“Are you really staying that long? I thought you were aiming to be here by your birthday.”
“I’ll be there sooner than that,” he says. “After I met with my boss, I got a call from his boss. He locked my computer and asked me to gather my things.”
“He fired you!”
“Hell no! I’ll be there this weekend, probably Friday night. I’m on mandatory vacation for the next two weeks after tomorrow. I need to go in and sort through all my clients with my boss and catch him up on everything. I’m not allowed to speak to any of my clients to let them know I’m leaving. I can’t access their files. I have zero control.”
I know he’s trying to make a joke, calling in a mandatory vacation, but I’m not laughing.
“Why? I don’t understand.” My hands are shaking at the thought of Devon being fired for wanting to move here. What if his new boss finds out? Will they still want him?
“I knew it might happen, so I was prepared for it. I made sure all my files were updated before I met with my boss. It’s a precautionary measure. I’m working for the competition now. They don’t want me to try and steal their big clients. Their money makers. I never would, but if one of them seeks me out, I’m not going to tell them no either.”
Breathing a sigh of relief as I pull into my apartment complex, I tell Devon goodnight and head inside. I notice the absence of Audra’s car in her assigned spot next to mine, so I shoot her a text.
ME: Where are you?
AUDRA: Dinner with Jason.
ME: Are you coming home tonight?
It’s a long few minutes before she replies.
AUDRA: Probably not.
ME: Have fun.
ME: Be safe.
ME: That means wear a condom.
I can practically see Audra’s face turning bright red as she reads my messages.
After Jason left last night, we sat down and had a long talk. She’s found the one. The one she’s been waiting for. He’s the opposite of Keegan. He respects the fact Audra wants to wait until marriage. He also made sure to show her the many ways of being close with a man that don’t involve the act of sex.
When I asked her to elaborate, knowing she wouldn’t be able to say the words out loud, she blushed. It was cute. I wanted to tease her but refrained. I did, however, give her a few pointers, which also made her blush.
Life is changing. For me. For Audra and for the rest of my friends. The future is beginning, and I couldn’t be happier.
As I crawl under the covers, my phone chimes. Expecting it to be from Devon, I’m surprised when I find a waiting message from Ally. She was running around the office like a crazy person today, and we didn’t have time to talk. Ryder was overbooked, and she’s still in the pit of hell with all the files he has her working on.
ALLY: You still awake?
ME: Yeah. What’s up?
ALLY: You skipped out early this afternoon.
ME: Emerson and I used the cafe as our office since we have no furniture yet.
ALLY: I think the rumors about Angela and Tyler might be true.
She’s baiting me. I told her I didn’t want to hear any more rumors. They do nothing but destroy lives and cause chaos. I want no part of that, and Angela doesn’t even work at the office so why are people even talking about her? It doesn’t make any sense.
ME: Okay, fine. What’s the rumor?
ALLY: I knew you couldn’t resist.
ME: My curiosity is piqued. Why would people be talking about Angela?
ALLY: Tyler
ME: The rumors about Tyler?
ALLY: No, Tyler works with us, and Angela is his fiancé.
ME: So, the rumor started before they were engaged.
ALLY: And their engagement made the rumor even more viable.
ME: Just tell me so I can get some sleep.
ALLY: Angela gave Tyler an ultimatum.
ME: Doubtful.
ALLY: He bought the ring that morning. Why else would he rush to propose?
She has a point, but if I’ve learned anything over the last few months, it’s not to believe everything you hear. Very little truth lies in rumors. That’s why people spread them. It’s something to talk about, to speculate about. They’re secrets people share with each other, making them interesting.
With Emerson and Ryder, the rumor sparked their relationship. My rumor almost destroyed my relationship. There’s no telling what effect this rumor will have on Tyler and Angela’s relationship.
The next rumor is coming…SOON!
Did you enjoy Justine & Devon’s story? If so, the next book in the Rumors series will be available 5/31/18. I wonder what the rumors will be about Angela & Tyler?
Want a chance to read it FREE before it releases? I’ll be doing a read-along in my reader group on Facebook. Come join us in the Brownell Book Lovers!
“Like wildfire, rumors are easy to spread… and hard to extinguish.”
Tyler has been in love with Angela since the day she nearly ran him off the road. He can’t imagine not having her as a part of his life. Proposing to her felt right. Living together has been amazing. When he hears what people are saying about her, he can’t help but wonder if Angela is hiding something from him.
He knows better than to listen to the gossip. Nothing good ever comes from the rumors that circulate through the office, and there’s never any truth to them. Right?
Rumors fly as their wedding approaches, leaving Tyler in a bind. Does he confront Angela or take the plunge, marry her, and hope she hasn’t been lying to him?
In the meantime, check out these other titles
by Rachael Brownell…
Chasing Fate
Sticks & Stones
Imperfect Love Story
5… The number of years since I’ve been home.
4… The number of people who know my secret.
3… The number of times I attempted to move on.
2… The number of months I spent crying after I left.
1… The number of men I’ll love in my lifetime.
They say everyone has one true love, one person who was made just for them. A person they were meant to spend the rest of their life with.
For me, that person was Wyatt.
Our love was perfect. When we were together, nothing else mattered. Not college. Not our parents. Because our relationship wasn’t about anyone else.
We had big plans for our future together.
The thing about life… it doesn’t always go as planned.
Coming June, 21 2018
Preorder on iBooks
About the Author
Rachael Brownell is an award-winning author of both young-adult and new-adult romance. She resides in the midwest with her husband, son and their fur-babies. To learn more about Rachael and her books, follow her on social media or sign up for her monthly newsletter.
For more information…
www.AuthorRachaelBrownell.com
[email protected]
Also by Rachael Brownell
Holding On (Holding On series book 1)
Unglued (Holding On series book 2)
Weakness (Holding On series book 3)
Flawed Reality (Holding On series book 4)
A Secret Life (Secrets Duet #1)
Secrets & Lies (Secrets Duet #2)
Saving Bliss (Love & Loss Duet #1)
Losing Chelsea (Love & Loss Duet #2)
Dark Bishop
Dear Maggie
Lucky 13
Jumping Puddles
Next
Take A Gamble
Chasing Fate
Sticks & Stones
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Rumors: Justine & Devon Page 17