Drowning in LoveA written the stars novel
Kelsie Rae
Copyright © 2020 Kelsie Rae
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and events are fictitious in every regard. Any similarities to actual events and persons living or dead, are purely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. The reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, constitutes a copyright violation.
Cover Art by Cover Me Darling, LLC
Editing by Wickedcoolflight Editing Services
Proofreading by Stephanie Taylor
June 2020 Edition
Published in the United States of America
Contents
Series Forward
1. Nora
2. Nora
3. Gage
4. Nora
5. Gage
6. Nora
7. Nora
8. Gage
9. Nora
10. Gage
11. Nora
12. Nora
13. Gage
Sneak Peek of Fearless to Love
Check out the rest of the written in the stars series
Interested in Owen’s story?
Also by Kelsie Rae
About the Author
Series Forward
Dear Readers,
Do you believe in destiny? Or do you believe you drive your own fate when it comes to matters of the heart?
The idea for the Written in the Stars series came about one afternoon as I was thinking about how intertwined we are with the universe and the cosmos—we’re made of stardust, after all. It got me thinking about astrology, and whether something as celestial as our Zodiac signs influenced how we behave in love. Some may call it pseudoscience, while others use their horoscopes daily to make major life, love, and career decisions.
That’s how this series was born!
Twelve months. Twelve wickedly talented romance authors. All coming together to answer the age-old question—Does your horoscope decide your fate in love?
You’ll have to decide for yourself as you binge-read your way through twelve deliciously sexy and deeply romantic stand-alone novellas—one for each Zodiac sign. I can’t wait to start this journey with you. Personally? I think it was written in the stars!
XO,
C.M. Albert
P.S. Please join us in our fun and interactive Written in the Stars readers’ group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/writteninthestarsbooks where we discuss all things horoscope and love related!
1
Nora
“You’re really moving back?” I ask, unable to help myself. The sun is still high in the sky, and I raise my hand to shield it from blinding me as the opposing team snaps the football. The stadium is buzzing with anticipation for the opening game of the season, but I’m still in shock from my brother’s revelation.
My brother, Owen, rolls his eyes. “I mean…why not? My football career died as soon as I blew out my knee. I stayed here to finish my degree, then got sucked into a few opportunities but….”
My nephew, Owen’s son, Grady, pumps his fist into the air as the Red Hawks fumble the ball. He’s completely oblivious to the adult conversation we’re spouting, but he wouldn’t understand the weight of it even if he were listening. There’s just too much history for a little kid to comprehend, and I have to give Owen props for shielding him from it.
Owen joins in with his son’s whooping and hollering, although I’m not sure if it’s for Grady’s credit or if it’s because he wants me to drop the subject.
Yeah. Not happening.
When the crowd calms down long enough for me to hear myself think, I press, “But what?”
“Drop it, Nora.”
“Nope. No deal. You could move anywhere with Grady now that his mom is out of the picture. I want to know why you want to move back to New Hampshire? Does it have something to do with an old flame you ditched before going off to college by chance?”
“Will you give it a rest?” he mutters under his breath.
“No. I won’t. For women everywhere, I refuse to let you hurt her again. It was bad enough witnessing it the first time. Can you imagine how awful she felt? I mean––”
“Seriously, Nora. Will you please stop?” It’s the desperation in his eyes that gets me to snap my mouth shut. He feels just as shitty about the circumstances as Saylor, his ex, did when he broke up with her. I just wish I could understand why he did it in the first place, and why he would feel the need to face her again after all these years. I mean, he has a kid, for Pete’s sake. Still, the pain is rolling off him in waves at the memory of everything he let slip through his fingers, so I bite my tongue.
Fed up with me staring at him, Owen grabs his son’s hand and tugs him out of the bleachers as the crowd cheers at the completion of a twenty-yard pass across the field.
Remembering his manners, Owen asks, “We’re going to get a hot dog or something. You want anything, Mama Two?”
“No, thanks. See you in a few.”
He disappears up the steps with his son in tow. He’ll be back. Then I’ll apologize for being overly protective of his ex and her feelings. After that, he’ll say it’s okay, and we’ll move on with life. But that doesn’t mean I won’t want a detailed update when he runs into her. And he will run into her.
What the hell is he thinking?
Lost in the comforting chaos surrounding me, I relax into my chair and watch the ball snap to our quarterback. I grew up in seats like this, cheering my brother on as he ran his way to the end zone over and over again. I still crave nachos and football jerseys every fall, and I’m grateful my brother was able to score us tickets to the first game of this season.
If only I hadn’t scared him out of his seat with my meddling.
“Excuse me,” a deep voice rumbles from the aisle. There’s a soft slur to it that piques my curiosity. Looking up, I’m met with the richest brown eyes I’ve ever seen even if they’re a little glazed over from the caramel-colored beverage in his hand. Just a hunch, but I don’t think it’s his first.
“Sorry, pre-gaming went a little longer than anticipated, but
