by Box Set
So much for making good choices.
Nate had tried to do the right thing, but it’d only gotten him seated at a poker table, drunk again.
“Do you have any vodka?” he asked, staring at both guys’s wide curious expressions. “The beer isn’t cutting it anymore.”
Jack placed a hand on the beer Nate had started to reach for. “I’m cutting you off. You need to talk this shit out, since we both know more alcohol won’t fix your problems. Have you even tried to contact Hannah again?”
Nate gave Jack a deprecating look. “She won’t talk to me. End of story.”
“Moping around like a girl isn’t going to solve your problems,” his business partner added. “I saw the spoils of last weekend’s pity party, and let me tell you it did nothing for your manhood.”
Of course Jack had to catch him watching 27 Dresses. Alone. More than likely the dozen chocolate wrappers had done him in.
He flipped a poker chip under his hand. “She mailed me back the ring so as for solving my problems, I’m pretty sure there’s nothing to solve. She’s done with me.”
Jack threw his hands in the air. “Whoa! You got Hannah a ring?”
Nate eyed his business partner. “It was all for show, I guess. Now can we move to our game and drinks?”
The feeling constricting his chest was not something a guy discussed with his bros. Besides, it didn’t matter that he considered Hannah the one, since it seemed she pushed him away and moved on with her life. It was damn time he did as well.
Ben looked at Jack then at him. That crazy glint in his eyes that Nate knew meant trouble sparkled brighter than a firecracker. “I go away to football camp for a month and come back to the Gossip Girl.” Then Nate watched the lightbulb click on inside Ben’s head. This was when both his eyebrows raised in thoughtfulness before he awarded his surefire southern boy momma advice. “You need to Jerry this Hannah chick.”
“Huh?” Nate and Jack both responded.
Ben folded his arms across his chest. “Jerry McGuire her down lovers lane, Nate. The whole you-complete-me bullshit with balloons,” Ben said. “Women love balloons. Big, colorful ones.”
Nate stared at his friend. “Please don’t tell me you’re still calling that Love, Lace and Nightcaps hotline? We both told you they just want to empty your bank account.”
Ben shrugged. “I can call whoever I want. Tell him, Jack.” Jack stayed silent, so Ben continued. “Besides, this came from the mouth of my high-and-mighty older sister. We need to trust Claire on this one and have Nate Jerry McGuire Hannah.”
Nate looked at Jack to rein in the craziness, but instead of gaining a supporter he saw Jack actually high-fiving Ben. Shit just got real. He rubbed a hand over his jaw, feeling the overgrown beard that was starting to make him look like a Chia Pet. “I need a razor.”
Jack slapped his cheek. “Whoa, man. I think a bird could call that beard home.” “What if she won’t hear me out?”
“You could always adopt a pet bird,” Ben said.
Nate scowled at his friend. “Asshole.”
“To Jerrying this romance.” Jack and Ben clanked their beers. “And razors.”
***
Seven A.M., and Hannah was already eyeballing a coffee stain on her boob. The last couple of weeks had blown monkey balls, but she was strong. She could make it through another uneventful Monday. Right? She had to erase Nate from her life. He’d made her look like a fool at the wedding. Still, he’d called and shown up to her place, but Willow—the super-fabulous roommate she was—helped Hannah stay firm. No Nate Fox. Period. It was time to map out her life, one rocky road at a time. First order of business was to start a new day by teaching four year olds their ABCs.
She clutched her coffee mug in her hands and stepped out into the hallway, nodding at the music teacher as she walked toward her classroom. Resigned to another so-so day, Hannah pulled opened the door and stepped inside.
The room was dark and quiet. She could do this. She could go about her day as if Nate hadn’t swooped in and stolen her heart.
Breathe, Hannah. Smile and do what you’re damn good at, making kids happy.
She ran a hand up the wall and flipped on the switch. A strangled gasp caught in her throat at the sight of two dozen balloons floating in the air.
“Surprise, Ms. Lawson,” a fitful of squeaky giggles welcomed her.
