Contents
Song List
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Epilogue
Sneak peek at Be My Reason
Other Books by Brooklyn Taylor:
Acknowledgments
Contact for Brooklyn Taylor
Copyright Brooklyn Taylor 2020
No parts of this story can be duplicated, copied or sold without the rights of the author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Edited By: Karen Hrdlicka
Cover Designer: Alora Kate
Interior Formatting By: DL Gallie
To all the women that want to give up on the search for real love.
It exists, just be patient.
Song List
I Hope - Gabby Barrett
Nothin’ on You - Cody Johnson
With you I am - Cody Johnson
I Ain’t Going Nowhere Baby - Cody Johnson
When She Comes Home Tonight - Riley Green
Done - Chris Janson
Porch Swing Angel - Muscadine Bloodline
Die From a Broken Heart - Maddie&Tae
Tennesse Whiskey - Chris Stapleton
Who I Am - Wade Bowen
Brooklyn Taylor does not own these songs and is no way affiliated with them. Rights belong strictly to the artists.
“It is a risk to love.
What if it doesn’t work out?
Ah, but what if it does.”
~Peter McWilliams
1
EMMA
“Come home with me tonight.” The words rolled off his tongue like silk, smooth and skilled. His perfect smile told me he was genuine, along with the way his hand touched my face, but my body knew better. I wasn’t the only woman he had whispered those words to.
“I work early, plus I’m supposed to meet my best friend to see my goddaughter tomorrow.”
“You could still do all…”
I pulled back and opened the car door all in one swoop, reaching for my escape.
“You don’t know what you’re missing,” he snarled, as he started his engine. His attitude changed quickly when he didn't get his way.
Childish much?
I turned back with a smirk and kept my composure. Jackass. I smiled and kept walking, not bothering to give him a second glance in return. The only reason I had gone out with him tonight was because he had tickets to one of my favorite country singers, Cody Johnson. The tickets sold out after two minutes on sale.
I had been out with Aaron twice before, both nights ending the same way, me walking away from him. But tonight, I wanted to sprint away from his car. This would be the last date without a doubt.
I could hear my best friend, Breigh’s disappointing words in my head saying I should be ashamed of myself accepting his invitation, knowing I was using him. But I wasn’t. I hadn't met my Wyatt yet, and God willing it would happen sooner rather than later.
And Aaron, tonight was most definitely not that.
CASH
I recognized her the second I heard her beautiful voice. It sent chills down my spine and I felt breathless thinking about how she was too good for me, always had been, always would be.
She laughed and I wanted to laugh with her. I wanted to walk up to her but resisted. What were the chances we would end up at the same concert, in the same line, getting beers? My date was still in the concert, but hers was standing right beside her. He was smiling at Emma, appreciating her like I should have. He was paying for the drinks, and had said something to make her laugh, the cheeky genuine smile that made you instantly show your teeth in return. Her dress, off-white in color, which hung off her shoulders, was typical Emma, fitting her body with perfection, complemented by her brown cowboy boots. She was always put together so carefully, every detail acknowledged.
I wasn’t an idiot, despite what my brother, Wyatt, might think. I acknowledged I wasn’t on her same level.
Sure, I had seen Emma a few times since everything had happened, but that was all. I had called her a few times and she would entertain me by having a quick conversation, but she held up that wall, rightfully so.
Hell, I guessed that was why I treated her badly, continued to sleep with other women, lied when she wanted to see me, and other things I knew were dishonest. The lowest of the low was when I kissed Breigh, her best friend, trying to piss off Wyatt and Emma. It worked fabulously.
I was a real piece of shit then.
Emma was beautiful, honest, and knew what she wanted out of life. And damn it if I wasn't jealous as hell about it. I couldn’t decide what I was wearing on any given day; much less make a major decision. All the serious choices had been made for me. Who I was to argue?
I guess that’s why I had lived my life on automatic pilot.
I was a player, living my life day-to-day. Never planning for the future or what could happen. I lived for the moment and worried about everything as it appeared.
I guess that was why I never amounted to anything more than what I was. Pathetic? Yes.
I guess that was why I was lying next to my date tonight, realizing if I could sneak out of this bed I would. I knew the obligated one hour in bed after having had my way with her, and tonight next to her, my mind was occupied on Emma. My date had her head on my chest and was talking about God only knew what.
And God only cared. I sure didn’t.
