by D. Love
“Always believe in your words”
by
D. LOVE
&
MADISON DANIEL
D. Love
http://authordlove.blogspot.com/
Madison Daniel
http://www.madisondaniel.com/
eBook Edition
Ready for You copyright ©2014 by D. Love and Madison Daniel
http://yesterdayandtomorrowsreads.blogspot.com/
http://www.madisondaniel.com/
Cover design copyright © 2014 - Bookfabulous Designs
http://www.facebook.com/bookfabulousdesigns
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.
This novel is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events; to real people, living or dead; or to real locales are intended only to give the fiction a sense of reality and authenticity. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the authors’ imaginations or are used fictitiously and their resemblance, if any, to real-life counterparts is entirely coincidental.
THANK YOU: (Derinda Love)
First and foremost thank you to the readers. Without you, none of these words would matter. I'm humbled and grateful for your kindness and love every day. A very special thank you to Madison Daniel for taking a leap of faith, and agreeing to join me on this awesome journey. Your strength, gave me strength. Your talent is a treasured gift, I hope you continue to always shine. I will forever remember your advice: Believe in your words.
A very special thank you to Anna Gorman Coy and Susan Griscom.
THANK YOU: (Madison Daniel
There are some jobs that feel like a chore. There are some days when you just don’t want to get out of bed. Some truths that are better left ignored. But working on this book, writing with the amazingly talented Derinda, was the exact opposite. This literary adventure was a blast, a blessing, and a completely exhilarating experience. Thank you, dear reader, for taking the time to share in our words. Thank you, Derinda, for trusting me with your ideas and words. I hope this story resonates with all who reads it. I hope to get the chance to work with everyone involved all over again. I hope to see YOU all again, very soon.
Thank you! ~ Mads
Together we would like to thank Lisa Markson for believing in us.
SONG CREDITS:
All music is suggested in complete respect and love of the artist(s). Please take a moment and support all/any names and bands on this list. DO NOT ILLEGALLY DOWNLOAD!
Demons by Imagine Dragons
Written by Dan Reynolds, Wayne Sermon, Ben McKee, Alex Da Kid & Josh Mosser.
KIDinaKORNER/Interscope Records © 2013
Table of Contents
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 1
Penny
Waking up this morning, I have a mission to fulfill. My only goal today is to get in touch with Kain so I can pitch my idea to him. He and I have become such great friends in the last year, solely through the internet, but hey, sometimes the greatest of friends can meet online. Last night I could barely sleep because of the brilliant idea that popped into my head. Being a writer is the most exciting experience in the world as everything you see, do, or feel needs to become a book. This is how it all began: a restless night, with ideas swimming around in my head, begging me to make them reality. I stretch my body, throwing my hands way above my head while pushing my toes out as far as they will go and inhaling deeply. I feel ready to begin this sunny day. I slide out of the bed and head for the shower, my thoughts are consumed with trying to decide what I should wear today.
"Good grief, Penny! Really, what does it matter what you wear, no one will see you anyway," I say to the bathroom mirror.
After showering, I lean over the sink with my towel wrapped around me, brushing my teeth, as I begin practicing my proposal to Kain.
"So, Kain, last night I had this brilliant idea. What if we write a romance novel together?" I even flash a bright smile at my mirror for dramatic effect. In my role play with my bathroom mirror, Kain is so excited. As a matter of fact, throughout my role play, Kain was all for the idea, grabbing me in a bear hug and telling me what a great idea it was, and that this could turn into a masterpiece. Still smiling at myself in the mirror, I dry my hands on the towel and start to head out the door. Just as I was ready to step over the threshold of the bathroom, I casually take a step back, giving myself one last wink, telling my mirror-self good luck.
Once I have my clothes on, I skip into the kitchen to grab some coffee. I continue to practice my speech for Kain while sipping my coffee. I sit, swinging my leg, waiting for my laptop to boot up, thinking, “Do I message him via Facebook, shoot him an email, should I be professional or casual in my approach?” I start hitting the keys creating the biggest jumbo mess of words anyone has ever seen. Deleting it and starting over again, and again, for the next hour. After finally finishing the perfect email with my proposition, I hit the send button. Now, the waiting game begins until I hear back from him.
Hearing my phone ring, I walk over to the table. Looking at the Caller ID, I see its Tina.
“Hello, Tina”
“Hey girl, what are your plans today?”
“I am not doing anything today but being lazy,” I respond as I laugh out loud.
She starts whining, saying, “It’s Saturday! Surely we can have some kind of fun, what about doing some shopping?”
“No, Tina, I am waiting to hear back from someone about a novel idea. Maybe another day.”
“Really, that’s the reason you're still single. You have no life, Penny. Don't you ever get lonely, sitting in your house by yourself all the time?”
