Birthday Wishes

By Ash Hosking

Sadie's return to Grevillea Falls is nothing like she ever imagined it would be, and she pictured it many times over the years she was away.

Being back in her home town is like a blast from the past, especially when she runs into Dustin.

The town might be much the same, but Sadie isn't.

Sadie's not just the one that got away, she's the one he forced to leave. Dustin always knew if she ever came back he wouldn't let her go again, and now she's returned.

But a lot has changed for the two of them.

The one thing that remains the same despite the years of separation is their undeniable connection. Sadie has loved Dustin for as long as she can remember, and Dustin claimed her as his before he even understood what that meant.

Can they move on from past hurts and love each other for who they are now? Or are their differences just too much to overcome?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ash Hosking
• Release date: May 19, 2020
• ISBN: 9780648831006

Book preview

A picture containing sitting, black, front, white Description automatically generated

Ash Hosking

Birthday Wishes

Ash Hosking

Copyright 2020 Ash Hosking

All Rights Reserved

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to real events, real people, and real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, organizations or places is entirely coincidental.

All rights are reserved. This book is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system, without the express written permission of the author. All songs, song titles, and lyrics contained in this book are the property of the respective songwriters and copyright holders.

––––––––

ISBN: 978-0-6488310-0-6

Editing by Swish Design & Editing

Proofreading by Swish Design & Editing

Book design by Swish Design & Editing

Cover design by Tash Drake – Outlined With Love Designs

Cover Image Copyright 2020

All Rights Reserved

A picture containing sitting, hydrant, black, fire Description automatically generated

Sadie’s return to Grevillea Falls is nothing like she ever imagined it would be, and she pictured it many times over the years she was away.

Being back in her hometown is like a blast from the past, especially when she runs into Dustin.

The town might be much the same, but Sadie isn’t.

Sadie’s not just the one who got away, she’s the one he forced to leave. Dustin always knew if she ever came back, he wouldn’t let her go again, and now she’s returned.

But a lot has changed for the two of them.

The one thing that remains the same despite the years of separation is their undeniable connection. Sadie has loved Dustin for as long as she can remember, and Dustin claimed her as his before he even understood what that meant.

Can they move on from past hurts and love each other for who they are now? Or are their differences just too much to overcome?

A picture containing fire, hydrant, sitting, white Description automatically generated

This book is written in UK English. Please remember that the words are not misspelled, they are part of the everyday UK/Australian spoken word.

If you would like further explanation, please do not hesitate to contact the author – contact details have been provided, for your convenience, at the end of this book.

A picture containing sitting, hydrant, fire, black Description automatically generated

Blurb

Note for the Reader

Table of Contents

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

Epilogue

More Books To Check Out

Acknowledgements

Connect With Me Online

About the Author

A picture containing hydrant, sitting, photo, dark Description automatically generated

SADIE

It’s a surreal experience to be walking down Main Street of Grevillea Falls again.

Autumn leaves rush by me caught in the wind like tumbleweeds. I take in what’s here now in the fading light of the day as my mind’s eye recalls what used to be.

In the ten years it’s been since I last walked this street, not a whole lot has changed. Mostly just the weathering of time, which I can’t judge because the years haven’t been so kind to me either.

I notice the video store I visited every Thursday night is long gone, replaced by yet another souvenir shop. Sally’s Hair Salon has also been replaced by a more upscale-looking Stella’s. I recall Gran mentioning my friend had taken over her mother’s salon with a much-needed expansion. I’ll have to make an appointment once we’re settled in.

Not right now, I don’t even have time for this trip down memory lane. I simply need to get to the grocery store before they shut to purchase the necessities to get us through breakfast tomorrow, then get back to my baby girl, hopefully before she wakes.

Elle’s safe with my dad, of course, but he’s only seen her in person twice in the three years of her life, plus she’s been extremely clingy these last few weeks. The ten-hour car ride here was trying enough, I don’t want her any more stressed.

The trip was hard on me too. In fact, the last month has been especially hard.

I’m not up for seeing anyone familiar until I can at least get a shower and some sleep. So I’m really hoping to avoid running into anyone. No one needs to experience the hot mess that’s me right now.

I jab impatiently on the pedestrian button at the only intersection along the street as a couple of cars pass. It’s practically peak-hour traffic for Grevillea Falls.

The grocery store is on the corner opposite me. I take a moment’s pause to peer over my shoulder at the building behind me that I’d been hoping to avoid more than anything, but I’m more than a little taken aback by the differences.

