by M. A. Lee
As our lips collided, I felt that hot spark that always flowed through my body whenever Smalls touched me. He was now my husband and I was his wife. Now, we just had to tell everyone in our own time. For now, though, we would keep this our little secret. As ironic as it sounds, this secret didn’t need to be broken just yet. It was ours and we both wanted the moment to be shared just between us until we were ready to let the world in on it.
I had promised Isaac that I was happy and loved and he didn’t need to worry about me anymore.
And I meant every word I said. I had escaped the broken and angry girl I had once been and had found a girl full of love and opportunities. My life was forever changed and I was grateful beyond belief.
Ready for More?
Enjoy a sneak peek into another great romance by author M.A. Lee. Fall in love with the journey to love in, Chasing Us. Enjoy!
Chasing Us by M.A. Lee
Chapter 1
The base thumped loudly from the speaker directly next to my head. I took a sip of the vodka tonic in my hand as I glanced around the packed nightclub. The club, better known as Last Stop, was the hottest bar on the University of Kentucky’s campus and like every weekend, it was full tonight. The smell of stale beer and sweat mixed with Cologne filled the thick air. On stage in front of us, my fiancé Jamie’s best friend, Brandon, was warming up his guitar and checking the microphone before his band was scheduled to perform. His honey-colored hair was shaggy and fell just above his eyes, in that just-got-out-of-bed disheveled sexy way. His loose-fitting denim jeans hung low on his hips and his tight black t-shirt showed the reflexes of his muscles as he strummed on his guitar. Everyone came here on the weekends, so it was a great time to catch up with friends and for Brandon’s band to get the exposure they so desperately craved. I felt myself watching the rhythm, even though I knew I shouldn't be. This was a Friday night ritual ever since Jamie and I started dating four years ago. Honestly, other than the trashy girls and shoulders constantly bumping into me, I loved our Friday nights.
“He’s so hot!” Kylie yelled into my ear, as she gazed up at Brandon who was happily unaware of the anxious crowd below him.
Her long and wavy red hair swayed back and forth as she seductively moved in tune with the music playing around us. Her short jean skirt and tight black sequin tank top revealed way more of her cleavage than needed. However, Kylie had confidence that allowed her to wear scandalously clad clothes, but still, appear sexy and classy. Her blue eyes sparkled against the lights hanging above and I watched her scan the room for another guy to take home tonight. It was a game with Kylie, seducing and pouncing on her prey like a leopard in the jungle. In my wildest dreams, I could only imagine having half of her assurance and brazenness to walk up to a guy and make a move.
Looking up, I spotted Brandon looking our way and I smiled and offered a friendly wave. Smiling back, Brandon saluted me before running a hand through his messy hair and getting back to his task.
Nudging my arm, Kylie winked at me as she smiled seductively up at him. “I see you checking Brandon out,” she joked.
Shaking my head, no, I tried to laugh. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh come on, Brandon is hot as hell,” she mused.
Raising my eyes, I tried to sputter out a response, but I was fumbling over my own words. “No. I uh…”
Laughing, Kylie just shook her head.
“I’m just worried Jamie won’t get here in time,” I admitted as I peeked at my blank phone screen again.
“Calm down,” Kylie laughed, throwing her head back so that her red hair bounced all around her. “I’m just kidding. I know you are obsessed with Jamie and blah, blah, blah, but you have to admit Brandon is hot.”
Of course, Kylie was checking him out. Every girl with eyes was drooling over Brandon, and honestly, I couldn't blame them. When I had first met Brandon five years ago, we had hit it off immediately. Though nothing ever came of it, and we remained close friends ever since. It was also Brandon, who had introduced me to my now-fiancé, Jamie. They had been best friends since kindergarten and were constantly glued to one another. Not that I minded, though, Brandon was a good friend, and eye candy for all girls and myself alike. The only issue with having Brandon around all of the time was watching him bring his slutty one-night-stands around. It always drove me crazy how he never tried to find a girl worth keeping. It was as though he purposely ran away from love and just enjoyed a woman long enough to get his kicks and fix his urges.
