She laughed and shook her head at him. As she turned to the tree, she looked more closely at the ornament. It was a white frosted globe painted to look like a baseball.
“I don’t remember buying—” she started to say as the ornament twirled in her hand.
She lost her voice when she saw the other side. It read, For Everly. Looped to the top of the ornament was a sparkling diamond ring in a platinum setting.
Her mouth opened, but nothing came out. She stared at the gorgeous ring for a long moment. When she looked back at Cole, she realized he had risen so that he rested on one knee. He reached out and took her hand.
“Everly, will you marry me?” he asked.
Since her knees wouldn’t support her, she sank to the ground in front of him and threw her arms around him.
He laughed when she just clung to him. “Is that a yes?”
Tears of happiness filled her eyes. She leaned back to look at him.
“I’ll think about it,” she said.
Quirking an eyebrow, he dragged her to the ground in a pretend tackle and proceeded to take the ring off the ornament and put it on her left ring finger. She laughed like a loon, especially when the puppy saw that they were playing and decided to join in. Cole let out a yelp when the puppy sank his teeth into his arm.
Everly caught his gaze.
“Jaws,” they said at the same time...so naming the puppy.
She smiled when Cole got to his feet and pulled her up with him. He held her hand up so he could see the ring on her finger.
Tenderly brushing the back of her hand with his lips, he said, “I love you, Everly. Thank you for making me the happiest man alive.”
His words filled her with joy. “I love you, too, Cole. Thank you for this beautiful ring and the promise it represents. I can’t wait to share my future with you.”
As she met him for a kiss, she thought about her grandpa’s wish for her just the year before. He’d wanted her to experience and enjoy life. And now she was...with Cole Parker by her side.
If you enjoyed For Everly, check out these books, also by Raine Thomas.
Raine Thomas is the award-winning author of bestselling New Adult and Young Adult fiction. Raine is a hopeless romantic with a background in the fields of mental health and wedding planning...two areas that intersect far more than one would think. Her years working with children and young adults with emotional and behavioral challenges inspired her to create protagonists who overcome their own conflicts. When she isn't writing or glued to e-mail or social networking sites, Raine can usually be found vacationing with her husband and daughter on one of Florida's beautiful beaches or crossing the border to visit with her Canadian friends and relatives.
Raine loves to hear from readers! You can connect with her here:
RaineThomas.com
facebook.com/AuthorRaineThomas
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Indelible
By
Bethany Lopez
Physically impossible to rub out, wash out, or alter
~ like a mother’s love or a tattoo
This book is dedicated to all of the single parents out there who are working hard to make a great life for themselves and for their children.
Chapter 1
Samantha
I’m twenty-two years old, wear a size twelve, and am a single mom – things that don’t make me the most popular girl on campus.
I live in family housing. It’s cheap, has a washer and dryer, and makes it a little easier to juggle going to school full time while raising a two-year-old daughter.
Her name is Karrie, and she’s the smartest, funniest, and sweetest child I’ve ever met. I never imagined I’d be pregnant at nineteen, let alone raising a kid by myself. But I guess life doesn’t always go according to plan.
At least, that’s been my experience so far.
When I went away to school, I was your typical first-time-away-from-home, irresponsible, and crazy party girl. I had a blast my first year. Didn’t go to many classes, and partied way too much. You’d think that was when I got knocked up.
Nope.
My sophomore year I straightened up. After a series of long lectures from my parents and the arrival of my final grades for my freshman year, I realized I was making a lot of mistakes. I actually started going to my classes. I stopped partying every night and only went out with my friends on the weekends.
Things were going great, until one night I met this hot guy at a frat party and we hooked up.
That was all.
No great love story, no blossoming relationship.
Just a one-night stand.
When I found out I was pregnant, I was scared and devastated.
It had been six weeks since the party that changed my life. I’d been feeling nauseous and extremely tired. It wasn’t until I got lightheaded in the shower that I decided to go to the doctor and see what was wrong.
I wasn’t prepared for the diagnosis.
I felt a myriad of emotions that day: disbelief, anger, sadness, and finally terror.
I worried about what I’d tell my parents, and what it would mean for my future. But first I had to share my terror with the one person that I assumed would feel my pain. I went to the frat house and told my hookup that he was going to be a father.
He laughed and said I was mistaken. He had no intention of being a father to anyone.
I had expected disbelief, and possibly anger, but I’d never expected that. He said no matter my decision, he didn’t want to be a part of the baby’s life. He told me not to even put him on the birth certificate.
I eventually told my parents and they were surprisingly supportive.
“Don’t worry, Sam,” my mother had said as she cradled me in her arms. “Everything happens for a reason. Your father and I are here for you and our grandbaby. You aren’t alone.”
My mom took me to all of my doctor’s appointments and helped me get on the waiting list for family housing. By the time Karrie was born, I had our small home in order and ready for her arrival.
I thought I was ready and knew what to expect.
I was wrong.
