Embracing Series Box Set #1-6

by Delisa Lynn

  There are other suitcases packed in our room. I’m a little confused because I packed all of our stuff, which is still in the car. I look at him and he smiles.

  “Sorry, but I thought we would need warmer clothes, considering where we’re going.” He smiles. “Baby, look in your bag.”

  I look through the bags and see boots, coats, scarves, gloves, and earmuffs. I told him months ago that I wanted to go to Iceland. There is a place there called Reykjavik, and I’ve always wanted to visit the country. I grab him and hug him around his waist, squealing.

  “Iceland? Really? This is going to be epic.”

  “I knew you would be thrilled. I thought about where to take you for days. Then I remembered you talking about it.”

  “Thank you, thank you so much,” I say, kissing him. “I’ve always wanted to go there. We are going to Reykjavik, right?”

  “Yes, love, we are. Now, let’s finish what we started earlier.”

  “Hmm, I think I can manage that.”

  Epilogue

  Almost Three Years Later

  Alyssa

  Today, we’re celebrating Heaven Abbigail’s second birthday. I never imagined that I would meet someone, fall in love, and get married and pregnant in the same year. It was a rough start, but we made it. Heath was right about so many things. He once told me that he was my missing puzzle piece and that he would complete that puzzle. I couldn’t imagine my life without him.

  We just found out yesterday that I’m expecting again. Little Heath will be one next month. Abby and Brett are working on their marriage. Since her miscarriage, things have been rocky. I love how close she and I have become. We were this close when we were younger, but Seth’s death and college changed me. I’m a better person now. I live every day like it is my last.

  Mal, Mark, and their son are flying out to spend the week with us. We’ve tried to stay in touch, considering that she and Jessika are the only friends I have.

  So much has happened the last couple years. I haven’t worked ever since I moved in with Heath. Heath and I both have enough in savings that he could retire and we could live comfortably. He refuses to stop buying and selling houses, though. Other than the kids and me, that’s his life.

  Heaven and Little Heath are taking a nap. I’m setting things up for the party, and my husband went to pick up the cake. I hear a knock on the door and smile. I know exactly who it is. I sprint to the door and fling it open.

  “I can’t believe you’re pregnant again!” she squeals.

  “Hey, Jess. How are you, sweets?” I ask as I hug her. “Shh, I haven’t told Abby yet. She and Brett are still having issues.”

  “I’m good. Barry is parking. We couldn’t miss Heaven’s second birthday. Where are my niece and nephew? Oh no, I feel so sorry for her.”

  “Thank you. I’m so glad you all could come. They’re napping. Heath went to pick the cake up. When is your ultrasound? Abby’s been so depressed. Whenever I try talking to her, she drowns me out. She’s been drinking like crazy.”

  “I’m so sorry about Abby. The ultrasound is next week. I can’t wait. Barry is pretty adamant about knowing the sex.” She giggles. Jessika and I have become good friends. She’s been clean for almost two years now. She and my attorney, Barry, started dating after the trial. They come to visit from New York pretty often.

  Theresa and Sledge are both in jail for a very long time. Jessika was so lucky that we helped her. She has even paid back her sister and she’s part of her family again. She’s a manager at a bank in New York. She and Barry just purchased a new home together. She has grown so much in the last two years. At first, being so close to her after everything that happened was odd. But, in the end, she wasn’t really responsible. She was forced into doing everything that she did.

  ***

  Watching my handsome husband play with our children makes me feel joy that I’d never thought I’d feel. Heath is my heart. I love him so much that it hurts. I hope I never have to find out what it’s like to live without him. The things I did before I met him are all a part of my past. He never brings it up. He knows everything and he still loves me for the person I am. I am who I am today because he healed me.

  As I watch Heaven and Little Heath run around, laughing, I see Heath staring at me. He winks, then walks over to me. Placing his arms around my stomach, he whispers in my ear, “I can’t wait to get you alone. The way that dress is clinging to you makes me want to tell everyone this party is over.”

  “Oh.” I laugh.

