Second Chance: Sleeping Dogs Book 1, page 1
Chantal Roome
Second Chance
Sleeping Dogs Book 1
First published by Chantal Roome 2021
Copyright © 2021 by Chantal Roome
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
Chantal Roome asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
Chantal Roome has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.
Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.
Chantal Roome is Canadian, therefore Canadian spellings are used in this book. While Chantal loves to be notified of spelling mistakes, please ensure the word you wish to correct isn’t just spelled in the Canadian way. A big example is that Canadians like to add the letter U to a lot of words that Americans don’t. When in doubt, please assume it’s just a crazy Canadian spelling.
First edition
ISBN: 9781777707613
This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy
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To my husband
You encourage me without knowing you do it.
You remind me about nap time (my favourite time of the day).
You’re in my head so much it’s freaky.
And you always make me laugh.
Thanks for your support and for giving us our second chance.
Contents
Acknowledgement
Prologue Twenty Years Ago - Connor
Chapter 1 Alex- Shitty Jobs and Shittier Boyfriends
Chapter 2 Alex - No Pity Party Today
Chapter 3 Connor -Family is Overrated
Chapter 4 Alex - The Only One
Chapter 5 Connor - Family Drama
Chapter 6 Alex - Fuckboys and running away
Chapter 7 Connor - More Family Drama
Chapter 8 Alex- Panic and Irish Coffee
Chapter 9 Connor - Youthful Memories
Chapter 10 Alex - Irish Coffee and Dirty Thoughts
Chapter 11 Connor - All I Ever Want
Chapter 12 Alex - Crazy Stalker Ex-Girlfriend
Chapter 13 Connor - Naked Chicks in the Bathroom and Finally Coming Home
Chapter 14 Alex - I’m Totally Normal and Sane and He’s Wearing my Shirt
Chapter 15 Connor - Unfortunate Stories and More Running Away
Chapter 16 Alex - Hangovers, Pops, and Pizza
Chapter 17 Connor - Close Calls and Beating Up Old Guys
Chapter 18 Alex - New Jobs and New Beginnings
Chapter 19 Connor - Writing and Weird Pizza
Chapter 20 Alex - Bitches and Beer
Chapter 21 Connor - Amateur Stalking
Chapter 22 Alex - Missed Opportunities and Misunderstandings
Chapter 23 Connor - Unsuccessful Searching and Sleeping On It
Chapter 24 Alex - Packing and Planning
Chapter 25 Connor - More Family Drama
Chapter 26 Alex - Moving In and Mystery Clients
Chapter 27 Connor - Finding Fans and Not Finding Alex
Chapter 28 Alex - Solo Pool Party and Preparation
Chapter 29 Connor - Sketchy Surveillance and Amazing Coincidences
Chapter 30 Alex - New Job, Old Love
Chapter 31 Connor - Mother’s Betrayal and the Hits Keep Coming
Chapter 32 Alex - Years of Near Misses and a Sweet Kiss
Chapter 33 Connor - Managing Expectations and Fixing Reputations
Chapter 34 Alex - Settling In and Making Friends
Chapter 35 Connor - We’re All Sketchy Fucks
Chapter 36 Alex - I’d Like to Call a Friend
Chapter 37 Connor - Take Your Time
Chapter 38 Alex - First Family Dinner and Then…
Chapter 39 Connor - 20 Years in the Making
Chapter 40 Alex - Eight is Too Many
Chapter 41 Connor - Mine Now and Time to Clean Up
Chapter 42 Alex - Unlikely Allies
Chapter 43 Connor - Burgers and Guys
Chapter 44 Alex - Good Advice
Chapter 45 Connor - Jealousy and Friendship
Chapter 46 Alex - Panic and Run
Chapter 47 Connor - A Strong Drink
Chapter 48 Alex - Should Have Seen That Coming
Chapter 49 Connor - Such a Fuck Up
Chapter 50 Alex - I Feel No Pain, Until I Do
Chapter 51 Connor - Just Desserts
Chapter 52 Alex - It’s a Trap
Chapter 53 Connor - There’s Still Hope
Chapter 54 Alex - Why Her?
