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    8 Weeks
    8 Weeks
    8 Weeks
    Ebook196 pages2 hours

    8 Weeks

    By Bethany Lopez

    3.5/5

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Is eight weeks enough time to earn back the love of someone you've betrayed...the only one you've ever loved?

    Shelly has been in love with Cal since they started dating in eleventh grade. Despite everyone saying that the odds were against them, they got married after graduation and built a life together. Now, six years later, she is faced with the ultimate betrayal. Devastated, her first instinct is to call it quits...

    After a drunken binge at his best friends’ bachelor party, Cal betrays the one person who has always been there for him, his wife, Shelly. Terrified and realizing she might divorce him, Cal must come up with a way to prove to her that his love is true...

    Cal asks Shelly for eight weeks. Eight weeks to convince her that their marriage is worth the fight. Will Shelly be able to trust him again, or will their marriage end the way many others do when faced with opposition... In divorce?

    Series Reading Order:
    1 Night - Prequel
    8 Weeks
    21 Days
    42 Hours
    15 Minutes
    10 Years
    3 Seconds
    7 Months
    For Eternity - Novella
    Night & Day - Novella - Coming Soon

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBethany Lopez
    Release dateMar 24, 2014
    ISBN9781311752024
    8 Weeks
    Author

    Bethany Lopez

    Bethany Lopez is a USA Today Bestselling author of more than thirty books and has been published since 2011. She's a lover of all things romance, which she incorporates into the books she writes, no matter the genre.When she isn't reading or writing, she loves spending time with family and traveling whenever possible.Bethany can usually be found with a cup of coffee or glass of wine at hand, and will never turn down a cupcake!Sign up for her newsletter and get a free eBook! https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/r7w3w5

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    Reviews for 8 Weeks

    3.5/5

    27 ratings2 reviews

    What did you think?

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      Wow....I'm not really sure how to rate this one. On one hand I really loved the overall story, the author's voice and writing style. On the other hand the lead female character annoyed me so much it was frustrating. Putting my own personal frustrations aside though, I must say it's a great story of betrayal, love, and an undying belief in that love. After one drunken night in Vegas, Cal wakes with a major league hangover, no memory of the night before, and to his utter disgust, a naked woman strolling out of his bathroom. Returning home later that day, Cal knows he has to tell his wife. Knows she'll be hurt and disappointed, but never does he expect her to pack up and walk out on him. After much begging, he gets her to give him eight weeks to show her why they belong together! I would recommend this one.

      I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
    • 5/5
      I eagerly await the release of any of Bethany Lopez's books. I just love her writing style and how it evokes so many emotions in me when I read them and this book, 8 Weeks, was no different.

      Cal committed the ultimate betrayal by waking up in a hotel room in Vegas with an unknown blonde and no memory of what happened between them. All he knows is that he has cheated on his wife, the love of his life, and now has to face the music and watch their relationship be torn to shreds. What ensues is a story of the power of love and whether or not Shelly can forgive Cal. He asks for 8 weeks to prove that they are meant to be together.

      Right from when I read the synopsis of this book I was really intrigued as to how the author was going to make me feel anything other than disgust for Cal. I mean, I was cheated on in my much younger years and had vowed to never give anyone a second chance if they did it to me again. This book was going to be a hard sell for me but damn it if I didn't start feeling other emotions for Cal from the first few chapters. Don't get me wrong, I wanted him to suffer, I wanted him to feel the same amount of pain that he had inflicted on Shelly, I wanted Shelly to be strong and stand up for herself. Well I got all that and more.

      I really felt connected to both of these characters from the beginning. I felt the emotion in every interaction and I totally understood Shelly's reactions and, from the first page, I firmly implanted myself in Shelly's corner. I felt a whole range of emotions while reading this book - anger, betrayal, love, longing, hope and faith. Surprisingly I felt for Cal nearly as much as I felt for Shelly and it was a beautifully written heart-felt story of forgiveness, trust and the power of friendships, love and connection.

      It was so easy for me to slip into this book and I loved all of the secondary characters and the dynamics of their friendship group added so much to the story. The next two books in this series will be about other members of this group and I am eagerly awaiting their release.

      Although just short of 200 pages, 8 weeks was the perfect blend for me of angst, love, romance and emotional storyline and at no time did it feel rushed or unfinished. I would have loved to have kept reading about Cal and Shelly but at the same time the length of the book perfectly told their story while leading us into the next two books.

      8 Weeks stayed with me for a long time after i read the final page and this book is another reason why I stalk Bethany for her new releases and why she is an automatic go-to author for me.

      copy kindly provided by the author for an honest review

    Book preview

    8 Weeks - Bethany Lopez

    CAL

    Ilifted my throbbing head from the mattress and glanced around the blurry room. Nothing looked familiar. I closed my eyes tightly and reopened them, hoping to bring the room into focus and discover where I was. Closing my eyes relieved some of the pain, but as soon as I opened them again, the bright morning light felt like a laser searing my skull.

    Fuck! I raised myself up gingerly, on shaky arms, as the night before came back to me in fits and glimpses.

