The Stand-In Boyfriend (Greyford High Book 5) Read online

  “I’m not crying because I’m sad.” I sniffle.

  “Then why are you crying?”

  “Because I want you so much it hurts, but I’m not sure I’m ready to move on. I’m not sure I’m ready to do all of this. My dad left me, Noah. Jack left me. How can I give you my heart? How can I know you’ll stay?”

  “I’m not them,” he grits through clenched teeth.

  “I know you’re not, but I’m not sure my heart can take it…”

  “I love you, Sunshine. And I’m not going anywhere. I’m nothing like them, and I’m ready to prove it to you. There hasn’t been anyone since way before this whole thing started, and I don’t want anybody else. I just want you.”

  My heart aches at his words. They’re everything I want to hear, my heart craves them, craves to hear more. It wants to jump out of my ribcage, but my mind…

  “It’s not that easy.”

  “It could be. You just have to trust me. Do you trust me?”

  “I do, but…”

  He presses the tip of his finger against my lips. “No buts. You either trust me or you don’t. There isn’t another way around it. All I ask is for you to give me a chance. Give us a chance. I know we could be good, hell, great together, if we tried. No more bullshit. Me and you, Sunshine. Me and you. We can take it slow and do it right this time.”

  “I…”

  It seems so easy when he says it like this. I want to believe him. I want to give it a try.

  He presses a soft kiss against the tip of my nose. “Please, tell me you’ll give us a chance. A real chance. And I promise you, this time it’ll be better.”

  “Slow?”

  “However slow or fast you need. I’ll be here, I promise. I love you and I won’t let you doubt that even for a second. I’m yours for keeps.”

  His eyes bore into mine with so much intensity it rocks me to my very core.

  Here is this guy that is putting his heart out in the open, for me of all people, and I’m… what? Running scared because he makes me feel the same?

  I look up at him. “Promise me.”

  “Anything,” he answers instantly.

  “Promise me we’ll make this work, and if we don’t…”

  He stops me before I can finish. “We’ll make this work. Together. There is no other option. I lived in the darkness for way too long, and now that I found my very own ray of sunshine, I’m planning to keep it forever.”

  I watch him, tracing the lines of his face with the tips of my fingers, all the feeling swelling inside of me until I feel like I’ll burst.

  “You make it so hard not to fall for you, Noah,” I whisper and press my mouth against the corner of his. “You make me feel so much. Too much. So please, be careful with my heart. I don’t think I could take it if you broke it.”

  His fingers dig into my hair at the base of my neck. “Never.”

  Then he presses his lips against mine, sealing his promise with a kiss so deep it’s carved into my soul.

  Epilogue

  JESSICA

  A brown bag appears in front of me, startling me. I look over my shoulder, only to find Noah’s smiling face waiting for me.

  “You scared me!” I swat at his arm. “You have to stop doing that.”

  “Nah, I like to see you all flushed.” He grins, wiggling the bag in front of me.

  “What is this?” I try to take it, but he pulls it out of my reach.

  “No you don’t. Pay up first, missy.”

  I suck in my lip, my teeth grazing over the flesh. “What kind of payment are we talking about?” I ask, playing coy.

  This morning I had to carpool to school with Evie since both Liam and Noah had early morning practice. Noah must have taken a shower because his hair is still damp and curling around his neck, the familiar scent of his shampoo surrounding him.

  His eyes lock on my lips. “You know what payment I’m talking about.”

  “Something like… this?” I get on my tiptoes and press a quick peck against his mouth, and while he’s distracted I grab the bag out of his hand and pull back.

  “Hey, that’s cheating.”

  I giggle at his pout. “Serves you right. Next time you won’t dangle a bag in front of my nose and then refuse to give it to me.”

  Slowly opening the brown wrapping, I peek inside.

  “Is this…?” I ask as I pull the chocolate muffin out of the bag. Only this isn’t just a regular muffin.

  My heart starts beating faster as I read one word written in chocolate chips on top of the chocolate goodness.

  Homecoming?

  Noah steps closer, the tip of his finger lifting my chin so I look at him. “Be my date.”

  It’s not a question, although there is no way I’d ever say no to him.

  I swallow the lump that formed in my throat, pushing the words out. “I thought we already signed a blood pact. No backing out on those.”

  “Well I want a new pact.”

  “A chocolate chip one?”

  His thumb swipes over my lower lip, making my breath hitch.

  “As long as you promise you’ll be going home as my girlfriend, I’m game.”

  I lift the muffin between us. “We better take a bite on it.”

  The End

  Want a little more of Jessy and Noah? Check out what happened at homecoming in this cute bonus scene!

  Love football romances? Check out Kiss To Conquer, my NA enemies-to-lovers football romance!

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  Acknowledgments

  I never actually planned to write Noah’s story. There, I said it. I even picked one of my least favorite name for the guy, yet here we are.

  A lot of things about Greyford High were unexpected, so I wasn’t even surprised when his story came to me. If I learned anything, it’s to roll with the punches (or in this case, ideas). But I’m so happy I actually did it. It’s no secret that I love diverse characters. Flawed characters. And Noah is just that. He isn’t proud of what happened, the way he acted, but he’s determined to be a better person. And sometimes, some people deserve a second chance.

  I really hope you enjoyed Noah and Jessy’s story because I had a lot of fun writing it. There is something about these novellas that helps my soul heal and lets me be giddy with the excitement of the first love.

  As always, I’d love to take a few moments to say thank you to my team, Nina, Melody and Carrie. I wouldn’t be here without you girls. Thank you for loving my kind of crazy.

  A huge shout out to my street team for helping me spread the word about my books. You guys rock!

  And finally, thank you to YOU, my readers. Old or new, thank you for taking a chance on Noah, Jessy and the rest of the Greyford High family! If you enjoyed the book, please consider taking a moment to leave a short review.

  Until the next book…

  xoxo,

  Anna

  Other Books By Anna B. Doe

  New York Knights Series

  NA/adult sports romance

  #1 Lost & Found

  #2 Until

  #3 Forever

  Greyford High Series

  YA/NA sports romance

  #1 Lines

  #2 Habits

  #3 Rules

  #4 The Penalty Box

  #5 The Stand-In Boyfriend

  #6 THP (coming early 2021)

  #7 TGK (coming 2021)

  Blairwood University Series

  College sports romance

  #1 Kiss To Conquer

  #2 Kiss To Forget

  Standalone novels

  Underwater: Modern Fairytale

  About the Author

  Anna B. Doe is a young adult and new adult contemporary romance author. She writes real-life romance that is equal parts sw
eet and sexy. She’s a coffee and chocolate addict. Like her characters, she loves those two things dark, sweet and with a little extra spice.

  When she’s not working for a living or writing her newest book, you can find her reading books or binge-watching TV shows. Originally from Croatia, she is always planning her next trip because wanderlust is in her blood.

  She is currently working on various projects. Some more secret than others.

  Find more about Anna on her website: www.annabdoe.com

  Join Anna’s Reader’s Group Anna’s Bookmantics on Facebook!