Get To Me (8th Sin #1)

by Holly Hood

  GET TO ME

  Eight Sin Series

  BOOK 1

  by Holly Hood

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with.

  Copyright © 2014 HollyHood. All rights reserved. Including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof, in any form. No part of this text may be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the author.

  Version 2014.09.04

  For a very important person and inspiration in my life, who also happens to be like a mother to me, Anne aka Mom jr. Rest in peace.

  Four years earlier

  I met Ryker senior year of high school.

  He was the new kid in town. And I was drawn to him.

  He had this constant smile, and no matter what he was talking about there was this light behind his eyes and a smile on his face.

  Our first words to each other were pretty simple. He needed directions to his class, and I just so happened to be going to the same one. He sat next to me, and we stole side glances at one another while our biology teacher went on and on about something neither of us cared to know.

  I invited him to eat lunch with me. I introduced him to all my friends, and everyone instantly liked him.

  There wasn’t anyone that didn’t like Ryker.

  And soon there wasn’t a girl that couldn’t keep her eyes off of him.

  We became great friends, best friends. Some days I traded my usual routine to hang out with Ryker.

  A few months into the school year he started dating one of the cheerleaders, and I found a boyfriend of my own.

  We still hung around each other, but things were different. We were both in relationships, and even if we wanted to admit that maybe there was chemistry between us, we didn’t.

  My parents expected a lot out of me, and Ryker didn’t fit their idea of a good boyfriend. Ryker’s parents weren’t much better. He easily won over the entire school, but when it came to the adults, they didn’t understand him the way that any of us did.

  And then everything changed. One night on Halloween, I broke up with my boyfriend at a party and Ryker came to pick me up so I could go home and deal with my break up alone.

  I remember the accident. Everything slowed down just like in the movies.

  And our bodies danced forward like puppets on strings. I remember everything all the way up until my head hit the dashboard, then everything went black.

  Ryker’s eyes, I remember them. Brown eyes were giving me one last look before everything went away. I knew he felt awful that he couldn’t protect me.

  And when I came to I was laying underneath the stars and all I could hear was the horn blaring through the night. I was so cold, and I couldn’t move.

  Someone said everything was going to be alright, and I closed my eyes and drifted away.

  Chapter 1

  Present Day

  “And to conclude, this is why I no longer feel that college is the right fit for me.” I looked at my parents. My mother looks as if she’s about to drop on the floor with a stroke, and my father looks like he is about to throw something across the family room.

  “Savy.” Every conversation always starts like this. My parents are always so critical of my choices, but this time I’m finally standing by my decisions.

  “Do you know how much money and time your mother and I have put into your future? And you’re just going to throw it away?” My dad rubs the spot between his eyebrows and looks away from me.

  “And I will pay every penny back if it takes the rest of my life.” I look at my brother for help, but he refuses to look at me.

  “Let me get this straight,” my mother says. “You want to leave college to work at a homeless shelter. Are you even going to be paid?”

  I shake my head. “The experience is much better than the income, Mother.”

  My brother shakes his head. “I have to go check on Finn and Lilac. I’ll be right back.”

  I watch him go out the door to the backyard to tend to my niece and nephew. And when I look at my parents again, they still have the look of disapproval all over their faces.

  I would like to think helping the poor and disadvantaged was something for which my parents would be proud; I guess not.

  “You could have helped more when you became a lawyer.” My mother smooths her hair and sighs.

  I stand up. ”Well, I am an adult. I was only trying to do the right thing and tell you guys before I just dropped out.”

  “Do you think we are going to fund this latest escapade?” my father asks. His voice has now reached the level I am used to when he doesn’t like one of my choices.

  “I wasn’t asking you to.” I roll my eyes. “And what is that supposed to mean--latest escapade?”

  My brother re-enters the room just in time to fill me in. “They’re talking about high school.”

  Of course, they are.

  “You barely graduated because of all the poor choices you made then,” my father sighs. “And look what happened because of them.”

  He’s talking about the accident. And I don’t want to hear or talk about it.

  I gather my books and purse and head for the door. “Ben, please tell Finn and Lilac I will see them this weekend for the birthday party.” I kiss my mom on the cheek and glare at my dad.

  Ben nods, watching me head for the door.

  “You’re just going to leave?” My father crosses his arms. I might have been intimidated years ago, but not anymore.

  “Yes, Father. I am going to leave. I have some shopping to do.”

  “I’d be careful about spending your money. Because I am not going to be paying your bills anymore if you do this, Savy.”

  I slip on my jacket and throw my purse over my shoulder. “If you want to cut me off, that’s fine. Sophie has already told me I can stay with her.”

  I slam the door behind me and let out a breath of relief. I finally stood up to him. I finally told them I want to do something different, something important to me.

  I want to be me.