Chapter 55 Connor - Derek the Dickhead
Chapter 56 Connor - Finally Mine
Chapter 57 Alex - Second Chance
Chapter 58 Alex - Settling Into a New Life
Epilogue Three Months Later- Alex - Meant To Be
Face the Music (Sleeping Dogs Book 2)
About the Author
Also by Chantal Roome
Acknowledgement
I’d like to extend a special thank you to Amie, my best friend of the last 37 years. Your encouragement and input were invaluable to me during the completion of this book. I literally couldn’t have done it without you.
I would also like to thank Lorraine for making some brilliant suggestions and saying some really amazing things about me and making me feel like maybe I could do this after all. Not only were you a great boss at the deli, but you’ve been a great cheerleader for this writing thing I’m trying to do.
Special thanks also to Ashley for reading my book in advance, helping me work out some kinks, and for being one of my most vocal supporters. And thanks also for being my TikTok video buddy. You know the ones ;)
Renee. Well, you tried. Haha, just kidding. I love you. Thanks for reading the book and yes, I guess now you can say you know someone who “works in porn”. Except you’ll forever be the “slut” of this little whoremembers club :D
Thank you to Madison for offering your support and encouragement and your expertise in all things books. And thanks for letting me read for you, even though your writing is much smarter than mine and more than a little intimidating.
Lindsay, thanks for reading and for sending me helpful notes. I know you’re busy with work and kids and the fact that you took time to read my book and let me know what you thought is so appreciated.
And last but not least, thanks to everyone else that read this book to help me sort it out. Thank you for your kind and constructive reviews. Many of you received copies after I published, but please know that I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.
Prologue
Twenty Years Ago - Connor
“Hey babe,” I look up and I see Alex coming to join me at our favourite spot outside the Fallbridge Public Library. We’ve been meeting here every day after school ever since the first time she found me playing my guitar here in the park. We’ve been inseparable since that day.
“Connor,” she says before bursting into tears. I immediately drop my guitar and walk over to pull her into my arms. “Connor… my parents…”
“Shhhh, Alex, it’s going to be ok. I’ve got you.” I don’t know what’s wrong, but I know I’ll never let anything hurt her. I may only be sixteen, but I know I love this girl with my whole heart. I’ll do anything to make her happy. “Tell me what’s wrong, baby. What can I do?”
“It’s my parents. They were in an accident last night. They died Connor. My parents are gone.” Alex sobs uncontrollably, and I’m left with the realization that there’s nothing I can do to make her happy in this situation. All I can do is hold her, so that’s what I do.
I move us over to sit on the picnic table and we stay there; me holding Alex for what feels like hours. We both cry over the horror of her losing both of her parents that way. They were such a loving family from what I saw when I was over there. And they were always so welcoming to me, too. We cry until we have no tears. Alex shudders in my arms, dragging in huge gasping breaths, as she accepts the tears have run out for now.
“What happens now?” I know she has no other family here. No close family friends. I feel so selfish thinking of it, but I’m terrified of losing her. But I know she can’t stay here alone. She’s only sixteen.
“My Pops is coming to get me. He’ll be here later tonight.” She looks up at me, her eyes lined in red, tears pooling again. “I’m going to have to go live with him, Connor.”
I take a deep breath. This is the worst thing that could happen to me, but I’m not important right now. Alex is the one who lost her parents.
“OK, that makes sense. Where does he live?” I pull her more tightly against me, trying to make her feel how much I love her. “Maybe I can visit? Or you can visit me?”
“He’s in Westborough somewhere, so not too far. We could probably visit.” She sniffles a little.
“We will visit. You’re it for me, Alex. I know some might think we’re not old enough to know that, but I do. I love you. You don’t have to worry about what will happen to us. We’ll do long distance until I’m 18 and then I’ll move to Westborough with you.” I lean in and kiss her lips gently. “Don’t even think about us. We will be fine.”
I wish I could do more than hold her now, take her pain away somehow. The best I can do is reassure her we are going to be solid no matter where she goes. Moving away for a couple of years won’t keep us apart.
“Will you play something for me?” She looks up at me through wet lashes. “I just want something to take my mind off things for a little while.”
“Of course I will,” I walk over to pick my guitar up from where I dropped it. “Come sit with me.” I grab her hand and walk to the picnic table, the same one we sat on the day that we met.
Alex climbs up and lays down on the tabletop. I take off my sweatshirt and fold it up, sliding it under her head. “This should be a little more comfortable.”
