Chosen (The Urban Legends Series Book 1)

by R. S. Broadhead

  Me: This can’t wait. It’s important to me.

  I didn’t get another response. I leaned against the headrest, staring out the window.

  “Did you get him?” Taylor asked.

  “He’s at his parents’ house.” My voice dropped toward the end as the realization struck that he didn’t care what I was going through, not when it came to what his parents wanted.

  “Well, then I’ll take you there. They still live in the Estate Parkwood community by the golf course?”

  My mouth slacked as I stared at him.

  He laughed. “I’m not a stalker if that’s what you’re thinking. I’ve been to several parties there with my parents.”

  “Oh … so your parents are like them then?” Great. Just what I need. Another set of rich parents making me feel bad for being with their son. That was if things didn’t work out with Nolan. And Taylor even wanted a relationship with me to go that way.

  “My parents are nothing like the Foasts. I’ve never met a more self-absorbed family before. I know I come off arrogant, but my family has nothing on them.”

  A sigh of relief escaped.

  Soon we passed through the gates of Estate Parkwood. Fancy cars lined the streets and up the round drive in front of the Foasts’ home.

  “Speaking of parties…” I trailed off.

  Taylor put the car in park. I stared at the door handle, knowing I needed to get out. But I was frozen. I couldn’t go in there with all these people. Not with how I felt.

  “I can go in with you, if you want.”

  It was a bad idea. Me showing up with another guy to Nolan’s parents’ house. But I was desperate not to make the trip alone. I nodded. We got out and proceeded to the door. I swallowed a lump as Taylor rang the doorbell. A maid opened it within a minute.

  “May I take your coats?”

  Taylor waved her gesture away. “No. We’re here to see Nolan. Can you bring him out, please?”

  She bowed her head slightly and darted in the direction of the dining room that I loathed.

  Voices and laughter floated down the elegant hallway. A piano played a powerful ballad. Footsteps echoed against the walls.

  “Taylor Warren. It’s been a while. What brings you—” Nolan stopped.

  I peeked around Taylor’s arm, giving a small wave.

  Nolan’s shoulders rolled back, making him stand even taller. “What are you doing with Piper?” His voice wasn’t polite any more. It was clipped and snarky.

  Taylor stood his ground. Rolling his eyes at the apparent attitude Nolan had given him, he glanced to me. “I was helping a good friend out. She needs someone to be there for her. So, you better make time.”

  “Come on, Piper. Let’s go to the study.” He motioned toward me but kept his eyes on Taylor.

  “Thank you for bringing me,” I told Taylor while walking toward Nolan.

  “Any time.”

  I didn’t see him leave, but I heard the door close. And with it, the tension increased. Nolan shut the door to the study, leaving his palm against the wood.

  I stared at his back, wanting him to say something. Anything.

  “I told you I’d be home at ten. Why would you show up here … with him?”

  I couldn’t suppress my feelings any more. I caved. It had taken everything I had to walk in here like everything was normal. It wasn’t. The man who had raised me was dead. Tears fell fast. A loud sob escaped my throat, tightening my chest. I hunched over, knocking a few things off the desk behind me. Nolan’s hands were on my shoulders a second later.

  “What’s wrong? Tell me, Piper!”

  “My grand— grandfather died today.”

  He pulled me to him, wrapping his arms around my body. “Oh, Piper. I don’t know what to say. I hate seeing you hurt.”

  I buried my face deeper into his shirt. I managed to clear my throat. “I’m flying down there tonight if I can get a flight. I need you. I don’t want to do this without you.”

  He rubbed my head, pushing the damp hair away from my forehead to give it a peck. “Of course.”

  The door to the study burst open. Nolan pulled back. It was hard to clearly see the figure from my blurry vision. I wiped my eyes to find Vivian standing with her arms crossed.

  “What’s this?”

  “Piper’s grandfather died, Mom. I have to go with her to Alabama tonight.”

  She looked from him to me and back. “I’m sorry about the death, but you aren’t going anywhere. This is a family function that you’re obligated to attend. No matter what comes up. Piper is a strong woman who I’m sure can handle the situation alone. Now say goodbye and come back to the party.”