    I was in Vegas.

    We’d had my buddy’s bachelor party the night before.

    I’d gotten completely fuckin’ wasted.

    I was able to get into a sitting position, bringing my elbows up to rest on my knees, and cradle my head in my hands. I peered down around my palms and got an eyeful of my junk.

    I was butt-ass naked.

    What the fuck had happened last night? I closed my eyes tightly and tried to remember, but it was no use. When my stomach began to churn, I heaved myself off of the bed and looked around for a place to vomit. I had no idea where the bathroom was, but was able to make it to the trashcan by the desk before the puke flew past my lips. A moan escaped my lips as my stomach cramped and some remnants of last night’s dinner came out of my mouth and nose simultaneously.

    The retching went on for a few minutes. My nose burned and there was a chunk of something lodged in the back of my throat.

    Stomach empty, I sat back on my heels and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. Now not only was my head pounding like a drum, but my mouth tasted like I’d been licking the ass-end of a horse for the better part of the morning.

    I curled into a ball on the floor by the trashcan, willing the room to be still, so my stomach would stop twirling violently. It was no use. I felt the bile begin to rise and got up quickly to hug the trashcan again, hurling and heaving until there was nothing left but the foam from the pit of my stomach.

    The sound of a flush, then water running had me turning my head toward what must’ve been the bathroom. A few seconds later, the door opened and a statuesque blonde strode out and picked up her dress from the back of a chair. She turned to me, naked as I was, and shook her head with a chuckle.

    That was some party, she said as she pulled the dress over her head and walked toward the door. When her hand touched the handle she turned back to me and smiled. Have a nice life, sugar. Then she walked out, the door slamming behind her.

    I sat there for a moment. Speechless, naked, reeking of alcohol and puke.

    No, no, no, no, no, no … I muttered as I began to rock back and forth on my heels. This couldn’t be happening to me.

    Where were the guys?

    How had I gotten back to this room?

    What the fuck had I done, and how was I ever going to explain this to my wife?

    SHELLY

    As I finished cutting up vegetables for the salad, I looked around the kitchen and into the dining room to see if I’d forgotten anything. Table set and made beautiful with tulips and candlesticks in cheerful shades of yellow, roast cooking in the oven, and shrimp sautéing in a pan on top of the stove for an appetizer. Everything looked, and smelled, wonderful.

    I smiled happily as I hummed to myself, excited to surprise Cal when he got home from his boy’s trip to Vegas.

    It was our sixth wedding anniversary, and I couldn’t wait for him to see my new dress. It was a little white dress that hugged my curves in all the right places.

    When we’d gotten married at eighteen, right out of high school, everyone said we’d never last. But I’d known from the second I’d laid eyes on Cal at a pep rally our junior year of high school that he was the man I wanted to be with for the rest of my life. He’d been making me happy every day since.

    I took the salad bowl to the table, complete with the moose-shaped salad tongs that Cal had bought me on our cruise to Alaska, and placed it in the center of the table. I straightened the wine goblets with our initials that Cal had brought home as a surprise for me when I’d gotten promoted to manager at the bank.

    I could look all around our sweet little house and bask in the memories we’d made so far.

    I turned off the stovetop and covered the pan, then ran to the back of the house to our bathroom. Checking myself in the mirror, I was happy to see that my hair and makeup were holding up. I turned and walked into our bedroom, taking off clothes as I moved. I had my outfit laid out on the bed, down to the white garter belt and stockings. I took care putting on the underthings, so as not to get a snag and ruin the sexy little treat I had just bought for Cal. I looked in the full-length mirror as I slipped the dress over my head, then turned around, checking to make sure everything was in its proper place.

    With my dark hair in soft waves and my ruby red lips contrasting the stark white of my outfit, I realized the last time I’d felt this sexy and beautiful was on our wedding day.

    Cal was going to be so turned on, I thought with a giggle, the blush on my cheeks only accentuating the look I was going for.

    The beeping of the oven timer sounded off in the kitchen and I nodded at myself in the mirror before returning to the kitchen.

    The night was going to be perfect.

    I pulled the roast out, leaving it covered as I sat it on the counter so the flavors could come together. I went to the small wine rack, my first purchase when we bought this house, our first home, and pulled our favorite bottle of red. I opened it swiftly, then set it on the counter to breathe.

    I looked around again, mentally checking items off the list in my head as I surveyed the rooms. One of the selling points of this house for me had been the open floor plan. I loved the way the rooms opened up to each other, really giving the house a homey feel.

    Realizing I’d forgotten to freshen up my deodorant, I ran back through the house, checking the clock on the wall and squealing when I realized that Cal should be home any minute. I quickly put on deodorant, sprayed Cal’s favorite perfume, and slipped on a pair of sling back heels.

    At six foot four, Cal towered over my five-foot-six frame. I loved it. Being in his arms always made me feel feminine and safe.

    As I was walking down the hall, I heard the sound of the garage door going up, and my stomach dipped in anticipation of Cal’s arrival. I put on my brightest smile and positioned myself seductively against the counter, so I would be the first thing he saw when he walked through the door.

