Give Me Yesterday

by K. Webster

  Give Me Yesterday

  Copyright © 2015 K. Webster & Elle Christensen

  Cover Design: All By Design

  Photo: Dollar Photo Club

  Editor: Premier Romance Editing

  Formatting: Champagne Formats

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information and retrieval system without express written permission from the Author/Publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Other Books

  Dedications

  A Note about the Authors

  Quote

  Prologue

  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

  Epilogue

  The Accident

  Erased by K Webster & Elle Christensen

  Acknowledgements from K Webster

  Acknowledgements from Elle Christensen

  About Author K Webster

  About Elle Christensen

  Other Books

  Books by Author K Webster

  The Breaking the Rules Series:

  Broken (Book 1) – Available Now!

  Wrong (Book 2) – Available Now!

  Scarred (Book 3) – Available Now!

  Mistake (Book 4) – Available Now!

  Crushed (Book 5—a novella)—Available Now!

  Disgrace (Book 6) – Coming Soon!

  Defiance (Book 7) – Coming Soon!

  The Vegas Aces Series:

  Rock Country (Book 1) – Available Now!

  Rock Heart (Book 2) – Available Now!

  Rock Bottom (Book 3) – Available Now!

  Rock Out (Book 4) – Coming Soon!

  The Becoming Her Series:

  Becoming Lady Thomas (Book 1) – Available Now!

  Becoming Countess Dumont (Book 2) – Available Now!

  Becoming Mrs. Benedict (Book 3) – Available Now!

  Alpha & Omega (Part One)—Availbable Now!

  Omega & Love (Part Two)—Available Now!

  Apartment 2B (Standalone Novel) – Available Now!

  Love and Law (Standalone Novel) – Available Now!

  Moth to a Flame (Standalone Novel) – Available Now!

  Erased (Standalone Novel)—Available Now!

  The Road Back to Us (Standalone Novel)—Available Now!

  Give Me Yesterday (Standalone)—Available Now!

  Books by Elle Christensen

  The Fae Guard Series:

  Protecting Shaylee (Book 1) – Available Now!

  Loving Ean (Book 2) – Available Now!

  Chasing Hayleigh (Book 3) – Coming October 2015!

  Saving Kendrix (Book 4) – Coming Soon!

  Forever Fate (Book 4.5 – a novella) – Coming Soon!

  Erased (Standalone Novel) – Available Now!

  Give Me Yesterday (Standalone Novel) – Available Now!

  Another Postcard (Standalone Novel) – Coming Soon!

  To my husband…my whole, bloody, beating heart. I love you forever.

  To my co-conspirator, writing with you is effortless and I look forward to many more books by the dynamic duo.

  -K-

  To the love of my eternity, there is no greater gift than never having to say goodbye to you.

  To my writing buddy, we make magic happen. Let’s never stop.

  -Elle-

  A Note about the Authors

  It wasn’t long ago that K Webster and Elle Christensen had a great idea. They would write a book together. Neither was familiar with the process of co-writing a book, but together they forged through it and Erased was born. They enjoyed their collaborative efforts so much so that when Elle mentioned to K that it was time to write another book, K wholeheartedly agreed and dropped all projects to write this book with her.

  With Erased, Elle had a story she wanted to tell. Together, they hashed out the plot over and over again, trying to find a way to fuse their brains as one. And they did. Then, months later, K had a story she wanted to tell with Give Me Yesterday. This time, the process was nearly effortless, as they’d discovered their brains were already one.

  The writing was a flurry of back and forth, giggles, and tears. But they both knew that despite the sadness that weaved throughout this book, they’d also bring joy and pleasure to the readers. Writing for this dynamic duo was nothing but a pleasurable, effortless experience for both.

  With Erased, Elle wrote Slade and K wrote Joss’s POV. And with Give Me Yesterday, they switched things up for a little variety and Elle wrote Victoria while K wrote Chase. They’re both fans of writing the male POV so you can guarantee the next book they write—and there will definitely be more books together—that will most definitely be the only thing they’ll argue about.

  K and Elle thought you would enjoy hearing the process of how they created Give Me Yesterday. Now, they hope that you adore another book baby they made together!

  Love, K Webster and Elle Christensen

  "True love doesn't have a happy ending.

  True love has no ending."

  -Unknown-

  “Well, fuck me.”

  I glare at him. “Been there, done that, Ben. That’s what got us into this mess in the first place.” Sarcasm drips from my tone, but it’s either that or dissolving into a puddle of tears. Tears are a luxury I don’t have; strength is the only option right now. The word “pregnant” on a tiny little stick packs more punch than a right hook. I look at Ben standing there, staring at the life-changing piece of white plastic, his mouth hanging open, and his hand trembling.

  I would give anything to read his mind right now. Ben and I began dating almost two years ago, at the start of our freshman year of high school, when we met at football practice. The tall, blonde, blue-eyed cheerleader and the muscular, strawberry blonde, blue-eyed quarterback.