  “But, Mom—”

  “But nothing, Nolan. I will not have this girl dragging you to such a filthy place as Alabama. There are poor people there. They see a nice, rich boy like you come along, you’re sure to get robbed.” With that, she walked out, leaving us both speechless.

  “Do you want me to call you a cab?” Nolan finally asked.

  My mouth dropped. I replayed the question over and over again. Each time it felt like a knife driving into my gut.

  “You’re not going?”

  He didn’t look at me. He buried his hands in his pockets, staring at the door his mother had gone through.

  “Answer me!” I screamed.

  “What do you expect me to do? I do have an obligation to this party. It’s very important for my dad.”

  At that moment, I felt stupid. Stupid for coming here. Stupid for trying to convince myself Nolan was worth staying with. Stupid for putting up with him. No more.

  “We’re done.” I stormed to the doorway, avoiding his hand that reached toward me.

  “Can’t we talk about this later?” he pleaded.

  I whipped around, coming face to face with him as his mother rounded the corner, I assumed to see if he had indeed sent me on my way. “Fuck off. You and that stupid bitch.”

  A hand shot to her chest. Despite my loss, weight had been lifted off me. I had done what needed to be done. Vivian had one thing right. I was strong enough to do this on my own. I walked to the guard shack to find a security guy waiting for me.

  “Can I come in to wait for my cab? I already called on my walk up here.”

  “Vivian Foast wanted me to take you in.” His thick brow arched. “Said you were disturbing her party.”

  “Well, if telling the family to fuck off was disturbing it, then I’m guilty. You can take me in to wherever you take the lesser people.” I held out my hands, waiting on him to cuff me.

  He leaned back as a howl of laughter exploded.

  “Come on in,” he finally said once he was able to catch a breath.

  About an hour later, I finally made it home and started the process of my trip arrangements.

  “Really? That’s all you have? No seats on one of the larger planes?” I spat into the phone.

  “Yes, ma’am. That’s the only option I have left traveling that way. Now if you would like to wait until tomorrow morning, I could book that for you,” the lady on the other end of the phone said.

  I hated booking tickets at the last minute.

  “No. I need to leave tonight. Go ahead and book it for me.” I gave her my information and hung up, waiting for my confirmation email. Once I received it, I tossed the phone down but continued to stare at it beside my suitcase.

  Never in my wildest dreams had I expected to be going back to Alabama this way, but here I was, shuffling through my clothes, trying to pack. Not to say I hadn’t made great memories there, but my current life didn’t give me time for leisurely trips down those old dusty dirt roads. I’d had my first kiss under an oversized pecan tree as my boyfriend pushed me against the breeze in a tire swing. The first time I’d driven a stick shift, I’d ended up half in the ditch after running over the neighbor’s mailbox and scaring her cat so bad he’d run through eight of his nine lives.

  I’d been able to reconnect with all of my graduating class through Faceboo
k, not that forty-two people were hard to locate, or that I had the need or desire to speak to any of them. Things had changed. I had changed. I wasn’t the same Southern girl I used to be. After finishing up high school, I had moved away to New York City and hadn’t looked back. At least not until now.

  I stood, determined I’d packed everything I needed, and zipped the suitcase. I slipped my boots on, dreading this trip. I picked up my phone noticing a message. For a moment, I was stunned, having completely forgotten that I had given Taylor my number the night we’d spent together.

  Taylor: How are you holding up?

  Me: Doing as well as expected. Nolan didn’t make it any better.

  The text from Taylor made me hate Nolan even more. A person who barely knew me was more concerned than someone I had spent the last several years of my life with. I quickly called the cab service. I would be at the airport early, but I couldn’t chance missing this flight. I wanted to be in Alabama tonight, no matter the time. The suitcase banged against the frame of the door as I left. The black marks mocked me.

  “Need some help?” my neighbor from 7-D asked. He looked to be in his late forties, glasses, with a sweater vest.