Joe’s Bar and Grill looks freshly painted with a warm burgundy red over the brickwork. The bold double doors are black, matching the steel framing of the large windows and the railing on the second-floor balcony. It’s dark inside, which isn’t unusual for this quiet little town on a Sunday evening, but the doors are wide open.

I finally get the green light to cross, but I hesitate, wondering if the place is being broken into or something. I step closer to the entrance as worst-case scenarios roll through my head. Poking my head in, I scan the tables all piled up with their chairs and the gleaming wooden bar, without seeing a single cause for further alarm.

Hello... anyone here? I call out hesitantly across the room, really not wanting anyone to answer—burglar or owner alike.

I get what I wish for because there’s dead silence in reply. However, I do hear grumbling coming from outside. So, I pull back to peer around the other side of the building only to ram face-first into a huge, hulking chest.

Oh, sorry, little lady. I didn’t see you there.

I’d know that deep timbre voice or that cologne anywhere. Blindfolded in a dark room filled with other people, I’d know who it was.

We’re cl... oh, boy. Well, strike me dumb if trouble hasn’t ripped back into town, all grown up and pretty as ever. How’s my favourite little lady? Where’s my hug? I’m trapped in the meaty vice of Joe Kingston’s arms as my father’s best friend lifts me off my feet.

I’m good. How are you, Joe-Joe? I manage to wheeze out through my restricted lungs before he places me back on my feet, then holds me out at arm’s length to get a good look at me.

I do the same, checking for any obvious signs the years haven’t been good to him. Apart from his still thick head of hair now more silver than midnight, the deeper lines at the corners of his eyes and his middle being a little softer, he’s still built like a formidable mountain. Joe makes pushing sixty look downright youthful.

Doing great for an old man, but I’m even better for seeing you. You sure were missed ‘round here, kiddo. His smile wilts as he continues, I’m sorry about your Dotti passing. I know how excited she was for your return.

Tears prick at my eyes as a wave of guilt crashes through me for not being able to get back sooner as it has multiple times a day since I got the call of Gran’s passing.

I have to clear my throat so I can reply, preparing my excuses to get out of here before the tears break out. Yeah, me, too. It’s good seeing you, Joe, but I’ve got to get across the road before they shut on me, or I’ll have a gremlin on my hands. I’ll come over to see you and Darcy as soon as I can.

I try to make my hasty retreat not seem so hasty, but I’m thwarted by another familiar voice.

What the hell is taking you so long, old man?

This one is a shockwave to my system that makes it temporarily crash. I can’t move, although I want to flee. My heart stills momentarily, and my lungs deflate like they’ve been robbed of air.

The owner of that voice rounds the corner into my line of sight, causing my heartbeat to return with a vengeance that makes me dizzy.

I swear, if you’ve left me stuck up that ladder while you dig into that cake some more, I’m telling Mum.

Dustin Kingston.

The boy who was my entire world until he pushed me to leave town with another guy without so much as a wave goodbye, let alone any attempt to make me stay.

There was never a time I didn’t love him up until that day.

The guy who was always there, until he wasn’t.

I thought he hung the moon, lit the stars and the sun shone because of him.

Only now, he’s in the form of a man. Over six-foot-tall with broad shoulders, a strong jaw and dark hair that’s short on the sides but long on top which is greased back. He’s practically the spitting image of his daddy at the same age, only with his mother’s full lips that can strike the smartest of girls dumb with the flash of a smile and those hazel irises I used to swear contained lost galaxies.

My stomach flutters just like it used to at the mere sight of him.

Dustin stops when he notices me. He blinks, then frowns a little. Blinks some more, but he doesn’t show any emotion otherwise. I begin to think he doesn’t recognise me before he slowly grins while tucking his hands into the back pockets of his jeans.

Do my eyes deceive me, or is Sadie Frost standing in our doorway? He rocks back on the balls of his feet. The move makes me smile because it’s the same thing he used to do when he was nervous back in the day.

Dusty. It’s good to see you haven’t changed much, only doubled in size. I smirk, much to Joe’s amusement who chuckles between us.

Dustin’s eyes light up as his brows raise. You’ve only gotten more beautiful, angel.

I swear I blush to the tips of my toes. He’s the only damn person who can cause my body to react like this so easily. It’s still embarrassing. I know he’s only teasing because I’m a mess. My old t-shirt is stretched out to twice my size almost completely hiding my denim shorts. My hair hasn’t been brushed in maybe twenty-four hours, and there’s no disguising the excess baggage of the dark bags beneath my eyes.

