Contents Song List Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Epilogue Sneak peek at Be My Reason Other Books by Brooklyn Taylor: Acknowledgments Contact for Brooklyn Taylor Copyright Brooklyn Taylor 2020 No parts of this story can be duplicated, copied or sold without the rights of the author. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Edited By: Karen Hrdlicka Cover Designer: Alora Kate Interior Formatting By: DL Gallie To all the women that want to give up on the search for real love. It exists, just be patient. Song List I Hope - Gabby Barrett Nothin’ on You - Cody Johnson With you I am - Cody Johnson I Ain’t Going Nowhere Baby - Cody Johnson When She Comes Home Tonight - Riley Green Done - Chris Janson Porch Swing Angel - Muscadine Bloodline Die From a Broken Heart - Maddie&Tae Tennesse Whiskey - Chris Stapleton Who I Am - Wade Bowen Brooklyn Taylor does not own these songs and is no way affiliated with them. Rights belong strictly to the artists. “It is a risk to love. What if it doesn’t work out? Ah, but what if it does.” ~Peter McWilliams 1 EMMA “Come home with me tonight.” The words rolled off his tongue like silk, smooth and skilled. His perfect smile told me he was genuine, along with the way his hand touched my face, but my body knew better. I wasn’t the only woman he had whispered those words to. “I work early, plus I’m supposed to meet my best friend to see my goddaughter tomorrow.” “You could still do all…” I pulled back and opened the car door all in one swoop, reaching for my escape. “You don’t know what you’re missing,” he snarled, as he started his engine. His attitude changed quickly when he didn't get his way. Childish much? I turned back with a smirk and kept my composure. Jackass. I smiled and kept walking, not bothering to give him a second glance in return. The only reason I had gone out with him tonight was because he had tickets to one of my favorite country singers, Cody Johnson. The tickets sold out after two minutes on sale. I had been out with Aaron twice before, both nights ending the same way, me walking away from him. But tonight, I wanted to sprint away from his car. This would be the last date without a doubt. I could hear my best friend, Breigh’s disappointing words in my head saying I should be ashamed of myself accepting his invitation, knowing I was using him. But I wasn’t. I hadn't met my Wyatt yet, and God willing it would happen sooner rather than later. And Aaron, tonight was most definitely not that. CASH I recognized her the second I heard her beautiful voice. It sent chills down my spine and I felt breathless thinking about how she was too good for me, always had been, always would be. She laughed and I wanted to laugh with her. I wanted to walk up to her but resisted. What were the chances we would end up at the same concert, in the same line, getting beers? My date was still in the concert, but hers was standing right beside her. He was smiling at Emma, appreciating her like I should have. He was paying for the drinks, and had said something to make her laugh, the cheeky genuine smile that made you instantly show your teeth in return. Her dress, off-white in color, which hung off her shoulders, was typical Emma, fitting her body with perfection, complemented by her brown cowboy boots. She was always put together so carefully, every detail acknowledged. I wasn’t an idiot, despite what my brother, Wyatt, might think. I acknowledged I wasn’t on her same level. Sure, I had seen Emma a few times since everything had happened, but that was all. I had called her a few times and she would entertain me by having a quick conversation, but she held up that wall, rightfully so. Hell, I guessed that was why I treated her badly, continued to sleep with other women, lied when she wanted to see me, and other things I knew were dishonest. The lowest of the low was when I kissed Breigh, her best friend, trying to piss off Wyatt and Emma. It worked fabulously. I was a real piece of shit then. Emma was beautiful, honest, and knew what she wanted out of life. And damn it if I wasn't jealous as hell about it. I couldn’t decide what I was wearing on any given day; much less make a major decision. All the serious choices had been made for me. Who I was to argue? I guess that’s why I had lived my life on automatic pilot. I was a player, living my life day-to-day. Never planning for the future or what could happen. I lived for the moment and worried about everything as it appeared. I guess that was why I never amounted to anything more than what I was. Pathetic? Yes. I guess that was why I was lying next to my date tonight, realizing if I could sneak out of this bed I would. I knew the obligated one hour in bed after having had my way with her, and tonight next to her, my mind was occupied on Emma. My date had her head on my chest and was talking about God only knew what. And God only cared. I sure didn’t. I have had more women in the last couple years than I care to count, but the only one I truly wanted was the one I couldn’t have. Emma happened to be the one who called me out