  “I’m serious. Abby is babysitting tonight. You have me so turned on.”

  “I think I can take care of that.”

  “Good. I love you so much.”

  “I know.” I place my hands on his cheek. “Thank you for showing me how my life is supposed to be. If you hadn’t walked into my life that hot summer day, I would’ve never known what it was like to be healed.”

  “I’ll never stop loving you. I promise you that.”

  He has healed me, and if I lost him, I couldn’t be healed again.

  The End

  Playlist

  More Than A Memory by Miranda Lambert

  Human by Christina Perri

  I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing by Areosmith

  If I Didn’t Have You by Thompson Square

  Wish You Were Here by Avril Lavigne

  Scars by Papa Roach

  Rabit Cage by Emily Wolfe

  Sorry by BuckCherry

  You’ll Think Of Me by Keith Urban

  She Will Be Loved by Maroon 5

  We Belong Together by Gavin DeGraw

  Who I Am With You by Chris Young

  Stop And Stare by One Republic

  Someone Like You by Adele

  I Found Someone by Blake Shelton

  I Drive Your Truck by Lee Brice

  Love Your Memory by Miranda Lambert

  One More Night by Maroon 5

  Chapter One

  Evan

  Although two years have passed since my high school girlfriend crushed me, her words still play over and over in my head. I remember the conversation as if it happened yesterday.

  “Bryn, I just don’t get it. Why can’t they let us be happy and raise our child?” I said as the tears rolled down my beautiful girl’s face. I loved this girl with everything that I was. I may have only been seventeen, but I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.

  She continued to cry as she said those words that would haunt me for the rest of my life. “Evan, I’m aborting the baby. I can’t be with you! They’re making me move. I’ll always love you.”

  “Bryn! Baby, please. You do not have to do this! We don’t need them. You’ll be eighteen soon and they will have no control over you,” I yelled.

  She kissed my lips and walked out of my life. I fell to my knees and cried. I’d never cried like that before. It felt like I’d been stabbed in the heart. The woman I loved killed our unborn child, all because we were seventeen and her parents felt it was best for all of us. I will never forgive them or her for what they did to me. They crushed my world, the world that I would have given my unborn child.

  Since I realized I’ll probably never see her again, I decided I need to move on with my life and start college this fall. I gave up on football, even though I love it. Everything here just reminds me of her. Everywhere I turn, I see her face or hear her voice.

  I needed to get away, so I spent the summer in Birmingham with my grandparents, which helped a lot. I know that my friends there could tell something was going on with me, but I didn’t tell them or my grandparents. My mom says I should see a counselor, but I really don’t want to sit in a room with a stranger and tell him or her about everything I’ve been through, about my fucked up situation.

  To leave the past behind, I’ve decided to go to New York University. I know New York is going to be a lot different than Utah, for sure. I hear they have the best law program around. I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer. My buddy Brody decided he wants t
o go there too. We plan on getting a loft close to campus. I know my parents aren’t thrilled about me being so far away, but I just need to get as far away from Utah as possible.

  I’ve dated several other girls after Bryn left, but none of them compared to my Bryn. I loved that girl more than anything, but her parents ruined everything for us. We’d planned to spend our forever together. Now we’ll never get the chance. I hope that, by going to NYU, I can get her out of my mind, even though I know I will never love anyone the way I love her.

  Or so I thought.

  ***

  New York City

  My parents drove out with Brody and me so I could bring my car. I know a lot of people in New York City just ride the subway or take cabs, but I need to have my ol’ lady with me. She’s a 1978 Chevy Camaro. It used to be my father’s. I helped him restore it over the years. Hell, my life is my car and my guitar. I’ve been playing guitar since I was seven. I love some good ol’ country music. I guess some would say I have an old soul.

  “Dude, this place is huge! I can’t wait to have parties here,” Brody says, his voice booming through the hall. He loves a good party where he can drink and meet hot girls. He’s always looking for a new one to hook and reel in.

  “I know, man. It’ll be awesome.”

