I pick up my phone and my thumb hovers over her name. I want to call her back, to tell her how and feel, and remind her that not everything she sees on the internet is the truth, but she’s not going to listen. I could sense it in her tone, the way she spoke. There was a finality there, an ending. One I don’t want to happen, but I’m left with limited options. I decide to text her. She’ll be done eating breakfast with Emerson soon enough, she can call me on her way home.
Natalie O’Brien: Nat, can we talk when you get home?
I wait for the message to be delivered, but the blue bubble sits there, which means she’s shut her phone off.
“Fucking great,” I mutter aloud. I put my phone down and bang my head against my headboard before giving up and trying to get some sleep. But even as I close my eyes, I only see Natalie. Normally, thoughts of her help me rest, but I see her crying and being consoled by someone who isn’t me.
It doesn’t matter what I do to try to clear my thoughts, my mind is focused on Natalie and the tone of her voice. I hurt her, even though it was never my intention. I would never do anything to hurt Nat, not in a million years. I search for my phone and bring it to life. No notifications, and the text bubble is still there, lingering somewhere in cyber space, waiting for her phone to acknowledge the message.
Rolling over onto my back I put my hands behind my head and stare at the ceiling, almost as if it holds all the answers. It doesn’t. It’s white, non-descript, and boring. If I owned my apartment, I’d paint it. Maybe navy blue or something equally as bold. Anything but white.
After a restless nap, I finally give up. I get out of bed and start to pace. I ask myself, is Natalie worth this? Is she worth being this upset over? Is she worth feeling the pang in my heart?
I know she is.
Am I worth it to her? That’s the big question. Does her future include someone like me? She’s already been down the path of being cheated on and I hope she’d know I would never do anything of the sort to her. But does she? Or does she battle with trust issues? I go back to my bed and grab my phone. The battery is low, and I can’t have my phone dying, not while I’m trying to figure out my life. I plug it in and check my messages even though I know she hasn’t responded and by now, she’s sleeping. I could try to call her, but I’d feel even worse for waking her up.
Is Natalie worth it?
Yeah, she is.
I press Vance’s number and put him on speakerphone. It’s early, he’s likely still sleeping, but I don’t care.
“Hello,” he grumbles. Honestly, he’s used to all hours of the night calls because his clients can’t be trusted not to get into trouble. As much as he probably wished for a nine to five job, he doesn’t have one. Besides, what a boring job that would be.
“Vance, I need help.”
“Oh, God. What did you do?”
“Nothing. I’m at home. By myself,” I say before he gets any ideas.
“Can’t this wait, until like noon?”
“No, I won’t be here. I need to take some time off.”
“Hold on.” Vance is moving around and there’s a female voice in the background, complaining about the hour. “What is going on, Brennan?”
“There’s some business I need to take care of back home.”
“Can it wait until after the album is done?”
“No,” I tell him. “I can record in Boston. There’s a studio there or down in NYC, it’s only a three-hour drive or so, but I need to be home for a bit. I need the time off to figure some shit out.”
“Are you in some sort of trouble?”
“No, Vance. I promise, everything is on the up and up.”
He sighs heavily. “This isn’t ideal, Bren. You’re in the middle of recording an album. You walked out of your session yesterday. The label isn’t going to be happy.”
He’s right, bailing now wouldn’t be wise, but cutting an album doesn’t happen overnight either. It could be months in the making, especially when I’m forced to sing songs about bubble gum.
“I’ll work while I’m there,” I reiterate my earlier statement. “I’m just asking for a couple of months. I need to get some affairs in order.”
“Ah, shit, Bren. Did you knock a groupie up or something?”
His question gives me pause. The only possible person would be Natalie and the thought of her pregnant makes me smile, but if she was, I think she would tell me. “No, Vance. Nothing like that.”
He groans. “Do what you need, but don’t be surprised if the label throws a fit.”
“Thanks, man. I owe you.” I hang up and head for my closet to grab my suitcase. I’m pulling clothes off the hanger without paying attention to what I’m packing. Same with my socks and boxers, and this time, I make sure to have a couple sweatshirts. I pack my charger, laptop, notebooks of lyrics, and message my housekeeper, telling her I’m going to be gone for a bit and to make sure everything stays in working order at my apartment.
