Losing Us
Page 13
He laughed and grabbed my hand, slipping the diamond ring onto my finger. “Rachel helped me pick it out today. I hope you like it.”
“Like it?” I wiggled my finger, smiling as the diamond reflected the spotlight on us. “I fucking love it.”
He tossed his head back and laughed, then stood and helped me to my feet. Hand in hand, we faced the crowd and bowed. After we straightened, I locked eyes with Quinn and Cassie, who whistled through their fingers and jumped up and down. I did a little dance in reply, and they cracked up.
Austin’s fingers tightened on mine, and he tugged me backward. “Ready to make our exit?”
I nodded once. “Let’s do it.”
We bolted off the stage, laughing the whole way, not letting go of one another. As soon as we were backstage, he tossed me against the wall and kissed me, trapping me. Our lips melded, and he pressed his hips against mine, letting out a sexy growl. “Mine.”
Nodding, I dug my fingers into his shoulders. “And mine.”
Someone cleared his or her throat behind us, and I glanced over his shoulder. It was Rachel, Quinn, and Cassie. And they were all smiling as big as we were.
“Congratulations,” Quinn said, rubbing her arms.
“Yes! I’m so happy for you!” Cassie said, coming up to us.
Hugs were exchanged, and then I made my way over to Rachel, who watched silently. “Thank you for helping your brother pick out the ring. I love it.”
“I thought you would like the simple solitaire diamond.” Rachel smiled and crossed her arms. She looked nervous. “You said as much in ‘Take Me.’”
She referred to a song I’d written a few years ago on my sophomore album. “I did, didn’t I?”
“Yeah…”
I hesitated, then pulled her aside. Austin watched us go, his brow furrowed, but he let us go alone. “Are you okay with this, Rach?”
“Yes, of course.” She dropped her arms and shrugged. “I just…it hurt when you broke up with him and didn’t talk to me at all about it. I thought we were family. That no matter what happened, you’d be there with me. With us.”
I nodded, my heart twisting. “We are. And I’m sorry I did that. I just kind of…panicked, you know? I didn’t think it through, but it won’t happen again. I promise.”
Rachel nodded. “Okay. Yeah. Sure.”
“I love you, and I love your brother very much.” I cupped her cheek and smiled. “I’m not used to being part of a family like this, to be honest. My dad died a few years ago, and I’ve been alone ever since. Until you guys. I’m still learning, too, but I promise to never make that mistake again. I swear it.”
She relaxed a little, and a smile lit up her face. “Okay. I believe you.”
I hugged her, and she hugged me back. She smelled like strawberries. So sweet and young. “Sisters forever?”
“Forever,” Rachel said.
Austin came up, a soft smile on his lips. “Everything okay here?”
“Yes,” I said.
“Perfect,” Rachel said at the same time.
He grinned and threw his arm around both of us. “Time to go out and celebrate as a family. Where’s it gonna be, kid?”
“Austin,” Rachel said, rolling her eyes and punching him in the stomach playfully. “I told you to stop calling me that.”
“It’s my engagement night,” he said, kissing her temple and meeting my eyes over her head. The love he had for her was so pure and strong. “Humor me.”
“Okay…” Rachel met my eyes in silent communication. “In that case, let’s go to Friendly’s.”
Austin laughed. “You want a cone head sundae, don’t you?”
“So do I,” I said quickly.
“Three cone head sundaes it is, then.”
We walked out of the venue and cameras flashed. We smiled and posed for a second, then slid into Austin’s Jetta. As we drove off, Rachel behind us in the backseat, we entwined hands, smiled at each other, and drove off into the sunset…
Together.
Read other books by Jen McLaughlin
Quinn and James' Story Continues in
It was supposed to be a love story....
I knew she was out of my league but I didn’t care. Looking back, I wonder if I hadn’t pursued her, would things have turned out differently? Is it Fate that determines our choices in life? God? Free will? Or just plain old innate selfishness?
I got her, of course. There hadn’t been a girl I wasn’t able to seduce. Problem was she seduced me right back, body, mind, and soul. She possessed me, tormented me, and showed me a world that was so bright and pure I was almost blinded.
Didn’t she know after such a drug I could never settle for less? Didn’t she realize no matter how many times I screwed up, or broke her heart, or bent her to my will, I’d never be able to let her go?
If I hadn’t known such intensity existed, would it have been better for both of us?
True love, the real kind, isn’t nice and sweet and pure. No, it’s dirty, and sinful, and messy. It’s like ripping a chunk of flesh from your body and watching yourself bleed out in slow, helpless intervals until you thankfully pass out.
This isn’t a love story. But it’s the only story I got.
Ty and Cassie’s story continues in
Sex on the Beach, the do-over.
I had a simple plan for what to do in Key West the second time around.
Testify at the trial of the rapist I helped catch last year.
Make sure he gets locked away for the rest of his natural life, so he can never, ever hurt another girl.
Wait for my BFFs to get to town, so we can celebrate.
And stay far away from Ty Connor, because three months after breaking up with him, I still don’t know whether being with him is worse than being without him.
Spring Break, take two.
All of the above? Out the window.
Turns out testifying is a lot harder than I thought it would be.
And not only is the rapist I helped catch not locked away, he’s on the loose and looking for me.
Oh yeah, and it’s definitely harder being without Ty than being with him, especially when I have to watch him with someone else.
Welcome to my world.
Copyright © 2015 by Jen McLaughlin
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, distributed, stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form of by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, without express permission of the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes, if done so constitutes a copyright violation.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and events are fictitious in every regard. Any similarities to actual events and persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used.
Manufactured in the United States of America
ISBN: 978-0-9907819-2-9
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Edited by: Kristin at Coat of Polish Edits
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Table of Contents
Title Page
Books by Jen McLaughlin
About Losing Us
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleve
n
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chasing Me
Finding You
Copyright Notice