Accidental Knock Up: Happy Ever After Bad Boy Series

By Sloane Peterson

I secretly hooked up with my brother's best friend.

If that's not bad enough, he knocked me up.

 

This secret can't go on forever.

 

For the past four years, I've been traveling Europe, working with the best chefs in the world.

Finally, I return home to L.A. to start my career.

 

To celebrate my being back home, my friends and I go out to a club and have a few drinks.

 

His name is Lincoln Grayson.

He's my brother's best friend, a rookie football star for the L.A. Stallions.

 

I had no intentions of going home with him but there's something about him that feels just like catnip.

 

Turns out, we're really good together and our one-night stand turns into a more permanent friend with benefits arrangement.

Until a positive pregnancy test changes everything.

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sloane Peterson
• Release date: Jun 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9798223887867

Book preview

Chapter One.......................................4

Chapter Two.......................................9

Chapter Three.....................................14

Chapter Four......................................23

Chapter Five......................................28

Chapter Six.......................................33

Chapter Seven.....................................41

Chapter Eight.....................................49

Chapter Nine......................................54

Chapter Ten......................................61

Chapter Eleven....................................67

Chapter Twelve....................................72

Chapter Thirteen...................................77

Chapter Fourteen...................................81

Chapter Fifteen....................................86

Chapter Sixteen....................................95

Chapter Seventeen.................................102

Chapter Eighteen..................................108

Chapter Nineteen..................................115

Chapter Twenty...................................119

Chapter Twenty-One...............................124

Chapter Twenty-Two...............................130

Chapter Twenty-Three..............................136

Chapter Twenty-Four...............................142

Chapter Twenty-Five...............................151

Chapter Twenty-Six................................156

Chapter Twenty-Seven..............................160

Chapter One

Chloe

It’s hard to express how strange it feels to be back in L.A. I know that it’s my home. It always will be, but I haven’t been around since my freshman year of college. It’s different.

Good different though.

My two best friends, Taylor and Serena, have forced me to come out with them. Okay, maybe it wasn’t quite forced. I’ve missed them. I’ve missed the L.A club scene.

Music pumps through the speakers of the nightclub, a place called ‘Delusions’. The bass shakes the entire floor, flashing lights illuminate everything around us. We sit off to the side, having grabbed one of the sleek leather booths as soon as we stepped inside.

Let the games begin! Taylor declares, thrusting her shot glass to the middle of the table.

What games are you talking about, Tay? I ask with a sigh, yet I still pick up my glass. I hold it up to hers and Serena follows suit.

Uh, the squad is back together, Chloe? Duh. Here’s to nights getting completely plastered and making bad decisions.

That has never really been my style. Sure, I’ve drunk a little too much and made bad decisions, but it’s not exactly my favorite lifestyle to live. But I’ve been away for a few years. The least I can do is play along with Taylor.

Fine. You know what? Cheers to that.

We clink our glasses together, throwing back the citrus-flavored shots that Serena had ordered when it was her turn to grab us drinks.

I’m not drunk, but I’m definitely feeling it. We’ve been here a little over an hour, tossing back shots and catching up. Serena is finally moving past her assistant role at the fashion house she works for. Taylor is making a name for herself at the finance company she’s been with since college.

I’m just trying to set up my roots. I finished culinary school and started to travel the world, learning from some of the most renowned chefs. When I finally tired of never having a real place to lay my head, I decided to come back to L.A., got a job at a Michelin star restaurant out here and that’s that. One day, I hope to own my own place, but that’s a pipe dream.

For now...

Who’s buying the next round? Serena asks, blue eyes staring pointedly at me.

I thought this was my welcome home party, I counter.

Yeah, sure. That doesn’t mean you can’t contribute any, Chloe. She grins over at me and I sigh.

Fine. Fine. I’ll buy the next round. Anything preferred?

The strongest shit you can get, Taylor says with a smirk. I don’t want to remember how I get home tonight.

Should we talk about that, Tay?

She rolls her eyes.

Just go get the shots, Chloe. You know you want to.

Again, not quite my scene. Maybe I’ve just grown out of partying...but I can’t deny that I’m having fun. It’s been nice to reconnect with my friends, to feel like nothing has changed between the three of us.

Fine. I’m going, I say, sliding out of the booth. But after these, we’re hitting the dance floor. Got it?

Then I definitely need something strong, Serena tacks on to Taylor’s earlier statement. We all know I don’t dance unless I’m close to blackout.