That damn nickname rolling off his tongue combined with his stupidly handsome face is my kryptonite. I’m left feeling defenceless and short a few IQ points.

What are you two doing out here if the bar is closed? I ask, deftly changing the subject.

Joe points with excitement to the side of the building they came from before leading me over several paces.

Dustin was helping me install the new sign. You’re just in time to witness the first illumination. I’ll be right back, Joe explains, before rushing inside, leaving me standing here alone with his son.

It doesn’t feel awkward in half a second at all.

Not at all.

I look hesitantly to my kryptonite personified at the same time his gaze flicks my way.

Dustin rocks on his feet again. I smile. His mouth opens to say something, when there’s a buzzing in the air that has nothing to do with us but the red neon that lights up behind his head, giving him a devilish halo. How fitting.

We both look up as Joe barrels back outside with a whoop when he sees his name lit up. The new neon already stands out in the last vestiges of light as the sun has finally dipped beyond the horizon.

We both clap along with him before I step up to Joe’s side, so I can reach up on my toes to press a kiss to his cheek.

It looks great, Joe-Joe. Congratulations. But I’ve really got to get a move on. I’ll see you later.

I’m lifted into another vice-like hug from Joe. I’m pretty sure at least one of my ribs creaks before I’m set back on my feet. Joe automatically steps back for his son to move in. There’s a moment of hesitation before I give in because it will raise more eyebrows if I don’t hug him than if I do.

I wrap my arms around Dustin, trying not to breathe in his scent as I do. I want to bury my face into his chest when it’s the same familiar scent I remember from all those years ago. God, the memories that want to come flooding back. His lips graze my cheek. I hear him inhale before he murmurs, It’s really good to see you again, angel. It’s been too damn long.

I release him to step back. My tongue feels thick in my mouth, so I don’t try to say another word. I wave at them before turning to flee, daring a car to come at me because I’m not waiting another second for the pedestrian light. Instead, I slam smack straight into the damn pole, like the law is mocking me for even daring to think about crossing the road illegally. My ears ring, echoing the throbbing of my brain as I’m forced to stumble back with my palm pressed to my forehead.

Are you all right?

Seriously. That car racing down the road to gun me down is most welcome right now before I die of embarrassment.

Yep. I’m fine. See you. My vision is spotty, but I risk it to rush across the empty street to put some space between us before I do something else stupid.

I walk the aisles in a daze, no idea what I even got by the time I’m unloading my basket at the checkout. I’d shake my head to clear it the cobwebs, but it’s still pounding, so I settle for blinking to clear my vision, scanning the conveyor belt to see what I have. It’s reassuring that my brain still works for something because I’ve managed to get everything I needed.

The Kingston men are gone from sight when I exit the store. I exhale in relief. That relief is short-lived, however. I make it across the street when a familiar-sounding engine comes up behind me, the truck creeping up on the wrong side of the empty road to be at my side. Dustin is leaning out the window towards me when I look.

I can’t believe you’re still driving that hunk of junk piece of scrap metal, I tease with a slight laugh, though I am actually happy to see Old Blue. I have a lot of fond memories that live with that truck, which isn’t as bad as I make out. Someone has lovingly taken care of it as it looks almost like new.

Dustin knows it too because he taps his hand on the door of the truck as though he’s soothing it. Don’t listen to her, Blue. She’s a classic, not junk. You want a ride?

I shouldn’t. It isn’t smart for the two of us to be confined in that cab alone. Most of those memories I’m fond of are proof in point. My first kiss, followed by many more, as well as my virginity went missing in that vehicle. Plus, it’s actually quicker to walk back. I just need to cut through the alleyway a little further up the road, then cross the street it comes out on.

Thanks, but it’s quicker to walk.

Usually. But I’m concerned you gave yourself a concussion on that traffic pole. You’ve got a decent lump forming on that pretty head of yours. If you don’t hop in, I’ll have to park to walk you home anyway, Dustin insists.

I stop walking to glare at him. Dustin grins unrepentantly.

"Oh, because you’re just such a good, helpful boy scout? I may have bumped my head, but I didn’t kill that many brain cells."

Dustin shuts off the truck instantly. He steps out onto the curb like it’s no problem at all. Oh, hell no. I’m not walking with him. At least in the truck, I can turn the music up, even if it will take a couple of minutes longer. Plus, these bags are starting to get heavy.

Fine. Get back in the damn truck, I concede.

Dustin tries to act like it means no difference to him, but I see the hint of a smirk lifting the corners of his lips as he takes the paper bags from my hands before turning to place them in the back tray.

