Destiny's Detour Read online

  by Mari Brown

  Copyright © 2013 by Mari Brown

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Published in the United States of America

  First Published, 2014

  MTK Publishing, Summerdale, AL 36580

  Cover Design by Juliana Cabrera @ JMH Designs

  Editing By Katie Mac @ Indie Express

  e-book formatting by Integrity Formatting

  Table of Contents

  Dedication

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-One

  Twenty-Two

  Twenty-Three

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Sneak Peek at On the Edge (The Knight Series)

  To Randy, My Hulk

  None of this would have been possible without you. You are My Everything!

  To My 3 Cubs

  Thanks for letting your mom have a dream of her own! I know it’s been different for us. I actually have a life outside being your mom and y’all weren’t sure how to act or feel but you still gave me the space I needed.

  I love you...always and forever.

  When I wake up, I realize two things. One, I have a hangover. And two, someone is in my bed. I am almost afraid to turn over to see who it is. I was pretty drunk last night, but forgetting who or what I do is not a common occurrence.

  I peek over my left shoulder to see just who owns the muscular arm thrown across my waist. My breath catches. It’s Troy Daniels, who just happens to be my brother David’s best friend. OH SHIT! David is going to kill us!

  Completely shameless, I stare at sexy Troy. His short dark brown hair is mussed from sleep and his face looks relaxed and content. I hope I am the reason he looks so happy. Troy’s eyes are closed but I can clearly picture those beautiful hazel eyes. When he looks at me, I swear he sees into the hidden depths of my soul. Troy’s body can melt any woman to her core. At 6’ 3” and 230lbs, the muscles on that boy make me want to trace every perfectly toned inch. His highly defined six-pack is chiseled as if the gods themselves sculpted it. Should a man really have abs like that? It's just not fair to rest of the male population. His biceps are undeniably the sexist thing on him. Just looking at them makes my mouth water with the need for them to be wrapped around me. Right now, he is on display, only for me. I wish I could see the rest of his body. Fucking sheet! Ugghh. I should feel like the world’s biggest perv, but no, I’m just enjoying the view.

  I quietly slide out of bed, and making my way to the bathroom, I catch a glimpse of my naked form in the mirror hanging on the back of the door. My emerald green eyes are shining brighter this morning. My long, wavy, black hair has that just fucked look going on. I look around as the shower warms up and it seems like everything in the bathroom is brighter this morning. The burgundy and black color scheme of my bathroom is more vibrant. The counter littered with my makeup sparkles from the palette of color. I step in the shower to try to wake myself up. I have a feeling that today is going to be a long day. As I struggle to remember the events of the party last night, it seems the hot water may be helping my memory return. Bits and pieces start coming together.

  Sometime last night, a game of Truth or Dare was played. I was dared to kiss Troy, and it was one hot kiss, too. Thank god, David wasn’t around for that. On a positive note, I can now stop wondering what Troy has that made all the girls in high school trip over themselves. At the time, I didn’t dwell much on the kiss. It was just for the game. It wasn’t until later that shit came back to bite me in the ass. I made my way to my bedroom and ran into Troy coming out of his. I couldn’t help looking at him and thinking about that kiss. He seemed to be thinking the same thing with the way he was looking at me. Troy grabbed my hand and led me down the hall to my room. He never said a word to me and I just followed along. I have trusted Troy for as long I can remember and things weren’t going to change now.

  After we entered my room, he shut the door. I just made out the sound of the door locking when I found myself thrown up against it and Troy’s lips came crashing into mine. We kissed feverishly for what seemed like eternity. When we finally broke apart, I was shocked at how labored my breathing was. My legs were securely wrapped around Troy’s waist. Oh crap, I was hot for my brother’s best friend. Growing up, I’d had a crush on Troy, but like all childhood crushes, I outgrew it. But this was not a crush. This was pure animalistic need.

  My memory starts to get foggy again, but I know we made out some more, and then the clothes started coming off. My thoughts end with me begging him to take me. Alcohol is the devil.

  As I step from the shower, I grab a white bath sheet and wrap it loosely around my body. Cold water dripping down my back causes goose bumps while I search for a towel to dry my hair. I’m not sure how to handle this situation with Troy. I don’t want to freak out on him, but I also have no idea what to say to him this morning. I am not saying that I myself was innocent last night, but one-night stands are not my thing. This is doomed to be awkward if I don’t handle it the right way.

  I slip back into my room to find Troy is still sleeping. That’s really not a bad thing since I still need time to think. I make my way to the closet and pull on some clothes. Brushing my hair out, I notice I do not look so bad for being hung-over. Now if I can just figure out what to do with the sexy football player in my bed, then all would be right with the world. Since I’m a coward, I’m trying to delay that little occurrence for as long as possible. The house sounds pretty quiet, which means everyone is still asleep.

  It’s nice living off campus with my brother. David and Troy have been living in this house together for the last 2 years, but this year Amy, my best friend, and I have moved in. We are finally college freshmen and excited for all the adventures that come with it.

