Topsy Turvy Kinda Love, стр. 1

Topsy Turvy Kinda Love

No part of this book may be reproduced, copied or transmitted in any medium, whether electronic, internet or otherwise, without the expressed permission of the author. This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, locations, and names occurring in this book are the product of the author’s imagination or are the property of their respective owners and are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual events, locations, or persons (living or dead), is entirely coincidental and not intended by the author. All trademarks and trade names are used in a fictitious manner and are in no way endorsed by or an endorsement of their respective owners.

May contain sexual situations, violence, sensitive and offensive language, and mature topics.

Recommended for age 18 years and up.

Cover Design: Book Cover Kingdom

Editing: Jenny Dillion

Proofreading: Yvette Deon

Formatting: Champagne Book Design

Title Page

Novels by J Marie

Dedication

Topsy Turvy Kinda Love Playlist

Epigraph

About This Book

Prologue

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen

Twenty

Twenty-One

Epilogue

Extra Epilogue

Topsy Turvy Signature Drink Recipe

Other Titles by J Marie

Acknowledgments

Stay Connected

About the Author

NOVELS BY J MARIE

Standalones

Second Chance Rescue

Topsy Turvy Kinda Love

425 Madison Ave Series

Melting Wynter

Moonshine Springs Novels

Written in the Sand

Dedicated to those struggling this year.

To those who persevere when things get tough.

To those who still fight even though it seems useless.

To faith and hope that things will get better.

To love and those who love us.

To compassion for those who need it.

To those who lend a helping hand when they don’t have one to lend.

To those who need a voice.

To those too afraid to give love a chance.

To You…

For continuing to read my words time and time again faithfully.

Crush by David Archuleta

Heart Attack by Demi Levato

Kiss Me by Ed Sheeran

Harder (with Bebe Rexha) by Jax Jones

Bad Guy by Billie Ellish

Into You by Ariana Grande

Living Proof by Camila Cabello

As You Need by Alex Aiono

It's You by Ali Gatie

Sex on Fire by Kings of Leon

If We Never Met by John K

“Your love is like alcohol. Life threat.”

—Yatish Jottings

Brooks

I ran under the cover of darkness with only a duffel bag to my name.

Once you leave the compound, you’re spiritually dead, outlawed, excluded.

I wanted more to live outside of everything I’d ever known.

What I found was Mia.

I can see my ring on her finger.

Her heart in my palm.

Her name on my lips.

My child in her belly.

And I’ll do just about anything to get it, even sex lessons if that’s all she’ll give me.

Mia

I’m your average bartender with a bad little habit.

I won’t deny it, I like a little weed while I paint.

Creative juices and all.

My life is just fine until I meet him.

He says he only wants sex lessons, but I know that’s a lie.

He wants me,

To wear his ring.

A white picket fence and two point five kids.

But I’m not sure how to love and I’m not sure I want to try.

We’ll see if Brooks is up to the challenge of calming this cotton-candy haired badass.

I’d always wondered if one solitary moment had the potential to change the rest of my life. One single second that could create such an occurrence that every life event after it would differ, just slightly. As if one small particle may change my whole outlook. Standing here, I finally believe it.

Shadows of bright cotton candy colored hair trace along the curve of her shoulders as I watch her hips sway with the movements of each step. My eyes can’t seem to part from her as she approaches. I’m drawn in, entranced from where I stand waiting beside the bar. An erratic beat hammers against my ears and for a moment I wonder if I’m still breathing. Is it possible to breathe without a heartbeat?

The bar is loud, but all I can see is her. The other noise filtered out by my thoughts. She’s been starring as the main act in most of the daydreams I’ve been having for the last week and I can’t seem to turn them off. Not that I want to. She caught my eye the day I interviewed with Eddie and since then it’s been non-stop. All my senses are out of whack—thoughts fluttering in a mad rush to go somewhere—but I can’t pull my eyes away, and the instant replay is available with the snap of a finger.

“Maybe you should just take a photo, handsome,” she says with a wink as she passes by me carrying a tray of drinks.

“What?” I mumble, shaking my head to clear my thoughts.

“You know, there’s this thing called a camera. They’re these devices that take pictures… A picture lasts a lot longer than just staring. Just saying. Oh, and you can even use it to jerk off if you want. I wouldn’t mind you thinking about me while you stroke it, sexy. Now, are you ready to get some work done or should I swing around again so you can get another look?” I barely hear her over the drumming in my ears and the drop of my jaw.

I shake my head, clarity finally spotlighting each word. “What?” My mind spins, trying to process the words that spilled from those red lips.

“The name’s Mia. I’m assuming you’re my trainee for the night?”

I nod my head briefly because words still elude my brain like I’ve been drugged and can’t form them. My lips feel thick like they’re numb. Silence drifts between us like the lightest feather before she speaks again.

“What’s the matter, cat got your tongue, handsome?” She laughs and my ears rejoice at the sound of it. How smooth it flows from her lips. Those bright red lips that beg for touch. “Okie dokey then, you’ll be working behind the bar with me tonight. Over there is Zara. You’ll meet the waitresses when they pop back over for drink orders.”

She points behind her to the other bartender. Zara’s tall with jet black hair, nails, lips, piercings, and dark eyeshadow. My mother had warned me about people that looked like her. Like