Nate peeked around the balloons. “You complete me.”
Hannah grabbed the balloons, pulling them lower so she could look Nate in the eyes. “Did you just Jerry McGuire me?”
“Ben and Jack told me it was a good idea.”
“Jerry McGuire or the balloons?”
“Both.”
The balloons floated to the ceiling, and Hannah found herself facing Nate, the man who’d occupied her thoughts for the past two weeks. The guy she’d been in love with since she was thirteen, and would always love. Damn he looked good. And she wasn’t supposed to buckle to that sexy grin so suddenly, but she felt her knees turning to jelly. Go figure.
“What are you doing here?” She gripped her coffee, realizing fairly quickly it wasn’t a good panic reliever. Her nails dug into her palm, and her heart drummed loudly, making an attempt at breathing really damn difficult. How could he want anything to do with her after all she’d caused him to lose? “We had our fun, but we’ve moved on. It’s for the best.”
“No, Hannah. It isn’t.” Nate took a step closer, with both arms at his side. “I’m an idiot.”
“Idiot is a bad word.” One of her students looked sternly at Nate, and Hannah couldn’t help but laugh. “You have to give two stars up for saying that word. It’s a Ms. Lawson rule.”
“I would never hurt you. I bumped into Sally on my way to the bar and before I could stop it she tried to kiss me. I want you. Only you, Hannah.” He raked a hand through his hair. “Shit. These last few weeks have been hell.”
“Shit is a five star removal word.”
Poke.
“Ms. Lawson doesn’t like potty mouths.” Poke. “I think she’s probably going to ask you to leave.”
The guy making the room spin on its axis peered down at her student. “What do you say I give you a dollar to be quiet so I can tell your teacher how special she is to me?”
The kid narrowed his eyes on Nate. “Make it ten and we have a deal.”
Hannah stared, unable to utter a single response but watch the exchange take place. Nate reached into his back pocket and pulled out a wallet, retrieving a bill to hand over to the kid. He looked at her as he placed it in the boy’s hand. “In my head this was so much more romantic.”
That she giggled at. “I’d say you’re doing pretty well, wouldn’t you, kids?”
The classroom erupted in soft, tiny voice cheers.
She slid a glance at his shirt then back up to his face. “I’ll admit that shirt has earned you a few extra points.”
His eyes sparkled, and her heart swelled. “I’m thinking this graphic tee thing is a very good look on me.”
“I will say it highlights all your awesome features.”
“I can be awesome, but I think you’re more fabulous. I should’ve told you a long time ago. I shouldn’t have been such a coward.” He shrugged, seemingly understanding that they were being watched by a bunch mini-folks. “I should’ve told you that I loved you. Always have.”
Her heart slammed in her chest. No. She was the damn fool. He hadn’t run like some coward. It’d always been her. All along she’d been the one too scared to change. All along change had been right in front of her nose, and even when it’d smacked her upside the face she’d chosen to flee back to her safe, predictable life. When she looked up into Nate’s tender gaze, tears started to stream down her cheeks. She was crying for the past, and for the future, and for the moment right before her. With the man of her dreams wanting, no asking her to accept him, flaws included.
She set her coffee mug on her bookcase and dashed through the balloons, popping a few unde
rneath her tennis shoes. But then she found herself standing face to face with Nate and a ginormous pink balloon bouquet. She sobbed through a smile. “I’m the idiot.”
“Miss Lawson said a bad word,” the whole class reprimanded her, but Hannah didn’t care. She only had eyes for one person…Nate. “I shouldn’t have run,” she said. “I should have let you explained yourself. I’m the coward. Not you. Me.”
Nate touched her cheek. “I just want you back. I want you in my life, and I want to marry you one day, and have babies with you…”
Instead of voicing her answer, Hannah grabbed him by the face and crushed their mouths together. Nate was home. The kiss soared through every molecule in her fiber, hitting low in her belly, and eventually she felt her Converse tennis shoe pop in the air. Like a real romantic movie cliché this man of hers had given her a toe-curling kiss. She sighed, finally feeling whole. Strong arms wrapped more firmly around her waist as he dipped her back to deepen the kiss. As he pulled away to place openmouthed kisses to her neck and chin, the kids went, “Eww.”
