Enlightened (Red Flags) (36 page)

We held each other tight and swayed to the music as Jason softly sang the words to Eric Clapton's,
Wonderful Tonight,
which played in the background.

Epilogue

Six Months Later

Jason and I were settled into our new La Jolla home up on the hill.  He'd recently adopted a German Shepard puppy and most of our free time was spent teaching him how to do tricks, running him down by the beach, or my least favorite thing, picking up his shit.  I didn't think we were ready for such a large amount of responsibility, but Jason said it was practice, since we wouldn't be having any kids any time soon.  I could agree there, so I welcomed Killer into our home with open arms. 

Work was phenomenal.  I was still a junior level executive at SDSM, and Jason was still owner of The San Diego Tide.  The inaugural season had just begun and surprisingly, for such a new team, the guys weren't doing half bad.  Still, it was difficult to watch games with Jason.  He was overly competitive and hated to lose.  I found myself curled up with Chelsea and Mila more often than not, shielding my precious ears from the incessant outbursts that Jason frequently had.  He'd apologize over and over again, but I just laughed, knowing that some things were just never going to change.

Chelsea and Hunter were doing great.  She was now a proud first grade teacher at Suzie Elementary School, and Hunter had worked his way up to Accounting Manager in his dad's firm.  The firm held Jason's Tide account so he spent a hell of a lot of time with Jason.  Chelsea and I often joked that they were boyfriends, cheating on us, and we usually got the middle finger in return, but everyone always laughed it off.

Mila and Ryan worked tirelessly on making their relationship work.  Mila was in school to become a Nurse Practitioner, and Ryan worked crazy hours, so their relationship suffered a bit.  When Mila told Ryan, three months ago, that she was pregnant, he immediately went into proud papa mode.  They moved into a house together in Carlsbad, near both sets of parents.  No wedding plans yet, but I hold out for them every single day. 

Chase and Jamie, as far as I knew, were still very much a couple.  I didn't see or speak to him very often, but when I did, we'd play catch-up on everything that had happened, just like old times.  He had finally graduated and was now working for a large public relations firm. After not even being called for an interview, he had resigned himself to minuscule jobs with hopes to work his way up.  Jason got in the ear of the hiring manager at a golf tournament, and before we knew it, Chase was called in for an interview and got the job.  He didn't mind that Jason had pulled strings for him.  He was grateful, and it helped our friendship tremendously.

Lying on the grass in our backyard, staring up into the scattered clouds covering the sky, Jason ran his fingers through my now mid-back length, blown out hair. 

"I swear, babe, I have to pinch myself every so often to make sure all of this is real." 

I turned onto my side to look into his beautiful brown eyes that were shimmering in the sun. "Why?  I tell you every day that I'm not going anywhere."

"Cara, if you could've been in my shoes, feeling what I felt, thinking what I thought, you'd be amazed that I'm still alive.  My heart stopped beating, and I'm not sure how I went on, because I certainly didn't feel alive."

"Shhhh…" I said, placing my index finger over his lips.  "Everything is right in our world now.  We're happy, our friends are happy, our families…"  "Well, my family is happy."  I never wanted to offend when speaking about the trials and tribulations that his family was going through.

"It's alright.  They aren't really my concern anymore."

"Jason.  I want you to be complete.  Your family, no matter how shitty they may be, is still your family."

"Oh I know, and I love 'em, but I think my mind is right, and my anger is under control the less I think about 'em."

I half smiled over at him.

His parents had actually checked themselves into couples counseling and were trying to work through their issues.  They tried to get Jacob to go to counseling with them, as a separate family session, but he refused, never wanting to acknowledge what he had done or that there was anything wrong with him.

Heather got her divorce and moved to Houston with little Abby.  Stacey moved back to Heath and tried desperately to get close to her sister again, but Heather kept her at arms-length, only communicating for the sake of the girls getting to know each other as cousins.  Damian and Stacey had finally hashed out a child support agreement, and while Damian still hadn't spent much time with his daughter, he
was
paying, so that was a step in the right direction.

"Well, you hungry?  I know I am."  I said, rubbing my aching stomach.

Jason alluringly sucked on his bottom lip.  "Yeah, I might be… but I don't think we have the same thing in mind."  He stood in the grass and picked me up, making Killer jump and bark at his sudden movement.

"Jason!" I shrieked, "I'm serious.  I'm starving, let's get some food."

He held me and stared into my eyes.  "It's best to work that appetite to the max then I'll get you some food."  He kissed me and ran us into the house. 

Our lives felt complete.  I was in awe of the man that Jason had become, and I cherished every minute I had with him.  There was no doubt in my mind that someday, we'd make beautiful, bouncing little Caras and Jasons.

Until then, I was quite content with
us
being engulfed in
us.

The End!

Excerpt from upcoming novel, Shattered

Coming June 2013

Our food arrived and, while reaching for the pepper, our hands brushed against one another, making us instinctively jump back.  I bit the inside of my jaw, not knowing what to say, but knowing that something needed to be said.

"Why do we keep doing that?" Grayson asked.

"Doing what?" 

"Every time we touch, we jump back like the feeling we feel is a bad thing."  His voice lowered to a husky whisper, sending shock waves through my body with just his words alone.

I took another drink of my Vodka Tonic and let out a light sigh.

"I'm telling you, Grayson.  I'm pretty much a screwed up bitch right now.  You don't want to have anything to do with me in that respect. You're much too sweet for my bullshit."

"Is that why you've been avoiding me?  You think I can't handle whatever it is you have going on?" he asked, looking slightly offended that I wasn't giving him more of the benefit of the doubt.