Instead of driving to the airport, I order a car and wait not so patiently outside for it to arrive. I know what I’m doing is right, it’s the best thing. I’m also leery my plan will backfire. When I come face to face with Natalie, she could tell me to go pound sand. Thing is, if she told me to go away, I would. I wouldn’t bother her with my life anymore because she deserves better.
I’m able to book a last-minute flight. As much as I would prefer to sit in first class where no one will bother me, I’m regulated to the last row of a very cramped airplane. Before I board, I put on a toque and pull the hood of my sweatshirt up over my head, hoping to give of a vibe that would keep people from talking to me.
At my seat, I stare out the window and keep my body angled away from the two people sitting next to me. There’s an older lady in the middle who’s unlikely to know who I am, same goes for the man sitting in the aisle seat. But the people around us, they’re young and could possibly recognize me. I want to remain incognito for as long as I can.
Once the flight is in the air, I pull my hat down and close my eyes. I’ve never been able to sleep on a plane, but if I can get an hour or something, I’ll be good. I’ll take anything at this point.
I startle and look around. There are a few people moving around the cabin and the flight attendants are walking the aisles, collecting garbage. I rub my hand over my face and clear my eyes. The pilot comes on and tell us we’re about to land. Six hours, that’s how long I was out, and I feel like I could sleep another ten.
As the plane touches down, my heart starts to race. I didn’t call my parents because I’m hoping Natalie wants me to stay with her. If not, I’ll tuck tail and head back to Los Angeles. The plane pulls up to the gate, and while I’m usually one of the first to deplane, this time it takes forever. I’m literally the last person.
When I get into the terminal, I head toward baggage claim where I know I can hail a cab. I walk with my head down and mumble an apology when I bump into someone. Before I head outside, I stop at one of the gift stores and buy a dozen roses.
Outside, the wind blows, forcing me to pull my jacket tighter around me. “Where to?”
“Mass General, emergency room.” I’m lucky in the sense she had already given me schedule for the week.
The cab driver speeds off and I feel like a weight has been lifted off me now that I’m back home. I never realized how much I loved this city until Natalie showed me what was missing. It wasn’t like we went out, but being with her, reminded me what I gave up when I moved to California.
Thankfully, traffic is minimal and before I know it, I’m standing outside the emergency room. I go in, take off my hat, and ask the woman at the desk where I can find Natalie. She points to the hall and tells me to stand over there and wait.
Waiting, I can do.
I get myself situated and pull out my phone. I can see my text message was delivered but she hasn’t responded. I call her, and her phone goes to voicemail. I call her again. And again. And by the fourth time, I’ve reached stalker level.
&nb
sp; “Hello?” she says, completely exasperated.
“Hey, Nat.”
She sighs. “Now isn’t a good time.”
“Oh, sorry, babe. Want me to call back?” I’m smiling because the sound of her voice makes me happy, and I have a feeling I’m about to see come through the door any second now.
“No, Brennan. Listen, New Year’s was fun. We had a good time, but I really think—”
Natalie comes through the double doors but doesn’t see me.
“Nat don’t finish that sentence without looking behind you.”
I walk toward with her. When I reach her, my arm goes around her shoulders and I lean in to kiss her by her ear. “I’m so sorry if you thought you weren’t a priority in my life because you are, Nat. You’re my only priority. I still have to work but I can do it from here or New York. I can stay for a few months until we figure out what’s next.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m here to see if I can take you out on a proper date, at least enough of them to last a lifetime?”
Natalie launches herself into my arms, smashing the flowers between our chests. Our lips meet and it’s like I’m a teenager all over again, kissing her for the first time. When we part, I waste no time in telling her exactly how I feel.
“I’m so in love with you Natalie O’Brien.”
“I love you, Brennan. So, so much.”
Something tells me the songs I’m about to write, especially the one to replace the teeny bopper bubble gum song, are going to be hits, because my muse is back in my life and now everything is perfect.
THE END
* * *
It’s time for your A Date with an Admirer and then you’ll have to see if you can have a A Date for Good Luck!
