Blush

by Jen Doyle

  That got a genuine—if harsh—laugh out of Nate. He leaned back against his car and crossed his arms in front of him. “Can’t imagine where you heard that.”

  Which was a joke, of course, the radio show being case in point. The car accident itself had been bad enough, but when you were the all-star catcher for one of Chicago’s baseball teams and had just recently signed with the city’s new expansion team in a record-breaking deal that bought you headlines nationwide.

  Tuck leaned against the car, as well. “Shit, Hawk. You okay?”

  Talk about a loaded question. The car accident in itself had sucked. His career being potentially over sucked shit. But to have his name still being dragged through the mud after it was all said and should have been done? He’d been in self-imposed exile for six fucking weeks and was still afraid he might just lose his shit and hurt someone.

  But he’d been in the public eye long enough to know that even one grumble made you come off like a spoiled, out-of-touch asshole. “I’ve had better months.” He forced a shrug and tried not to sound bitter. “So is this about the drinking and driving thing? You want me to walk the line? Recite the alphabet?”

  He’d even taken a Breathalyzer test, although that was the biggest laugh of all. One of the few things he remembered about the accident was that he’d been stone-cold sober. The results that proved it had been released weeks ago—and yet as they’d said on the radio, there was a vocal camp stirring up rumors that he’d faked it. Because the story about his (now) ex-fiancée sleeping with his (now) ex–best friend wasn’t juicy enough.

  Tuck smiled. “No tests.” He nodded at the car. The limited edition Porsche Nate’s ex had given him. “This guy I used to coach apparently got himself one of these. Had to see it up close.”

  That one earned a genuine smile—it felt like ages since someone had just been nice. “It was an engagement present.” One he had no love for. Which was fine because, as it turned out, Nate apparently had to give it back. Pete, his attorney, had texted that little bit of info an hour ago.

  For a minute, Tuck just looked at him. Then, having obviously gathered Nate wasn’t in a mood to chat, he gave a slow nod before saying, “Heading out to your mom’s?”

  “It was a last-minute thing,” Nate said. “I thought I’d surprise her.”

  This time Tuck was the one crossing his arms in front of his chest. “Well, then, you might want to make other plans.”

  “Why? What’s wrong with my mom’s place?”

  Tuck shrugged. “This didn’t come from me, but I heard she had company tonight. I figure that’s not something you want to find out the hard way.”

  “Company?” Nate repeated, belatedly realizing what Tuck meant. “My mom? Who?” That was…disturbing.

  “Not my business.” Tuck straightened up and smiled, signaling an end to the discussion. “The boys’ basketball team is having a run that would make The Dream proud. You should stop by. They’d be over the moon.”

  Normally Nate wouldn’t hesitate—though he’d made his living playing baseball for the past twelve years, basketball was where it had all begun. But a packed-to-the-gills gymnasium wasn’t at the top of his Places I Want To Be list. He gave as noncommittal an answer as possible, said goodbye and then got back into his car, waving as Tuck drove off.

  As he started up the engine, he considered where to go next. One of his sisters would be his best bet. They weren’t happy with him for being so out of touch over the past couple of years, but they wouldn’t turn him away, either. Ella was most likely asleep since she was up at dawn with her horses, so she was out of the question. And Jules, though potentially still awake, tended to have the strongest opinions about the way he lived his life. So that was a no.

  Which left Fitz. She might razz him a bit, but she wouldn’t push. She might even let him hide out for a few days. Plus, he owned the apartment she lived in and had his own key. He gunned the gas and headed into town.

  Click here to continue reading Calling It!

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  To find out more about the highly acclaimed Calling It series and Butterfly Ops Trilogy, please see www.jendoyleink.com or visit your favorite e-retailer.

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  Calling It (Calling It #1)

  Called Up (Calling It #2)

  Called Out (Calling It #3)

  Holiday House Call (Calling It #3.5)

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  Butterfly Ops: Book 1

  Butterfly Ops: Book 2

  Butterfly Ops: Book 3

  Also by Jen Doyle

  The CALLING IT series

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  Calling It

  Baseball player Nathan Hawkins needs to get away from Chicago. After a near career-ending car accident and with paparazzi surrounding his penthouse, Nate can only think of one place to go: home. But when he finds his old apartment occupied by a half-naked woman wielding a baseball bat, he's not sure what to think...except that maybe his luck has finally changed for the better.

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  Librarian Dorie Donelli never thought she'd get to meet her fantasy man in person--much less while she's wearing her bathrobe. To her surprise, her nearly naked run-in with Nate leads to more unclothed encounters. But Dorie is sure their fling is only temporary. As long as she remembers he'll be gone once his life gets back on track, she won't get hurt. In the meantime, she throws herself into enjoying their three weeks together before he has to report for spring training and go back to his old life.

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  For Nate, being with Dorie is the only time in months that he finds himself smiling. Laughing. And he has no intention of letting that go. He might even befalling in love...if only Dorie will let him say the words. What they have isn't just a dream, but the start of a dream come true.

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  Called Up

  There's one thing Max "Deke" Deacon can always count on besides his old high school teammates: Angelica "Fitz" Hawkins. But no matter how much Deke might secretly fantasize otherwise, a relationship with one of his best friends is off limits. Until one unexpectedly smoldering encounter has Deke and Fitz giving in to the feelings they've both been fighting for far too long.

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  Fitz knows for a fact that it is not better to have loved and lost. After losing her parents, she'd rather lock up her heart and throw away the key than endure that kind of pain again. If that means giving up any hope of a lasting relationship, then so be it.

