After a short walk, I can see the guests off in the distance. I can make out where my husband-to-be is, but he’s too far away for me to get a good look. Before long, I’m walking down the aisle to the love of my life in my ivory gown with my daughter at my side. The exact vision I had while visiting his parents, the first time I realized I loved him.
I think I’ve always belonged to Nate. He’s the first person who’s truly captured my heart and everything that’s inside of me. Even when I was unsure of giving him a chance, he was. He kept with it and made me see him, made me see us. Showed me he’s my home, my rock, my lifeline. A man I intend on loving every day of the rest of our lives.
When he told me, he could get past my mistake with Carter, I cried. I knew I’d get my happily ever after with Nate and for the first time, the uncertainty of my future went away. The next day, even with all the issues we knew we would have to work through, Nate dropped to his knee and asked me to marry him. I said yes, and he dragged me to the courthouse to make it official. Nobody knows but us. Mom would have had a heart attack, and Hazel was still in North Carolina with Carter. I knew we’d have a small wedding with all of our loved ones, but we needed to make it official all those months ago. We needed to do it for us. To take that leap and fall together.
I only have eyes for Nate as I pass row after row of our loved ones in attendance. He has tears in his eyes when he takes the two of us in and discreetly wipes them away. Mine fall freely down my face, and I don’t even try to wipe them away, it would be a lost cause. Once we reach the end of the aisle, Nate bends down and kisses Hazel on the cheek before pointing to where Carter is in the front row. She runs to her dad and sits with him until her part in the ceremony comes up.
Nate and I stand in front of our family and friends and declare our love to each other. I vow to love him every day and even after that. He does the same, and before we place our rings, Nate crooks his finger at Hazel calling her forward. Once she’s standing next to me, Nate drops to one knee and pulls something out of his pocket.
“Little H, I hope you know how much I love you. You light up my life each and every day with your smile and your giggle. I’ve never known more Disney princesses in my life, and I have you to thank for that.” Everyone chuckles. “I got you this.” He opens the velvet box in his hand, and I gasp when I see what’s inside. “Your mama made this a while ago for me, but she didn’t know it at the time.”
Lying delicately in the box is a bracelet I made with the three hearts design I used on the necklace inspired by the three of us. It’s the only bracelet I made, and it bothered me a great deal when I came in and saw it had sold. I had planned to pull it from the display case and keep it for myself, but when I got into work it was gone. It broke my heart. I’m elated it's in Nate’s hands at this moment.
“When I saw this bracelet, I knew I had to have it for you. When you’re older, you’ll realize what it symbolizes. Hazel, I promise to be the best stepdad I can to you. I also promise to give you ice cream when your moms not looking and let you stay up late to watch movies with me. Now I have a question to ask you little H, can I marry your mama?”
Hazel looks like she’s thinking really hard and it makes me laugh. Always the spitfire. Finally, she answers with a “yes you can,” then sits back down with Carter.
We exchange rings and then we’re in the home stretch. When the JP tells Nate to kiss his bride, boy does he. He bends me backward, holding my entire weight and presses his lips gently to mine. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him close. When we pull back, Nate’s sporting a killer grin and I revel in the fact that it’s just for me. He’s just for me.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Nate Weston.”
All of our family and friends cheer and throw confetti as we make our way back down the aisle. I look back towards Hazel and lock eyes with Carter. I nod and give him a soft smile.
Without him, I wouldn’t be here. It’s because of him that I realized my loves full potential for Nate.
It was a couple awkward months after I left North Carolina. Carter kept his distance trying to lick his wounds. He understood, but it still took time to get over his feelings and seeing Nate and me together. It was for the best because it gave Nate the chance to come to terms with the fact that I didn’t love Carter in the romantic sense. Once our friendship took off, between all three of us, it just worked. We all work for Hazel, and I’m thankful every day.
I’m happy to report that Carter’s been dating Monique for the past three months and I’ve never seen her happier. Him either for that matter.
Do I believe that two great loves were placed in my life? No. I believe I was granted one just like everyone else and I plan to hold onto him and never let him go.
In the end, love is always worth it. Go out and find yours. It might be a long journey, and you may want to give up, but it’s so incredibly worth it in the end.
Just remember, sometimes the love of your life can show up in the most unlikely of places.
THE END
Acknowledgments
From the second I started writing Fool Me Once I was consumed. Thank you all so much for giving it a chance. I hope you love this book and these characters as much as I do.
I wouldn’t be here, releasing solo book six without the readers. You keep me going. I hope I get to meet you someday so we can talk books and be complete nerds together. I truly appreciate all of you beyond words.
To my husband and crazy kids. Many ask how I’m able to write books with my hectic life. It’s crazy because I only really write when I’m home during the day with my kids. In between getting snacks, drinks, meals, playing, somehow the words come out. My kids keep me going and my husbands support makes me believe I can do this author thing. I love you all.
My brother who’s my assistant at signings and supporter of all the book things. You get my love for books and my passion for writing. Thanks so much Chris, there’s a lot more to come and we’re going to be travelling to all the places we wished we could go to.