The past two years have been the most challenging years of my life. I’ve learned a lot, and am a better mother and person because of it. But I’m tired...and lonely.
The friends I used to hang with are living the single life. I’ve made some new friends here, but we all have kids and they're our top priority.
About once a month my mom takes Karrie for the weekend and I get the opportunity to have some alone time. I usually clean up the house and take advantage of the quiet to do homework, but sometimes I go out.
I learned my lesson though. I haven’t had sex since I found out I was pregnant with Karrie. Not only am I still carrying around some excess baby weight, but the thought of getting pregnant again is terrific birth control.
I’m not saying I never date or anything, because I’ve gone on a few. But I never go past a couple dates with the same guy, and I’ve never introduced any of them to Karrie. No way am I bringing random guys into her life.
I’ll hook up. I love that feeling that comes from first kisses and anticipation, but any real satisfaction comes from my own hand. Unfortunately, I’ve gotten really good at pleasing myself.
I missed the touch of a man, but on the upside, I found my G-spot the other day.
This was one of the weekends where Karebear was with my mom. I’d cleaned the house as much as possible and got caught up on all of my homework, so I had no excuse not to go out with my friend, James. Her parents wanted her to be a boy, hence her name, but it actually fits her perfectly.
I met James in my Religious Exploration class last semester. We sat next to each other on the first day, and have been hanging out sporadically ever since. She’s a hard person to tie down. She doesn’t like making plans or having relationships that involve commitment or planning. She’s my polar opposite, and that’s probably why I enjoy hanging out with her. She brings ou
t a totally different side of me. When I’m with her I’m free of responsibility, it’s a nice feeling.
When I pulled on my tight jeans and low-cut blouse, I smiled at the way my assets were displayed. I certainly never filled out jeans this well when I was a size four. I kind of enjoyed the ass and boobs that came from bearing a child. Some of the perks, I guess.
After my eyes were perfectly smoky and my hair was flat-ironed until it couldn’t get any straighter, I headed out the door to meet James.
Chapter 2
Judd
The first thing I noticed was her ass.
The bar was already pretty crowded, considering it wasn’t even ten o’clock. I’d come in early to grab a bite before meeting the guys to shoot pool. I was about to put in my order at the bar when I saw her bend over to pick up something she’d dropped on the floor. She didn’t bend at the knees, just straight over at the waist, giving me a perfect view and throwing my libido into fifth gear.
Damn, I needed to adjust my jeans.
I kept watching as she stood back up, interested enough to see if the face was as good as the body. I’ve always preferred my women thick.
Women who were so skinny that their hip bones stuck out just pissed me off. If I wanted a bumpy ride I’d take my bike out to the train tracks.
Her hair was long and straight. I could tell it was dark, but it was hard to tell exactly what color because of the lights in the bar, maybe red? Didn’t matter...
She turned to put her purse on the back of her chair before she sat, and I saw enough of her face to know she’d still be pretty in the morning light.
I noted that she was sitting with James before I turned to order a burger and a beer from the bartender.
I knew James from way back. We’d grown up in the same part of town. She’d always kept the neighborhood guessing with her string of partners, male and female, and I’d always kept them guessing with the late-night visits from the cops. I guess you could say we were destined to become friends, if you could call us that. James was very careful not to let anyone get too close.
I figured I’d enjoy my meal and give them a chance to have a few drinks before I asked James who the great ass belonged to, unless something changed between now and then. I didn’t like to put too much pressure on myself.
I downed a couple beers with my burger before I headed to the back to put some quarters on the pool table to secure my spot. The crowd was a mixture of biker types and college kids because that’s what happened when you had a college in a town like this. Some of the kids found out right away that this wasn’t the type of bar they should be hanging out in, but the ones that stayed usually became regulars.
It was low-key with hot waitresses, sturdy pool tables, and a jukebox that played a fantastic mix of seventies rock. What more could a guy ask for?
I noticed James was sitting by herself at the table, throwing back a shot of God knows what, and I figured the chick with the ass had gone to the bathroom or something. I walked over to James and pulled out a chair.
“What’s up?” I asked as I sat.
“Same old,” James replied with a smirk. “How ‘bout you, Judd? Haven’t seen you in a minute.”
“I’ve been around.” I looked down at her arm as she played with the empty glass. Without thinking, I reached over and ran a finger along the spot I’d noticed. “Got some new ink?”
“Yeah.” James looked pointedly at my finger, then back at me.
“Sorry,” I said, putting my hands up as if I was surrendering as I smiled down at her. “Force of habit.”
“You just hangin’ out tonight?” James asked.
“Yeah, meeting some of the guys to shoot pool,” I said. “What about you? That your new old lady?”
“Who, Sam?” James asked, pointing at the seat the girl had been sitting in. “Nah, man. We just hang. She’s straight. Why the interest?”
“Just gathering intel,” I said with a smile. She looked in my eyes and knew exactly what I meant by that. I smiled wider. “That a problem?”
“Nope. She’s not with anyone,” James replied, signaling to the waitress to bring her another drink. “But I have to warn you, she’s not really the type you usually go for.”
