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    Memphis: Centerville Muscle, #2
    Memphis: Centerville Muscle, #2
    Memphis: Centerville Muscle, #2
    Ebook116 pages1 hourCenterville Muscle

    Memphis: Centerville Muscle, #2

    By KC Kendricks

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Jake Soames is the quintessential everyman. He survived a wild youth and grew up strong. The only thing missing from his life is that one special guy to tilt his world. A man to walk beside him without playing head games with him.

    With nowhere else to go, Memphis Wheeler knocked on the door of a former cellmate and found the refuge he'd been promised. His spirit is wounded, and he needs a place to rest and recover from years of physical abuse. He worries he'll never be able to allow another man to touch him again.

    When Jake meets his buddy's houseguest, he's instantly drawn to the shy, retiring younger man. Memphis doesn't say much and seems skittish around him, yet when Jake proposes they participate in a road rally, Memphis agrees to be his navigator. But there's no timed course to traverse to reach the future Jake envisions with Memphis. It'll take patience and understanding to help Memphis to move on from his past and say yes to more than an afternoon together.

    * * *

    Jake released him. "Maybe you'll let me hold your hand when they can't chaperone, huh?"

    He took a step back and finished ripping open the envelope. The man said to divide the money. He took fifty for himself and handed the envelope back to Jake. "And don't argue with me about the split. I don't want to hear it."

    "I wouldn't dream of. I think I've crossed a few too many of your boundaries for one afternoon."

    So he recognized that, did he? They were both still standing. Jake because his transgressions were minor and himself because…

    He liked Jake.

    Admitting that was a risk. The sky could fall or something equally nasty occur, but it hadn't happened yet.

    "Okay, Jake. Let me tell Logan I'll be home later, and we can go get me a phone and you can buy me something non-alcoholic and fizzy."

    Jake side-stepped him and waved his arm. "Logan! I'll have him home before midnight."

    Before Memphis could protest, Jake grasped his elbow and pulled him towards the car. Logan took two steps in his direction before Mick stopped him. Memphis waved and smiled, mouthing "it's okay" at the guys.

    He was going to have some explaining to do when Jake finally took him home.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherWhite Deer Enterprises/White Deer Books
    Release dateNov 16, 2019
    ISBN9781393287315
    Memphis: Centerville Muscle, #2
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    Author

    KC Kendricks

    KC Kendricks calls herself an accidental writer. After completing her first novel writing as Rayne Forrest, she was urged to submit it to a publisher, and everything snowballed from there. Today, the author has had over seventy books published. The author does not use AI in the creation of her books or the book covers.  In May of 2022, she "retired" from her day job, moving from being an Administrative Assistant to an Administrative Consultant. She says it sounds grand, but the job is basically answering emails to her protégé as she becomes acquainted with all aspects of the job.  A native of scenic western Maryland, the author enjoys most activities that don't include snow. In warm weather she might be found walking the dog, biking on the C&O Canal towpath, planting delicacies in her garden for the deer to munch on at night, playing in the creek, or lazing on the patio with her ebook reader or laptop. She recently began to research her family history and can't drive past a cemetery without stopping to search for family sites. Her mission is to photograph old tombstones before the elements erode the stones and the names are lost to time. For more about KC Kendricks and Rayne Forrest's writing life, please visit the Between the Keys blog at http:kckendricks.blogspot.com . If you'd like to know more about the author's country lifestyle and her daily activities full of simple country pleasures (and a lot of work), please visit the Holly Tree Manor blog at http://hollytreemanor.blogspot.com . And for dog lovers, there is Deuce's Day – life seen through the eyes of KC's black Lab, Deuce (http://deucesday.blogspot.com) KC finds YouTube a fascinating place and has recently uploaded a few short videos of life in the country. She hopes to do more in the future. Her channel is called The Hideaway Between the Keys. https://www.youtube.com/KCKendricks KC can be reached through her blog, Between the Keys. All comments are strictly moderated by the author and personal messages are treated as such. Follow the author on X (formerly Twitter) for up-to-date announcements at Twitter.com/KCKendricks.

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      Book preview

      Memphis - KC Kendricks

      Memphis

      by

      KC Kendricks

      ––––––––

      This book is a work of fiction. While references to actual places or events may occur,

      the names, characters, incidents, and locations are from the author’s imagination

      and any resemblance to anyone, living or dead, is coincidental.