To my alpha Stacey, you seriously mold my books. I didn’t know what an alpha was until a week ago and realized that’s what you are LMAO
My books wouldn’t be what they are without my freaking awesome betas. You ladies deserve major credit. Tanya, Julie, and Jen, you make my books what they are and I’m so incredibly happy with how this one came out.
Karen, what can I say about you? We live in different countries but we found each other for a reason. Your support and friendship mean the world to me. You’re my soulmate.
To the best PA out there, Betharoni Snowflake. You keep me in check amongst all of my chaos even though I know I’m hard to put up with LOL I don’t know how many times I’ve messaged you about someone tagging me in a TO that I forgot to tell you to throw in my schedule. Whoops!
Lisa Reads at the Book Teaser Pleaser for making my gorgeous cover. You just get me and my books. I cannot tell you how many family members called me and each other on cover reveal day to sing your praises. This cover is beyond and I’m so obsessed with it. Thanks for sticking by me on my journey and becoming a true friend <3
My ARC team is kickass. You ladies keep me driven and your support has me flying from book to book to give you more. I hope I never disappoint you all <3
The Prose Editor took my work and polished it up real nice. Everyone that knows me knows I’m awful with commas and grammar in general LOL
The Sinful Smutters breathe life into me. You ladies make me smile each and every day with your continued support.
My family’s more supportive than they’ve ever been going into this book release. I truly appreciate all of your kind words and even passing my stuff around online. How many people can say their families share all of their book stuff on Facebook? LMAO My family’s one of a kind and I love you all so much.
I’m not the most social, but all the authors I’ve formed bonds with are truly gems. I’ve experienced nothing but positivity in this cr
azy book world since before I released my first book and I value all the advice I’ve been given. Thank you all so much.
About the Author
Brittany Crowley was born and raised in Massachusetts. She still lives there today with her husband and three kids. Getting into the world of romance after she had her first child, she was hooked. Though she had many ideas in her head, Brittany was unsure if she had what it took to become a writer. A few encouraging words and one writing challenge later, she completed her first book. Now you can find her trying to keep up with her crazy kids and writing any chance she gets.
Want to keep up with Brittany?
Authorbrittanycrowley.com
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I share a reader group with two other awesome authors, Emily F. Rose and Karen Raines. Come check us out at the Sinful Smutters!
Other books by Brittany Crowley
Bound by Cage Series:
Caged
Rampage
Chaos
Standalones
The Big D
Stakeout
Enjoy the first chapter of Caged
Savannah- I was perfectly content with my life, or at least I thought I was. Then Zander ‘The Hitman’ Cage walked into my bar with those hypnotizing blue eyes and everything I ever thought I wanted flew out the window. Giving him a chance was the easiest decision I ever made. He ripped apart my safe little existence and took me along for the ride of my life. He was a fighter, a hero and every woman’s fantasy.
Zander- I didn’t need any distractions coming up on the biggest fight of my career, but fate had other plans. Savannah was a breath of fresh air and the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. I never planned on meeting her, I also don't plan on letting her go. I'll do whatever it takes to show her that I'm more than just the name, and will stop at nothing to make her mine.
CHAPTER 1
“Give me a fucking break!”
I can’t hear myself think, let alone run my bar. The banging from the business next door is annoying on a good day, but today I don’t know if they’re working on the other side of my wall or trying to knock it down.
“Do you want me to go bash someone’s head in?” asks my best friend, Ashlyn.
The new owner next door has been doing renovations since it was bought a little over a month ago, and word around town is it’s supposed to be some sort of gym. Maybe having one within walking distance will make me drag my ass over there.
Who am I kidding? Going to a gym has never been my preferred type of exercise.
“Oh, yes, by all means waltz on over there and bash some heads in.” I laugh.
Grabbing my sweatshirt, I head for the door. “I’m going over to talk to someone so I can figure out when all this madness is finally going to be done.”
As I step onto the sidewalk after exiting the bar, I bask in the sunshine. It’s fall in Massachusetts, and the weather can change from hour to hour. Today it’s 60 degrees and sunny; I love the fall season.
I inherited my bar from my great Aunt Cheryl who passed away five years ago. She was slightly insane and ran a sex toy shop that surprisingly did quite well. Imagine a 75-year-old woman sharing her top picks for pleasure and giving hands-on demonstrations to customers. There was not a shy bone in that woman’s body. I remember her acting out sex positions with customers on the floor of the store; just thinking about it makes me laugh.
After my mom died, she was the only female in my life. When I was 13 and came home asking my dad about my G-spot, I thought he was going to have a coronary. I told him an older kid on the bus was talking about it. My dad in no way, shape, or form wanted to talk to me about sex, so Aunt Cheryl told me about the birds and the bees. She helped me through a lot of things: choosing my first training bra, talking me through my first period, and buying me my first vibrator. Unconventional, but she was there.