  Chapter 2

  I double check my bank account while sitting in my car in front of the sporting goods store—just to make sure my father hasn’t sucked my account dry as some sort of punishment. I know I’m overreacting, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that were just what he did.

  I unbuckle my seatbelt once I find a parking spot miles away from the place. The parking lot is completely filled. I wonder how I even find a spot at all as I get closer. It all makes sense when I spot the big sign posted outside the doors of the sporting goods store.

  A guy on a skateboard rolls toward me dodging a woman backing out of her parking spot and stops right before he runs over my feet. “Big event today at Palmer’s sporting goods.”

  I grab the flyer before the wind steals it away and read the big black letters—PROFESSIONAL SKATEBOARDERS. Seems they are here to sign autographs and to take pictures before some big show in town.

  I walk through the doors and am immediately given the stink eye.

  “I’m not here for autographs. I just want to buy a skateboard.” I gladly slip through the long line searching for skateboards and accessories. My nephew has been dying to get his hands on a skateboard, and I’m just the one to see that he gets one. I like to see him happy.

  I finally find the boards and stare at th
e big wall of different designs and colors, confused and not sure which one would make my nephew the happiest.

  “Is there anything I can help you with?”

  I turn around to the clerk. “My nephew is turning seven and he is obsessed with skateboarding. Which one would make him think I am the best aunt in the world?”

  He studies the wall and quickly pulls one down. ”This should work; it’s from a new company. As a matter of fact, we have two professional skateboarders here that are sponsored by them.”

  “It’s colorful.” He hands it over, and I study the three-eyed monster on it. “Is this going to make me look like the best aunt ever? I hold it next to my face and smile.

  He smirks and nods his head. “Pretty close. But if you want to score some really big points,” he looks toward the huge line, “go get that board autographed. Your nephew will love you forever. I promise.”

  I smile and look toward the line. “It’s worth a shot, I suppose.” I thank him and take my spot in line, texting Sophie to let her know I will probably be late.

  It takes a while for the line to move to the front. It seems everyone in town is dying for a peek of the skateboarders. I don’t know much about the sport, but I hold out hope the line will pick up speed so I can get the autographs and head over to Sophie’s place for the night.

  A few minutes later, I’m next in line. Camera phones snap and click, and I blindly move forward. I pocket my phone and drop the skateboard down on the table.

  “Who should I sign this for?” The first skateboarder asks me.

  I shove some hair behind my ear and purse my lips. “Finn. With two n’s.”

  He quickly scribbles his signature and passes it to the other guy, then motions for the next person in line behind me.

  I move over watching the excitement ensue. I guess skateboarding is an even bigger sport than I ever imagined.

  Someone shoves me out of the way to get past the table.

  “I can’t believe I am looking at Ryker Sosa. Please take a picture with me!” Some crazy girl screams, having a complete meltdown right there in front of God and everybody. I don’t even have my skateboard back.

  He hands the skateboard to me once he shakes the screaming girl from his arms. I can’t believe it. I step backward instead of forward.

  “This is yours, right?”

  With trembling fingers, I extend my hand. But I don’t react, I don’t do anything. The skateboard hits the ground and rolls away from me. He goes around the table picking it up and walks it over to me.

  “Everything alright?”

  “Ryker?” I would never forget the name or the face. Nothing about him has changed, except that he’s even more attractive than he was at seventeen. Four years has done wonders for him.

  “That’s me.” He touches my arm. “Do you want to take a picture?”

  It’s been four years since I last saw him; I thought I would never see him again. I didn’t even know he was alive for the first month after the car crash, and I didn’t know what happened to him after that.

  We were once good friends. How could he not know who I am? “It’s me.” I touch my chest. “Savy Arnold.”

  He raises an eyebrow. ”You’ll have to refresh my memory.” He shakes his head.

  The line is starting to grow impatient. His eyes dart from me back to the crowd. “I meet a lot of fans.”

  I sigh. “I am not a fan. What’s wrong with you?”

  I take the skateboard and move out of the way.

  “Sosa, let’s get moving,” someone orders, “you’re holding up the line.”

  He throws up a hand. “One picture and I’m done.” He puts an arm around me and turns me to the waiting cameraman.

  I force a smile, blinded by the flash. “You don’t know who I am?”

  “I have no idea.” He removes his arm and tilts his head. ”I’ve had my share of head trauma; I barely know my address most days.” He smirks that same smirk I had seen so many times before. “Well, that’s probably a little dramatic but I was in a few accidents.”

  I shake my head. “I know. I was there for one of them.”

  Before I can escape and run to my car in embarrassment, he wraps his arms around me and lifts me up. “Of course I know who you are.”

  I push against his chest staring him down. “You are an asshole. I thought you had some horrific brain trauma.”