Want more from Heidi McLaughlin & L.P. Dover? Check out their Society X Series with Dark Room, Viewing Room & Play Room
More Books from Heidi & L.P.
SOCIETY X
Dark Room
Viewing Room
Play Room
Also by Heidi McLaughlin
THE BEAUMONT SERIES
Forever My Girl – Beaumont Series #1
My Everything – Beaumont Series #1.5
My Unexpected Forever – Beaumont Series #2
Finding My Forever – Beaumont Series #3
Finding My Way – Beaumont Series #4
12 Days of Forever – Beaumont Series #4.5
My Kind of Forever – Beaumont Series #5
Forever Our Boys - Beaumont Series #5.5
The Beaumont Boxed Set - #1
THE BEAUMONT SERIES: NEXT GENERATION
Holding Onto Forever
My Unexpected Love
Chasing My Forever
Peyton & Noah
Fighting For Our Forever
CAPE HARBOR SERIES
After All
THE ARCHER BROTHERS
Here with Me
Choose Me
Save Me
LOST IN YOU SERIES
Lost in You
Lost in Us
THE BOYS OF SUMMER
Third Base
Home Run
Grand Slam
Hawk
THE REALITY DUET
Blind Reality
Twisted Reality
SOCIETY X
Dark Room
Viewing Room
Play Room
THE CLUTCH SERIES
Roman
STANDALONE NOVELS
Stripped Bare
Blow
Sexcation
HOLIDAY NOVELS
Santa’s Secret
It’s a Wonderful Holiday
Also by L.P. Dover
SECOND CHANCES SERIES
Love’s Second Chance
Trusting You
What He Wants
(Trusting You Prequel)
Meant for Me
Fighting for Love
Intercepting Love
Catching Summer
Defending Hayden
Last Chance
Intended for Bristol
ARMED & DANGEROUS SERIES
No Limit
Roped In
High-Sided
CIRCLE OF JUSTICE SERIES
Trigger
Target
Aim
In the Crossfire
ARMED & DANGEROUS/CIRCLE OF JUSTICE CROSSOVER SERIES
Dangerous Game
Dangerous Betrayals
Book 3 - TBD
Book 4 – TBD
GLOVES OFF SERIES
A Fighter’s Desire
Part One
A Fighter’s Desire
Part Two
Tyler’s Undoing
Ryley’s Revenge
Winter Kiss: Ryley and Ash
Paxton’s Promise
Camden’s Redemption
Kyle’s Return
SOCIETY X SERIES W/HEIDI MCLAUGHLIN
Viewing Room
Play Room
FOREVER FAE SERIES
Forever Fae
Betrayals of Spring
Summer of Frost
Reign of Ice
ROYAL SHIFTERS SERIES
Turn of the Moon
Resisting the Moon
Rise of the Moon – Coming Soon
BREAKAWAY SERIES
Hard Stick
Blocked
Playmaker
Off the Ice
STANDALONE NOVELS
Easy Revenge
Love, Lies & Deception
Going for the Hole
Anonymous
Love, Again
Fairytale Confessions
THE DATING SERIES W/HEIDI MCLAUGHLIN
A Date forMidnight
A Date with an Admirer
A Date for Good Luck
A Date for the Hunt
A Date for the Derby
A Date to Play Fore
CHRISTMAS NOVELS
It Must’ve Been the Mistletoe
Snowflake Lane Inn
Wrapped Up with You – December 2020
MOONLIGHT AND ALEENA SERIES
W/ANNA-GRACE DOVER
Moonlight and Aleena: A Tale of Two Friends
About Heidi McLaughlin
Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.
Originally, from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband, two daughters, and their three dogs.
In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.
Heidi’s first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018.
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Connect with Heidi!
www.heidimclaughlin.com
About L.P. Dover
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author L. P. Dover is a southern belle living in North Carolina with her husband and two beautiful girls. Everything's sweeter in the South has always been her mantra and she lives by it, whether it's with her writing or in her everyday life. Maybe that's why she's seriously addicted to chocolate.
Dover has written countless novels in several different genres, including a children's book with her daughter. Her favorite to write is romantic suspense, but she's also found a passion in romantic comedy. She loves to make people laugh which is why you'll never see her without a smile on her face.