Introduction
Share the book to
About Author
Melissa McClone
Chapter 1
C
HAPTER ONE
On an overcast day in May, Josh Cooper stood at Jenny Hanford’s front door. He kept his arms pressed against his sides rather than raising his hand to the doorbell. He might be thirty-two and a well-known football commentator, but he felt more like a fourteen-year-old high school freshman with zero confidence.
Forget being nervous. He’d passed that stage two hours ago, and he was on the verge of losing it.
Your fault.
That didn’t make being here easier.
The pounding of his heart sounded like a death knell. Not surprising given he hadn’t spoken to Jenny Hanford, a former classmate from Berry Lake High School, since their epic disaster of a first, and last, date at Brew & Steep, a local coffee shop, in July.
You have the right to remain silent…
Being arrested for disorderly conduct seemed like forever ago, but only ten months had passed. Ten months that had seen Jenny’s life change. Ten months of trying to keep himself from losing… everything.
Stop procrastinating.
Even though Josh wanted to be anywhere—other than in jail—but here, he jabbed the doorbell.
Chimes sounded. Not a typical ding-dong like most of the other houses in Berry Lake, Washington. Jenny’s was ten times nicer than the typical homes in the area. With her books hitting the bestseller lists and her series being turned into a movie franchise, she could afford a bigger estate on the outskirts of town.
The seconds ticked by. Maybe Jenny wasn’t home.
The thought brought instant relief. He wanted—needed—a reprieve, even if he
had
to do this eventually.
The door opened. Missy Hanford, Jenny’s sister-in-law, grimaced. “What are you doing here?”
Josh understood the harsh expression and the frustrated tone. He’d gone from being Berry Lake’s golden boy to persona non grata. To be honest, he deserved the hatred and lack of respect. Both were better than people’s pity for being…
A drunk.
He took a breath. “I want to speak with Jenny.”
“She’s writing.” Missy gripped the doorknob hard enough her knuckles turned white. “I don’t want to disturb her.”
Missy’s reluctance made sense. She’d been the one to give him Jenny’s phone number and convince her homebody sister-in-law to meet him for coffee.
“I’m sorry I put you in a rough spot last summer. I never meant…” He shifted his weight between his feet. “I tried to stay sober before meeting Jenny.”
But like most days, he’d failed. Only he hadn’t failed in such a spectacular or public manner until that ill-fated date with Jenny—aka bestselling thriller author Jenna Ford.
He tucked the tops of his fingers into his pant pockets. “I’m here to apologize. It won’t take long. Please. This is important.”
He must have sounded pathetic or desperate because Missy’s gaze softened. It gave him hope she wouldn’t slam the door in his face, anyway.
“I’ll see if Jenny’s available,” Missy said. “You can wait in the living room.”
Blowing out a breath, Josh stepped inside. The scent of fresh-baked cookies surrounded him, reminding him of… home.
The house he’d purchased last summer when he’d returned to Berry Lake was nothing but a shell, a place to store boxes full of his stuff and a few pieces of furniture. It was also where he kept his plane in a hangar by the airstrip out back. He hadn’t spent a night there in months. No reason to unpack and create a life for himself in his hometown when he wasn’t sure what might happen.
Missy closed the door. “Don’t touch anything.”
He held up his hands. “I won’t.”
A visit to the drunk tank was enough to stop him from doing anything illegal, including driving over the speed limit. Paranoid, maybe, but that had been one of the worst days of his life. At least until he’d entered rehab.
As Missy walked out, he stared at the bookshelf full of hardcover novels written under Jenny’s pseudonym. The pretty bookworm who’d gotten straight As through high school was now more famous than him. That was one reason he’d asked her out when he arrived in town—he thought they would be Berry Lake’s perfect celebrity couple. Maybe if his best friend hadn’t been a bottle of whiskey that might have happened, but he’d lost his shot. She was engaged to someone else now.
You have only yourself to blame.
His insides twisted with a mix of fear and unease—what Josh felt whenever he saw someone he’d wronged with his drinking. He was on his “making amends” portion of his recovery; he’d been visiting each name on his list. Jenny was the last one.
“Hey, Josh.” Jenny entered the living room. She wore jeans, a long-sleeved T-shirt, and fuzzy polka-dotted socks. Her long, caramel-blonde hair was pulled into a loose ponytail. No makeup on her face, but she didn’t need any. Never had. A diamond engagement ring sparkled on her left ring finger.
“Hi.” He swallowed around the lump in his throat. “Thanks for seeing me.”
“I have to admit you’re the last person I expected to drop by today.” She sounded surprised, not annoyed.
