How To Forgive - Feisty Series (5 of 5)

How To Forgive - Feisty Series (5 of 5)

last updateLast Updated : 2022-11-28
By:  SareeCompleted
Language: English
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Slade Norris is a trust fund baby, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t work for a living. In fact he works himself to the bone running a PR firm, security company and … oh yeah, he manages one of the world’s most famous hard rock bands: Feisty. While Slade may have been born with a silver spoon he’s worked extremely hard to prove himself, and make it on his own two feet. As a teenager he met four rough and rowdy boys who were looking to create a band and get famous. Slade knew he was the guy to make it happen and to ensure his buddies didn’t get taken advantage of along the way One big monkey wrench in their plans of world domination in the entertainment world: Slade’s childhood girlfriend and then high school sweetheart Holly Anderson. Holly had been around the guys of Feisty since their inception and was an integral part of helping them write songs and stay on track. Since Holly was a year younger than Slade and the guys, she was stuck at home finishing her senior year when the guys hit it big and left on a world tour. What happened shortly after has haunted them all for their entire adult lives. Can the universe intervene and bring this couple back together for one more chance? Find out in the final installment of my Feisty Series: How To Forgive. This book can be read as a stand alone but it would be best read as the final book in the series as it answers a lot of lingering questions left by the first four books! Thank you for reading.

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Chapter 1

1 - Material Girl

~Holly’s Point of View~

~Twenty Five Years Ago, Suburbs of Portland, Oregon~

I can’t believe mom forgot to get me from school … again. I know she’s got a lot on her plate but come on! 

Trudging down the sidewalk with my heavy backpack weighing me down, I tried to avoid the mud puddles. Thankfully by the time school ended the rain had quit but it had been pouring ALL day. Now I had nearly a two mile walk home and it was chilly. And muddy, there weren’t exactly sidewalks along the entire way.

My mom was a night shift nurse at the hospital so I rarely saw her except when she picked me up from school. She worked seven at night to seven in the morning but often went in early. The fact that she didn’t show meant she either got doing something else or didn’t set her alarm.

I’d thought about going into the office and calling home but if she needed to sleep that badly I guessed I should leave her alone.

It just made my already bad day worse. First dad was late dropping me off, then we had a pop quiz in math I’m sure I didn’t pass. I must have read the lunch menu wrong because I thought we were having pizza so I didn’t pack lunch. But no, it was sloppy joes and they smelled disgusting. Then I took a kick ball to the face during recess.

So I was cold, had a goose egg on my forehead and my new Mary Janes were muddy. At least I looked cute in my new easter dress. Mom didn’t want me to wear it to school because it was meant for church this weekend, but I just had to. Since I hadn’t planned on walking home I hadn’t bothered with a coat, just another great part of my day.

I sighed as car after car drove past, ignoring me. Not that I wanted to get in a car with a stranger.

I couldn’t wait to be a grown up, have my own money, my own car. Be able to go where I want when I want and eat all the good things. 

Out of nowhere a car swerved a bit toward me, catching me off guard. Instead of running in the opposite direction I completely froze. 

BEEEEEEP

SPLASH

“Oh!! No! No,” I shouted, covering my face as a dirty puddle splashed in my face. 

The car didn’t stop, and I didn’t get a good look at it. 

“Jerk,” I shouted.

I gaped down at my pretty light blue dress, covered in wet mud. Tears pooled in my eyes and my lip quivered, this was just one thing too much today. I’m not a crier, I never cry. But ruining my dress … broke me.

I sobbed, trying to wipe my face. I hate … everything and everyone. 

Since I was soaked and tired I found a curb and sat on it, sobbing even more. I was loud and ridiculous, but I just didn’t care. I’d sit here all night and sob just because I had to. How could I go home and show mom my dress is ruined? She warned me not to wear it, and I knew we didn’t have the money to replace it. I was in so much trouble.

