Fireworks

By Lindsey Gray

Sophie McKibbin finds herself back in Sam Crawford’s life after ten years. Unfortunately, Sam is dating Lola, Sophie’s high school nemesis. Lola dumps Sam the day before he was supposed to introduce his mystery girlfriend to his family over the Fourth of July holiday. With the looming fear of disappointing his mother once again and his long held feelings for Sophie, he asks her to take Lola’s place. With family feuds, an old flame, and feelings that have been locked away for a decade, there is bound to be some fireworks.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lindsey Gray
• Release date: Jun 6, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301237098

Lindsey Gray

Lindsey Gray spends her days and most of her nights creating characters, over thinking everything, and trying to remember all the things on her massive to-do list. One thing that is always at the top of her list is writing something she hopes others will enjoy. Her journey into authordom began when her first novel was published in 2010. Through trials, tribulations, and learning how to work well with others in the author sandbox, she has found a joy she never thought she would know.Her many lists also include mothering her two children, devoting time to her handsome hubby, formatting novels for other authors, and hosting her weekly radio show, Gray Matters, on TMV Cafe Internet Radio.

Book preview

prologue

Can I have one?

Sam Crawford pulled his head out of his parents’ refrigerator at the sound of the voice he’d been hearing in his dreams for months.

He wiggled the ice-cold bottle of beer at her before shutting the refrigerator door. You mean one of these?

Sam popped off the top, took a long pull from the beer bottle, and sighed in relief. A satisfied grin graced his lips as he watched her throat bob.

You know what I want, she answered in a breathy whisper.

He came to stand right in front of her, mere inches separating his thumping heart from hers. I seem to remember my driver’s license says I’m twenty-one, while yours reads sixteen.

Come on, Sam. She ran her fingertip down the side of the bottle clearing away a line of condensation. Just one.

She looked up at him through her dark lashes in a plea for his permission.

Sophie, he grunted in frustration. The little minx had him in a constant state of arousal whenever she was near. Sam could see a thirst in her eyes for more than just the beer in his hand. How about a sip?

She nodded, and he brought it to her lips. One small sip, followed by a swallow and a soft moan had his restraint weakening.

She’s only sixteen. She’s only sixteen, Sam chanted over and over in his mind.

Delicious. Sophie licked her lips and curved them up into a smile.

Yes, you are.

Her breath caught in her throat. I am?

Sam could see the heat rise to her cheeks at his slip of the tongue. You know you are, but . . .

She backed away, most likely knowing what would follow. It had happened so many times before, yet every time he let himself take it a bit farther.

But I’m sixteen, Sophie sighed in disappointment.

Yes. He turned his head away from her and took another long drink to calm himself.

I won’t be sixteen forever, you know. She took the bottle from his hand and placed it on the counter. The five year difference won’t mean a thing when I’m twenty.

A few years. Sam nodded as if to tell her he would wait. For her, he felt he could.

Oh, Sophie. How nice to see you again.

Sophie and Sam jumped apart as his mother entered the kitchen. You too, Mrs. Crawford.

Are you and Caroline working on another project?

No, just hanging out. I was getting a drink. It was evident the woman of the house intimidated Sophie.

Sam reached into the refrigerator and pulled a soda out for Sophie. When he offered it to her, she accepted it.

You’re all set then. Mrs. Crawford pressed her lips together in a tight smile. My daughter is probably wondering what is taking you so long.

Yes, ma’am. Sophie turned and looked back at Sam. Thanks for the drink.

The wink following her comment assured Sam that she wasn’t talking about the soda.

When Sophie was out of earshot, the torment began.

I cannot believe that after everything I have said that you are blatantly flirting with your sister’s friend. Again! Sam’s mother clenched her teeth in apparent aggravation.

It’s harmless. She knows that. He picked up his beer and took another sip to distract himself.

She might, but do you? Mrs. Crawford walked over to the counter beside the refrigerator and pulled a drawing pad out from a stack of books. She flipped open the cover to reveal a portrait of Sophie drawn by Sam’s own hand.

Where did you get that? Sam reached for the pad, but she was quick to pull it away.

It doesn’t matter. This obsession you have has got to stop! She’s just a girl for pity sake. His mother flipped through the pad, finding page after page full of drawings of Sophie.

I know the age difference is something now, but in a few years —

She cut Sam off short. It will always matter. Your degree will be finished in two months. After that, you will be moving to Boston to obtain your master’s degree.

He hadn’t decided if he would take his education further. The Bachelor’s in Hospital Administration was his back up. Art was what he wanted to pursue.

I haven’t decided on Boston yet. You know that.

Mrs. Crawford narrowed her eyes and began speaking in an eerie tone. You will go to Boston, and you will complete your master’s degree or you will be cut off without a cent.

You can’t do that. Sam was visibly shaken by her threat.

I can and I will. This obsession with Sophie McKibbin ends today. If you ever make offerings to her other than friendship, you will not see one more dime from your father or me.

Sam nodded without a word. He complied that day with the hope that someday Sophie would be in his life again when there wasn’t a damn thing his mother could do about it.

chapter one

You’re thirty-one years old. It’s high time you settle down and give me some grandbabies.

Mom. Sam rolled his eyes and leaned back in his leather desk chair.

Don’t give me that tone, Samuel. I must meet this girl you’re involved with before you combine the Crawford genes with hers. Her huff was more than audible from the other end of the phone.

Could a huff be ear piercing? It definitely made his ears ring.

And what is this whole nonsense with not even telling us the girl’s name? Honestly, Sam, why?

He took a deep breath. She has family in Halston. I don’t want you bombarding them for details before you have a chance to meet her properly. It’s the same for me; her family doesn’t know my name, either. We’ve only been seeing each other a couple of months. Give us a chance to figure us out before bringing the Crawford genes into the picture.

This is just ridiculous. His mother added another huff for good measure.

Mom, I need to get back to work. Give everyone my love.

Fine, but I’m still upset with you. Can I at least know what she looks like?

Sam thought about it for a moment before he let go of two tiny details. She has long brown hair and blue eyes. That is all you’re getting from me.

I guess that will be enough.

He rolled his eyes for what seemed like the hundredth time since the conversation started. See you soon.

The call to his mother, Virginia, was supposed to be a quick hello before he started his shift