He raises an eyebrow. “Don’t know why. What we do always takes longer than five minutes.”
I kiss him again, holding onto either side of his face. Then I pull back, staying close and staring into those silver eyes. “We really do need to talk.”
“About?” He nips my bottom lip and I lean back again.
“Luke, I’m serious. It’s about…I was talking to Sheila.”
He’s as rigid as ice, conflict settling in his gaze. “Coco, you know I don’t—”
“I know you don’t want any of her updates. I respect that, baby, but just listen to me, okay?”
We don’t talk about the kids. As the years passed, he refused to even think about them. Despite the fact I still spend as much time with Sheila as possible, Luke doesn’t want anything to do with her either. Even after her dad retired, her parents moved to Florida and she moved to the ranch in Woodinville and practically begged him to have a conversation about the kids he refused. And I know I can’t really blame him. It’s been a long time. Too long. Picking up where he left off after all this time wouldn’t be easy. Explaining his absence to his grown children would be a near impossible task. Sitting on the sidelines—in nosebleed seats—is easier. But I never thought it was right.
He’s remained miserably unaware of anything that has to do with Ray and Mariah for years and there’s not much any of us can say to change his mind. And as the years went on, Sheila became more hardened to the idea of a reconciliation as well. She doesn’t talk to me about the kids anymore than Luke wants her to. I don’t know if she agreed with him or was fed up with him. Either way, between the two of them, a reunion between Luke and his eldest children doesn’t seem likely. But at this point I don’t think either of them will have much of a choice.
“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do, but I just thought you should know considering how you and Shane are always going to this game or that.”
“Know what?”
“It’s Ray. He’s been doing really well. He played football for his school and—I wanted to tell you this before but I didn’t know how.”
“What?”
“My cousin Ronnie’s friend Reese thinks there’s a really good chance he’s going to be drafted.”
“How would she know?”
“She works at Baldwin & Mahr—the firm I was with when I first moved here. And she’s been…” I drop my gaze and tighten my grip around his neck. “She’s been communicating with him over the past few years.” I clear my throat. “Cultivating him the way we agents like to.” I smile, but it does nothing to soften his stoney expression. “I would have told you but—”
“Why are you telling me now?” He pulls away but I grab his arm before he can get too far.
“I’m telling you because ignoring him, ignoring your connection to him isn’t going to be easy when his face and name are plastered all over every television screen. I wanted to prepare you. What if Shane develops a new pro-athlete crush? On his big brother? What then? Are you going to keep it from him forever? He’d be crushed, Luke. Maybe it’s time…”
He shakes his head, vehemently and scoops up the keys from the counter. But instead of leaving in a huff, like I half-expect him to, he turns back to me his hands finding my waist again.
He pulls me to him gently. “Thanks. For warning me.”
“What are you going to do?” I stroke his cheek and he closes his eyes with a sigh.
“I don’t know, Puffs. I don’t know what I can do after all this time.”
“We’ll figure something out.” I kiss his lips, lightly. “We always do.”
Join the Scully Street Team!
Did you enjoy this series? Are you itching to spread the word? Looking forward to more from F.X. Scully?
Good! Because Sheila and Ross’s story isn’t over—not by a long shot ;-)
The novella that seals the deal is coming.
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Black & Blue—due for release December 2014.
The second series in The Black Family Saga starts this September with the release of Blitz.
Blitz (Emerald City #1, Black Family Saga # 4)
When want-to-be PI Sydney Bucco lost her dad, she picked up the pieces, left home and never looked back. Now on the verge of losing another close family member she may be forced to do the same. But this time her job and her dream are the line. And there's only one way to save them--achieve the unattainable and make a multi-million dollar deal with the most wanted man in America.
Ray Carlson has always been great at two things: playing football and taking care of his little sister. But while he's away at college, scoring touchdowns and winning the hearts of fans, he drops the only ball that really matters. It's been four years since he last saw his sister and she's constantly on his mind, but so is the biggest decision of his career. As first ranking draft prospect, everybody wants a piece of him, and when his would-be agent is involved in a tragic accident, everyone comes running--including her assistant, Sydney.
She's an amateur and she's desperate. But so is Ray and they soon forge an alliance to get the two things they want most in the world. Somewhere along the way, they get far more than they bargained for.
Coming September 30, 2014!
Join the Scully Street Team for exclusive access to ARCs, member giveaways, first look at covers and word about new releases. Add your name to the mailing list today!
More Books by F.X. Scully
Because of Luke
(Book One of the Lewiston Blues/Black Family Saga)
Music, love and sibling rivalry...all Because of Luke.
Three years ago, Shannon was a wild child. Parties, boys. You name it, she did it. But she's changed and the only way to truly turn things around is to finish college and hop on a plane to...anywhere else. Until an unexpected encounter throws her off track.