“Hey, you okay,” I heard, making me look up.

I made a face, not particularly wanting anyone to see me like this.

“Just fine thank you,” I said, wiping my tears.

He was a boy not much older than me, he looked familiar, I think he was in fourth grade. He had dark brown hair and eyes, and very … very nice clothes. He’d probably run and gossip to all his friends about the girl covered in mud. She can’t even get a ride home.

I could have qualified to take the bus, we lived far enough away. But mom said this was always our quality time. Yeah, right.

“Doesn’t look like you’re fine. Let me help you, need a ride,” he asked, holding out his hand.

My eyes moved to the black car parked nearby, it looked really expensive. Certainly way nicer than my mom’s van and my dad’s truck.

“I’m just fine thanks and I don’t take rides from strangers,” I said, getting to my feet without his help.

“Aren’t you Holly? My little brother Robert is in your class. I’m Slade. So there, I’m not a stranger,” he said, smiling.

Robert the richy rich kid? While I did know him, he certainly wasn’t my friend. He was a complete snob.

I stuck my nose in the air.

“I don’t need your help,” I said, moving to step forward and tripping over my own feet. 

His hands moved to my arms and he held me, my breath caught and I felt lightheaded. Finally I blew out the breath and felt better.

“Come on, my car’s right here. Let me get you home,” he said, as our eyes met. 

His face was close, and he smelled good. Was he wearing cologne like my dad does?? He can’t be more than 9!

I relaxed my shoulders and started to wonder why his mom or dad didn’t come over and talk to me. Try to help me. Seemed weird.

“Fine but straight home,” I said, as his hands fell away.

He held out his elbow to me and I nearly snickered. I’d seen older men do that but it seemed silly for him to. I looped my arm in anyhow, surprised he’d want me messing up his nice soft green jacket. Like his car, it looked expensive.

When he opened the back door I peeked inside. It smelled new, and I only recognized the scent because my aunt had just gotten a new car and brought it by to show off.

“I’ll get the seat wet,” I said, making a face and looking at my shoes.

A hand moved in front of my face and he held my chin, moving my head back up.

“It’s leather, it’ll be fine. Besides it can be cleaned, come on you’re cold,” he said, motioning for me to move. I made a face but hurled myself in, moving to the far side to make room.

“Where to sir,” I heard, making me look up.

Sir??

“What street are you on,” Slade asked. 

“Isn’t that your dad,” I said, holding up my hands.

He laughed.

“No, that’s Todd. He’s my driver,” he said, matter of fact.

Your … driver. 

My hands fell onto my thighs and then I raised them back up realizing how wet my dress was and I could already hear my mom yelling.

“Should we get you a new dress first,” Slade asked.

I laughed. Then I realized he meant it.

“This dress was thirty-seven dollars, I doubt you have that in your piggy bank,” I said, frowning.

My mom had gotten it in the next size up hopeful I’d still be able to wear it next year too. We often shopped at second hand stores so for me to get a new dress at the actual mall was a big deal.

“Not a problem. Where’d you buy it,” he asked, as he waved for his driver to go.

An hour later I was in a new clean dress, with new shoes and socks eating a cheeseburger at the mall food court. His driver sat at a nearby table and I just couldn’t believe their whole relationship. Slade did what he wanted and the grown up didn’t question him at all. Slade had even gotten the sales girl to get me a warm cloth to wipe my face and she got me a hairbrush. People just … did what he wanted, it was bizarre. He was a kid!!

“You really sure your parents won’t be mad you spent all this money on me,” I asked, reaching for my milkshake. 

“Nah, not a chance they’d even notice. My parents are in Italy right now anyhow,” he said, slurping his soda.

Italy??? 

He said it so casually, like it was no big deal. Who is this kid??

“So uhm, when we were in the department store I got you something when you weren’t looking. My mom always says accessories make an outfit, you definitely need a little something to go with that,” he said, handing me a small box. 

