My Way to You: A Second Chance Romance (Love in Everton Book 7)

by Fabiola Francisco

  I’m speechless. I’m the big brother, always watching out for her. When did the tables turn?

  “You bought me a flight?” I ask.

  “Yeah, and it cost me four hundred bucks, so I’m going to make sure you get your ass on that plane,” she teases. I hug my sister, thanking her.

  “Faith is probably scared you won’t be back.”

  “Yeah,” I nod. “I’ve told her that’s not the case, but she said she wouldn’t get in the way of my family, so she’s shut me out,” I avoid her eyes, feeling defeated.

  “It’s a defense mechanism. We all do it. It’s easier not to talk to the person we love than to feel hurt by them.”

  “I’m not sure she loves me,” I tell Allyson.

  “I’ve got a feeling neither of you ever stopped. If she was so willing to give it a try with you again, it’s because her feelings were deep from the beginning. Don’t just make promises. Show her you mean it when you say that you’re staying in her life. It sucked to move, and more so to leave someone you love behind, but imagine how painful to be the one left behind.” Allyson lifts her eyebrows, pursing her lips.

  I nod in silence. She’s right, and it’s time I prove to Faith that I’m serious about us like I promised her I would.

  Faith

  Poppy and Harris’s wedding has been gorgeous. Their church ceremony was the perfect balance of heartfelt and humorous, watching them chuckle through their vows nervously and hearing Poppy promise to never steal Harris’s jerky again.

  The reception has been a dream. It’s being held at a ranch that has been decorated with string lights, round tables, a dance floor, and stunning floral arrangements with blush roses, peonies, eucalyptus leaves, and baby’s breath. It’s all straight out of a fairytale, especially watching Poppy and Harris together.

  As for me, I’m miserable, sitting alone at the table while the rest of my friends dance. I sip my whiskey cocktail, staring into the glass. I haven’t spoken to Easton in days. I’ve been avoiding him, so it’s my fault, but hearing him say that he was torn between what to do was hurtful. I won’t be the reason he leaves his mom while she’s struggling to overcome his dad’s death.

  I’m not sure when he’ll return, but I’ve been checking on Cali in the mornings and evenings. It was becoming too difficult to stay at his house, though. I take a deep breath and look out onto the dance floor, shaking my head when Abbie waves me over.

  I twirl the ice in my glass, wondering how soon is too soon before I can go home, change, and curl on the couch.

  “May I have this dance?”

  I snap my head to the side and come face to chest with someone. It can’t be. I tilt my head back, and I find my favorite pair of green eyes and a dazzling smile. Easton holds his hand out, waiting for my response.

  “What are you doing here?” I rush out. “Sorry, but…” I stand to face him. His smile falters, but he remains in place.

  “I’m here because the woman I love is.”

  I gasp and tuck my quivering lip into my mouth. “What?” I whisper.

  Easton takes a step closer, tilting his head. “Faith McGraw, I love you. You sometimes stubborn, beautiful, amazing woman.”

  My breath hitches, and I smile. “You do?” I raise my eyebrows.

  “Of course I do. I never stopped, and I assumed you knew that, but I had to tell you in person.”

  My body relaxes, releasing all the tension building from the past week. “I love you, too.”

  One side of Easton’s mouth lifts in a crooked smile and he pulls me in for a hug. He breathes me in.

  “God, I missed you. I refuse to lose you.” His lips search mine. I tighten my arms around his back and kiss him, fusing our lips together in a desperate kiss. Realizing we’re in a public place, a wedding no less, I pull back a bit with a smile.

  “How long are you here for?” I ask, dreading the answer.

  “Forever,” Easton responds immediately.

  “What?” I gasp.

  “This is where I want to be, Faith. You’re who I want to be with, and I told you I wasn’t going to let this slip away from us. I had to step up, be there for my mom, but that never meant I didn’t want this.”

  “How come you’re here now? You said you didn’t know how long you’d be away for.”