    CAL

    Isat in my car in the garage for a few minutes, terrified of going inside and facing Shelly. As soon as she saw me, she would know something was wrong. She had a knack for reading me. She always had.

    The guys had stumbled in a few minutes after the blonde turned my world upside down.

    Jesus, my buddy Scott, whose pending nuptials we were in Vegas celebrating, said as he made out my naked, vomit-covered form. What the fuck happened to you?

    Where were you guys? I asked bleakly, trying to pull myself into a sitting position.

    Well, after you said you were heading back here, pussy that you are, we continued our little party. We hit up a club at the Hard Rock, then went out for breakfast. We haven’t slept yet. This was said in a mind-numbing tone by my other buddy, TJ.

    Have you been like this all night? Scott asked.

    I put my head in my hands and tried to control my shaking body.

    I really fucked up, I said.

    Dude, TJ said, throwing my jeans at me. Put some pants on. I can’t listen to you when your junk is on display.

    I leaned back and tried to wiggle into my jeans without disturbing my stomach. Once I was dressed, I filled them in on my morning.

    Scott and TJ were staring at me, horrified. Scott started pacing the floor and asked, Do you remember where you met her or how you got back here?

    No. I don’t remember a fucking thing, I admitted.

    Maybe nothing happened, TJ said hopefully.

    We were both naked, and although I don’t remember the details, I’m pretty sure we had sex.

    Shit, Scott muttered. What are you going to do?

    What do you mean? I asked miserably. I have to tell Shelly the truth.

    Are you sure that’s a good idea, man? She’ll never hear it from us, TJ said. Scott nodded his agreement.

    I can’t do that. I can’t lie to her.

    It’s either lie to her, or break her heart, Cal, Scott said with a frown.

    Scott and TJ had been my best friends since middle school. They’d been with me at the pep rally when I’d first laid eyes on Shelly and they stood up in my wedding.

    The trip back had been long and torturous as I tried to figure out what I should do. Shelly and I had a great relationship and I’d never lied to her. I didn’t want to start now, but what Scott said was true. It would break her heart, and I knew our relationship would never be the same, but I also knew that I wouldn’t be able to live with this lie for the rest of our lives.

    Quit being a bitch and go inside, I said to myself, trying to talk myself into getting out of the car.

    I really didn’t want to, but I knew that she’d probably heard the garage door, and would be waiting for me to come inside.

    Fuck.

    I grabbed my overnight bag and reluctantly opened the car door.

    When I opened the door and saw Shelly leaning against the counter in the sexiest little dress I’d ever seen, I wanted to rewind the last couple days and not go on the Vegas trip.

    I looked around the room, noted the candles, flowers, and the sweet smell of my favorite dinner on the stove, and felt like I’d just been punched in the gut.

    It was our anniversary.

    I’d been so wrapped up in my misery, I’d forgotten. I had a gift that I’d bought a few days ago for her in the closet. Man, that seemed like ages ago.

    My face must have betrayed my despair, because Shelly pushed off the counter and came to me, her hands coming up to immediately cup my face.

    What’s wrong? She asked.

    I closed my eyes briefly and breathed in the sweet smell of her. I pulled her into my arms and held on tightly, knowing that in a few minutes, she wasn’t going to want me to touch her.

    I wished momentarily that I could lie to her. That I could just forget what happened and enjoy my wife and our anniversary, but I knew I’d never be able to live with myself. So I allowed myself the comfort of her body and kissed her lips softly before pulling away and saying, Oh, baby, I’m so sorry.

    SHELLY

    It’s crazy how much things can change in an instant.

    One moment, I was eagerly awaiting my husband’s arrival. I was feeling excited and sexy, and anticipating an evening filled with love and great sex.

    Then, with a few words, my whole world came crashing down around me, and my life changed.

    I went from being a whole person, to having my heart shattered into a million fragmented pieces.

    I was looking into my handsome man’s face, my lips still tingling from his kiss, when he started to apologize.

    I’d known something was up when he walked in, but I’d never imagined the depths of what was wrong.

    Sorry about what? I asked tentatively, unsure if I wanted to know the answer.

    Let’s go sit down, Cal said, but I shook my head.

    Just say it.

    I don’t remember what happened last night, apparently I got really drunk and left the guys in the casino and headed back to the room. The last thing I remember is them razzing me about being a lightweight. I smiled at him; he’d always been kind of a lightweight. The look on his face caused the smile to fall from mine. When I woke up this morning, I was naked with a killer hangover, and there was someone else in the room.

    One of the guys? I asked, suddenly filled with dread.

    Cal shook his head slowly, and my arms dropped from around him. I stepped back, the look in his eyes telling me what he was going to say before he said it.

    I shook my head in denial.

    It was a woman, he said softly, his voice strained. I don’t know who she was or how I met her, but I’m pretty sure I slept with her.

    No, I replied sharply. You wouldn’t do that.

    Cal brought his arms up as if to touch me and I stepped back farther.

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