When Tomorrow Starts Without me

by Stacy Claflin

  Also by Stacy Claflin

  An Alex Mercer Thriller

  Girl in Trouble

  Turn Back Time

  Little Lies

  Curse of the Moon

  Lost Wolf

  Chosen Wolf

  Hunted Wolf

  Broken Wolf

  Cursed Wolf

  Secret Jaguar

  Fall Into Romance

  Lost in Romance

  Gone

  Gone

  Held

  Over

  The Gone Trilogy

  Dean's List

  Indigo Bay Sweet Romance Series

  Sweet Dreams

  The Hunters

  Seaside Surprises

  Seaside Heartbeats

  Seaside Dances

  Seaside Kisses

  Seaside Christmas

  Bayside Wishes

  Bayside Evenings

  Bayside Promises

  Bayside Destinies

  The Hunters: A Collection

  The Transformed

  Deception

  Betrayal

  Forgotten

  Ascension

  Duplicity

  Sacrifice

  Destroyed

  Transcend

  Entangled

  Dauntless

  Obscured

  Partition

  Fallen (The Transformed Prequel)

  Silent Bite: A Transformed Christmas

  Hidden Intentions

  Saved by a Vampire

  Sweet Desire

  Standalone

  The Transformed Series - Four Books

  The Transformed Box Set

  No Return

  Tiny Bites

  Haunted

  Dex

  When Tomorrow Starts Without me

  When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

  Stacy Claflin

  Contents

  1. Kenna

  2. Kenna

  3. Rogan

  4. Kenna

  5. Kenna

  6. Rogan

  7. Kenna

  8. Rogan

  9. Rogan

  10. Kenna

  11. Kenna

  12. Rogan

  13. Kenna

  14. Rogan

  15. Kenna

  16. Kenna

  17. Rogan

  18. Kenna

  19. Kenna

  20. Rogan

  21. Kenna

  22. Kenna

  23. Rogan

  24. Kenna

  25. Rogan

  26. Kenna

  27. Kenna

  28. Rogan

  29. Kenna

  30. Kenna

  31. Rogan

  32. Rogan

  33. Kenna

  34. Rogan

  35. Kenna

  36. Kenna

  37. Rogan

  38. Kenna

  39. Kenna

  40. Rogan

  41. Rogan

  42. Kenna

  43. Kenna

  44. Rogan

  45. Kenna

  46. Rogan

  47. Kenna

  48. Kenna

  49. Rogan

  50. Kenna

  51. Rogan

  52. Rogan

  53. Kenna

  54. Kenna

  55. Rogan

  56. Kenna

  57. Kenna

  58. Rogan

  59. Rogan

  60. Kenna

  61. Rogan

  62. Rogan

  63. Kenna

  64. Rogan

  65. Kenna

  66. Kenna

  Author's Note

  Previews

  Other Books by Stacy Claflin

  Resources

  About the Author

  WHEN TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME

  by Stacy Claflin

  http://www.stacyclaflin.com

  * * *

  Copyright ©2018 Stacy Claflin. All rights reserved.

  ©Cover Design: Rebecca Frank

  Edited by Staci Troilo

  * * *

  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses, events, or locales is purely coincidental or used fictitiously. The author has taken great liberties with locales including the creation of fictional towns.

  * * *

  Reproduction in whole or part of this publication without express written consent is strictly prohibited. Do not upload or distribute anywhere.

  This e-book is for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be resold or given away to others. If you would like to share this book with others, please either purchase it for them or direct them to StacyClaflin.com for purchase links. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

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  * * *

  Content Note:

  This novel deals with themes of abuse and suicide.

  There aren’t any graphic or explicit scenes.

  Please see the Resources page for support information.

  Kenna

  The railroad tracks rumble beneath my pink sneakers, vibrating my entire body along with them. My heart thunders in my chest.

  I'm not backing out.

  Sunshine beats down on me. It's early summer, but it's already proving to be an especially hot one. A rarity for a suburb of Seattle. It's too bad I won't be here to enjoy it.

  Off to the side, near the shade of the trees, movement distracts me. Something is nearby. I can't tell what.

  And I don't care.

  The rumble of the tracks grows stronger. It's harder to balance.

  My pulse races as the deep-throated horn blares through the air.

  Though the driver clearly sees me, the green and yellow machine doesn't appear to slow.

  Good. That's exactly what I want.

  The horn wails again, this time rippling through me.

  My right foot slips from the track. I land in the middle of the two long pieces of metal. It's probably for the best. I'll be hit by the center of the train. More force to end it all faster.

  Squeal! Tssh…

  The brakes.