  Easton bows his head. When he looks at me again, I see the pain in his eyes. “I’m sorry about that. I was stressed, worried, confused… I felt the pressure of everything and everyone on me. I wasn’t sure which direction to take, but I never meant I wasn’t coming back. Allyson surprised us at my mom’s house yesterday. She came to help with the move.”

  “How did she manage that?” I ask with squinted eyes.

  “She asked for a few days off and also took advantage to talk to her boss in Richmond and update him in person on the progress of the Madrid office. She’s helping my mom pack up the house and move.”

  “Move?” I take a seat. Easton sits next to me, nodding.

  “Yeah, she found an apartment she loved, and she bought it. It’s was a quick sell. A family went to see the house today, and according to Allyson, they loved it. The husband is starting his master’s degree at the university, but they don’t want an apartment. They have two small children, and the house is perfect for them, but they were hoping to rent since they weren’t sure if they’d be staying in Charlottesville after his master’s program ends in two years.”

  “Wow…” I’m not sure what to say. All I can think is that Easton is here, and he isn’t leaving again.

  “I know. It all worked out. My mom seems relieved now that she’ll be living in a smaller place, and I’ve put all her bills on automatic payments. Allyson and I will also check-in with her more often, now that we know what’s been going on.” Easton smirks.

  After a beat, he asks, “So, may I have this dance?”

  I nod, taking his hand and standing.

  “You look gorgeous,” he whispers into my ear as he holds me in his arms, moving us to the slow beat of the song. “I couldn’t wait to see you.”

  I smile as I hold him close, not believing that he’s actually here. Breathing him in, I dance with Easton as a sense of peace fills me.

  When the song ends, we walk toward Poppy and Harris so Easton can congratulate them. Poppy winks with a smile. After he talks to our friends, I feel Easton tug my arm. He drags us to a quiet corner outside of the barn where the wedding is taking place. His lips are on mine instantly as he presses his body against me. The cool wood of the barn pressed against my back makes chills rise in my skin.

  “I need to make up for lots of kisses we’ve missed this week,” Easton murmurs against my lips.

  “Yeah,” I sigh. “I’m sorry I shut you out. I was scared,” I confess.

  “I know you were, darling.” He brushes a few strands of hair from my face.

  “You’re not mad?” I bite my lower lip. Easton shakes his head.

  “I get it. I was scared, too. I know it’s hard to imagine me flying out and not know if I’ll be back or not. We already went through that once, but I promise we won’t be separated again. If ever one of us has to make a drastic life choice like that, we include each other.”

  I nod, placing my forehead against his. “I like that plan.”

  “Good.” He brushes his lips against mine. “Wanna get outta here?” He winks.

  I laugh and nod. “Let me say bye to Poppy.”

  Easton and I walk back into the barn, his hand in mine. I scan the venue and find Poppy and Harris. Wishing them the best honeymoon, I hug my best friend and her husband and say bye before heading home with Easton.

  As soon as he opens the door, Cali charges toward him, almost knocking him back. “Hey, girl, I missed you, too,” he laughs, rubbing her head. “Did your mommy take good care of you while I was away?”

  I widen my eyes, looking at Easton’s huge grin. He winks and walks into the house, carrying his bag with him.

  “I’m going to jump in the shower quickly.”
He kisses me, and his eyes move up and down my body. “You look stunning,” he tells me again. I run my hands down the strapless, blush chiffon gown and smile, feeling heat prickle my neck.

  “Thank you,” I whisper, and Easton disappears into his room, leaving Cali and me alone. She’s my dog-child, apparently.

  When she barks, I laugh and nod, walking to the back door and opening it for her to run outside. After she’s done, her nails scratch against the glass door, and I open it again, carefully bending down to pet her, making sure that she doesn’t climb on my dress.

  I take a seat on the couch to wait for Easton to finish his shower and sigh, looking around his home. I felt so nervous that I’d miss this chance again. That the universe was working against us when all we wanted was to be together. I hate how our past can influence our happiness and affect the choices we make because we’re coming from a place of fear instead of security.