Nate laughed into the crook of her neck. “I love you, Hannah, I love you. Really, I do.”
She blinked. “I know.”
That sexy grin returned. “But I think we should take the kissing someplace not so PG.”
Hannah grinned at him. “And that right there is why you, Nate Fox, complete me.”
Then he proceeded to give her a couple more kisses as he took her hand in his and they both turned to face a classroom of stunned preschoolers.
Epilogue
Four weeks later
Nate stared at the cute redhead seated inside his Jeep. God, she was perfection. Just the way she was, all quirky patterned socks, bubbly personality, and a soft spot for kids. He wouldn’t change her one bit. Ever.
They quickly told their friends and family about the hoax engagement and filled them in on how through pretending they’d found true love. With each other. Since then they’d been inseparable. And today Nate would finally venture off on that long awaited road trip with the woman of his dreams at his side. Everything was just the way it should be. Well, it would be once he popped the question to Hannah.
“What kind of brownie points do I get tonight for parking the motorcycle so you could be more comfortable on our road trip?” He shot Hannah that flirty wink he found out did a number on her. “Please say a shower partner.”
His soon-to-be fiancée giggled, although she didn’t know her status was about to change. He hadn’t popped the question, but he would tonight in Berry Hill, their first stop on the drive to Montana. She tugged the brim of her sunhat lower and squinted back at him. “If you packed some Gummy Bears, I guarantee a shower buddy.”
He reached across her lap and popped open the glove box. “Take your pick, Gummy Bear decapitator.”
There was a long pause, then she turned to him, mouth agape.
“Is that what I think it is?”
He arched an eyebrow, curiously. Then spotted what had captured her attention. Well, so much for surprises.
Nate went to grab the ring box. “I had this whole amazing day planned. Well, so much for surprises,” He gave her a self-depreciating smile as he opened the box and slid the ring on her finger. “So here we are inside a Jeep, not exactly the romantic creds I wanted, but I’m going for it…” His deep, assessing gaze met hers. “Will you marry, Hannah? Be my wife.”
She gave him a flirty look. “No. I think you’re right, this isn’t very romantic. We should probably scratch that proposal and head to Berry Hill. It’ll give you time to rehearse your lines.”
He frowned. “I think I regret buying the Gummy Bears. I should have brought health bars.”
It seemed like a few lifetimes passed before her upper lip curved and Hannah burst into a fit of laughter.
“Gotcha!” She threw her arms around his neck and put her nose to his. “If you hadn’t asked me this weekend, I was going to get on bended knee in front of you.” Her smile grew. “I’m a go-getter now.”
“A twenty-first century, dangerously sexy woman, that is.” Nate looked her in the eyes. “You do realize I need to hear the word ‘yes’ from your lips. I’m sort of old-fashioned like that.”
She wet her lips. “Yes-yes, Nate.”
Absolutely all he needed to hear. He slanted his mouth over hers and pulled her on to his lap, forgoing a soft brush against her lips to kiss the woman he loved senseless.
Acknowledgments
Ashlee Mallory, I couldn’t have pulled this crazy meet-cute off without your weekly critiques. You made this love story better than good.
Thank you, Veronica Forand, for the brilliance that is PeeWee and Thor. And Deb, we love you, too.
Carmen Falcone, thank you for the late-night GIF PMs, kiddie playdates, and friendship. I will always cherish them.
Karen Grove, from our first Laney Briggs novel edit to the Dirty Sinners and now a romantic comedy, I’m always grateful for the editorial advice. You make my writing better and make me laugh. Thanks for being an awesome editor and getting me. I will visit a brew fest with you one day.
