I don’t see Kent again until breakfast the following morning, and he’s still avoiding me. Not that I can blame him. I’ve tried to put myself in his shoes, and he made some valid points yesterday. I’ve never seen him do or say anything which indicates there is anything serious between him and Whitney.
Kent doesn’t get serious with girls, and while Whitney might think she’s different, in my heart of hearts, I know she isn’t. That thought pains me. And I feel for my sister, because I know she’s hurting. But Kent hasn’t done anything wrong, and it’s not fair of me to level accusations at him.
Kent is blunt to a fault.
Sometimes, cringingly so.
Which is how I know he hasn’t led her on. I’m sure he’s been brutally honest with her, on more than one occasion, but she’s not listening.
After we’ve eaten, I ask to talk to him out by the pool. “I’m sorry for upsetting you yesterday, and I’m sorry for accusing you of doing something wrong. It’s just hard for me to listen to her crying and then see you going off with so many other girls.”
“I’m sorry for overreacting, but the whole situation just fucks with my head,” he admits, sitting at the edge of the pool, dangling his legs in the water.
I join him, enjoying the feel of the cool water lapping at my calves.
“Contrary to popular belief, I don’t set out to upset women. I like women. I like sex. But I don’t want a girlfriend.”
“Why not?”
“I just don’t want the commitment. I prefer uncomplicated, casual sex with no expectations.”
“Or maybe you just haven’t met the right girl.”
He shrugs, and my eyes are drawn to the new tats on his arms. Both his lower arms are completely covered now. I’m not usually a fan of ink, but it suits Kent, and they are artfully done. “I don’t spend time analyzing it,” he says. “It is what it is, and I’m happy with my life.”
I wonder if he truly is though. I’d love to ask him, but it might only descend into another row, and I’m trying to make amends for the last argument I caused.
“Well, Whitney isn’t happy.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, but it’s not my fault. I’m always up front with her.”
“I know.”
He arches a brow, peering into my eyes. “You mean that?”
I nod. “I do. I believe you.” My eyes drift out to the sea, and I watch the gentle waves rolling toward the shore as I contemplate how to phrase this. “Your relationship with Whitney—and it is a relationship,” I add, before he objects, “is none of my business, but I’m asking you, as your sister-in-law, to end things properly with her. If you have any feelings for her at all, even if they are only fleeting, please consider doing the right thing.”
His response surprises me hugely. “I already ended things with her last night. We had an hour-long FaceTime chat, and, before you say it, I let her down gently. I know there’ll be occasions where we’ll see one another, and I don’t want it to be uncomfortable or awkward for anyone. She was upset, but she seemed to understand.”
“Thank you.”
“I didn’t do it for you, Faye,” he says, standing. “I did it for her, because the last thing I want to do is lead her on when there’s no hope of anything developing between us.”
“I get that, and I was thanking you for being considerate of her feelings.” I scramble to my feet. “Are we good?”
“We’re good.” He grins, mock punching me in the upper arm. “You can go back to being your regular annoying self.”
I mess up his hair. “Funny. And you should know to be careful what you wish for,” I tease as I head back up toward the house.
James raps the back of his glass with a spoon, claiming our attention. Alex and James returned from Martha’s Vineyard this morning without John and Greta. Apparently, they were called back to work early, so they took a flight directly from the other island. Alex wasted no time demanding everyone attend a family barbeque tonight, and we’re all on tenterhooks wondering if they’re finally going to let the cat out of the bag.
I was beyond ecstatic when Ky told me how he and his brothers caught them kissing passionately on the beach the night of the wedding. They made a group decision not to say anything even though I know it’s been killing them to find out.
I lock eyes with my husband as I grasp his hand under the table. A reverent hush has descended over proceedings and we all wait with bated breath for him to speak.
Alex stands, her face flushed and nervous as James reels her into his side, sliding his arm around her shoulder. “Your mother and I have some news.”
Keaton can hardly contain himself. His foot is tapping anxiously off the floor, and he’s seconds from exploding with excitement. My heart is pounding in anticipation, and I hope they make this quick.
The guys all share emotional looks. “Put us out of our misery, Dad,” Kade pleads, circling his arms around Eva’s tiny baby bump.
“We wanted to wait until later in the month when we were all together at the house to tell you, but we can’t wait any longer. We’ll call Lana and Kal in the morning and tell them.”
“This is worse than going to the dentist,” Kent grumbles. “And we already—” Kev slaps his hand over Kent’s mouth, halting him before he blurts it out.
“Just tell us, Dad,” Ky says, his voice choked with emotion.
“Your mom and I have decided to give our relationship another try. I’m moving back into the house when we return to Wellesley.”
The table erupts in whoops and hollers, and congratulations are bandied about as we take turns hugging them. “I’m so happy for you both,” I whisper to James as we embrace.
“Thank you, honey.” He kisses my temple. “I’m so lucky Alex has forgiven me and decided to give me another chance. I’m determined not to fuck things up this time.”
“Darling.” Alex drapes her arm around James’s neck. “We both did things that hurt one another, but it’s in the past, and we’re not going to speak of it again.” She kisses him softly, and I clamp a hand over my chest, swooning. “I love you,” she tells him.
“I love you, too.” He pulls her into his arms, and tears roll freely down my face. If I was any happier, I would literally burst.
