Bad Boy’s Second Chance
The Mobile Mistletoe Series
Book 5
Jennifer Conner
Excerpt from Bad Boy’s Second Chance
He was her first love. The teen years of her existence when she thought the sun rose and set on love…before reality set in. Why had she left Thane? Oh yeah, she went to college out of state and told him that a long distance relationships would never work. He’d called her dozens of times those first few months of school, but she never returned his calls.
With love came broken hearts. Thane was her first love, and the only man she knew for sure whose heart she’d broken. But, she couldn’t get back in touch with him now. Iris new how much she’d changed. She didn’t need another ‘bad boy.’ Thane was always skating with one foot out of juvenile hall with no intention of bettering his life.
What had he been doing the last five years? She shook her head. Why did she care? He probably had a girlfriend or maybe even a wife. Despite the trouble he’d gotten into, he was always a nice guy and too good-looking to be single for long.
So why had she let him go?
Another relationship bad decision. Iris seemed to be the queen of them.
Bad Boy’s Second Chance
A Books to Go Now Publication
Copyright © Jennifer Conner 2015
Books to Go Now
For information on the cover illustration and design, contact [email protected]
First eBook Edition May 2015
Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes.
This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person, living or dead, any place, events or occurrences, is purely coincidental. The characters and story lines are created from the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously.
Dedication
Many thanks to Mike Mosa
A motor cop for many years who helped me through the bike stuff
and he and Ali who helped me though the cop stuff.
If you are interested in purchasing more works of this nature, please stop by
www.bookstogonow.com
Novels
Shot in the Dark
Kilt by Love
Coming Soon - Sleep Fall
Please look for Jennifer Conner’s other short stories
Sweet Romances
Love on the Airwaves
Love Uncorked
Christmas Dog Tails
Christmas at Central Bark
Christmas Gift that Keeps Wagging
Dog Tags for Christmas
Love Comes for Valentine’s Day
Love Comes for Saint Patrick’s Day
Love Comes for the 4th of July
Love Comes for Halloween
I Hear Angels
Brewing up Some Love
Valentine Surprise
Cupcakes and Cupids
Christmas Chaos
The Christmas Horse
All I Want for Christmas is You
All I Want for Christmas is You
Weddings First Chance
Sexy Romances
Cinderela Had it Easy
Love Potion Number 10
Ten Minutes for Christmas
In Love With Santa
The Music of Christmas
Make Me Burn
Winner Takes All
Valentine Encounter
New Year Resolution
Christmas with Carol
Auld Lang Sigh
Rush of Love
Fields of Gold
The Music of Christmas
Historical
The Duke and the Lost Night
The Wounded Nobleman
The Reluctant Heir
Redemption for a Rogue
Time Travel
I’ll be Seeing You Through Time
Walk with me Through Time
Anthologies
Handmade for Christmas Series
The Love List Series
The Pancake Club Collection
A Christmas Kiss is on the List Anthology
Love in TIme for Christmas Anthology
Christmas Romance (Best of Christmas Romances 2013) Anthology
Love Under the Christmas Tree Anthology
The Mobile Mistletoe Boxed Set
The Regimental Heroes Boxed Set
Yours for Christmas Anthology
Valentine’s Say I Love You
Chapter One
Iris Torrence held her face immobile as her boyfriend, Don, pressed his back against the door to block her from leaving the small preschool classroom.
“You said you would be getting off early. I waited for you.” His eyes were cold and hard. What happened to the man she once knew? Iris hadn’t seen that man emerge for a long time.
“I was held up at the school. I had a parent call me. They wanted an afterschool meeting.” She tried to hold his gaze and to not look as nervous as she felt. This angry streak in Don worried her.
“A waited half an hour before I called your cell.”
“I told you I couldn’t get away.” Iris hurried and packed the rest of the things she needed to take home in the cardboard box. “I’m sorry. I’m ready to go now.”
He snorted. “Everything’s not on your terms.” Don curled his fingers and looked for invisible dirt under his nails. “I gotta go.”
She said again, “I’m ready. Let me grab my coat.”
He grinned and her heart turned to ice. “I’m really busy too, just like you are.” He drug out the words. “Take the bus.” Don turned, walked out, and shut the door behind him.
Iris stood with her purse and the cardboard box of school work in her hands. What had she seen in Don? For the life of her, she couldn’t spot it now. She knew she needed to get out of the relationship, but it seemed like so much work. The apartment was in his name. The car was in name. He liked the control. But, then again, she’d become complacent and had allowed it.
She opened the classroom door and followed the narrow, brightly-decorated preschool halls to the front entrance. Don was talking to two of the younger teachers. He held one by each arm and then he turned on his charm. They laughed and flipped their hair almost in unison.