After Aunt Cheryl died, I decided I couldn’t run her store. I’m not a prude, I just couldn’t see myself selling dildos and edible panties for the rest of my life. That’s when Ashlyn and I decided to open up our bar. With no mortgage, all we had to do was take out a loan to renovate the place, and we could not be happier with the end result. Working every day means this is our home away from home, and it’s exactly what we envisioned when we started this journey.
Coming up with a name was difficult because when it comes to creativity, we’re kind of shit at it. Thank god we’ve always believed in fate and the powers that be because fate intervened. One day, when we were out for a run, Ashlyn tripped over a branch and ate the pavement. When she got up and turned around, I burst out laughing because she split her pants.
“What the fuck? I don’t want to see your ass cheeks. You two should be an exhibit at the zoo, for crying out loud! You’d fit right in with the monkeys.”
Leave it to my dad to be driving by at the precise moment of pant rippage. Whirling around so fast it made my head spin, Ashlyn declared, “Monkey Bars!” And just like that, our bar was named. It’s not the best name, but it draws in quite the crowd on its own.
It’s a quick walk next door, and when I reach the windows, I try to sneak a peek. They’re covered with brown paper for the upcoming grand opening since they want it to be a surprise, but I’m not sure how that’ll work out if everyone already knows it’s a gym.
I knock as hard as I can, hoping they can hear me over all the noise. A couple minutes later, an intimidating man with broad shoulders answers the door wearing a construction hat. I’m taken aback because he looks just like Opie from Sons of Anarchy. Before I can get out of my own head, I miss what he says to me.
“I’m sorry. What?” I ask, feeling like an idiot.
“I asked you what you want.”
Wow, rude much? “Yes. I was wondering if the person who owns this building is around?”
He appraises me for a minute before saying, “He’ll be in later.”
He reaches in his pocket, pulls out a business card, and hands it to me. I read the name: Zander Cage. He’s obviously a man of few words. He could have at least told me when he was going to be in again.
I mumble a “thanks” and walk back.
Afternoons at the bar have been dead all week. I wasn’t lying when I said business has been way down since they started working. Generally, we’re packed until we close the doors. We’re a full-service bar with a great menu, and people keep coming back because our food is delicious and our drinks are the best around.
Ashlyn went to school to become a chef since she has always had a passion for food. In high school, she tried to make different concoctions out of ramen noodles that were actually quite delicious. I have no idea how I’m not as big as a house with how much of her food I consume.
When we started toying with the idea of opening this place, I decided to get my bartending license. School was a breeze when I realized I have a passion for it, and now I love coming up with new drinks and perfecting the already popular ones. I’m a people person, so I love being behind the bar. Our regular customers are like family to me and getting to know them is the highlight of my job.
The business works perfectly because I handle the bar and Ashlyn covers the kitchen. I can barely boil water, and her drinks taste like gasoline; it’s the perfect partnership.
Keeping ourselves busy isn’t too hard on a typical day, until now. Our customers know to come in no earlier than dinner because nobody wants to feel like there’s an earthquake going on while they eat, and who can blame them? Looking around, we currently have two of our usual customers sitting on barstools and one group at the tables eating. I pray that the gym opens soon. Sighing, I replace the keg and head to check on the lonely stragglers at the bar.
I walk over to Frank, one of the usuals, and slide him another beer. He comes in without fail every day on his lunch break. He’s one o
f those old men who you wish could’ve been your grandfather. Cool as shit, he’s always telling me stories of back in the day and leaving me hanging on his every word.
“You know, Savvy, one of these days I’m going to leave the missus, and we’re going to run away together.” He laughs, waggling his eyebrows. He’s always been such a harmless flirt.
“Promises, promises. How would Jane feel about this? I’m pretty sure she’d kick your ass for even joking about it.” He belly laughs and continues eating his burger.
Jane, his wife, has come in a couple of times with him. They really are the sweetest couple, always bragging about their grandkids. I only hope someday I can sit around telling strangers stories of my great love and all my grandbabies. I’m a romantic at heart—I read a lot of romance novels—and want nothing more than to find the man my soul yearns for. I haven’t had the best luck with men in my 24 years, and my last relationship was the worst. Is it so wrong for a girl to dream?
I sigh in relief when I notice the noise has stopped. It must be four in the afternoon. After packing up for the day, a few of the guys working on the reno next door usually come in for a beer. I always joke with them that at least they’re drumming up a little business for me after taking it away during the day.
“You just couldn’t keep it down, could you? I feel like you were extra loud on purpose today, gentlemen.” They laugh as I turn and pour them each a beer.
If only one of them were my age and attractive, this situation would be perfect. But sadly, the only men here are middle-aged, and the majority are married. Doesn’t every girl fantasize about a construction worker, especially after seeing Magic Mike?
***
My eyes find the clock on the wall, and I realize it’s closing time. There’s one guy left on a lonely barstool. Holding him steady, I walk him out to the cab I called before heading back in and locking the door behind me. Ashlyn wipes down a few tables while I sweep the floor.
Fool Me Once Page 20