SUBLIME RESISTANCE
Book 2 in the Sublime Series
a novel by:
Charlene Zapata
COPYRIGHT
This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, or events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
No part of this book can be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed form or by electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights. All characters and storylines are the property of the author and your support and respect is appreciated.
Copyright © 2014 by Charlene Zapata
All rights reserved.
First Edition: July 2014
Cover Design by:
Scott King
[email protected]
www.kr8tive.com
Edited by:
Bre Land
www.facebook.com/pages/Addicted-to-Reading-Edits-by-Bre/1576490375904071
DEDICATION
To My Grandfather:
What a journey this has been…
The first book was written before I lost you and finishing this one was harder than I thought it would be. Your integrity, honesty, hard-working attitude and generosity taught me to be a better person. I have always looked up to you and will miss you every single day of my life. You supported me even in your final hours on this earth.
I will be forever grateful that I had you in my life.
To one of the best men I’ve ever known, I love you.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Epilogue
Chapter One
My eyes slowly open as I look around searching for understanding, trying to gain awareness of where I am. It’s just after the car crashed into the pillar dividing the highway. Only I don’t see all the people with panic stricken faces surrounding the car. My father is still next to me, bleeding and lifeless. I look down at my hands. But they aren’t the hands of a six year old little girl. They are my hands now. I start to shake uncontrollably until I look up. There he is. Standing outside the car waiting for me. I look into those deep brown eyes as his hand reaches out for mine.
I wake up, pulse racing, sweat dripping from every part of my body. It feels like something is sitting on my chest, weighing me down. It’s been just over a year since he left me. I don’t know when my dream started to change but it did. Now it’s the same almost every night. I can’t escape him. I have done everything I can to get over Vincent Moreno. It’s just not working.
I decide to get up and go for a run before work. The frustration with myself for not being able to move past him only fuels my desire to escape. I step into the warm summer air of Ann Arbor, Michigan. After Vince wrecked my heart I had to get as far away as possible. My Grandfather agreed that this school was the best choice because of its phenomenal marketing program. I tried so hard to hide my heartbreak from him but he saw right through me. He said my heart would heal with time and to focus on college. That I didn’t need to get too involved with a boy at my age anyway. We never spoke about Vincent again.
I love running on campus this early in the morning. It’s just after 6 o’clock and the sun has just started to rise. I’ve discovered all the historic buildings on campus. There is one that is almost completely covered in ivy. It has grown for years creeping up along the sides and front of the building. It’s really beautiful. I wasn’t sure how I would like living in Michigan but it’s really growing on me.
I can’t believe I’m already done with my first year. The college doesn’t allow freshman to live off campus so I had to live in the dorms last year. It sucked big time. I had the worst roommate on the planet. All she wanted to do was blare her music until 3 in the morning while making out with every guy in our building. The one and only positive thing about living in the dorms was meeting Heather. She lived down the hall from me. I would escape to her room whenever I needed to study. She’s an engineering major and has as much focus as I do. She’s also hilarious. So far, she is the only person that can make me laugh and forget what I lost. Now we live together in a small two bedroom apartment off campus.
After I run my route I head back to get ready for the last day of my summer job. I decided to stay here and work as much as possible. It just didn’t feel right lying around taking advantage of the trust fund my father set up for college. I visited my Grandpa at the beginning of summer and the end. I try to go home whenever I can. But I haven’t been to Milford since the day I moved out of my apartment. There is nothing left for me in that town except my best friend. Thank goodness Amanda got her own car shortly after graduation because now she visits me here or at my Grandpa’s when I drive down. She understands why I can’t go back to Milford. She is doing awesome in her classes and loves college. I am so glad we found a way to stay connected. I don’t know what I would do if she wasn’t in my life.
I walk into the apartment and almost run right into Heather. She is usually up by this time making coffee. She is another cheery morning person. I would love to sleep in but my dreams keep waking me up at the break of freaking dawn. It’s pure torture. Especially to someone who loves sleep as much as I do.
“Hey girl. Another bad dream?”
“Same old, same old. What are you up to today?”
“Just getting ready to leave for work.” Heather got a summer internship with a local company and she just found out they are going to keep her on board throughout the semester. Apparently it was highly sought after and she got one of only three spots. She’s pretty damn smart. She is here on a scholarship and couldn’t afford to move out of the dorms but I begged her to live with me. I can afford the rent all by myself but didn’t want to live alone. She finally agreed but only if I let her repay me in some way. We are still working out the details.