Iris hoped the groan she let out wasn’t audible. Was Don even faithful? She doubted that too. His clothes smelled like perfume more than a few times when he came home late. But, with his quick temper, Iris didn’t want to tick him off.
Her friend and fellow teacher, Kara, came to stand beside her. She wiped poster paint off her hands and down the front of her apron. “Is Don giving you problems again? What is it this time? He might be able to charm the dim bulb twins over there, but he doesn’t have me fooled for a minute.”
“You know, it’s not always bad.”
Kara frowned. “You’ve told me it’s not always good either.”
“He has his moments.” Iris shifted the box higher on her hip. Don looked her way. His gaze shot daggers and then he walked out
the main door.
“Where’s he going?” Kara asked. “Didn’t you say that he was picking you up?”
“Yeah.” Iris shrugged. “But, I was late. He told me to take the bus.”
“He came all the way over to tell you to take the bus?” Kara threw up her hands. “The guy is such a jerk. Seriously, Iris. You need some boyfriend intervention here.”
“Easy for you to say.” Iris brushed her bangs out of her eyes. You’ve got a great guy. Jack’s the best husband in the world and he’s a cop. He took an oath to be a good guy.”
“I got lucky.” Kara looked down at her feet. “No one takes an oath to be a ‘good guy.’ They either are or they aren’t.”
“Don’t be embarrassed about what and who you have. Jack’s a great guy. I got tired of coming home to an empty apartment every night. Some of us learn to live with what we get.”
“It shouldn’t be like that. Love should sweep you off your feet and not be something you settle for. There’s something about Don…I just don’t like. He’s tries to charm your pants off, but he’s creepy at the same time.”
“There are things I don’t like either, but maybe he’ll change.” Iris shrugged.
“Or maybe he’ll change into another guy all together and you can dump that chump. I can only hope.” Kara smiled and bumped her hip into Iris’s. “Jack and I could give you a ride, but he’s not going to be here for another hour and a half. He had some last minute reports due. I told him I could work on mixing finger paint since he had to work late. I know you came in early, so you probably don’t want to wait for us.”
“You’re right.” Iris yawned. “I think I’ll just take the bus like Don said. I’ll get home sooner that way. I don’t feel up to going club hopping on a work night anyway, which was his plan.”
Kara gave her a big hug. “Don’t let him bully you. You don’t deserve that. There are nice guys out there.”
“Sure, and pigs fly. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Iris pushed her way out the front door. The cool spring air made her wish she’d worn a warmer sweater. Walking up the sidewalk, she pulled her purse around to the front and flipped open the top flap.
“Where is my bus pass?” she muttered as she walked into the crosswalk. She stuck her hand in deeper and fished to the bottom of her purse.
The blare of a horn shocked her out of her distracted mood. A motorcycle headed straight toward her. She screamed and dropped the box, not sure which direction to run, it all happened so fast. The rider locked up the rear wheel, causing it to break out to the right. The motorcycle slid on its side throwing pebbles and stones into the air. The rider took giant steps with his left foot and somehow managed to stay on the motorcycle. The bike slid to a stop on its side, tipping over on the rider.
He struggled to get out from underneath the pile of metal, as Iris ran over to help him pull the bike upright. He swore, stood, and then hopped on his right foot, like it hurt to put weight on his left. He walked the bike out of the street, kicked down the stand, and limped to the curb. He sat heavily and let out a groan.
“Oh, my gosh! Are you okay?” Iris cried and ran to his side.
“Didn’t you notice the light was green, which meant that your crosswalk light was ‘Do Not Walk’ and red?” he said sharply, as he moved his ankle and then winced.
Iris looked over her shoulder at the light and then at the contents of her box and purse strewn into the street. But first things first. She leaned down and said again, “I’m so sorry. Are you okay? Should I call an ambulance?”
“What? Wait. Iris?” He flipped the visor up exposing bright green eyes. “Iris Torrence?”
She would recognize those eyes anywhere, she’d gazed into them on many nights during her high school years. “Thane. It’s been…well, years. I…I’m really sorry,” she apologized again. “My mind was somewhere else. I was looking for my bus pass and didn’t pay attention to the light.”
“I could have hit you.” He pulled off his helmet. Dark hair the color of roasted coffee, tumbled free. “You could have been hurt!”
“You were the one hurt, not me. Your bike landed on your leg. Are you sure your ankle’s not broken?”
Thane wiggled it from side to side. “Not broken. My boots are worth the price of gold. I think they’ve kept me from getting hurt a few times when I’ve had similar wrecks.” He looked around. “Do you live around here?”
“No. My apartment’s on the other side of town.”