  When Easton walks out in low-hung joggers, his arms going through his t-shirt, giving me a glimpse of his abs, I lick my lips and lean back on the sofa, enjoying the view.

  He looks at me with raised eyebrows and a knowing smile once his shirt is on. Droplets of water fall from his hair as he sinks into the couch next to me, his hand landing on my thigh.

  “I’m so tired,” he closes his eyes for a second. I reach for his hand, just happy to have him here with me. “I missed my bed. I missed having you in my bed, in my arms,” he continues speaking with his eyes closed.

  When he opens them, he asks, “What’s this?” He leans forward and grabs the bag holding the barn napkin holder.

  “I got that for you. It’s kinda silly, and it doesn’t really match your house, but I saw it and remembered you needed a napkin holder, and well…it’s a barn,” I shrug as if that all made sense.

  “I love it. Thanks.” He kisses my cheek. Then, he stands and walks into the kitchen. Thinking he went to place it on the counter, I scrunch my eyebrows when I see him return with the holder in his hand.

  “Now, it’s perfect.” I find our names marked in pen, with forever under them, just like he did all those years ago.

  “I promised you forever once, and I’m back to keep that promise.”

  My eyes well with tears as I nod.

  “I love you, Faith.” His voice is gruff with emotions.

  I cup his face, staring into his eyes. “I love you, too.” I lean forward, capturing his lips with mine, and kiss him with all the love I can muster.

  Easton’s hands move to my hips, dragging me to him and bringing me over his lap. My gown bunches all around me, but I manage to straddle him, combing my hands through the back of his hair. My tongue moves with his, stroking and teasing, as I angle my head to deepen the kiss. His hands push the fabric of my dress up between us and grip my thighs. I shiver at the feel of his touch on me.

  “Bedroom,” Easton murmurs, standing and lifting me with him. My legs go around his waist, and he steps around Cali, almost tripping over her. I giggle into the kiss, holding on tightly.

  Easton gently places me on his bed, leaning over me as he holds his weight up with his arm. His other hand brushes the wavy strands from my face as he holds my eyes captive.

  “Marry me,” he says.

  “What?” My eyes go wide. That was the last thing I was expecting him to say.

  “I’ve been waiting to ask you for years. I don’t have a ring yet, but this moment right here is perfect. Will you marry me? Become Mrs. Hard Locke? Will you continue to bring so much joy and love into my life and stand by my side through the good and bad?”

  I suck in a deep breath as tears roll down my cheeks. I nod. “Yes,” I rush out. “Yes, I’ll marry you.” I wrap my arms around his neck, bringing him down on me. Easton lets out a belly laugh, lifting his head to look at me.

  “I’ll buy you a ring, I promise.” He brushes a hand down my cheek.

  I shake my head. “I don’t need any of that. All I’ve ever needed was you.” I crush my lips to his and don’t hold back, giving him everything I have in me. There’s never been anyone I’ve wanted besides Easton Locke. I knew it at the age of fifteen, and I know it now. We’re finally living out our fairytale after all these years.

  …

  Thank you for reading Easton and Faith’s story! I hope you loved this swoon-worthy second chance romance. If you’re inclined to, I’d love if you left a review on Amazon and Goodreads.

  Although the series has ended, I’m so excited to share a spin-off standalone novel, The Right Kind of Wrong, with two surprise characters. Continue reading for a sneak peek of this brother’s best friend romance and learn who our leading couple is.

  …

  If you haven’t yet read Gavin and Sutton’s story, you can read this single dad romance now!Then I Met You is heartfelt, emotional, and swoon-worthy.

  …

  If you enjoyed My Way to You, you can return to Everton in the following books! Happy reading! XO

  Write You a Love Song: Knox and Ainsley, a country music romance

  Roping Your Heart: Axel and Lia, a friends-to-lovers, roommates romance

  Pretend You’re Mine: Harris and Poppy, a fake relationship romance

  Make You Mine: Eli and Averly, a hate-to-lovers, surprise pregnancy romance

  You Make It Easy: Abbie and Finn, a best friend’s romance

  Then I Met You: Gavin and Sutton, a single dad romance

  Allyson

  “Hmmm… That was one of the best lays I’ve ever had.”