You two are messes, I say, shaking my head. They don’t argue with me and I walk away from our cozy little booth.

The rest of ‘Delusions’ is packed tightly with people. The dance floor is crowded, bodies pressed against other sweaty bodies. The bass of the music seems to get stronger, vibrating the entire floor. I squeeze through the crowd on the dance floor, muttering ‘excuse me ' under my breath until I reach the bar on the other side of the building.

You’d think one of them would come to help me out. It’s going to be hell getting these shots back over to where they’re waiting.

I’ll figure it out.

The bar at ‘Delusions’ runs the entire length of the building, housing an expansive liquor collection behind the aluminum topped counter. Just like the dance floor, the bar is packed. I climb onto one of the black leather stools and wait for the bartender to turn his attention back to the end where I am.

You might be waiting a while, a male voice says from next to me. Poor guy’s been slammed all night. Although, I could maybe get his attention for you.

Don’t worry about it, I say, ignoring the man. I don’t mind waiting.

"A pretty thing like you? You shouldn’t have to wait," he counters.

Great. I have to wait here with this creep. My initial plan is to just ignore him. Guys usually get the picture if you refuse to acknowledge them. I won’t look at him, won’t carry on the conversation. He’ll get bored and move on to some other poor girl.

He shifts next to me. I see from the corner of my eye that his wallet is now on the bar. He reaches in and pulls out a wad of cash, waving it in the air.

Ay! Down here! he yells, voice booming.

I whip around, finally having enough of him. This is the thing I hate about L.A. Everybody thinks they’re important. If they have money, they wave it around to get what they want. They don’t respect boundaries.

I told you not to do that, I snap. My eyes finally land on him and realization dawns on me.

He’s not just some random creep at the bar. I recognize him immediately, as soon as I see those sharp cheekbones and emerald green eyes looking back at me.

Lincoln?

He looks at me, long and hard. I can see that he’s trying to place my face, trying to figure out where he knows me from. Then his eyes get comically wide, a look of panic crosses his face.

"Chloe? Shit. Don’t tell Nate about this, alright? He’ll murder me. Lincoln stuffs the money back into his wallet, before putting it back in the pocket of his jeans. I didn’t know you were back in town yet."

I got in last night.

Right. He rubs the back of his neck. Look, why don’t you let me buy you a drink? Just an apology for being your brother’s creepy friend without meaning to?

I’ve known Lincoln since he met my brother, Nathan, in middle school. They’ve been almost inseparable in their entire friendship. If there’s any man I trust in this bar, it’s Link. Even when he made a less than stellar re-first impression.

I raise an eyebrow.

Isn’t that going to interfere with you trying to pick up other poor, uninterested girl at the bar?

He rolls his eyes. "Please. They say that they’re not interested but they always end up coming back to my place. At least nine out of ten times. He’s grinning from ear-to-ear, hand wrapped around a glass. He brings it to his lips, taking a sip of the amber liquid. What do ya say, Chlo?"

I hold up my index finger. One drink, Lincoln. My friends are waiting.

Are they hot?

I’ll rescind my offer of one drink.

Got it. No asking about hot friends.

The bartender makes his way back down to our end of the bar. He stands in front of us, expectantly. The poor man looks exhausted. Lincoln doesn’t seem to care.

Get her whatever she wants, for the rest of the evening. Add it to my tab, understood?

The bartender nods and looks back over at me. Deciding to play it relatively safe, I order a cosmo. He turns away to make it and I turn back to Lincoln.

I thought you said only one drink?

You’re having one drink with me, Chloe. Doesn’t mean I can’t take care of you for the rest of the night. Consider it my welcome home gift.

I want to argue. Solely because Lincoln Grayson isn’t known for his kindness. I grew up with him. I know how he works. Link is nice when he wants something out of someone. I’m not naïve enough to think that he’s turned over a new leaf since I’ve been gone. If the tabloids are right, ever since his football career took off, he’s gotten worse.

Not that I’ve been stalking him or anything. Just...checking in. Curious. Who doesn’t search for someone from their past on the internet when they can’t sleep?

Fine. I’m not arguing with you, Link, I say as I shift on the barstool. I swing it so my entire body is facing him, and he grins at me.

Good. Wouldn’t get you anywhere anyway, I always seem to win. We both know that. He winks, leaving me wondering what the hell he’s talking about. He doesn’t elaborate, downing the rest of his drink and slamming it down onto the bar top.

