TIME WILL TELL
(Maybe #3)
by
Chantal Fernando
All rights reserved. This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook is copyrighted material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any form without prior written permission from the publisher, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized distribution, circulation or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly. Thank you for respecting the work of this author.
CHANTAL FERNANDO
Published February 2015
Cover design © Arijana Karčić, Cover It! Designs
Edited by Hot Tree Editing
TIME WILL TELL is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places and events portrayed in this book either are from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, establishments, events, or location is purely coincidental and not intended by the author. Please do not take offense to the content, as it is FICTION.
Trademarks: This book identifies product names and services known to be trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of their respective holders, The authors acknowledges the trademarked status in this work of fiction. The publication and use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Copyright © 2014 Chantal Fernando
ISBN-13: 978-1506143071
ISBN-10: 1506143075
All rights reserved.
Dedication
For Stephanie Knowles
Thank you for all that you do!
Prologue
Xander
My father is dead.
Jack Kane was one of the most important people in my life, and now he is gone. I am walking around like a normal person, but I feel anything but normal. I’m just going through the motions of life. I’m not living. I’m just not dying. There is a difference. I feel like part of me is missing, as if my spine were ripped and pulled out of me, and now I’m left to try to manage whatever I have left.
My dad is everything to me.
Was everything.
It has been a month.
How can he be gone?
Jack Kane was a strong man; nothing was supposed to be able to touch him, right?
That’s what I always thought growing up. He was formidable; nothing would faze my dad. He was the man I wanted to be growing up. He wasn’t perfect, but I never expected him to be. And he didn’t expect me to be a perfect son either, and God knows I wasn’t.
I was a terror.
But he loved me unconditionally, and he was there for me no matter what.
I can’t believe this has happened. I always thought my dad was invincible.
Surely, a man like him wouldn’t walk home from a night drinking at the bar, only to be hit by a man who had been drinking, but made the stupid, selfish decision to get in the car and drive, right?
The irony wasn’t lost on me.
I stare at the front door, willing him to open it and walk in. The house is empty, filled with memories, taunting me, reminding me of how things once were.
It’s a bittersweet feeling.
It somehow makes me even lonelier.
Just one more time. If only I could see him one more time. What would I say to him? That I was proud? Knew I was lucky to have him as a father? That I was sorry for being a wild kid, making his life hard at times?
I wipe my cheek when I feel something wet slide down it.
I can’t remember the last time I cried. I think it was when I was just a boy. I’m glad no one is around to see me like this—so fuckin’ weak. After putting all my energy and focus into comforting my sister, Summer, I’m now able to focus on myself. While my sister was close to my dad, she didn’t see him much growing up. She’d only really been in his life for the last few years due to her crazy-ass controlling mother. Me, on the other hand, I’ve been close to my dad since the day I opened my eyes.
He was my hero.
He was rough around the edges, hung around with bikers, and drank and swore a lot. But he was tough and had a heart of gold.
Now he is six feet under.
I stand and pace the hallway, running my fingers through my hair and tugging on the ends.
And then I make a decision.
For the first time in my life, I just need to leave. To get away. Be somewhere else.
I need to be free.
Does time heal all wounds?
I guess only time will tell.
Chapter One
Trillian
I stare down at the cake in appreciation. I think it’s my finest creation yet—chocolate on vanilla, circular in shape, and covered in chocolate candy. The cake is for my best friend and partner in crime, April. It’s her twenty-first birthday today, so here I am at nine in the morning, finishing off the cake I’m going to surprise her with, although it won’t really be a surprise. I bake cakes for everyone I know. I write ‘Happy 21st Birthday April’ on the bottom front of the cake in pink icing to top it off.
Perfect.
She’s going to love it.
My phone beeps with a message from her. Speak of the devil.
April: I love you.
I smile widely and message back.
Trill: I see you got my present.
April: It just came to the door! Seriously? You spoil me! Thank you. I love it.
