Finding Forever with You (The Malone Brothers Book 4) Read online

  Finding Forever With You

  S.L. Sterling

  Contents

  Untitled

  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

  A Note from the Author

  About the Author

  Titles by S.L. Sterling

  Finding Forever with You

  Copyright © 2020 by S.L. Sterling

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved about, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of the book. This is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Disclaimer: This book contains mature content not suitable for those under the age of 18. It involves strong language and sexual situations. All parties portrayed in sexual situations are consenting adults over the age of 18.

  ISBN: 978-1-989566-07-7

  Editor: Brandi Aquino, Editing Done Write

  Cover Design: Sarah Paige, Opium House Creatives

  Created with Vellum

  1

  Sophie

  The heat from the morning sun was hot as I made my way down the street to Aroma Mocha. I was on my way to meet Jenna for our usual Saturday morning coffee date.” Normally, we walked to Aroma Mocha together after our yoga class, but she couldn't make it this morning. Instead, I made my way to the local cafe and flung my mat under my arm as I pulled the door open and stepped into the amazing smell of roasted coffee beans and freshly baked cinnamon buns. I looked around the dining area for Jenna, and when I didn't see her, I made my way to the counter and placed our usual order, then took a seat in our usual booth. I pulled my cell phone from my yoga bag and quickly checked my messages. I had just finished replying to someone at work when I spotted Jenna entering the small cafe. She spotted me right away and waved as she made her way through the crowd, her cell phone pressed up against her ear.

  "I'm sorry, just a second. It’s Matt," she mouthed as she pointed to her phone.

  I smiled and slid out of my jacket while waiting for my vanilla latte and blueberry muffin to be delivered. I tried not to pay attention to Jenna while she spoke to Matt, but it was impossible. My best friend looked so happy, and I loved how her face lit up as she listened to whatever it was Matt was saying. The excitement in her voice was almost contagious when she responded to him. I wondered what it was like to be as happy as Jenna was. I hadn't had a decent relationship in years—well, honestly, never, but who was counting.

  Jenna beamed as she hung up the phone and tucked it into her purse and turned her attention towards me. "Good morning," she sang. "How was yoga?"

  "It was yoga. You know, the usual—downward dogs and tree poses. It would have been so much better with you there."

  "Yeah, I know. I'm sorry about that. It was a crazy week, and I needed this morning just to lounge around with Matt."

  "Yeah, sure, whatever. You know, I recall someone who so desperately wanted me to join yoga she spouted about how it does a body and mind good to de-stress. Now I go more than her."

  "You are right, I did say that, but let’s just say that Matt does his best to make sure I stay good and de-stressed." I couldn't help but roll my eyes as she giggled.

  "How's Matt?" I questioned, doing my best to change the subject.

  "He's good." She got quiet for a moment, a soft smile coming to her lips. "I should probably tell you that I think I might be in love." Jenna swooned. "He is just everything I have ever wanted. I seriously have to ask myself what made me wait so long."

  I let out a laugh, leaned across the table, and whispered, "You waited because you were convinced that he was a player."

  "I did not. That was what you said."

  "You are such a liar! I told you to take the chance."

  Jenna laughed as she stirred her coffee with her biscotti. "So tell me, how's everything going with Ralph?" Jenna asked, taking a bite of her coffee-soaked treat.

  I looked around the cafe and laughed. "Ha, don't ask. The man is all tongue. I can't even fathom what he'd be like in bed because I can barely get past a kiss."

  Jenna began laughing uncontrollably. "Oh God, that reminds me of that guy I dated in university. Do you remember? What was his name?"

  "Scott. Who wouldn't remember? But now look who you have," I said, raising my eyebrows suggestively. Jenna had started dating Matt, one of our close friends, not too long ago. I'd always thought that they would be perfect for one another and was so glad that they had finally taken the plunge.

  "And look how long it took to find him."

  "At least you found him. I'm just stuck with tongue," I murmured, crossing my eyes and sticking out my tongue. We both laughed.

  Truth was, I had struggled in every relationship I'd had, the longest lasting just over a year and ending just as I had come off the hardest year of my life. I was convinced now more than ever that I was destined to be alone. I had just celebrated my thirtieth birthday and felt that lately my biological clock was ticking, but without a serious relationship, there wasn’t much I could do about it.

  "What about one of our circle?" Jenna asked, snapping me back to our conversation.

  "What about them?" I questioned.

  "Well, you say that ultimately you want a baby, right? You don't sound super keen on staying with Roger, or the Tongue as you call him, so, what about one of our circle? It takes all the risk out of it. I mean, you at least know who the guy is, what he looks like, what he is like."

  "And we are going to kill that idea right now."

  "What? Why?" Jenna asked innocently.