“How’s that?” I asked, curious.
“Let’s just say she’s not going to scratch that itch in your pants.”
My smile turned wicked at that. James knew me pretty well; hell, we were cut from the same cloth. Despite that fact, we’d never been together sexually. Not that she wasn’t attractive, because I had no problem with ink, piercings, and blue hair, but we’d come to a mutual understanding early on that our pseudo-relationship would only last if we kept it platonic.
Not to sound cocky or anything, but if I wanted to sleep with a woman, I didn’t have a problem making it happen. I had a one-hundred percent success rate, and I was confident enough to believe it when I replied, “Challenge accepted.”
James smirked back at me as she took her drink from the waitress. She gave the waitress a smack on the ass and said, “Thanks, babe. Put it on my tab.”
I nodded to James as I got up to return to the pool tables. I passed Sam on the way. I tried to get her attention and give her a smile, but she kept her gaze forward and never looked in my direction.
Looked like it may really be a challenge after all, I thought with a smile.
Chapter 3
Samantha
It didn’t take long before the bar was packed with a mixture of horny co-eds and bikers of all ages. I was glad I’d paired a tank top with my jeans; at least the top half of me was somewhat cool.
James was talking up one of the waitresses that she often hooked up with, so I grabbed my beer and made my way back to the pool tables. If I was lucky maybe I’d have a shot at picking up a game.
I said hello to a couple of the regulars as I scanned the room, my eyes skittering to a stop at the guy leaning in to take a shot at the corner table.
His hair was dark and long, longer than I usually liked. It was almost down to his shoulders. He had on a simple black T-shirt, which helped to display the tattoo sleeves he showcased on both arms.
What stopped me was the fact that he was looking right at me.
Staring straight at me as he took his shot.
I knew I’d never seen him before, but the heat radiating from his eyes was palpable. I felt it all the way down to my toes.
When he caught my gaze, the right side of his mouth came up in a smirk, making the fire that had lit in my veins turn cold. I hated that smirk on sight.
Why were guys so cocky?
Did they assume just because you came to a bar you were looking to get laid?
Okay, I’ll admit that in the past that was exactly why I went to bars...but whatever happened to romance?
Guys now seemed to think that buying a drink or gracing you with their presence meant that you were expected to fall on your back and welcome them with open arms. Or legs.
Ugh. It was frustrating.
I should have known better than to let James talk me into a night out. I was not in the mood to deal with this shit.
I turned and walked back toward the table, eager to find James and tell her I was going to call it a night. I’m sure she was about ready to head out and hook up with someone by now anyways.
I’d almost reached the table when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned and had to look up, only to find the cocky guy from the pool room behind me.
At five foot nine inches, I wasn’t used to looking up at anyone. That disadvantage threw me off a little bit.
“Hey,” he said, the smirk gone, replaced by what appeared to be a genuine smile.
“Hi,” I responded, still unsettled.
“I’m Judd. I saw you with James earlier. She and I grew up together,” he explained as way of introduction.
“Oh,” I said, looking around for James. I couldn’t help but wonder if he was telling the truth or feeding me a line.
When did I get so
cynical?
“I’m Sam.”
“Nice to meet you, Sam,” he said, the corners of his eyes crinkling as his smile grew bigger.
That smile did something to my insides, and I couldn’t help but think that Judd was trouble.
“Can I buy you another beer?” he asked, gesturing to my almost empty glass.
I was torn between my head – which was telling me to decline his offer – and my body—which was telling me to jump him on the spot.
What the hell, I thought. What’ll one more beer hurt?
“Sure,” I replied.
He gestured toward the table and then headed to the bar to order the beer.
I sat down and waited, unsure of whether I actually wanted to have a beer with him or not. Maybe I was overthinking it. It was a beer in a bar for God’s sake. Nothing simpler than that, right?
Judd put a beer in front of me, cradling his as he took the seat next to me.
“So, Sam,” he said as he took a swig. “What’s your story?”
I pretty much had a canned statement that I told people, so I really didn’t even have to think before I answered with, “I’m a senior. I’ve been here a little over four years, but I got sick at the end of my sophomore year so that threw me off track. What about you?”
“Senior,” Judd responded. “I’m ready to finish up and get on with my life.”
“What are your plans after school?”
“Not sure,” he said. “I’m here on a baseball scholarship, so right now my focus is on staying in shape and training before putting everything I have into my last season.”
“Oh,” I said, a little taken aback. He didn’t fit the picture in my head of what a baseball player looked like. He sure as hell was making good on his goal to stay fit though. I mean, damn...the only part of his body I could really see were his arms, and I had to admit, I was impressed. The tattoos covering his taunt muscles showcased his forearms and biceps.
I realized that I hadn’t finished my sentence and was staring at his arms. I looked up into his face, a blush creeping over mine.
He smiled wickedly at me, not saying a word.
The XOXO New Adult Collection: 16 Full Length New Adult Stories Page 62