Copyright

Copyright © 2022 by Abby Millsaps

ebook ISBN: 9798986018003
Paperback ISBN: 9798986018010

No portion of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form without written permission from the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a book review.

This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, or any events or occurrences, is purely coincidental. The characters and story lines are created by the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously.

Developmental Editing by Melanie Yu, Made Me Blush Books
Line Editing, Copyediting, and Proofreading by VB Edits
Photography by Ren Saliba
Cover Design © Stephanie Heinritz @ Vicious Desires Design

Dedication

To every girl who's ever been told she's "too much" by a world that would prefer her to be quieter and softer: illegitimi non carborundum.

This story is for you.

Content Warning

Fourth Wheel is a full-length, high-heat romance novel that contains content some may find triggering, including offensive language, verbal threat of sexual assault, death of a parent, and references to alcoholism and addiction. It is a dual POV story featuring characters in their twenties. It ends with an HEA.

1. Maddie

Chapter 1

Maddie

“Nope. Abso-fucking-lutely not. You might as well turn around and strut right back out that door.”

His reaction is one I’d expect, but I’m still caught off guard.

I scoped out the parking lot before shooting my shot at The Oak tonight.

Jake’s Jeep wasn’t out back, so why the hell is he here?

I immediately pull out my phone and type out a message to Paige.

Maddie: Abort mission. The owner’s here, and he knows my brother. He’ll take our fakes.

Paige: WTF? I thought you said the coast was clear! We’re already in the Lyft!

I silently groan and roll my lips, tasting the strawberry champagne lip gloss I slathered on just before entering the bar.

Maddie: Head to Holt. We probably can’t get into Ray’s, but I’m sure there’s somewhere we can go. I’ll meet you there as soon as I can.

“Oh Jakey,” I sing-song. I stash my phone, then hop up onto a stool smack in the middle of the raw-edge bar at The Oak. “You wouldn’t really kick me out, would you? We’re practically family!” I rest my chin on my hand like I don’t have a care in the world as I watch him push off the back bar and stalk toward me.

A lesser woman would shudder at the rage behind his glare.

But I’ve been honing my ability to drive him crazy for years. He’s my brother’s best friend, and I’ve known him my whole life. I’m uniquely skilled at getting under his skin.

Jake plants his hands on the bar and leans forward in a clear effort to intimidate me.

“I’m serious, Maddie. I’m not serving you here,” he grits out through clenched teeth.