  David is 2 years older than I am, and there is no denying that we are related. At 6’3”, 245 lbs. of pure, toned muscle leaving no doubt that he plays football. As wide receiver for National University, he is Troy’s go to guy, and always has been. Troy throws the balls and my brother catches and runs with it. Picture his short, messy black hair and emerald green eyes… eyes that we share in an almost eerie way that come from Mom’s side of the family. David towers over me and makes me look like a pixie. I am small, but standing next to my brother always makes me feel so tiny. We get our dark hair and complexion from our father. David is built like our dad, too. Dad is a retired NFL player and now he coaches football at our local high school. Our family lives and breathes football.

  Somehow, I did not expect my first adventure to be sleeping with Troy, after my first college party, no less. I have to get rid of him, and then somehow talk to Amy about all that happened last night. My mind is going in too many directions right now for this shit. Amy and I have been best friends since we were in diapers. There are no secrets between us, ever. I can’t wait to hear what she has to say about this. She is going to freak. Shit! I am freaking. I have done some stupid things when drunk, but this, this right here, may take the cake.

  I finally sit down on the edge of my bed, take a few deep breaths, and shake Troy by his shoulder. I need to get him up, talk to him, and get
him out of my room. It takes a couple of nudges before his eyes slowly flutter open. He looks at me with a small smile, and then the events of last night hit him like a sack of bricks. He sits straight up in my bed, looks at me, looks down at himself, and lets out a groan.

  I couldn’t help the small chuckle that escapes.

  “It’s not that bad, Troy.”

  He grins at me again.

  “No, but David is gonna kill me if he sees me in here with no clothes on.”

  We stare at each other a few minutes.

  “Look Troy, last night was… Well, it was hot and it was fun, but it really doesn’t have to change things. It’s not like we are confessing our undying love for each other to my brother. We’re both adults and we had fun, right?”

  He has a dumbfounded look on his face as though he isn’t sure what to think. In all fairness, it does seem as if I am being too calm about everything that happened, but really, what is the point in getting all worked up over it. Right? Right, let's go with that right now.

  “You’re right. It’s only a big deal if we make it a big deal. Well, I guess I better get to my room before anyone notices,” Troy finally says.

  I smile; showing him everything is good between us. Once I am sure that he has made it back to his room and his door clicks shut, I make my way to Amy’s room.

  When I open the door to her room, her blonde hair spread out around her on the dark pillow is the sight that greets me. Since she is still wearing the same clothes she had on yesterday, she must have passed out at some point during the night. As usual, Amy’s room looks as if a typhoon has gone through it. Clothes are tossed everywhere. A shirt lays crumpled on top of her armoire and panties hang from the lamp. How the fuck does she manage to do this every time she gets dressed? I shake my head, not because I am a neat freak, but compared to my best friend, I look like Ms. Clean.

  I chuckle and shake my head.

  “Nice.” I nosedive onto her bed and know she is awake by the muffled groan that escapes as I land beside her. “Get up, Bitch. 911 BFF Emergency right now. We have shit to discuss and I need food. ASAP.”

  Amy turns over. She can tell by my face alone that this is serious. She hops out of bed, showers, and gets dressed in 15 minutes flat. I knew I loved this girl for a reason. We are at the IHOP 10 minutes later, trying to figure out what is best for the hangover that is still kicking both our asses right now.

  As we wait for our food, I let the bomb drop.

  “Sooo ... I slept with Troy last night.”

  She looks at me and smirks.

  “Really, how exactly did that happen?”

  I explain to her about the game, the kiss, and then the full on tongue fucking that leads to us having sex.

  “I woke up with him still lying in bed with me,” I finally say.

  “Wow, Destiny! Ok, so I gotta ask. Was it everything we used to hear it was back in high school?”

  I laugh. Only my best friend would ask me how good it was.

  “Everything is still kinda fuzzy, but if the slight soreness is any indication, Troy was everything they said and more.”

  “Honestly, if it was anyone else, I would be begging for repeat performances. It’s just a little awkward sleeping with your brother’s best friend.”

  She laughs, and so do I, because we both know I really don’t care. If I want to sleep with him again, I will. I am not cocky or stuck up, but I know I am pretty. I have the ability to get a guy’s attention if I want to. Plus, when I set my mind to it and I want something, I will get it.

  I am going to have to be very careful with this situation because it’s not as if Troy is just any guy. He is David’s best friend and our roommate. He is not the kind of guy to have a casual fling with because too much can go wrong. I will just have to be content with the memory of a great night with him and go on to a new adventure in college life.

  As we finish up our breakfast, we begin talking about dance practice that starts this week. We are members of our University dance team. It is also the reason we are at school a month earlier than most students are. It is exciting; we will be performing at the football games, basketball games, and other school events. Amy and I have been dancing since we were 2 years old. There isn’t a dance style we don’t know or can’t learn. After four years on the high school dance team, and our senior year as co-captains, this year we are back on bottom, so to speak. As freshmen on the team, we are at the bottom of the totem pole.

