Synopsis:
Keyboardist Kyle Cross may look like a bad boy with his tattoos and piercings, but he’s really the good guy who’s always stuck fixing his band’s problems and never gets the girl. His band is competing in a college Battle of the Bands, but when their bassist doesn't show, Kyle must track her down with the help of the person he least expects: his ex-girlfriend Alexis Monroe.
Kyle hasn’t seen Alexis since she dumped him in high school, and she’s dropped her preppy image for fiery red hair and a bold new attitude to match. With only hours before his band goes on stage, Kyle has to be a little bad if he wants to win both the Battle and the girl he's never gotten over. But when their old problems resurface, the good guy might just get his heart broken all over again.
More Than Exes
by Elizabeth Briggs
She rested her hand lightly on mine, like she wasn’t sure if I would pull
away. “Kyle, it’s always been you.”
I missed this. The simple things, like holding her hand. The way she
flipped her hair over her shoulder. The glint in her green eyes when she laughed
at something I said. The freckles on her cute nose peeking out from under her
makeup. The softness of her red lips, the delicate curve of her neck, the swell
of her breasts…
I looked away, clearing my throat. “Alexis, what do you want from me?”
Her hand tightened around mine. “Three years ago, I made a huge mistake.
It killed me to break up with you,
and I’ve regretted it ever since. I should have tried to make it work long
distance, but I messed up.” Her voice trembled, but she went on. “I know you’ll
probably never forgive me for what I did, and I don’t blame you. All I want now
is a second chance to try to make it up to you. To do something different this
time. To prove I never stopped loving you.”
Her words woke up something within me—a memory of what we used to be and
a spark of hope for what we might be again. “I am happy to see you,” I admitted, referring to what she’d said in
the car. “But why should I believe anything will be different this time?”
She raised her free hand to my cheek. “Because I’ve changed. I’m not
afraid to be who I am anymore. I’m not afraid to fight for what I want. Who I want.”
I wanted, more than anything, to believe her. I leaned into her touch,
staring at the girl I had always loved, who said she still loved me. I didn’t take
my eyes off her as she trailed her fingers down, along my stubble, tracing my
jaw. Her touch was soft but direct, like she was exploring the changes in my
face since she’d last seen me. I held completely still. I didn’t blink. I
didn’t breathe. If I moved, I’d break the spell over both of us.
Her fingers skimmed down my neck, and she laid her hand against my chest,
digging her fingers into my Joy Division T-shirt where it said, Love Will Tear Us Apart. She was already
so close, her thigh pressed against mine in the tiny booth, her
strawberry-and-spice scent tickling my nose with each breath. Being with her
again was so familiar, so comfortable, so right.
I couldn’t stop myself from moving closer, resting my hand on the curve of her
shoulder, lowering my head to hers. I closed my eyes, savoring that instant
before our mouths met, before everything changed between us and there was no
going back.
Where did you get the idea for More Than Exes?
In More Than Music, which is about Kyle’s friend, Maddie, and his brother, Jared, there’s a part where Maddie thinks about how it must be difficult to be Jared’s brother sometimes. That made me wonder about how Kyle sees his brother, and I quickly jotted down what would become the first chapter of More Than Exes. Right then I knew I had to tell Kyle’s story, too. I also had many fans of More Than Music tell me they loved Kyle and wanted a book about him, so that sealed the deal!
Do you need to read More Than Music to read More Than Exes?
No, definitely not. More Than Exes is a novella set about a month before More Than Music and can be read as a standalone. There’s nothing in it that would be confusing if you haven’t read More Than Music – but if you have, it will also shed light on a few things in that book. You can read them in any order, even though More Than Exes is a prequel.
What is your favorite thing about More Than Exes?
There are so many things I love about this book – the fact that it takes place over a few hours, the sarcastic humor in it, and the love story of two high school sweethearts getting back together… but my absolute favorite part is the close sibling relationship between Kyle and Jared. I loved showing Jared from Kyle’s point of view – Kyle views his brother very differently from how Maddie does in More Than Music, but still loves him and would do anything for him.
What was the hardest part about writing More Than Exes?
More Than Exes is the first book I’ve ever written from a guy’s point of view, and that was a lot of fun but also challenging at times. I had to make sure that Kyle would be sympathetic to romance readers but also feel like a realistic 21 year old male. I don’t think there are many romances told from only a male perspective, but I hope people will give this one a chance!
If you weren’t a writer, what would you do?
A rock star, of course! I play the guitar, though I don’t have time to practice as much as I’d like. I’ve always wanted to be in a famous rock band, but now I just write about them instead.
What’s next in the Chasing the Dream series?
I’m currently working on More Than Comics, a novella about the drummer of the band, Hector, set at Comic-Con about a week after More Than Music ends. After that, I’ll be writing books about Maddie’s best friends, Julie and Carla, who both go on their own reality TV shows!
Elizabeth Briggs is a full-time geek who writes books for teens and adults. She plays the guitar, mentors at-risk teens, and volunteers with a dog rescue group. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and a pack of small, fluffy dogs.
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