  He sets me on my feet. “How the hell have you been, Savy?”

  “I’ve been alright. What about you?” Judging by the throngs of girls and guys I am pretty sure he isn’t hurting for an ego boost.

  “Life’s been pretty decent.” He looks over his shoulder. “My buddy will kill me if I don’t get back to work. Write down your number.” He gives me a marker and his arm.

  “I can’t believe after all these years it’s you.” I take hold of his arm and jot down my number, capping the marker and giving it back to him.

  He touches my shoulder stopping me from leaving. “You’re still beautiful, by the way.”

  I stroke my neck smiling just like I did when we were kids.

  “We have a lot of catching up to do.”

  Chapter 3

  Sophie sits down on her bed. “What time is this party?”

  I tease the front of my hair before running my fingers through it. “It’s Finn’s birthday party. It starts at three.”

  She drops back on her pillows, her blonde hair falling over her eyes. “Do I have to go?”

  “I would like you to. This way my dad will refrain from biting my head off.”

  She looks at me. “He still hasn’t cut you off. I don’t think he is going to do anything.”

  I shrug, putting the hairspray down. My hair feels as lazy as I do today, and I start work in two days. I slip on my black flats and take one more look in the mirror.

  “Do you have tape?” Sophie ignores me, going about her business, leaving me to struggle through her drawers for tape and scissors. “Did I tell you I ran into Ryker the other day when I bought a skateboard for Finn?”

  Sophie knows everything there is to know about the friendship Ryker and I had. So I am not surprised when she sits up. ”There is no way you saw Ryker.”

  I shake my head. “Well, I did. He signed this skateboard.”

  She slips off the bed looking over the skateboard.

  “They call him Ryker ‘the jet’ Sosa.” I raise an eyebrow. I still can’t believe Ryker has become an even bigger deal than he was when we were kids.

  She slips her phone from her pocket and goes quiet.

  I struggle to wrap the skateboard and finally settle on a bow.

  “He has a pretty impressive skateboarding career. How come you never knew this?” She hands me her phone.

  He was named Rookie of the year, the first pro skater to be sponsored by a big company--not to mention winning gold in the X games several years in a row. I’m not sure what all of that means but I know enough to know he is a big deal.

  “After the accident I never saw him again.” I carve a hand through my hair. “I didn’t even know if he was alive. It took my parents a whole month to tell me his parents shipped him off.”

  Sophie frowns. “That was a scary year.”

  I nod. I almost died. And my parents blamed Ryker. Ever since, they never had a good thing to say about him--ever. I was in the hospital for a couple of weeks. Thank God, I didn’t have any permanent injuries. And that was all that mattered to me. I never blamed Ryker for the crash.

  “He was so into you.” Sophie twirls a strand of blonde hair around her finger and nods when I disagree. “Yes, he was.”

  “He was dating Lana Steingrass.” Lana was the head cheerleader. She snatched Ryker up the moment she saw him. There wasn’t anyone at school that didn’t take an interest in Ryker.

  “Because you were dating Beau the douchebag.” Sophie raises an eyebrow. “And Ryker was so cute.”

  I can’t argue that one. The big brown eyes, shaggy head of dark brown hair and
the backwards baseball hats, and that smile he was always shooting in my direction. Once you saw it, you never forgot it.

  I gather my things. “I have to go. Are you sure you don’t want to come?”

  Sophie shakes her head. “I’d rather stay here and watch housewives argue about Botox.”

  I shake my head and head for the door.

  ***

  I wave at my aunt and uncle coming into the backyard. There is a table for the presents and another table with finger foods and drinks. I set my present and card down and go for the finger food instead of saying hello to my parents. I don’t want another confrontation with them about my life choices.

  I take a seat next to some people I don’t know and watch the clown make balloon animals.

  “I’ll take an elephant,” I tell him, enjoying acting like a kid. He nods, pulling some balloons free from his belt.

  As I wait for my elephant my phone vibrates. I take it out of my pocket. I don’t recognize the number, but there is only one person who calls me Sav—Ryker.

  So glad I got to see you the other day. I’m only in town for two more days. We need to meet up.

  I can’t fight the smile. That’s perfect because I start my new job in a couple of days. When and where?

  Seconds later I receive a reply. Tonight. I’ll be at The Love Shack.

  The Love Shack is a local sports bar. I assume he is there for another showing, and this makes me nervous.

  I don’t know if I want to fight a bunch of girls to get to you. :)

  No worries. I’ll make sure you’re at the top of the list. Ten sound good?

  Ten sounds fine. See you soon!

  Can’t wait, beautiful!

  I bite my lip and sigh. Nobody knows how much I have wanted to see Ryker again after all these years. I want to know that he’s okay, and I want to tell him I’m sorry my parents freaked out. Most importantly, I want to know how his life has been.