The Trouble With Us: A Second Chance Love Triangle (The Forbidden Love Series Book 2) Read online

  The Trouble with Us

  The Forbidden Love Series Book 2

  Kat T. Masen

  Contents

  Copyright

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Epilogue

  Sneak Peek

  Other Books by Kat T.Masen

  Connect with me online

  About the Author

  Copyright

  The Trouble With Us

  Kat T. Masen

  Copyright 2021 Kat T. Masen All Rights Reserved

  This book is a work of fiction. Any references to real events, real people, and real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, organizations or places is entirely coincidental.

  All rights are reserved. This book is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system, without the express written permission of the author. All songs, song titles, and lyrics contained in this book are the property of the respective songwriters and copyright holders.

  Disclaimer: The material in this book contains graphic language and sexual content and is intended for mature audiences, ages 18 and older.

  Editing by Amy at Briggs Consulting LLC

  Proofing by More Than Words Copyediting and Proofreading

  Cover design by Outlined with Love Designs

  Image Copyright 2021

  First Edition 2021

  All Rights Reserved

  “In one lifetime you will love many times, but one love will burn your soul forever” - Unknown

  Prologue

  WILL

  16 Years Ago

  This goddamn kid.

  “Stop right there.”

  Amelia places the ladder down on the grass after dragging it from the garage. With an exaggerated sigh, she rests her hands on her hips, rolling her eyes in annoyance. Still in her fluorescent yellow swimsuit, her long brown hair is tangled from an earlier attempt at performing somersaults under the water.

  Andy is on the tail-end of the ladder. The scrawny blond-haired cousin of hers is biting his fingernails out of habit. And who could ignore little Ava beside them—small and sweet, with a smile so cute. The complete opposite to her sister.

  I watch the three of them with a stern expression, annoyed that for the few minutes I played on my phone, they left the pool area for the garage. The ladder is not exactly light nor small, which explains why the three of them collectively had to retrieve it. Why? I am yet to find out.

  A deep breath escapes me while I try to garner patience for these damn kids. All my friends are in Europe for summer vacation, and even a few are visiting Australia. My parents insisted we visited the Edwards family before I left for college. One last family vacation. Between my dad, who has no care in the world, to my mom, who is the exact opposite, our vacations aren’t always smooth sailing.

  But I guess staying with the Edwards family isn’t so bad. Aunt Charlie spoilt me as if I were her son, waiting on me hand and foot, even arguing with Mom over allowing me to explore the city on my own tonight. Uncle Lex offered to let me borrow his car tonight, my first time driving such a luxurious vehicle. Given that we are from Manhattan, we take cabs everywhere, so driving isn’t something I often do.

  And their house is epic.

  It’s sprawled across acres with a yard so big you can easily get lost on the property. It has a tennis court as well as a basketball court, plus an Olympic-sized swimming pool. A massive trampoline and lots of kids play equipment. It’s by far the biggest house I’ve ever seen, but not surprising since Uncle Lex is a billionaire. The guy can afford anything, and I swear I want to be just like him when I finish college. Only not married with kids. More like hot babes with bikinis just chilling in my grand pool.

  If only I could explore the grounds on my own, but the persistent stare from someone trying to demand my attention makes it difficult to even have a moment of peace.

  The thorn in my side—Amelia Edwards.

  Since the moment this kid was born, she always pushed my limits. I considered myself a reasonably patient person, but boy did she enjoy testing me. Amelia had absolutely no fear. Even as a kid, I had limits and often knew the consequences of reckless behavior. Not Amelia, she seemed to not even think about that, always so caught up in the thrill of the moment.

  The stunt she was about to pull is bound to get us in trouble.

  I cross my arms with a steady gait, refusing to let her get to me. “What exactly are you going to do with that ladder?”

  “Use it to jump into the pool,” she confesses with a dismissive glance. “Why, you chicken?”

  “No, I’m smart. Household ladders are not supposed to be used for pool activities.”

  “Well, Daddy said no to getting a diving board, so this is the next best thing.”

  “Your dad is right. You will kill yourself and your little minions too.”

  Amelia narrows her emerald eyes, followed by a side roll, frustrated I’ve put a stop to her madness. This isn’t her first attempt at almost killing herself under my watch, but it sure will be the last.

  “Why do you have to be so boring?” Amelia exaggerates while grimacing. “All you ever do is listen to your music and probably kiss girls.”

  A snicker escapes me. Amelia has no idea what it is like to be a teenager on the verge of adulthood. And why would she? At only eight years old, Amelia’s still a kid. I can’t wait for the day when she grows up and realizes what it’s like to make responsible decisions, none of this childish nonsense, especially ones which could really do some damage.

