Strong Enough

By Alexis Alexander

People cross paths in life, their purpose unknown but with reason.

Reece Miller’s life changed that dark night when she was only 17. She hardly remembers what took place but she can’t forget him. His smell his feel and that he saved her.
She has spent six years wondering about him, what might have happened. Her existence since then has been a shell of what it could have been. Hardened by life, Reece has built a wall around herself. Unable to understand love or how to trust, she pushes through life hiding; until a few key people cross her path and slowly chip at her shell, one of them being the very man she has not been able to forget.
Will Reece figure out who he is and his reason for being in her life is before it’s too late? Or will she lose the one person meant to make her whole again?

NOT SUITABLE FOR ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 18
BOOK CONTAINS EXPLICIT LANGUAGE AND SEXUAL CONTENT

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alexis Alexander
• Release date: Jun 19, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301995370

Alexis Alexander

TO SAY MY life has been normal would be an injustice. I believe growing up a military brat gave me a bit of an edge to go after the things I wanted no matter how crazy they seemed or who said I couldn't do it. Maybe not everything worked out exactly how I wanted, but then again, I am fortunate to have done things in life many haven't. My adventure as an Author has defiantly been exciting to say the least. In my life one thing has remained a passion and that is my love of reading and writing. My writing is what made last minute, should have done this a week ago and now it's due at 9am, college papers so successful. (But I wouldn't recommend that process to anyone.) I have been very blessed to have wonderful people in my life who have encouraged and pushed me along the way to stay focused on the things I have said I have wanted. Born in Phoenix Arizona in 19_ _ (ha! Like I'm putting my age) my parents were both active duty Air Force. I was privileged to live in Japan during my youngster years, Spain during my elementary years (BEST years of my life!) and have spent the remainder of my years in Texas! I proudly call myself a Texas girl! I'm a flip flop (year round) jeans and T's wearing kinda girl but you can dress me up and take me out. I am huge into football and a DIE HARD Texans fan!! I was an amateur billiards player in high school and college and still enjoy playing now but I'm rusty compared to my fore mentioned years. I'm learning to play the guitar (slow process for me). I love fast cars, working out, music (especially concerts) and movies. My wonderful daughter and I live in New Braunfels Texas which is basically between Austin and San Antonio. I hope my readers enjoy my books as much as I have enjoyed writing them and I am so very thankful for your support!

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Strong Enough

Book One

A Novel Series

Copyright © 2013 by Alexis Alexander

Published by Alexis Alexander

Published Edition #2

Cover Photo(s) by: FuriousFotog

Cover Model: Mike Crowson

http://www.musclemotives.com/

Cover Design by: Sarah Hansen at Okay Creations

3rd edition edited by Raelene Green of word·play by 77peaches

a division of 77peaches enterprises, LLC

All rights reserved.

Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Meet Zane Bauer

LEANING ACROSS THE rail, it’s easy to see the path of green in front of me. Nothing is blocking my view. Oh this is too easy. I think to myself, these guys won’t even know what hit them.

Hey sweetheart, you gonna take the shot, or what?

I pause, letting my blue eyes drift upward. My long auburn hair falls over my shoulders as I hover above the table green. I know what I’m doing. The neck of my fitted sweater gapes just enough to show my cleavage to the frat boys leaning against the wall. Combine that with my fit-like-a-glove jeans on my athletic 5’9" frame and the boys are always thrown off their game.

How should I play this?

I could play the dumb chick that knows nothing about the game, or the confused bimbo that can’t figure out how to hold the stick. Neither of them are me, and the thought of trying to act like either one—or any of the dumb-ass girls that hang out at the local college pool hall to hit on guys—seriously makes me physically sick. I might as well stick with just being me.

Glancing over at the blond haired, green-eyed, semi-built wannabe stud frat boy, I take a shallow breath, smile and bat my baby blues at him, 9-ball, bank off the center rail to the side pocket.

It’s impossible to miss the look of surprise on his face, or the smirk appearing on my best friend Jodi’s face, and I know this is going to be fun.

