Let Me Go (38 page)
By the time we arrive at Chuck E Cheese and Matty’s got on the inflatable crown, he’s forgotten about Linda and her absence. He runs around with his friends from school while the gang of us hang around the table talking.
“Did everyone hear the news?” Sadie asks and everyone groans, even Jessa as she cradles her little girl.
“What?” Chrissy takes the bait, most likely out of guilt no one else is asking.
“Rob enrolled back into school.” Sadie’s face is more excited than mine.
My eyes divert to Brady whose teeth clench. “Sorry, man.”
Sadie covers her mouth. “Oh, I’m sorry. I guess I didn’t hear the part about no one else knowing.”
“Because you’re too busy talking guest lists.” Brady sneers and everyone at the table tenses.
“Brady,” she sighs, but he just shakes his head.
“Really?” Paige scoots closer to me with a soft whisper.
I turn to her. “Really. I was going to surprise you tonight with the news.” I glare at a sympathetic Sadie.
She kisses my cheek and then her arm swings around my neck. “I’m so happy for you.”
She doesn’t say she’s proud of me, or thank you because she would have stayed with me either way, but I know she’s happy I’m a Western student once again.
“Have you told your mom?” She backs up to see my face.
“I thought we could take Matty down there tomorrow? She made him a cake and has presents for his birthday.”
“Of course. What about your dad?”
“Yeah.”
A few weeks ago, after Paige got the final papers about Matty and she received the okay to have him live with all of us, including Dex and Chrissy, as long as he had his own room, we went down to Mill River. Surprise found me when my dad was in the living room waiting.
Paige shuffled Matty out to the backyard to play while I had a heart to heart with my dad. It almost turned into a fist-to-fist when my mom announced her and my dad were trying to work things out. Eventually, after another therapy appointment, I realized, I can’t control what my mom does.
The one good thing that came out of it, my dad paid my tuition this afternoon and agreed to keep it a secret from my mom until I told her. That was a hard pill to swallow knowing I could have saved my parents money if I would have stuck in school, but I can’t change the past.
“Matty will be happy.” Paige reminds me how much Matty loves visiting my parents. My dad even took me and Matty out to the garage on the last visit showing us the ’69 Mustang he bought to fix up. I guarantee it was a bribe of some sort, but I’m slowly easing back into our relationship. Just with a conspicuous eye now.
“I know.” I hug her, kissing her temple.
“Oh!” She slaps my chest. “Guys!” She rallies all their attention and I love the fact she’s already so comfortable with all my friends. “The Raptures are coming into town in two weeks; I’ve got tickets and backstage passes.”
“Shut up! Oh, babe we gotta get a babysitter,” Trey excitedly says to Kailey, who’s nodding her head already while pushing the stroller in place with Drew in it.
“How did you get them, Paige?” Grant asks.
Her eyes veer to me and then back to him. I see the thoughts turning in her head. Does she or doesn’t she. Dex and Chrissy both already know, but no one else does. In my opinion, my friends don’t give a shit, but she needs to realize that. “Um . . .”
“Greg Thompson is . . . um . . .” Her eyes find me again. “My dad.” She bites her lip, waiting for the rambling of questions.
“Seriously? That’s awesome.” Grant leans back, clearly impressed, and then looks back to his wife.
“That must be hard, Paige.” Jessa leans forward, placing Addy in Grant’s arms. She steps out of the far end of the table and sits down next to Paige.
“You must never see him.” Sadie does the same and it’s nice to see the guys not saying much and the girls supporting Paige.
As the girls stay on one side, the guys and the kids are on the other. I sit back as my friends razz me about my future father-in-law being Greg Thompson. The thought of forever with Paige doesn’t scare me. Laughing, I know I’m the luckiest guy because not only is the girl that fits me best sitting next to me, my friends gave me a second chance. Our college years haven’t been easy, we’ve endured a lot over the past five years, but we’ve gained someone new to walk through the rest of our life with. How lucky are we?
“To Rob!” All the guys have their soda filled glasses raised in the air. “Finally turned into an adult.” Brady laughs and I shake my head.
“Jackass,” I murmur.
“Well, someone has to take the spot now.” Dex laughs and takes a sip of his drink. When Matty runs over for more tokens, he stands up.
“I got you covered.”
Matty turns to his friends, “Did you know that’s Hulk?” he whispers and I roll my eyes as Dex flexes his muscles to the kids.
“Hide the green paint!” Trey shouts after them and we all crack up.
After we get home and put Matty to bed, Dex and Chrissy leave for the night. Paige walks into our room. Our very feminine room with a plum comforter and silver walls. She allows my guitar to stay in the corner, but I’ve been restricted to one small section of the room, which is usually the messiest.
