Shattered (Shattered #1)

by D'Agostino, Heather

  As I leaned over my desk, and brought my computer to life, she moved to stand behind me. I was digging through the mail that was in a pile when I felt her. Her hands descended onto my shoulders, and she began rubbing them. I was so intrigued by the envelope with University of North Carolina – Wilmington on it that it didn’t register right away that she was touching me.

  “What’s that about?” she asked from right beside my ear.

  As I noticed how close she was, I tensed. “What are you doing?”

  “You’re too tense Nicky. You need to relax. Let me help you,” she purred as she leaned over my shoulder, and slid her hands down my arms.

  “I told you not to call me that,” I ground out as I reached up and tried to remove her hands.

  I tossed the letter I was holding to the side, and turned to face her. “If you need something, then ask. Otherwise leave,” I pointed at the door. “I’m not doing this with you. Not now, not ever.”

  She stood up straight, and crossed her arms over her chest causing her breasts to plump up to the low neckline she was sporting, “You’re loss. Let me know when you change your mind.”

  “I’m not going to,” I shook my head, and turned back to the desk. That letter was haunting me now.

  “We’ll see. She broke your heart once before, and we know who was there to fix it. I’m just letting you know that when she does it again, I’ll be here,” she sighed as she left.

  ooooooooo

  Once Becca had disappeared, I picked up the UNC Wilmington letter again, and examined it. I had no idea what was inside. I didn’t remember sending them anything, and I didn’t have a player this year that was interested in attending their school.

  I grabbed the letter opener, and sliced open the flap. As I began to scan the contents, my mouth dropped open before curving into a massive grin.

  Dear Mr. Sutter,

  We here at UNC Wilmington would like to formally invite you to take over as Head Coach for our 2014 fall semester. We have been observing your style and success for the past several years at Pittsford High, and are pleased with your success rate. We have a relocation package that we are willing to discuss with you immediately. We also would like you to come and visit our campus, and facilities. Please let us know as soon as possible if you are interested.

  Sincerely, Greg Hutchins

  UNC Wilmington Athletic Dept.

  As I sat there, I reread the letter a dozen times before it all began to sink in. Me, a college level coach? Did they really know who they were talking to? I knew things like this happened in real life, I just didn’t think that they’d happen to someone like me. Leah was the star in our town, she was the one that was supposed to go places, not me. I was just a townie from the wrong side of the tracks. People didn’t give me opportunities like this. The last time I’d had anything like this happen to me was when I got my scholarship to UNC. I’d turned it down thinking that I was making the right choice, and boy was I wrong. Leah had up and left as soon as she had the chance. I’d foolishly thought that she would stay for me that she loved me enough to choose me. Now here I was with another chance, another chance to make something big out of my life.

  As I gripped the letter tighter, I knew what I needed to do, I needed to tell them yes. I needed to take this job, and hope that Leah would come with me. I only hoped that she would.

  ooooooooo

  After calling Mr. Hutchins, and setting up a meeting for the following week, I called Logan. I needed to get Leah’s car back to her house, and I needed someone to drive my truck. My mind was churning through all the ways to spring this new job news on her. She’d gone through so much lately that I wasn’t sure how she would cope with the idea of leaving again. With her dad on his own now, she was spending an awful lot of time at the pizza shop. She had seemed worried that he wouldn’t cope well without her mom.

  When Logan arrived, I filled him in on my predicament.

  “Dude,” Logan grinned. “That’s awesome!”

  “Yeah…I’m still not sure I believe it. I mean…things like this don’t happen to me,” I shrugged.

  “Yeah they do, you just don’t normally take advantage of them,” he sighed as we walked toward the stadium where Leah’s car was parked. “If you don’t tell them yes, I’m gonna kick your ass.”

  “I told them yes,” I mumbled and tossed my head back defeated.

  “Why the glum face then,” he elbowed me in the ribs. “You should be celebrating,” he grinned.

