Page 21 of Forever

CHAPTER 7

ANABEL

I sway to the music blasting in my ears. My fingers typing as fast as they can, trying to make the most of every second the inspiration is here.

Sometimes I wonder why I want to write for a living when inspiration can be such a bitch, enjoying giving me a hard time while I stare at the blank page of the screen. But I love it. I love writing stories and hanging out with characters, listening to them tell me their story. It sounds strange, and probably crazy, but go with me on this, will ya? It gives me joy. I can live a thousand different lives, be a thousand different people, but at the same time be one.

Because of the school stuff and traveling back and forth between America and Europe I was behind on my publishing schedule. Good thing is in the end I decided to go indie so there is not much harm in being behind. I make my own schedule and don’t have to explain myself to anybody besides my fans. And it seems they understand. For now, anyway. But I don’t want to keep them waiting too long.

I hope things will finally fall into place once the school is done and I can give full attention to writing.

Now I’m working on the second book in my Bayron University series, Lily’s story. She’s different from Haley. A quiet and nerdy girl that hides a lot of baggage from her past that is about to catch up to her. It’s raw, emotional, and angsty; I love it and hate it at the same time.

Once I was done with exams all I wanted to do was pack my bags and hop on the plane, even if only to get a day or two more with Will. No matter how short, the time we get to spend together is precious, but I knew I had to concentrate on me and my future.

When I decided to self-publish my book, Will was the first to support me in my decision. He’s living his dream and he wants me to live mine. He even wanted to support me financially—as it turns out publishing a book is way more than writing the manuscript from the beginning to the end. You have to get the professional cover, find an editor, market your books etc., but I declined his help. I have to do this on my own. Succeed on my own. That’s the reason why I decided to write under a pseudonym.

Since I started dating William people took notice of me too. Croatian Girl Made a Knight Fall—I’m not even joking, that was the headline on one of the articles once we’d gone public with our relationship. Reporters started digging into things about my life, mostly boring things, but still. I didn’t want them to find out I’m a wannabe author. I didn’t want to succeed in my dream just because I’m dating a famous football player—so we agreed, I’ll do this on my own terms. My dream. My money. My not-so-mine name.

That includes isolation when the work needs to get done. Like now.

The only problem is that my parents rarely see me these days, even less than before, because I’m always somewhere. If I’m not in Zadar, I’m in America. So, they pressured me into coming home, even if that means staying locked in my room until I get this down.

Concentrating on the work at hand, I turn everything off—my thoughts, music in my ears, everything except the words on the screen. I read chapter after chapter. Introducing some needed changes, rewriting, deleting or simply grammatically correcting.

I don’t know how long I’ve been like that, lost in my own zone when I feel hands on my shoulder.

A scream of surprise parts my lips. I jerk and spin in my chair to face the person scaring me to the grave.

“What the hell … Will!” I scream once again when I see the person standing behind me, but this time it has nothing to do with fear.

I pull the headphones out of my ears and jump out of the chair right into his awaiting arms. My legs wrap around his waist and I bury my head in his neck, inhaling his familiar scent.

Home.

That’s how it feels to be in his arms.

Like being home.

His hands wrap around me tightly, pulling me to his chest until not even the air can come between us.

“I’ve missed you so much, Tink.”

Will’s lips press against the top of my head while we stay glued like that.

Body to body.

Heart to heart.

“I’ve missed you too,” I whisper, closing my eyes. “So, so much.”

These are the moments I look forward to most. When I’m finally in his arms, feeling safe and secure. Feeling whole and loved.

“What are you doing here anyway?” I move away just slightly so I can press my forehead to his and be able to look into those chocolate eyes that haunt me in my dreams. “Weren’t you supposed to come later this week, or was I simply lost in my own world for far too long again?”

Will chuckles at my words. His warm breath tickles my skin as he leans closer, soft lips brushing against my nose.

“Nope, you’re all good. We just came earlier.”

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