Paige shuffled Matty out to the backyard to play while I had a heart to heart with my dad. It almost turned into a fist-to-fist when my mom announced her and my dad were trying to work things out. Eventually, after another therapy appointment, I realized, I can’t control what my mom does.
The one good thing that came out of it, my dad paid my tuition this afternoon and agreed to keep it a secret from my mom until I told her. That was a hard pill to swallow knowing I could have saved my parents money if I would have stuck in school, but I can’t change the past.
“Matty will be happy.” Paige reminds me how much Matty loves visiting my parents. My dad even took me and Matty out to the garage on the last visit showing us the ’69 Mustang he bought to fix up. I guarantee it was a bribe of some sort, but I’m slowly easing back into our relationship. Just with a conspicuous eye now.
“I know.” I hug her, kissing her temple.
“Oh!” She slaps my chest. “Guys!” She rallies all their attention and I love the fact she’s already so comfortable with all my friends. “The Raptures are coming into town in two weeks; I’ve got tickets and backstage passes.”
“Shut up! Oh, babe we gotta get a babysitter,” Trey excitedly says to Kailey, who’s nodding her head already while pushing the stroller in place with Drew in it.
“How did you get them, Paige?” Grant asks.
Her eyes veer to me and then back to him. I see the thoughts turning in her head. Does she or doesn’t she. Dex and Chrissy both already know, but no one else does. In my opinion, my friends don’t give a shit, but she needs to realize that. “Um . . .”
“Greg Thompson is . . . um . . .” Her eyes find me again. “My dad.” She bites her lip, waiting for the rambling of questions.
“Seriously? That’s awesome.” Grant leans back, clearly impressed, and then looks back to his wife.
“That must be hard, Paige.” Jessa leans forward, placing Addy in Grant’s arms. She steps out of the far end of the table and sits down next to Paige.
“You must never see him.” Sadie does the same and it’s nice to see the guys not saying much and the girls supporting Paige.
As the girls stay on one side, the guys and the kids are on the other. I sit back as my friends razz me about my future father-in-law being Greg Thompson. The thought of forever with Paige doesn’t scare me. Laughing, I know I’m the luckiest guy because not only is the girl that fits me best sitting next to me, my friends gave me a second chance. Our college years haven’t been easy, we’ve endured a lot over the past five years, but we’ve gained someone new to walk through the rest of our life with. How lucky are we?
“To Rob!” All the guys have their soda filled glasses raised in the air. “Finally turned into an adult.” Brady laughs and I shake my head.
“Jackass,” I murmur.
“Well, someone has to take the spot now.” Dex laughs and takes a sip of his drink. When Matty runs over for more tokens, he stands up.
“I got you covered.”
Matty turns to his friends, “Did you know that’s Hulk?” he whispers and I roll my eyes as Dex flexes his muscles to the kids.
“Hide the green paint!” Trey shouts after them and we all crack up.
After we get home and put Matty to bed, Dex and Chrissy leave for the night. Paige walks into our room. Our very feminine room with a plum comforter and silver walls. She allows my guitar to stay in the corner, but I’ve been restricted to one small section of the room, which is usually the messiest.
She falls onto the bed. “I’m exhausted. Seriously, tuck me in and kiss me goodnight.”
I pull the bag from under the bed. My best rushed wrapping job ever. Pink bag with black tissue paper hides the gift inside.
Her eyes peek up with curiosity when I place it on her stomach. She snatches it up and sits up in bed. When I plop down with her, she eyes me.
“What is it?” She waits.
“Just open it.” I nudge it forward.
She tears the tissue paper out of the bag and pulls out the flannel pink and black checkered pants.
“New pajama pants!” she exclaims and then her hand lands on her mouth.
“Put them on.”
She smiles and then stands up, shedding her pants and holds them out in front of her.
“You didn’t?” she asks, her smile widening.
“I want to see them on, baby.” I continue to push her and she steps into them, standing with her back to me.
I smack her ass and grip right where ROB’S is printed along her ass.
“This way everyone knows who you belong to.”
She turns around and her hands hold my head. “All that matters is I know where I belong, and that’s with you.”
I pick her up by her hips and toss her on the bed.
“Damn right you do.”
BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THE INVISIBLES NOVELLA: LOVE ME ALWAYS IN FALL 2015
FIRST, I WANT to thank the faithful Invisibles fans, who have stayed with this series and waited close to two years for Rob’s story. Some of you wanted to beat him over the head with a two by four, while others of you have loved him from the very first time you met him in Don’t Let Go. I have to be honest, I had no plans of writing his book. After Let Me In, he was going to fade away, but more of you kept talking and asking about him. Which in turn made my own storylines surface. Thank you for pushing me to delve into his story and why he is the way he is.
