The Only Way Read online

  I rocked inside of her, moving slowly then fast, her eyes widening and mouth slightly parted with each little gasp. She was so raw. So beautiful. So natural.

  All the pain. Everything that had kept me from getting this close disappeared in her eyes. This was that invisible line being crossed and it felt damn good. The pain was gone and all that was left was pure pleasure. The best kind.

  Sam’s body quaked and I knew she was coming close to another orgasm, so I flipped her over, pushing her on top of me. She sat up, her full breasts bouncing as she rocked forward, gripping her nails into my flesh.

  I locked one hand on her ass and put the other on her hip, moving my thumb to her clit to stroke it while she rode me. She tilted her head back in ecstasy. She rocked that little body harder onto me. That was all it took for me to come hard inside of her.

  She collapsed onto my chest and for a moment we both just lay there, our breathing in sync to the rhythm of our hearts. I ran my fingers through her hair and felt her smile on my chest.

  “So, what happens next? Do you move back in and we start talking about wedding colors and babies and all that?”

  She laughed and shook her head before sitting up. “Why don’t we just start with some coffee?”

  I smiled. “Coffee sounds good too.”

  If you enjoyed this book, please leave a review on GoodReads or whatever online retailer you picked up this book from.

  It keeps the author happy and you get your own chance to be a writer :)

  To my loyal readers,

  Thank you so much for picking up this book whether it was in Eformat, an EARC, or the paperback. If you pirated it...well...I guess it’s good that you like me, but really you should buy it because that supports an Indie author.

  Back to the subject at hand, this book. More importantly, the heavy subject matter.

  Depression is so common with the creative mind, but it is also a disease with one of the biggest stigmas attached to it. People don't always agree with taking medication or seeing a doctor. Some people will suffer in silence because they don't want anyone to know, or they think they aren't depressed. That it's something that only happens to crazy people.

  It's not.

  I'm not going to rattle of statistics or talk about the millions that are suffering.

  What I am going to say that for those who are suffering, there is always hope. No matter how much you're drowning, there will always be a life raft. Even when you think there might not be.

  I've tackled the issues of rape and cancer in this series and those were both deeply personal issues for me. I didn't decide to write about them to cash in on some well-received trope. I wanted to write something real.

  While writing my last two books, I had two major surgeries and then moved with my family across the country. So much changed and I was in such a stage of depression that I wasn't sure I'd ever get out. I didn't want to write anymore. I didn't want to do anything.

  But I had to. I had to get up every day and take care of my children, no matter how much it hurt. Slowly, it did get better. There are days that are worse than others and there are days I actually smile. Writing this book was a true labor of love and parts were so very hard to write, but I knew that Tripp's story had to be told.

  I don't write alpha males. I don't usually write from the male POV, either, but this story was Tripp's. Not everyone who is depressed is female. Sometimes people that you think have it all, are actually suffering and we don't understand why. I hope that by reading this book you get a better glimpse of what it's like for someone with depression. I hope that you take away that there is hope (even when we don't always know where to find it).

  And if you're suffering, don't be afraid to let others help. I know it's hard. I know sometimes you just want to be alone, but in the end, the only way to move forward is to actually make a move.

  -Magan

  About the Author

  Magan Vernon is a Young Adult and New Adult writer who lives with her family in the suburbs of Charlotte, NC. When not writing she spends her time fighting over fake boyfriends via social media.

  Sign up for her newsletter

  Or follow her Social Media

  Facebook

  Twitter

  GoodReads

  Pinterest

  Blog

  Acknowledgements

  Over twenty books and you would think that writing them would be easier. It's still not. I still need a team to get me through each and every book. Without all of you NOTHING is possible!

  First off, thank you to everyone who read the other books in this stand-alone series. If it wasn't for all the love of Monica, Trey, John, and Melanie; this story wouldn't have come into fruition.

  I have to give a HUGE shout out to Michael Meadows, Marisa Shor and Shannon Alegria for helping with this cover. I had a vision of a "beautiful lie" and they helped to bring it to life. Shannon for finding Michael. Michael for taking my random vision, finding a model and getting an awesome picture. Marisa, for dealing with me in general and coming up with a cover that really stood out and matched the series.

  Damien, my model and muse. I don't think I could have asked for a better person to represent this story. You've completely changed my views on male models and I don't know what I would do without you. Thank you so much for supporting and helping me with this series. I hope we can continue to work together for a long, long time.

  To Pam Davis, Carrie Stadtler, Jaime Whitley, TH Snyder for pimping me and always supporting me no matter what!

  My editor, Kellie Montgomery, for slapping me and making me use commas. I GUESS my book needs them, but...but...

  Meagan Burgad, Amanda Clark, Sara Miller, Heather Leigh- Thank you for reading and helping this book where it needed it and not letting me know that I suck too bad.

  Stacy Borel, Bayli Lane, and Shawn Dawson- Thank you for taking me to IHop when I was sad. I'll never forget your kindness. I learned how human some people could be when Shawn talked to our waiter about his tattoo and then tipped him and told him to finish it. That was the beginning of this story and I'm sure these great people will inspire many more.

  To The Minions! My crazy, crazy street team! I love you all equally to abs. Not more. Then y'all might think that I was sick.

  To Cross and Crown Weekday school, thank you for taking both my kids four days a week for fours so I could finish this book!

  My Keurig and Ollies for the cheap and delicious K Cups. I would please like a sponsorship deal from both of these places and the copious amounts of cappuccino that I drank while writing.

  And last, but not least, Tim, Olivia, and Claire. You're the light in my darkness. Without you, nothing in my life would be possible. I love you all to the moon and back.