Quickly placing the phone back into the back pocket of my tight, skinny jeans, I gave her a menacing glare. “I know he said he would be here, but Brandon is almost ready to perform. Jamie has been working so much lately, I hate that I barely see him anymore,” I whined over the loud sounds of a heavy metal guitar.
Checking my phone again, I looked for a missed text or call from Jamie. Lately, he had been working extra hours at the advertising agency he worked for and had even missed a few of Brandon’s Saturday performances.
“Stop checking your phone, Jamie will be here,” Kylie hissed as she tried to steal my phone away from me. “Besides, tonight is your twenty-first birthday. You know your man will be here to help you celebrate.”
Pretending to grab for my compact instead, I checked myself in my mirror as though I wasn’t just checking my phone for the millionth time. Looking at my reflection I noted how my long caramel colored hair was perfectly curled and was neatly laying on my shoulders. My hazel green eyes were outlined by a smoky shade of eye shadow. I had spent hours primping for tonight, and not just because this was a huge and important birthday for me. It would be the first night this week I would get to spend with Jamie and I wanted to look as hot as possible; well, at least as hot as I could be.
“I was just checking my makeup,” I sort of lied.
“Stop worrying, you look smoking hot,” Kylie said as she turned to face me. She was yelling over the music now, but I barely heard her voice.
I hoped Kylie was right. I had gone out shopping earlier in the week using money my parents had given me for an early birthday present. My tight skinny jeans were rolled up at the ankle and my black heels gave my five-foot-five frame a little extra height. I had paired my jeans with a blood-red strapless halter-top that showed off my tiny curves. I knew that I didn’t compare to the beautiful girls bouncing around the bar. I wasn’t stunningly beautiful or full of a confidence that screamed sexily, but I did feel a little bit better about myself with my new outfit. However, it wasn’t lost on me that every girl in here made me feel bland and invisible.
As I continued to scan the room, I finally saw a face that I had been searching for the last hour. Spotting Jamie, I watched as he sauntered into the bar and made his way toward me. Still dressed in his black business pants and navy blue button-down dress shirt, Jamie looked like he had just walked off the runway. His black as night hair was spiked and his brown eyes glimmered from the lighting now dancing around the room. Jamie was four years older than me and at 25, he had already graduated from college and had secured a great job.
I watched as girls took in his every move as he parted the dance floor on his way to me. In that moment, I felt so lucky to be his. I briefly looked down at my large diamond engagement ring before looking up in time to see Jamie standing in front of me.
Leaning in, Jamie offered a kiss as his lips lightly brushed against mine. Jamie was never one for public displays of affection, so I took any amount of intimacy I could get. Part of me wondered if he knew too, that he could do much better than me. He could probably have any girl he wanted in this room, but for some strange reason, he had chosen me. For that, I loved him even though our fights and rough times.
“I’m glad you are here,” I said as I leaned in and grabbed his hands.
“Yeah, sorry I am late. We were really busy at the office today,” Jamie said as he ran his hands through his hair. “Have they played yet?” he asked, motioning to Brandon who was still on stage but watching us.
A girl with wavy brown hair and a red dress that seemed to be glued to her body, sauntered up to Brandon as we all turned to see him. I recognized her as last week’s slut-of-the-week. Smiling at Brandon she stood by the edge of the stage, pushing herself closer to him. Not glancing her way, I almost felt bad for the girl as Brandon only offered her a small smile. Her face dropped at the dismissal. It was clear, she had just discovered her time with him was up. The poor girl just didn’t realize when it came to Brandon, his relationships had a one-week expiration date
“No,” I said, shaking my head. I think they go on in about half an hour.
“Ok, well let’s get a table, I am starving,” Jamie said as he led me to a group of tables located at the back of the bar. The area was much darker, but also quiet. Kylie followed suit. She had already secured us a table since it was my birthday and we were regulars.
As we sat down, Jamie raised his hand in the air and got Brandon’s attention. In a few short minutes, he joined us at the table.