I have had more women in the last couple years than I care to count, but the only one I truly wanted was the one I couldn’t have. Emma happened to be the one who called me out on my shit and that was what I needed.
I would be lying if I said I didn't want it.
It was easy to keep my mind off of her most hours of the day, but at night, regardless if I was with another woman or not, I would compare her to that one woman, Emma. She saw right through me, saw what I was and even reluctantly gave me chance after chance when I sure didn't deserve it. I took advantage of her weakness and her desire for me, while not having that feeling in return, until it was too late. Emma was gold when I didn’t amount to aluminum.
Honestly, this realization came to me when I watched her walk down the aisle in Wyatt’s and Breigh’s wedding. When I saw her in her bridesmaid’s dress, it felt like a bear was standing on my chest suffocating me, not wanting to relent.
I wouldn't have dared to say anything to my brother, his wife, or Emma that night regarding my feelings.
She was the one. But it was too late. I recognized that every time I tried to call her, see her, or think of her.
A spade was a spade after all.
There was no way I would admit the one woman I had ever loved was so far out of my reach, I couldn't ea
rn her if my life depended on it.
The anxiousness overwhelmed me, and the truth hit me like a brick in the forehead. “I better get going.” I sat up and she moved her shocked head. I probably should have called her by name but it was escaping me.
“Already?” She paused, irritated with me. “Wow, okay…”
I pulled on my jeans, and slipped on my shirt, buttoning up.
“You have been a completely different person since after the concert. Did I do something? At dinner, we were having a great time and then it was like you flipped a switch.”
She moved toward the edge of the bed, on white sheets I would’ve never picked. Not to mention they were cheap ones, the scratchy kind that form the annoying little balls. She was on her knees with a look of desperation, honestly pathetic, and I wanted to laugh. I thought better of it though.
I put my hands on my hips and knew the answer to her question was not going to be the answer she wanted, but I didn't care.
I cleared my throat. “You’re right, I saw someone tonight at the concert.”
She rolled her eyes. “That’s not unexpected…I saw a few of my friends too.”
“I saw a woman, the only woman I have… anyway… doesn't matter… you’re right, something was up after the concert.”
“Cash, you’re a prick. You just made love to me and you used me. Get the hell out!”
I bent down to pull my Lucchese boots on and shook my head. I then made eye contact and had no shame in what I was going to say. Her blonde hair was falling over her right eye, and she let it sit there. “Sweetheart, you might live in a fantasy world but I don’t.” I paused. “At any time tonight did I say this was going to be anything more than tonight?”
“You are a real piece of…” she muttered with anger-filled, green snake eyes. Eyes that looked deceiving probably like mine, not trustworthy or sincere. She was mad, but she was the male equivalent of what I was.
“You’re angry at yourself, not me. It’s not my fault you brought me to your bed. Did I ask you to?”
She reached out to slap me, but I moved back.
I had been slapped a few times in my life. She needed to move a little faster to make a connection to my cheek.
She was speechless, and I should have worried I hurt her feelings, but I didn’t.
Not her or the many others.
Except the one brunette I needed and wanted.
2
EMMA
“Aaron actually thought because he took me to a concert that I would jump in bed with him.”
I laughed and Breigh followed suit.
“Was Cody Johnson as good this time as he was at Luckenbach?”
I shook my head yes with enthusiasm then fixed my messy bun that had become loose. “He was so good,” I commented. “He gets better every time I see him!”
I was wearing my Lulu Lemon shorts after just having an intense workout. It was warm in here, and I was glad I opted for a pair of my shorts, instead of leggings. Breigh wore leggings, mostly because she loved her pockets. We were both wearing workout shirts, mine sleeveless, hers loose fitting since she was still self-conscience from her post pregnancy weight.
I think our wardrobes spoke a lot about our personalities. She was always a little worried about what others thought, always played it safe. I, on the other hand, didn’t care what others thought, and had enough confidence, I could lend her some and still have plenty left over. Most of the time anyway.
“I’m so thankful I don't have to date any longer. I don’t think I could handle it,” she said in between blowing on her coffee.
We sat in our coffee shop, Maxwell’s, sipping on our normal. Breigh, my best friend since age thirteen, too long, had just dropped off her daughter, Olivia, at Mother’s Day Out, which consisted of three hours of free time for us.
Well… that was when she actually met me. She utilized that time to normally nap or clean the house. I insisted today though she spend time with me.