“I’m going to hop in the shower. I have to be at the coffee shop by 9. See you later tonight.” Ironic isn’t it? I despise coffee but ended up working in a coffee house. After putting my uniform on one last time I head out the door. I know how fortunate I am that I don’t have to work during the school year. I don’t know if I could have survived my first year with a job and classes. I tried to take as many hours as I could handle, getting most of my general education classes out of the way. I finally get to start some marketing classes tomorrow.
Just as my shift is about to finish, the door chimes. When I look up I see a gorgeous, long-haired surfer looking guy walking toward the counter. It takes me a little by surprise because we don’t get much of his kind in this area. Usually guys who look like him attend the southern colleg
es surrounded by water. As he gets closer I notice his beautiful light brown eyes. I love it when someone with dirty blonde hair has brown eyes instead of the typical blue or green.
“What can I get for you?” I ask.
“What do you recommend?” He hasn’t even made eye contact with me. He is too busy looking over my head at the menu.
“The iced coffee seems to be pretty popular.” I can’t help myself. I decide to take a quick look at his body while he still seems distracted. At first glance it doesn’t seem like there is much to look at but after I get a closer look I can see some muscle under his loose t-shirt. He seems to be in relatively good shape.
“You don’t have a favorite you could recommend?” He asks casually before finally looking down and seeing me. A huge smile spreads across his face while waiting for my response. It’s pretty spectacular if I’m being honest. I look away not wanting to engage him further. And I don’t smile back. I can’t. Not after Vincent.
“No. I pretty much despise coffee.” He immediately starts laughing at my comment. “Don’t worry, the irony isn’t lost on me. So what can I get you?”
“I guess I will try a large iced coffee with whipped cream. I’m Asher by the way.” Oh no. Not the introduction. I have no desire to get to know anyone of the opposite sex.
“Nice to meet you. It will take a minute to get your order. You can wait over there.” As soon as I finish talking, I turn my back to make his coffee. I decide it’s best to avoid the situation and ask my co-worker to give him his order. I head to the back and clock out for the last time.
On my drive home I keep thinking about the good looking blonde. What kind of name is Asher anyway? I shake it off reminding myself of what happened the last time I thought a guy was good looking. I don’t need that heartbreak again.
I don’t see Heather the rest of the evening. She is probably staying over at her boyfriend’s place. They just started dating over the summer and they have to keep things very hush, hush because they met at her internship. I think it’s a disaster waiting to happen but I keep my mouth shut. If it makes her happy who am I to judge.
After making myself a sandwich and checking that I have everything I need for tomorrow I decide to call Martina. After I left Milford she called my cell phone about a million times before I finally decided to answer. She never left a message, she would just call again. And again. We’ve developed a great relationship as long as she follows our number one rule. We NEVER talk about Vincent.
“Maggie! How are you? It’s so great to hear from you.”
“Hi Martina. Things are good. How about you?”
“Everything is good here, just the same routine every day. Why do you think I like talking to you so much? It brightens my day. I love hearing about your college adventures.”
“Martina, you know I’m the most boring college student you will ever talk to. I don’t do parties and all my time is spent studying. So how is work?”
“I can’t believe I almost forgot to tell you. I finally got promoted to manager at the restaurant so I was able to quit my second job.”
“That’s fantastic news! I’m so happy for you.”
“It means so much to be able to support myself again after losing Javi.”
“I know you miss him. I can’t even imagine losing the love of your life.” I don’t think before I speak because I know exactly what it feels like to lose the one you love. Martina quickly pulls me from my thoughts of Vincent when she asks a question I wasn’t expecting.
“Speaking of love, have you met anyone?” There is a very long pause before I’m able to speak.
“I…um…don’t think we should talk about that. It just feels too weird. But no, I haven’t.” As much as I didn’t want to answer her I also couldn’t ignore her question. I have a small suspicion that she passes information along to Vincent. Or maybe I just hope that she does. This is yet another reason I can’t seem to get over him. He is all I think about. God, I miss him.
“It’s ok Maggie. I respect your limits. I understand why you don’t want to talk about that part of your life. I’m sorry.”
After that our conversation flows like it always does. I tell her everything I can about my summer. She is still disappointed that I didn’t make it back to Milford but again she understands. I can’t seem to hide the excitement in my voice about starting my marketing classes tomorrow. Martina knows me so well. I feel like she adopted me in a way. She gives me the love and support a mother should give her daughter. I love her so much. I couldn’t imagine my life without her.