  Hanging out with these kids isn’t exactly my idea of fun. I would rather be with girls my own age. My parents went out to lunch with Lex, Charlie, and the younger kids, leaving me in charge of these troublemakers.

  Correction—one troublemaker.

  This is supposed to be a vacation, and now I find myself arguing with a kid? I seriously cannot believe my life today.

  “Listen, Amelia,” I warn her sternly. “I’m in charge here, not you. If you get hurt, it’s all on me.”

  “I won’t get hurt. I’m a big girl.”

  “Well, I might get hurt trying to save you. Have you thought about that?”

  Her face softens, lips parting with a small puff of air. Perhaps the kid has some compassion inside of her.

  “Fine then.” She pouts, then points her finger. “But just so you know, one day, I’m going to marry a boy, and he is going to love me so much that he will do anything I say no matter how dangerous everyone may think it i
s.”

  I let out a snort. Honestly, this kid is crazy. “You know what? I promise to be there on your wedding day, wishing you guys the best.”

  This time, a smirk plays on her sun-kissed face. “I’ll remember that, Will. I never forget when a promise is made.”

  “Neither do I,” I counter in amusement. “I’ll even go as far as a pinky promise.”

  Moving closer, she extends her hand, closing her fingers, all but the little one.

  “Do you know what happens when you break a pinky promise?”

  I shrug my shoulders with a grin. “What happens?”

  “You have to cut your finger off.”

  Ava gasps beside us, throwing her hand over her mouth. Andy nods in agreeance.

  “Geez, Amelia. A bit dramatic, don’t you think?”

  “That’s why you don’t break the promise,” she informs me.

  I extend my own hand and wrap my finger around her small one. She squeezes it tight, but as I try to pull away, she grips tighter, her face turned all serious.

  “William Rockford Romano, pinky promise you’ll come to my wedding and buy me the most expensive present. No matter what song I choose, you have to dance with me even if you hate it.”

  “I promise, Amelia Grace Edwards. How about a China set?”

  “That’s so 1950’s,” she complains.

  “Do you even know what that means?”

  “Yes, Mommy says it all the time,” she says confidently, yanking my finger again, causing me to scowl. “Do we have ourselves a promise?”

  “We have ourselves a promise.”

  Amelia pulls away with a satisfied smile on her face while Andy and Ava continue to stand beside us in a confused state.

  Babysitting these kids is exhausting. Amelia is the most challenging of all. I’ll take Andy, who rarely speaks, and sweet little Ava, over the spawn of the devil.

  Surely, Amelia will forget her little promise, and I’ll be long gone living my own life. I mean, she’s eight. Plenty of years to grow up and forget all about this moment.

  Plus, there’s no way in hell I’m sitting through a wedding. Let alone dance to some stupid love song.

  Weddings suck.

  I feel sorry for the man who falls in love with her one day. She’s going to ruin him, and he’ll probably curse the day she was born.

  All I can say is—thank god it isn’t me.

  1

  AMELIA

  Present

  “I don’t want to be that person, but are we there yet?”

  I rest my hands on my hips while trying to gulp for air, desperate to alleviate the burn inside my chest. Austin stops a few steps ahead of me, then turns around to wait. He doesn’t respond to my question, ignoring my complaint with a grin on his sun-drenched face. With his sunglasses on, and a Laker’s hat perched on his head to block the Californian rays, he extends his hand to help me continue.

  “Quit complaining, Millie,” Ava yells over her shoulder. “The fresh air could do you some good.”

  Ava is a known workout addict. For fun, she enjoys Pilates, yoga, and running—partaking in marathons with Dad. Granted, she has the most amazing body from her physical efforts. Dad is also pretty fit. However, I choose to block out the comments often made by women whenever a photo surfaces of him online. Mom has the patience of a saint. If anyone publicly made comments about my man, I would have something to say about it.

  Though when it’s about your father, the man who raised you, swipe up and pretend you didn’t just read the most graphic comment of your life.

  Austin is holding my hand tight with an uncomfortable sweat building between our palms. Every inch of me hurts. My knees, my feet, and my lungs burning, making it extremely difficult to breathe. I don’t know why I agreed to go hiking, considering it is my least favorite pastime, but Ava is very persuasive. Often, it was easier to agree with her just to shut her up.

  Austin enjoys all outdoor activities, so no convincing needed with him

  “We’re here,” Austin announces, stopping just shy of a large rock. “Do you remember this place?”