  “I gotta tell Leah. I have a feeling it’s not going to go well,” I groaned.

  “If she loves you, she’ll understand and want what’s best for you,” he leaned against the car, and reached for the keys.

  “Yeah well, we’ve been a bit rocky lately. I’m not sure if our relationship can take a hit like this,” I rubbed my forehead, and tossed him Leah’s keys.

  “Yeah Dude, I saw you two last night…remember?” he smirked.

  “Speaking of last night…what’s up with you and Avery?” I gave him a sly smile. “You like her don’t you?”

  “What? No…it’s not like that…we’re friends,” he shook his head as if he were trying harder to convince himself.

  “Yeah, right…friends. I’m your best friend, don’t lie to me. You like her like her.”

  He groaned, “What is this…middle school?”

  “Dude you let her stay the night. You like her…just admit it,” I placed my hand on his shoulder, and shook him slightly. “It’s ok you know…to like her.”

  “Fine! I like her. Are you happy now?” he tossed his arms in the air, and frowned at me. “You can be such a girl sometimes, Sutter.”

  “I can’t believe that Logan Masters finally met his match,” I bellowed. “Have you told her that you like her?”

  He shook his head, “It isn’t like that. When we started whatever this is,” he waved his arms, “we agreed that it would never be more.”

  “You need to tell her how you feel. After what I saw this morning…I think you could turn it into more. She wants to be with you. She gets that look on her face when she talks about you.”

  “Ok…enough. I’m not talking about Avery with you, Dr. Phil.”

  “Fine…but I’m telling you, you need to pursue this. Talk to her,” I stepped away from the car, and moved over to where my truck was parked.

  “I’ll think about it,” Logan shouted. “But you need to take this job, and tell Leah about it as soon as possible.”

  “Yeah, I know,” I mumbled as I climbed in a started the engine.

  I knew I needed to tell her. I knew that I was about to put her in the same position that she put me in all those years ago. This was a once in a lifetime chance for me. It would get us both out of Pittsford, which is what I think she wants, but it was awful timing on my part.

  As I drove back to Leah’s with Logan following me, I decided that I’d go to Wilmington next week, talk to the athletic department about the job, and then tell Leah all the details. I wanted to know everything about this offer before I sprung it on her. I needed all my ducks in a row, so to speak. Then I would lay it all out there for her. I only hoped she’d choose me this time. That the bond we were slowly strengthening these last few months would withstand the hit it was getting ready to take.

  Chapter 17

  Leah

  As I slowly began to wake, I could hear the rumble of Nick’s truck as it started in the driveway. I groaned, and stretched as I fought off the last bit of sleepiness in my foggy brain. It had been a long night last night, and I had the sore muscles to prove it.

  A small grin slowly slid into place as I thought about how the night ended. Nick and I were so mad at each other, but it had only fueled our desire. My ripped panties that were tossed on the floor not too far from me, were the proof. I shook my head, he was an animal last night…and I loved it.

  After tossing on a t-shirt, and a loose pair of shorts, I wrapped myself in my bathrobe, and made my way to the kitchen. The sun was brigh
t, signaling that it was late morning. The coffee had been brewed already, and there were muffins sitting on the stove.

  “What’s all this?” I ask Avery as I poured myself a cup.

  “Ask your boyfriend…he did it,” she shrugged as she turned a page of the newspaper she was holding.

  “Not going to work today?” I grinned. Avery had been skipping out on her weekend shifts to spend time with Logan. She didn’t know that I knew this. She’d been keeping Logan to herself as much as possible lately.

  “Nah, I figured I’d stay here with you…especially after the fight I witnessed last night.”

  “We’re fine,” I reassured her. “Better than fine.” I grabbed a muffin, and sat down on a chair across from her at the table. “So…you said Nick made these?”

  “Mmm hmm,” she nodded.

  “Well do you know where he went?”

  “Work…and to get your car…I think,” she mumbled absentmindedly.

