REGRET (LOST BOYS Book 2)

Regret LOST BOYS BOOK 2 EMILIA FINN Copyright © 2023 Emilia Finn All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the address below: [email protected] ISBN: 978 1 922623 21 8 (Paperback) Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Names, characters, and places are products of the author’s imagination. Front cover photography by: James Critchley Front cover models: Ryan Elson Cover design: Britt @ The Hatters Editing: Bird’s Eye Editing First printing edition 2023. Beelieve Publishing, Pty Ltd PO Box 407, Woy Woy, NSW, 2256 Australia www.emiliafinn.com EMILIA FINN, the ROLLERS logo, the CHECKMATE SECURITY logo, STACKED DECK logo, and INAMORATA are all trade marks of Beelieve Publishing, Pty Ltd Contents Also by Emilia FinnLooking To Connect?PrestonNickiNickiPrestonNickiPrestonNicolePrestonNicolePrestonNicolePrestonPrestonNicolePrestonNicoleNoahNicolePrestonNoahNicolePrestonNicolePrestonEpilogueAlso by Emilia Finn Also by Emilia Finn (in reading order) The Rollin On Series Finding Home Finding Victory Finding Forever Finding Peace Finding Redemption Finding Hope The Survivor Series Because of You Surviving You Without You Rewriting You Always You Take A Chance On Me The Checkmate Series Pawns In The Bishop’s Game Till The Sun Dies Castling The Rook Playing For Keeps Rise Of The King Sacrifice The Knight Winner Takes All Checkmate Stacked Deck - Rollin On Next Gen Wildcard Reshuffle Game of Hearts Full House No Limits Bluff Seven Card Stud Crazy Eights Eleusis Dynamite Busted Gilded Knights (Rosa Brothers) Redeeming The Rose Chasing Fire Animal Instincts Pure Chemistry Battle Scars Safe Haven Inamorata The Fiera Princess The Fiera Ruins The Fiera Reign Mayet Justice Sinful Justice Sinful Deed Sinful Truth Sinful Desire Sinful Deceit Sinful Chaos Sinful Promise Lost Boys MISTAKE REGRET Crash & Burn Rollin On Novellas (Do not read before finishing the Rollin On Series) Begin Again – A Short Story Written in the Stars – A Short Story Full Circle – A Short Story Worth Fighting For – A Bobby & Kit Novella Looking To Connect? Website Facebook Newsletter Email The Crew Did you know you can get a FREE book? Go to emiliafinn.com/signup to get your free copy sent direct to your inbox. PrestonLOVE IS IN THE AIR My best friend stands just twenty feet across the room, his brand-new bride on her knees, and her lipstick messed up from contact with various appendages of his body. That could seem dirty, depending on the level of filth one’s mind possesses. But in Cole and Maya’s case, the room we share is a fairy-lit ballroom, and though her lipstick is, in fact, smudged, it’s not because she’s sucking off her groom in front of a rapt audience. No. She’s tying his shoelaces, because though she’s a proud woman who would never debase herself for anyone, her groom—my best friend—is a pro fighter, and his penchant for training, even on the morning of his nuptials, means he’s too sore to bend over and fix his own damn laces. Or at least, that’s the lie we tell ourselves as Cole lives out his lewdest fantasies on the biggest day of his life. My best friend, my fucking brother from another mother, is a blissfully married man. And I’m… well, I’m enjoying the open tab at the bar, and the beautiful guests who walk by in formal gowns and skyscraper heels. “You want a refill on your beer?” The bartender stops by me and sets a napkin down near my hand. “Yeah.” I slide my empty glass closer and twist to get a view of the dancefloor. Couples sway together, while a band who sings gritty soft rock jams on the stage to the left of the room. When Maya is done tying Cole’s laces, she pushes up to stand in a stunning, body-hugging, princess cut gown that, I admit, has me thinking sinful thoughts about the woman I would kill for. I don’t love her like I wanna fuck her—though, in an ideal world where such an act wouldn’t betray my best friend, I sure as shit wouldn’t say no. But I love her like the family she is. I love her like a sister, and though I have none of those biologically, I’ve brought that woman into my heart and vowed to keep her safe for the rest of time. Because her safety is paramount to Cole’s happiness. And Cole’s happiness is more important to me than my own. A result of childhood trauma, I suppose. That’s what the shrinks would say. Two guys, unloved by their blood family, bond on the streets and spend their youths—their formative years—in the trenches together. They wouldn’t be wrong. Years of neglect left me without the expectation of love or loyalty from anyone else. But I sure as hell learned to care about my brother. That thing they call childhood trauma sucks. But I’m glad for the lessons received and the friendships forged. It means I know who to keep close, and it helps me maintain protective barriers for those who want to be trusted, but are yet to earn the right. “Welcome. Hey, everyone… hey! Shut up!” The emcee—or really, the world fucking champion MMA title holder, Jack ‘The Jackhammer’ Reilly—holds a microphone in one hand, and a glass of soda in the other. His grin stretches his cheeks and pushes a deep dimple into one side, but his stare, because the band won’t hush and guests continue to talk, makes me laugh. He’s a dangerous motherfucker, and though he bitched and whined every day leading up to today about his job as public speaker, he fulfills the task with intense vigor. “For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Jack.” Then he lifts his soda and gestures toward