“Hey guys,” Brandon said with a smile. He always seemed to be in a great mood right before he was set to perform. It was obvious that was his true passion. Secretly, I wished I could find a passion in my life that would give me the same kind of high that was flowing from Brandon.
“Hey man,” Jamie said as he playfully slapped Brandon on the back.
“Hey uh, happy birthday, Leigh,” Brandon said as he sat down next to me.
“Thanks,” I smiled. I glanced around my small circle of friends and felt like the luckiest girl in the world. In a few short months, I would be married to the love of my life and I had friends who I could count on for anything.
“We need drinks,” Kylie chimed in as I was brought back to reality.
As I began glancing through the extensive menu of cocktail options, Brandon leaned over to me, almost whispering in my ear as if he were about to tell me a secret. I wasn’t sure why he was getting so close to me, even though we were in a packed bar, our table was in an area of the bar much quieter and calmer than the rest of the venue.
“Let me be the first person to buy you a drink,” Brandon whispered as he sat to my left.
Wanting to take him up on his offer, I shook my head no, instead. Since it was my twenty-first birthday, I knew Jamie would want to celebrate by buying me drinks. It was sweet of Brandon to offer, but that was something my fiancé should do.
“Thanks, but Jamie is going to get me a drink,” I said, smiling to let him know I appreciated the thought. “Besides, I’ve been drinking all day,” I giggled.
“Okay, that’s cool,” Brandon shrugged like it was no big deal. And, it probably wasn’t to him anyway.
Lifting up a purple bag, Brandon handed me the bag as Kylie raised her eyes in curiosity. “I know you said no gifts, but I’m sure Kylie and Jamie have already given you something. So, I wanted to as well,” he said. “You all will probably be exchanging gifts while I’m on stage, so I want to give this to you now.”
Handing me the bag, Brandon watched my expression closely as I looked inside. Pulling out white and pink tissue paper, I found a set of brand new black coasters for my apartment. While the gift might seem bland or unimportant to some, the gesture alone meant the world to me. I had mentioned several times that I wished I had coasters in my apartment, objects I felt would make me look more mature and grown-up. It sounds silly, but it was something I wanted. Buried at the bottom was a pound of Hershey’s chocolate kisses candies; my favorite. Squealing, I showed Kylie my gift but she didn’t react as I had thought she would. Glaring at Brandon, she only shook her head and took another sip of her drink.
“Thanks!” I exclaimed as I hugged Brandon. “This is perfect,” I finished.
When Jamie arrived back at our bar table, I showed him the sweet gift Brandon had given me. He barely looked as he started looking over the food menu on the table. “That’s nice, Brandon,” Jamie said without looking up from the menu.
“What did you get Leigh?” Kylie asked, glaring daggers at Jamie. It was no secret she didn’t really like Jamie or Brandon for that matter. But she didn’t have to act like such a bitch all of the time.
Laughing, Jamie placed a hand on my knee under the table. “I got her an engagement ring. That’s my gift, and it should credit me for the rest of our lives,” he teased. I tried to smile and offer a small laugh, but inside, I felt like I had been punched in the stomach. I knew, other than paying for my drinks tonight, that really was the only gift he planned on giving me. As much as it hurt my heart how little Jamie cared to buy me gifts, I knew that it wasn’t a slight against me. That’s just who he is. Jamie never really bothered to buy gifts, for anything or anyone. I had learned over the years to just accept that and feel blessed that he even loved me.
Secretly reeling over the small but thoughtful gift Brandon had given me, I knew my parents would make up for Jamie’s lack of gifts with some lavish and over-the-top party and presents. Most girls would consider themselves to be lucky to come from an affluent family who loved to spoil their children with gifts, but for me, I hated the constant treatment like I was still a child by my parents. I would give up every expensive gift ever given to me, to just be treated like an adult and given credit for trying to make it on my own while still in college.
Breaking the awkward silence, Kylie quickly made sure everyone at the table had a drink since she had ordered for us all while I was busy daydreaming.
