by A. E. Neal
"Sera," she warned. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Yes, damn it! Just get it over with," she snapped and began crying again.
"Your father is going to flip when I tell him. Do you realize that?"
"Yes," she sobbed.
"Okay, I'm having Derek write up and new statement as we speak."
I held my hand over the phone and whispered, "Tell her to send a statement to Nancy at the Rattlesnake PR office, too."
I held the phone out and Sera spoke slowly, "Barb, please make sure to send a copy to Nancy at the Rattlesnake hockey PR office."
"It'll be on its way in about ten minutes," she said. "Sera, my advice would be to take a long vacation at the villa in Greece, you need to disappear for a while until this whole thing blows over... do you understand me?"
"Yes. I will. Thank you, Barb," Sera said and hung up the phone.
She turned to face me and wrapped her arms around my neck. I stepped back and pulled both arms away.
"Don't fucking touch me ever again!" I warned.
"But—"
"No, Sera! It's fucking over! For good this time— And I swear if you try anything like this little bullshit stunt ever again, I will make sure the entire world sees how much of a whore you really are," I snapped, turned and walked out of the pool house, slamming the door behind me.
I heard her scream, along with glass shattering and cries for help. None of it meant anything to me, I didn't feel sorry for her, nor did I care if she hurt herself. She was gone, out of my life forever and I needed to let Allyson know everything was going to be alright. I pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed her number.
"Brody? Are you alright?" She asked, somberly.
"Everything is gonna be okay, my little fox," I said.
"Oh, Brody. That's wonderful. How did you manage that?" She asked.
"Lets just say, Sera has a few skeletons in her closet. She's leaving for Greece later today, so we won't being seeing or hearing from her anytime soon," I said and I could sense her smile through the phone.
"Guess what?" She asked.
"What?" I asked.
"I just got off the phone with my boss, she said the magazine has never seen so much publicity, they've been receiving calls non-stop, all wondering who the mystery girl was with Arizona's number one bachelor— I was so sure she was gonna fire me, but she didn't even mention it," she said excitedly.
"That's wonderful, Ally," I said.
"I know, thank God— Now get back here so we can finish off where we left off this morning," she said, giggling.
"You really are insatiable, lover," I said.
"Yes I am, but you know you love it," she said.
"You're absolutely right. I love it...more than you know."
"I came up with a nickname for you," she cooed.
"Okay, lemme have it."
"You're my bear...'cause you remind me of a big, snuggly teddy bear," she said sweetly.
God! She was so fucking adorable.
"Hmm...not bad," I paused.
"Oh, you hate it, don't you?" She asked.
"No, I'm just messin' with you. I love it," I said. "See you soon?"
"I'll be waiting," she said.
"I'll be there before you know it. Bye, lover."
"Bye, bear," she said and hung up.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Acknowledgements
First and foremost, I'd like to thank my amazing husband for putting up with my craziness for the last several months, you've been my rock and have supported me through this entire process and I can't thank you enough. Me more.
To my parents for passing on their creative gene, listening to me rant and being there for me when no one else would listen. Love you, Mom & Dad. (Don't worry, Daddy, it's not like I posed for playboy.)
Also, a HUGE thank you to my wonderful mothers in law, Linda & Bam for their love/obsession of hockey and allowing me to be a part of their amazing family. I love you guys to the moon and back!
A very special thank you to Michelle, Cara, Heather & Kari. If it weren't for you guys and your constant encouragement, I'd probably be hosting car washes every weekend or cleaning the deep fryers at McDonald's. You've all allowed me to grow as a writer and as a friend over the last year and for that, I lurves you all! Cheers to Epic Fridays!
Thank you, readers!!! You made this book possible in more ways than you will ever know! Thanks for taking a chance on my book. You're the reason I get up and write everyday!
To my girls, Cara & Kari at A Book Whores Obsession for sharing my hot quote pictures, hosting my blog tour and introducing me to a large list of book boyfriends I still have yet to meet. You are truly amazing at what you do.
K23 Design did an amazing job on my cover and the day I first saw it, I got all choked up and said to myself, "Holy shit! This is really happening!" Yes Kari, you did that! Thank you so much for seeing my vision, you're a rock star!
Thank you to all of my fellow authors for your encouragement, information and for writing such amazing books. I wouldn't be writing if it weren't for you. I hope to meet you all someday and thank you in person.
To all the bloggers & my amazing beta readers... A Book Whores Obsession, Books by the Glass, Book Addict Mumma, Best Sellers Best Stellars, Our Something Else, Read and Share Book Reviews, Schmexy Girl Book Blog, Sassy Mum Book Blog, The Boyfriend Bookmark, Geekery Book Review, Rate My Romance, Naughty and Nice Book Blog, Books Wine & Coffee, One More Chapter, Love N Books, HEA Book Review, Tonya's Bookshelf, Rude Girl Book Blog, Nose Stuck in a Book and so many more! Seriously, you guys freakin' rock!! You've taken time out of your busy lives to take a chance on an unknown author. You are all amazing! I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do and have done for me.
The real Officer Martin Clancy, my dear friend Mark, for his police knowledge as well as his character's name suggestion, even though I didn't use it (it was X-rated).
A big thank you to my eye muse and motorcycle guru James, for which I would've been lost without at that shit-hole we called "work".
And last, but not least, my wonderful friends and family, thank you for believing in me!
About the Author
A.E. Neal lives in beautiful Colorado with her family and enough pets to start her own zoo. She enjoys crude jokes, new adventures, good friends and great stories.
Visit A.E. Neal's facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/aenealbooks or email her [email protected]