  I had never spoken to him a day in my life.

  “Umm … if you don’t mind.”

  “Not at all.” He took the handle and easily rolled it to the elevator. “Going out of town?”

  I nodded, not giving him any more information than necessary.

  “Glad you’re getting away.”

  I shot him a quizzical look. “What do you mean?”

  We stepped on and started to descend to the lobby.

  “You just seem … I don’t know, sad, I guess.”

  Was it that obvious that I was putting on a front? Annoyed that he was right, I said nothing else.

  When we made it to the street, my cab was waiting. He handed off the suitcase to the driver, who put it in the trunk of the car.

  “Thank you for helping me bring my bag down.”

  He bowed his head, turned, and disappeared under a dark shadow.

  Taylor: What’s he doing? Do I need to beat his ass?

  Tempting so very tempting. But if anyone was going to beat his ass, it was going to be me. My grandfather had taught me that. I merely smiled; thinking back to the day Bobby Johnson called me ugly. I’d bloodied his nose and sent him home to momma crying. They’d called wanting me punished. My grandfather had taken me out for ice cream.

  Me: He just opened my eyes to a side of him I hadn’t wanted to notice. But tonight made it impossible not to.

  Taylor: He isn’t going with you, is he?

  Me: No.

  There was a lengthy pause. I put the phone down with the impression he wasn’t going to write back.

  Taylor: Do you want me to go?

  I smiled. At least he was still willing if I wanted him to.

  Me: I’ll be fine. I should only be gone for a few days.

  Taylor: Well, at least give me your travel arrangements and let me know when you land. I don’t like you going down there without anyone. Can’t believe he was such an asshole.

  We pulled up at the busy JFK drop-off point. Even though it was late at night, this place never slept. People bustled, their luggage in tow, rushing in every direction. The overset cab driver walked around to the back of the car and grabbed my suitcase.

  “That’ll be thirty-three.” He eyed me like a piece of prime rib he couldn’t wait to get his hands on.

  I handed him two twenties, took the handle, and darted inside. I sent Taylor my trip itinerary before boarding.

  A bumbling woman, so frail she looked as though a sneeze would blow her down, fidgeted at the seat beside me. She eyed the number and her ticket at least half-a-dozen times before determining this was her chair. I moved my purse to the side, allowing her plenty of room to sit without making contact with me or any of my personal belongings.

  I finished securing one of my bags under my seat and pulled my Kindle out. The odor of sour milk wafting off my neighbor engulfed my sense of smell, something at that moment I wished I didn’t possess. She rocked back and forth, mumbling some incoherent babble while picking at a scab on her arm. Great. I hit the jackpot with the seat buddy lottery.

  The petite flight attendant stood at the front announcing for everyone to buckle their seat belts. Mine was already snapped, so I stared out the window watching the red blinking lights. The engines began to roar as we gradually moved forward, finding the runway to take off. I gripped the armrest, and we darted forward, leaving my stomach behind. I swallowed, popping my ears as we climbed higher in the sky.

  We finally leveled off, and I plugged my ears with a pair of headphones to dive into a new audiobook I’d downloaded. An elbow slammed into my shoulder. I narrowed my eyes at my odd seating sidekick.

  She mouthed, “‘Sorry’”.

  I rolled my eyes and continued to listen to the recorded male, seductive-wannabe voice. The story had just reached a kinky sex scene. I stifled a giggle, covering my mouth with my hand. Some of these people could make the hottest stuff so ridiculous. Like calling a penis something like bratwurst. I appreciated the concept of trying to be original, but a bratwurst? Really?

  After an hour, I managed to squeeze past the woman to get into the aisle. The two waters I had downed were killing my bladder. She didn’t seem to notice, as she was laid back with her mouth hanging open. A few people eyed me as I walked past, but most were like her, asleep. I shut the door to the bathroom, thankful for a moment to stretch. I had been shoved against the wall, trying to maintain some space.

  I washed my hands. Shortly, I would be back in ‘Bama. Was I really ready for this? I looked at the glassy-eyed girl in the reflection of the mirror. She wasn’t. My eyes dropped, and I turned the water off when someone knocked on the door.

