“Good luck. I hope you get everything you wanted out of this,” he opened the door, and stepped out into the spring night disappearing from my sight.
“Nick!” I sobbed as I curled into a ball on my side right there on the floor and cried myself to sleep. How could something so perfect, so pure, so strong, turn into such a broken mess? How was I going to survive this? It was going to shatter me into a million pieces.
Chapter 20
Leah
I don’t remember moving to my bed. I don’t remember Avery coming over. I don’t remember much of anything other than the pain I felt when I watched Nick walk away from me. It’s been a week since it happened, and no one’s bothered to say anything to me other than Avery. She’s been there every step of the way, telling me that I’ll be ok. My parents were sympathetic, but I think deep down they were happy. Not about my broken heart, but that I was following my dreams. My dreams…they were plagued with images of Nick. He haunted every corner of my mind. I’d given him everything over the last year. He owned every part of me and I wasn’t sure I’d survive without him.
“Are you ok?” Avery sat watching me pack my bags.
“Not really, but I know that I need to get away from here. Far away,” I mumbled as I stuffed a pair of cleats into my bag. “I need to be away from the memories, and staying longer isn’t going to help.” I was leaving this afternoon. Mom was flying to Atlanta with me and I was going to start training tomorrow.
“I’m gonna miss you,” Avery sniffed and wiped at her eyes.
“I’m gonna miss you, too, but you can come see me whenever you want,” I smiled weakly. “I have to do this, Avery. You know me. I can’t give up on this.”
“I know,” she nodded slowly.
“Can you do me a favor?” I bit my lip as I zipped my bag shut and turned to face her.
“Sure,” she shrugged.
“Can you make sure he’s ok? Don’t let him do something stupid,” a tear trickled down my cheek and I held back the sob that wanted out.
“Leah,” she sighed.
“Please?” I begged. “I’ll feel better if I know you’re going to be there for him.”
She gave a resigned nod, “Ok, but don’t ask me to spy.”
“I won’t,” I shouldered my bag. “I guess this is it,” I turned toward the door and opened it. After taking one last look at my childhood room, I turned the lights out, and closed the door on that chapter of my life.
Avery followed me downstairs where I met my mom, and a cab was waiting at the curb. “I’m gonna miss you, baby girl,” my dad dropped a kiss on top of my head.
“I’ll miss you, too,” I rose up on my tiptoes and wrapped my arms around his neck. “I love you, Daddy,” I buried my face in his neck and sniffed his aftershave.
“You better hurry,” he smiled. “The cab’s waiting and you don’t want to miss your flight.”
“We’ll call you when we get in,” my mom murmured as she kissed my father goodbye.
“Call me, too,” Avery giggled as she followed us to the door.
“I will, and Avery?” I stopped and turned to face her, “don’t forget about your promise.”
“I’m on it,” she jerked her head to where her car was parked.
“Thanks.” After giving one last wave, Mom and I climbed into the car and headed for the airport.
ooooooooo
Nick
It’s been a week since I walked away from her. Seven long days of drinking and trying to forget. I haven’t been back to the house. It’s sitting there, empty and abandoned, just like it was when I found it. It was supposed to be for us. A place for us to start a future, but now all it reminds me of is what will never be.
I’ve spent most of nights here, at Dave’s, drinking away my sorrows. Most nights, after a few shots, I can almost blot her face out of my mind. Jack and Jim have become my new best friends, and despite my brother trying to help, I’ve learned to lean on them.
“What are you doing?” The familiar voice beside me caused me to jump.
“Go away!” I growled as I grabbed the shot in front of me, and tipped my head back. The burn from the bourbon was a welcome distraction and I squeezed my eyes shut as it slid down my throat.
“I can’t do that and you know it,” she sighed as she shook her head at the bartender.
“Yes, you can, Avery!” I jerked my head to the side and snapped at her.
“I’m not going to sit here and watch you kill yourself with alcohol,” she grabbed a water that was sitting on the bar, and pushed it toward me.
