Balk

by Joy Eileen

My knees hit the porch as Trip held out a ring box. I watched in fascination as he opened it. A large black diamond nestled inside a ring of tiny yellow diamonds sparkled back at me.

  “It looks like the bat symbol,” I said, staring down at it.

  “You can wear it every day if you say yes,” Trip said with some hesitation in his voice.

  “Yes, yes. A thousand times yes.”

  I threw my arms around his neck and rained kisses all over his face, only stopping when I reached his mouth. Trip kissed me deeply and the cheers faded away as I got lost in him.

  “That was unexpected,” Halie said, her foot nudging us to remind us we were still on air.

  “I would like to be the first to congratulate the happy couple.” Halie began wrapping up on the segment. “I would also like to thank all of our viewers—”

  “Excuse me,” Robin interrupted Halie’s send-off. “If you wouldn’t mind, I want to say something.”

  Halie’s eyes shined even brighter calculating her ratings on whatever Robin was going to reveal.

  “Please, Robin. You’re as much a part of this story as these two.” Halie beamed at her.

  “Thank you, Halie. First off I would like to state that almost everything Trip said today was correct.”

  “Almost?” Halie asked, her eyes getting wider.

  I half expected her to start drumming her fingers together while letting out an evil laugh. I’ll admit I was disappointed when Halie’s hands remained on her lap.

  “Yes, our relationship was pretend, and it was to help keep McKenna out of the spotlight, but I also benefited from our arrangement as well.” Robin wrung her hands together, and I reached over to squeeze her shoulder.

  She turned and smiled before finishing what she started. “I’m in love with someone who I also wanted to protect. Our reasoning for deceiving the public was mutual.”

  “And can you tell us who this person is?” Halie inched closer to her, but still no evil laugh.

  “I can’t, but I can tell you she’s a beautiful talented woman with a huge heart and I love her very much. I was afraid I’d lose my fans if I came out, so Trip and I came up with this plan. I’m sorry if I hurt anyone, but I can’t lie anymore.” Robin turned and hugged us both before walking away.

  Halie trailed behind her, trying to ask more questions, but Robin escaped to her car with no further comments.

  Trip took my hand and led me toward our waiting family. They swarmed us with a sea of congratulations. After we got them all calmed down and back in the house Trip tugged me into his kitchen alone.

  “Can I put this on you now?” he asked, still holding the ring box.

  I looked down at my empty finger and giggled. “I think that would be perfect.”

  Trip slid the ring on my finger and we both stared down at it smiling.

  “Is this too soon?” I asked.

  “No. You knew I was meant to be yours in junior high. I just needed to catch up.”

  I gave him a watery smile and he pulled me into his hard chest.

  “We can have a long engagement if you want. But know this, McKenna, you’re my everything and I’d marry you right now. Without a doubt you are the only one for me.”

  “Does this mean I have access to the Batcave?”

  Trip laughed and leaned into me. “That could be taken in so many different ways. Maybe it means I have access to your Batcave.”

  I smacked him on the shoulder as my cheeks heated. “What’s good for the goose,” I said, waggling my newly decorated finger.

  Trip chuckled before silencing us both with a searing kiss.

  Epilogue

  “Aunt Kenna, come jump with me and Bruce,” Norah yelled inside the bouncy house she hadn’t left since the guy set it up this morning.

  “Hold on, squish. I’m helping mommy.”

  “Can you take the birthday boy?” Renee asked, holding out my perfect little round nephew.

  Renee smiled carefree as she watched Bruce and Norah bounce. She didn’t have to worry about her little girl being taken away anymore. Brian had made good on his threat and Rutching would never bother them or any other young girl again.

  “How are you turning two?” I asked, kissing my nephew’s chubby little cheek.

  “I drink a lot of milk,” Tucker answered, his hands landing on my cheeks.

  “You’re going to be a smart butt just like your sister.” I kissed his belly until he squealed.

  “Daddy, come in the bouncer with us. Aunt Kenna has baby Tuck,” Norah announced, throwing me under the bus.

  Without hesitation, Brian dove into the jumper, making his little girl laugh hysterically. Brian stuck his head out of the bouncer and opened his arms for Tuck, who wiggled out of my arms and ran to jump with his dad and sister before more guests arrived.

  “Have I told you how sexy you look with my jersey on?” Trip whispered in my ear. He stood behind me, pulling me toward him until my back was nestled against his chest.

