My Blue

by Jacobs, Emery

  My Blue

  Emery Jacobs

  Contents

  DISCLAIMER:

  Untitled

  1. Ella Blue

  2. Ella Blue

  3. Leo

  4. Leo

  5. Ella Blue

  6. Leo

  7. Leo

  8. Leo

  9. Ella Blue

  10. Leo

  11. Ella Blue

  12. Leo

  13. Ella Blue

  14. Leo

  15. Leo

  16. Ella Blue

  17. Leo

  18. Ella Blue

  19. Ella Blue

  20. Leo

  21. Ella Blue

  22. Leo

  23. Ella Blue

  24. Leo

  25. Ella Blue

  26. Ella Blue

  27. Leo

  28. Ella Blue

  29. Leo

  30. Ella Blue

  31. Leo

  32. Ella Blue

  33. Leo

  Epilogue

  A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Also by Emery Jacobs

  Copyright © 2019 by Emery Jacobs

  All rights reserved. This book is an original work of fiction. All of the names, characters, sponsors, and events are a product of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously. Any similarities to actual events, incidences, persons, deceased or living is strictly coincidental. Any opinions expressed in the book or solely those of the authors. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any previously copyrighted material. No copyright infringement is intended.

  My Blue Copyright © 2019 by Emery Jacobs

  Published in the United States of America

  E-books are non-transferable. They cannot be sold, shared, or given away. The unauthorized reproduction of distribution of this copyrighted work is a crime punishable by law. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded to or downloaded from file sharing sites, or distributed in any other way via the internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher/author’s permission. This book may not be sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase another copy for each person. Criminal copyright infringement including infringement without monetary gain is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of 250,000. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without permission of Emery Jacobs.

  Developmental Editor: Dawn Alexander/Evident Ink

  Editor: Nancy Smay/Evident Ink

  Editor: Kayla Robichaux/Hot Tree Editing

  Editor: C. Marie/Editing by C. Marie

  Proofreading: Julie Deaton/Deaton Author Services

  Proofreading: Kristie Falteisek

  Formatting: Drue Hoffman, Buoni Amici Press

  Photographer Front Cover: Paul Henry Serres

  Photographer Back Cover: Wander Aguiar

  Cover Design: Amy Queau/Q Design

  DISCLAIMER:

  Due to sexual situations and explicit language, this book is intended for adults 18 years and older. Most of the places, locations, and towns in this book are fictitious. They were created to benefit the storyline.

  For my sister M.—I’m so very proud of you!

  I want a second chance at falling in love with you for the first time.

  ~Unknown

  1

  Ella Blue

  Eight years ago

  “Happy Birthday, Blue.” Leo’s lips brush lightly against my face as he speaks. A shudder races up my spine before I shift my weight and scoot in closer to him. He rests his hand on my bare leg, and I mentally high-five myself for wearing a short skirt instead of the new jeans like my best friend Kami had suggested.

  A sudden gust of wind sweeps through my hair and my body trembles with excitement. I place my hand over his and gently give it a squeeze as my gaze drops to the gray-washed tabletop where we’re sitting.

  Redwood Park and this weathered picnic table have seen so much of Leo and me throughout the years. From swimming in the creek located in the valley just a few steps away from where we are sitting to climbing one of the many trees scattered throughout the grounds. I’ve always thought of this park as my happy place, as our happy place.

  I suck in a deep breath as my eyes quickly travel to the small, flickering flame sitting atop a red velvet cupcake with cream cheese icing.

  “Thank you.” I bite at my lip before a smile fills my face.

  His mouth hovers over mine for a couple seconds before he mumbles softly, “You ready for your birthday kiss?”

  “Please.” My gaze drops to his mouth.

  “Are you sure?” Leo’s lips graze mine.

  God, I swear I’m wound so tight I feel like I’m going to explode. Why is he teasing me? Dammit, Leo, just kiss me already.

  I inch a bit closer to him until I’m near enough to cover his mouth with mine. My boldness pays off, because he doesn’t hesitate in giving me my ‘birthday kiss’. Leo’s lips are hard and strong. His hand moves slowly and methodically over my leg, leaving a trail of goose bumps. Our kiss deepens, and I swear my heart skips a beat.

  I close my eyes and say a silent prayer that kissing Leo will always be like this—so hot that just his kiss sets my body on fire.

  A deep moan escapes his throat before he slowly pulls away from our kiss. My birthday kiss.

  I tilt my head back slightly and open my eyes. He gives me a wink followed by a sexy as hell smirk. My pulse is pounding stronger than it probably should be as I take in everything that is Leo Matson: the dark hair, the dark eyes, and the slightly crooked nose. And the smirk. God, I love that smirk.