  Brody and I just moved in to our loft today. We’re starting our freshman year at NYU. We left all of our heartache in Utah. We’re only nineteen, but both of us have been through hell and back with our high school relationships.

  Brody laughs. “Evan, you have more clothes than a woman.” I do have a lot of clothes, but what can I say? I like to look good for my ladies.

  The loft is pretty large. I’m glad we have separate bedrooms with our own bathrooms. I don’t think I’d like sharing a bathroom with Brody. We also have a huge ass patio, which will be great for parties. I’ve never seen a place like this before. All of the appliances are stainless steel, and there’s a guest bathroom. I’m not big on décor, but it’s a pretty sweet bachelor pad.

  Brody and I are going out to explore the city today. I know he’s looking for a hook up. We were born horn dogs. My buddy Zander is flying in tonight and hitting the town with us. Zander is from Alabama. Zan and I often hung out together on my grandparents’ farm. I met him and his sister, Tatum, when I was a child. We’ve always stayed in contact. He’s attending NYU with Brody and me, and he’s going to crash with us until he gets a place.

  When it comes to parties and bars, I always look my best. I decide to wear a pair of tight jeans and a black polo shirt that shows off my muscles and tats. I haven’t been laid in months, and I’ve only slept with a few girls since Bryn. They were what you’d call a ‘Wham, bam, thank you, ma’am.’ Don’t get me wrong, I’m not the type of guy who just hits it and quits it. They all wanted a good fuck. They weren’t looking for anything serious either. After the Bryn situation, I wasn’t sure I would ever love or even trust anyone again.

  We take a cab to a bar on campus. I’m not planning on singing, but, as always, when my friends are around, I’m nominated to bring the house down with my powerful voice, as my friends say. I’m ready to get forget-my-name kind of drunk, but we have to wait for some dude to bring our fake IDs.

  I look through the crowd and decide to sing “Life is a Highway” by Rascal Flatts. I get lost in the music, and as I walk off stage, I see a girl I’d been eyeing while I was on stage. I also see Brody talking to a chick. She looks nice, and she’s with said girl. I walk over to Brody and introduce myself to the ladies.

  “Hello, ladies. I’m Evan.” As soon as I flash my dimples, I know I have their attention.

  The girl with the auburn hair looks like a good piece of ass. She speaks first. “Hey, Evan. I’m Alyssa. Very nice to meet you.” She reaches her hand out and I kiss the top of it. She’s very pretty, but she doesn’t seem like my type.

  “Well, Alyssa, why don’t you say we get better acquainted?”

  She giggles and follows me to a table in the corner. We sit and talk as she undresses me with her eyes.

  “Evan, do you want to follow me?”

  I’m not sure where to, so I reply, “Sure thing, pretty lady.”

  She grabs my hand and leads me outside, to a dark hallway. She pushes me against the wall, then starts kissing me. She tastes like Heineken and strawberries. I’m very aroused. I know she can feel me against her stomach. She unzips my jeans and pulls them down, along with my boxer briefs, and starts stroking my erection. Damn, this bitch has me so hard. She gets on her knees and puts me in her mouth. It feels so fucking good.

  “Ahh…Alyssa, is there some place we can go?”

  She murmurs against my length, “We’re fine here.”

  I wrap my hands in her hair as I push her head further down my shaft. I want to release in her mouth. I’ve never been sucked like this. “Oh shit, girl. I have to let it go,” I say as I feel everything inside of me building up, ready to explode.

  After kissing the tip of my dick, she murmurs, “Let it go, Evan. I want to taste all of you.”

  My release shoots down the back of her throat. She stands up, wipes her mouth, and zips my pants back up. She leads me back to the dance floor.

  Brody is still dancing with the other chick. He looks at me and smiles. I guess he picked the wrong one. Mine wants to do more than dance.

  Zander is talking to a blonde at the bar. He gives me a thumbs up. I guess that’s his way of saying he approves. This chick is a wild one, for sure. She’s been grinding all over me, basically dry humping me, on the dance floor. After a while of having a good time and drinking several beers, I remember I haven’t had much to eat. My stomach isn’t very happy.

