Harden Fields Series Duet

By Christal Mosley

Welcome to the small southern town of HARDEN FIELDS...where the sun is hot, the tea is sweet, and love is in the air.

THIS SIDE OF FOREVER: Laney Oliver is ready to start a fresh new life – one without the constant reminder of the one who broke her heart. Four years have passed in the small southern town of Harden Fields, and the bad boy who broke her heart is back for the summer with every intention on winning her back. But will Laney be able to let her guard down in the name of a once upon a time true love?

NEVER SAY NEVER: Jonah Cutler and Kasey Massoney have known each other just short of forever. In a moment of weakness, they decided to take their friendship to a different level...with no strings attached. But neither of them intend for things to go so far. Falling for one another was never part of the plan. But you know what they say...never say never.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christal Mosley
• Release date: Oct 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463176290

Christal Mosley

Christal Mosley is the author of books for all ages, including contemporary romance, young adult, and middle grade fiction. Her words are usually funny, sometimes sweet, and typically full of charm and southern sass. She’s a boy mom, so things are never dull, always loud, and typically caked in dirt. When she’s not whirling through the local coffee shop and carting her tribe to their next adventure, you can find her writing, having a car concert, or heading up the next dance party in her kitchen. And like any true southern girl, she loves Jesus, sweet tea, a good rom-com, and spending time with her family. She lives in Alabama with her husband and their three boys.You can visit Christal at www.christalmosley.com or contact her through email (she loves to hear from readers!). You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr. And follow her on Goodreads and Bookbub.

Book preview

Laney Oliver, is ready to start a fresh new life – one without the constant reminder of the one who broke her heart. Four years have passed in the small southern town of Harden Fields, and the bad boy who broke her heart is back for the summer, with every intention on winning her back. But will Laney be able to let her guard down in the name of a once upon a time love or will she choose a different side of forever?

Prologue

"I want to hear you say it, he said, standing on my front porch in the fading southern sun. His arms wrapped around me, breathing me in. His bright blue eyes staring into mine. Out loud."

The butterflies stirred just like they always had.

Ever since we were kids – whether we were climbing trees or catching tadpoles down by the creek – he was my everything.

"Someone might hear us, I replied, pulling away and glancing around for signs of listening ears. And you already know how she feels about us. How everyone feels about us."

"I don’t care how anyone feels about me, about you, or about us.He stared deep into my eyes and tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. I care about you…and how you feel about us. He studied me, searching my face for treasure troves of answers. Laney –He threaded his fingers through my hair and pulled me closer. It’s you and me against the world. That’s my promise to you, Lane. Now, tomorrow, next week, next year…forever and always. It’s always been my promise. It’ll always be my promise. His eyes searched mine. Now, say it…I want to hear you say it."

I hesitated.

"Pretty please, he said, playfully begging with his lips poked out and his gorgeous eyes pleading. With a cherry on top."

"Well, you know how I am about dessert… He smiled, and I took a deep breath. I swallowed and licked my lips, dragging the words up to surface from the depths of my soul. You and me, Jay. Us against the world." I paused and gazed up at him, dreaming about all the possibilities these promises could hold. I wouldn’t be afraid of what people would say. I wouldn’t worry with the fears in the back of my mind. I would take the plunge. I would jump in head first. Because that’s how much I trusted him, that’s how much I loved him.

"Say it…" he whispered against the air around us.

I took a deep breath. Inhale. Exhale.

"Always and forever."

He smiled and dipped his head low and kissed me. And the world melted away.

The minutes ticked by, turning into hours.

I sat very still in the quiet darkness of my room and glanced over at the clock on my bedside table.

He was late. He was never late.

We didn't have long. My mom would be up soon. This would make things more difficult. I would have to offer explanations, and I wasn't prepared for that.

My parents weren't exactly fans of the boy next door.

My mom was completely against any decision that didn’t involve her and any decision that involved him. My dad settled on indifference for his own reasons – reputation, status, take your pick – but at least he kept his opinions to himself. Most of the time. My mom wasn't that diplomatic.