I took it, unsure what he meant. I lifted the top and there were sparkly earrings, little flowers made from … diamonds?? My mom had let me get my ears pierced last year for my birthday after I’d begged her for months. But I had tiny silver hoops, we couldn’t afford actual jewels!

I gasped, knowing these had to be expensive. 

“I couldn’t possibly take these,” I said, closing the lid. They were so pretty though. My mom barely had any nice jewelry.

“Take them, really. I want you to have them, I guarantee they’ll bring out your eyes,” he said, reaching for a french fry off my plate. He’d devoured his almost right away. 

I just shrugged and put them in my bookbag.

By the time we pulled up in front of my house I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. Slade had been my hero today and I just couldn’t possibly thank him enough. 

“Maybe you could come by sometime? My brothers aren’t around much, they're more into sports,” he said.

“Who’s watching you while your parents are gone? Don’t you have a babysitter or something? A relative,” I asked.

He shrugged.

“We have staff like Todd,” he said, waving his hand.

Staff.

Right.

“I uhm, I don’t know. Wouldn’t that be weird? You’re a boy,” I said, pointing out the obvious.

“Thank god for that. I wouldn’t have made a pretty female,” he said, making me laugh.

Then we both laughed, and so did Todd. 

“I couldn’t possibly thank you enough Slade. Really, you just don’t know how bad a day I had, it’s been awful. You’re my hero,” I said, giving a shy smile.

I resisted my body’s urge to hug him, I was a big hugger.

“Then come over tomorrow, we could go swimming,” he said, smiling back.

I looked out the window quickly and back at him, making a face.

“It’s like cold out,” I said, laughing.

“The pool is in the house. So how about it? You could just pack a suit and come home with me,” he said, nodding.

The pool is in the house. 

Yeah … and how would I explain that to my mom?

“I’ll have to see what my mom says. But … thank you again Slade, you’re pretty great,” I said, opening my door. 

“You’re pretty great too. Convince her okay? I can give her the phone number there if she needs it. I’ll see you tomorrow, you can sit with me at lunch if you want,” he said, waving good-bye.

I had two friends I always sat with, my only friends. I just nodded and waved, not sure what to say. I didn’t look back, I just ran onto the porch and blew through the door, a big dumb smile on my face. 

