Don't Let Go
Author: Michelle Lynn
Release date: August 25th
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 local band popular with the college crowd. 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?
“I’m kidding, Sadie. To be honest I have never tried this
place, but you have peaked my interest.” We stand out from the shop to look up
at the menu. “So, what do you get?” he asks.
“Usually the veggie de lite.”
“Are you a vegetarian?” he inquires, sounding like it could
be the worst thing in the world.
“Is that a deal breaker for you?” I ask.
“Deal breaker?” he inquiries confused.
“You know, something you find out about someone that makes
you not want to date them,” I answer.
“What’s yours?” he asks.
“I asked first. If I was a vegetarian, would that be a deal
breaker?”
“I’m not sure anything I find out about you would be a deal
breaker, but to be honest I don’t understand vegetarians.”
“Hum.” I turn around to give my order to the cute red head
behind the counter who can’t keep her eyes off Brady.
“You never answered. Do you eat meat?” He comes up behind
me.
“No, I’m not a vegetarian, I just like the sandwich,” I
honestly reply. “I’ll have a veggie de lite with low fat cream cheese” I give
the girl my order. Usually I get the garlic and herb spread, but I am not about
to talk to Brady with garlic breath.
“What can I get you?” The red head looks Brady up and down
while her co-worker starts making my sandwich.
“Same, but garlic and herb cream cheese.” He smiles over to
me and I am sure awe fills my face. It makes me half tempted to change my
order. “I hate that low fat shit.”
“They have meat, you know?” I tell him.
“I know, I want to experience why you like it so much.” He
scoots next to me and my heart races when his hand brushes against mine.
When we get to the cash register, Brady pulls out a twenty
before I can even get in my messenger bag, adding chips and drinks to our
meals.
“Don’t pay for me!” I scream.
“Why not?” Brady stares around seeing a few students looking
our way after my outburst.
“This is not a date,” I confirm.
“Hey, just because I decide to buy you lunch or dinner, or
whatever this meal is doesn’t mean it’s a date.” He softens his voice, getting
closer to me.
“It’s just…things get implied with dates.” I’m desperate to
compose myself. I don’t want to owe him anything.
“Relax, Sadie. I’ll make you a deal.” He grabs our tray and
leads us to a table.
“What?” I take a seat, happy he picked a table in the back.
“You can buy me a meal tomorrow.” He smirks up at me.
“Nice, Carsen,”
“A meal for a meal, then we will be even.” He takes both
straws and pounds them on the table until the wrappers fall down. He puts one
in mine and the second in his drink.
“When are your classes tomorrow?” I ask.
“Well…I live off of campus and I don’t have classes on
Friday’s, so it will have to be later.” He takes a bite of his sandwich.
“Later, when?” I ask before I take a bit of mine.
“This is really good, you don’t even miss the meat,” he says
surprised, lifting his sandwich. “After my show,” he answers my question.
“I told you the sandwich was good. After the show what?” I
take a sip of my soda.
“I have a show tomorrow night. We will get something after
I’m done,” he casually says while he continues to eat his sandwich.
“Sorry, but I’m not going to that bar, house or whatever it
is from last week.” I shake my head back and forth.
“Good, because we are playing at Aces.” He laughs. “I’ll
pick you up.”
“Um…no. Let me just give you the money.” I dig through my
bag getting the ten dollars out placing it on the table.
“That’s not the deal. A meal for a meal. Just so you know,
after a show I am so hungry you might get the raw end of this deal,” he jokes.
“I think I already got the raw end. I can’t go to your show
tomorrow or out to eat,” I say and put my sandwich down, suddenly not able to
finish it.
“What do I have to do?” He asks me before pops a chip in his
mouth.
“Nothing. I don’t date.”
“Okay, it won’t be a date. A friend coming to another
friend’s show and then grabbing something to eat. I will even invite my band if
it makes you feel better.” His eyes are begging me and I have to admit I want
to go after listening to him sing the last few days.
“Fine, but I am bringing my roommate, Jessa, with me,”
“Great, the more people the better. I’ll pick you both up.”
He picks his sandwich back up, happier than before.
Michelle Lynn has always been a reader, but her passion has
become a full-blown addiction since her husband bought her a Kindle for
Mother's Day. She's pretty sure that he regrets this on a regular basis.
Especially when she has it propped up next to the stove while she cooks, which
often results in a burnt dinner. Or when he loses sleep because the glow from
the screen wakes him up when he rolls over at three in the morning. He does
agree, however, that she uses this gift more than any other he has ever gotten
her. She joking counters that, because of some of the steamy novels she reads,
he also benefits more from this gift than any other he has gotten her. ;)
Michelle 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.
~*~
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