Sheila's always covered for her big sister. Now it's her turn. But her rebellious plans don't include small-town fun. She's got her eye on something better: a group of budding rock stars and a summer-long tour.
In the middle of the sisters lands Luke, a determined college student who's pretty sure he just met his soulmate. But loyalty to his big brother means leaving her behind to go on a three-month tour with his band. Desperate to get over the girl, he soon becomes entranced with the groupie who's come along for the ride only to find he'll have to make a tough choice--and not without breaking some hearts along the way.
Blackout
(Book Two of the Lewiston Blues Series/Black Family Saga)
a lost cause. a failure. an addictive bond.
Ross Black is a failure.
He failed to protect his little brother from their past.
He failed to keep him out of trouble.
And now he's having trouble holding onto the one girl who gets him. The one who makes him want to act like more of a man and less of an asshole. But he has a choice to make--take care of his brother or take care his heart. It's not an easy decision especially considering he's finally done something he never thought was possible: Fall in love.
Sheila Carlson is a lost cause.
She lost her sister.
She lost her dream.
And now she's about to lose the one person she can count on. The one who makes her forget the worst parts of her life. When she learns a truth about her sister, she must decide what's more important, doing what's right or what feels good.
Despite their issues, Sheila and Ross have something. It's real. It's raw. It's probably wrong. But they're determined to hold on for as long as they can. Especially if it means letting go of the things they'd rather forget.
Two Thousand 3: a comatose memoir
AN AMAZON BEST SELLER IN HUMOROUS EROTICA!
"Christmas Carol in a Chick Lit"
"..a great and unique read...!"
"A quick and easy read that will keep you engaged the whole way through!"
If you could do it all again: What woul
d you change? Who would you choose?
Reese Clarke is sports agent extraordinaire. With an impressive client list, she's on the fast track to becoming partner at her Seattle-based agency and is engaged to the first-round draft pick, and the agency's bread and butter, Neil Baxter.
Then everything comes crashing down.
Neil cheats on her.
She has a bitter reunion with a sexy ex.
And she gets hit by a car
All in the same damn day.
When she wakes up, twelve years in the past, she doesn't know how she got there, or how to get out. Confusion grows to pleasure, then quickly spirals to anger as Reese struggles to find her way back home. All the while being forced to relive her greatest love affairs--one ex at a time. But older and wiser Reese soon realizes she's been given a break. A chance to do things differently this time around.
An opportunity to track down the one who got away.
Join Reese on her journey down memory lane in this steamy fictional memoir that will make you question what you might change about your love life, if you had the chance.
Thank You!
It’s hard to believe the Lewiston Blues series has come to an end. Truthfully it’s hard to believe a quick little novella turned into what it did. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to share this story with you all and I hope, despite the rocky ride, you’ve enjoyed reading something a little different.
Thanks so much to my editor Tirzah Price for giving me true and honest feedback every time. These stories wouldn’t exist without her and I’m so happy to have found someone I can trust with my words.
To Debra at Book Enthusiast Promotions: I don’t know how you juggle it all but I’m glad you do! You put up with my countless changes and updates and always manage to pull off a seamless tour. You’re amazing and I look forward to working with you again in the future!
There comes a time in every writer’s life where they feel just a bit inadequate. I remember receiving my first one star review and how much it hurt. I actually considered not finishing the series at all. Then literally within the very same hour I received an email from Leah Davis at New Adult Addiction that changed the way I see this whole journey. She praised Because of Luke and not just a pat on a back and good job kind of compliment but with words that allowed me to see that she truly appreciated and understood the story. That email never leaves my mind and despite the fact I can’t please every reader, I know that if there are even just a handful of Leahs out there, I’ve done my job. So thanks, lady for building me up when I needed it most!
Thanks to Ria Spinks at A Bookish Escape for dedicating herself to each installment of the Lewiston Blues series and for cheering the Black brothers on. Your enthusiasm is infectious!
And to the countless other bloggers who have participated in the book tours and cover reveals, thank you so much for your support! You are all amazing :)
To every reader who gave this series a chance, I thank you for being patient with me and trying something new. I hope I haven’t let you down!
I also hope everyone will stay tuned for the next installment of The Black Family Saga.
About the Author
F.X. Scully loves romance, but she doesn't write your typical Happily Ever After. Because let's face it, in the real world, it can sometimes take a lot of angst and pain before you get there. And some of us never do. But since most of us pick up books to escape the real world, her stories don't lack hot boyfriends and sexy encounters. Neither will she leave you completely heart broken, sobbing into a tub of ice cream. Rest assured you'll be on a roller coaster, but you'll be glad you went along for the ride.
F.X. is the author of TWO THOUSAND 3 (November 2013), BECAUSE OF LUKE (February 2014), BLACKOUT (April 2014) and BLACK ROSE (July 2014).
Black Rose (Lewiston Blues Series/Black Family Saga Book 3) Page 22