A good sign? He hoped so.
“I should have let you know I was coming by.” He hadn’t called or texted in case she’d blocked his number. That would have made being here harder. “To be honest, I was afraid you might not want to talk to me.”
“Missy said it was important.” Jenny hadn’t said she’d wanted to talk, but Josh understood.
“I…” Words failed him. He stared at his shoes.
Jenny took hold of his hand, led him to the couch, and motioned for him to sit. She sat next to him as if that was the most natural thing in the world to do.
“We might not have been friends or ran in the same crowd in high school, but I’ve known you my entire life. I’ve thought about you so many times over the past months.” Jenny didn’t appear upset, more… reserved, but she’d always been quiet. “How are you doing?”
Josh half-laughed, a nervous reaction. “That’s a loaded question, though I’m sure whatever gossip you’ve heard isn’t too far from the truth.”
“I stay in my writing cave unless my fiancé is in town. I’ve only heard what Missy tells me. The gossip hasn’t been that bad.”
“Then someone is sugarcoating what happened to me.” He tried to keep his tone lighthearted, but he didn’t think he succeeded. “After my arrest, I went into rehab.”
His third stay.
He’d signed himself out the first two times.
There wouldn’t be a fourth. He’d committed himself to staying sober. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be here today.
“It was a ninety-day residential program,” he added. “Those supposedly have better success rates than the shorter ones. After that, I spent three months in a sober house. Now I’m staying with my folks.”
Compassion filled her eyes. “Sounds like you’re doing all you can.”
He nodded once. “Before I forget, congrats on your engagement. I heard you’re marrying an Army Ranger who found your message in a bottle, and that you nursed him back to health after a helicopter accident.”
“Right on all accounts. The wedding is in mid-June.” She grinned. “Guess we’re both the topic of gossip in town. The price of fame.”
“Or infamy, in my case.”
She squeezed his hand—the gesture tightened the imaginary steel bands around his chest. “Your past won’t always define you.”
“I hope not.” The emotion in those three words surprised him. Only his family, his therapist, Dr. Kettering, and his sponsor, Rudy, knew the effort Josh was putting into his recovery. He’d never worked this hard at anything. Not even when he played football. “I haven’t had a drink since that day we met at Brew & Steep.”
The tension in her shoulders lessened, but surprise shone in her eyes. “That’s great, Josh.”
Some days didn’t feel so great, not when he craved alcohol so badly he had to work out until it passed. He would not give up. He couldn’t. On the flip side, he was in better shape now than when he played professionally.
“I stopped by to see you for two reasons.”
Keep talking. You’ve done this before.
“First, I want to apologize for my behavior at the coffee shop. My drinking problem became yours.”
Her gaze remained on him, but her fingers flexed. He hated upsetting her, but he needed to do this for both their sakes.
“I should have never posted that selfie of us on Instagram as if we were a couple, tried to get you to have sex with me, and picked a fight with that barista who wanted to help you get away from me.”
Jenny clasped her hands on her lap. Her body tensed.
He wished she would hold his hand again, so he didn’t feel so alone.
Stop procrastinating.
“This is uncomfortable to talk about, but that’s nothing compared to what I put you through. I’m sorry.” He took a breath. “Truly sorry.”
An apology wasn’t enough for what he’d done, but he wanted to do this in steps. He’d learned to go slowly after more than one person hadn’t cared what he’d had to say.
Would Jenny be like that?
He wouldn’t blame her if she were, but so far, she’d been more understanding than others by not keeping her distance.
“Coming here and saying those words takes courage. I’ve tried to forget that day, but I haven’t stopped hoping you’d get the help you needed. I’m happy you have. And proud of you.” The sincerity in her voice matched the look in her eyes. “Apology accepted.”
He blew out the breath he’d been holding. “Thanks.”
“I’m sure the past ten months have been difficult.”
Not trusting his voice, he nodded.
She smiled softly. “It’s good you’re in Berry Lake with family and friends around to support you.”
If only…
His life had revolved around drinking. He was embarrassed to admit how much alcohol had clouded his judgment in everything from friendships to women.
“My recovery has shown me who my real friends are.” Many people had deserted him, not only in his hometown but all over the country. Sober Josh wasn’t as fun or generous with his money as drunk Josh. But he wasn’t the victim here. Just a hot mess. “My family keeps me going.”
“You’re lucky to have them.”
Nodding, he remembered Jenny’s only family was her sister-in-law, Missy. Her parents had died following a car accident. Rob, her younger brother who was a Marine, had been killed while deployed.