"I haven't been avoiding you--,"

"Bullshit," he interrupted, laughing slightly.  "From the night I first saw you at Ada's, there was a spark rocketing between us.  I've been thinking about you ever since those intriguing, grey eyes locked with mine." 

His seductive smile made me hold my legs tightly together. Watching him move his lips in such a sensual manner unleashed an explosion of sensation rippling from my heart down to the soft spot in between my legs.  I noticed my chest moving up and down, and I worked hard to try and slow it.  Grayson watched me intently, taking pride in the fact that he had me riled up, and I was doing a piss poor job of hiding it.

"Grayson--"

He held up his hand and stopped me.

"I'm not asking you to dive in head first, Dallis.  I'm just sick of acting like feelings aren't there.  We both have them and it feels good getting them out in the open."

I ran my hand through my hair, feeling a bit agitated and aroused at the same time. 

"You might be right, but like I said, you don't want to get mixed up in my shit."

He rubbed his stubble and slowly licked his bottom lip before saying, "I'll be the judge of that."

Add Shattered to your Goodreads TBR list, today!

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17662711-shattered

Where You Can Find Me

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Acknowledgements

This is always the hardest part of writing a book.  There have been so many people who have played an instrumental part in helping me continue my dream of being a writer, and excuse me if this gets long, but I have thank everyone.

First and foremost, I want to thank, you, my readers.  I sat in my house one day, after reading indie book after indie book and thought, why can't I do this?  So, without a clue as to how the indie world worked, I sat down and wrote Red Flags.  I didn't contact a single blogger, I didn't do any marketing, I didn't do anything right.  I wrote the book, created my author page the day I published, then prayed someone would pick it up and read it.  The response I've received thus far has been incredible.  Because of you, your willingness to take a chance on me, and your wonderful ability to spread the word, my little book has received more love than I ever thought possible. To those readers who hated Red Flags, voiced their opinions (virtually), and bashed me, I have to thank you, too.  I took every piece of criticism and used it to help me learn and grow.  It was hard, and I don't think I will ever get used to it, but it helped, and for that, I am thankful. I appreciate you all, and I hope to be able to write for you for many years to come.

To my beta readers: Lisa, Bella, Cord, and Brittany, thank you.  I had no clue what a beta reader was when I started this crazy journey, but I quickly figured it out, and I'm thankful that you all took this opportunity to help me tell my story.  Lisa and Bella, extending yourselves to a stranger shows the good in a person.  You ladies are amazing, and your input, criticisms, highlights, and encouragements are definitely appreciated.  Cord and Brittany, your desire to see an old friend succeed has touched me in so many ways.  Cord, thank you for picking up something outside of your preferred genre.  Your input was immeasurable.  Brittany, your love of books, and the want to see me develop as a writer, helped me more than you will ever know.  Thank you all.

How can an indie succeed without the help of bloggers?  It's damn near impossible.  Thank you so much to First Class Books. Trev, I don't think you understand the depth of my appreciation that you sought me out, read my book, and pimped it the best that you could.  Thanks to you the word got out, I met more incredible authors, and I gained my confidence back when bad reviews were beginning to knock me down.  I'll never be able to truly express my gratitude for your kind heart. 

Books, Babes, and Cheap Cabernet, you gave me Bella, and I am so thankful.  Not only did she read and review Red Flags, but I've forged a friendship and I am eternally grateful. 

The Indie Bookshelf, thank you for taking the time to read and review my little book.  Janna, when I received your response saying you would be reading and reviewing, I was over the moon.  The fact that you liked it was icing on the cake.

Reality Bites, Becky, you made me tougher, and I appreciate that.  You didn't love Red Flags, but you stuck with me and challenged me.  I truly feel like it made me dig deep while writing Enlightened.  Your brutal honesty, while hard to hear, was needed.  I was so thrilled to hit the jackpot with you in book two.  Thank you for being you.   

Sugar and Spice, thank you for taking the time to read and review. The fact that I changed your minds in book two means the world to me.

Swoon Worthy Books, Ena, you have to be the most charismatic blogger I've met, and I love it.  Your infectious love of Jason, flaws and all, made me believe in my character.  Thank you for spreading the word. 

TheSubClub, thank you beyond words.  Your love of my story, your spotlights, and your overall support of me and my work, put me out there with some of the big dawgs in the indie world.  Your belief in my story sent so many more readers my way.  I appreciate everything you ladies have done for me.

Book Addict Mumma, you picked up my book, liked it, and continued to follow me.  Thank you for your support.

Momma Romance, thank you for making me your first, official, blog review.  To this day, I am honored to hold that title. 

Book Reader Chronicles, your time and insightful review of my work is greatly appreciated.

The Rock Stars of Romance, what the hell can I say?  Your page took me on before anyone really knew me, and you've been some of my biggest supporters.  I can't thank you enough for you page, your passion, and your support.  You ladies ROCK!

Reading Delightz, Angie's Dreamy Reads, and Have Book Will Read, jumping on my train to help me get the word out is greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

Last, but certainly not least, Jessica and Lyndsay of The Little Black Book Blog.  Oh. My. Gosh!  I contacted you ladies after a not so pleasant experience with a blogger and when your page was in its early stages.  You ladies picked up my book, enjoyed it, then formed a friendship with me that I cherish dearly.  Your love of my work, your belief in my abilities, and the time and effort you put into Enlightened did not go unnoticed.  If I could fly you ladies out to Hawaii for some rest and relaxation, I would.  You deserve it.  I hope to see your blog grow, and I hope you will continue to have me.

To all of you bloggers, thank you so much for your passion.  Without you all, I'm not sure I would have the little success that I have today.