“If only Aaron would have known you years ago.”
“Or a year ago?” I said.
“You’ve grown a lot in the last couple years… from Cash to…”
“Don’t you even mention his name!” I growled at her.
“Still not over him then?” She stated with an eye roll.
“I am over him. I just hate to hear his name.”
“Does he still call you?”
“Yep, more than I expect, actually. I feel for him, but I also loathe him. Is that even possible?”
“Of course it’s possible.”
Breigh had always understood how I wanted my soul mate, my husband, the father to my children, my happy ever after.
I was still always looking for him, the one who would be my forever. My reason, like Wyatt and Breigh had found with each other.
Why was that so hard for me to find? How did some people just find their person but yet others didn’t?
I sat staring out the window, looking at the way the sun was hitting the cars in the street glaring off our table.
“Why are you so smiley today?” I asked Breigh.
“No reason.”
“Good God, spare me the details. Can’t you share some of your happiness? I mean crap, you’ve been given this perfect little life, and everything is going right.”
“Not entirely… but yes, I realize how lucky I am.”
“So why has that smile not left your face?”
“I actually have a proposition. Wyatt has a…”
Before the words left her mouth, I knew what she was going to say. Damn her.
“No. Not just no, but HELL no!” I raised my voice in frustration. I turned around to see how many people turned to look at me.
“Won’t you just hear me out?”
I tapped my finger on the table. Breigh wasn't one who handled being ignored well. I knew that firsthand.
“Look, I know you don't want to be set up… I get that. But this guy is really nice and I’ve already met him a few times. He would be perfect for you.”
“WHAT? Do you think I am so desperate that I need a matchmaker?”
“No… not at all. I just want you to find…”
“Find what exactly?”
“The reason.”
I took a few sips of my coffee and we sat there in complete silence looking at each other. Neither of us smiled or showed any emotion. It mimicked a game of stare. This wasn’t the first time we played this game, and it sure as hell wouldn’t be the last.
I relented. Just like Breigh knew I would. She always won, partly due to my becoming bored.
“I make the call though. If I don't get a good vibe, if I don't like him, no matter how minute the reason might be: it’s done. And I will never hear of it again. You got it?”
“I got it.”
She smiled from ear to ear with a little clap. Pathetic.
Although I wanted to fight it, I did fight it; I could feel my cheeks turning up.
It was a great feeling to think of the very possibility though, even if it turned into nothing.
It wouldn't hurt, right?
3
EMMA
My phone rang and startled me as I was pouring a glass of red wine with my dinner. Too many nights my dinner was a prepared dinner from the grocery store, or a cheese plate. The last thing I felt like doing when I got home was cook. Today would have been one of those days. A long one, but a fruitful one.
At age thirty-three, some nights I felt a lot older than I actually was.
I had been thinking about Breigh asking about the possible double date, and I had a part of me that was starting to see the fun in it. It was a risk, and maybe it would be worth it. I sure as hell wasn’t getting any younger.
I was happy right now, and realized things came in good time. Right? That was what I was telling myself anyway. One thing I was sure about was I couldn't waste any more of my time worrying about it.
My phone rang and I hadn’t yet turned the volume down, scaring me. “Hello,”
I answered my phone without looking at the caller ID.
“Emma.”
I had just taken a big sip of my cabernet sauvignon wine and froze like a deer in headlights. I held the wine in my mouth like I had forgotten how to swallow.
“I haven't heard from you in a while,” I responded.
“Yeah, I’ve been busy…”
I bet he had. That was his normal MO, busy. Who wasn’t? Was it that hard to pick up the phone?
Here I go. Not my concern, no reason to get myself worked up in a tiff. I don’t care. I don’t care. As if repeating to myself would make it a true statement.
“Anyway, I saw you last night and I haven't been able to stop thinking about you.”
“Where?”
“At the concert. You were in front of me with a date getting beers.”
“Why didn’t you come and say hello?” I smarted off. I mean we were at the very least friends. We had been sleeping together off and on for as long as Breigh and Wyatt had known each other. What was that four years now? We had all met each other the same night, but Breigh had gotten the guy who wanted to settle down, Cash… not so much.
“I thought better of it.”
“Hmmm.” I wasn't going to question it. The answer was probably not something I wanted to hear anyway.
Our Season (Lifetime Love Series) Page 1