Josh wouldn’t have survived without his family. They’d embraced him with a careful balance of unconditional and tough love. No more enabling or ignoring his drinking as they’d done in the past. At thirty-two, he was living with his mom and dad. Two to three weekends a month, he stayed with his older sister, Ava. His younger brother, Sam, lived in Seattle, but he visited when he could to give their parents a break. Josh was only alone if he chose to be, which wasn’t often. He couldn’t afford to fail.
Stay sober.
That was his entire focus.
“I’m fortunate.” Josh never thought he’d say those words, let alone believe them, but he had people who loved him on the days he hated himself. “I didn’t know when I moved to Berry Lake why I needed to be back home, but it was the right decision.”
Jenny touched his forearm. “You’ll get through this.”
Or I’ll die trying.
Her fingers on his skin comforted him. Josh fought the urge to inch closer, trying to ignore how he longed to have a woman in his life. This wasn’t the time. In rehab and therapy, he’d been told no dating for the first twelve months of his recovery. There might not ever be a time for that. Even before he’d lost himself to the inside of a bottle, he’d never been good at relationships due to being, as more than one woman had said, too selfish and arrogant.
“Thanks.” He’d imagined such a different future for himself—a successful football career, a beautiful wife, and happy kids. He’d had the first until an injury two and a half years ago sidelined him forever.
Not being able to play the game he loved had filled him with bitterness. Sure, he’d been hired at a ridiculous salary to provide commentary on football games and earned rave reviews, but that hadn’t been enough to fill the void of not suiting up each week. Nor had it helped the pain in his leg that was a constant reminder of what he’d lost due to an illegal hit. His only relief had come while drinking, and it hadn’t taken long before he couldn’t get by without alcohol.
He swallowed around the shot glass-sized knot in his throat. “I have no choice if I want to keep my job.”
Not that he needed to work. Thankfully, he hadn’t blown through his money due to smart investments by his financial advisor, but his broadcasting career was all he had left of football.
His reputation was in ruins due to the arrest. Women selling their stories about his drunken nights with them to tabloids hadn’t helped, either. His job was the only way to salvage a career that had him gracing the cover of sports magazines and being a hero to young players.
Her expression tightened. “That’s… serious.”
“They could have fired me, but an executive at the network went through something similar, so he’s had my back.”
For how much longer remained to be seen with exhibition games starting in August.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Jenny asked earnestly.
Her words touched him because he deserved nothing from her. “You’re doing it by talking to me now, but I’d like to do something for you.”
This was the real reason he’d visited her. An apology was only words. He needed to show Jenny he’d changed. That he wasn’t the same man he’d been the last time they’d been together.
“I can’t undo our date, but—”
“You apologized. That’s enough.” Jenny spoke fast. “I forgive you, Josh. Nothing else is necessary.”
Her words soothed his soul. “Thanks, but making amends is part of my recovery. Whether you need someone to watch your house when you get married, fly you to a book signing, or whatever else you might think of, I’m at your service. My plane, too.”
Her eyes clouded. “Josh…”
“You don’t have to decide right now.” Even though he wished she would. “My family will be honest with you about my flaws, and my flying abilities if you want to ask them.”
As her gaze narrowed, she studied him without any judgment. “Doing something for me is important to you?”
He nodded, trying not to show how much he needed to do… this.
Jenny bit her lip. “I was planning to ship items for the wedding, but would you be willing to fly them to South Carolina for me in June?”
Josh straightened. “Yes. Tell me when. I’m on a leave of absence from work. My schedule is completely flexible.”
“The wedding is on the second Friday in June. A few days before would be ideal.” She smiled. “I need my dress there ahead of time to have it steamed.”
“Happy to help.” Relief brought a smile to his face. “Where in South Carolina?”
“Indigo Bay. It’s a small beach town.”
He’d never heard of the place. “Is that where your fiancé is from?”
“No, Dare’s from New Hampshire but stationed in Georgia. We thought the East Coast was the best place to get married since it’s only Missy and me here.” As Jenny spoke to Josh like he was a friend, warmth flowed through him. “Dare’s staff sergeant recommended Indigo Bay after spending Christmas there with his wife.”
“I’ll fly whatever you need there. Whenever.” His gaze locked on Jenny. He hoped his gratitude shone through. “This will take a leap of faith on your part, but I won’t let you down. I promise.”
She squeezed his arm. “I trust you, Josh.”
“Thanks.” He only wished he trusted himself.
