Maybe This Time (Maybe #1)(66)

Reid walks in and smiles at the two of us sitting there.

“Uncle Reid!” River calls out. He loves Reid.

The last few years have been amazing. Reid and I worked hard on our relationship, and we're stronger than ever. He never did fight Silas, or anyone else ever again. He still trains to keep fit, though, and there’s no way I’m gonna complain about that.

River spends every second weekend with us, and we love having him here. Last month Reid proposed, and, of course, I accepted. We moved into a bigger house, and Ryan moved right next door. It’s the perfect set up, and the best of both worlds.

Reid looks at the TV. “Again?” he asks me, frowning.

I laugh again. “Fine, you guys choose something, then.”

“How about we go out?” Reid offers.

“Sounds good,” I say, looking down at River. “You wanna go to the arcade?” I ask him, knowing it’s his favourite place to go.

His scream of happiness is all the answer we need.

“I’m gonna kick your butt in air hockey,” I boast to Reid.

“You wish, baby,” he says, chuckling.

“Let’s go get Ryan to come with us.”

“Of course.”

We walk out of the house, each of us holding one of River’s hands.





Sneak peak at Ryan’s book! Coming in 2014





This Time Around


by

Chantal Fernando





Ryan


When she walks in, I’m surprised. No, I’m shocked. I never thought I’d see the day that she walked back into this bar, but here she is. Her curly brown hair frames her round face, and her blazing green eyes are narrowed in anger. Even angry, she's the most beautiful woman I’ve ever been in the presence of. My gaze can’t help but wander down her shapely body. She’s stacked in all the right places, and I should know, I’ve tasted every inch of her body many times over. She steps in front of me and purses her lips.

“You had no right, Ryan,” she seethes, her voice low and shaking.

“I had every right,” I reply calmly, pretending this woman has no effect on me. When in truth, she owns me, body and soul.

Only she doesn't know it.

“I’m not yours anymore,” she says, her voice losing its edge. She sounds resigned, tired. I don’t like it one bit. I prefer her anger.

“I had you first, you'll always be mine,” I say with a shrug.

She shakes her head. “Leave him alone, Ryan, I’m serious. You can’t keep doing this to me.”

I lean in a little closer so I can smell her familiar scent. “Tell him to leave you alone then, Taiya.”

“So, you get to f*ck anything with a skirt, but a good man can’t even look my way?” she asks, gritting her teeth.

“Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.”

I don’t expect the slap. But I should have. Taiya always did have a fiery temper on her.

“Fuck you, Ryan, stay out of my life,” she spits out before storming off.

I watch her walk away from me.

My wife.

I should be used to it by now, but it still hurts.

It always hurts.





More Than This





Book One in the More Series


by Jay McLean





Prologue





He was right. It made no difference whether it was 6 months or 6 years.

I couldn’t undo what had been done. I couldn’t change the future. I couldn’t even predict it.

It was one night.

One night when everything changed.

It was so much more than just the betrayal.

It was the Tragedy.

The Deaths.

The Murders.

But it was also that feeling.

That feeling of falling.





Chapter One





Mikayla





I finish getting ready with fifteen minutes to spare. I look in the mirror to make sure everything’s in place. I’m nothing special to look at. I’m definitely no Megan, my best friend. I have naturally olive skin from being quarter Filipino on my mom’s side, and slightly almond shaped eyes from that side, too. Everything else is from Dad’s Irish/Scottish side. My dad’s six foot, my mom’s a tiny five-foot-nothing. Luckily, I’m a good in-between.

I’m not naive in thinking that I’m popular based on looks or extra-curricular activity. I’m book smart, but not so much so that I’m socially awkward. I’ve made the popular list by association. My best friend is the head cheerleader, and my hot boyfriend is captain of our basketball team.

I take one more look in the mirror. I’m good to go.

I open my bedroom door and virtually run into my parents who are standing just outside. They have that look on their face, like whatever they’re about to say is imperative and has to be taken seriously. My dad’s arm is wrapped around Mom’s shoulders. Emily, my nine-year-old little sister, is nowhere to be seen. They take a step forward, united, causing me to take a step back.

I’m officially worried.

They keep taking steps forward, until I’m forced to sit on the edge of my bed. I look up at my parents. They finally let go of each other, and sit on either side of me.