A Constant Reminder

By S R Brown

A Constant Reminder is about a small-town girl from Minnesota named Liv, short for Olivia. She runs away from her high school sweetheart and love of her life, her family, and the constant reminder of the life she lost and the brother she will never forget. She lives with her college roommate and best friend Abi and slowly realizes that no matter how far she moves away, she can never escape her past. She meets a mysterious man named Noah, who has the bad-boy look that she loves. He cannot get enough of her and wants to make her his forever. She has cut off all ties with her family and Jude, her former boyfriend from Minnesota, and finally after two years, she is forced to go back home and face her past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 13, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496922946

S R Brown

SR Brown is a native of Jamaica, who grew up in New York and studied writing at Queens College, where she received a BA in English bachelor’s degree. As a young adult, she moved to Miami and connected reconnected with the large West Indian community there, rediscovering her heritage and cultural identity. Today she lives in the Atlanta area and follows the teachings of Jesus Christ. This is her first major work.

Book preview

Chapter

1

I grabbed my keys and took one last glance in the mirror before heading for the door. Abi was getting impatient and tapping her long, bright, red nails on the door frame. Come on girlie, you look amazing. Your sexy ass boots will rope in the boys and make us some money tonight. Now, let’s go! She yelled. I applied one more coat of shimmering gloss on my lips and rushed towards my extremely impatient roommate.

Don’t give me that look. Beauty is a process. I said giving her my best annoyed face and eye roll.

Abi and I have been roommates since our freshman year at college. We lived in the dorms together and then the summer before our sophomore year we got an apartment together off-campus. Fortunately, Abi comes from a very supportive family and her grandmother paid for most of our rent, which was a lot cheaper than living in the dorms, plus we had a lucrative weekend business to make some extra money on the side.

My twin brother, Lucas, taught me how to play pool when we were kids. Since then I have been able to make some extra money hustling at the local bars. My brother and I both had fake ID’s, thanks to my ex-boyfriend, Jude, and his criminal-in-the-making expertise; therefore we spent a lot of time in bars playing in amateur pool leagues.

Jude and I started dating when I was sixteen; Jude was a year older but in the same grade, since his parents decided to hold him back. He already had a juvenile record and been kicked out of three previous schools for fighting by the time he and my brother became friends. I was instantly attracted to him. He had that bad boy look going for him. My parents were not too enthused about their friendship or my interest in him, but they eventually got over it and accepted him with open arms. Jude’s parents could care less if he came home or not, so he stayed over just about every night. Eventually, having him at the dining room table for supper was just another normal routine.

Finally, we were on our way down the street to one of our favorite Friday night locales; Joe’s Bar. Abi was vibrating with excitement. She was in need of a little spending money and ready to hustle the pants off some naïve college boys. They would get sloppy drunk and willingly hand over their parent’s hard earned cash.

As soon as we stepped foot into the bar, I scanned the crowd looking for our next paychecks. There were cute campus boys everywhere. Abi was grinning like a Cheshire cat. We walked up to Joe, handed him our jackets to stash behind the bar and ordered some beers; a Corona for me and a Heineken for Abi.

Joe’s only had four pool tables and currently they were all in use. Abi was never intimidated by anyone, especially men, so she walked right over to the tables and threw down some money. The guy was just about to break when he looked up and saw her. No guy could resist Abi, or her assets. She was tall and slender, had legs that went on for miles, long blonde hair, and ominous dark brown eyes. But her most amazing feature was her personality. She could charm the pants off anyone, but she also had a wicked silver tongue that had no trouble lashing out if necessary. Abi came from a good family with strong morals, however, growing up with four brothers made her tough and very blunt.

I walked past her and scooted onto the nearest stool. She approached me a few minutes later with a big ear-to-ear grin and said, We will be making some money tonight Liv. These guys are extremely competitive and more than willing to forfeit their trust funds! I knew we would have no trouble pulling in a couple hundred bucks, if not more by the end of the night.

Abi and I started playing pool shortly after we met. We would always hang out in the student union and play on the weekends. Lucas was a great teacher and because of his excellent tutelage, I was the best on the student union pool league, so good in fact; I had never lost a game. After months of constantly playing, Abi was getting really good too. We started getting cocky and began making bets for money against other students. We started out small, betting $5 here and $10 there, but eventually word got out and no one would play with us. During thanksgiving break, I had Jude make Abi a fake ID so we could take our tricks to the bars and make some real money. Eventually, Abi and I were pulling in enough money on the weekends to get an apartment off-campus and we didn’t even need a part-time job. We were living quite comfortably for being average college students.