They had their arguments, which were well-deserved. Jeremiah Cutler was no saint – he’d proven that time fact and time again. But were any of us? And what did they know about anything, anyway? They were under the same roof, living separate lives, sharing separate dreams. It had gotten worse, and my sister and I were caught in the crossfire.

Was it so wrong that I wanted things to be different?

Suddenly, the fear swept over me that maybe it would never be different. Maybe I was doomed to live out the life I avoided, the future I feared. Maybe if I'd only listened, I wouldn't be sitting here...waiting.

I peeked outside again, peering into the night from my bedroom window.

He was never late. Something was wrong.

I took a deep breath and pushed my thoughts aside, then glanced back at the clock. Time was slipping away. A knot had started to ball up tight in my stomach.

I had plans, we had plans. I grabbed my bag and pulled it across my body. I started down the hallway, suddenly meeting my sister’s sleepy stare.

Lane – There were questions underlying in her silence, but she already knew the answers. What’s going on? She glanced at the bag slung over my shoulder. Where are you going? It's –

Everything’s fine, Lyss, I said, interrupting her quietly. Go on back to bed.

It was still too dark to tell if she could see it, but regret had already settled in my eyes, blurring my vision. Suddenly, my future didn't seem so clear anymore. It was more like muddy water.

I turned, walking away, not wanting to meet her stare. I didn’t know which Alyssa she would be at the moment – a confidant with a voice of reason or an assailant with word daggers of treason – and I couldn't bring myself to hear them right now.

Instead, I listened as she shuffled against the floor and her bedroom door closed quietly. I rounded the corner, entering the kitchen, and poured myself a cup of coffee from the fresh pot of stout, timer-set, five o'clock brew.

The early morning light had yet to break through the dawning sky. I slipped out on the front porch steps and stared out at the purple night sky fading in the wake of the sunrise, curling my fingers around the steaming cup in my hand.

Suddenly, the door cracked open behind me and I took a deep breath. I closed my eyes.

Here it comes.

Laney, what are you doing out here so early? The sleepiness still lingered in my mother’s voice. Is everything okay?

I couldn’t bring myself to turn around and face her. She had been right all along. So, without admitting it, I opened my eyes and simply said, Just wanted to catch the sunrise.

Do you want some company? she asked. I could feel her studying me, though I wasn’t quite sure what she was looking for.

Sure.

This was new. But I would take it.

She slipped inside to pour herself a cup of coffee. Within moments, she returned and took a seat on the steps beside me, her body wrapped tight in a cozy, animal print robe. It's nice out here. I'm usually in too much of a hurry to notice. She curled her fingers around the mug in her hand and took a slow sip of her coffee as the steam unfurled from its insides. Laney, about our conversation –

It’s fine, Mom.

So, you understand where we stand on this… She paused letting her words fall around us like early morning dew. You and Jeremiah Cutler –

Mom – I said, staring straight ahead. It’s…done.

Good. She sighed as if a weight had lifted from her shoulders. But that one word settled heavy on mine. Because it wasn’t good. It was the furthest thing from good. It was terrible, and I felt awful. That one word felt so final, like she had won. And maybe she had.

I nodded, giving a disheartened smile.

He wasn’t coming, and the life I’d always known was falling away faster than I could comprehend, causing my heart to break into. And if my mom noticed, she didn’t let on.

Jeremiah Cutler had made promises that would never see another day in the world of us. But my eyes were beginning to see the light, and my heart was beginning to feel the weight of the truth.

My parents had been right all along. The boy I once knew was gone. He had been such an intricate part of my past, but he had never planned on being a part of my future. And the pain in that realization set hard in my chest, leaving it aching. My heart was slowing splintering into a thousand tiny pieces, and I finally knew what it felt like to be on the opposite side of the forever I’d been holding onto all my life.

Chapter One

Four years later

It was finally over. After the tedious torture that everyone deems as the best years of your life, I could finally breathe a little easier. At least for the next couple months, when I would be moving a few towns away to start an internship at a big city newspaper. It wasn’t the fabulous job I’d hoped for after graduating with honors, but it was a foot in the door. And away from Harden Fields.

