Falling for You
Hunter J. Keane
Falling for You
Falling for You is a haunting and honest love story about two old friends finding their way back to each other in Starlight Valley.
Brooklyn Monroe is doing just fine, thank you very much. She’s running the family business in her hometown and enjoying spending time with her nieces and nephew. Sure, she wouldn’t mind finding a special someone with whom she could spend the long nights, but Brooklyn’s not in any rush to settle for someone that doesn’t make her heart race. Then Wyatt Hudson comes into her café.
Wyatt grew up in Starlight Valley. He wrote his first songs in that town, sitting next to a beautiful girl that captured his heart. But a tragedy tore them apart and it’s been eight years since Wyatt has seen Brooklyn. He’s gone on to have a wildly successful career as a musician and traveled all over the world, making an insane amount of money along the way. Despite all his achievements, there is one thing missing in Wyatt’s life that he no longer wants to live without.
Brooklyn has no desire to become part of Wyatt’s world of fame and excess. She knows that being with Wyatt would mean risking a heartache that might never fade. When Wyatt asks her to help him find his voice again, Brooklyn can’t say no. Deep down, she can’t keep running from the only person that’s ever made her want to settle down. As Wyatt opens his world – and his heart – to Brooklyn, he reveals a deep secret that has the potential to destroy their second chance at a happy ending.
Will love truly conquer all, or will Brooklyn decided that protecting her own heart might mean breaking his?
Find out in the new sweet and spicy small-town romance from Hunter J. Keane.
Kindle Edition
Copyright © 2019 by Hunter J. Keane
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Kindle Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER ONE
“V enti latte. Extra foam.” I handed the full mug to the woman on the other side of the counter. “Thank you for your patronage.” I whirled at the sound of giggling behind me. “What is your problem, Ty?”
“Thank you for your patronage?” Tyra laughed again. “What’s wrong with you this morning?”
“Nothing.” I picked up a towel and started wiping down the counter.
“I’ve known you for twenty years, Brook. I’ve never heard you use that word.” Tyra caught me glancing at the television playing in the corner. It was on, but the volume was turned all the way down. “It’s because of him, isn’t it?”
I was busted. There was no sense in lying. “Seeing Ryder Strong on my television this morning wasn’t exactly how I wanted to start the day.”
“Really? Cause that’s pretty much exactly how I want to start every day.” Tyra nudged me with her elbow. “Can you believe how famous he is now?”
“Actually, yes.” I frowned at the handsome face staring at me from the television. “He always said he was going to be rich and famous and I always believed him.”
“I can’t believe he’s actually coming back to Starlight.” Tyra’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Maybe he’ll want to see you.”
“That’s doubtful.” I frowned.
“When was the last time you talked to him?”
“Eight years ago? I think.” I turned away from the television. “We were both randomly in New York at the same time and he invited me to one of his shows.” I checked the clock. “Looks like Zack is running late today.”
“If you need to take off, I can hold down the fort until he gets here,” Tyra offered.
“Thanks, but I can stay a little longer. I’ve got nowhere to be.” I looked around the café. Aside from a few customers seated at the tables, business was dead. “I’m going to pop in the back and grab more of the medium to-go cups.”
Tyra nodded. “Sure. I’ll watch the counter.”
The cups that I needed were buried at the back of the storage room and I had to move a half-dozen boxes to get to them. By the time I found what I was looking for, I was sweaty and irritable.
“Ty, remind me that I need to find a rich man so I can quit my job,” I said, stepping back behind the counter while balancing a stack of cups in my arms.
“Brook,” Tyra hissed.
I looked up and my heart dropped. “Shit,” I muttered under my breath.
“Brooklyn Monroe.” A perfect smile full of sparkling teeth flashed at me. “Good to hear you’ve still got big ambitions.”
“Wyatt Hudson,” I said flatly.
“No one has called me that in years,” Wyatt said.
He was wearing a baseball hat pulled low over his eyes, but his smile would’ve given him away anywhere. I used to have dreams about that smile. “Sorry, I can’t say Ryder Strong without feeling like I’m talking about a porn star.”
“Well, that sounds like a personal issue.” Wyatt’s smile turned into a smirk. “You look good, Brooklyn.”
“What do you want, Wyatt?” I dumped the cups I was holding into Tyra’s arms. She was quietly watching our exchange while swooning over Wyatt.
“What makes you think I want anything?”
“This is a coffee shop,” I said. “If you don’t want coffee, why the hell are you here?”
Wyatt laughed, a deep sound that was alarmingly sexy. “Why, I’m here to see you, Brookie.”
“Don’t call me that,” I said.
“Fine. I’ll take two coffees.”
“I’ll get them,” Tyra chirped happily. She dumped the cups into the drawer behind the counter and then hurried over to the coffee maker.
“That’ll be four dollars,” I said.
Wyatt pulled a stack of cash from his pocket and peeled off a twenty. “Keep the change, darling.”
