I ask her the question I have been avoiding. “How are you, really?”
“Fan-fucking-tastic,” she says sarcastically. “I am doing okay. I have Colby to talk to. I will admit seeing Brent scared the shit out of me. I am twenty-four years old, not twelve, so I know he can’t hurt me. But he still holds some power over me. When he went to touch Riley, I swear I was about to kill him. Just his breathing in her space was enough to make me see red. Then the bombshell Dustin dropped. There is more to the story, Addison, but we can’t force him to talk to us. I wish I could, but what are you going to do? I swear if murder were legal for one day, I have so many idiots I could take out.”
I know she is hurting, but seeing that her spirit hasn’t been crushed, I am thankful. She is still my handful. “Well, once things get somewhat normal, I say we have a girl’s night out.”
“Hell yes!” The twinkle in her eye lets me know she will be just fine.
Chapter 40
September 2018
Max
Seeing her every day and not being able to talk to her and touch her is torture. I can remember the first time I saw her; she had just come from a workout. She had on the cheer shorts with a sports bra, and I about came in my pants just looking at her. From her long brown hair, the color of caramel, to her flawless olive colored complexion; I couldn’t help myself. Those eyes about did me in. They are the same color as my sister Hope’s were. Fuck, I haven’t thought about Hope and what happened to her in a while. I can’t, or I will lose my mind to know that sick fuck is after Cambree.
She thinks I am at UT, but I am not. I am watching her. I am protecting her from afar. I really don’t need to go back to school. I have my badge and a great job. It was more of a cover, so I could be near her without too much suspicion being raised.
Activity on her whereabouts have picked up. It is like Brent traces every step she takes, and I can’t figure out why. He has Dustin. This weekend is the UT versus UGA football game, so I have the perfect excuse to bump into her without raising her suspicions. We wanted to get her home for the weekend but didn’t know how to do it without letting Addison and Brielle know what was going on. Mitch is still close with them, but it is wearing him down. He wants this to be over so he can claim his siblings. I want it over so I can try with Cambree, again. I don’t know if she will take me back, but I miss her.
The activity on her phone shows she is still getting messages from a blocked number. We know they are from Brent, but she doesn’t. I know she still hasn’t told her sisters because they would have been all over that like stink on shit. This weekend is a mad house with too many students and crowds around for me to be comfortable. I need to keep my eyes on her at all times, because I have this feeling something is going down.
I text message Cambree:
Hey, in town for game. Can we meet for lunch or something?
When she replies with, “’yes,’” I am ecstatic. She gives me the address of the coffee shop and asks if it can be after lunch. I immediately agree. I watch her walk into the library and try to calm myself, knowing in a few short hours I will be near her.
I have never been in love before, but I feel so strongly for her. I want to be her everything, because she is slowly becoming mine. She hates the lies, and I don’t know how she will feel about the biggest one I have kept from her. This following and protecting from afar could save her life, but ruin our chances.
The time drags on, and finally it is time to meet her. I watch her walk into the coffee shop and wait about five minutes before going in. She is already at a table and seeing her this close makes my heart pound in my chest. She is breathtaking.
“Hey,” I say as I sit down.
“Hey. You here for the game?” she asks.
“Yeah, but I am glad I got to see you. I miss you.”
“Max, we have been through this. I miss you. I miss what I thought we had, but I have had too many lies, and half-truths to last me a lifetime. I wish we could go back in time, and maybe things would be different. But what is done is done. We can’t change the past.”
“Right. But the past doesn’t have to define our future. I get what you are upset about, but I guess I honestly didn’t think about my past. I was focused on you and our future. Do you think we could try? Maybe we could be friends who talk regularly. Let you trust me again and see where it goes?” I want to kick myself because I know there is still more she doesn’t know, but I have to try anything I can.
I can tell she is thinking about it. That is a good sign that she didn’t say no right off. “Max, I think that would be . . .” she doesn’t get to finish because I hear my name screamed across the coffee bar and feel a hand on my shoulder.
I turn to see Kamryn in front of me. Fuck, this is what tore us up before. I go to move her hand from my shoulder, and see Cambree jump up and rush outside. I chase after her screaming her name. Right then a group of students surround her, and I lose visual for a few seconds. When the path clears, I don’t see her anywhere.
Chapter 41
Addison
We are having game night at our house. It is weird that it is just adults and the kids are all in bed. We are drinking and playing cards at this moment. I can’t believe the shit coming out of Brielle’s mouth. She is on some pretend game, saying stuff she would pretend happened or didn’t, and I can’t keep up with her. When she looks at Colby and says, “Those jeans look amazing on your ass. They would look even better on the floor by our bed.” Colby decides he has had enough, or he is ready to get laid. He scoops drunk Brielle up and says, “Good night.”
Tyler calls after him, “Have fun. Make me proud.” I about die laughing. They are nuts. I have not had as much to drink as they have. The babies have been fighting a cold, and I wanted to be able to function if I was up all night. I start cleaning up the kitchen and picking up the mess when Tyler comes up behind me and whispers, “Leave it, I will get it in the morning. I want to take my wife upstairs and fuck her.” God, when he talks to me like that, I want to combust on the spot.