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Amy Morton
I love this book. The author is fantastic and she's consistent with her stories. I highly recommend anybody read her books you won't be disappointed there isn't a book of hers that I haven't read that I didn't love.
2022-11-14 03:59:41
2
25 Chapters
1 - Material Girl
~Holly’s Point of View~~Twenty Five Years Ago, Suburbs of Portland, Oregon~I can’t believe mom forgot to get me from school … again. I know she’s got a lot on her plate but come on! Trudging down the sidewalk with my heavy backpack weighing me down, I tried to avoid the mud puddles. Thankfully by the time school ended the rain had quit but it had been pouring ALL day. Now I had nearly a two mile walk home and it was chilly. And muddy, there weren’t exactly sidewalks along the entire way.My mom was a night shift nurse at the hospital so I rarely saw her except when she picked me up from school. She worked seven at night to seven in the morning but often went in early. The fact that she didn’t show meant she either got doing something else or didn’t set her alarm.I’d thought about going into the office and calling home but if she needed to sleep that badly I guessed I should leave her alone.It just made my already bad day worse. First dad was late dropping me off, then we had a po
last updateLast Updated : 2022-10-23
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2 - Living In The Past
~Slade’s Point of View~~Present Day~“I don’t want you wasting time on your honeymoon worrying about my problems,” I said, to one of my best friends.The drummer in the band I had managed for the last fifteen years was newly married and he should be face first in his wife’s thighs instead of talking to me.The band and I were close, beyond close. We were brothers and we’d all been through hell and back together. I’d do anything for any one of them and I knew they all felt the same about me. True friendship, brotherhood, is something you can’t buy. Loyalty.While I was rich with those around me who cared and loved me, there was certainly a massive void in my life I didn’t know how to fill.“Look Slade you can’t fuck around. But you can’t be like a stalker either. Holly is right there, she’s right there bro. I’ve been talking to the wife about this and we agree,” Lukas said.I rolled my eyes as I heard a shuffle.“Slade, you need to give her what you failed to give her all those years
last updateLast Updated : 2022-11-04
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3 - Can't Buy Me Love
~Holly’s Point of View~“You’ve been on that video game all day,” I snapped, blowing my bangs out of my face.“I’m just getting your money’s worth,” Chase said, laughing.This kid.He’s way too smart for his age, way too far ahead of his time. He needs to slow down. He knows since we lost his dad I’ve pretty much let him do whatever he wants, though he usually doesn’t take advantage of that. I don’t have the heart to tell him no to anything.As I struggled to get more out of the fridge than I knew I should, my fingers seemed to stop working.“Damn it,” I whined, looking at the carton of eggs on the floor. I put everything else down and grabbed a roll of paper towels. But before I could even squat down I felt arms around me.“Mom, you’ve been off for a couple days. Like a space cadet off … floating without gravity. What’s up,” Chase said, resting his head on my shoulder. I couldn’t believe my flipping 13 year old was as tall as me already. I am only 5’5 but still. “Can’t hide anythi
last updateLast Updated : 2022-11-04
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4 - Hotline Bling
~Slade’s Point of View~ It had absolutely killed me not to pay for Holly’s dinner, nearly killed me. Natasha’s words rang in my brain and told me not to. Don’t step into her life waving your money in her face. That’s not the way to do it. I was so damn messed up over seeing her I ended up giving the counter guy $300 for a $42 bag of food and telling him to keep the change. Her son was handsome and polite, clearly amused with the little exchange too. Which means he’s probably more mature than his years. He wasn’t defensive though, he wasn’t throwing me shade or irritated. I felt that was good, if there could be any good at any rate. It stabbed a bit when she called me an old friend, but really what would she say? I supposed it was better than saying “someone I used to know” or “some asshole” from high school. I had to get out of my head, I really should get back to California. But I just can’t. Running into her tonight was a complete fluke, I hadn’t even been following her aroun
last updateLast Updated : 2022-11-06
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5 - Secrets
~Holly’s Point of View~What the fuck was I thinking getting naked in my ex-boyfriend’s pool?? Ugh. What if there are cameras?? Friggin’ idiot Holly. Not to mention leading him on. He … doesn’t even … live here!Like it matters! I’m not getting back with Slade!Thankfully he was a perfect gentleman when it was time to get out, he brought me a nice soft robe and didn’t even peek. I don’t think.Of course I’m self conscious of my body, I’m no spring chicken. My boobs thankfully lasted pretty well over the years, I’m not a sagging granny yet but I definitely have a bit of a muffin top, cellulite on my ass. Years of running my ass off at the hospital but eating like a dump truck. Damn hospital fries and chicken tenders being so good are my downfall.I was stupid to think he cared about my imperfections, he clearly didn’t. But knowing the kinds of women he’s probably been with and could have with a simple phone call if he wanted … yeah it made me self conscious.Slade should absolutely be