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  But with Deke, Fitz feels dangerously close to falling in love. She can't risk another broken heart--especially if it means losing one of her best friends for good. Now it's up to Deke to convince her that the safest place she could ever be is right here with him.

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  Called Out

  Jack "Ox" Oxford is used to being alone. Granted, when you screw over your friends, being alone isn't always a choice. Playing for the Chicago Watchmen is a last-ditch effort to save his career…and right some of his past wrongs. He's not expecting a warm reception, but he's also not expecting a flat tire to change everything.

  Recovering control freak, single mom and semiprofessional chaos wrangler Lola Deacon McIntire doesn't need an arrogant ballplayer to swoop in and save her from anything, much less her flat tire. And she definitely doesn't need her body to betray her and decide this is the guy to wake up her rusty libido. She isn't about to upset her sons' lives for any man—much less one who so clearly doesn't think he's dad material.

  Jack never thought he'd find someone who wanted to build a life with him, but the more time he spends with Lola and her boys, the more it starts to feel permanent. Even tough-as-nails Lola concedes there just might be a future here—the big, beautiful, messy future neither of them was looking for—but only if Jack will accept he deserves it.

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  Holiday House Call

  Dr. Karen Carmichael prides herself on being capable, optimistic and always in control. But even neurosurgeons have breaking points, especially as the holidays app
roach. When Karen finds herself on the side of the road, explaining to a cop that her less-than-stellar driving was due to stress and tears rather than too much booze, it’s humiliating. When that cop turns out to be a one-night stand from her past, it’s icing on the bad-day cake.

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  Officer John “Tuck” Tucker didn’t expect to see Karen again after their night together. The circumstances may not be ideal, but convincing this beautiful, stubborn woman to get to know him with his clothes on is more fun than he could have imagined.

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  Karen swore she’d never fall for someone who risks his life for his job. She sees enough heartbreak at work without inviting it into her personal life, and she has no interest in becoming involved in the small town Tuck calls home. But despite valiant efforts to keep her walls up, her affection for Tuck is growing into something much stronger. With a life built around work alone looking less appealing by the day, Karen will have to take a leap of faith—and trust that Tuck will leap with her.

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  The Butterfly Ops Trilogy

  Butterfly Ops: Book 1

  Butterfly Ops: Book 2

  Butterfly Ops: Book 3

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  What's a superheroine to do when her super soldier ex turns up alive after more than fifteen years?

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  Lyndsey Daniels doesn't have much time to walk down memory lane before she and Ian Fox find themselves thrown together to investigate the mysterious deaths of ten young men in the Canadian wilderness. How do the hearts of such seemingly normal, healthy men just...stop?

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  With the hint of an evil spirit in the wind—and a whole lot of butterflies—there's no telling what Lyndsey and Ian are dealing with, including their own extensive baggage. Though sixteen years is a lot of life to live, there's one thing they can't deny: their attraction is as intense as ever. But is it just a spark that will burn itself out, or is it true love bringing them back together? When the force they're hunting turns its sights on them, the leap of faith required far exceeds the powers of either of them. But worrying about their future might be premature because one wrong move and they might not make it out alive.

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  Lakeside Vines

  Crush

  Breathe

  Blush

  Acknowledgments

  A humongous thank you to my agent Sarah E. Younger who goes above and beyond—always. I don’t know where I’d be without you. I’m not sure there are enough calendars in the world to thank you appropriately, but I’m going to do what I can. I’d also like to say thank you to Natanya Wheeler for the gorgeous cover.

  A huge thank you to Heather Patton as well, whose support has been unwavering and whose feedback has been incredible. I am so grateful to have you there for everything from HDH and TGISF pictures to beta reads.

  Thanks also to Anita Hui, who mentioned ‘second chance romance’ right around the same time as TGISF, which got those plot bunnies going.

  And a major thanks to Jayne Henry, for the British English check, and to Theresa Ammirati and Meg for editing. As always, any errors that remain are entirely mine.

  A massive shout out also goes to the Read Happy and #SHVKW crews, and, of course, to the incredible Marina Adair.

  And finally, to my wonderful family that puts up with me when I need to just get those words down. (A special note also to my husband, Kelley—I realize that my Lakeside Vines books have now required me to research both divorce and annulment. I swear that it is purely for fictional purposes.) With that said, I apologize deeply if I got anything about annulment and primogeniture and all things British wrong.

  Lucy, Will, James, Mom, Jess, Cam, John and Adam, I love you all.

  Dad, you are sorely missed.

  About the Author

  A big believer in happily ever afters, Jen Doyle decided it was high time she started creating some. Jen is a member of the Romance Writers of America, as well as a member of the New England Chapter, New Jersey Romance Writers, Contemporary Romance Writer, and Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Romance Writers chapters of RWA. She is represented by Sarah E. Younger of the Nancy Yost Literary Agency.

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  She has an M.S. in Library and Information Science and, in addition to her work as a librarian, has worked as a conference and events planner as well as a Communications and Enrollment administrator in both preschool and higher education environments (although some might say that there is very little difference between the two; Jen has no comment regarding whether she is one of the “some”).

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  Come find Jen at:

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  Facebook: www.facebook.com/jendoyleink

  Instagram: www.instagram.com/jendoyleink/

  Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/jendoyleink/

  Amazon: amazon.com/author/jendoyle

  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7093094.Jen_Doyle

  BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jen-doyle

  Twitter: www.twitter.com/jendoyleink