Not Yet

By Alexa Riley

Drake has loved Ali since the day they met and nothing has changed since then. He's had to keep her at arm's length because he can't have a happily ever after with her.  But when it's time for the homecoming dance, he can't let anyone else be by her side. It's time to give in to what his heart has always wanted and what it's waited for. 

Warning: These childhood best friends can't make this work…or can they? Fall in love with us as these two finally realize what's right in front of them and dare to hold on to it. We promise it's worth the wait! 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alexa Riley
• Release date: Jul 12, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393079262

Alexa Riley

New York Times bestselling author Alexa Riley is two sassy friends who got together and wrote some dirty books. They are both married moms of two who love football, donuts, and obsessed book heroes. They specialize in insta-love, over-the-top, sweet, and cheesy love stories that don’t take all year to read. If you want something SAFE, short, and always with a happily ever after, then Alexa Riley is for you! www.AlexaRiley.com

Book preview

Chapter One

Ali

Five years old

I s that a castle? I squeal as I unclick my seatbelt before my mom can get the car fully into park.

Ali-bug, she scolds me, nodding pointedly at the seatbelt.

Sorry! I shout as I open the car door and jump out.

You live in a castle, Mr. Hawthorne? I ask, running toward him.

I’ve known Mr. Hawthorne for a while now. He was my mom’s boss at work. I think he owns it or something. I jump toward him and he leans down to catch me midair.

David, he reminds me as he lifts me up.

You live in a castle, David? I ask again.

It’s hard to remember to call him David. Everyone else calls him Mr. Hawthorne, even Mom when she’s at work. The only time she ever calls him David is when we’re alone with him or she’s talking to me about him. I get to see him bunches since my mom has to take me into work with her sometimes. He lets me play in his office, and when we order lunch he always sneaks me dessert.

I was thinking about living here. He smiles at me. But a castle needs a princess. I know he’s teasing me. I also know this isn't really a castle, but it looks like one. Not only that but there’s so much land everywhere. Mom and I don't have a yard so we have to drive to the park if we want to play outside.

Sorry, Mommy, I say before she can scold me again. I got out of the car too fast but it was a castle and I got excited.

Do you know of any princesses, Ali? David asks me.

Not a real one. I scrunch my nose as I think and remember that David always calls me a princess.

You’re not my princess? he asks.

When I look at my mom I see she’s biting her bottom lip.

Yours? I ask, not understanding what he means.

Well, I’d like you to be, if you’d give me that honor. I look at my mom to see what she says.

David and I want to get married, Ali-bug. I squeal as I throw my arms around David and hug him tightly. Well, that was easier than I thought it was going to be, I hear my mom say with a small laugh in her voice.

Do we get to have a wedding and live in this castle? David’s whole body shakes as he tries to cover a laugh. Does that mean you’ll be my dad?

I’ve never had a dad before, but I sometimes secretly pretend David is mine. He’s always so sweet to me and my mom, and we don't have any other family besides the two of us.

If you want me to be. I nod my head and I feel my braids wiggle. But you know I have a son, princess, so I’ll be his dad too.

I think back to the picture that sits on his desk of the boy with dark hair. I’ve never met him before but I’ve heard David talk about him.  

David turns a little and I see the same boy from the picture standing in the entryway of the house and he’s watching us. David puts me down on my feet as the boy walks over to me.

Drake, this is Ali. Drake looks just like David and I smile at him. He studies me for a second and it’s the same face David makes when he’s staring at his computer screen at work. After a moment he holds his hand out to me and I take it, but he doesn't let go like you're supposed to.

You wanna play? he asks.

He doesn't look like he plays. He’s in a button-up shirt and pants and he’s so clean. Maybe that’s why he looks so much like his dad. They dress the same. I don’t normally like playing with boys because they don’t want to play with my dolls. He might though.

Yes, I agree and I let his hand go. I run back to the car to grab my backpack then rush back to him and unzip it. I have Barbies.

He stares at the Ken doll I hold out to him and for a second I think he’s going to tell me no. But he reaches his hand out and takes it and nods.

Okay, he says and I smile even bigger.