Could that clock tick by any slower? Kasey Massoney asked, leaning over from the desk beside me.

I grinned at my friend, glancing back at the clock on the wall.

Tick, tick, tick.

I was more ready than I'd ever been for anything in my entire life. I wanted – no, I needed – distance between my heart and my hometown. I was ready to graduate college and I was ready leave Harden Fields, to start a fresh new life beyond its borders. All Harden Fields represented to me was heartache. This was my chance to start over.

The clock struck three and everyone around us stirred quickly, scrambling from their seats. Working at the campus newspaper had served me well, just not well enough to score me a permanent position at any half-ranking publications. But something would open up for me, I had faith.

Kasey and I stepped outside the paper’s double doors, immediately hit with the approaching summer sun. Kasey stopped to talk to someone she knew from an art class she’d taken the previous semester. A number of cat-calls and celebratory howls filled the campus lawn. Laughter and the slapping of high fives echoed all around us. I looked around, taking it all in. Freedom was a pleasant sound.

A familiar set of hands slid around my shoulders, giving them a light squeeze.

There's my girl. Jonah Cutler, my best friend, smiled down at me from his six foot four stature, his blue-green eyes shining bright in the southern afternoon sun.

Hey Jonah. I turned, giving him a hug and a smile in return.

"Hey Jonah – that's all I get? he gasped, dramatically placing his hand over his heart. I must say, I’m a little hurt."

I just saw you at the Cantina for lunch, I replied, dead-pan. "We ate tacos. Forgive me for not breaking out the band and the welcome back banners."

Yeah, I’m going to miss Taco Tuesdays. You think I could talk Belle into making that a thing at the Cutler house? he asked, clever and contemplative, and I rolled my eyes playfully in reply. He smirked and nudged my shoulder. And…casually changing the subject, did you hear that the Stannon's are throwing a party at their lake house? Just in time for our return to Harden Fields.

"You do realize that it’s not really casual when you have to mention that it’s casual."

Eh, details. Jonah waved away any negativity, and conjured a smile to my face. Ah, and that’s what I was looking for. Thought I was going to have to put up a few missing posters. That smile seems to get lost in the woods every now and again.

Well, you don’t have to send out the search party just yet.

He smirked. How’s everything on the home front?

All should be quiet and quite empty, I replied. That is the typical Casa Oliver fashion.

Where’s your mom? he asked.

Traveling. A work thing, I think.

Typical, he said. And Alyssa?

Same, traveling. But she’s with the father unit. I shrugged. A summer bonding experience before her senior year, I guess.

A senior? he exclaimed. Man, we’re old.

Yeah, time flies when you’re having fun. I glanced around the campus lawn. But I’m glad that they’re doing this, you know. I think it’ll be good for her. They’ve gotten much closer since I left for college, which is a good thing. I worry about her.

Speaking of – what about the two of you? he asked, eyeing me. Any change?

I shook my head. She and I haven’t been on the best of terms…for awhile. You know that.

Meaning, she still stares at you with devil daggers in her eyes for no reason and wields an ice cold stone where her heart should be. When I didn’t confirm either way, he tilted his head and studied me closer, silently asking questions to the universe. He nodded knowingly. That’s what I thought. So, what about you?

What about me? I replied. You see me every day.

I do…but I mean, your plans for this summer, he replied. Any summer shenanigans I should be aware of or plan to be a part of? You know, before we embark on our new adventure on being adults.

What – beyond me and my fabulous internship, and you and your newly signed baseball contract? Nope, I’m just holding down the fort all summer long, house-sitting while my mom’s out of town, before she preps it to sell.

Mine is only to the minors, he replied. But yeah…and I can’t believe she wants to sell your house.

I know, I said, shaking my head. It’s the craziest thing. I always thought we’d bring our kids to this house for the obligatory weekend visit to the grandparents, you know. I still haven’t wrapped my head around it. I mean, what is she thinking? Alyssa still has a year left in school.

What does your dad have to say?