I’d gotten her Ed Sheeran concert tickets and a chocolate bouquet delivered to her house.
Trill: Glad you like it.
April: Be at my place at six. Can’t wait for tonight!
I’m meeting April at her house for dinner, cake, and drinks before heading out for a night of dancing and, what would you know, more drinking. I’m not much of a drinker really. I hardly go out partying except for occasions like these, where April is involved and I can hardly say no. I’m a little on the boring side, at least that’s what I’m told. I’d rather be snuggled up with a good book than out shaking my arse on the dance floor, but that’s just me.
April is the complete opposite of me. She loves to go out and try different things. She pulls me out of my comfort zone, which I don’t always like but know that I need.
I’m in my last year of university, studying to be a kindergarten teacher, and I bake cakes or read in my spare time. That doesn’t sound like the description of an average twenty-one-year-old girl, but it’s me.
What can I say, I’m a creature of habit. Every morning, seven a.m. on the dot, I like to run. In addition to helping me keep in shape, running also gives me a chance to clear my head. I have a good life, but it isn’t perfect. My mother left me with my dad when I was seven years old and I haven’t seen her since. Apparently, being a mother and wife of a trucker wasn’t all that she had thought it would be.
When my dad died two years ago from cancer, I was left alone. I do have family scattered around the country, but none of them live close to where I live, and I don’t really want to move. My house belonged to my father and he loved it. I couldn’t bear to sell it or leave it. My dad worked hard to pay as much as he could on the house, so the mortgage is extremely low. And thanks to Dad’s insurance policy he left for me, I was able to pay it off completely. Between selling cakes, working part time at an ice-cream parlour, and the money in my bank from the insurance payout, I’m doing okay. Pretty well, even. But I’d trade it all just for one more day with him.
Grabbing one of the extra cupcakes I made last night for my neighbour, Zach, I take a bite and slowly walk into my room. Today is Frida
y and I have two classes to attend before I can come back home and worry about what to wear tonight to April’s.
A knock at the front door has me stopping to change directions. Licking the icing from my fingers, I open the door with my right hand.
“Is that one of my cupcakes?” Zach asks, eyes narrowing on my fingers.
I smirk, then bring the cupcake to my mouth and finish the last bite. “So what if it is?”
Zach grins as he pushes the door open and walks inside, heading straight to the kitchen. I close the front door and follow behind him. “You only made twelve!”
I laugh. “You’re so damn spoiled, Zach. Are twelve cupcakes not enough for you?”
He picks up one and takes a huge bite, half of the cupcake disappearing into his mouth. “Yeah, if it was only me eating them. Every fucker comes and takes one.”
He places some money on the table and I look at him in disapproval. “Don’t start with me.”
“Just shut up and take the money, Trill,” he says, licking icing from his mouth.
“You know I don’t charge family,” I say quietly.
And Zach was the closest thing to family that I had.
He and his dad have lived next door for the last four years. Zach and I became friends, and the two of them had kept an eye on me ever since my dad passed away. An extremely unlikely friendship, considering Zach’s dad, Grim, is the president of the Wind Dragons Motorcycle Club. Zach is my age and also in the MC. I call him the biker prince whenever I want to piss him off. He’s wearing his cut right now, on top of a tight white t-shirt and worn jeans. He’s an attractive man with reddish brown hair and clear pale blue eyes. When I’d first met him, I’d had a little crush on him. But our relationship soon changed into one of friendship and I couldn’t even think of him any other way.
“I know you don’t expect me to pay, Trill, but I want to,” he says. “April’s birthday thing tonight, yea?”
I nod. “Yeah, you going to come out?”
He rubs his hand through his messy hair. “I’ll be around. Gotta keep an eye on you, after all.”
I scowl. “I can look after myself.”
He chuckles and pats me on top of my head. Like a dog. “You have no street smarts, babe. You’re a good little innocent girl.”
I flip him off. “Just because you don’t see me twerking every weekend doesn’t mean I don’t have street smarts.”