He doesn’t need to convince me, I turn in his arms and jump up. “Come on, loverboy. Show me what you got,” I sass to him.
We don’t make it to the first step when my phone starts ringing. “Don’t answer it Lil’ Bit.” He knows that won’t happen. I have this fear of the phone ringing late at night. I always assume that it is bad news.
“Hello . . .” I say as I try to control my fear.
“May I speak to Addison James?” I don’t recognize this voice, and I didn’t bother looking at the number.
“This is she.”
“This is Detective Gray from Athens Police Department. I am sorry to inform you there was an incident regarding your sister, Cambree Parker.” Shit, did she get arrested?
“What happened, Detective?” I ask him.
“She was attacked outside of a coffee shop. She has been taken to the hospital, and we recommend you get here as soon as possible. She is in critical condition. I am sorry to have to tell you this over the phone.”
I don’t say anything, and I think I must show my fear and shock because Tyler grabs my phone and gets the details of the hospital and her condition. He immediately calls the airlines and then Brielle and Colby. He arranges all the care for the kids, sits me down on the couch, and brings me water. He tells me he is going to pack for us, and the whole time all I can hear is critical condition over and over. What happened? Who would attack her? I pray to God, please let her be okay. Please.
Before I know it, we are in the air heading to Cambree. Brielle and I are not speaking at all, and both of us cling to each other and our husbands.
I ask, “Did anybody call Dustin?” Colby shakes his head no.
“I think it is better to know what we are dealing with first,” Brielle says, and I agree. Only time will tell what happened, and what we are walking into. She has to be okay.
PLAYLIST
One Last Tim K-Ci & Jo Jo
Whatever It Takes Lifehouse
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Red Taylor Swift
Sad Beautiful Tragic Taylor Swift
Only God Could Love You More Jerrod Niemann
Tomorrow Chris Young
The Best of Me Brantley Gilbert
My First Love Song Luke Bryan
The Scientist Coldplay
My Forever He is We
All About Us He is We
To Make You Feel My Love Garth Brooks
The Monster Rihanna & Eminem
Drunk Last Night Eli Young Band
Stay Stay Stay Taylor Swift
Never Grow Up Taylor Swift
Marry Me Train
Never Gonna Be Alone Nickleback
My Wish Rascall Flatts
The Best Day Taylor Swift
Godspeed (Sweet Dreams) Dixie Chicks
Acknowledgements
First, let me start with this is not edited . . . sorry!
There have been so many people I have met along this journey that have helped me and supported me-
Ahren Sanders- You are a truly gifted author and an even better friend. Your support and true happiness for me is amazing. I am glad to call you a friend and mentor.
Taira Wilds- Still my best friend and sister . . . I love you hooch!
I hope I didn’t forget anyone, but if I did I love you all!
All blogs are wonderful, and no Indie Author would be successful without you . . . I am sure to meet many more of you along my journey
Not
Hiding
Leigh Ann Lunsford
Copyright © 2014 by Leigh Ann Lunsford
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The author acknowledges trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication and or use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Edited by Chelsea Kuhel (www.madisonseidler.com)
Cover Design by Kristen Karwan (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kristen-Karwan-Graphics/218090248223049)
Image from Shutterstock
Every book . . . everything in life I do . . . is for my beautiful son, Evan. My amazing husband, John. Without these men in my life, I would be lost. Love you, always.
Prologue
September 2018
Max
Finally, I had my chance to see Cambree face to face, and that bitch Kamryn had to come in and ruin my moment. That isn’t exactly fair, Kamryn isn’t a bitch, but our history hurts Cambree, and that hurts me. She has the worst fucking timing in history. Cambree seemed to be on the brink of agreeing to something with me, and something was sure better than the nothing I had been getting. Before I could turn and get Kamryn the hell out of our space, Cambree bolted. I quickly threw my chair back and chased her out the door.
I lose sight of her when a crowd of students surrounds her, and when they finally break, there is no Cambree. I have a bad feeling in my gut as I sprint towards the crowd. It hasn’t been more than two minutes. Where did she go? The scream that fills the air seems to take all the oxygen out of my lungs. I push and push through the people on the sidewalk and come to a halt by the alleyway. I see my beautiful girl on the ground, blood seeping from her head and God knows where else and some guy standing over her. I don’t even think; I just react. I pull out my gun, aim, and shoot. The other two men that I didn’t notice scatter and jump into a SUV and take off. If I would have been thinking like a cop, they wouldn’t have gotten away, but I was thinking as a man, and therefore seeing the girl who has gotten under my skin lying on the ground bleeding, my main instinct was to protect her.
The screams and shouts don’t register in my mind as the crowd surrounds us and reacts to the gunshot and the woman bleeding out. I hear sirens in the background, but shout anyway, “Call 911. She needs help.” As I drop to my knees, I try to not pick her up and run, but that is all that my head is telling me to do. I need to get her help and get it now. She is bleeding from the back of her head, probably from the hit it took on the cement. Her face is swollen, and I can see she took a few hits, and that makes my blood boil. I am having a hard time reining this anger in. If that fucker wasn’t down and not in good shape, I can guarantee I would finish him off.