He hasn’t said much at all, really, I answered. Which is strange, because he loves that house.

"Well, she did say prep, he offered. So, maybe that’s code word for just in case I feel like selling."

I don’t know. I shrugged. Though it’s strange, it makes no difference. Either way, I’m still on house duty until the end of summer. Then, I guess we’ll see.

Jonah let a chuckle slip. So, you’re really going to stay in that house all by yourself all summer long?

She won’t be by herself, Kasey said, as she caught up with us. I’ll be there.

Being alone doesn’t bother me, I said, glancing around the lawn, taking in the excited faces surrounding us.

But it bothers me, she chimed in. And it would be a shame if Laney had to spend an entire summer basically house sitting her own house all by herself. Now, what fun would that be?

She waved at someone a few feet away and darted toward them.

Jonah nodded and tousled the front of his hair, shifting his eyes around the campus lawn. So, are you going?

I looked at him with confused eyes.

Stannon’s. Party. Lake house, he rattled on. Are any of these terms ringing a bell?

I shrugged my shoulders.

"Shrug, these words aren’t triggering even the slightest thing, he asked, studying me closely, — or shrug, I don’t know if I’m going to some lame lake house party with people I don’t care to see."

I’d have to say the latter.

Oh, come on, Lane. He threw his strong arm lightly around my shoulders. I know, I know – typically not your scene. But I plan to break you of this.

Hate to burst your bubble, Jonah, but I don't break so easy.

Not anymore.

"Well, in this particular case, I'm gonna try extra hard. This is the last summer series of Harden Fields parties you’ll ever have to go to. Unless of course, you keep coming back year after year, like the alumni who never quite grow up and just continue to show up. He arched his brows high. You know who I’m talking about."

A grin stealthily slipped across my lips.

And there’s another smile, he pointed out the obvious. I should alert the presses.

Maybe we should keep this entail under wraps for now.

Well, a sure-fire way to ensure this breakage of your sad sap tradition is to integrate you into a more social crowd before the party.

And just how do you plan to do that?

Jonah grin spread wide, his high beam, on-bright white teeth flashing brilliantly against his tanned skin. Lakeside docks, tomorrow morning. It will be a great welcome back event.

I glanced around at all the happy students scattering across the campus. I wished I was that carefree, my future full of freedom and my heart full of eager excitement. I used to be. But something – rather, someone – changed that for me. The answer is a resounding no.

Oh, come on, Lane, Jonah pleaded.

Umm, still no.

If you're worried about Kasey –

I’m not.

You are. It’s who you are. Jonah tugged me closer underneath his arm as we walked across the student parking lot. Trust me, that girl is a walking celebrity sweet sixteen birthday bash. She is the social queen of the south. The definition of party. The –

Okay, I get your point. She probably should receive some kind of award or something. I looked around, before meeting his eyes again. I should just sit this one out.

Lane –

I’d probably just be miserable, anyway.

He dropped his arm from around my shoulders and spun around in front of me. It'll be fun. And I promise – scouts honor, cross my heart, and all that – if you’re not into it, you can bail. I’ll even come with you. He studied me with hopeful eyes. What do you say?

Fine, I said, finally agreeing. I looked away and sighed before meeting his eyes again. I'm going to regret this, aren't I?

Probably, Jonah replied, working his strong jaw. He smiled, then placed a kiss on the top of my head. Want a ride?

Thanks, but I still have some packing to do, I replied, offering a smile. I'll just wait on Kasey.

Okay, he said, grinning, just be sure to call me when you're still waiting here at midnight. That girl can lag around and talk more than anyone I know.

I'll take my chances, I laughed. Besides, I figure she’ll be out of here at least by graduation. She bought a brand new pair of shoes just for the occasion. She wouldn’t miss it.

Wouldn’t miss what? Kasey called out from a few feet away.

I waved her off, and Jonah grinned as he crossed the parking lot toward his car.

