Arlene: The Ladies of the Blue Moon Saloon, #3

By Jamie Spicer

Coralynne "Arlene" Smith has been through hell and back after losing the love of her life. To cope with her pain, she turns to addiction, but finds a glimmer of hope in a man who's just as heartbroken as she is. Together, they help each other battle their demons and form a steamy friends-with-benefits arrangement.

But when Bubba's true love returns to town. Arlene must confront her feelings for him, she realizes it's time to move on. Just when she's starting to pick up the pieces, she meets Sweets, a ruggedly handsome biker who's determined to make her his Ol' Lady.

Arlene is hesitant at first, wanting only a one-night stand with Sweets, but he has other plans. As they explore their explosive chemistry and try to build a future together, Arlene must confront the demons of her past and decide if she's ready to take a chance on love again.

In "The Ladies of Blue Moon Saloon Series Book 3," readers will be swept up in a story of redemption, healing, and the power of love to heal even the deepest wounds.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jamie Spicer
• Release date: May 29, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224890972

Book preview

Acknowledgements:

MOM: THANKS FOR GIVING birth to me! I’m in libraries and at Walmart. You should be proud.

Shonna B: 25 years is a long fucking time to put up with your ass. Just saying.

Courtney: Love you da most!

Ronni Lowery: you're amazing and I appreciate you so damn much. Zara Saige is a wonderful character. Thank you for bringing her to life for me!

Diane Schroeder: You are awesome. ALWAYS, ALWAYS ready to tell the world about my books. Thank you so much for that.

Kari Spence-Chappell: Thank you for being you.

Kayla Price: You're awesome. Thank you so much!

MY alpha and ARC team: You guys are the best tribe any author could ask for. Thank you a million plus one.

To the staff at KRMC (especially in the ICU and Nurse Angie): without yall this book might not have been PUBLISHED. Cause I truly thought I was a goner. Thank you for all you do and for taking care of me. 💕

Dear Reader,

THIS BOOK IS ABOUT hitting rock bottom and rising to the top again. All of us have hit bottom in one way or the other and we survived and made a way out of the hole.

This book has mental illness, self mutilation, depression, death, car wreck, selling sexual favors for drugs, drug use, alcohol use, addiction, graphic sexual situations, foul language. Friends with benefits and one night stands. Blood, arranged marriage, foul language, light BDSM, mentions of rape, SA, assault, Double penetration, mafia, motorcycle clubs.

If you find any mistakes, please write me at [e-mail] instead of turning them in to the Zon.

Thank you for giving my books a chance. Love, Jamie Spicer xoxo

Dedication:

TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE hit rock bottom. Remember there is only one way up now and that is up! Don’t give up. I promise nothing is as bad as it seems.

Also, to the real biker named Sweets who answered some of my questions about mc clubs, and things. You got your character named after you! See, it’s been a year, but I don’t lie.

If you or someone you know is struggling with Mental Illness or depression, get help before it's too late. Contact National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - at 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-talk) or visit mental health.gov for more information.

SAMHSA’S NATIONAL HELPLINE is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: For emotional and substance use support 24/7.

AAC is one of the largest substance abuse treatment providers in the US with facilities coast to coast. We have helped thousands get sober and lead a life free from addiction.The are available 24/7 to help you or your loved one. Call [phone].

Music Playlist:

SCAN ME:

Chapter 1- Arlene

HIGH SCHOOL...SENIOR Year...10 years ago...

The stands are full of people of all ages, men, women, and children. They are all rooting for our football team. We are class A champions. I love Friday night games. The crowd's excitement is infectious, the whole town comes to the games and I get to cheer for my favorite player, my boyfriend Troy. Troy is everything. He is the quarterback, he is smart, funny, creative, beautiful and the best thing of all, he is kind. He is going to go pro, I just know it.

