The Sound Of Us

The Sound Of UsJen Samson Copyright © 2023 Jen SamsonAll rights reservedThe characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.ISBN-13: 9781234567890ISBN-10: 1477123456Cover photo: Canva_Nuran Mammadov from PexelsLibrary of Congress Control Number: 2018675309Printed in the United States of America To the girl who found the courage to say no after twenty years. Now, live.To the survivors. You always deserved better. Right from the start, you deserved better.To those still stuck. We know you're trying, and we're waiting for you on this side. Don't give up. Contents Title PageCopyrightDedicationThe Sound Of UsTrigger WarningsAbout The BookPlaylistAcknowledgmentsOther books by Jen SamsonChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 6Chapter 7Chapter 8Chapter 9Chapter 10Chapter 11Chapter 12Chapter 13Chapter 14Chapter 15Chapter 16Chapter 17Chapter 18Chapter 19Chapter 20Chapter 21Chapter 22Chapter 23Chapter 24Chapter 25Chapter 26Chapter 27Chapter 28Chapter 29Chapter 30Chapter 31Chapter 32Chapter 33Chapter 34Chapter 35Chapter 36Chapter 37Chapter 38Chapter 39Chapter 40Chapter 41Chapter 42Chapter 43Chapter 44Chapter 45Chapter 46Chapter 47Chapter 48Chapter 49Chapter 50Chapter 51Chapter 52Chapter 53Chapter 54Chapter 55Chapter 56Chapter 57Chapter 58Chapter 59Chapter 60Chapter 61Chapter 62Chapter 63Chapter 64Chapter 65Chapter 66A note from JenAbout The Author The Sound Of UsHow many vows, made to God and your spouse, would you be willing to break for just one taste of the truest love you've ever known? For just one moment of tenderness?Till death do us part is what Axel Davis promised his husband ten years ago, when he was only eighteen. Even now, his devotion to the marriage was unshakable, despite the bruises, the humiliation; the ever-present fear of the unlicensed gun that sits on the nightstand if he ever tried to leave.But when a newcomer shows up in their small, forgotten town in Eastern Kentucky, Axel can't ignore the sound of his beating heart and the unspoken melody between them when he lays his eyes on Eli Saxon.The war between fidelity and an inextinguishable passion escalates when Axel comes out of remission, and then he has to decide: how many vows will he break for Eli, a man who can neither hear nor speak, but whose touch is a language Axel's soul understands? Trigger WarningsPlease go through these carefully before starting The Sound Of Us. If you have ANY questions, please reach out to me on Instagram, Facebook, or in an e-mail: [email protected]. • Spousal abuse (verbal/physical/emotional) • Suicidal ideation • Grief• Narcissistic behavior patterns • Life-threatening illness• Cheating (MC cheats on abusive spouse)• Rape (about 20 lines, not gratuitious but descriptive enough to cause some discomfort)If you have experienced a trigger and it is not listed here, please let me know anywhere on social media or via email. About The BookThe Sound Of Us was difficult for me to complete. I considered canning everything right up until the formatting stage. It didn't feel like fiction; like something to escape to. Axel's story felt too real. I witnessed a tremendous amount of domestic violence growing up. It was all around me - neighbors, family members, church members. The abusers were often well-known, respected members of the community, the good guys.Some stories were so unbearable it seemed easier to pretend these things don't happen in real life to real people.There is nothing glamorous or sensational about this story. It is just one perspective of a very painful and, sometimes misunderstood, act of betrayal and is not meant to invalidate the experiences of those who have been cheated on.I wrote this story to honor someone very close to me. To tell her that her story matters, even if people don't believe her. That her pain is valid, even if she stayed as long as she did. PlaylistMy playlists always include books that comforted me during my time writing. My reading tastes are vast but I've contained my reading within the MM world for the last few years. These are the books I loved recently. The first two share themes with The Sound Of Us.Until I Saw You by Diana Roman The Good Liar by C.P. HarrisFierce by Lola MaloneNow, an actual playlist. I usually fall in love with one song during my writing process and it goes on repeat until my family begs for it to stop. If you know me, especially on Instagram, you might know about my undying love for the Korean pop band, BTS. I beg you to click on the link below to listen to this song. The English lyrics are available and I promise it'll leave you in tears. Epiphany, by Jin of BTS AcknowledgmentsTo my sister, Lynette - let's do it one more time and see how it goes, even if this one flops.To Stefka - you are the star that shines in my dark world as I approach publication and all I want to do is cry. I love you SO MUCH.To Lola Malone - thank you, not just for catching me when I fall, but Other books by Jen SamsonFollow my Amazon Author profile to stay up to date on new books!Behind These Eyes - A Gay-Awakening College RomanceSay Yes - A D/s MM Love Story Chapter 1AxelWhen the cold weeks following Christmas and New Year make promises of turning our small town of River Valley in Eastern Kentucky into a (poverty-stricken) winter wonderland, you know it’s time to