“Then leave!” I barked. “I don’t want to talk to you!”
“Too bad!” she snapped back.
Before we could continue, a flash of blonde caught my eye. I turned to where I’d seen it, and a crooked grin slipped into place. The owner was none other than Becca Taylor and even though she wasn’t Leah, she’d do.
“Hey,” I smirked as her eyes connected with mine.
A smile split her face as she sauntered over, “Hey, yourself. Where’s the ball and chain?” She dropped down on the seat beside me and motioned for the bartender to bring her a beer.
“Doesn’t matter,” I grumbled. “Nothing matters anymore. She left.”
“Really?” Becca’s voice was sugary sweet and she leaned closer to me, pressing her breasts into my arm, where it rested on the bar.
“Yeah,” I rolled my eyes. “Wanna get outta here?”
Becca faltered for a minute, but recovered quickly, “Sure.” She tossed some bills on the bar and reached for my truck keys. “You’re not driving like that.”
“Fair enough,” I shrugged.
“Wait!” Avery grabbed at my arm. I’d forgotten she was there, and I yanked away from her. “Nick...” she leaned into my ear. “She’s using you. Think about what you’re doing.”
“I am,” I narrowed my eyes and swayed slightly in my drunken state. “I’m thinking about going to her place and fucking her until the sun comes up. I can do whatever the hell I want to now.” I sneered as I turned back toward Becca. I slung my arm around her shoulder and began heading to the door. “Let’s go.”
I knew what I was doing was wrong, but I didn’t care anymore. Leah was gone and she wasn’t coming back. We were over and it was time I started living. Everyone in town had thought I wasn’t good enough for her and it was time I proved them right. I was always gonna be the boy from the wrong side. Why not use that to my advantage,
ooooooooo
Leah
When we pulled up to the Greater Atlanta Training Center the next day, I couldn’t contain my nervous excitement. I was here. I wasn’t standing on the steps of greatness.
The building was made of glass and bright red letters adorned the front. When we stepped inside, a woman met us by the door.
“Good morning,” she smiled. “You must be the newest team member. Coach Stallings said you’d be here today.”
“That’s us,” my mom nodded.
“If you’ll wait here,” the woman pointed to the right, “I’ll tell him you’re here.”
“Thank you,” Mom wrapped her arm around my shoulder and guided me to the side.
We were standing inside the doorway, and as I looked out in front of me, I could hardly believe my eyes. Women I’d only seen on TV were stretching and jogging around an indoor track. Hurdles were set up on one end, along with a high jump, and an indoor sand pit. They were stretching, some in warmups, and others in various track attire.
“Leah,” his voice rang clear as he jogged up to where we were standing.
Mr. Stallings looked nothing like he did the last time I saw him. Instead of a suit and tie, he was in warmups. A whistle was draped around his neck and he was holding a clipboard. “I’m glad you made it. Are you ready for this?” He motioned out into the room.
“Yes, Sir,” I grinned. “I’ve been ready my whole life.”
“That’s what I like to hear. Why don’t you get changed, and I’ll introduce you to
your trainer.”
“Sounds good,” I shifted on my feet before heading over to locker room.
“I’m going to head back to the hotel, but I’ll be back later and we can go to dinner,” my mom called after me.
“Ok, see you later, Mom,” I waved before going to change.
When I reappeared, Coach Stallings was talking to another man. He was younger, closer to my age. He looked to be in his early twenties. His brown hair was tousled and he was holding a clipboard much like Coach Stallings.
“Leah,” Coach waved me over.
I jogged up to them and smiled. “I’m ready, Coach. Tell me what do.”
“Will here is going to be your trainer. He knows his stuff, so listen carefully to him,” Coach Stallings pointed to the man beside him.
“Will do, Sir,” I smiled and then turned my eyes on Will. He had the cutest dimple in his cheek and the way his eyes shone made his whole face light up. My stomach clenched, and I felt an awareness zing through me, but I tramped it down. This was my trainer. I couldn’t be attracted to him. Surely, it was against the rules.