  My eyes snap open when I hear the gruff voice next to me, and my heart slams against my ribs. A wave of nausea hits me as my memory returns, knocking my stupid sense out of the way so I can regain my wits.

  I shriek, “Oh. My. God. Camden! I can’t believe I just had sex with you!” I jump off the bed, covering myself with one hand as I try to rip the sheets from the bed, although it’s pointless. He’s seen me naked already, more naked than a lot of people have. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

  I squeeze my eyes shut, hoping that the spinning of the room is to blame for me being here as if that would mean I were in some kind of alternate universe and any minute I’d wake up in real life, not having been sexed up by my brother’s best friend.

  “We didn’t just have sex. It’s been…” He reaches for his watch. “About six hours. If you want to do it again, I’m ready.” He lies back, placing his hands behind his head as the sheets leave his broad chest exposed. I eye his torso longingly and stop where the sheet barely covers his length, one that I now know is big and thick—in case the pitched tent he’s sporting wasn’t obvious enough.

  I shake my head out of the fantasy, unable to believe I actually thought about having sex with him again.

  “I need to go.” I grab my dress from last night, throwing it on, not bothering to look at myself in the mirror. There’s no point in adding insult to injury. I’m sure I look like shit.

  When I slip out of his room, I see Averly, the owner of the bed and breakfast where I’m staying and one of Faith’s—my new sister-in-law—best friends standing in the hallway. She lifts her eyebrows in silence.

  “Please don’t say anything,” I plead with wide eyes. My voice sounds desperate even to my own ears.

  She lifts her hands. “Secret’s safe with me.” She smiles, clearly biting back her amusement.

  “Ugh,” I drop my head back against the wooden door, and I yelp when it opens suddenly, a half-dressed Camden looking at me with raised eyebrows and a cocky smirk.

  “Couldn’t get…” He sees Averly. “Oh, hey, nice place you run here. I was just checking to see if the paper was outside my door.”

  Averly sputters as she tries to hold in her laughter. I glare at Camden. “She already saw me walk out of here, dumbass.”

  “We’ve already got pet names for each other,” he tells Averly. I roll my eyes and walk away, ignoring him. When I step into my own room across the hall from Camden’s, I lean against the door and take a deep breath. What the hell did I do last night?
>
  I jump in the shower and scrub my body on auto-pilot, as if that would wash away the remnants of memories of feeling Camden’s body over mine. My sore muscles remind me of the night before. Sweaty, tangled limbs. Breathless moans. Purposeful thrusts.

  What possessed me to sleep with my brother’s best friend on the night my brother, Easton, got married? Scratch that, on any night. Camden is… Not the guy for me, whatsoever. Not even a little bit. Not even if it was—using his words—one of the best lays I’ve ever had. Once I return to Spain, this will all become a distant memory.

  I blame this on my current life situation. Having moved to a country I knew nothing about to help start an international branch for my company, feeling as if my personal life is on hold because of my career, and not having any intimacy since before I moved. It all adds to this terrible decision.

  Rinsing the conditioner from my hair, I wring out the excess water and sigh, turning off the shower. I pray to God that no one saw me leave with Camden last night. My brother would kill me… Or Camden. Or both of us. I cringe and grab the towel from the hook next to the shower and wrap it around my body, water droplets from my hair soaking my shoulders and back.

  Okay, Allyson, get it together.

  Last night was…emotional. Watching Easton get married to his high school sweetheart after being apart for years was great. Having attended his wedding as a single gal was not. That’s probably why I leaned on Camden. It was easy to do so.

  Yeah, that’s totally why. I nod my head, looking at myself in the mirror and gripping the edge of the gray and white granite that covers the top of the vanity. No one has to know about this. It was a mistake. A one-night stand. Scratching an itch.