Joe’s was a good place to go on Friday nights here in California, since they had more pool tables than a lot of the other local bars. Joe, the owner, was pretty easy going. We never had to worry about getting in trouble for hustling.

After a few hours, four beers, and about $300 ahead, Abi and I were about ready to call it a night when I noticed two guys sitting at the bar scoping us out. They most certainly didn’t look like cops, but they weren’t stupid and knew exactly what games we were playing.

I jabbed Abi with my elbow to get her attention. Do you see those two guys over there? I said pointing very non-discretely in their direction. They keep staring at us. She slowly took looked up and in the same direction as my finger and noticed immediately who I was referring to. Two tatted up guys, both rather large and muscular. I’m going to run to the ladies room and then I think we should head out, I said with a concerned look on my face. I didn’t really like unwanted attention. Abi just shrugged her shoulders and tipped back the rest of her beer.

When I came out of the restroom I walked towards the two guys and casually leaned over the bar signaling to Joe that we were heading out. He grabbed our jackets and handed them to me over the top of the bar. I gave him a quick wink and turned my head to one of the guys that was blatantly staring at us earlier. He wasn’t so forthcoming this time and was pretending to be conversing with the other guy; however I was quick to notice he was watching me out of the corner of his eye. As soon as our eyes met, he immediately looked straight ahead. This was a nice little game of cat and mouse. I moved a little closer, in hopes of getting a better look. He had the most gorgeous masculine profile, chiseled jaw line, full lips, and long thick eye lashes. I also noticed that both of his forearms were covered with tattoos. That was so hot! I loved a man with ink.

Lucas was a tattoo artist and had full sleeves on both arms. He also did all my work. I had a painfully large tattoo on my back, covering both my shoulders, running along my spine and down to my pelvic bone. I had tattoos on both of my feet, my wrist, and a big tiger lily on my right leg that spanned from my ankle twisting around the back of my calf, and another one on my hip that just barely peeked out of my shorts. The only tattoo that Lucas didn’t do was the one on my wrist.

Most of my tattoos were easy to hide if necessary, which was a good thing, since I had to dress up like a professional at work, usually dress pants or skirts, and a nice shirt or dress jacket. I worked in a law office as a paralegal. This was a just temporary job while I was graduate school for art history. My ideal career would be working as a curator at a gallery or a professor, but money was money and I liked my job…most days.

The mysteriously good-looking man with tattoos finally looked in my direction again and smiled. His smile was so breathtakingly perfect that I lost my footing and stumbled backwards. He quickly reached out and grabbed my arm to help steady me. He had the reflexes of a cat and his hand was so large that it almost wrapped completely around my upper arm. Flustered, I shyly looked up and the breath was sucked right out of me when his eyes connected with mine. I couldn’t figure out what color they were. If they were dark blue or possibly gray? Are you alright? Better cut her off Joe! He said with a big toothy smile, never taking his eyes off mine.

I think I’m okay now, I said eyeing his hand that was still holding onto my arm. He quickly removed it and motioned for me to sit down on the stool beside him. I was just leaving. I said scanning the crowd for Abi.

Too bad, he said. I was just about to buy you a drink. I could sense the disappointment in his voice.

I thought you said I was cut off? I said without looking at him. Figured I was safer that way.

Finally, I noticed Abi making her way through crowd. She walked right up between me and the gorgeous stranger. Hey! I’m Abi and this is Liv, she just threw out there like it was so easy, so casual. I was usually the awkward and quiet one in social situations. You’re always in your damn head, Abi would say. Beer was really the only way to get me to come out of my shell. Growing up, I was the introvert and Lucas was the extrovert. We were twins, yet complete opposites. Lucas was always partying and rarely thought about school or the future. He was a day-by-day kind of guy. He was the only person that could get me to open up. Most people could hardly believe that we were related let alone twins.

Pull your head out of your ass and talk to the man, he’s hot! Abi whispered in my ear. The shock and embarrassment on my face was evident. I looked back at him and smiled, trying to play it cool. Although, I’m pretty sure he heard her. He had the most perfect pair of dimples and was still flashing that smile.

