A Bolder Version of Me: The Destiny Clark Saga, #3

By Cindy Ray Hale

When the truth is uncovered, the bullies come out to play. 

I've kept my forbidden boyfriend a secret.

But he hates hiding.

So I agree to step into the light as a couple. 

Bad idea. 

Our secret romance turns into a disaster rivaling scenes from Romeo and Juliet. Bullies emerge from all sides, and we're in serious trouble.

I've worked my tail off to be bolder, but standing up for myself comes with a price. 

Our whirlwind romance spirals out of control.

And I'm not sure we can hold on much longer. 

Can our love withstand the blows from our enemies, or will the foundation we've built together crack and crumble? 

A Bolder Version of Me is the third book in a nine-book rewrite of a contemporary sweet romance series called The Destiny Trilogy. In this series you can expect flirting, blushing, and kisses in the woods, but you won't find any swearing, nudity, or sex.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cindy Ray Hale
• Release date: Dec 18, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393254553

Cindy Ray Hale

Cindy Ray Hale loves writing Young Adult Contemporary Romance and Clean Romance. She was born and raised in the hills of Tennessee and has moved all over the United States. She's finally settled down in a small town in the mountains of western Virginia. Want to be the first to know about a sale or a new release for Cindy's books? Visit www.cindyrayhale.com to join her newsletter or follow @CindyRayHale on Twitter.

Book preview

1

Destiny

Twinkling lights threaded across the ceiling of the gym. I swallowed against a dry, scratchy throat and smoothed the skirt of my red Homecoming dress with sweaty palms as I scanned the room for Isaac. I spotted him standing near the punch table, wearing a red tie and a gray suit. His dark hair was styled to perfection, and a dazzling smile stretched across his face.

Although I was terrified to make our relationship public, my heart soared. He was mine, and I was his. He crossed the room and pulled me into a tight embrace. I breathed in sandalwood, and my head spun as Isaac’s familiar cologne filled my senses. He bent his head to mine and kissed me. Gasps sprouted around us, but he buried his hands in my curls as the kiss continued. He pulled away with a satisfied look on his face and took my hand, interlacing our fingers.

Come on, he said, tugging on my hand as he led me across the gym floor.

Where are we going? I asked, spotting my older brother, Michael, gaping at us with a stormy look.

You’ll see. A devious grin tugged on the corner of his lips. I caught a glimpse of my younger sister Olivia as we passed, and she shook her head at me, disappointment clouding her eyes.

Isaac led me to the stage set up at the far side of the gym.

What are you doing? I hissed.

Trust me. He squeezed my hand.

I followed him up the steps, and he stopped in front of the microphone, tapping it. The sound reverberated through the room. Hey, everyone, Isaac said, flashing his signature smile, the one that made him look more like a celebrity than anyone who could possibly be dating me.

A rupture of female catcalls rippled throughout the crowd.

I have an announcement, Isaac said into the microphone.

I love you, Isaac! a lone female voice screamed from the crowd.

Isaac saluted her with a grin. I’m the luckiest guy in the world. Do you know why? Isaac wrapped his arm around me. Because this beautiful girl, Destiny Clark, is my new girlfriend.

The crowd stilled and silence hung over the gymnasium. A cricket chirped in the back corner.

Wahoo! Hannah screamed, clapping and cheering, from where she stood next to Evan.

Isaac hugged my shoulders, oblivious to the crowd’s reaction, and then led me down the stairs. Let’s go find a seat together, he said in a cheery voice. The banquet should start soon.

And then I saw them. My parents were in the back corner, probably next to that cricket. They weren’t saying anything. They just stood, wearing their disapproval.

Hannah sidled up next to me. You guys are officially official! Eek! I can tell everyone now! I have to go tell my mom! She maneuvered her way through the round tables spread throughout the room, and to my surprise, her parents sat at a table. The missionaries from church sat with them, talking with Hannah’s mom.

And then Isaac’s dad, Dr. Robinson, our school’s headmaster, stood in front of us. Menacing eyes bored into me, and a tightness in my stomach began to form. This ends now.

Isaac laughed. You can’t stop us. If you try, we’ll just go behind your back.

Dr. Robinson’s face turned a strange shade of purple. You do realize that I have friends in high places in the government. I’ve already submitted an extermination order against all Mormons. By the end of the month, you will no longer be welcome in this state, and those who remain, will pay.