As if it was by prior agreement, all the girls, and Brad, step back, allowing them some family time. I clutch onto Cheryl’s hand, and we share a smile.
Happy tears continue to leak from my eyes as I watch my husband and his brothers lock their arms around their parents in a group hug.
And there’s one thing I know for sure—no one will be forgetting this summer in Nantucket for a long time to come.
END OF NOVELLA.
The Kennedy Boys saga continues in Releasing Keanu, slated for publication in December 2019.
If you are looking for another series to sink your teeth into, have you checked out my new Rydeville High Elite series? Turn the page to find out more.
AN AMAZON TOP 25 BESTSELLER
In the power struggle between two elite groups, one feisty girl will bring them to their knees…
Life is a cruel game where only the most ruthless survive. It’s a truth my mother rebelled against, and she paid for it with her life. Now, I play their game. Publicly accepting the destiny that lies in wait for me when I turn eighteen.
But, behind closed doors, I plot my escape.
Trent, Charlie, and my twin, Drew, rule the hallways of Rydeville High with arrogance and an iron fist. I execute my role perfectly, hating every second, but they never let me forget my place in this world.
Everyone obeys the rules. They have for generations. Because our families have always been in control.
Until Cam, Sawyer, and Jackson show up. Throwing their new money around. Challenging the status quo. Setting hearts racing with their gorgeous faces, hot bodies, and bad boy attitudes.
Battle lines are drawn. Sides are taken. And I’m trapped in the middle, because I made a mistake one fateful night when I gave my V-card to a stranger in a blatant F you to my fiancé.
I thought it was the one thing I owned. A precious memory to carry me through each dark day.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Because the stranger was Camden Marshall, leader of the new elite and my perpetual tormenter. He hates me with a passion unrivaled, and he won’t be the only one. Fire will rain down if the truth is revealed, threatening alliances, and the power struggle will turn vicious.
My life will hang in the balance.
But I’ll be ready, and I’m not going down without a fight.
Due to mature content and themes this book is recommended to readers aged eighteen and over. This is a full-length novel, 106k words, and it’s book one in a planned trilogy. Cannot be read as a standalone and ends with a cliffhanger.
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About the Author
USA Today bestselling author Siobhan Davis writes emotionally intense young adult and new adult fiction with swoon-worthy romance, complex characters, and tons of unexpected plot twists and turns that will have you flipping the pages beyond bedtime! She is the author of the bestselling True Calling, Saven, and Kennedy Boys series.
Siobhan’s family will tell you she’s a little bit obsessive when it comes to reading and writing, and they aren’t wrong. She can rarely be found without her trusty Kindle, a paperback book, or her laptop somewhere close at hand.
Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Siobhan forged a successful corporate career in human resource management.
She resides in the Garden County of Ireland with her husband and two sons.
You can connect with Siobhan in the following ways:
Author Website: www.siobhandavis.com
Author Blog: My YA NA Book Obsession
Facebook: AuthorSiobhanDavis
Twitter: @siobhandavis
Google+: SiobhanDavisAuthor
Email: [email protected]
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Books by Siobhan Davis
KENNEDY BOYS SERIES
Upper Young Adult/New Adult Contemporary Romance
Finding Kyler
Losing Kyler
Keeping Kyler
The Irish Getaway
Loving Kalvin
Saving Brad
Seducing Kaden
Forgiving Keven
Summer in Nantucket
Releasing Keanu^
Adoring Keaton*
Reforming Kent*
STANDALONES
New Adult Contemporary Romance
Inseparable
Incognito
When Forever Changes
Only Ever You
No Feelings Involved
Second Chances Box Set
Reverse Harem Contemporary Romance
Surviving Amber Springs
RYDEVILLE HIGH ELITE SERIES
Dark High School Romance
Cruel Intentions
Twisted Betrayal^
Sweet Retribution^
ALL OF ME DUET
Angsty New Adult Romance
Say I’m The One *
Let Me Love You*
ALINTHIA SERIES
Upper YA/NA Paranormal Romance/Reverse Harem
The Lost Savior
The Secret Heir
The Warrior Princess
The Chosen One
The Rightful Queen*
TRUE CALLING SERIES
Young Adult Science Fiction/Dystopian Romance
True Calling
Lovestruck
Beyond Reach
Light of a Thousand Stars
Destiny Rising
Short Story Collection
True Calling Series Collection
SAVEN SERIES
Young Adult Science Fiction/Paranormal Romance
Saven Deception
Logan
Saven Disclosure
Saven Denial
Saven Defiance
Axton
Saven Deliverance
Saven: The Complete Series
^Releasing 2019
*Coming 2020.
Visit www.siobhandavis.com for all future release dates. Please note release dates are subject to change based on reader demand and the author’s schedule. Subscribing to the author’s newsletter or following her on Facebook is the best way to stay updated with planned new releases.
Copyright
Copyright © Siobhan Davis 2019. Siobhan Davis asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, incidents and dialogues are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or events is entirely coincidental.
Conditions of Sale
By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, shared, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the Author.
E-Book edition © July 2019
Editor: Kelly Hartigan (XterraWeb) editing.xterraweb.com
Cover design by Robin Harper
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Formatting by The Deliberate Page
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