I knew he was my soulmate the day I met him at the Freshman Orientation, he was walking past me and happened to bump into me. He was six foot 2 inches of wall and I’m only five foot three inches of little to nothing. He helped me up and made sure I was okay and I was instantly smitten. Once I looked into his hazel eyes, I knew he was going to be my everything. I know most people don't find the love of their life in highschool, that's a fairytale. However, I knew that I would always love Troy Alterman, for the rest of my days. Our love is better than any romance story, better than any chick flick and I just knew I would live happily ever after.

Let's get a little bit rowdy! I yell setting up the cheer and the other cheerleaders join in, R-O-W-D-Y!

We yell and the fans go wild. I do a cartwheel and stick the landing. I love being the head cheerleader, I love the rush of being out here on game nights performing. I love knowing that my cheering helps the football team to score every single game.

You may be good at Basketball, You may be good at track, But when it comes to football, You better watch your Back, Bobcats Attack! We cheer in unison, then we all end the cheer with a back hand tuck.

When Troy makes the winning touchdown, we all scream, yell and jump up and down. His eyes roam until they find mine and as soon as they do a smile crosses his face as he fights through the team to come to me. I meet him halfway jumping into his arms. He swings me in circles kissing me and I’m in heaven. The best feeling ever is being high without needing drugs. He sets me back down, then gives me another kiss before joining the guys and heading back to the locker room. After I see him disappear, I run back to the cluster of cheerleaders who are exiting the field. There is a big party at one of the footballer's houses and we will be going there to celebrate and to have a little fun.

We all jump into Zoe's vehicle and I text Troy to let him know that I'm on the way to the party with Violet, Beverly and Zoe and that I will see him there. He is probably in the showers so he will text me back later or I will see him there. The drive to the party is out in the boonies, so it takes us what seems like forever. We pull into a long gravel driveway and end up in front of a three-story Victorian house. Even though the house itself is dated, you can tell that it has been modernized to look updated, the plants and bushes are well manicured and run along the front of the huge ostentatious house.

As we climb out of Zoe's silver subaru, we can already hear music playing sonorously loud. There are already a few vehicles parked in the drive-way, so we make our way to the front door. There is a crowd pouring drinks in the kitchen and some gathered throughout the living room. A few girl's are already half tipsy and dancing in the middle of the room. I look around to see if I spot Troy, but he isn't anywhere to be found. I pull my phone out of my pocket and check for text, but there isn't any. I wander to the kitchen to look for something to drink, I never drink what they have out and always sneak into the refrigerator and get me something from there. That way I know it isn't spiked or drugged. I grab a grape wine cooler and take it back to the living room where I find a spot on an empty couch. I pull out my phone and scroll through some apps, waiting for Troy to show up.

Chapter 2- Troy

THE EXHILARATION OF winning the game has adrenaline coursing through my body. I bet I could run ten laps around the football field and not be tired, but I haven't got time for that. I have got to get clean and head over for the party to be with my girl. God, I love her. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I know she's going to stand beside me when I go pro. The coach said there was a scout out for LSU. I wanted to bypass college, but I won't turn down a chance to play at one of the top-ranked Universities.

The night is clear and only a few cars remain in the parking lot, I guess everyone else has already head out to the party. I unlock my red civic and climb inside. I check my phone, but the battery is dead. Fuck! I wish I would have charged it. I check the glove compartment and the back seat, but I don't have one. Damn it!

I guess she will have to wait for me. I pull out of the parking lot and make my way to Owen's house where the party is. They live pretty far from town out in the country so you have to travel the back roads to get to it.

I know my girl is going to get pissed because I am so late, but I had to stay after and talk to the coach. I must do what I can now so that I can provide for Coralynne and me in the future. She will understand, she always understands.

I pull onto the road that leads to Owen's driveway, and a car with bright lights comes straight toward me. I have nowhere to pull out of the way, there's an embankment that leads to a river on the right and on the left is a hillside. I look down at the picture that I have on my dash of my girl and whisper I love you as I push on the brakes and prepare for impact. The last thing I hear is the crunching of metal on metal.

Chapter 3- Arlene

I'M PACING THE WAITING room