“Hi,” Will reached to shake my hand. “I’m Will Davis, but you can call me Will. I’ve heard you were destined to do this, so let’s prove the world right,” he smirked and pointed at the starting line. “Go stretch out then I want to see what you’ve got.”
“Sure thing, Coach,” I nodded as I walked over to the starting line.
I was here. This was my destiny. I was made for this and I was going to show the world…Leah Carmichael would be a name everyone soon knew…not just the people of Pittsford.
The End
To read the rest of Nick and Leah’s story, continue with Shattered (Shattered #1).
Coming Spring 2015- Fated (Shattered #4) Cam and Avery’s story
Acknowledgements
I’m always worried that I’m going to leave someone out one of these times so if I miss anyone, I’m truly sorry.
There are so many people to thank, and as I continue on in this journey of becoming a writer, the list keeps growing. I’ve met so many wonderful readers, authors, and bloggers over the course of the past year that I can’t even begin to name you all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Meeting you at signings and hearing from you on the various social media out there is just the boost my heart needs. I appreciate all of you, and I don’t have the words to truly express that.
Thank you to my wonderful, supportive, awesome beta Angie for all your hard work on this book. I’m so happy that you love Nick and Leah as much as I do. I know I make you want to throw your kindle sometimes, but you’re always honest with me, and have just the right words to keep me going. You chime in at just the right moment and seem to know exactly when I just need to vent. You aren’t just a blogger in my book, you’re a true friend.
Thank you to all the bloggers who have supported me and pimped this book out. Posting teasers, joining blog tours, and spreading the word about Nick and Leah’s beginning. Twinisie Talk Book Reviews, Sweet and Naughty Book Blog, M&D’s Have You Read Book Blog, Eye Candy Bookstore, Book Boyfriend Hangover, Author Groupies, United Indie Book Blog, and so many others just to name a few.
Thank you Kari for doing an amazing job on this cover. You are awesome, and your speed and attention to detail is astounding.
Thank you Twinsie Talk Book Blog for hosting a kick ass blog tour to launch this book into the published world. It was everything I hoped for and more.
And finally…
Thank you to all the readers out there for loving my books and wanting more Nick and Leah. This book was written for all of you. You asked for it, and I jumped in with both feet. I can’t wait to share Cam and Avery’s story with you next in Fated (Shattered #4).
About the Author
H. D’Agostino currently resides in Syracuse, NY with her husband, two children, two dogs, and three cats. Originally from Harrisburg, NC, she attended UNC Charlotte and received a BA in Elementary Education with a concentration in Math. Heather loves hearing from her fans.
You may follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/H.DAgostino.Author
Or on her website H. D’Agostino- Books at http://hdagostinobooks.weebly.com
Or on Twitter at hdagostino001
Other Works by H. D’Agostino
The Second Chances series
Unbreak Me- book 1
The Boy Next Door- book 2
The One That Got Away- book 3
Inside Out- A Second Chances Novella –book 3.5
Fallen From Grace- book 4
The Family Next Door- book 5
The Shattered Trilogy
Shattered (Shattered #1)
Restored (Shattered #2)
Renewed (Shattered #3)
Fated (Shattered #4 Cam and Avery) – coming Summer 2015
The Broken series
Irreparably Broken (Broken #1)
Saving Us (Broken #2) - coming Winter 2015
The Witness series
Being Nobody (the Witness series #1)
Becoming Somebody (the Witness series #2) – coming early 2015
Destined Playlist
Playlists for all my books can be found on Spotify. You can follow me under the name Heather Carriker D’Agostino. For those of you not on Spotify, you can get Destined’s Playlist here.