  "Because you are being ridiculous." I shook my head. "The whole idea of that is just not going to happen."

  "No, I'm not. What about Brent? I think you two would make a lovely couple. Or Shawn. Oooh, or Dave. He has an eight-pack most girls would kill to touch," she said, raising her eyebrows.

  "Oh my God, just stop." I laughed, hiding my face in my hands.

  The door to the cafe opened, grabbing Jenna's attention, her eyes lighting up at whatever idea she had now.

  "What?" I asked, taking a bite of the still-warm blueberry muffin that I'd been craving all week. Jenna's eyes were still trained on whoever had walked through the door and was at the counter. I turned just in time to see the sexy Chase Malone leaning against the counter ordering his morning coffee, and I looked back towards Jenna, seeing a silly grin on her face.

  "Why not?" She shrugged, her eyes lighting up like a Christmas tree.

  "Why not what?"

  "Why not Chase?"

  "Why not Chase what?" I could feel my heart start to beat faster at what I hoped she wasn't trying to suggest.

  "O.M.G! Pull your head out of
the sand. He is as single as they come, and he is not looking to settle down anytime soon. He's hot, sexy, smart… Borrow some of his best swimmers and be done with it."

  I almost spit my coffee all over Jenna at her suggestion. "Oh my God, no!" I said, balling my napkin up and throwing it at her.

  "What is wrong with that idea?? What girl on the face of this earth wouldn't want a night, or hell better yet, a few nights with Chase Malone. Seriously, out of all the guys, he'd be your best bet. I've heard he is dynamite in the sack."

  I looked up towards the counter and saw Chase give us an innocent wave.

  "Seriously, Sophie, come on, just do it."

  "Seriously, Jenna, just shut up already! He's my best friend," I gritted out in embarrassment just in time for Chase to slide into the booth beside me.

  "Good morning, ladies," he greeted, reaching across the table for the sugar. "What are you beauties up to on this beautiful day?"

  "Trying to help Sophie solve her relationship crisis."

  "Oh my God, shut up!" I said, burying my face in my hands.

  Chase looked at me, smiling. "Oh, Soph, you are too cute. You think you have a relationship problem?"

  I looked to Jenna for help, since she was the one who’d started this whole conversation. "Go ahead, Sophie, share with Chase." She grinned.

  I shrugged and looked at him. "Perhaps."

  "Perhaps, Sophie, it's more of an asshole problem," he said, winking and pinching my outer arm, trying to lighten the mood just as his cell phone went off.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” I questioned.

  "It means that you need to find a nice boy.” He winked, “Well, ladies, I have to run," he announced, "the world of law is awaiting me. See you ladies next week."

  "Absolutely, we wouldn't miss it." Jenna grinned.

  I glared at Jenna as she watched Chase leave the cafe. When she finally turned her attention back to me, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Seriously? You think this is funny?"

  "Oh come on, lighten up. I'm trying to help."

  "Okay, okay," I said, laughing and squirming at the same time. "Perhaps you are right. Maybe I just need to find myself a nice man, but not Chase."

  "Okay, not Chase. But I'm not going to sleep until we find you someone!" She giggled, shoving the last piece of biscotti in her mouth.

  We sat and talked for a good hour after Chase had left, and finally, after parting ways, I decided to take a walk through the park near my house. I loved walking in early spring, listening to the birds chirp and smelling the crisp air. As I walked, I could still hear Jenna's suggestion at the forefront of my mind. As much as I hated to admit it, she did have a point. I was comfortable with my male friends, and I knew them all well, and perhaps Chase wasn't such a bad choice.

  I shook the absurd thought from my head, crossed the street, and entered my apartment building. I took the elevator up to the twentieth floor and opened my door. I dropped my purse on the floor just inside the door and slipped my shoes off. I went into the kitchen and poured myself a glass of orange juice and immediately saw the flashing light on my phone. I dialed into my voicemail while taking a drink of the sweet liquid. The first message was from my boss reminding me of a meeting on Monday morning; the second was Ralph.

  I drank down the rest of my orange juice and was just about to call Ralph back when my cell phone vibrated in my pocket. Looking down at the screen, I saw Chase had left me a message.

  CHASE: WHAT ABOUT RALPH? HE SEEMS LIKE A STANDUP GUY.

  I rolled my eyes. Not him now too. I laughed out loud and texted him back.

  ME: HE KISSES LIKE A LIZARD!

  I smiled, closed the chat window, and dialed Ralph's number. Within twenty minutes, I had gone from being in a lizard kissing relationship to being very single once again. I threw my phone down on the dining room table and rested my head on my arm. I lay there listening to the silence of my apartment, debating on crying or getting up and carrying on with my life. When my phone vibrated against the tabletop, I grabbed it and saw a message from Chase.