  “Blow out your candle before we set the table on fire.” He laughs, motioning toward the glimmer of light barely hanging on to the small pile of melted wax. “And don’t forget to make a wish.”

  I want to say something corny—like how all my wishes have already come true or that I’m staring at my wish right now—but I don’t, because…well, I really don’t want to embarrass myself. Instead, I squeeze my eyes closed and make a wish over the wax-covered cupcake before huffing out a soft stream of air. The flame flickers for a second or two more before finally fading away. I grab the small plate holding the cupcake and move it behind us, giving me more room to get closer to the boy I love. Leo obviously feels the same way because he wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me snug against his body.

  “So, what’d you wish for, Blue?” He kisses me softly.

  To be this happy with you forever. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” I smile.

  He kisses my mouth again before moving his lips across my jaw and down my neck.

  “If I tell you, it won’t come true,” I whisper. My face flushes as heat shoots through me.

  He pulls away and stares into my eyes. Please don’t stop. I slide my fingers along my jaw and then down my neck. It’s almost as if I can still feel his lips on my skin.

  “I promise I’ll make sure all your birthday wishes come true,” he teases.

  Leo squeezes me tighter and I shiver.

  “This is my favorite place,” I whisper as I rest my head on his shoulder.

  “Are you talking about Redwood Park or being with me?”

  “Both—you and this park. Do you realize you are the only person I’ve ever been here with?” I lean in and kiss his cheek. “Except for your grandmother, but she doesn’t count because without her driving us, we would’ve never been able to hang out here
.”

  “And you’re the only person I’ve ever been here with.” He grins, and my heart hammers in my chest.

  Leo slides off the table and stands, before turning to face me. The sunlight is fading fast, but luckily, it’s still bright enough that I’m able to see the slight shift in his eyes. His earlier playfulness has been replaced with a more serious look. Dammit, Leo, this is my birthday party. Please don’t ruin it with your famous intense—I’m not playing around anymore face.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask. I’ve known Leo long enough to know when he has something on his mind that’s important, and right now, he seems to be thinking about something other than my birthday.

  He doesn’t answer; instead, he shoves his right hand into the front pocket of his jeans and pulls out a small, beige box.

  My stomach twists in knots as a whole bunch of butterflies take flight. I’m itchy and nervous so I push off the table and stand, too. My toes touching his while my focus never leaves the velvet box in his hand.

  This can’t be what I think it is. There’s no way he’s doing this now. I’m barely seventeen. He’s only been eighteen for a few months. He graduates in May, but I’m only a junior. I’ve got another full year of high school. Nobody gets married in high school.

  He’s nervous. God, I love this boy so much. If he wants to marry me, I’ll do it, because I can’t lose him. Ever.

  I gulp in a deep breath as I think about what marriage at seventeen would really be like—amazing, awesome. I know I would be happy with Leo every single day for forever. If he asks then I’ll say yes. Who cares what our parents think? Shit! My parents will never allow it. Hell, they don’t even like me leaving the house with him anymore. Ever since they found out we’ve moved from being just friends to dating, they’ve decided he’s no good for me, but they couldn’t be more wrong. Leo is so good for me. He’s my safe place, my best friend, the boy who would do anything and everything for me. I love him, and if they can’t understand the way we feel about each other then we don’t need their blessing.

  “Blue,” he whispers as he moves toward me.

  “Leo.” I pull my gaze away from his hand to look into his eyes.

  “I wanted to wait until next year—until your eighteenth birthday—but I can’t.” He continues to shift even closer.

  I swallow around the lump in my throat and try to breathe as I wait patiently for his question. Will you marry me?

  Leo blows out a soft breath and then leans in and brushes his lips across mine. “I love you, Ella Blue Kincaid.”

  My knees wobble slightly so I grab his waist to keep from falling to the ground.

  His mouth moves from my lips as he peppers kisses across my jaw, stopping next to my ear.

  I’m a mess, a shaky, quivering mess, but I don’t want him to ever stop because there is no other feeling in the world that compares to Leo loving me.

  “I just need you to promise me something.” He kisses that spot just below my ear.

  “Anything,” I whisper. My voice is so soft I’m not even sure he heard me.

  “Promise you’ll always come back to me.” After he makes that statement, he pulls away and looks me in the eye.

  Oh, God. The sadness in his brown eyes is breaking my heart.

  “I’m not going anywhere,” I blurt.

  I hate it when he talks about me going off to college. I’ve never given him any indication I’m leaving Idlewood. Everything I need to be happy is here. Wherever Leo is, that’s where I want to be.

  “Not now, but someday you will. After you graduate from high school next year, you’ll pack up and head off to college. When you’re done being all smart and shit, come home—because I’ll be right here waiting for you.” He forces a smile before reaching for my hand.