Second appreciation goes to my Invisibles Discussion Group girls. Each one of you that beta read Rob, had a hand in his story. Gigi Aceves, I have to single you out, because you saved me after beta reading Rob. Thank you for the brainstorming sessions, I can’t tell you thank you enough for that.
Next would my editor, Nichole from Perfectly Publishable, once again you made me dig even deeper in Rob plus Paige to show the reader exactly what I’m trying to say (which I know doesn’t always make sense in your draft, hehe).
My second editor, Emma Mack, who went through it again with a fine toothcomb. I could listen to your voice every minute of every day.
My cover designer, Perfect Pear Creative Covers, another fabulous job as always.
Christine from Perfectly Publishable who goes above and beyond with her graphics. You make my final piece beautiful. Thank you.
Heather Davenport, Book Plug Promotions. I can only continue to praise you for not only your organization of my release events, but I cherish the friendship we’ve made over these years. You were one of the first to read Don’t Let Go and here we are with book five in the series. Time has flown by and I’ve enjoyed having you by my side on this journey.
I would not be able to write without my fellow sprinters. Danielle Allen, Mia Kayla, and KL Grayson, you girls make me accountable to get words out. You encourage me, push me, compliment me, but most of all, you never let me quit. You girls rock and I’m thankful to have all of you in my corner.
To my family who believes in me on the daily. I’d be nowhere without each and every one of you!
Lastly, the readers. As always, thank you for taking a chance on an Indie author. I hope that you’ve enjoyed The Invisibles Series as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them.
Michelle Lynn
Michelle is an Amazon Best Selling Author. She moved around the Midwest most of her life, transferring from school to school before settling down in the outskirts of Chicago ten years ago, where she now resides with her husband and two kids. She developed a love of reading at a young age, which helped lay the foundation for her passion to write. With the encouragement of her family, she finally sat down and wrote one of the many stories that have been floating around in her head. When she isn’t reading or writing, she can be found playing with her kids, talking to her mom on the phone, or hanging out with her family and friends. But after chasing around twin preschoolers all day, she always cherishes her relaxation time after putting the kids to bed.
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THE INVISIBLES SERIES
Don’t Let Go
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Sadie Miller is attempting to change her ways and hide somewhere no one knows her former self. She only wants to finish her final year of college, obtain her degree, and get out from the hold of her affluent parents. Then she meets Brady Carsen, the lead singer of The Invisibles, a popular local band in the college town. She tries to stay away but quickly realizes that, although he might not be what she’s used to, he’s exactly what she needs and more importantly, everything she could possibly want.
Unfortunately, Sadie’s troubled past left her with insecurities that make her question Brady’s true intentions. And while Brady is convinced that Sadie is the one for him, he has his own secrets that he fears will be their undoing. If they want to be together, they will have to stand united and fight the outside influences that are threatening to tear them apart. Can they put their pasts behind them for good in order to secure their future?
Let Me In
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Grant is damaged, selfish, and undeserving of love … or so he thinks.
Jessa is happy, in love, and has overcome her past … or so she thinks.
Grant and Jessa can’t stop thinking about one another since being introduced at a party a month ago. And despite their differences, they can’t seem to stay away from each other either. However, both are hiding secrets of less-than-perfect pasts, fearing what will happen when those mistakes come to light. As they grow closer, they each battle their own insecurities, and neither believes that they are worthy of the kind of love that they both still want. So if it’s true that opposites attract, what happens when the similarities begin to surface?
Let Me Love
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A chance encounter. An undeniable connection. An unimaginable twist of fate.
Kailey’s life is crumbling. Her best friend and sister, Jen, is dying, leaving her young family devastated. With little hope of saving her, Kailey is forced to face a reality she never expected.
Trey’s life is fun and carefree. He loves the girls, his drums, and his friends. That’s not to say he isn’t continuously plagued by a difficult decision made years ago—one that changed the course of his life.
Despite the connection they make when their paths unexpectedly cross, Kailey knows her life has no room for anyone else right now. But regardless of how many times she pushes him away, Trey only fights harder to make a place for him in her life and in her heart.
Trey thought he knew heartbreak, but he had no idea until life gave him a second chance, only to snatch it away just as fast. This time he’s determined to keep his place in the life of the ones he loves.
Is there such a thing as fate? If so, can Kailey and Trey hold on to one another long enough to discover there’s no such thing as a chance encounter?
Can’t Let Go
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Dex is many things, a college senior, the bassist for The Invisibles, a son, a friend, everything but a boyfriend. Everybody knows him as the shallow guy who’s up for a good time anytime. People rarely take the time to see the loyal guy lying just beneath the happy-go-lucky façade.