“Thanks.”
I sit beside her and quickly tune my guitar. It’s a little off from when I threw it on the ground. I decide to play her some Jewel; You Were Meant For Me. I don’t have the same breathy tone as she does, but I do ok with singing it.
I’m so thankful to Alex for convincing me to try singing. When we met, I was only interested in getting better at playing guitar, but she somehow knew that I had a decent singing voice. She convinced me to sing for her one time and now I do it any time she asks, and any time I get a chance. It drives my mom crazy, especially when my little sister is trying to sleep, but I just can’t help it now.
I run through a few more songs before I notice Alex has fallen asleep. She must be exhausted after finding out about her parents’ death and that she’s going to be moving away. I don’t know what I’m going to do when she goes, but I know we’ll make it work. We have to.
* * *
I sit with Alex while she sleeps for a couple of hours. When she wakes, I walk her home and we sit on her front steps to say goodbye.
“You’ll call me when you get there? To give me your phone number and new address?” I’m holding her close, my head resting on top of hers. I want to memorize exactly how she feels in my arms.
“As soon as I get there. Keep the phone with you so I don’t wake up your mom and sister.” Tears are forming in Alex’s eyes again, and mine aren’t exactly dry either.
The love of my life is about to move hours away. We’ll get to visit and talk on the phone, but it’s not the same as seeing her every day. I won’t even be able to be there for her while she grieves her parents. My heart is breaking twice. Once for her losing her parents, and once for her moving away.
We sit on the steps until it gets dark, just holding each other, and letting the tears fall when they need to. After a short while, a car pulls into the driveway.
“That’s my Pops,” Alex says. “I better get my stuff together.”
I’m not ready to let her go, but I don’t want to meet her Pops with tears in my eyes either. He needs to trust that I’ll be able to take care of her some day, and crying when I meet him isn’t likely to instil much confidence. Standing up, I pull Alex to me and kiss her as deeply as I dare with her grandfather standing right there.
“I love you, Alex. I always will. This isn’t the end for us.”
“I love you too, Connor. I know it’s not the end.”
I kiss her again and pull her into me tightly. “Call me as soon as you get there. We can plan our first visit.”
She steps back, mouths, “I love you,” and then she’s walking up and into the house. I wave at her Pops, turn, and start the long, lonely walk back to my house to wait for her phone call.
This isn’t the end for us. It’s barely the beginning.
Chapter 1
Alex- Shitty Jobs and Shittier Boyfriends
Slamming the door of my clients’ house on my way out, I stomp to my car. I rip off my chef’s jacket and throw it into the passenger seat, where I’ve already laid my knife roll. Even though they’ve sent me home early, it’s far beyond time for me to go home today.
I’ve had it up to my eyeballs with my latest personal chef clients, the dirty old pervert and his ‘not quite young enough to be a trophy’ wife. He keeps trying to grab my ass, and she keeps trying to blame me for it. I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to keep my mouth shut about it, either.
I pull my hair out of its high bun and scratch my fingers along my scalp to help ease some tension. Once I’m calm, I turn on some angry music to finish soothing me (what can I say? Angry music calms me), and drive home to the apartment I share with my boyfriend.
Before heading up, I check the mail in the lobby and then take the elevator to the 4th floor where our apartment is. When I put the key in the lock of my apartment door, there is no resistance when I turn it. That’s weird, Derek’s at work right now and I’m positive I locked it when I left the house this morning.
A loud bang from inside the apartment makes me jump. Oh Shit! Someone’s in there! I’m being robbed! Holding my breath, I reach for my phone as quietly as I can and call my best friend Becca. When she answers, I whisper into the phone.
“Becca, it’s me. I just got home and someone is here. I think I’m being robbed.”
I slowly open the door and once inside I reach for the first weapon-like item I can find, which happens to be the cute ladybug umbrella I keep for rainy days. I’m carrying my knife roll so I could probably use one of my knives, but like hell I’m going to get dirty burglar blood on one of my professional knives and risk it being locked up as evidence. I couldn’t afford to replace it if that happened.
“What? Did you call the police? Get out of there, you’re going to get hurt. I’m serious, don’t do anything stupid.”
“I’m fine,” I say, hoisting up my umbrella and scowling. “I have a weapon.”