  Of course, talking about dance team leads us back to the football team, which leads us back to Troy and David. Both are starting football practice this week, also. Everything is intermingled. Lucky me. As I think things over, it is slowly becoming a good thing that dance and football practices start this week. It will make it easier to keep this casual with Troy. I don’t need any relationship drama my first semester at school. I just need fun.

  Amy and I arrive back at the house, and as we enter the door, we’re giggling about the cute guys who live next door that were checking us out as got out of the car. They must be football players, too.

  David and Troy are in the living room as we come in, sitting on either end of the black leather couch. I look around the room, noticing beer bottles and other assorted trash left over from the party.

  “Hey ladies! Where have you been?” David asks.

  “We went to IHOP. Best hangover food ever,” I answer happily, causing everyone to laugh.

  “Why didn’t we get an invite?”

  “Well, my dear brother, you were still asleep, and I wanted to enjoy my breakfast, and your ugly mug would have hindered that.”

  “Haha,” he says as he flips me the finger.

  Amy and I join the guys for some TV before deciding that we really need to clean up the house from the party. This place looks like a war zone. The downstairs is completely wrecked. Thankfully, we kept the upstairs off limits. The living room, dining room, and kitchen didn’t fare as well, though. The amount of beer bottles and plastic cups is alarming. There are bowls of left over chips, empty pizza boxes… Is that a red lace thong hanging from the dining room chandelier? WTF! The wood floors are disgusting. I swear drunk people have no idea how to keep the liquor in their cups. Partying with most of the football team last night was interesting, if nothing else. Those guys can put away beer and pizza.

  After nearly four hours of cleaning, I decide we are so hiring a cleaning crew next time. It would make things so much easier. Having money does have its advantages, sometimes.

  I head to my room for a short nap after promising everyone that I will fix us all dinner when I wake up. This makes everyone happy since cooking is definitely my thing.

  Two hours later, I wake up to find that Amy has decided to head to the mall, and David and Troy are hanging out with the guys from next door. They are playing video games in the living room.

  I make my way into the kitchen and begin laying everything out for dinner. I love my kitchen. It is my favorite place in the whole house. Marble counter tops and shiny, new, top of the line, stainless steel appliances compliment the gorgeous, white, weathered cabinets. There is this beautiful picture window over my sink. The walls are warm gray color that just helps the room glow when the sun shines in it. It is definitely my second happy place and one of the greatest presents that my dad has ever given me.

  I am craving Italian, so I decide on homemade lasagna with salad and garlic bread. I think this will work out best since we have extra people here. I flip on the radio and start the prep work. I have just put the finishing touches on it and placed the pan in the oven when I turn around to see all four guys watching me.

  David is wearing his trademark smile. I always love when he directs that smile at me. It lets me know he loves me and is proud of me. David has always been my protector and best friend as we’ve grown up. He also will be the first one to tease me mercilessly. It’s all good though because I wouldn’t trade my brother for anything. The other three are looking at me with smiles that say something dif
ferent. You have to love that old saying that the easiest way to man’s heart is through his stomach. Well, any man would be lucky to have me, because I love cooking as much as I love dancing.

  “Hey, boys,” I say brightly at them. I receive a chorus of hellos. “Dinner will be done in about two hours, and there should be plenty for everyone.”

  I saunter back upstairs to my room. My bedroom is probably my favorite room in the whole house. I have spent a lot of time designing and shopping for everything in here. The black bed frame with the beautiful ornate headboard looks perfect with the deep purple and black bedding that I love. I am a huge fan of the color purple. If it’s purple, chances are I will like it. I have a plush, black loveseat in front of the bay window littered with purple throw pillows. I insisted on having it in my room so that I always have a comfy place to relax or study.

  Amy arrives home about thirty minutes before dinner and comes barreling into my room. “Did you see the two hot guys downstairs? Other than the two we live with?”

  I grimace at the thoughts of my brother being hot. Ewww, no.

  She laughs at the look on my face. “What! He isn’t my brother.”

  Throwing a pillow at her, I say, “Shut up, Amy.”

  She follows me downstairs to help finish dinner and set the table. I even find a bottle of wine my parents left for us. The guys refuse to drink it and stick with their beers, which is fine by us. That just means there’s more for me. By the end of dinner, I find out that the two cuties, Ryan and Chase, are also on the football team. I think we may have shocked them when Amy and I held our own in the conversation on football. When will guys understand that girls can like sports, too? Ryan is at least a couple inches taller than David is, and his brown hair reminds me of dirt, but he is built like a brick house. He has muscle and mass everywhere. I wouldn’t want to piss him off and have him come after me. Of the four guys, Chase is the only blond, and he’s the smallest, not that there’s anything small about him. Looking at the four guys sitting around the table, I decide I do not want to piss them off. They are a combined 800 plus pounds of muscle and brawn.