  Cliché, right?

  Maybe so, but Ben is a straight A student who plays for the love of the game, rather than to make it big in the sport. He pulled me aside after practice the first day and told me he was taking me out to dinner that Friday night. After the most romantic date, he told me I was his and I had no arguments. Declarations of I love you followed in the next month and we’ve been inseparable ever since.

  Ben’s it for me and I know he feels the same. We had such grand plans, after graduation, we’d go to the same college, earn our degrees, and get married. Then build a life together with two-point-five kids and a white picket fence. Ben always laughed when I described this idealist life, his ocean blue eyes would sparkle and he’d give me the sweetest kiss, promising to paint my fence any color I want. Anything to keep his
Sunshine smiling bright and lighting up his day.

  On Ben’s sixteenth birthday, four weeks ago, I gave him the most precious gift I had. We’d been burning for each other, coming so close to making love, but always choosing to save it for the perfect day. Taking the train into Chicago, we had dinner at a cozy little French restaurant. Then we took a walk in the unusually warm March weather, holding hands, and sizzling from the attraction arching between us. I led him to a boat docked out in a marina in Burnham harbor. My best friend’s family owns a slip and her parents were out of town, so she gave me the keys and told me to “rock Ben’s world.” We spent the most beautiful night together and I knew our future would be just as perfect as that night.

  It seems like a lifetime ago, almost like a movie reel that I’m watching. This can’t possibly be my life, can it? Getting pregnant when you’ve used condoms is something that happens in books and movies.

  The pregnancy test says otherwise, don’t you think?

  I’m scared—absolutely terrified—that Ben won’t step up to the responsibility of being a teenage dad. We have two long years of high school left.

  What if he decides that we aren’t worth navigating the rocky path ahead, and instead, he leaves me behind? Can I do this alone?

  I’m still in shock, but somehow I know that I’ve already begun to love the little life inside me.

  “Ben?” I try to keep my voice strong, but I can hear it shaking, my nerves getting the best of me.

  He looks up, as though he’s just remembered I’m there, and his mouth begins to work, but no sound comes out. I’m preparing myself for him to run, but praying that he will be the Ben I love, who will always stick by me. Then, he reaches for me and pulls me into a tight embrace, his strong arms tempting me to let go and fall apart.

  I feel his lips brush my temple and his warm breath on my ear. “We can do this, Victoria. It will be hard, but we’ll do it together. We’ve got this.”

  He leans back and stares deeply into my eyes, his blues so intense they have darkened to sapphire. Another moment goes by, then the corners of his mouth drift up. “It’s what we planned, right? We’re just going about it a little backward.”

  The relief is so great that it crashes over me like a wave and I can’t hold back anymore. I start sobbing into his shirt, and he simply holds me, swaying lightly, helping me purge all of my emotion. I love this man.

  We’ve got this.

  Two years later

  There’s quite a crowd in my parent’s backyard today. It’s doubly large with Ben’s family here too—all here to celebrate.

  We did it.

  We graduated high school and we’ve both been accepted to Northwestern on scholarship. They have married, student housing and a daycare center on campus, and we move in six weeks from today. I’m so excited, I can barely contain it!

  When we told our parents that we were having a baby, we were shocked at their response. While they were disappointed in us, they told us they would help and support us, as long as we continued to work hard, finishing high school and going to college. Ben asked my father for permission to marry me—I suddenly understood what it meant to swoon—and while I could see Dad’s hesitancy, there was respect in his eyes. We had a wedding in this very backyard two months later and my parents fixed up their basement like a little apartment for us to live in.

  It wasn’t easy taking care of our precious little Sarah, learning to be a wife and mother at sixteen. My mother and Ben’s were amazing, and although they made Ben and I live up to our responsibilities, they stepped in whenever we hit a breaking point, giving just enough for us to keep going. Ben and I both quit sports, but since our goals were academic, we didn’t miss it much. We were so in love, and when our baby girl arrived, we couldn’t imagine ever being without her. She is the light in our lives, the best part of every day, every moment, and sometimes I wonder if it’s possible for a heart to burst because the love inside it is too great to be contained.

  I grasp the zipper of my white graduation gown and the sunlight sparkles off of the tiny diamond in my wedding ring. Ben promised to replace it after college, but I love it, and I don’t need anything else. I divest myself of the scratchy polyester robe as I scan the crowd until I spot them. My husband is sitting in a lawn chair, playing peekaboo with our eighteen-month-old daughter. As Ben’s gotten older, his hair has darkened, but Sarah’s white, bouncing curls are tinged with red, like his, in all of his baby pictures. Her eyes are mine, though, wide and round, cornflower blue. Her cherub cheeks are pink as she giggles, the sound tinkling on the breeze. My heart squeezes tight again, the pain making me a little breathless. I never understood the saying, “I love you so much it hurts,” until I fell in love with Ben and Sarah. But, it’s the best kind of sting, not one of heartbreak, but the one that proves this is my reality, rather than a dream.