Latest Chapters
#17 Chapter 17
Last Updated: 04/17/2025 13:16#16 Chapter 16
Last Updated: 04/17/2025 13:16#15 Chapter 15
Last Updated: 04/17/2025 13:16#14 Chapter 14
Last Updated: 04/17/2025 13:18#13 Chapter 13
Last Updated: 04/17/2025 13:18#12 Chapter 12
Last Updated: 04/17/2025 13:16#11 Chapter 11
Last Updated: 04/17/2025 13:16#10 Chapter 10
Last Updated: 04/17/2025 13:18#9 Chapter 9
Last Updated: 04/17/2025 13:18#8 Chapter 8
Last Updated: 04/17/2025 13:16
Comments
You Might Like 😍
Off Limits, Brother's Best Friend
“You are going to take every inch of me.” He whispered as he thrusted up.
“Fuck, you feel so fucking good. Is this what you wanted, my dick inside you?” He asked, knowing I have benticing him since the beginning.
“Y..yes,” I breathed.
Brianna Fletcher had been running from dangerous men all her life but when she got an opportunity to stay with his elder brother after graduation, there she met the most dangerous of them all. Her brother's best friend, a mafia Don. He radiated danger but she couldn't stay away.
He knows his best friend's little sister is off limits and yet, he couldn't stop thinking of her.
Will they be able to break all rules and find closure in each other's arms?
Surrendering to Destiny
Graham MacTavish wasn't prepared to find his mate in the small town of Sterling that borders the Blackmoore Packlands. He certainly didn't expect her to be a rogue, half-breed who smelled of Alpha blood. With her multi-colored eyes, there was no stopping him from falling hard the moment their mate bond snapped into place. He would do anything to claim her, protect her and cherish her no matter the cost.
From vengeful ex-lovers, pack politics, species prejudice, hidden plots, magic, kidnapping, poisoning, rogue attacks, and a mountain of secrets including Catherine's true parentage there is no shortage of things trying to tear the two apart.
Despite the hardships, a burning desire and willingness to trust will help forge a strong bond between the two... but no bond is unbreakable. When the secrets kept close to heart are slowly revealed, will the two be able to weather the storm? Or will the gift bestowed upon Catherine by the moon goddess be too insurmountable to overcome?
Crowned by Fate
“She’d just be a Breeder, you would be the Luna. Once she’s pregnant, I wouldn’t touch her again.” my mate Leon’s jaw tightened.
I laughed, a bitter, broken sound.
“You’re unbelievable. I’d rather accept your rejection than live like that.”
As a girl without a wolf, I left my mate and my pack behind.
Among humans, I survived by becoming a master of the temporary: drifting job to job… until I became the best bartender in a dusty Texas town.
That’s where Alpha Adrian found me.
No one could resist the charming Adrian, and I joined his mysterious pack hidden deep in the desert.
The Alpha King Tournament, held once every four years, had begun. Over fifty packs from across North America were competing.
The werewolf world was on the verge of a revolution. That’s when I saw Leon again...
Torn between two Alphas, I had no idea that what awaited us wasn’t just a competition—but a series of brutal, unforgiving trials.
Author Note:New book out now! The River Knows Her Name
Mystery, secrets, suspense—your next page-turner is here.
The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride
Yet Alexander made his decision clear to the world: “Evelyn is the only woman I will ever marry.”
The Shadow Of A Luna
Everyone looked in that direction and there was a man standing there that I had never noticed before. He would have been in his early 20's, brown hair to his shoulders, a brown goatee, 6-foot 6 at least and very defined muscles that were now tense as his intense gaze was staring directly at me and Mason.
But I didn't know who he was. I was frozen in the spot and this man was just staring at us with pure hatred in his eyes. But then I realized that the hatred was for Mason. Not me.
"Mine." He demanded.
The Matchmaker
No one escapes the Matchmaker unscathed. The process is simple—each participant is paired with a supernatural being, often sealing their fate with blood. Death is the most common outcome, and Saphira expects nothing less. But when the impossible happens, she is matched with a creature so legendary, so powerful, that even the bravest tremble at its name—a royal dragon.
Now bound to an ancient force of destruction, Saphira finds herself among the royal pack. With them, she navigates a world of power, deception, and destiny. As she walks this new path, familiar faces resurface, bringing long-buried secrets to light. Her heritage—once a mystery—begins to unravel, revealing a truth that may change everything.
Alpha's White Lie
When a new guy moves into the empty apartment across the hall, Rosalie Peters finds herself lured towards the hunky man. Blake Cooper is a very hot, successful, and wealthy businessman with a life built on a little white lie.