  I reached behind me and pinched his ass. “If you want me to wear your jersey throughout the season we’re going to need to get a bigger size soon.” I held my breath to see if he’d understand.

  Trip’s lips stopped kissing my neck and his whole body froze behind me.

  Smart men are sexy.

  Trip spun me around and placed his hand on my still flat stomach. “Are you pregnant?”

  I nodded, tears slipping down my cheeks. Trip swung me around, laughing and cheering.

  “We’re having a baby,” he screamed just as both of our parents entered the backyard. Robin and her wife, Julie, followed right behind them.

  Both of our moms screamed and rushed us, hugging me before descending on my belly.

  “I’m going to be an aunt,” Renee said, kissing my cheek.

  “Me too,” Harley cried.

  “Why don’t you seem surprised?” I questioned Renee.

  “I saw you getting sick yesterday when I went to visit you at work. I was just waiting for you to figure it out,” she answered.

  Brian and his crew emerged from the jumper, congratulating me and slapping Trip on the back.

  Late into the night, when everyone left and the party was picked up, I lounged on Trip’s lap in front of the fire pit. Renee put the kids to bed and plopped down on Brian’s lap.

  I yawned loudly and Renee laughed.

  “I remember that,” she said, pointing at my yawn, giggling before yawning herself.

  Trip stood up with me still in his arms. “It’s time to get this little mama to bed.”

  I waved good night as Trip carried me to our house. His smile hadn’t left his face since I told him about our newest family member.

  “Thank you,” I told him, kissing him on the cheek when we entered our room.

  “For what?”

  “For everything. If it wasn’t for you teaching me to live I would’ve never had the nerve to apply for the sports med position for the Pappies.”

  “Darlin’, I don’t think you needed to apply. The way you rehabbed my shoulder they were going to be knocking on your door as soon as you got your license.” Trip waited and I pretended not to notice.

  With a huff he questioned, “So I’m only good for getting you your dream job?”

  I couldn’t contain my laughter at his haughty tone. “Well, there’s that and then there’s also making me the happiest wife in the world, and now the happiest mommy in the world.”

  “Then I guess I should be thanking you. Because of my confession of our love I’m now the most popular pitcher in the league.”

  Trip laid me down on the bed and began removing my clothes. Just like him, I waited for more, but he was too busy concentrating on his task.

  “And?” I prompted when I was naked and he started shucking off his clothes.

  “I think that’s it.”

  I threw a pillow at his face as he laughed, his abdominal muscles flexing from the motion. He sat on the side of the bed and traced his finger over my stomach.
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br />   “The list of things I need to thank you for would take me forever to finish. But I thank you for your love. For helping me become the man you deserve.” He bent down and kissed my mouth. “And our baby.” He moved lower and kissed my stomach. “And having access to your Batcave.”

  My laugh turned into a moan when he kissed me in between my legs. After we were thoroughly satisfied I snuggled up to Trip’s side.

  “Babe?” I asked with a sleepy voice.

  “What is it, darlin’?”

  “I was thinking, if it’s a boy we should name him Wayne. And if it’s a girl we should name her Ivy.”

  “I’ll have to ask Batman,” he said with laughter in his voice.

  I giggled as I screamed, “I knew it!”

  THE END

  Acknowledgements

  Once again, to acknowledge everyone who has helped me would be a book in itself.

  Thanks to....

  My Johnboy Thank you Thank you. You have supported me in everything I’ve done. I can’t tell you how much you standing beside me means. You keep me calm on my freak outs and I wouldn’t want to take on this crazy life without you.

  My Mom. You are my first cheerleader and my soul-mate. I was meant to live this life with you beside me.

  My Dad. I really want you to know how much I love you. You are the greatest grandpa I could ask for. Thank you.

  This is literally the same thing I’ve written in my last couple books because it still holds true.

  KP Designs thank you, for the beautiful cover.

  K.K. Allen. Thank you for taking the time to read Balk first. You really can not be replaced and I appreciate you deeply..

  Ella Emerson. You are still the bestest friend I could ask for. You have been with me since the Goodreads days. Love you mucho.

  Lilo Abernathy. You make me want to be a better writer. I look to you when I am lost and you always seem to know the right direction I need to take. My blurbs would be useless without you.

  Emily Lawrence for editing my book in a week. You don’t know the drama I have had with editors in the past.