“Happy Twenty-first birthday, Leigh,” Kylie yelled as she raised her glass full of tequila in the air. The golden liquor splashed in her drink and I giggled as Kylie attempted to lick the outside of her cup, saving the tiny drops that had splashed out.
Following her cue, Brandon, Jamie, and I all raised our glasses and allowed them to clink together as we laughed and took sips to celebrate the moment.
I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate my birthday than to spend it with some of the people I loved most in the world.
“I’m going to go get another round of beers,” Jamie announced as he quickly got up and made his way toward the bar.
“Okay,” I said, offering him a smile. I hated how stressed Jamie was with work and I desperately wished he would relax, at least for tonight anyway.
“Hey, I gotta get to the stage. It’s time for the band to go on,” Brandon said as he got up and sauntered away.
Deciding I didn’t want to sit at the table anymore, I grabbed Kylie’s hand and led her to the area in front of the stage. I felt strange and I wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol or the way both the men in my life were acting.
As I watched the guys, I saw a girl in a barely there tight, red dress throw her bra up to the stage. Giggling, I watched as she undressed Brandon with her eyes.
“Classy,” I mumbled as the guys around her laughed and cheered.
Catching the bra, Brandon offered the girl a smile as he stuffed the lacey material into his jeans pocket. I was sure he must have a whole room in his apartment dedicated to items women normally threw up on the stage. I shuddered just thinking about the visions.
Sipping her beer, Kylie lowered her eyes at me. “Come on, give the guy a break. He is probably working so much to pay for your lavish honeymoon,” she said as she nudged my side. I knew she was just trying to cheer me up as she defended him.
This caused me to smile as I thought about the upcoming wedding. While Jamie was four years older than me, he had already graduated from college and had a nice job. I was still in school and had another year left before I would graduate with my degree in business.
The crowd around us began to jump and yell wildly as the rest of Brandon’s band joined him on the stage. The already dim lights turned dark and I heard the first chord of Brandon’s guitar. As his voice vibrated through the room, I momentarily got lost in my worries and thoughts and allowed Brandon’s sweet voice to take me away to another realm.
After their set ended, Brandon and the rest of his band sauntered off the stage and went to the small backst
age area. I was growing frustrated that Jamie still wasn’t back from his trip to the bar. Left alone, I decided to head backstage where the band was now located. Maybe Jamie had gone to hang out with Brandon and assumed I had thought the same.
I began to push my way through the sea of people still dancing and swaying to the music playing through the speakers. As I rounded the corner, I smiled and gave a slight wave to the bouncer, James, who knew me by name and allowed me to enter the private backstage area.
I reached into my purse and pulled out my cell phone. Typing a text, I waited for Jamie to respond.
Me: Where are you?
With no response, I decided to try Kylie too.
Me: Have you seen Jamie?
Kylie: Nope.
Me: If you do, let me know.
Kylie: Okay, but there are so many hot guys here tonight, I might get lost stalking one of them.
Looking around the crowded room, I spotted Kylie with her hand seductively placed on the shoulder of a guy with a short, military-style haircut and broad muscles. His eyes were placed on her cleavage, which was practically smacking him in the face. Kylie giggled and moved herself closer to him as she whispered something in his ear. By the way, his eyes grew large, and a large smile spread across his now-red face, I knew Kylie would be spending the night entertaining this hot new boy toy she had found.
Rolling my eyes, I stuffed my phone back inside my purse and tried to forget about the image of Kylie with her tongue in the guy’s ear. Kylie would be no help. I loved her like a sister, but she had a one-track-mind, and right now it was focused on sexy men.
Continuing my journey, I followed the dimly lit hall until I heard two male voices arguing. I stopped dead in my tracks as I realized the voices I heard booming like thunder were those of Brandon and Jamie.
“What the hell, man?” Brandon screamed as I heard something crash around them.
“Look, calm down Brandon. It’s not that big of a deal,” Jamie shouted back. His voice sounded angered and nervous and I was worried for Jamie.
