Live your life and set your heart free. Open yourself and forgive him. Be the girl I know you can be.
I’ll always remember you,
Ryan
I read the letter over and over again. It’s not easy to read his words. But I know what he’s telling me and I have to try and live. Walking downstairs. I hear voices from outside. When I peek through the window, I see Tyler talking to the blonde who eyed me in the church. Quietly, I open the door and listen to what they’re saying.
“We had sex! One time. It meant nothing to me, Anna. Why the fuck are you here?” I hear him scream and his words hit me. I finally understand why Ryan told me to forgive him and why Tyler’s so scared.
“I love you Tyler and I don’t care what you say. I know you love me. Didn’t you feel anything when you were inside me?”
“No! I felt nothing because you mean nothing to me. I just lost my fucking brother.”
“And I’m sorry,” I hear her say, “I’m sorry, Tyler. But I’m here to comfort you, baby. Please let me.”
“No!” he screams. I see his pacing the deck and my heart sinks further in my chest. He slept with someone else. The realization I’ve pushed him too far hits me. If I didn’t push him and if I let him back in we wouldn’t be in this position. He would have been able to spend more time with Ryan before he died.
This is all my fault.
I can’t stand to hear any more so I grab my things and sneak out the back door and to my house. Crashing on my bed, I tune everything out. I can’t bear to hear anything else.
I hear my door open and look up to see a red eyed Tyler. I don’t know what to say to him and I’m not sure I want him in my room.
“You left.”
“Yeah,” I answer, “I did. I need time alone.”
“You told me you wouldn’t leave me,” he sobs and kneels beside the bed, “you promised.”
“I heard your conversation outside with whoever that girl was,” I tell him, holding back my sobs. “I’m sorry,” I whisper. “You don’t know how sorry I am.”
“Wait,” he pauses, “why are you sorry?”
“Because,” I sit up and lean back against the head board, gripping the pillow against my chest. “Because I pushed you away. Everything is my fault. You slept with her because I didn’t want you. You’re right. You deserve to be wanted and loved. If I didn’t push you away we’d be together and you would have spent more time with Ryan.”
“Don’t do this, Bay. Nothing is your fault. Please.”
I can’t hold in the tears. Finally letting out my sobs I feel his arms around me, and instead of accepting his comfort I push him away.
“This is my punishment. I put you through hell and told you to leave me alone. I told you to give me time and look what happened. I fell in love with Ryan, while loving you, and caused a mess.” I cry, “Everything is different and now I need to do the best thing for you.”
“You promised though,” he sadly says, reaching for my hand and I pull away again.
“Goodbye, Tyler,” I say one more time.
The pain clouds his eyes and I don’t know what to do. I feel the tears streaming down my face and neither of us are moving. I hate that this is happening, but it’s the only way. As much as I love him and as much as I want to fight, I don’t think we can do this anymore.
Sometimes love doesn’t conquer all.
Tyler and Bayleigh’s story continues in Even Rhythm.
Coming December 2015
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Acknowledgements
To my amazing readers who are the sweetest and makes being an author fun and challenging. You’re all wonderful and I’m so thankful for you. Thank you for sticking by my side and encouraging me to keep going. I love our interaction online and meeting some of you at signings. Big hugs and squeezes to you!
To my author friends thank you for your support and making our Indie community fun and supportive.
To my COPA ladies who are beautiful inside and out. You’re wonderful and are beyond talented. I love our little group and I’m glad to have you in my life.
To Stephanie, Stefanie, Tonya, Kaylee, and Karrie thank you for taking time to read and give me your honest feedback. It means the world to me and I’m thankful for your notes and suggestions. You ladies make it great to work with.
To Kellie thank you for being my editor and putting up with my craziness! Thanks for being my Happy.
To Jessica, my bae, thank you for being my final pair of eyes and your help.
To Lexi thank you for being my PA and loving me even though I drive you batty! I’m very lucky to have you! Remember you aren’t allowed to go anywhere!
Sandi and Kaylee I love you ladies hard! Thank you for everything and for being the bestest friends.
Allan and Jeff, thank you for being so wonderful. Working with you both has been fun and I’m lucky to have you.
Cassy, I appreciate your hard work and am thankful that you’re able to squeeze me in!
To my PR company, Eye Candy Bookstore, thank you for always staying on top of things and your hard work. It means so much to me! You ladies work hard to help me and my books so thank you thank you thank you!
To Give Me Books, thank you for hosting my release day blitz and all the hard work you put in.
To the bloggers, big thank you for sharing my work and reading! I say this all the time, but without your dedication to authors and your hard work it’ll be hard to be successful. You’re spreading news about books and giving authors, like myself, a chance to shine. I will never be able to express my love!
To my babes, you ladies rock! Thanks for making me laugh and smile. I appreciate everything you ladies do.
To Gunnar DeWitt for being on another cover of mine. I love working with you.
To my family and friends. Your support means the world to me and I can’t thank you enough.
Finally to my husband. Kevin you’re my forever love. Thank you for holding my hand and climbing each obstacle that comes our way.
About the Author
S. Moose is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, living in Webster, NY with her family, friends, and shorkie, Charlie.
A 2011 St. John Fisher graduate, S.Moose loves to read and write. She enjoys getting lost in the fictional world and creating a place where readers can fall in love and swoon over the cute boys she brings to life.
When she isn’t in her room in front of her computer or a book, she is with her family and friends being silly and enjoying life. She’s romantic at heart and loves anything with a happily ever after.
S. Moose loves connecting with her readers! Be sure to visit her at:
Web: smoosewrites.blogspot.com
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Twitter: @S_Moose060912 (http://www.twitter.com/S_Moose060912) (http://www.twitter.com/S_Moose060912)
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