  Kim Ginsberg, you are the greatest pimp and I will rub your naked body whenever you ask. Thank you for polishing my stuff like you always do.

  Grammy for loving the game of baseball and inspiring this book.

  Ahhhh…. I know I’m forgetting a ton of people. Once again same thing I wrote in the last book.

  And to everyone I forgot. I’m sorry. I know this should be longer.

  And to my Family. Thank you for understanding my need to hide in the writers cave, and supporting me when I needed it. You four boys are my rockstars.

  More by Joy Eileen

  Breaking Faith

  Faith made the mistake of giving her heart to someone who didn't deserve her. After making the decision to leave, she sought refuge at a bar full of misfits. They accepted Faith without question, and now they protect her as if she's family. While putting the pieces of her life back together, she fights to keep her broken heart from falling for the moody lead singer of the JackholeS. A man named Kill. Killian has his own demons to battle, yet Faith brings out his protective side: a side he thought he'd buried long ago. Can Faith and Kill trust each other long enough to leave their pasts behind and find love? Or is the past too overpowering to allow anyone a chance at happiness?

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  Surviving Faith

  Faith valiantly tries to deny her explosive attraction to Kill. She finally caves into him when a frightening run-in with her ex, causes her to reevaluate her need to stay away. And she can't help wondering why she took so long. Kill is everything she's always wanted in a man, except he's about to be famous.

  Now that she has accepted him, can she keep him? Or will her crippling fears get the best of her?

  Kill knows that he has a lot of work ahead of him to break through Faith's walls. He didn't expect her to put up such a tough fight.

  With his imminent stardom looming, he has to make a choice. Should he continue to fight for Faith's love and trust, or should he let her go and live his dream without the woman he loves?

  Surviving Faith is the second installment of the JackholeS series

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  iBooks

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  Becoming Faith

  The JackholeS are back...

  In the explosive ending to Faith and Kill's roller coaster love story, Faith has finally surrendered to the inevitable conclusion that she was meant for Kill.

  Her acceptance came at the perfect time, because the JackholeS are on their way to LA to record their chart-breaking album.

  But LA and their burgeoning fame comes with another set of obstacles.

  With a bitchy label representative hellbent on tearing them apart, a twitchy assistant who does more harm than good, and Kill's mysterious phone calls he refuses to ignore, nothing is what it seems.

  Can the JackholeS keep their family safe while rising to stardom?

  Can Faith prove Kill owns her trust before it's too late?

  And the one person who can tear them apart could be lurking close by....

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  TRANSPARENT

  Morley Rivers lived a quiet life until she brought home a portrait of a hottie from the 19th century.

  Alexander Brynes had been cursed when his plea to a gypsy went horribly wrong. He was tethered to his portrait, unable to communicate with the people around him, until Morley came along.

  Alexander is positive Morley is the key to break his curse. He wasn't expecting her to break into his heart.

  As the curse starts to crack Alexander sheds his invisible state while making his true feelings known.

  If they succeed in breaking the spell, Alexander will be sent back to his time on Halloween allowing him to repair the damage his disappearance caused, but at the same time leaving a broken heart in his wake.

  Kindle

  Free on KU

  About the Author

  Joy Eileen is a born bibliophile who becomes deeply engaged with her characters, and has devoured more books than she would like to admit. She becomes obsessed with happily-ever-afters, and will read any genre that fulfills that requirement. Evading the library is something she has been known to do, because after befriending the characters returning them would be a heartbreaking event. Books are held hostage on her bookshelf, and any author that makes her ugly cry becomes her sworn enemy. Nicholas Sparks is one of the many on the list of villains.

  As a massage therapist, most of Joy's stories come to her while working. With the sound of classical music, and snoring from a half covered hostage, characters are created. The victim (massage patient) has no idea that while their body is being manipulated, Joy has traveled into distant lands creating landscapes and inhabitants as she goes. Her patients should be wary as sometimes they are pulled into her stories and turned into characters. Hero or Foe? Well, that depends on how they tip

  From the Author:

  I hope you enjoyed the first part of the JackholeS Series. I would love to hear from you. You can follow me on,

  Facebook: Joy Eileen

  Twitter: @heyitsmejoy

  Email me at: Joy@itsjoysworld.com

  I would greatly appreciate it if you could take the time to review Balk.

  If you would like to get the latest news on what I’m doing please join my newsletter.

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