Say Something I’m Giving Up- 2013 MIC Music
Lookin’ for that Girl- Tim McGraw
Human- Christina Perri
Young Love- Kip Moore
Hall of Fame- The Script
Winner- Jamie Fox and Justin Timberlake
Goodbye Town- Lady Antebellum
Rewind- Rascal Flatts
Bottoms Up- Brantley Gilbert
Wake Me Up- Avicii
Play it Again- Luke Bryan
Wild, Wild Love- Pit Bull and G.R.L
Girl on Fire- Alicia Keys
Close Your Eyes- Parmalee
Yeah- Joe Nichols
Where It’s At- Dustin Lynch
Reach- Caleigh Peters
You Set Me Free- Michelle Branch
First Time Feeling- Dan + Shay
Amnesia- 5 Second of Summer
Continue Reading for an Excerpt from Shattered- the first book in the Shattered Series.
Chapter 1
Leah
As I stopped my car at the end of the empty street and glanced around, I couldn’t believe how much the town looked the same. The same small grocery store on the corner, the same flower shop announcing the newest sale, the same single traffic light blinking at the one intersection we had. Pittsford was North Carolina’s version of Mayberry. It was tucked away and untouched, just like when I was a kid. It was as if time had skipped right over it. My dad was right, I didn’t miss much in my five year hiatus.
The sign for Carmichael’s Pizzeria flickered in the distance. As I huffed out a breath and began to ease down the road, I wondered if he would still be there. My dad was known for working late. He always went above what was asked of him, and now that my mom was sick, he seemed to work even more.
When I pulled into the parking lot, I cut the engine, and pulled myself from the small Honda Civic. Straightening my shoulders, I trudged toward the door of the pizza shop. As I opened it, and stepped inside, all the familiar scents assailed me. My dad had his back to the door, but he knew it was me. It was like he had this sixth sense about him. He spun, and I watched a giant smile spread across his face.
“Leah, you finally made it. How was the drive?” he grinned as he marched forward.
“Long,” I grumbled. “I’m just glad to finally be here.”
I glanced around the small shop taking it all in. The same checked tables lined the front of the store, the same art work on the walls, the same menu hanging over the counter.
“How’s mom?” I asked timidly.
I knew she wasn’t good. Dad would have never asked me to come back if she was. He knew I’d left to pursue my dream. Being stuck in a small town with my whole life ahea
d of me is why he pushed me to leave. I’d never been one for adventure, but after the scouts had sought me out, I knew that living in Pittsford was not my destiny.
“She’s doing ok. Good days and bad days. They seem to run together a lot lately,” he shrugged as he tossed me a white towel.
I grabbed it and began wiping the table to my left. It was like I still worked here. Dad knew that I would fall right back into the swing of things if he asked me too. I could help him out in the shop, and take the new job I’d been offered at the high school.
High school…that seemed like a lifetime ago. As I moved around the tables in front of me, I let my mind drift back.
“Leah, you can’t let this opportunity pass you by. Coach says you have it in you. You need to go for it.”
“I know Dad, I just don’t know if I can leave Nick. I love him.”
“Nick would never ask you to give this up, baby. This is the big time. This is your chance to make something of yourself. You always said you wanted to run in the Olympics one day. This is it.”
“Please don’t ask me to decide on this tonight. Please Dad…I need to think about it.”
“Olympics,” I sighed. Too bad no one told my ankle about that plan. I’d spent the last year trying to rehab it after the car accident. Always believing that I had a chance to make it back, never thinking that it was over. What a stupid dream. I shook my head trying to bring back reality. The truth was, I was never going to run competitively again. Gone in a moment…that was my future.
Here I was back in Pittsford, the place I always dreamed of escaping. To say I was bitter was an understatement. Knowing that my dreams had ended was only the tip of the iceberg. My mom was fighting for her life against cancer, and my Dad was drowning in depression. It was like my entire world was falling away piece by piece.
As I finished wiping the last table, my dad rounded the corner, and tossed his apron on the counter.
“So, have you been by the house yet?” he asked with pleading eyes. He knew that I hadn’t seen my mom. If I had, I probably wouldn’t be holding it together as good as I was.
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