  “Oh,” I took a bite of the muffin. I don’t know why he couldn’t wait. He hadn’t said anything last night about needing to work today but I guess I really didn’t give him a chance to, either. “Well…I’m going to hop in the shower. If he gets back before I get out will you let him know that’s where I am?”

  “Sure,” Avery grinned.

  ooooooooo

  As the day wore on, Nick had made himself scarce. He stopped by to drop my car off when I was in the shower, but he didn’t stay. He basically stepped in the house long enough to give Avery my keys, and left. I found it odd after the night we’d had, but I knew that Nick had a life other than me. Cam had been going through some stuff lately, and Nick hadn’t really been there to help. He had always been with me. Now that things were finally settling with me, he could get his own life back in order. I knew during football season he was always busy.

  As I was sitting on the couch watching a movie, my phone buzzed. When Nick’s name flashed on the caller ID, I all but jumped up.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey Baby,” Nick’s voice was light and almost a whisper.

  “I’m bored…you wanna come over and keep me company?” I tried to sound coy, but I’m sure it came out as a little desperate.

  “Ummm…actually I was calling to let you know that Cam and I are going on a fishing trip the next couple of days. I won’t be around.”

  “Oh, ok…how long do you think you’ll be gone?” I knew I was being nosy, I just didn’t care at the moment.

  “Two or three days at the most. We’re just heading out to coast. He needs to get away from Sarah for a little bit. She’s driving him nuts.”

  “Sure…I feel bad. I’ve taken you away from him so many times. You’ve been dealing with my problems instead of his.”

  “It’s alright Baby. I love you…it’s my job to care about your problems. Listen…we’re just going out to Wilmington until Wednesday, then I’ll be back. We can go out that night if you want. I’ll plan something nice.”

  “Sure…I love you too. Have fun!”

  “Thanks.”

  He disconnected the call, and I flopped back to my former position on the couch. I guess it was going to be a night in tonight. Maybe Avery and I could have a girl’s night… that is if I could get her away from Logan for a few hours.

  ooooooooo

  Nick

  4 days later…

  As I drove back to Pittsford with my brother in tow, I thought back to the meeting I’d just had that morning. I’d met with Mr. Hutchins, Greg, to discuss their job offer. They’d taken me all over campus, shown me where my office would be, given me a tour of their athletic facilities…it was a dream come true. Everything looked so nice and new. I wouldn’t have to worry about broken equipment or whiny parents. The players who I was going to be working with were hand-picked. They wanted to be there and were going to work their asses off to make sure we won. I wasn’t going to be dealing with someone’s mom hunting me down after a game to ask why her son didn’t get as much playing time as she thought he should. This was going to be a whole different world. The locker rooms were heated and air conditioned. They had carpet in them, and a small dressing area for each player. My office was actually right down the hall from where the players would get ready for a game. I wasn’t going to have to carry my clip board around with notes on it. If a player needed to ask me something, they could just step around the corner and come into my office. I knew that this new layout was going to take some adjusting to.

  I glanced over at Cam, who was now leaning back in his seat with his eyes closed, “Are you mad I said yes?”

  Cam’s head rolled to the side, “Mad at you? No. I think you should be more concerned with how Leah’s gonna take this news. You made this choice without evening talking to her about it.”

  “I don’t need any more guilt about this job,” I glared at him. “You know I’ve been waiting for something like this my entire life?” I gripped the steering wheel tighter. “Do you realize how unlikely it is for someone my age to get a job like this?” I ground out. I was mad, and I really wasn’t sure who my anger was caused by, but right now it was directed at Cam. “I need this. If she loves me, she’ll understand. We don’t have anything keeping us in Pittsford. She’s always hated being there.”

  “I’m not arguing with you Bro, but I do remember what you were like when Leah decided to leave and didn’t ask you for your opinion. I think you should think about how that felt.”

  “That was different. We were kids then, we’re adults now. She’ll get it. I know she will,” I sighed as the anger began to dissipate. “Listen, I promised Leah I’d take her out tonight. You ok with me dropping you off at the house now?”