  CHASE: EWWW THAT IS GROSS. BET THAT SORT OF MAKES YOU WISH YOU COULD GO BACK A FEW YEARS AGO AND PICK ME DOESN'T IT. HAHA JUST KIDDING.

  I let out a silent laugh, silently wondering about the exact same thing, and plugged my phone into the charging port, made my way down to my bedroom, and got ready for the rest of my day.

  2

  Chase - Three months later

  My cell phone let out a shrill ring just as I grabbed my keys from the entryway table. I pocketed my wallet and threw my jacket on just as the phone rang again. I had half a mind to ignore the fucking thing after the day I'd had. I was stressed to the nines about a case I was working on, and then during court this morning I had received a message from Sophie.

  As soon as court broke for recess, I listened to her message. She sounded off, and her message was just strange and out of sorts for her, and it left me feeling concerned. I had attempted to call her back, but court had been called back into session, and unfortunately all I could do was quickly message her back and ask her to contact me in a bit. I had yet to hear back from her. The phone rang out again, and this time I pulled it from my pocket and quickly answered it.

  "Hello," I barked. I was rushed for time, and even though I was hoping that it was Sophie, I was also hoping this call would be quick.

  "You on your way?" my brother, Bryce, questioned.

  "Yep, be there in five minutes," I said, grabbing my comfortable old running shoes from the hall closet, slipping my feet into them, and heading out to meet my brothers for our monthly boys’ night. I was looking forward to a night of relaxation, beer, and conversation.

  By the time I pulled into the parking lot of Ducky's it was pretty full. I found a spot around back of the restaurant, pulled into it, shut the engine off, and went inside. As soon as I opened the doors, I immediately spotted my three brothers sitting in our usual booth in the back. I was just about to walk over when I heard two familiar voices call out to me. I glanced over at the bar and saw both Carly and Delilah waving at me. I flashed them my sexy grin. "Afternoon, ladies."

  "What can we get for you today, Chase?" they both called out in unison.

  "How about a cold beer, ladies."

  "You got it, sexy," Delilah called back, while Carly winked at me.

  My brothers sat watching intently as I waved and smiled to half of the women in the bar before I slid into the booth. Within seconds, our usual waitress, Trinity, set my beer down in front of me. She ran her hand over my shoulder and winked. "Wish you would call sometimes. I would love to see you again. It gets pretty lonely at night," she whispered to me.

  I glanced at my brothers, praying that none of them had heard her comment, but I knew they had just from the way they were watching me. I smiled at her and took a swig of my beer, trying to ignore what she had said, but instead of walking away, she left her hand on my shoulder.

  "I might give you a call, but honestly, I'm really enjoying my alone time right now, Trin." I could tell from the look on her face that I had pretty much crushed her, but I wasn't going to lie; it wasn't my style. It also wasn't my style to get re-involved with a woman if I had no interest in developing it any further. Trinity had been fun during the time we had been involved, but I wasn't interested in anything more with her. I looked to my brothers, each of them staring back at me.

  "What the hell, Chase. You've been with all these women in here and you still have the balls to come in here and flirt that way? Do you have a death wish?" Hunter asked.

  "Hey, each one of these ladies were and are well aware that I don't want a relationship. I'm upfront about it with them. I'm also upfront and honest in regards to when it ends, it ends. Trinity is just lonely, and besides, no one picked on you when you had your cock in everything that moved in this town."

  "First, I didn't have my cock in everything in this town..."

  Carter let out a loud laugh. "Oh please, give it a break, would you." He grabbed his s
cotch and took a drink. "You had your fair share of this town too."

  Hunter flipped Carter the finger as we all laughed, then they both shook their heads and took a drink. Bryce looked at me with a shit-eating grin. "It's all right, guys. One of these days, he'll turn around, meet a woman, and his world will spin upside down. You know how it is."

  "Yep, and the Chase Malone we all know and love will forever be changed by one pussy." Hunter let out a laugh loud enough to call attention to our table.

  "Fuck you all! I’m not like you guys. No way am I settling down. I'm having way too much fun." I grinned.

  "Yep, that sounds familiar. I think I said those exact same words right before I meant Autumn," Hunter murmured. “I also believe I said them right to the both of you.”

  "But then you meet someone, fall in love, and none of these girls will even enter your mind," Carter chimed in, setting his glass down.

  "What the hell would you know about it? You married pretty much the first women you were ever serious about," Bryce smugly replied.

  I shook my head, while Carter and Bryce continued to banter back and forth. I opened the menu and looked it over, even though I already knew what I was going to order: two pounds of hot wings—the same thing I ordered every single time we came here. "You fucks don't know what you are missing," I barked out as the three of them were now involved in one of our usual bickering matches.

  "Same could be said for you, you know," Carter bit out, seemingly agitated with me.