Leaning a little closer to the green, I breathe in deeply. As I focus on the cue ball, my attention is suddenly shaken by a voice that sends shivers down my back. Dear God who is that talking? The voice drips with sex and confidence; his southern drawl catches me and won’t let go. I stand up, looking for the owner of the voice. Come on, say something again…dammit, don’t stop talking. Of course, no such luck. The voice is gone, but the chill it left on me is still very evident.

Can we get back to the game, sweetheart? Wannabe stud asks. His voice elicits no reaction other than irritation. These frat boys are all alike.

I reluctantly drag my eyes and body back to the table. I line up my shot and briefly close my eyes to steady myself. Pulling the stick back, I take aim at the cue ball and release it with a bit of controlled force. As I expected, the cue slams into the nine ball with enough topspin to slightly pull it back after striking the nine ball. The nine banks off the center rail and quickly slides into the side pocket, just as I knew it would, solidifying my win.

You have got to be kidding me, you hustled me?

Hun, I don’t know what you mean. You guys stopped at my table and asked if I wanted to play for a small wager. You offered a round of drinks if I won. Never did you ask if I knew how to play. So how is that me hustling you, exactly? I can’t suppress my smirk as I lay it out to them. My initial response when they asked to play was something along the lines of Oh, I don’t know if it’s a fair fight.

So what if it wasn’t a fair fight? I knew it, Jodi knew it, and the four guys at the table next to us knew it. Hell, the bartenders and the bouncers even knew it. I am a three-time State Billiards Champ, for Pete’s sake. It never fails; guys come into the pool hall, looking to drink, play pool, and hit on the girls. They never expect me to know how to play. I think that’s what makes it so fun for me.

I’ve been coming here since before I could drive. My daddy use to play pretty frequently. Ever since his buddy Danny bought the place when he retired from the Air Force it was never an issue when I tagged along. I practically grew up in this place. When my daddy died, I felt more of a pull to be here, to play the game—his game—and even more to be just as good as he was. When I’m here and playing, my daddy is right here with me. It’s been five years since he died, and Danny has never said no when I walk in. I think he has always known it was the only way I could keep my daddy with me. The only rule has been, no drinking until I turn 21, and all the bartenders know it. Unfortunately, I am only 17.

Ok…Ok, you worked me this time, but it’s cool, I would play this or any game with you if you continue to wear shirts like that and bend over the table, he says with a wicked grin and an all-too-familiar twinkle in his eye.

Keep your eyes in their sockets, jackass. She’s spoken for.

What? Excuse me? Who the hell? I whip around to see who’s trying to claim me.

ADAM!! I bolt up from the table I’m leaning against and fling myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck so hard, trying to pull him into me. God, I have missed this boy. Oh my God, what are you doing here? When did you get back? Where are you staying? How long will you be here?

"Wwooohhh, Reece. Slow down, sweetheart.

Adam Snow is my heart. I know it; he doesn’t. Adam is three years older than me and graduated two years ago. I have loved him since the first time I saw him.

The Air Force had just given my daddy new orders moving us to West Texas and into base housing. I was standing on the front stoop of our new house as the movers pulled up when I first laid eyes on Adam. Tall, lean, and athletic with spiked dirty blonde hair, he looked like he belonged on a California beach with a surfboard tucked under his arm. He completed the surfer look easily in his board shorts and flip flops in the Texas heat. He was the cutest boy I had ever seen.

He saw me standing on the stoop and waved. I turned to look to see if he was waving at someone else, only to find a closed door and no one else around. I blushed and waved back. I knew right then there was something special about him.

We quickly became close, but I was always just his little Reece. He never acted like a big brother to me, and as we grew up something developed between us, but I just could never tell what. We spent most of our time together. The whole school wondered what was between us, but it never stopped the girls from coming after him.

Adam is handsome. Actually, he’s more than handsome. With brown eyes the size of saucers and a smile that melts any heart, Adam Snow is a hottie. Even more so, he has a heart of gold and a personality that can win awards. He is what most would call a total package.