Lastly, a big shout-out to the Heartbreakers Twelve: T.J Kline, Codi Gary, Jennie Marts, Virginia Nelson, Heather Long, Veronica Forand, Carmen Falcone, Christine Glover, Hayson Manning, Michelle Major, and Sharla Lovelace. I’m so lucky to have been a part of this amazing anthology. Y’all rock, ladies!
To my readers: hugs! I can’t wait for y’all to get to know Nate, Hannah, and their quirky love story.
About the Author
Jodi Linton is the author of the Deputy Laney Briggs series and the Dirty Sinners Motorcycle Club. She lives in Texas with her husband and two kids. When she's not writing about sassy females and dirty-talking heroes, she enjoys long walks and family time down at the river.
Discover more books by this author here:
www.JodiLinton.com
Also by Jodi Linton
Pretty Reckless (A Deputy Laney Briggs Series)
Whatcha Gonna do with a Cowboy (A Deputy Laney Briggs Series)
Rebel Love (The Dirty Sinners Motorcycle Club)
Hometown Heartbreaker
By Heather Long
Edited by Virginia Nelson
Hometown Heartbreaker
He’d planned to steal her heart, but she left him on base.
Brother Zeke Thompson—or “The Friar” as his fans and teammates call him—is known best for his clean public image and his dedication to charities. He’s the perfect celebrity to come home to Sherwood Point for the peewee league’s pre-season camp—who doesn’t want the hometown boy who made it good in the majors to come home? When an old friend asks him to step up, he can’t say no. The only problem is Charity Lane. What wouldn’t the pundits give to know she’s the one who made him a “friar” in the first place.
Charity Lane can’t believe her luck when Zeke “The Friar” Thompson agrees to serve as the Charmings’ hero of the week. Sure, she’d dreamed of seeing him again, but she wouldn’t ever send the invitation—not when she’d kept such a huge secret from him so he could make his mark in sports. The kids are over the moon, and the town is ready to dance in the streets. Even her daughter is celebrating the prospect of such a popular player coaching them…
It’s the bottom of the ninth, and Charity is up to bat. Can she tell her two all-stars the truth, or will a foul end her best chance?
To Slick…cause she reminded me of how much I love baseball.
Rule #9 A real man always puts his best foot forward.
Chapter 1
Go home, they said. It’ll be great publicity, they said. Think about how good a week there will be for your image… Zeke shook his head and rested his arm on the open door of his pickup. Hometown boy remembers his roots…like I could ever forget. The landscape sped past as he kept the odometer pinned at seventy-five. This far out, he was the only car on the road. The last thing he needed was a ticket or the hassle accompanying it.
His team managers wanted to s
end him in with fanfare. His assistant and publicist probably shared an aneurism with his agent when they noticed he’d slipped their leash and headed out into the wild…alone. They wanted to blitz his name everywhere and associate it with supporting small town sports—he could just imagine all the endorsement offers they fielded after the championship season. Imagine it, because he’d steadfastly refused to attend any meetings where they would pitch their favorites at him.
No one ever asked Zeke what he’d wanted. The offer to come support the Charmings—Sherwood Point’s pee wee league—arrived when he was at a professional crossroads—swing the bat one more season or leave it on the mound and go home. As a point of fact, he hadn’t told anyone about his thoughts on the subject of his contract except his mentor John Stone. Course, Stone’s only response had been just like when he threw the ball, he’d know not only when the time was right, but what he needed to pitch.
Receiving a text that Stone slipped into a coma an hour before the offer to coach for the Charmings’ pre-season, he knew his time had come. Charmings…What a dumb name. Or at least he’d thought so during his first season on the league, and the second…by the third, he and the other guys called themselves Heartbreakers. Girls preferred the former to the latter, so they stuck with it.
The wind sent a tumbleweed bouncing against his grill then off the side of the road. Ahead, the sky darkened to deep gray with a steelier darkness beneath it. The storm clouds billowed high, blotting out the pristine blue even as it erased the sun’s rays. Just another late winter in Texas where the days could hit eighty or drop below zero depending on the hour.