  No!

  Don't stop!

  Trains take forever to stop. Like half a mile or something. This can still happen.

  I do the only thing I can. I burst into a run toward the massive, now-slowing vehicle.

  The horn blares again, but I barely notice it. I can't let the train stop before it reaches me. If I'm going to get anything right in my life, it has to be this.

  Now that I'm running, it's coming toward me faster. My heart pounds harder.

  This is it. It's really going to happen. I can almost count down, but it would be too disappointing to get to zero, only to find out that I'd miscalculated.

  The horn now sounds like a constant noise. That driver really wants me off the tracks.

  He doesn't know who he's dealing with.

  I'm ready for this.

  Something hits me. From the side.

  Wait, what?

  Now everything is a blur. I'm sailing through the air sideways. Away from the train! It's leaving my line of sight.

  My shoulder hits the ground first. Then my hip and side. My head hits. Hard.

  I roll. Dirt and gravel get in my face.

  I'm a mess of soil and grass.

  The train barrels past.

  I missed my train!

  "What were you thinking?" demands a male voice from behind.

  I spin toward the voice and glare at its owner. The gorgeous face of the owner. His almost-shoulder-length wavy hair is mostly c
overed by a gray beanie which perfectly matches his plaid flannel shirt.

  "What were you thinking?" he repeats.

  I jump up and dust rocks and grass from my jeans and shirt. "Me? What about you? Why'd you do that?"

  He stands, but doesn't dust himself off. "You mean why did I save your life?"

  "Yeah." I glower at him. My heart continues racing, but now from anger instead of excitement. "I had it all planned perfectly. Then you show up. The one variable I didn't take into account. Jerk."

  He shakes his head. "You're unbelievable. I save your life, and you call me names."

  "I called you a jerk. That's one name. Learn to count."

  "Why'd you do it?" He adjusts his hat and tilts his head. His eyes are filled more with concern than annoyance now.

  The guy is flipping gorgeous, but in the most down-to-earth way imaginable.

  It's infuriating.

  "What's so awful that a pretty girl like you wants to end it all?"

  Pretty? Me? The guy obviously needs glasses. Maybe they flew off when he ruined my plans.

  "Don't you have anything to say?"

  "Not to you." I fold my arms.

  "Hey, I saved your life. The least you could do is tell me why you were going to throw it all away."

  I sigh as dramatically as I can. Seriously, I really draw it out and even manage a slight eye roll. Maybe I should've gone into acting. Too late for that. For anything, really.

  There will be another train.

  I ignore the hottie and storm toward the tracks. "This time I'm going to get it right."

  He jumps between me and the tracks. "And if I don't let you?"

  "You're going to try to stop me again?"

  "Yeah." He knits his brows together, clearly daring me to try and stop him.

  Why does he have to be so attractive? It's aggravating.

  I clench my fists. "I've fought off guys bigger than you."

  He arches a brow. "Really?"

  "You'd better believe it. Wanna try me?" I step closer, ready to kick him where the sun doesn't shine for messing up my plans. I should be all over those tracks, yet here I am just arguing with a mysterious guy who shows up out of nowhere.

  He steps back with a little laugh. "Okay, I believe you. Hey, why don't we grab something to eat?"

  I just stare at him. He can't be for real. "You want to get some lunch? After this?"

  "I'm hungry. Aren't you?"

  "Doesn't matter. I didn't bring any money." I need to get rid of him so I can catch the next train. It'll be another fifteen minutes. Yes, I checked. Just in case something went wrong. I'm prepared.

  He shrugs. "I have money. Come on."

  It takes me a moment to realize what he said. "Now you want to pay for my meal?"

  "Yeah. Come on."

  "What? Am I your charity case for the day?"

  He doesn't move a muscle.

  My stomach growls. Loudly.

  He chuckles and rubs the light dusting of facial hair across his cheeks. "Sounds like you could use something to eat."

  "What I need is the next train!"

  Why did I admit that to him?

  "Let's get something to eat. You don't even have to tell me why you're out here. Just eat the food, and sit there being furious at me for saving your life. Sound like a plan?"

  I clench my jaw, not wanting to give into him. My stomach rumbles again. Why did he have to bring up food?

  "Well?" The corners of his perfect mouth twitch. He finds me amusing.

  "Fine." I may as well get a meal for my trouble.

  There will be other trains. And looking at this guy won't be the worst way to spend my last hour.

  Kenna

  What's your name?"

  I stare at the menu, pretending not to hear him. It isn't hard to ignore him when the prices catch my attention. I've never been to this restaurant before, or any remotely as nice.