The bartender returns with my drink and Lincoln orders another for himself. I can feel it deep in my stomach – I’m making a terrible decision by entertaining him. But for some reason, I can’t pull myself away.

Chapter Two

Lincoln

Tonight was supposed to be like any other. I planned to stay by the bar, down a few drinks, and convince whatever gorgeous woman I saw to come home with me. I’ve been using the same cycle since college, why should I change it up now?

My plans took a turn when Chloe Harper appeared next to me at the bar. I haven’t seen Chloe in what feels like forever. Logically, I think it’s been four years. The last time that I saw her, it was her high school graduation. She had still just been my best friend’s kid sister. Maybe that’s how I should still be looking at her.

But as Chloe sits next to me, I realize that that’s far from the case. The years have been good to her. She has a look that screams ‘woman’ instead of a little girl. If I’m being completely honest, she’s gorgeous.

If Nathan knew I thought that he’d kill me. Literally, murder me right where I sat. He’s always been protective over her.

She agrees to have a drink with me, although it doesn’t take much convincing. She keeps her hand loosely wrapped around her glass, her elbow is propped on the bar and she leans against it. Her eyes watch me as if she’s trying to see through my kindness.

She doesn’t trust me and maybe she’s smart not to.

I try not to think too much into it.

As the bartender returns with my third drink of the evening, I break the silence that has settled between the two of us.

So, how was Europe? A safe enough ice breaker. I come off as interested, and honestly, I am. Chloe took the ‘travel the world’ approach after finishing school. I played it safe and stayed in L.A.

Fun. Interesting. Different? she offers, bringing her glass to her lips. I watch as she downs the pink alcohol. I notice just how full her lips are and I wonder how they’d feel against my own.

I don’t want to be that kind of guy. I don’t want to come off as a sleaze bag that only interacts with women to get in their pants but...sometimes the shoe fits. It’s never anything malicious and I know that this game I’m playing with Chloe won’t go anywhere past a drink at the bar. I know that she’ll stand her ground and I’m not so much of an asshole that I’d risk my friendship with Nathan over adding another notch to my bedpost.

Yeah? I’ve never been, I admit. Been around the country, but I’ve never been outside of it.

"You should. At least once in your life. The culture was different, but the people were kind. Eager to help you pick up on things. I learned a lot. Culinary and life-wise. She takes another sip. I hear things are going well for you though. Rookie of the year?"

Without realizing it, I wince. I hate that word, ‘rookie’. It just sounds insulting. I know that it’s not, but it comes off that way. It makes me feel younger than I am, makes me feel like I’m not quite talented enough yet to be a real player.

I shrug. Yeah, well. I prefer ‘new standout’ over the rookie.

I’ll keep that in mind.

There’s another lull in the conversation. I realize that I’ve never spent this much alone time with Chloe. Usually, Nathan would be here to mediate.

In my eyes, Chloe was always just his kid sister. She’d bug us to take her with us to the park or to buy her fast food. She’d crash sleepovers to play video games with us, make one of us play chicken with her in the pool.

I don’t know much about her. I know what Nathan has told me, but how well does a brother really know his sister? Especially since said sister has been gone for years.

I down more of my drink, deciding to just come out with it. It’ll end one of two ways. Either Chloe will be insulted and storm off or she won’t. I’ve never been the type of man to put too much thought into my actions.

You know me, Chlo. I’ve always been honest, right? Well, I almost didn’t recognize you at first. You’ve...really grown up. You’re gorgeous. I finish off what’s left in my glass and then wait.

Even in the flashing lights of the club, I see a blush creep over her cheeks. I see her eyes glance downward before she downs more of her drink. Well, it’s not all over me so I take that as a good thing.

I wasn’t just trying to flirt, although that was a big part of it. She is gorgeous. Hair that once stopped at her shoulders goes well past them now, dark and curly. Her skin has a slight tan to it, her lips full and pouty. She’s not the mousey girl I remember so vividly.

Hell, maybe she never was, and I was just too damn blind to see that.

You look good yourself, Link, she responds. She looks away from me then, finishing off her drink. She seems to hesitate, seems to be lost in thought.

I take the opportunity presented to me.

Let me grab you another, I tell her. I know, I know. You agreed to one drink. But I’d like to keep talking to you. It’s really good to see you again. I’m laying it on kind of thick and I know that Chloe’s the type to see right through it.

Yet, she caves.

"Alright. One more and that’s it,