“I didn’t cheat on Cal, and believe me, what he did to my heart was much worse.”
“People saw you leave that bedroom in your bra and panties.”
“That may very well be, but no one saw what happened in that room.”
“Greg told Caleb what happened.”
“Don’t sugarcoat it for my benefit. He told the whole town what he wanted them to hear. That doesn’t mean it was the truth.”
“I want to believe you, Tegan, I do. You were like a daughter to me for so many years. But you weren’t yourself after that night, and you didn’t try to defend yourself. The girl I knew wouldn’t have let it all go so easily.”
“Yeah, well, when they boy I loved more than life itself called me a slut without even giving me that chance to defend myself, it kind of broke me.”
And nothing and no one have ever been able to put me back together. Not only because of what Caleb did, how he believed someone else over me. But because of what happened after. And what would’ve happened if Cyndi Evans hadn’t saved us. Because as a sixteen year old girl, what my parents had planned for me was out of my control, but would’ve destroyed me for good.
I have control now, though, and years of ignoring that stupid ‘S’ word people like to throw around like it’s nothing. Like it doesn’t hurt a girl to be called that. Even if she does enjoy sex. Or if she’s just using sex to try and get over a boy, or the hurt he’s caused her.
“If Caleb’s in danger, I’m doing this mission. I may not be able to be point person, but I’m going to be there as back-up.”
“Teeg, are you sure?”
“Yeah, Reina. I am.”
It’s time for me to go home and confront my demons. And maybe even the Devil himself. I have to do it, because despite my scarlet “S” and the hate Caleb spewed at me all those years ago, I still love him. God help me, but no one has been able to make me forget him, and what could’ve been. I gave up hoping that we’d be together years ago, but I can make him listen to me now when he wouldn’t back then. I’ll hold him at gunpoint if I have to, but he will listen to me. And maybe I’ll even let him meet our son.
Acknowledgements
Dominique and Gabi, you always get top billing here :)
Helen Williams, Jesse Gordon, and Ally Murphy-As always, there wouldn’t be a book without the three of you! Thank you for all the hard work you put in for me!
Lisa Dess-Thanks for talking up Gaming for Love last year while we were at RT, and for making me have Hurricane Shooters on my first ever release day. I’m glad I got to share that with you, and give you a mention in this book!
Sarah Vela-I don’t see you as much as I’d like, but I appreciate you more than you can ever know!
The Friends of the Society-You ladies are the best secret group ever (although I guess now you’re not so secret)! Thanks for always being impatient for my next book, which makes me write them even faster!
Chris Baughman, Al Beas, and Cathy Hui-All those times I went out to hear Chris speak about PIT and your team at his book signings has obviously stayed with me! Las Vegas needed you, and you answered the call, saving so many women! Eternal thanks for everything you’ve done for this city!
To all the readers who pick up the books, post on my Facebook wall, send me emails, and message me on FB, Twitter, or Goodreads, THANK YOU! I appreciate you all (and I’m as obsessed with Reina and Matt as you are)! Feel free to reach out any time!
About the Author
Crystal Perkins has always been a big reader, but she never thought she would write her own book, until she did. She lives in Las Vegas, where you can find her running author events and selling books at conventions when she isn’t reading, buying too many Sherlock t-shirts online or finding a place to put all of her Pop! figurines. A mac and cheese connoisseur, she travels the country looking for the perfect version, while attending book conventions and signings as a cover for her research. The Griffin Brothers series are all International Best Sellers, the Corrigan & Co. series is also doing well, and she’s thankful to the readers who made those things happen!
Find her here:
www.crystalperkinsauthor.com
facebook.com/crystalperkinsauthor
@wondermomlv
[email protected]
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