She falls onto the bed. “I’m exhausted. Seriously, tuck me in and kiss me goodnight.”
I pull the bag from under the bed. My best rushed wrapping job ever. Pink bag with black tissue paper hides the gift inside.
Her eyes peek up with curiosity when I place it on her stomach. She snatches it up and sits up in bed. When I plop down with her, she eyes me.
“What is it?” She waits.
“Just open it.” I nudge it forward.
She tears the tissue paper out of the bag and pulls out the flannel pink and black checkered pants.
“New pajama pants!” she exclaims and then her hand lands on her mouth.
“Put them on.”
She smiles and then stands up, shedding her pants and holds them out in front of her.
“You didn’t?” she asks, her smile widening.
“I want to see them on, baby.” I continue to push her and she steps into them, standing with her back to me.
I smack her ass and grip right where ROB’S is printed along her ass.
“This way everyone knows who you belong to.”
She turns around and her hands hold my head. “All that matters is I know where I belong, and that’s with you.”
I pick her up by her hips and toss her on the bed.
“Damn right you do.”
BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THE INVISIBLES NOVELLA: LOVE ME ALWAYS IN FALL 2015
FIRST, I WANT
to thank the faithful Invisibles fans, who have stayed with this series and waited close to two years for Rob’s story. Some of you wanted to beat him over the head with a two by four, while others of you have loved him from the very first time you met him in Don’t Let Go. I have to be honest, I had no plans of writing his book. After Let Me In, he was going to fade away, but more of you kept talking and asking about him. Which in turn made my own storylines surface. Thank you for pushing me to delve into his story and why he is the way he is.
Second appreciation goes to my Invisibles Discussion Group girls. Each one of you that beta read Rob, had a hand in his story. Gigi Aceves, I have to single you out, because you saved me after beta reading Rob. Thank you for the brainstorming sessions, I can’t tell you thank you enough for that.
Next would my editor, Nichole from Perfectly Publishable, once again you made me dig even deeper in Rob plus Paige to show the reader exactly what I’m trying to say (which I know doesn’t always make sense in your draft, hehe).
My second editor, Emma Mack, who went through it again with a fine toothcomb. I could listen to your voice every minute of every day.
My cover designer, Perfect Pear Creative Covers, another fabulous job as always.
Christine from Perfectly Publishable who goes above and beyond with her graphics. You make my final piece beautiful. Thank you.
Heather Davenport, Book Plug Promotions. I can only continue to praise you for not only your organization of my release events, but I cherish the friendship we’ve made over these years. You were one of the first to read Don’t Let Go and here we are with book five in the series. Time has flown by and I’ve enjoyed having you by my side on this journey.
I would not be able to write without my fellow sprinters. Danielle Allen, Mia Kayla, and KL Grayson, you girls make me accountable to get words out. You encourage me, push me, compliment me, but most of all, you never let me quit. You girls rock and I’m thankful to have all of you in my corner.
To my family who believes in me on the daily. I’d be nowhere without each and every one of you!
Lastly, the readers. As always, thank you for taking a chance on an Indie author. I hope that you’ve enjoyed The Invisibles Series as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them.
Michelle Lynn
Michelle is an Amazon Best Selling Author. She moved around the Midwest most of her life, transferring from school to school before settling down in the outskirts of Chicago ten years ago, where she now resides with her husband and two kids. She developed a love of reading at a young age, which helped lay the foundation for her passion to write. With the encouragement of her family, she finally sat down and wrote one of the many stories that have been floating around in her head. When she isn’t reading or writing, she can be found playing with her kids, talking to her mom on the phone, or hanging out with her family and friends. But after chasing around twin preschoolers all day, she always cherishes her relaxation time after putting the kids to bed.
Please reach out. I love to hear from readers!
To get the latest new releases and sales from Michelle Lynn, join her newsletter.
AUTHOR MICHELLE LYNN’S WEBSITE
THE INVISIBLES SERIES
Don’t Let Go
Sadie Miller is attempting to change her ways and hide somewhere no one knows her former self. She only wants to finish her final year of college, obtain her degree, and get out from the hold of her affluent parents. Then she meets Brady Carsen, the lead singer of The Invisibles, a popular local band in the college town. She tries to stay away but quickly realizes that, although he might not be what she’s used to, he’s exactly what she needs and more importantly, everything she could possibly want.
Unfortunately, Sadie’s troubled past left her with insecurities that make her question Brady’s true intentions. And while Brady is convinced that Sadie is the one for him, he has his own secrets that he fears will be their undoing. If they want to be together, they will have to stand united and fight the outside influences that are threatening to tear them apart. Can they put their pasts behind them for good in order to secure their future?