“You don’t need to throw yourself into oncoming traffic. If you need a ride, I could take you” he offered. “I have an extra helmet.”
“No, that’s okay. I’m waiting for a bus.” She motioned with her head. “I see you upgraded your bike. Still the same old bad boy you always were, zooming around town.”
“Not really. I find the bike’s easier to maneuver in downtown traffic. My other bike broke down and I was able to upgrade to a Ducati.” He stood, hopped once and then gained control with only a slight grimace of pain. He walked out into the street and helped her gather up the spilled contents of her box and purse. “What are you doing these days?” he asked.
“I’m a teacher here at the Rainbow Academy Preschool.” She pointed to the building she’d just left.
“You were always great with kids. I remember you volunteered after school at the church for their afternoon programs.” Thane handed her the box. “I’m happy to see you’re doing what you love.” He paused and looked at her. “I don’t know why, but I’ve been thinking a lot about you lately. I guess it was fate trying to bring us together again when I almost ran you down.”
“High school seems like a million years ago. A lot’s changed.”
“You’re right about that. Any special someone in your life?” he asked.
She hesitated. “My boyfriend Don and I have an apartment on Capitol Hill.”
“I’m glad to hear you’ve found someone. I guess I missed my chance with you a long time ago.” He smiled but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “You deserve to be happy. It was what I always hoped for. We’re still friends, right?”
She nodded.
“I can’t believe I’m seeing you again. This is great.” He pulled out his wallet and fished a pen and business card out of the pocket of his leather jacket. He wrote a number on the back and handed it to her. “Here’s my cell number. I’d love to catch up and take you out for coffee.”
“Sure. I’d like that.” Iris looked at the number on the back of the card, took out her wallet, and then slipped it inside. Just then the bus edged past them and came to a stop. “Well, this is my ride. I’d better go.”
Thane touched her arm. “It was really nice to see you again, Iris. And, I’m sorry that I almost ran over you.”
“Scatterbrain, Iris. Not watching where she’s walking.”
“I remember saving you a few times.” He chuckled.
“I remember that too. It was good to see you, Thane. If for nothing else, for old time’s sake and fun memories. Drive safe. Hopefully there won’t be any more wayward women wandering out in front you on your way home.” She hurried to board the bus. As she sat in the seat, she watched Thane lift his helmet and pull it back on.
He was her first love. The teen years of her existence when she thought the sun rose and set on love…before reality set in. Why had she left Thane? Oh yeah, she went to college out of state and told him that a long distance relationships would never work. He’d called her dozens of times those first few months of school, but she never returned his calls.
With love came broken hearts. Thane was her first love, and the only man she knew for sure whose heart she’d broken. But, she couldn’t get back in touch with him now. Iris new how much she’d changed. She didn’t need another ‘bad boy.’ Thane was always skating with one foot out of juvenile hall with no intention of bettering his life.
>
What had he been doing the last five years? She shook her head. Why did she care? He probably had a girlfriend or maybe even a wife. Despite the trouble he’d gotten into, he was always a nice guy and too good-looking to be single for long.
So why had she let him go?
Another relationship bad decision. Iris seemed to be the queen of them.
Chapter Two
Kara kissed her husband, Jack, and then pushed him out the door and onto the porch. She waved. “I’ll come and pick you up later. You be good, and don’t lose all your lunch money at the poker table.” Jack knew it was girl’s night and didn’t mind at all playing cards with his friends for a few hours. Kara shut the front door and then walked back into the living room where her friends sat around the coffee table.
“I know we talked about extending our crazy mobile mistletoe plan to the next group of ladies,” she said and sat on the couch. “We all have friend who could use help when it comes to romance so why not bring more into the fold?”
“When this all started, I thought it was just a crazy notion, but look at us. We all have great boyfriends and husbands. I think there might be something to be said about this crazy headband.” Zoe picked the red velvet headband off the table and jiggled the plastic spring of mistletoe that dangled between her fingers.
“I don’t know if it really helped us find our guys or if it just gave us the self-esteem boost we needed,” Jess said as she poured more chardonnay in her glass.
“As I said, we talked about passing the headband onto the next group of ladies if we knew someone who could use a little help. I’ve invited Iris over. She’s been here before, and she needs some friends. Let’s see how it goes.” Just then the doorbell rang and Kara jumped to her feet to answer.
Kara led Iris in to join the other girls. “We were just talking about our relationships.”
Kara let the light conversation go on for a while. She leaned back in her chair and leveled her gaze at Iris. “So, Iris. We’ve all talked about our guys. All relationships have pros and cons, but the pros have to outweigh the cons. How would you describe your relationship with Don? We all spill our guts. You can trust us and talk to us.”
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