Rosy’s life, on the other hand, is full of mystery. She’s hiding a secret that would tear apart love and friendship.
As the secrets in Rosy’s life start to unfold, she finds herself seeking refuge with Blake.
What Rosy didn’t anticipate was Blake’s admiration for her was so much more than just love; It was supernatural.
Life for Rosy changes when she discovers that Blake’s biggest secret was animalistic and so much bigger than hers!
Will Blake’s white lies make or break his relationship with Rosy?
How will Rosy adjust to all the secrets that throw her life into chaos?
And what will happen when Blake’s twin brother, Max, comes forward to claim his twin bond with Rosy’s?!
My Billionaire Husband Wants an Open Marriage
"I want an open marriage. I want sex. And I just can’t do that with you anymore."
“How can you do this to me, Tristan? After everything?”
Sophia’s heart breaks when her husband, Tristan, pushes for an open marriage after twelve years of marriage, saying her life as a housewife and mom has killed their spark. Desperate to hold their twelve-year bond together, Sophia reluctantly agrees.
But what hits worse than the open marriage is how quickly her husband dives into the dating pool, even going as far as to violate their set boundaries.
Hurt and angry, Sophia escapes to her art school, where she meets Nathaniel Synclair, a charming new sponsor who lights a fire in her. They talk, and Nathaniel suggests a wild idea: he’ll pretend to be her fake lover to get back at her husband’s double standards.
Caught in the love triangle between her broken marriage and Nathaniel’s pull, Sophia hesitates, sparking a mix of want, lies, and truth that shakes up all she knows about love, trust, and who she really is.
Letting Go
That fateful night leads to Molly and her best friend Tom holding a secret close to their hearts but keeping this secret could also mean destroying any chance of a new future for Molly.
When Tom's oldest brother Christian meets Molly his dislike for her is instant and he puts little effort into hiding it. The problem is he's attracted to her just as much as he dislikes her and staying away from her starts to become a battle, a battle that he's not sure he can win.
When Molly's secret is revealed and she’s forced to face the pain from her past can she find the strength to stay and work through the pain or will she run away from everything she knows including the one man who gives her hope for a happy future? Hope that she never thought she would feel again.
Alpha Nicholas's Little Mate
What? No—wait… oh Moon Goddess, no.
Please tell me you're joking, Lex.
But she's not. I can feel her excitement bubbling under my skin, while all I feel is dread.
We turn the corner, and the scent hits me like a punch to the chest—cinnamon and something impossibly warm. My eyes scan the room until they land on him. Tall. Commanding. Beautiful.
And then, just as quickly… he sees me.
His expression twists.
"Fuck no."
He turns—and runs.
My mate sees me and runs.
Bonnie has spent her entire life being broken down and abused by the people closest to her including her very own twin sister. Alongside her best friend Lilly who also lives a life of hell, they plan to run away while attending the biggest ball of the year while it's being hosted by another pack, only things don't quite go to plan leaving both girls feeling lost and unsure about their futures.
Alpha Nicholas is 28, mateless, and has no plans to change that. It's his turn to host the annual Blue Moon Ball this year and the last thing he expects is to find his mate. What he expects even less is for his mate to be 10 years younger than him and how his body reacts to her. While he tries to refuse to acknowledge that he has met his mate his world is turned upside down after guards catch two she-wolves running through his lands.
Once they are brought to him he finds himself once again facing his mate and discovers that she's hiding secrets that will make him want to kill more than one person.
Can he overcome his feelings towards having a mate and one that is so much younger than him? Will his mate want him after already feeling the sting of his unofficial rejection? Can they both work on letting go of the past and moving forward together or will fate have different plans and keep them apart?
The Rejected Luna: From Outcast to Alpha Queen
Then she came back.
Layla—my pure-blooded half-sister with her perfect smile and poison tongue. Within days of her return from Europe, Paxton was ready to throw me away like yesterday's news.
"I want to sever our bond, Freya. Lyra is my true mate."
Wrong move, Alpha.
He thinks I'm just another submissive mate who'll quietly disappear. He's forgotten I'm a mixed-blood Alpha who's been playing nice for far too long. While he's busy playing house with my backstabbing sister, Lucas Morgan—the most dangerous Alpha in the territory—is making me an offer I can't refuse.
Paxton wants to discard me? Fine.
But he's about to learn that some women don't just walk away—they burn everything down on their way out.
I'm done being the good girl. Done being the perfect mate. Done hiding what I really am.
The CEO's Contractual Wife
About Author
Melissa McClone
Download AnyStories App to discover more Fantasy Stories.