  “Right here?” I wink, attempting to lighten the mood, because thinking about being away from Leo for four years makes me want to cry.

  “Well, maybe not in this exact spot, but in Idlewood. I’m not going anywhere,” he says.

  “You should go to college, and then I’ll apply to whatever school you decide to attend. I really didn’t want to tell you my plans yet, but I’m either staying here and commuting to school nearby or we’ll go together. You can go in the fall and I’ll follow the year after, or you can sit out a year and then we can go together. Whatever you want to do is what we’ll do.”

  I blow out a deep breath and my shoulders relax. It feels so good to tell him my plans—or should I say our plans. Maybe now he’ll realize how much I love him.

  “Blue, we’ve already had this conversation, and you know I’m not going to college. My brother needs me at the auto shop, and…” He hesitates for a beat. “I’m not cut out for college.”

  “That’s not true. You’re super smart, Leo. You just don’t give yourself enough credit. Your brother even said he would help you pay for college if you wanted to go. I think he really wants you to go.”

  “I’ll think about it, but if I go, it’ll be somewhere local so I can help my brother out at the shop. I can’t just leave him to take care of everything by himself.”

  Leo’s family owns an automotive repair shop. His brother, Beau, runs the day-to-day stuff, and Leo works there after school and sometimes on the weekends.

  “No matter what you do, I’ll be by your side.” Always.

  I think about my parents as I make that last statement. My father will never let me to stay around here for college. He’s already been pushing for me to apply to out-of-state schools, but I don’t want to be so far away that I can’t come home on the weekends. I know me—I’ll be miserable without seeing Leo at least two or three times a month.

  “No. I want you to go wherever you want to. I’m not going to be the guy who holds you back from doing all the great things in life that you’re supposed to do,” he says sternly.

  “I don’t want to talk about this tonight. It’s my birthday, and I want to have fun.” I feel like I need to remind him it’s my day, because he’s suddenly planning my life—a life that doesn’t include him, and the thought of a life without Leo makes me sad.

  He releases my hand before gripping my waist gently, pulling me into his body. He holds me there for several seconds, and I snuggle against him, resting my cheek against his chest. I so love the way he smells—like leather and soap.

  “You’ll always be my Blue, no matter where you are.”

  I’ll always be here with you.

  I wrap my arms around his waist and hold on to him like my life depends on it.

  “So, I got you something.” The smile in his voice is all the evidence I need to know he’s happy with the gift choice he made.

  The anxiousness I’m feeling right now over opening that little box doesn’t take away from the excitement coursing through my veins. I tilt my head back until our eyes meet.

  “What is it?” I ask as my lips curl into a huge smile.

  He lifts his eyebrows and pulls in a deep breath. “I hope you—”

  Leo stumbles over his words as a set of headlights appear, moving down the long gravel roadway toward us. Suddenly I realize how dark it’s gotten. When we got here, it was dusky with very little sunlight left, and over the last half hour or so, darkness has begun filling the sky.

  I can’t imagine who would be pulling in here after dark, because no one hangs out here after dark. It’s one of the reasons Leo always refers to it as our park.

  “Move behind me until we find out who this is.” Leo steps in front of me, shielding my body from whoever is approaching.

  I straighten my shoulders and lift my chin as I try to convince myself I’m not scared, but the truth is I’m a little anxious about who may suddenly be joining our party. “Okay,” I whisper into the night as I take another step closer toward Leo’s tall frame. I hope whoever is heading our way isn’t planning on staying for long, and I really hope they don’t plan on chopping us up into tiny pieces and throwing us into the creek. My heart is racing, nearly exploding as I peek around Le
o’s body and stare at the approaching lights. I take a couple of slow deep breaths as I attempt to beat down the fear that’s slowly consuming me. My thoughts turn to the guy standing in front of me, sheltering me from whatever is approaching us, and I know without a doubt he would never let anything happen to me. I trust him with my whole heart.

  Leo shoves his hands into his front pockets, faces the approaching truck, and waits. I slide my hands up and down his back a few times before wrapping my arms around his waist. “I love you,” I mumble as I rest my cheek against him.

  He slides one hand out of his pocket and squeezes my arm. “I love you, too.” A moment passes, and then I feel him tense.

  “What is he doing here?” Leo’s voice resonates through the night air.

  “Who is it?” I mutter as I rise up on my toes hoping to see something, anything, but there’s no way to see over Leo’s six-foot-three stance.

  A heavy door slams closed, and the crunching of gravel sends a chill racing up my spine. Someone is here with us. The sound is light, and whoever is here is moving quickly toward us.

  “Hey, man, glad I made it here before the cops.”

  I recognize the voice immediately. “Wade,” I mumble before Leo has a chance to answer my question.

  Wade is one of Leo’s best friends, but why is he here? And why are the cops coming?