Pretending He’s You (Nashville Nights Book 4)
Part One of Two
Olivia Barrett’s always had a weakness for bad boys and Tyler Chamberlain is no exception. His tattoos, his piercings, and even the fact that he has a girlfriend doesn’t keep her away.
Interested in Tyler since she first saw him pick up a guitar, she’s been trying to find ways to be with him for years. He’s the one Livvie runs to when she needs a friend, the one who makes her laugh and holds her when she needs to cry. Unfortunately, they are never single at the same time and sneaking around is getting old.
Now, tired of making bad decisions, Livvie’s making changes. Her friends are all starting to grow up and she doesn’t want to be left behind. Terrified her friends are moving on without her, she’s determined to make things work with Emmett, her on-again off-again boyfriend since high school.
The only problem? Tyler isn’t ready to let her go. Despite her boyfriend and his girlfriend, these two are drawn together like magnets. When she’s with Emmett she wishes she was with Tyler and vice versa.
Will Livvie ever get tired of pretending and pick one guy? Or will she keep bouncing back and forth between the two of them indefinitely?
Excerpt:
Tyler’s angry now too. I can see it in his
eyes when he stands. “Drop it Olivia.” His voice is low and full of menace, but
I don’t care.
“No. You owe me Tyler. Tell me why.”
He stalks over, not stopping until we’re
standing toe to toe, and he has to bend a little to look me in the eyes.
“You don’t want me to tell you why. Trust me on that.”
“I do. Tell. Me. Why.” I cross my arms over
my chest, refusing to budge. What’s the worst he can say?
Narrowing his eyes, he says, “Fine. You
want to know why?” Duh. I just said I did…twice. “Because Livvie. You’re a good
fuck. Don’t mistake it for love. It’s just shagging.”
“You asshole!” My voice is rising,
and I’m trembling. I can’t tell where the anger ends, and the pain begins,
and I know later I’m going to crash and crash hard. Right now though?
Right now, I just want to punch him. I want to do him bodily harm. I want him
to feel the pain I’m feeling. “Fuck you.” I turn my back on him, leaving him
standing in the middle of his room.
Just before I slam the door; he laughs.
“Already did love. Don’t pretend you didn’t like it. Your screams said
otherwise.” I know my face is bright red now. I can feel the blush spreading.
It feels like my entire body has caught fire from embarrassment. He’s such a
jerk. Jensen’s in the kitchen when I walk into the open living area, giving me
a look that says he heard the whole thing.
“Do you need a ride?” I nod, not trusting
my voice. If I attempt to talk, I will lose it. He gives me a sympathetic smile
before he grabs his keys and ushers me out of the house. “I’m sorry he hurt
you,” Jensen mutters. I don’t say anything. I just want to forget tonight
happened. He doesn’t talk anymore, and the ride to my house is silent except
for the music playing low on the radio. Thankfully it’s on punk rock and not
country because I can’t take anything sad. If I have to hear a song about a
dead dog or a broken relationship, I’ll completely lose my shit.
When he pulls up in front of my house, I
practically jump out of the car. “Thanks Jensen.” I shut the door quickly and
run inside. I don’t want to see Chris, I don’t want him to know I’m upset
because if he sees me, he’ll figure out what’s going on and then he’ll spend
the rest of the night pounding Tyler. I don’t know why I’m protecting him
because he sure as hell doesn’t deserve it, but I don’t want to be responsible
for them fighting either. Once I’m in the safety of my bedroom with my door
locked, I strip off the clothes that smell like Tyler and head for the shower.
I’m determined to wash the memory of him off. I sit on the floor of my shower;
my knees against my chest, and my arms wrapped around them, sobbing until I
have no tears left. I’m stronger than this. I’m better than what he tried to
make me. My daddy always told me I was a prize, but I let a dude treat
me like a throwaway. Fuck Tyler Chamberlain.
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