This Regret (59 page)

He pulls me away from our friends and over to the ledge, looking over to Norman’s house. Sometimes, I still find Kellan watching the house as if he expects the old man to come back. He was pretty torn up when I told him the story. It still eats at me too; although, I’m happy he finally found peace.

Looking me in the eyes, he grabs my hips and pulls me against his front side, brushing his lips against mine. “Are you sure you’re ready to spend the rest of your life with me? You do realize I’m far from perfect, right? I’m nobody’s hero.”

Staring at my future, I tell him the honest truth. The one thing I’ve believed since I as fourteen. “You don’t need to be anyone else's hero.” I step up on the tip of my toes and press my lips to his, tugging on his lip ring. “Just mine. Always.”

“I’m anything you want me to be . . .”

With my friend’s at my side and the love of my life staring me in the face, I realize there is nothing more important to me in this world than being a part of it.

Something I let myself miss out on in the past, after I lost Adric. I still miss him every day, but Kellan and I sit around more often telling stories of the past. It has helped me to cope a lot more than I could have ever imagined. We even go to the woods sometimes, along with Zoe to show her one of Adric’s favorite places. It’s now one of hers as well.

Plus, it feels good letting Zoe in on her brother’s life so she can see just how beautiful he was. It’s a feeling I can’t explain.

My future is now at Kellan’s house, making a home with him. It’s the best thing that has ever happened to me. He’s perfect to me.

My mom has taken over the apartment, slowed down on her drinking and has taken a job as an accountant at one of the local firms. Zoe is staying with me at Kellan’s place, until my mom can get a bigger place. It works out great for us. Zoe and Kellan work together twice a week with her reading and writing skills and I haven’t seen her closer with anyone else besides myself. They have a bond that even I can’t break up.

Even though Kade is still a little distant with Kellan and still throwing his flirting at me, things are finally falling back into place. Kade even admitted to taking money from the drawer, saying he had no other option at the time and paid every last cent back. After his confession of that, and of dealing to my brother, I couldn’t look at him for weeks. It broke my damn heart to hear the truth.
The truth hurts.
I’ve had to fight hard to be strong and move on. He deserves a second chance though. He didn’t know the damage it would cause at the time and that’s something I need to understand. It will take a lot, but we will get back to good someday. I just hope that
they
can.

Who knows, I might even see something in the future for Jen and Tyler. I can only hope they can find the same love I have found in Kellan. Things are perfect.

Well,
perfect enough for me at least . . . and that's all I could ever hope for.

AKNOWLEGEMENTS

First and foremost, I’d like to say a big thank you to all my loyal readers that have given me support over the last couple years and have encouraged me to continue with my writing. Your words have all inspired me to do what I enjoy and love. Each and every one of you mean a lot to me and I wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for your support and kind words.

I’d also like to thank my special friend, Author of Accepted Fate and editor, Charisse Reid. She has put a lot of time into helping me put this story together and through this, we have become very close friends. I’m lucky to have her be a part of this journey with me. Please everyone look out for her debut novel Accepted Fate. She has shown me so much support through this whole process and it would be nice to be able to return the favor. Her story is beautifully written and something that the world shouldn’t miss out on.

Also, a few of my beta readers, both family and friends that have taken the time to read my book and give me pointers throughout this process. My cousin, Jennifer Jones. My cousin, Melissa Gruver and my friend and blogger Rebecca Pugh from
Becca’s Books
. You guys have helped encourage me more than you know.
Bestsellers and Beststellars of Romance
for hosting my release day blitz and
Enticing Journey Book Promotions
for hosting my cover reveal. Thank you all so much.

I’d like to thank another friend of mine, Clarise Tan from
CT Cover Creations
for creating my cover and all of my wonderful teasers and banners. You’ve been wonderful to work with and have helped me in so many ways.

Thank you to my boyfriend, friends and family for understanding my busy schedule and being there to support me through the hardest part. I know it’s hard on everyone, and everyone’s support means the world to me.

Last but not least, I’d like to thank all of the wonderful book bloggers that have taken the time to support my book and help spread the word. You all do so much for us authors and it is greatly appreciated. I have met so many friends on the way and you guys are never forgotten. You guys rock. Thank you!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Victoria Ashley grew up in Rockford, IL and has had a passion for reading for as long as she can remember. After finding a reading app where it allowed readers to upload their own stories, she gave it a shot and writing became her passion.

She lives for a good romance book with tattooed bad boys that are just highly misunderstood and is not afraid to be caught crying during a good read. When she's not reading or writing about bad boys, you can find her watching her favorites shows such as Sons Of Anarchy, Dexter and True Blood.

She is the author of Wake Up Call and This Regret and is currently working on more works for 2014.

Contact her at: Victoria Ashley-Author on Facebook or Victoria Ashley on Goodreads.com

AUTHORS TO LOOK OUT FOR

Here is a list of a few authors who have really inspired me. I really love their work. Please look out for their work and their future works.

Charisse Reid: Accepted Fate, now available. Also look for Twisting Fate of the Fate series coming in late 2014

Alyssa Rae Taylor: Raising Ryann, now available. Also look for Resisting Ryann of the Bad Boy Reformed series coming soon

Penelope Ward: Gemini and Jake Undone, now available. Also look for My Skylar of the Gemini series coming soon