“Cambree,” I keep calling to her and getting no response. If she would just open her eyes, those beautiful green eyes. She shares those with Hope and Mitch. Just a sign to let me know she is still with me.
Finally, the paramedics and police arrive. I identify myself and show my badge, but I won’t leave her side. They are all trying to get me to give them room, but I have to see her, keep a visual. I can’t let her slip out of my eyesight again. I give the cops a brief rundown with a case number that they can pull up to see all the details of this whole undercover assignment. As they load Cambree up on the gurney to transport her, she briefly blinks her eyes. I grab her hand so she knows I am there.
“Brent . . .” she whispers. She doesn’t get anything out as she loses consciousness again. Shit. How did he get to her? Fucking Brent. This whole assignment has been as fucked-up as a soup sandwich, and this is the last straw. I tell them I will ride with them to the hospital and know all the calls I have to make.
When the ambulance is on the way, I call my brother, Mitch.
“Max, this better be good. I am enjoying some time with my wife.”
It isn’t good, and I don’t want to tell him what happened. He will lose it. He and Kayleigh just got married, and since she is keeping our secret from all the Parkers, she has been secluded. She and Addison are best friends, and it is taking her toll, but her love for Mitch is unconditional.
“Mitch, it’s Cambree.” I pull in a breath and continue. “Somehow he got to her. We are in transit to the hospital and she isn’t awake.”
I don’t hear anything on the other end of the line but silence. “Are you with me?”
“I am here. Fuck, Max. How did this happen? We missed this. Now I have another sister in trouble because this asshole got close. I am on my way.”
I know he will break laws to get here. This cuts him deep. We lost Hope, his twin sister, to this asshole, and while we may only be technically half siblings, Hope and Mitch never let that fact put any distance between us.
Staring down at Cambree, I start thinking of all the mistakes I made with her this past summer, and I wonder how I let that bastard close to her. As we pull up to the hospital, the ambulance doors fly open, and it is constant movement. I hear words like, “head trauma,” “blood pressure unstable,” “unresponsive,” and “blunt force sustained to the head.” None of those are what I want to hear. In a rush of words and medical jargon, I know this is serious. They wheel her down the hall and tell me I can’t come back. I don’t think so. Just as I go to argue, a fellow cop grabs my arm. He is an older man, “Son, let them take care of her.”
That doesn’t sit well with me, and I am about to let him know it. He starts again. “I found her cell phone and purse at the scene. Notified the campus, and they gave me her emergency contact. They are in transit.”
Holy shit. When the Parker clan gets here, all hell will break loose. I hope Mitch gets here first. I can’t handle all that crazy on my own. If they drove, I had about five hours, and if they flew . . . I was fucked.
Chapter 1
Cambree
There is muffled noise and voices that seem to get louder, but I cannot make out where they are coming from. I can make out Brielle’s voice; it is getting louder, and that loud beeping sound is on my last nerve. I try to blink my eyes, and when I open t
hem, I am disoriented. I see Max, Brielle, and Addison, but I don’t know where we are. All voices come to a halt when they realize I am staring at them.
“Cambree, honey, are you okay?” This from Max.
“C, you had us worried. Does anything hurt?” Addison questions me.
Brielle is just staring at me. This is the first time in my life I have ever seen my sister speechless, and I am relishing this moment. I take in my surroundings and realize I am in a hospital room. That would explain the beeping noise that is driving me insane. It all comes rushing back to me. Seeing Max for the first time in months, then Kamryn walking in. I had to escape, and I was about to give in and give us another chance. I took off instead. Then being grabbed from behind and dragged to an alley. I tried to fight back, and there were three of them. I caught some words between them, but one thing stood out, they said one name over and over. “Brent” . . . that psychopath wanted me for some reason. After the one guy slammed my head to the wall, I don’t remember anything until now.
“I am fine. I have a headache, and I am tired, but I am okay.” Brielle bursts into tears, and I hear her murmuring, “I am sorry,” and “I will kill someone,” not necessarily in that order. Max is just staring at me, and I don’t know why he is there.
“Can we have some privacy?” I hear as a nurse and doctor walk in. Max starts to argue, and Brielle cuts him off.
“Out. You have some explaining to do,” she orders him, and if he is smart he won’t argue.
Addy asks, “You want me to stay?” I just nod my head at her, and she moves to the side of the door. I can tell she has been crying, her eyes are red, and her face is blotchy. I reach for her hand and squeeze the best I can, but the pain radiating from my forearm stops me.
Brielle pushes Max out of the room, and the doctor begins assessing me. “You had quite a nasty head trauma. You were only unconscious for a few hours, which is good. Your wrist is sprained, and you will have quite a few bruises and bumps. We will keep you for observation for forty-eight hours, and if all checks out, we will release you.”
Parker Sibling Series Box Set Page 33