Jonah Cutler had been my neighbor – and essentially my best friend – for as long as I could remember. We had grown up together. He knew me better than almost anyone. And aside from one stupid and very awkward kiss during a seventh grade game of truth or dare, we had never been anything more than best friends. We had a lot of history, and he had always been a part my life. He had a piece of my heart that no one else shared. But only a piece of it. Because if the truth be told, I gave my heart away a long time ago to a boy who was long gone. A thief in the night.

My empty chest still ached at the thought.

Who knew when or if I’d ever see that part of me and my heart again?

As if reading my thoughts, Jonah whirled around suddenly, facing me. Oh, and Lane – just a heads up… Jeremiah is on his way back to Harden Fields.

Jeremiah.

Well, great. I guess I had my answer.

I swallowed hard, waiting for what I already knew was coming.

I just got the message from Belle. She said he’ll be here for the summer. Jonah ran a nervous hand through his dirty blonde mop of hair. Just thought you’d like to know.

Thanks for the heads up, I said coolly, though the pit of my stomach was full of rocks. But it’s fine, I’m fine.

Yet, for reasons unknown, he replied, sarcastically, I don’t believe you.

Everything’s – I paused and shrugged, unable to pull anything other than the word fine to the surface.

Fine, Jonah said, finishing my sentence. Yeah, you said that already. Look, I can rush home and beat him up if you want, he offered jokingly. At least, I think he was joking.

Thanks, I said with a grin. A gracious offer, but unnecessary.

Not entirely, Jonah replied, walking back toward me with a pitying, yet understanding look in his eyes. He hurt you, so I get to hurt him. It’s only fair.

Jeremiah and Jonah were cousins, raised by their grandparents. They weren’t only family, but they were the best of friends. They both had a love for Harden Fields and had always had quite the flare for the small town life. Just a couple of good ole southern boys who would make any mother proud. Well, almost any mother.

Jonah’s parents had been traveling the world as missionaries since before he was born, and Belle had always said that airports and foreign hostels were no place for babies. So, she and her husband gladly offered to raise Jonah as best as they could on their farm in Harden Fields. His parents came back to visit as often as they could, even offering to take him with them when he was old enough. But he quickly opted out, not wanting to leave his grandparents – or his best friend – behind.

Then, there was Jeremiah…

Jeremiah’s parents divorced when he was only three years old. His dad was in the Army, and his mom said he was more married to his service than to her. I never saw the match, anyway. His mom didn’t want the responsibility of raising a son on her own, so she quickly remarried. But soon after she remarried, she dropped Jeremiah off on the Cutler’s front porch steps and never looked back.

A sad story, with a happy twist, I guess.

Belle took him in just like she had with Jonah, and soon her cozy farmhouse wasn’t so empty anymore. And it made the Cutler’s happy to have life back in their home again.

That was the happy twist, of course.

The saddest part of the story was that Jeremiah and his mother lived in the same town, but they existed as two ghosts passing in the night. To put it lightly, their relationship had always been a little rocky. But to be honest, their relationship had always been nonexistent. I knew Jeremiah would have it different if he could. And my heart hurt for him, because that’s all he’d ever known... a mom who couldn’t have cared less. Unlike mine, who once could have received an award for mother of the year, but now seemed like she was a million miles away.

So, to wrap this up with a compliment sandwich version of a back story, the Cutler’s had taken both boys into their home right next door and raised them like their very own, giving this girl two of the very best friends I could have ever asked for…not to mention the love of her life. But that was before…and that was the past, and I needed to be looking toward a future – one without Jeremiah Cutler, one without Harden Fields.

But it’s hard when your past is so much a part of who you are.

Growing up, the Cutler boys spent most of their time at the family’s barn tending to the horses, much like their grandfather. Jeremiah had said once that it was the only place in the world where he truly felt at home. Over the past few years, I had spent so many sleepless nights wondering why Jeremiah Cutler – the boy who seemed to have everything in sight – felt so lost. Because maybe if I knew the answer to that question, it would answer so many more.