  I can't believe he brought me here when he could've just taken me to a fast food place. Maybe he wanted me to have a nice last meal.

  Normally I'd be uncomfortable here, especially with dirt on my clothes, but today I don't really care.

  "Oh, come on. I don't even get a name?"

  Could he be any more annoying? I glance up at him. "You said I didn't have to talk."

  "What's it going to hurt to tell me your name?" His mouth twitches again.

  My heart nearly jumps into my throat. What is it about him?

  "Do you want my name first?" He taps his menu on the table, his eyes shining with amusement.

  "Fine." I flick him another eye roll. I haven't rolled my eyes this much since I was fourteen and my stepmom moved in.

  "Rogan."

  "What kind of a name is that?" Besides perfect. Everything else about him is jaw-dropping. Why not his name too? "Like, your parents tried to name you Logan, but couldn't figure out how to spell it?"

  He laughs.

  "Am I right?"

  He sips his water. "It's a mixture of my parents' names. I like it."

  So do I. A lot. Not that I'm going to admit that to him. To Rogan.

  "Now that you know my name, what's yours?"

  There doesn't seem to be any harm in telling him. "Kenna."

  "Really?" He tilts his head, seeming interested.

  Or maybe I just want him to be interested.

  No! No, I don't. I only want lunch—the aromas of the restaurant have made me twice as famished—then I'm going back to the tracks.

  "It's really pretty."

  "What is?" I glance at the menu.

  "Your name." There's a smile in his tone.

  I don't look up to see if it's on his face as well. "Right. Thanks."

  "Is there a story behind it?"

  "My name?"

  "Yeah." He taps the table.

  "Not that I know of."

  "You don't know why your parents chose your name?"

  I snap my attention to him. "I'm not talking about them. Got it?"

  He puts his hands in the air, like I've just pulled out a pistol on him. "Don't talk about the parents. Understood."

  "Good. So, uh, what should I order?" It's awkward, but I have to know with prices so mind-boggling.

  "Whatever you want. Steak sounds good to me."

  I flip over to that page and my mouth falls open when I see the price. It's literally three times more than anything I've ever been allowed to order.

  "You okay, Kenna?"

  "Yeah, sure." I clear my throat. "It just seems a little, you know, heavy for lunch."

  "Why limit good food to dinner?"

  "If you say so." I flip through the pages again. Lobster catches my attention. I've always wanted to try lobster. But it's even more expensive than the steak!

  "Their lobster is to die for."

  I glance up at Rogan. "Is that a jab at my dance on the tracks?"

  He shakes his head slowly. "Nope. Just saying it's to die for. Try it, if you want."

  I study his dark brown eyes. They have flecks of green and gray. They're completely spellbinding.

  He says something, but I'm so lost in his eyes like a lovesick puppy that I don't have a clue what he said.

  I pull my attention away from the deep abyss that is Rogan's eyes and take a deep breath.

  "Well?" He raises an eyebrow.

  "I'll have the lobster."

  A nicely dressed waitress appears—she probably has a fancier title than waitress, but all I know is the crappy hole-in-the-wall dives I've ever been to—and she flirts with Rogan. They act like they're old friends.

  Jealousy twists in the pit of my stomach.

  Why do I even care? I'm not going to see Rogan again after this.

  I'm not going to see anyone again after this. Especially not my family. Good riddance to them. My stepmom and stepbrother in particular. They'll probably throw confetti at my funeral. If they even go.

  The waitress finally leaves after Rogan gave her our orders. He actually told her to bring me lobster.


  At least I will enjoy my last meal. It'll be the most expensive thing I'll ever eat, and I'll get to stare at him the entire time. Never before had anyone half as hot as him paid me any attention, much less talked to me.

  Speaking of talking, Rogan was saying something again. And here I was, lost in thought about how he looks.

  "What?" I try to focus.

  He grins. "I said, I'm going to the bathroom. Don't go anywhere."

  I snort. "Right. You just ordered me lobster. I'd stay in this seat if the building caught fire."

  "Well, if you do go anywhere, I know exactly where to find you. I'll push you out of the way again."

  "Whatever." I pick up the dessert menu so I don't have to look at him.

  From the corner of my eye, I watch him walk away until he's out of sight. Then I drop the menu and lean against the chair, half-ready to slide down to the floor.

  Everything is so surreal. It's like I had died, and gone to Heaven.

  Maybe I did get hit by that train and just didn't realize it. Rogan showed up as my angel to show me around this new place where lobster rains down from the sky and unbelievably gorgeous guys actually care what happens to me.

  "Did you pick out a dessert?" Rogan sits back in his seat.