      ––––––––

      Copyright © 2019 KC Kendricks

      Cover art © 2019 KC Kendricks

      All Rights Reserved

      ––––––––

      All rights reserved. Reproduction of this digital e-book for file-sharing or selling, regardless of whether any type of currency is exchanged, other than what the author grants in writing, other than brief excerpts for professional review, is strictly prohibited by law. Piracy is a crime.

      ––––––––

      This book contains sensitive adult material and is intended for mature readers.

      Published in the United States of America

      A short excerpt

      He liked Jake.

      Admitting that was a risk. The sky could fall or something equally nasty occur, but it hadn’t happened yet.

      Okay, Jake. Let me tell Logan I’ll be home later, and we can go get me a phone and you can buy me something non-alcoholic and fizzy.

      Jake side-stepped him and waved his arm. Logan! I’ll have him home before midnight.

      Before Memphis could protest, Jake grasped his elbow and pulled him towards the car. Logan took two steps in his direction before Mick stopped him. Memphis waved and smiled, mouthing it’s okay at the guys.

      He was going to have some explaining to do when Jake finally took him home.

      Jake opened the car door for him, again. He flashed him a smile and dropped into the passenger seat.

      Where are we going for this phone, Jake asked as he started the engine.

      Cheapest place in town, please. I need to start small until I actually get a job. That was embarrassing to admit, but he didn’t have a choice. His small allowance from the government wouldn’t go far or continue for too many months.

      Jake put the car in gear and headed toward Centerville. I think I know where to go.

      In only a few minutes they arrived at a shopping center with a big box store on the north end located on the outskirts of town. An hour later, Memphis had a basic phone and a cheap monthly plan. He pushed buttons as Jake guided him back to the Camaro. It didn’t have many frills, but it would do.

      He leaned against the car as Jake fished his keys out of his pocket. Thanks, Jake. Tell me your number and you can be my first contact and call.

      Jake unlocked the car door and straightened. He put his hands on Memphis’s shoulders and closed the distance between them. His focus on his new toy, Memphis realized his intention a split-second too late. He licked his lips to speak but never got the words out as Jake’s lips touched his.

      Everything inside him froze. Blinding white panic welled up inside him but bled away as Jake’s soft lips moved over his. He inhaled sharply, breathing in the scent of the man beneath his soft musky cologne. Jake’s heat reached him a moment before his arms drew him into a loose embrace. He did the only thing he could do.

      Praise for the writing of KC Kendricks

      KC Kendricks never disappoints!"—Fallen Angel Reviews

      ––––––––

      ..beautifully moving in all the right places...KC Kendricks gives us a well-crafted tale- The Romance Studio

      ––––––––

      Good to the last word....- Sensual Reads

      ––––––––

      ...Seriously entertaining and totally engaging...- Joyfully Reviewed

      ––––––––

      ...solidly written contemporary romance...-Jessewave

      Dedication

      To my friend, the late author Chris Grover. You are missed every day.

      Books by KC Kendricks and Rayne Forrest

      For current availability, please visit KC’s bookshelf at

      https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/the-bookshelf-of-kc-kendricks-and-rayne_3.html

      Ian Coulter’s Amethyst Cove Series

      Double Deuce

      Deuce of Diamonds

      Ace, Deuce, Trey

      Circle of Steel

      Steel Wheels

      The Sundown Saga

      The Back Stairs

      Beneath Dark Stars

      River Walk

      Moon Dances

      Fly By Night

      The Southern Cross Series

      Netting Neptune

      Taming Triton

      Poseidon’s Pleasure

      Between The Moon and the Deep Blue Sea

      Catching Fireflies

      The Men of Marionville Series

      A Hard Habit to Break

      Open Roads

      What You Don’t Confess

      Your Whisper in the Dark

      A Cat Named Hercules

      Leather Jackets

      Station to Station

      Dreams to Sell

      The Right Brew

      Where There’s Smoke

      Bourbon and Blues

      Twice Removed From Yesterday

      Centerville Muscle

      Bored, Stroked and Blueprinted

      Memphis

      July Heat

      Levi & Stacy

      Shining Victory

      No One But You

      ––––––––

      Single Titles (not part of a series)