The three of us – me, Jonah, Jeremiah – were inseparable growing up. It took just one simple kiss, though, to change the world as I knew it forever. I knew in that moment that there would never be another that would ever measure up to its perfection. Now, thinking back...maybe I'd set myself up for inevitable failure. I had been so completely captivated by the paragon that is Jeremiah Cutler, that – I mean, let's just be real for a second – it was bound to tumble at some point, right?

Our friendship developing into a relationship had just seemed natural – a perfect couple, living the perfect life, striving toward a perfect future. I was convinced that we encapsulated the word forever.

But what was forever really? It's not here on earth. And what – did I think I was going to carry him around in my back pocket until the end of time?

Nonetheless, I was in love.

But then he left.

No warning, no questioning the universe.

Just gone.

And just like that, my heart was broken and I hadn’t been the same since.

That was four years ago.

But it felt like another lifetime ago.

I’m over it, Jonah, I said, finally giving him my best, but forced smile. You should be, too.

I love him…but, he stopped, shaking his head and standing before me. He reached for my shoulder and gently grabbed the end of my ponytail. He tugged on it twice. My cousin is an idiot.

Jonah –

Letting you go…big mistake, huge, gigantic, monstrous –

Since when did you become a human thesaurus? I asked, interrupting. Anyway, I get it.

Well, he definitely didn’t. He pulled me into his frame and hugged me. Then, he kissed the top of my head. But that’s on him.

I sighed. This was not the conversation I wanted to be having right now. Discussing Jeremiah Cutler – all-american, down-home southern boy, heartbreaker extraordinaire – was not on my to-do list for the day.

Jonah backed away slowly, offering another sympathetic look. He slid behind the wheel of his truck and waved. For someone who usually made me feel better about the contemptuous world around me, somehow I felt worse.

Maybe it was the hard memories that had just been pulled to the surface.

Maybe it was the band-aid that had just been ripped off, exposing all of my insecurities and nerves.

Maybe it was just what that look represented – a broken heart.

With that one look, everything from the past few years came rushing back with force. I hated more than anything that I was on the receiving end of those looks. And even more so, that Jonah was the one now giving them.

Scenes flashed before me and chimed through my mind like a sounding bell, leaving a pang sitting heavy in my gut.

Four years ago, I waited.

Like an idiot, I had waited for Jeremiah to show, to hold true to his promise. But he didn't.

Forget the prodigal son…it was the heartbreaker who was returning. And every ounce of the heartache I felt then was returning right along with him.

Jonah spent months rehabbing the shell of a person I'd become into the person I was today. Jeremiah crushed a part of me that I didn’t know I needed to survive – my happiness. For months, there was something inside of me that feared I'd never feel that happiness again. And some days, I still felt that way, fearing the unknown.

There was a time when I feared that I wouldn't be able to stand up against my own heart if it decided to fall into the palms of Jeremiah’s hands again. I was afraid that my heart would never be safe where he was concerned. That was until I picked up the pieces.

Was I still a cynic in the realm of love and happily ever afters? Sure. Until the world proved me, otherwise. But with the help of Jonah, I was able to see through the brokenness. My best friend had saved me from myself, showing me that I could find happiness outside of heartache. That I could find happiness from within. It took a lot of prayer and a lot of sleepless nights, but I was soon able to recognize myself again, to really see my own reflection. One without Jeremiah. And I felt stronger for it, more independent.

Hey Lane, whatcha thinkin’ about? Kasey leaned against the hood of her cherry red convertible, snapping me out of my own head.

I smiled the best smile I could conjure, and answered with a shrug of my shoulders. Nothing, I guess.

"Well, that certainly doesn't look like the face of nothing. But you’ll tell me when you’re ready. You always do. Kasey bent down to look in the rear view mirror to apply her lip gloss. She knew me well, and so she should – we’d been best friends since elementary school. So, what's the plan? Are we going to the docks back in Harden or what?"

How'd you –

News travels fast, sugar. You should know that better than anyone, she said, her voice suddenly laced with sweet southern molasses.

And she was right…I did.

She laughed giddily, adjusting the mirror again and tucking her lip gloss back into her back pocket. She absentmindedly smeared the gloss between her lips, leaving them shining in the bright