Hi everyone!! I’m trying to get back into the swing of things with posting more, but it’s been kind of hard with working and writing nonstop; but not to worry, I will still bring updates on new stories, releases, and more.
Today, I’ll be sharing an excerpt from one of my newest projects, I’m The Only One You Need, which will be another standalone. This is Mika’s story, who you probably remember as Carla’s cousin from the No Other Love series. This story is all about choosing the right man for her as she struggles with her feelings for her ex, Devin, who was recently released from prison, and Anthony, her current boyfriend who is deemed the “perfect guy” by everyone in her life. Of course there will be a lot of secrets revealed as well as knowing a little about each character, especially the relationship between Mika and Devin.
Here is cover for I’m The Only One You Need:
And here’s an excerpt from the story. Enjoy!!
Growing up, I never expected my life to be where it is right now. I always imagined that I would be married at thirty, have two kids, a successful career, and live in the suburbs with the white picket fence and two dogs. My husband would be a successful lawyer, while my kids would have the best in everything. I would be living the American dream.
Of course, my life didn’t turn out that way. Instead, I met and fell in love with a guy that was wrong for me, got pregnant at sixteen, watched my baby daddy go to prison and had to raise my child without him and basically had to fend for myself.
Yep, my life was not a fairy tale. Instead, it was a fucking nightmare. But as some people would say, it’s reality.
I looked over my notes for my presentation when I glanced at the clock on the wall. I sighed and yelled loud enough for my thirteen-year-old daughter, Parker, to hear.
“Parker! If you don’t get your ass up, I swear I will burst down that damn door! You’ve been late to school too many times this week!”
I shook my head, wondering what was wrong with her. Despite everything that is going on in her life, Parker is such a great kid. She would do anything for anyone and has a good head on her shoulders. Honestly, I wish I was like her when I was her age. Even though I don’t regret having Parker, I should have listened to my mama on a lot of things. I think my life could have been different if I had.
“Parker Cecilia Windsor! If you don’t open that door this instant, I swear I will knock it down myself!” I yelled as I made my journey upstairs. I had an important meeting with a very high-profiled client at work today and I cannot be late. Being the youngest executive at my investment firm, I was up for a promotion against several other seasoned employees. This meeting could be my ticket to getting that new job title, so I cannot mess this up.
I went to her door and opened it. The scene I witnessed quickly made me slam the door.
“Oh my God,” I whispered as I leaned my back against the door. My breathing became shallow as I stood there, not knowing what to do or say. I could go in and beat her ass for what I just saw, but I couldn’t, especially since I was in the same situation when I was a teenager. I looked ahead down the hall, trying to collect my thoughts as I took a deep breath and sighed.
“Parker, we’ll talk about this later. I have to get to work. I’m going to call Cousin Carla to take you to school, okay?”
She didn’t say a word on the other end of the door as I wiped the tears from my face. Hopefully she had the common sense she was given to get rid of what she was doing in there before Carla came there. She had her own key to my house, so she could easily come in if needed. I put my hand on the door, still shocked by what I saw. I took another breath and slowly went down the stairs. I had a meeting to get to.
Sixteen Years Ago…
“I don’t know why you dragged me to this,” I complained as I walked up to the front steps.
My cousin Carla smiled. “Because you need to loosen up and have some fun. You’re always either in the house reading or outside reading. You’re too young and you need to have fun.”
I sighed, “My life is perfectly fine. I don’t need to be like you, always in the streets.”
She laughed, “If you talking about being with Danny, then whatever. I think he’s cool.”
“Did you sleep with him?”
Carla looked at me as if I was crazy. “I may say I like him, but I didn’t sleep with him. I’m saving myself. Besides, how did this get to me? This is about you acting like an old woman. Before long, you’ll probably be living in a shoe with fifty cats.”
I shook my head and smiled, “Whatever heifer.”
She opened the door and we immediately looked at the scene in front of us. I looked over at Carla and she shrugged.
The place was an all-out orgy as everyone was either making out, bumping and grinding on each other as if they were having sex, or were actually doing it. I looked around, wondering where were these kids’ parents to let them out like this.
“I’m going to find Danny, so stay right here.”
“What? You’re going to leave me here?”
“I have to let him know I’m here. This is his party, so he told me to make an appearance.”
I rolled my eyes as she went out into the crowd, leaving me standing near the middle of the living room, wishing I was anywhere else but there. My mom would be horrified if she knew that Carla and I were here. She didn’t raise either of us to be associated with anyone that would bring our futures down, and being here tonight was definitely doing that for me.
“I see you don’t want to be here.”
I looked over and stared at the guy that was talking to me. I couldn’t stop staring as he had the most amazing eyes I have ever seen on a guy. He gave a sexy smile, which made my heart beat fast. With his mocha colored skin, short wavy fade, and those baggy clothes he’s wearing, he would be someone that I wouldn’t normally talk to, but those hazel brown eyes and that smile is what was drawing me to him.
“How could you tell?”
“Just by your expression. Besides, you don’t look like you would fit in with this crowd.”
“Oh, and how do you know I wouldn’t fit in?”
He smiled again and my heart fluttered. “I just know.”
“If you’re wondering, my cousin dragged me here. I would rather be at home, reading.”
He laughed, “See, you don’t fit in.”
“Whatever.”
“Who’s your cousin? I might know her.”
“Carla Windsor.”
“She’s the girl dating my cousin, Danny. I’m Devin,” he said while coming closer to me. I was starting to become sweaty as he stared into my eyes.
“Oh, well I’m Mika.”
He nodded, “Nice to meet you, Mika. I have to say, you are one beautiful girl, but I’m sure you’re too young for me.”
“Why would you think that? Aren’t you fifteen?”
He laughed, “Not even close. I’m eighteen, baby girl. If I get involved with you, I’ll be setting myself up for some jail time.”
“I’m not that young.”
“Oh really. You look like you’re twelve.”
“I’m not. I’m fifteen.”
“Exactly. Jail bait.”
I glanced at him again while he smiled. “But I guess we could talk some more. Nothing wrong with that, right?”
I smiled, “Not at all.”
He took me outside near the patio where we talked for hours about school and our favorite things. I looked at him throughout our conversation, realizing that coming to this party wasn’t so bad after all.
I looked ahead at the street in front of me, wondering why I allowed myself to go down memory lane and think about Devin. But with what happened with Parker this morning, I guess that was the natural unconscious reaction to do so. Those were the good times between us; when everything was all good and great. Now, I kind of regret that I even met him.
The full standalone will be avaiable either in March or April, but you can read a sneak peek of this story and many more in the Married To The Hustle anthology, which is available on Amazon. Each story will be a full length novel, so make sure to 1-Click.
The link is below:
I will keep you all updated when the official release date for ITOYN will be announced. 😀
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