Not only am I getting a dad but I’m getting a brother, too. This is the best day ever.

Chapter Two

Drake

Nine years old

G uys, I said bedtime half an hour ago, Carmen says as she comes into my bedroom.

Ali and I have been playing the new Mario game since we ran in the door from school. She got it for her birthday last week and we’ve almost beaten it.

Mom, come on, we’re almost to the end, Ali pleads and I back her up.

Five more minutes. Please.

No, you’ve both got swim lessons and soccer tomorrow. You’ll be bears if you stay up any later. She turns off the television and we both plug in our controllers to charge them.

Ali stomps her foot as she goes into the bathroom to brush her teeth. I’m just as mad as she is, but I don’t like to show it in front of Carmen. She’s my stepmom but she’s basically been my mom since the day I met her.

My real mom died when I was just a baby and my dad raised me by himself until he met her. Of course he had help with nannies and babysitters, but when Carmen came along she was like a real mom. She taught me how to tie my shoes and how to bake cookies. I didn’t really know what I was missing out on until she came along, and now I don’t want to do anything that might make her go away.

Mom? I say while Ali is out of earshot.

Yeah, buddy? She’s in my room putting away a stack of laundry and I sit on the edge of the bed. I must be quiet too long because she turns around and looks at me. Is everything okay, Drake?

It’s Muffins for Moms tomorrow and I, um, wanted to know if you’d come to my class. I stare down at my feet as I kick them back and forth. I don’t know why I’m so nervous to ask her.

I feel her walk over and sit down on the bed next to me. After a moment I look up and see her smiling so sweetly down at me.

I know it’s tomorrow. I’ve had it on my calendar all week. Of course I’ll be there, you know that. She puts an arm around me and I lean into her softness. She’s always so warm, I can see why my dad likes hugging her.

Okay, cool. I try to play it off like I wasn’t worried, but deep down the knot in my stomach loosens.

I’ll pop into Ali’s class and then come to yours afterward. But don’t worry, I’ll save room. She winks at me and I smile again, realizing that I was worried for no reason.

Ali and I are in the same grade, but after we talked to one another nonstop through kindergarten and first grade our parents made us split up. I still get to see her throughout the day and we have recess at the same time so it’s not so bad. She’s my best friend so I wish we could spend all of our time hanging out.

Night, Mom, Ali calls out as she climbs onto the air mattress on the floor that’s already made up. Mom put it in here for Ali’s birthday and it’s been here ever since.

Night, Ali-bug. She leans down and cuddles her as I get into my bed and she comes and does the same.

Get some sleep, buddy, she says as she tucks me in. Can’t wait for tomorrow, she whispers before she turns out the light and closes the door.

As soon as the door shuts, I feel my bed dip and Ali crawls in beside me. How long do you think we have before we can start playing again?

Maybe we should just get some sleep? I say, never wanting to be the one that makes Mom mad. I save up all my sneaky stuff for Dad.

Nah, she’ll send Dad up here if she hears us. Remember they take turns.

True, I say, grinning at her, and grab the remotes again.

Turn down the volume, Ali hisses when the game console comes to life.

Just remember if Dad comes up I’m pretending to be asleep, I say because we both know he won’t get mad at Ali.

You’re terrible at faking sleep.

Here, you take the black one, it’s got more power, I say, handing it to her.

Thanks.

You be Mario this time. You’re better with the jumps. I watch her play for a bit before I join her. She’s always so happy when she’s gaming and even though we’re both tired, I wouldn’t turn down a chance to play with her.

We end up staying up a lot longer than we thought but we beat the game. Afterwards we both fall into my bed and pass out, but just as I fall asleep I think how cool it is that I get to live with my best friend. I never understood when some of my friends at school complained about their sisters. Ali is awesome.

Chapter Three

Ali

Thirteen years old

Ireach for my backpack and take it from Drake’s hand. Don’t go through my stuff, I snap at him but then instantly feel guilty. I’m going to blame it on the hormones Mom said are making me moody.

Drake stares at me with a shocked expression and then his eyes narrow. I’m not usually short with him because there’s never a reason