“You better get some rest. You have a big day tomorrow. I am so proud of you, Maggie. I love you.” Hearing those words from someone I never expected to have in my life, warms my heart. I’m so glad I let my barrier down long enough to let her in. It makes the next words fall out of my mouth without a second thought.
“I love you too. Thank you. For everything.”
I didn’t realize just how late it had gotten. We talked for over an hour. I really miss her. I really miss him. I don’t know if I will ever get over him. And seeing his face in my dreams every night only makes losing him that much harder.
Chapter Two
I wake up to the sound of my alarm blaring in my ear. I can’t believe it. I made it an entire night without dreaming. Or at least dreaming about the accident and Vincent. There might have been something with a pink bunny but it’s a little fuzzy. I stretch my arms above my head grateful for the extra sleep. Of course now I don’t have time for a run before my 8:00 class. Well, you can’t win them all. I hop out of bed full of energy ready to start my sophomore year of college.
As I head into the Ross School of Business building I can’t help but get overwhelmed. This building is massive, housing its own library, a café and even a winter garden. Which isn’t a garden at all but just a place to hang-out in-between classes. This is where most of my courses will be for the rest of my college career. I came here as much as possible over the summer so I could get acquainted with the building. I walk past the glass enclosed “garden” and head to class. I pick a seat near the front of the room. I bend over to get my laptop out of my bag when I notice someone slide into the desk next to me. As I sit up, placing my computer on my desk, I glance over. Dammit. Of all the bad luck.
“Hey! I remember you. The girl who hates coffee. Small world, huh?” Small world my ass. I mean really, what are the odds.
“Hey.” I do not want to talk to this guy. And I definitely don’t want to encourage him. He seems just a little too chipper this early in the morning.
“I didn’t get your name the other day. You kind of disappeared on me.”
“Sorry. My shift was over and it was my last day so I took off out the back.” Just try to be nice Maggie. It won’t kill you. “So, you’re a marketing major?”
“Yes. Sort of. Well, I think so.” That wasn’t confusing at all.
“What does sort of mean? Either you are or you aren’t.” I don’t have time for this nonsense.
“Marketing is my major but not by choice. None of this is my choice. My dad wanted me to attend his alma mater and follow in his footsteps. If I had things my way I would be in Florida right now surfing day and night.”
Just what I thought. He doesn’t belong here, not even a little. And from the sound of it, he doesn’t want to be here. I shrug my shoulders turning my attention back to my computer.
“You didn’t tell me your name.”
“Oh. Right. Sorry. It’s Maggie.” Just then I’m saved by the professor. Thank goodness. I don’t have time to chit chat with some hot guy who doesn’t even know if he wants to be here. I just need to focus. But the first thing we do after introductions is get into groups of two. Apparently we will be working with a partner the entire semester. Before I can object, Asher has declared the two of us a team. Great. Just great.
As soon as the class is over, I start gathering my things while Asher rambles on about how great it’s going to be working together. We exchange
numbers but before I can escape, he starts asking about all my other classes. It turns out we have almost the exact same schedule. It makes sense since we are both in the same program.
“Maybe we should get to know each other since we are going to be spending so much time together. Can I take you out for a drink or dinner?”
“Look Asher. You seem like a really nice guy. But I’m not looking for any type of relationship. My soul purpose of being here is to get my degree and move on with my life. I have no desire to get involved with some random guy just because we happen to have a few classes together. We can talk when we have assignments but I don’t have time for anything else.”
“Oh. Ok. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…I just thought it would be nice to get to know each other. I just transferred in and don’t know anyone yet. I was just looking for a friend.”
Well now I feel like a jackass. He seems like a genuinely nice guy. Why do I have to be such a bitch? I know why, because this is exactly how things started with Vince. But Asher doesn’t seem anything like Vince. He isn’t as sure of himself and doesn’t have that cocky attitude. Which I have to admit is one of the things that attracted me to him. Snap out of it Maggie. Don’t start remembering all the things you miss about him. It’s time to move on.
“No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come off that way. I just thought you were hitting on me and I don’t have time for that. But if you just want to be friends I think I can handle that.”
That’s when I notice how close we have gotten. Somehow during our conversation, Asher moved next to me standing just inches apart. He isn’t extremely tall, but a good height next to me. He is lean but I can’t tell much else about his body. He wears the baggiest clothes. He has a really dark tan like he spent the entire summer outdoors and smells of the ocean. I don’t even know how that is possible because we aren’t anywhere near a beach.
Sublime Resistance Page 1