There are parts of Dex’s life he keeps hidden. Ones he believes no one would understand. Since he gave up on the idea of a dream girl long ago, he thinks he’s finally found the perfect balance of connection without commitment with Sam.
Chrissy used to know everything about Dex. When he left four years ago for college, she was left behind. With nowhere else to turn, Chrissy calls the one person she’s always counted on, Dex. One glance at the sad eyes he’s tried to forget and Dex knows it’s out of his control.
With Chrissy's return, lines begin to cross from friendship to something more, but will Dex's secret force them apart forever?
Let Me Go
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STANDALONES
Love Me Back
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Growing up in small-town Belcrest, Maddy Jennings always thought she was destined to be with her childhood sweetheart, Trent Basso. Throughout the complicated road she has traveled with Trent, someone else has had a strong presence in Maddy's life. Trent’s older brother Gabe has always been someone she could count on, therefore neither of them can be blamed when lines blur from friendship to something more. However, promises made between brothers threaten to ensure that neither of them will have a permanent place in her life.
When Maddy returns to her hometown for her brother’s wedding, she is forced to face both Trent and Gabe for the first time in two years. While the two Basso brothers fight to win her heart, she is busy struggling with a past that won't seem to let her go. Whether she wants to or not, Maddy must decide to either forfeit her own happiness or forever tear a family apart.
Collaboration
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This is not your typical rock star romance. For one, the “rock star” is a rapper. And not just any rapper. Trace is the hottest ticket in the music industry right now, regardless of which definition of ‘hot’ you choose.
Taryn Starr is not the girl-next-door who unknowingly meets a celebrity. Known as “America’s Sweetheart,” the reigning country music princess and world-renowned superstar knows exactly who Trace is … or does she?
Their worlds collide when the musicians whose paths were never destined to cross are forced by their joint record label to collaborate on a song. The sparks fly and ignite a fire that blazes hotter with every minute they spend together—for better or worse. One thing’s for certain, the two media magnets can’t deny their explosive chemistry, but will life in the spotlight ultimately bring Trace and Taryn together or force them apart?
Familiar Ground
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ad·dic·tion noun _-_dik-sh_n, a-
: a strong and harmful need to regularly have something or do something
: an unusually great interest in something or a need to do or have something
Leah and Adam have never met.
However, they live parallel lives.
Lives plagued by addiction.
When a tragic, but common demon, surfaces between their siblings, Leah and Adam's worlds collide, never to be the same again.
Adam loses his sister forever.
Leah's brother returns.
Both gain a niece, neither knew existed.
Now they face an obstacle to raise a niece together while Leah's brother struggles to free himself from the grip of drug addiction, and as Adam's family grieves for the sister and daughter they lost.
A commonality is discovered.
Deep wounds begin to heal.
Lines blur as their lives entwine.
Love Grows In Alaska
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Being the oldest Washington Triplet hasn’t been easy for Marisa Washington. Labeled the “good one” at a young age embedded the burden she strived to build true. She graduated at the top of her class, never caused her parents trouble, and even settled down in their hometown of Chicago with her college boyfriend.
Her life was “perfect”, at least in the eyes of others. But when her mom unexpectedly dies, Marisa’s eyes open for the first time. She leaves her boyfriend of four years and takes a job in Alaska to gain the freedom and individuality she’s craved. After all, what would she gain by sticking around Chicago? She discovered her perfect family isn’t so perfect, and everyone she cares for left her.
Starting a new life in Anchorage, Alaska, she’s unable to escape her family’s hold when her dad’s wedding announcement comes a mere six months after her mother’s death. Attempts to contact her sisters, in order to f
ace this together, are unsuccessful, leaving her feeling even more alone.
Her family issues have to be pushed aside when her employer sends her and three others to a team building retreat in King’s Gate. It’s the last thing Marisa wants to do, until everywhere she turns, she finds…Zach Greer.
Love Surfaced
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The equations are simple.
Piper Ashby + Brad Ashby = Twin Siblings
Brad Ashby + Tanner McCain = Best Friends
Piper Ashby + Tanner McCain = Off limits
Tanner and I abided by the rules. We stayed on our designated sides of the relationship circle.
Ignoring swarming butterflies.
Brushing off skipped heartbeats.
Settling on lingering stares.
Here’s the secret … a hand extended over that invisible line once, exponentially changing the equation. I was convinced we could make our relationship work until Tanner broke the trust he embedded in me from the age of seven.
One deceit of mega proportions and the relationship we built for that short month vanished. I swore never to speak to him again and it’s worked. Until now—two years later, when my brother’s wedding places me face-to-face with the best man—Tanner McCain.
Leaving one equation to be solved. Can love surface twice?
Let Me Go Page 27