“Stop trying to be charming,” I snapped, opening the register to get his change. I tried handing it to him, but he wouldn’t take it. “I don’t want your money, Wyatt.”
“But you just said you wanted a rich guy so you could quit your job,” he reminded me. “I’m here to apply.”
Tyra appeared with the coffees. “Here you go, sir.”
“He’s not a sir,” I muttered to her. “Thanks for your patronage. Please, don’t come again.”
“You’re the first woman that’s ever said that to me.” Wyatt took the coffees from Tyra. “Where do you want to sit, Brooklyn. Inside or out?”
“What do you mean?” I tensed.
“One of these coffees is for you. I think we should sit outside. It’s a beautiful fall day.” Wyatt looked at me expectantly.
“I’m working, Wyatt,” I said coldly.
Tyra interjected. “I’ll cover for you. Go have some coffee.”
“Thanks.” I glared at her and slowly untied my apron.
Wyatt smiled triumphantly when I joined him on the other side of the counter. He handed me one of the coffees. “This will be fun,” he said.
I snatched the coffee and stormed past him. He hurried to sneak around me and open the door. I pretended not to notice the gesture, heading to the only empty table outside.
“Let me get that,” Wyatt said, pulling out a chair.
I ignored him again and pulled out the other chair. After I was seated, I waited for Wyatt to speak.
“You still hate me, don’t you?” he said.
“No. I never hated you.” Contrary to how I was treating him, I was telling him the truth. I’d had a lot of feelings about Wyatt Hudson over the years, but hate had never been one of them. “Why are you here?” I repeated.
“Didn’t you hear about the concert Ryder Strong is performing in his hometown?” Wyatt said dryly.
“I really hate that name.” I broke down and smirked. “Ryder would hate it, too.”
Wyatt chuckled. “Yeah, he would. It’s good to see you smile, Brooklyn.”
“I still don’t understand why you are here, Wyatt. Why are you sitting across from me right now? We decided eight years ago to stay out of each other’s lives.” I kept my face as impassive as possible.
“That was your decision. Pretty sure I never agreed to that.” Wyatt drummed his fingers on the table and I found myself remembering what those fingers felt like on my body. “To answer your question, I want to do a tribute at the concert. I’m sure I don’t have to remind you that this is the ten-year anniversary.”
“No, you don’t.” I frowned as I continued to stare at his hand. That seemed safer than risking the possibility of looking into his eyes. “What kind of tribute?”
“I want to play some of our old songs. You and Ryder are partial owners of those songs, so I won’t do it without your permission.” Wyatt’s hand moved to his coffee and I followed it all the way up to his lips.
“You want to play some of our songs?” I frowned. “Those songs are at least ten years old, Wy. You really think any of your fans want to hear them?”
Wyatt tipped the bill of his cap up, revealing his eyes for the first time. I looked away quickly. “I think those songs are the best work I’ve ever done, Brooklyn.”
“Some of your new stuff isn’t terrible,” I said, smirking. “When it comes on the radio, I sometimes don’t even turn it off.”
Wyatt laughed and leaned forward. Instinctively, I looked at him and instantly regretted it. Those steely gray eyes sucked me right in. “I’ve missed you, Brooklyn. You always could make me laugh.”
“I need to get back to work,” I lied.
“Right. Well, you think about my request and get back to me.” Wyatt stood at the same time as me. For a second, it seemed like he was going to lean in for a hug. I stepped back just in case. “I’ll be around town.”
“I don’t need to think about it, Wy. Those songs are just as much yours as they are mine. Play whatever you want.” I forced a smile. “Maybe I’ll even come to your show.”
“I’ll get you backstage passes,” he replied.
“Take care, Wyatt.” I let myself take one last glimpse of his eyes and saw something I had never expected– regret.
Tyra was freaking out when I stepped behind the counter. “Ryder Strong just bought you a coffee and asked you to drink it with him!”
“It’s just Wyatt, Ty. Calm down.” I rolled my eyes. “He’s still the same pain in the ass he’s always been.”
“You guys used to be friends,” Tyra said. “I don’t understand why you hate him so much now just because he’s famous.”
“It’s complicated,” I said, grabbing my bag from under the counter. “I just saw Zack pull up out front on his bike. I’m going to take off. Try not to spend the rest of your shift drooling over Wyatt.”
“No promises!” she called after me as I left.
“Brook. I’m so sorry I’m late,” Zack started to explain.
“Don’t worry about it.” I waved away the apology. “Just make sure Ty doesn’t give away too many free muffins, okay?”
“Will do, boss!” He exaggerated a salute and went inside.
I had taken over the Monroe Café two years earlier when my parents decided to retire and move away. It was nice to have my own business, but I didn’t care for being a boss. Zack was late almost every day and I was never strong enough to call him out on it.