“Tina, you know I am not ready to start that again.”
“Penny, it’s been five years! You have to learn how to go on with your life. I love you and you’re my best friend. I want to see you happy again.”
I take a deep breath. I try not to go to that place from five years ago, but when someone brings it up, it’s all I can think about. I used to be happy, always traveling, and very much in love. At least, until the fatal weekend that took Zack away from me.
He was on his way to my house, to pick me up. We were going to Bar Harbor for the weekend. Only he never showed up. Instead, it was a police officer knocking on my door. After Officer Bill introduced himself, he explained to me that Zack had been in an accident, and then he offered to drive me to the hospital. As I walked through the sterile white hall to get to his room, all I could hear was beeps from machines. Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep, every step seemed like the beeps were coming faster. The whole walk, the medical smell assaulted my nose, and I halted, not wanting to go any farther. Officer Bill helped me keep pushing on through the hallway.
Once I made it to Zac
k’s room, I just stood at the door, numb. My heart was beating so fast that I felt faint. The officer put his arm around me, opening the door. There lay Zack, only he didn't look anything like the love of my life. He was swollen, bloody, and broken. I remember vaguely reaching for his hand. I still, to this day, know that he squeezed my hand right before the final beep, then the straight line. The nurses and doctor had come running in, moving me and the officer out of the room.
I sat on the floor with my head against the wall for what seemed like forever. Staring at the flicker of the fluorescent lights, until the doctor came out carrying a plastic bag with Zack’s stuff in it. He told me how sorry he was, that there was nothing more they could do. I remained in the same position, just watching everyone move to the next room as if Zack was never there. After I was able to finally make it home, I went through Zack’s belongings that the doctor gave me. In the bag was a little blue satin box. It held the ring that I wear around my neck still today. He was going to ask me to marry him. That is the day I swore to never love again.
“Hello… Hello, are you still there?”
“Yes, I am here, but I need to go!” I reply.
She begs me not to hang up yet, telling me we should talk. But I cannot talk anymore. I feel the pain starting to roll up my stomach. I need some air and time to recover from the pain of my thoughts. I have to find a way to push the memories back down. I tell her I love her and will talk to her soon, before hanging up the phone.
I walk to the kitchen and lean over the counter, demanding to myself to breathe. Taking breaths deeply in, I try to release the pain when I exhale. This is why I turn to writing. It is a way to release my pain, anger, or devastation. Every novel I release consists of love, but always with a dash of pain.
I push off of my counter once I feel certain I have my emotions under control, and then I flip the TV on for a distraction. Slowly, the calm is resurfacing, and my breathing is getting easier. I sit there, flipping through the channels, when I hear my computer notification go off. I jump up to see who it is, crossing my fingers that it will be Kain. My sorrow fades completely away when I see his message.
Chapter 2
Kain
Terrified. Excited. Surprised.
These are my first reactions to her email. Penny Lane, the successful and talented author of some of the best received Romance novels in recent years, is calling upon me to try something new, something unexpected. She wants to write a book with me. Me! Not just any kind of book though, an epic romance that will span two individual’s experiences and emotions. Her proposal is flattering and scary as hell. I love the idea of challenging myself, challenging my words, and my writing. I love the idea of working with someone as talented as she is. But most of all, I cherish the thought of spending hours working with her, appreciating her. It is so easy to do. Penny is a light in my ‘darkened room’ of a life, lately. Getting to know her over this past year has been a blessing. Especially with all the drama going on in my sad, little world. Secretly, going through a brutal divorce is crippling me. The thought numbs me instantly. Immediately, I click on the reply button, and type out the words, “THANK YOU, BUT NO.” My index finger hovers over the send button as I drift into my own thoughts.
I have been writing professionally for over ten years now. I’d been very successful early on, selling tons of books, making the rounds on book tour after book tour. My second manuscript had led to an ongoing series of books that became quite popular, even going as far as getting me my first official entertainment deal: a fully realized television show on cable about my beautiful, but sometimes naughty, vampires and werewolves. Blood and Bite was a huge hit for the first three seasons, but quickly faded in popularity as the world became tired of bloodsuckers and their adventures.
That was okay with me though, I am so over writing about them anyways. My heart belongs to anything science fiction these days. I have been secretly working on a Sci-Fi series, with a splash of sexiness, for the last couple years. It is taking longer than I would like, but I am happy with the progress, thanks in part to Penny and her supportive voice. She is the only other person who knows I am working on such a story. We discovered early on that we both grew up loving science fiction movies and books. Laser beams, flying saucers, and green skinned creatures are our passion, the cheesier the better. The thought eases my worries, and I reach down and delete my first response.