A tugging on the bottom of my skirt caught my attention. I looked down to see Preston’s little sister Anna. Good job, Destiny. You’ve killed us all.

I awoke with a start. Isaac’s arm was wrapped around me, my head on his shoulder, as the credits rolled on the movie we’d been watching together at Hannah’s house.

Did you fall asleep? he asked.

My breaths came out, raw and jagged.

Are you okay? Isaac asked, turning to get a better look at me.

Um. Yeah. I said, feigning nonchalance. The movie was just intense.

The next morning I woke up in Hannah’s bed and remembered the horrifying dream I’d had the night before during the movie. Although, I’d promised Isaac we could go public with our relationship, it terrified me now. Isaac couldn’t know how much it bothered me. I wasn’t so sure he’d understand. It wasn’t like he’d ever had to deal with people shunning him for his religion.

Hannah snored beside me. I didn’t want to wake her, but my stomach growled. I scooted off the bed and cracked her bedroom door. The smell of French toast wafted up the stairs from the kitchen, and I closed her door behind me. Her little brother Lucas was already up playing video games in his room, and Hannah wouldn’t appreciate getting woken up by the annoying explosions and occasional outbursts.

A male voice drifted up the stairs, and my heart raced. Isaac was already over here to work for the day? I glanced at the stairs and tapped my bottom lip. Go downstairs with a bedhead to see Isaac, or go brush my hair first? I grabbed the elastic from my wrist and ran my fingers though my hair, pulling it up into a messy bun. I hoped it looked okay. A quick glance in the hall mirror let me know that I looked passable, and my heart pounded as I descended the stairs to see my guy. I never tired of seeing him, especially now that we were together.

Hey! His face split into a wide smile when he saw me coming down the back staircase. He sat on a stool pulled up to the bar while his Aunt Bethany fixed breakfast. By the time I’d reached the bottom step, he’d left his stool and had made his way to my side. He brushed a loose tendril of hair from my face and placed a gentle kiss on my lips. I held back a gasp. Hannah’s mom was standing right there!

Isaac? Did you just kiss her? Hannah’s mom asked from the stove.

Yes, ma’am, I did.

I didn’t know you were dating! She sounded so delighted. I doubted she’d be so happy if she knew I was a Mormon.

Oh, we’re not. We just like to kiss sometimes.

Isaac! I covered my mouth with a hand to hold back my shocked laughter.

I’m just kidding.

Y’all are way too cute. Mrs. Miller tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and turned back to the stove.

I smacked his chest and walked past him to sit in the living room. I wanted to be mad at Isaac for not trying harder to keep our relationship a secret in front of Hannah’s mom, but he was so stinking charming I couldn’t find it in me to get angry. He followed me to the couch, and we plopped down together.

He leaned his head toward mine until our foreheads almost touched. Hey, I’m sorry I kissed you in front of my aunt. I know you want to keep things quiet right now.

I breathed in his delicious smell and sighed. "Look, it’s one thing to let Hannah’s mom know, but when you come over to practice Les Mis with me at my house next week, we’ve got to do a better job of keeping our relationship a secret in front of my family. I’m serious."

I understand. I can do better, I promise. He held up two fingers. Scout’s honor.

I rolled my eyes at him. You know two fingers is for Cub Scouts, right? Boy Scouts use three.

Isaac shrugged. Whatever.

We sat together and browsed through some silly videos on Isaac’s phone until Mrs. Miller called out from the kitchen, Breakfast is ready! I glanced over my shoulder toward her with a furrowed brow. What if she told Dr. Robinson about the cute new girl Isaac was dating and how adorable they are together?

She won’t say anything to him. Don’t worry about it. Aunt Bethany’s too busy with work and her own life to tell my dad about my dating life.

I looked back at him with a raised brow. How did you know what I was thinking?

It was written all over your face. He put a hand to my cheek. You’re so cute when you’re worried. But you don’t need to be. I promise it will all work out.

You sound like Hannah right now.

I think she’s right.

Mrs. Miller popped her head back into the doorway. Speaking of Hannah, can one of you go wake her up? I can’t seem to get her down here.

I bit my lip. She hadn’t heard us talking about her telling Dr. Robinson our