I headed down the street at a leisurely stroll. Since moving back to Starlight to take over the café, I’d been living with my sister and her family. Trisha had a beautiful house not far from downtown with a carriage house in the back. The setup wasn’t perfect, but it was perfect for me. I had my own space, but I was still able to see my nieces and nephew every day and the house wasn’t far from the café.
“Brook!” Trisha waved to me from the porch.
“Hey.” I climbed the three steps and joined her on the porch swing. “What’s with that face you’re giving me?”
“Remember how we are supposed to have a girls’ night tonight?” she said, smiling devilishly.
“Yes…” I groaned. “Are you bailing on me? Is one of the kids sick? Did Brian’s work shift get switched?”
Trisha flapped a hand in the air. “No, no, no. Nothing like that. My friend Lacy is going through a nasty breakup and she could really use a fun night out, so I invited her to tag along.”
“Lacy? I like Lacy. This sounds like an okay addition to our plans.” I gave Trisha a doubtful look. “That doesn’t explain the look on your face.”
“Instead of dinner and a movie…Lacy wants to get a couple drinks and go a little crazy.” Trisha hurried to continue as I grimaced. “I know, I know. You don’t really like the bar scene, but it’s been ages since you’ve gone out and if you don’t change your hermit ways, you’re going to be single forever.”
“And that would be a bad thing?” I said.
Trisha rolled her eyes. “You’re impossible. There are like, ten decent guys in this town that would be perfect for you and you refuse to even give them a chance.”
“What’s the point? I don’t plan to stay in this town, Trish.” I looked out over the perfectly manicured lawn. “You know I’m only doing this café thing until I’ve saved up enough money to travel for a few years.”
“Sometimes I can’t believe that you and I came from the same parents,” Trisha said with a laugh. “The kids will miss you like crazy when you leave.”
“I’ll miss them, too,” I said, thinking about their adorable faces. “Oh. Guess who came into the café today.”
Trisha sat up a little straighter. “Who?”
“Wyatt Hudson.” I said his name neutrally, but Trisha responded dramatically anyway.
“Wyatt Hudson? As in, Ryder Strong himself? And he came into the café? To see you?” Trisha’s mouth was hanging wide open. “Is he even more gorgeous now? He was always a hottie.”
“If you can get past his smug smile, he’s fairly attractive,” I said, unable to hold back a smile. “And yes, he came to see me. He’s in town for that concert next weekend and he wanted to run something past me.”
“That sounds ominous,” Trisha said. “How was it seeing him again? You still haven’t talked to him since that night in New York, right?”
I nodded. “He called me every day for a couple months, but I never answered his calls. I thought it would be easier for us to have a clean break. I think we both needed to just move on and let go of our past baggage.”
“Past baggage? You two never even dated.” Trisha gave me a skeptical look. “Maybe if you’d just confessed back then that you were in love with him, there wouldn’t have been any baggage.”
“You know why I couldn’t do that, Trish.” I frowned at her.
“Ryder?” she asked and I nodded. “He’s gone, Brook. Even if Wyatt’s using his name, Ryder has been gone for ten years.”
“I know.” I gave my head a firm shake and stood. “I need to go shower. I’ve got coffee all over me and I doubt you want me smelling like espresso for our night out.”
“Hey, you never told me why Wya
tt came to see you,” Trisha said.
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “He wants to perform some of our songs.”
“Wow. That’s huge.” Trisha studied me carefully. “How do you feel about that?”
I shrugged. “We wrote those songs for them to be performed. If Wyatt wants to perform them, I’m not going to stop him. I just can’t guarantee I’ll ever be able to listen to them again.”
“That’s understandable.” Trisha gave me a tight smile. “You won’t care if I listen to them though, right? Because I always did love your songs.”
“You have to say that because you’re my sister,” I said with a smirk.
“Maybe, but I think it because they are really good songs.” Trisha’s eyes widened slightly. “What if his fans end up loving those songs and you become famous?”
I laughed. “That’s not going to happen, Trish. I have no intention of anyone ever finding out that I had anything to do with those songs.”
“Even Falling for You?” she asked skeptically.
Trisha was the only one who knew the truth about that song. She was the only person who knew that the lyrics I’d written had been a secret confession. If Wyatt wanted to perform that song, I wouldn’t stop him. But if I ever heard that song again, I was certain it would destroy me.
.
CHAPTER TWO
“W hat about that one?”
I followed Lucy’s pointing finger. “That’s Trevor Kemp. He’s married.”
“Okay. What about the guy next to him?” she asked.
We’d been playing this game for an hour. Lucy was determined to find the love of her life in the Eagle’s Nest, the most popular bar in town. I was on my third drink and was having a hard time feigning interest in Lucy’s game.
“That’s Trevor’s brother,” Trisha said. “Also married.”
“Why is every man in this town taken?” Lucy grumbled.
“Why are you even trying to find a man in this town?” I replied. “They are either married or you know them and know very well why they are single.”
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