Just the thought of Penny these days seems to make me smile. Her talent as a writer. Her silly sense of humor. Her good heart. That is another fear I have about this proposed endeavor. I couldn’t afford to get much closer with her, not now at least. Besides the painful divorce I am engrossed in, there is another detail of my life I am keeping from her. Something I’m not sure I can share with her. At least, not yet.
Suddenly, my cell phone rings with the familiar chords of the classic 80’s song, Anyway You Want It by Journey, one of my favorite bands. It’s my agent and sometimes publisher, Amanda.
“Hey, Amanda,” I say, still in a slight daze.
“Kain! Please tell me you have the first round of edits ready for the editor on the new manuscript,” she says, stress evident in her tone.
“Umm…”
“Don’t you ‘umm’ me, Kain. We have a deadline, you know.”
“I know.”
“Then, drop everything you’re doing and get it to me…like…yesterday,” she snaps. Her tone is playful, but serious. Amanda Blake, my ferocious agent for the last five years, has been great for my writing career, but she doesn't know how to take “NO” for an answer. Especially with her newest plan for my literary career…Erotic Romance. She sees the dollar signs in the future of writing erotica. I, on the other hand, don’t care about detailing people’s genitals, much less where, why, and what they do with them. She believes it is the perfect thing to get my Blood and Bite series back on the bestseller lists again.
“I’m almost done with the first ten chapters, Amanda,” I say, staring at Penny’s email, intensely. “But, something new just came up.”
“New? What do you mean…new?” She sulks.
“An opportunity just revealed itself.”
“What opportunity?”
“I’ll fill you in on Sunday, during our brunch meeting.”
“Kain…” she replies, her annoyance evident in the way she drags my name out.
“Trust me, this could be big. Very big,” I say as I try to sell her on the secret idea. Now, all of a sudden, I am beyond excited about Penny’s offer. A huge smile creeps along my face. I only seem to smile these days because of her.
“Whatever. Just get me those ten chaps by our meeting. You need this, Kain,” she says bluntly. It hurt a little, but sadly, she is right. I need another hit. Financially, I have seen better days.
“I know,” I sigh.
“We need this,” she adds.
“I know,” I say, even softer. Sensing my discomfort, Amanda lightens up a little.
“Sorry, Kain. I know things are extremely hectic for you right now. I don’t mean to make them worse. I just want what’s best for you and your writing. I’ll see you Sunday,” she says, settling herself.
“No problem,” I say like a robot.
“Talk to you soon,” Amanda says before hanging up. I toss my phone on the couch cushion next to me.
“Bye.”
And with that, I am done being worried, or scared, about Penny’s purposed partnership. Actually, I think I need it. Need her strength. So, I pull my laptop to me and quickly begin writing her a small reply that ends with a smiley face and my Skype address. It is time for us to talk, face to face, even if it is only online. My mind starts running with questions. Will she accept the invite? Will she want to take the next step? Will she be offended that I didn’t shave or shower, considering I hadn’t done so since the morning before? I click send, and run into the bathroom to remedy my stinky self so there is no chance of offense.
“Ball’s in your court now, Penny…” I laugh, as the
warm water from the shower nozzle slides over my head and runs slowly down my neck. I hold my breath, patiently waiting for what happens next.
Chapter 3
Penny
Unexpected nerves hit as I get ready to open Kain’s reply, sitting here with my hand on the mouse while it hovers over the Read button. What’s wrong with me? I have been waiting all day for his answer, and now I’m acting too nervous to touch it. Finally, just clicking the mouse, I open his message.
Penny,
I’m in! Of course I would be glad to co-write with you. We will probably need to have open communication, so I want you to have my Skype address.
You already have my email address, so here is my cell number, I always have it with me. 450-854-3625
Looking forward to your words,
Kain
[email protected] :)
Holy smokes, he said YES! Staring at his message, I read over it at least ten times. I am still stunned that he said yes. Alright…what do I do now? I jump up, pacing back and forth, with a ton of butterflies fluttering in my stomach. Raising my hands in the air I shout, “HE SAID YES,” to my empty living room, unable to hold my excitement inside. I see my phone laying on the table, and run over to grab it, wanting to call Tina to tell her the exciting news. But I hesitate for a moment, changing my mind. I am sure she will only lecture me about how this is one more thing that will keep me locked away from the world, giving me yet another excuse not to have to face real life. I understand what she is trying to do by getting me to go out to have a life. What she doesn't understand is I enjoy my life as it is now. I lay the phone back down, returning to my laptop to read Kain’s message one more time. I hit the reply button just as I feel heat rise to my cheeks. What…the…! I have no clue what is wrong with me. I have known Kain for over a year now, and never have had a problem messaging him. So why now?