I’m Noah…this is Adam, he said pointing his thumb over his shoulder. They looked very similar, but Adam was a little skinnier and his face was covered with piercings.

Nice to meet you Noah. I reached around Abi and shook his hand. It was so big that it pretty much consumed mine. You know what they say, big hands and all…And nice to meet you too Adam, I said peeking over his shoulder, trying to avoid his penetrating stare.

You ladies have been making some good money tonight, huh? Adam said with a big smile on his face. I nudged Abi, knowing all too well she didn’t care, but I was pretty damn sure they knew what we were up to all night.

You guys want to play us? Abi said with a sarcastic tone.

Not for money? Noah said mimicking her sarcastic tone and lifting his eyebrows.

Abi quickly said with authority, Well count me out! I was instantly interested in the conditions of this bet. Abi may not have been up to the challenge, but I most certainly was. Like I said, beer makes me a little more gutsy.

So if we aren’t betting for money, what did you have in mind? I said as I looked only at Noah.

He took his time contemplating the answer to my question. If I win, you go on a date with me. And if you win, you decide. I couldn’t speak. My mouth had gone completely dry and I suddenly wanted to lose. I never wanted to lose anything. This guy was clearly bad for business.

I looked at Abi as if trying to pry any bit of information I could from her. She could tell I had no idea what to say and thankfully came to my rescue. "If she wins, you have to show her all your tattoos."

Oh my God, I could not believe she just said that. I instantly felt my face get hot. I could only imagine that the shade of crimson I was now wearing on my pale skin was noticeable even in this dimly lit bar. Noah just smiled at me and reached out his hand. As soon as I placed my hand in his he gripped it tightly pulling me closer and whispered deal in my ear. His breath was warm on my cheek and he smelled delicious. It was intoxicating. I knew right then and there that this man was going to be trouble. Damn he was sexy!

I hadn’t felt this way about a guy since Jude. He used to give me goose bumps every time he was close. When he touched me my skin burned and ached for him. He was my first real love and the reason I hadn’t dated anyone in over 2 years. I still loved Jude and missed him so much, but he would never be able to forgive me for what I did to him. That was the reason I stayed away, at least it was one of the reasons.

Chapter

2

T his evening had just gone from being another night at the bar taking people’s money, to a night of unexpected bliss. I was too nervous and excited around Noah. I couldn’t even concentrate on the game. His body was amazing. He had a broad muscular upper body and long legs. I could only imagine he had a great ass, but his jeans were slung low on his hips and I couldn’t make it out. The only thing holding them up was a thick black leather belt. He was wearing a dark gray long sleeve shirt, with the sleeves scrunched up on his tattooed forearms, and was at least a foot taller than me.

When I looked up at him from under my lashes, all I could only think about was sex. He was like sex-on-a-stick with the body of a Greek God. He stared directly into my eyes, penetrating me with his dark bedroom eyes. I swear my body was not even remotely connected to my brain, because every time he was close I would find myself leaning in even closer.

Finally, my brain started to function and I could put one foot in front of the other. When we walked he would place his hand on the small of my back. It was almost as if he were guiding me. Everyone looked in our direction as we moved though the masses. I noticed Abi sitting in the same spot as before, holding a beer in her hand and another one sitting on the table for me. I hadn’t even noticed her leaving. What was happening to me?

As Noah and I played pool, Abi and Adam sat at the table and talked. I knew Abi would be attracted to Adam, since he was male and good looking. Abi was not too picky about her tastes in men. As long as they were easy on the eyes and willing to buy her drinks, she was interested. However, her interest never lasted very long, but that’s what I loved about her. She was an exhibitionist and always willing to try something or someone at least once, including women. Abi’s bisexual and only ever has serious relationships with women. She’ll screw a lot of men, but she never really trusts them enough to get serious.

When I first met Abi things were still pretty serious with Jude, but shortly after I left for college Jude started acting distant. Abi kept saying if he’s got a penis he would eventually cheat on me. He’s a man, men have needs. We lived over two hours apart and Abi said long distance relationship rarely ever work out. I knew this was true for some couples, but this would never happen with me and Jude. We had known each other since the 10th grade and he was best friends with my brother. He would never cheat on me and risk losing me or my brother’s friendship, or