      A Friendly Neighbor

      A Perfect Hire

      December Promise

      Desert Snow

      Devilishly Delicious Dane

      Doors of Time

      Eye of the Beholder

      Give Me One Night

      Hey, Joe

      Highway Nights

      Hot August Comes

      Kentucky 98 Proof

      Lick Me (Must Love Dogs)

      Lightning Shifts

      Passion’s Victory

      Please Use the Door (a ghostly romance)

      Ride Your Luck

      Riding Against the Wind (sequel to Ride Your Luck)

      SABRE

      Seducing Light

      September Morning

      Shine A Light

      Surrendered Victory

      Tango in the Night

      The Ghost at the B & B

      The Quest

      Undeniable

      ––––––––

      Titles Written as Rayne Forrest

      Science Fiction:

      A Hero’s Bargain

      Across Time

      The Curiosity Shoppe

      Science Fiction Series:

      The Rea Cheveyo Chronicles: Kiana

      The Rea Cheveyo Chronicles: Talyss

      The Rea Cheveyo Chronicles: Reza

      Futuristic Elements:

      After the Sea Sprite Ball

      Mischief at Midnight

      Money Back Guarantee

      Step Into Tomorrow

      To Bed a Spy

      Paranormal Elements:

      Beyond the Night

      A Hidden Heaven

      Contemporary:

      Loving Luke

      One Summer

      Right From the Start

      Table of Contents

      Memphis

      A short excerpt

      Praise for the writing of KC Kendricks

      Dedication

      Books by KC Kendricks and Rayne Forrest

      Table of Contents

      Chapter 1

      Chapter 2

      Chapter 3

      Chapter 4

      Chapter 5

      Chapter 6

      Chapter 7

      Chapter 8

      Chapter 9

      Chapter 10

      Epilogue

      A bonus read from July Heat

      A bonus read from Kentucky 98 Proof

      About the Author

      Dear Readers,

      Chapter 1

      There are events in life a man can’t anticipate. The unexpected happens. The rabbit hole opens beneath his feet and he falls, sliding down to a dark bottom. Circumstance robs him of the chance to run, or fight, or even pull himself up straight when no help can be found. Sometimes it takes grace to rise back up. 

      Memphis Wheeler stared at the worn slip of paper in his hand. The address was all but faded away, but it didn’t matter. He’d memorized the street name and number. He had no real hope of refuge, but he couldn’t let go and slide farther down the rabbit hole. Not quite yet.

      He hitched the strap of his duffel bag a little higher on his shoulder, raised his head, and walked up the driveway to the tidy white house situated behind a freshly painted white picket fence. The garage doors were open, and he was certain the nineteen-sixty-nine Camaro inside was the car Logan had told him about. Something akin to hope swelled inside him and quickly died, having nothing to hold fast to.

      Memphis climbed the porch steps and stopped in front of the door. Should he pray before he knocked? No, prayer hadn’t been of much help in the last ten years. He fisted his right hand and rapped his knuckles on the door. Inside the house, he heard a muted coming a moment before the door opened, and he stared straight into unfamiliar eyes.

      Can I help you, friend? the man asked.

      He wouldn’t want to take this fellow on in a fight. He was tall, muscular, and had the stance of a street fighter. Memphis took a quick breath.

      I’m looking for Logan Gregg. I thought this was his place.

      The man looked him up and down before calling over his shoulder. "Logan. There’s a...?

      Memphis Wheeler.

      There’s a Memphis Wheeler here to see you.

      He heard movement inside the house and a voice he knew growing closer.

      Memphis? What the hell? Logan nudged the man who’d answered the door aside and stared at him, a shocked expression on his face. Good Lord. Memphis.

      Hey, Logan. It sounded stupid to his own ears, but it was all he could manage to say.

      Logan stood back and motioned him to go inside. Mick, this is Memphis. We were, um, down south together. Memphis, this is Mick Ambrose. My partner.

      Mick reached for his duffel bag. Nice to meet you, Memphis. Here, let me take that before it pulls you over. Logan, get him to the kitchen and get him something to drink. I’m right behind you.

      It happened too fast. Before he had time to think, he was at Logan’s table with a glass of iced tea and a sandwich in front of him. Did he look

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