  My eyes scan the area, noting the dense bushland from the dry heat. On one side, there is a canyon, and on the other, sweeping views of downtown LA Although the sun is bright, a layer of smog blankets the city.

  A shallow sigh escapes me, only for my throat to thicken. The memories come flooding back to senior year. High school felt like a lifetime ago, with so many years passing and college being the center of attention.

  But this particular spot, we would often visit and spend hours talking about our future. We had so many dreams, many yet to be fulfilled. It also happens to be the very place we made love for the first time on my last night before leaving for college.

  Typically, we drove here, but this time we hiked, which threw me off since I was distracted by my lack of athletic ability.

  “Of course, I remember.” I squeeze his hand while looking out into the city, unable to settle the smile playing on my lips. It’s incredibly peaceful up here, a welcoming change to the chaos of late. I let go of Austin’s hand, taking a step forward to get a better view. “It’s so beautiful and quiet. I forgot what it’s like to listen to nature. I feel like my ears are damaged by the sounds of sirens and honking horns.”

  Ava clears her throat, prompting me to shift my gaze to her. With a mischievous grin, she motions for me to look in the opposite direction. Slowly, my eyes glance back to Austin kneeling on one knee with a small black box in his hand.

  “Austin?” I fumble as my head flinches back slightly. “Wha…what are you doing?”

  “I never thought we would end up back here, years later, together.” Still holding my gaze, he takes a deep breath to calm himself. “Night could fall, and I could still be listing the reasons of why we are meant to be together, but it’s simple, I love you. I can’t imagine my life without you. The day we ran into each other a year ago today, I knew there would be no turning back. You are my best friend. Will you marry me, Millie?”

  The little black box is open and sitting inside is a stunning white gold princess cut diamond ring. My mouth falls open at the sight, and without thinking, my fingers remove the ring from the box.

  There is no denying its beauty, an exquisite piece of jewelry. I’ve not seen anything as beautiful besides the emerald diamond my mother wears on her wedding finger. It amazes me how something so small carries so much value, both monetary and symbolic. The intent of this ring means so much more when the man you love is on one knee proposing a life of marriage and commitment.

  I open my mouth, only to close it shortly after, unable to process a thought without it coming out all jumbled. My muscles turn weak, and maybe it is the sun—but my head spins, leaving me dizzy.

  A heavy feeling sits in the pit of my stomach. Marriage. This is big, it is a lifetime commitment, and I’m only just shy of twenty-four. I thought about it back in high school when I was naïve and believed we would last forever.

  But then life happened.

  I had spent the last four years focusing on studying and completing my undergraduate early to attend law school. Studying law is challenging, mainly because I intern at Aunt Nikki’s firm to gain experience whenever I can spare a few hours. Between school, work, and my relationship with Austin, I don’t have time to plan a wedding. Austin transferred to Columbia University, and given his rigorous studying of medicine, it’s not exactly like he can afford time off either.

  We both have aspirations and a complete course load; I can’t see how this will work.

  And for the last four years, I pushed myself so hard. I can’t possibly throw all that hard work and effort away just to be a wife.

  We will have to live together, but where? And did Austin want kids straight away? Isn’t that what most married couples do? How can I juggle being pregnant, studying, and a small kid while starting my career? My rampant thoughts are spinning out of control, too many “what ifs.”

  I promised myself that no one
would get in the way of me achieving my goals ever again.

  But then, the unwanted memories fight for attention like a nightmare on repeat: the final goodbye, my car accident which put me in an arm cast for weeks. The restless nights led to insomnia then a sleeping pill addiction.

  I rid the thoughts, desperate to focus on the beautiful man in front of me, offering me a lifetime of happiness. Yet, there were so many questions. It wasn’t as simple as saying yes.

  “I’m…wow, marriage.” I breathe shakily. “But we just got back together?”

  “We didn’t just get back together,” he says nervously. “It’s been a year.”

  “But we’re still young.”

  “What are we waiting for?” He almost pleads. “So what if we’re young? It feels like we’ve known each other forever. Nothing will change, aside from you being my wife. I know what you’re thinking, and I promise our studies will always be the top priority. There’s no rush for kids or a family. We can take this as slow as we both need to. And your dad gave us his blessing.”

  I turn to look at Ava as she nods, agreeing with Austin. “My dad?”

  “It’s true, Millie. Dad knows.”

  My glance shifts back onto Austin. I do love him, and the last twelve months have been great. We are a well-oiled machine, bringing out the best of each other. If I say yes, I will be marrying my best friend.