I was devastated when he told me he joined the Army after graduation. I was in complete shock. Adam knew, he knew about my daddy; he knew I loved him, even if he didn’t know what kind of love it was. I couldn’t understand how he could just leave me. Before I could even wrap my mind around what was happening, Adam had left for basic training, and I haven’t seen him in eighteen months and two days.

Ok, yes, I’ve been counting.

Sweetheart, I can’t breathe.

Oh, I’m sorry. I just…well…I just can’t believe you're standing here. My head hangs slightly as I reluctantly release my hold from around his neck.

He gently cups my chin in his hand and tilts it up, forcing me to look at him. After a brief moment, Adam slowly lowers his lips to my forehead, kissing it softly. God, I’ve missed you, he breathes as he wraps his arms around me again.

Wait a minute. I l look at him puzzled. We just talked this morning, and you said you were heading out to the field. How…when…why… I don’t understand.

Chuckling, he leans in and whispers in my ear, I wanted to see the look on your face when I surprised you, and by that welcome, I am so glad I did.

A slight blush colors my cheeks as I look into his brown eyes. The eyes that have seen me in every way a person can be seen. Every way except romantically.

Ahem. Wannabe stud interrupts our reunion with an exaggerated clear of his throat. Hate to break up the little welcome home party you’re having here, but I want a rematch, he demands, clearly irritated with losing the spotlight. Now that I know you can play, I won’t go so easy on you.

By this time, Jodi has snuck over and said a quick hi to Adam, and is clearly not amused, "Um, excuse me, go easy on her? You have got to be kidding me, jack-off. My girl Reece can play you every which way under the sun and you still won’t beat her."

Yep, that’s my best friend for you. When Jodi opens her mouth, God knows what will come out of it. Gotta love her, though.

Listen, bitch, I wasn’t talking to you.

Ooh, bad choice of words.

Before anyone can react, Adam has him up against the wall with his forearm across his neck—his rather large and recently tattooed forearm—and is leaning into him close. Watch who you call a bitch, boy. You and your frat brothers have overstayed your welcome at Reece’s table. I suggest you apologize to the lady for being a royal dick, and take your drinks and move on. I would hate to end up in jail my first night back in town because I have to stick my foot up your ass.

Releasing the guy from his grip, Adam steps back to Jodi and me, a crooked smile on his face as he waits for the frat boy’s response.

Realization hits that he has no support as he looks around at his friends and he slowly looks to me and then the table. Deciding he prefers to have his ass uninhibited by Adam’s foot, he picks up his beer, grabs his stick and motions with a flick of his chin to his brothers. As he walks past Jodi, he gives a quick and quiet, sorry, and moves down the row to an open table.

Relaxing against the table, I look up at Adam and smile. Glad to see the Army hasn’t changed you, I say with a snicker. Adam has never been violent. I think in all the years I have known him I have seen him get in one fight, and that was with his dog because it chewed up his favorite pair of Vans.

Aw, Reece, you know I will always defend you, and since Jodi is part of you, she gets my protection, too, Adam grins as he looks at Jodi.

In true Jodi style, she kisses him on the cheek before bouncing over to chat up the guys we know playing at the next table.

Ok, so spill, I want all the details. When did you get into town, where are you staying, how long are you staying…

Laughing, Adam leans next to me against the table and stretches his legs out in front of him. I can’t help noticing how much bigger—muscular—he is. I got in about, oh, thirty minutes ago. I’m staying with my aunt and uncle, and I am on leave for the next two months. I’ve been saving up my leave over the last eighteen months so I would be able to come back and spend it all with you. That’s why I haven’t been home. I have missed you, he whispers the last bit to me; the most endearing look in his eyes, and my insides to turn to mush.

I just stare at him. For the first time in a very long time, I’m speechless. Until this very moment, I didn’t realize just how much I have missed him. How much I need him around me. He calms me and makes me feel loved and safe. Even if it isn’t the way I would like for it to be, in an actual relationship, I wouldn’t give up what I have with him for anything.