  I opened it and smiled at a little girl. She shuffled out of the way, keeping her head down. I went back to my seat as the attendant indicated we would be landing in approximately fifteen minutes. Butterflies — no, more like angry hornets — swarmed my insides. I stopped at my row. The woman was now slouched down, her knees touching the seat in front of her and her arm draped across my seat.

  I tapped her shoulder, causing her to smack her lips. She stared at me as if trying to place my face. I pointed where I needed to go. She shifted up, allowing me to pass.

  My head throbbed. I couldn’t think clearly. I was so sleepy, but it was the last thing I wanted.

  “You okay?” I jumped as the lady next to me stared.

  I focused on her eyes, trying my best to get my brain to work. “Scared of flying?” I gripped the armrest attempting to stave off the panic.

  “No — I mean, yes.” She tilted her head.

  I blinked sporadically, a blanket of fear shuddering through my muscles. “It’s the landing. The landing always gets me.” I sat back against the wall, leaning my head on the window.

  “Flights in general get me. That’s why I tanked up on candy before I got on. Otherwise, I’d be a nervous wreck.” She reached into the bag sitting next to her on the floor and pulled out a pill bottle. “Want one? It’ll make you feel tons better.”

  I waved it off. Being high on whatever pills she had was the last thing I wanted. Medicine was doing weird stuff to me lately.

  She shrugged. “Suit yourself.” She replaced the prescription and rested against the outer armrest. Her head bobbed back and forth as if listening to music.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, please fasten your seats belts as the captain has turned on the sign. We are approaching our landing destination. It has been a pleasure traveling with you tonight. I would like to welcome everyone to Birmingham on behalf of our staff.”

  Alabama.

  I was beyond ready to get off this flight.

  I practically shoved everyone out of the way once we landed. The plane was stuffy and seemed to be closing in around me. I power-walked through the airport, dragging my suitcase behind me.

  “Ouch!�
� a man screamed as it rolled over the heel of his foot. He frowned, causing a deep crease in his forehead as he rubbed it.

  I didn’t pause to apologize. All I wanted to do was find the car-rental place to get my car. I sighed as it came into view.

  “Car rental for Piper McAdams.” I dropped my purse down on the counter, letting the suitcase and other bags rest against my leg.

  The boy immediately began pounding on the keyboard.

  I glanced over my shoulder, pushing some hair back and popping my neck.

  “Could I please see your credit card?”

  I dug around my purse and handed it to him.

  He took it and input the information. “Right this way, Ms. McAdams.”

  I followed him down the hall to a set of automatic doors. He handed me a key and directed me where to find the car.

  Once I passed through the door, a blast of warm humid air hit me in the face. Without reaching up, I knew my hair was wrecked. I groaned. One of the things I did not miss about this place.

  Following the sidewalk around the building, I found my car. I dropped my bags, letting them hit the concrete with a thud. A polished BMW. This would be the nicest car I had ever driven. After drooling, I scrambled around, picking up my bags, and unlocked the car. I shoved everything in and ran to the opposite side. I turned the switch, smiling as it purred to life.

  After I maneuvered around the parking lot and pulled out onto the interstate, I turned up the radio. I had a few hours to drive until I was at my grandfather’s house in Summerland. I pushed the accelerator harder. Birmingham was a blur as I raced through it. Everything about it had changed with the passing years. It had grown. So many weekends my friends and I would escape here, to the “big city” we thought. I laughed.

  About an hour later, I turned onto Highway 5, a road that seemed to be never ending. It was a two-lane with absolutely nothing on it for miles. Sleep burned my eyes as I shifted uncomfortably in the seat. My legs instinctively swayed, trying to pep myself up. It wouldn’t be much longer before I was there. As a teenager, I had enjoyed the empty road coming home from Birmingham with nothing but the sky’s beauty shining over me. But tonight was different. The trees and rolling landscape had lost their flare. At the end of this journey, I would be alone in a house that he was supposed to be in.