  “Sure…and I hope you’re right,” he mumbled. “For your sake, I hope you right.”

  ooooooooo

  Leah

  I began to pace my room as I looked at the clock for what felt like the thousandth time. I willed it to go faster, for those last several minutes that seemed to be taking forever to go by. Nick was supposed to be coming over to pick me up for a date. I’d spent the last hour showering, and getting ready. I wanted this night to be perfect, especially since we changed our plans during the last date. Nick had wanted to go out, I on the other hand wanted to stay in.

  I glanced in the mirror, and smoothed my hands down the front of my dress. I’d picked a cotton wrap dress that was a deep plum. It clung to me, and showed off curves that I’d forgotten I had. I’d been in the habit of wearing baggy things lately. I’d lost weight since my mom died, and I really hadn’t put much of it back on yet. I’d curled my hair so it fell in soft waves over my shoulders, and put on just a touch of makeup. I was never really a girly girl, but after not seeing Nick for the last three days, I wanted to look nice.

  “Knock, knock,” Avery called as she pushed open the door. “Damn girl! You’re going to kill him with that.”

  “You think?” I turned and put my hands on my hips.

  “Yeah, but you need better shoes,” Avery rolled her eyes.

  “What’s wrong with my shoes?” I glanced down at the black knee boots I’d paired with the dress. “I think I look nice.”

  “Girl you need some fuck me heels on,” she walked over to my closet and disappeared inside. “Like these,” she called as she came out with a pair of heels I forgot I even owned.

  “Ugh! Avery those kill my feet,” I whined as she brought the heels over. They were a pair of strappy high heels that wrapped around the ankle. I’d bought them for a function that I had to attend in Atlanta with the team. It was a black tie affair, and the shoes almost crippled me that night. I shook my head, “Hell no. I can’t wear those.”

  “Uh, yes…you can. Here!” she shoved them at me again just as the front door bell rang. “I’ll get the door, you put on the shoes.”

  I swallowed and dropped my head in defeat, “Fine, but I’m going to kill you if these don’t kill me first.”

  Avery disappeared through my door as I sat down on the bed, and began
changing my shoes. If these things did to my feet what they did the last time I wore them, Nick might be carrying me tonight.

  ooooooooo

  “Have I told you how hot you look tonight?” Nick glanced over at me from the driver’s seat as he reached out to squeeze my knee.

  “A few times,” I teased. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

  “Thanks,” he grinned.

  Nick had a pair of khakis on with a dark green button down. He’d rolled the sleeves up to the elbows and left the top two buttons open. He’d put a little gel in his hair, but he still had the messy style going on.

  The entire drive to the restaurant, Nick kept giving me little glances. It was like he couldn’t stop. The smile he was wearing looked strained, though. It was as if he wasn’t totally there with me.

  “Nick?”

  “Yeah?” he had a tight grip on the steering wheel.

  “Is something bothering you?” I hedged.

  “No, why?” he snapped back.

  “You seem a little off tonight, that’s all,” I murmured.

  “Sorry, I had a lot going on with Cam…that’s all. Let’s enjoy our dinner. I don’t want to talk about Cam or anything else right now…ok?”

  “Sure,” I mumbled as I scanned his face. His lips were saying one thing, but his eyes were a totally different story. A storm was brewing over something, I could feel it.

  ooooooooo

  Once we were seated in the restaurant, Nick ordered us a bottle of wine. While he read over the menu, I scanned the room. It was a nice place, too nice. White linins covered the tables, and waiters were dressed in tuxes. We’d driven two towns over to get to this place. If I didn’t know better, it seemed like Nick had big plans for the night.

  I grinned to myself as I picked up my menu, and scanned it. No prices…shit I mumbled to myself. I knew Nick didn’t have a lot of money. We’d never been out anywhere like this before. I glanced over at the salad section. Salads had to be on the lower end of the budget, right?