Reaching up, I brush the back of my hand along his jaw, I have missed you so much, Adam. Even though we talk nearly every day, my life feels so different with you gone. I was afraid I would never see you again.

He pushes off the table and moves to stand right in front of me. His gaze, direct and determined, locks with mine as cups my face in his hands. Reece, you have no idea how much I have needed to see you; to touch your face. I spent endless hours thinking about you after we talked. You are my best friend in the whole world. No one knows me like you do. No one makes me feel the way you do.

I’m sure my expression is one of complete astonishment. I have no clue what to say. All I can do is stare into his beautiful face and smile, desperately trying to keep my hopes in check. Then I hear the words I’ve only heard him say in my dreams.

Reece Miller, I am 100% completely in love with you, and I don’t know what to do with myself without you.

HOLY SHIT! Did I just hear him right? Did he just say he LOVED ME? As in love me like a friend or love me like a guy should love a girl? Or is it a brotherly love? What other kinds of love could it be? Oh My God. No, he just said he was in love with me. Shit! Snap out of it Miller! He’s standing here, looking at you, and you haven’t said anything back.

I drag myself out of my head and back to the moment, still utterly speechless. So I do the only thing I can think of.

I slide my hand around the back of his neck and gently pull his face to mine. I pause briefly and look into his eyes before I close mine and timidly press my lips to his. The soft warmth of his lips responding to mine hits me like a brick wall and I gasp in disbelief. Adam seizes the opportunity and slips his tongue between my lips, slowly and sweetly exploring my mouth. Gentle, yet passionate, the kiss has me on cloud nine. I can’t feel my toes. My hands are moving in his hair, but I can’t feel my fingers. My lips are burning, but it’s a good burn; a deep passionate burn. Ever so slightly Adam pulls back to tug gently on my bottom lip.

Holy hell that’s hot!

Whistles and catcalls bring us back to reality, and just like that, it ends. Realizing we’re still in public, I smile, and can feel his smile against my lips as we slowly pull apart. Suddenly light-headed, I drop my hands to the table to brace myself.

I don’t think I could have asked for a better response, he says as he slides his hands up and down my arms.

"Adam, you have no idea how long I have wanted to hear you say those words. I have loved you for so long, but I would never give up our friendship if that wasn’t how you felt. So I have kept it to myself. Not even Jodi knows how I feel.

OH crap, now I have to deal with Jodi later.

I’m sorry I haven’t told you sooner. I don’t know what it was that made me tell you now, except I couldn’t keep lying to myself.

Lying, what do you mean?

Reece, I have always felt something for you, I just never understood what it was. I knew it wasn’t a brotherly love, or a best friend love, but I always treated it that way. I think I was scared. Just like you, I never wanted to lose you and I thought if I told you and you didn’t feel the same…Well, I thought you would stop being my friend because it would be too awkward. But I couldn’t take it anymore. I’ve been away from you for so long, and shit, Reece, I don’t know what to say except I can’t do it anymore. I can’t hide the feelings. I can’t leave you again.

What do you mean you can’t leave me again? I ask perplexed.

We’ll talk about it later, okay? he says quickly. This isn’t the time or place.

My face heats up and my head feels light again. What did he mean by can’t leave me again?

Ok, we can talk later, I murmur, even though the last thing I want to do is wait. I won’t be able to sleep until we’ve talked.

I’m exhausted after the trip back. Seven hours of flying kind of sucks, he smiles weakly. I am gonna head to my aunt and uncle’s, but I want to pick you up in the morning for breakfast. Is that okay?

Oh okay, yeah sure, breakfast. What time?

8:00 am okay? I know you hate getting up early, but I don’t know if I can wait much later, Reece. I don’t want to even be away from you ’til then.

Then don’t be, a glimmer of hope is in my voice. You know you can stay at my house, she won’t notice anyway; not even sure she’ll be sober enough to know you're there.

He knows what I’m talking about. He knows my mom has been a complete drunk, with a propensity for prescription pain