. Partying with you is always wild. Hopefully we’ll be belly up at the bar together this time next year.

  I’m so thankful for Tijuana and MPP. You two are such bright spots in this community. My gratitude will never spread far enough so hopefully endless hugs will do. I’m lucky to call you both friends.

  Anne, Nicole, Tia, Ella, Suzie, Michelle, Jane, Meghan, and many more—thank you for the endless support each of you give me. You’re inspiring and encouraging and simply wonderful. I’ve lost count of all the ways you guys lift me up and push me forward. I couldn’t survive the grind without your doses of sweetness. Thank you, thank you!

  For my Hotties, you’re the bestest bunch of beautiful support an author could ask for. I’m so thankful each day that I have such a positive group to hang out in. Your cheering and encouragement is priceless. Thank you for always being there.

  Harloe’s Review Crew is full of the greatest readers I could ever ask for. The excitement you give me means everything. Thank you for wanting to continue reading my books. I’ll keep writing so long as you want to be on the receiving end.

  Candi and Candi Kane PR are the best in the publicist business. This team of professionals works tirelessly to provide the best possible services for their authors. I’m lucky to be one of them! You’re such an incredible lady boss and I love you. Thank you so very much for all you do!

  Thank you to all the ladies of Give Me Books. I’ve been working with you guys for almost three years and you alw
ays provide amazing release services. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

  Book Cover Kingdom gets another shoutout for the GORGEOUS Loner cover. As always, you never cease to amaze me.

  Thanks to Rafa G Catala, the very talented photographer who shot the very scrumptious image of Christian. Thank you for giving me the perfect cover photo for this story.

  A huge thank you to Kiezha with Librum Artis Editorial Services for editing Loner until the pages were polished. You’re amazing at what you do and I’m thankful to have you in my corner!

  Stacey from Champagne Book Design once again created the most gorgeous interior for my book baby. I cannot recommend her formatting services enough!

  One last thing? If you enjoyed Loner and want to do me a huge favor, please consider leaving a review. It really helps other readers find my books. Thank you for reading!

  Harloe Rae is a USA Today & Amazon Top 10 best-selling author. Her passion for writing and reading has taken on a whole new meaning. Each day is an unforgettable adventure.

  Harloe is a Minnesota gal with a serious addiction to romance. She’s always chasing an epic happily ever after. When she’s not buried in the writing cave, Harloe can be found hanging with her hubby and son. If the weather permits, she loves being lakeside or out in the country with her horses.