I hop into the passenger seat as he opens his door. My gaze lands on the faded smiley face air freshener dangling from his rearview mirror after I buckle up. I gave that to him when he first got the truck. I highly doubt it even has so much as a hint of the scent it used to hold. Yet, he still has it? I look at Dustin incredulously, but he’s focused on the road ahead as he shifts into the correct lane.

So, you’re staying at Gran’s? he asks conversationally. I wiggle on the bench seat, already wanting to change my mind about the ride in order to avoid this question.

Dad says she left it to me, so it’s mine. I shrug, trying to act like I’m okay with this, and it’s no big deal. I’m a grown adult fully capable of living in her deceased grandmother’s home without her there.

I’m not, though. I don’t know how I’m going to do it.

As if Dustin can sense this, he reaches over to lay his hand over mine that’s busy pulling strands of denim from the frayed edge of my shorts. He gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. Well, if you need anything, just holler at me over the fence.

I splutter as I look up from his hand on mine to his face. You seriously still live at your parents even? Oh my God... nothing about you really has changed except your size.

Actually, I live in Brisbane now. I’m just visiting for a week or two to help out with a few things plus to be here for the funeral. You know Mum, she’d have a fit if I even considered staying in a hotel. Dustin’s words are clipped, meaning I’ve struck a nerve.

I feel a little bad, but how was I supposed to know?

The year that I left, Dustin had been twenty-three, talking like he had accepted his future was to stay in town working at Joe’s before eventually taking it over.

It’s not like he kept in touch. Dustin practically wiped his hands of me the minute I left. He never called, no texts or even an email for any reason, and he never picked up when I tried to call him, needing to hear his voice. I also never asked about him when I spoke to our family and friends because it hurt too much to think of him, and thankfully, no one ever brought him up. If he didn’t want anything to do with me, then I couldn’t have anything to do with him.

So... how’s Sinclair? Dustin asks. I think it’s just to fill the awkward silence because it sounded like he really had to spit Jude’s last name from his lips. It almost makes me laugh that of all he could ask about, he chooses Jude when they hated each other with a passion. Also, another subject I don’t want to talk about right now, especially not with Dustin, of all people. Not because I give a damn about Jude, but because I may have to throat punch Dustin if he starts his smug, I told you so.

Living it up with his newfound bachelor life so far as I know, I reply to my window with a shrug. I resolutely stare through the glass because if I see even a hint of a smile, my fist is going for that Adam’s apple.

The truck unexpectedly lurches to a halt as Dustin stomps on the brake, making my elbow slip from where it’s propped against the window, so my head hits the glass as I’m thrown against my seat belt.

What the hell?

My thoughts exactly. He left you? I thought you guys had a kid? Dustin’s voice is thick with confusion like I’m trying to tell him one plus one equals one. I lean back against the headrest with another shoulder shrug.

"I left him. The guy decided sometime after Elle’s first birthday that he wasn’t cut out to be a daddy, nor look at me the same way after the pregnancy and birth were so traumatic for him. Of course, he only finally confessed to all of this about a month ago when I confronted him. I wasn’t hanging around as his flatmate to watch him parade an endless stream of women through to his room in front of my daughter, while he basically refused to acknowledge her existence unless it benefitted him."

Dustin’s hand leaves mine so he can grip the steering wheel with both hands hard enough to make the leather creak.

I’m not going to lie, I enjoy the view of his biceps flexing.

I always said that guy was dumber than dirt, Dustin finally mutters, shaking his head before he looks at me from the corner of his eye. That gaze makes a quick sweep over my body, pausing on my exposed legs a little longer before he shakes his head once more, then resumes the drive. Fucking idiot, he mutters under his breath.

I couldn’t agree more, but I don’t say a word.

You had a girl, huh? Dustin asks as we’re creeping along to Gran’s home. He’s slowed down so much it’s like he isn’t ready for this ride to be over. I’m tempted to say something, but I refrain because I kind of feel the same.

I did. Elle, but we all call her Ellie, a hurricane disguised in the form of a little blonde cherub with a face you could just eat up. I can’t help smiling.

Sounds just like her mama, then, Dustin remarks with a small lift of one corner of his mouth that’s not quite a grin, but close.

We finally come to a halt at Gran’s gate. I release my seat belt before opening my door a crack because I feel like I should, but then I hesitate as we look at each other.

Dustin really is the most handsome man I’ve ever laid eyes on, even more so now than I remember from ten years ago.

You should come around to see for yourself. If you want to, I mean. I stumble