  I offer Alyssa a ride home and she accepts. As I walk her to her door, she offers me a cup of coffee. Once inside Alyssa’s dorm, I see another girl. She’s pretty. Alyssa says she’s her other roommate. She has two altogether. I give Alyssa my number. Hopefully, she’ll call me. I know she’ll be a good fuck.

  ***

  It’s been a couple days and I haven’t heard from Alyssa. Brody and I have early morning classes. There’s a small café around the corner from our loft, so we stop in forsome coffee. One of the waitresses looks familiar. Sure enough, it’s her, the chick that gave me head at the bar.

  “Well, hey, Evan. I’ve been meaning to call you. Sorry, I’ve been busy working and going to classes. I haven’t had much time.” I wonder if she’s just been avoiding me or if she really has been busy.

  “Oh, no problem, sweetie. I have classes all day.” In a tone suggesting I couldn’t care less if she called, I say, “Why don’t you call me tonight?”

  “Okay, sounds good,” she says as she gives me a small wink, which would normally make my dick hard, but it doesn’t.

  My first two classes fly by. The next two feel like they take all damn day. After Brody and I finish our classes, we grab some lunch from Pizza Joint. Everyone was right. New York pizza is the best. All this city stuff is new to me. I’m getting used to it, though. Just as she said she would, Alyssa calls.

  She comes over to have a drink and talk. As she talks, I’m not listening to a damn thing she says. I just want to fuck her. I know it’s wrong of me to think that way, but she’s a very attractive woman who had my cock in her mouth in all of five minutes of meeting me, so I know she wants me just as bad as I want her.

  She tells me all about her family and her major. She’s also studying law. She’s from Rhode Island, and she and her roommate Mal have been best friends for years. Mal is the one Brody talked to at the bar. She’s not wild like her friend, though.

  “Alyssa, can I kiss you?”

  She smiles big and straddles my lap. She’s wearing a red dress, and it doesn’t look like she’s wearing any panties. I slide my hands up her dress. Nope, no panties. She grinds against me. I slide a finger in her soaked pussy.

  She moans my name while I carry her to my bed. She starts undressing me as I slip her dress off. She has a nice body, but she is t
oo damn thin. I grab a condom from my nightstand and she rolls it on my shaft. Then she guides me into her opening. She feels great. I’m just getting into it when she starts making all kinds of weird ass noises.

  “Oh God, Evan. Fuck me, big boy! Oh, I want you to fuck me nice and hard! Evan, fuck me harder!”

  Then she makes those crazy noises again. I try to concentrate, and finally, I get my release.

  “Evan, that was fucking fabulous,” she says as she kisses my cheek.

  “Yeah, it was. I’m going to take a shower. Would you like to join me?” I know I shouldn’t have asked, but I can’t let her leave with my sweat all over her. I have to send my ladies home clean.

  We shower, dress, and go out to the café where Alyssa works for some coffee.

  “I enjoy spending time with you like this.”

  I just smile and wink at her. We finish our coffee and I head home. When I walk in the door, Brody is sitting on the couch, laughing.

  “Damn, were you fucking a seal earlier, Evan?” Brody says.

  “Ha ha, very funny, fucker. I had no clue she was going to sound like that.”

  Hell, it shocked me too the first time I heard her. He must have come home right after we went into my room.

  I go to my room, change my sheets, and go to bed. I hope that girl never contacts me again. Just as I think that, my fucking phone beeps.

  “Damn, please don’t be her.”

  Alyssa: Hey lover, I had a blast! Can’t wait to see you again <3

  Me: Thanks…Nite!

  I don’t want to say any more or any less. I hope this chick isn’t going to be a problem.

  I lie in my bed, thinking about my freshman year in high school, when Bryn and I first started getting intimate. It was both of our first times. We were so nervous, and both of us thought we were doing everything wrong. Our bodies connected so well together. She was beautiful. I loved kissing every inch of her body and hearing her moans as she called my name over and over.