last updateLast Updated : 2022-11-06
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6 - Selfish Love
~Slade’s Point of View~ ~Fifteen Years Ago~ “Baby I can hardly hear you, the band just went on,” I shouted, irritated. She’d been calling all night, I had no clue what time it even was back at home and I was sure she was just missing me. She’s probably blown through the phone cards I’d left her. I missed the hell out of her but with everything going on and trying to keep the guys together and straight I barely had time to remember to piss. Holly knows what tonight means to me. To the band. We’re on a fucking worldwide tour, five guys from podunk nowhere Oregon currently on a stage in Austrailia in front of fifty thousand people. That shit just doesn’t happen everyday. My mind flashed to the marquee outside: TONIGHT ONLY: FEISTY - SOLD OUT Seeing that on the way in gave me a hard on like I’d never felt. I was 18 fucking years old and managing one of the hottest bands on earth. I got them a record deal like nobody gets, even bands that have been around a long time and sold million
last updateLast Updated : 2022-11-07
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7 - Flava In Ya Ear
~Holly’s Point of View~ “Really I can just get an Uber, that’s how I got here,” I said, as I fumbled to get my sneakers on. I had already seen a text from Chase asking if he could stay another night with his cousin, apparently they were doing a two day horror movie marathon. I used to be uptight about him watching that stuff but he thinks it's so funny and actually spends the whole time dissecting why it's all fake. My in-laws are also the sweetest people you could ever want to meet. Much like Gene and I, they were only able to have one child and it's always meant so much to us that Chase and Dylan basically grew up as brothers. Also, in my book, if he had a strong male friend to occupy his time he wasn’t chasing girls that much. Really, he rarely showed much of an interest. His life right now was baseball and I was more than fine with that. “Holly, just let me take you. It’ll be weird but cool to see Mama Anderson’s place again,” he said, shaking his head. “Yeah well, the only t
last updateLast Updated : 2022-11-08
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8 - Cryin'
~Slade’s Point of View~ Holly finally caved and agreed to let me take her home. I was absolutely ready to come apart. There were a few times today I nearly broke down and cried, just ready to get on my knees and beg her to take me back. Having her in my arms again, breathing her in and telling myself she could actually be mine was too much. But I was never that guy to her. That’s not the guy she wants. She responds to my confidence, always has and even now I feel I can read her like a book. I know what she needs to hear and how. Sometimes it’s not talking, it’s touching. Holly is an extremely physical person, well she used to be. Even with the guys she would have her arm on somebody, be leaning. She had no problem sitting in someone’s lap or opening her arms if they were even slightly sad. She was like the mother hen of the band and maybe when we lost her … that’s when the guys really spiraled. I couldn’t keep them together anymore, and that’s when I hired Angie to run PR. She was
last updateLast Updated : 2022-11-10
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9 - Bittersweet Symphony
~Holly’s Point of View~ Slade always used to say I had a poker face that drove him nuts, he never could quite tell what I was thinking. What he was always thinking … was pretty obvious. Thinking with only one part of his body as a teenager with a girlfriend. But now he’s so different. It’s like he’s walking on eggshells with me, and maybe he is. It seems like he says just as much as he needs to, no more … no less. He’s carefully choosing what he says and I don’t like that one bit. We used to have conversations that lasted hours, just about anything and everything. Mostly … our dreams. We both wanted three kids, and two dogs. We both wanted to feel validated in our careers, to feel like we were doing something important and that mattered. It was obvious to us both pretty early on though that college wasn’t in our world view. The idea of extending high school sounded like absolute torture. If my mom hadn’t absolutely pushed me into nursing school I have no clue what I would have ended
last updateLast Updated : 2022-11-11
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10 - Hand of Fate
~Slade’s Point of View~ Part of my brain was screaming that I had Holly right where I wanted her. That somehow, through some hole in the time space continuum of the universe she was back in my arms and she wanted to be there. She looked happy. But I knew damn well whatever she was feeling was just new, exciting. We were practically bathing in nostalgia, in the good times we had. I felt like we were both healing, we were both getting the closure on it that we needed. I just didn’t know if it was enough to propel us forward and not just close this door behind us. I knew her son would be a massive part of our story, if there would be one. She’s incredibly close to him, and likely wouldn’t leave Oregon if he didn’t want to. As we got dressed I couldn’t help but feel like this was a one off. Like this was just us physically needing to get it out of our systems. I couldn’t let that be. She’d just hooked her bra and began searching for her pants when I pulled her into my arms. I gently
last updateLast Updated : 2022-11-12
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