  Ben sees me walking toward him and stands, whispering to Sarah and pointing my way. “Here comes your beautiful mama, Sarah Bear.”

  She claps and giggles, calling out Mama and reaching for me.

  Pain. This is real.

  Once I’m standing in front of them, Ben winks at me—I make every effort not to melt—kisses my nose—mission failed—and passes Sarah into my arms. She slaps a hand on each of my cheeks and smacks a wet kiss on the end of my nose, just like her daddy.

  Pain. This is real.

  The crowd moves around us with hugs and congratulations. My mother takes Sarah over to the play set my dad built, with all the other children. Our large yard is fenced, but Ben’s younger sister, Chelsea, and my cousin, Danielle, are keeping an eye on them. I blow Sarah a kiss and turn to the table where Ben and I open gifts and cut our cake. He leans in and brushes a kiss over my ear, whispering that he loves me. Laughter and fun are all around me, my life is so full of love, and I’m grateful. Grateful for every pulse of that beautiful emotion as it expands and once again, the sting reminds me that this is my life. It’s real.

  It’s time to eat, so Ben and I walk hand in hand over to the play area to get our daughter. Ben’s brow furrows and he looks around the yard. I follow his gaze and see nothing, then our eyes return to the group of children. I realize then why he is confused. There is no little tow-headed girl, in a sunshine yellow dress. I sigh, irritated with my cousin for not noticing Sarah’s absence. I warned her that Sarah like to play hide and seek, without telling you that she is going to hide.

  “Chelsea?” Ben calls to his sister, frustration evident in voice, but my anxiety ratchets up when I hear the tinge of panic. “Where’s Sarah?”

  I let go of Ben and begin walking around, searching through each crevice of the play set, then to every bush and tree, under all the tables. Ben is frantically looking on the other side of the yard and we continually call her name.

  Chelsea stands among the other kids, wringing her hands and crying. I want to scream at her. How could she lose track of a toddler? But what good would that do in finding her?

  Suddenly, I hear Ben shouting Sarah’s name and I run over to the gate in the fence. It’s open. Ben is dashing around the front and I follow at breakneck speed, my eyes darting everywhere all at once, my breath caught in my lungs, my heart no longer squeezing gently, but in a vice. Ben comes to an abrupt stop and I slam into him, bouncing back and almost falling to the ground. He catches me even though his eyes are glued to something in front of him.

  “Victoria, stay behind me. I don’t want her to see you.”

  Ben is facing the street and I’m instantly shoving down the hysteria bubbling to the surface. My body begins to bolt forward, but Ben push me behind him. “Stop, Ben. Where is she? You found her?”

  “She’s across the street, Sunshine. Hiding between two parked cars.” I can hear the trembling in his voice, the same shaking that has ahold of my whole body.

  I know why he wants me to stay behind him, and I have to fight every instinct not to run to my baby girl, but every time Sarah sees me, she takes off in my direction full speed, with
no regard to what’s around her. So, I stand still and wait.

  “Sarah Bear,” he calls. “Stay right there. Daddy is coming to find you. Stay hidden, sweetheart, and I’ll find you.”

  He begins to walk forward, and I step off to the side, my heart in my throat. I watch him step into the street, glancing both ways before beginning to cross the empty road. Our house sits on a main road in town, with a higher speed limit because technically it isn’t a residential street. Thus the fenced yard—my parents never let me play in the front—keeping me away from the danger of speeding cars.

  Part of me is so relieved to find her across the street safely, the other is freaking out as I imagine her crossing it in the first place.

  “I’m going to find you, Sarah Bear!” Ben calls again, “Stay in your hidey hole.”

  I begin to breathe a little when he is two feet from the shoulder of the road and Sarah is almost within his grasp.

  “Victoria!”

  No, no, no!

  My mother calls my name, her voice frantic. I watch in slow motion as Sarah’s head whips in my direction when she hears my name. Ben is leaning over to pick her up and before he can grasp her, she bolts past him into the street. I scream for her to stop and take off running, but am yanked backward, my father saving my life from the car that would have hit me had I leapt from between the parked cars, on either side of me.

  Life speeds up again and Ben is running after her, scooping her up into his arms, never stopping as he crosses over the two lanes on the opposite side. I hear the loud blaring of horns and just like that, life drops into slow motion again. There are suddenly cars coming in both directions, forcing Ben to choose to run back, or continue on to my side of the road. He chooses to keep coming and is narrowly missed by a sedan that swerves to avoid him. Across one lane, one to go. An oncoming car honks and swerves left to get around him and an SUV in the next lane, going the opposite way, does the same.

  The world shifts under my feet as I realize that a silver truck is behind the SUV, unaware of the deadly game of Frogger going on. The sound of screeching breaks pierces the air as the truck spins and the next time I blink, there are three vehicles twisted together in the center of the thoroughfare. There is ringing in my ears, a sound so loud that my head is splitting open from the agony.