Zach starts laughing. Hard.
My lips tighten. “You’re picturing me twerking, aren’t you?”
He slaps at his thigh. “Yes, I am, and it’s fucking hilarious.”
“Hey, I’m a decent dancer!” I say, offended.
“You’re a good dancer. Well, I’ve only seen you dance once at your birthday. But I didn’t see you shaking your ass or looking like you were fucking someone on the dance floor.”
My eyes widen. “Who dances like they’re fucking?”
Okay, maybe I’ve seen that in video clips, but never anything that bad in a club.
“Women in general,” he replies, smirking. “Trust me.”
“Maybe they act that way around you,” I say, my eyebrows furrowing. “I’ve seen how stupid women get around you.”
He flexes his biceps. “I have my charms.”
I roll my eyes. “You think you have your charms.”
He scoffs, eyes dancing with amusement. “I think you’re the only woman in town who’s immune.”
“That’s because I’m the only woman in town who knows the real you,” I fire back, proud of my wit.
He puts his palm over his heart. “Innocent little Trillian, my ass. You have a sharp tongue.”
I laugh, my shoulders shaking. “You’re the one who calls me innocent. I’ve never referred to myself like that.”
He pulls me into him and kisses me sloppily on my cheek. I push him away and quickly wipe my cheek. “Zach!”
“You love me.”
“You’re okay,” I mutter.
“Every time I leave this house I feel like my ego is that much smaller,” he grumbles.
I shake my head, fighting a smile. “Then my work here is done.”
Zach is easy to be around—at least he is with me. I saw another side of him once, but I have a feeling that side comes out more often when he’s with his club.
“Remember I told you about my friend Xander?” he asks as he takes an apple out of my fruit bowl and takes a bite.
“Yeah, I remember,” I say. “Your childhood friend. You guys see each other once a year, don’t you?”
He nods, chewing slowly. “We try to, yeah.”
We live in a town called Channon. It’s a country town and about a ten-hour drive from the city.
“So what about him?” I ask, curious.
“He rang me and asked if it was okay if he came to stay for a couple of days.”
I smile. “You must be happy about that.”
“I am,” he says, swallowing then taking another bite of the apple. “We always have good times. I’m worried about him, though. He just lost his dad. You remember I went to a funeral last month? For Jack Kane?”
I bob my head. “I remember.”
“Jack was Xander’s dad.”
I swallow hard, my expression softening. “I’m sorry to hear that. Maybe he wants to come here and clear his head, get away for a while.”
I know firsthand how much losing a parent hurts. I’d never wish it on my worst enemy.
If I had a worst enemy.
He sighs and picks up the box of cupcakes in one hand, half his apple still held in the other. “Yeah, it looks like it. It fucking sucks. I know how close they were. It’ll be good to see him, despite the circumstances. Anyway, I’ll see you tonight, Trill. Lock the door after me.”
“Okay,” I reply, locking the door as he leaves. I clean up the kitchen then have a shower and get dressed for uni.
Chapter Two
Trillian
“This cake is amazing,” April says as she takes another huge bite.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“Like it? I fucking love it. You should open your own shop,” she says, moaning.
My lip twitches as I watch her devouring the cake and making orgasm noises. “So I’ve been told.”
“Trill, you look stunning tonight!” Amanda calls out. All April’s closest friends are here. Some I know, like Amanda, and some I don’t.
“Thank you, Amanda, so do you,” I say shyly, fiddling with the hem of my black dress. It isn’t anything too revealing, nothing like what April is wearing, but it’s fitted and shows my figure. I’m not a slender girl. I’m curvy with an hourglass shape, or so April tells me. I have wide hips, a bigger ass than I’d like, and my breasts are more than a handful.
“Told you,” April says. “Love your hair like that, too.”
My hair is normally extremely curly, but tonight, I’ve tamed it with a hair iron and it’s dead straight, sleek, and falling down my back. “Thank you.”
“Do you want another drink?” she asks, eyeing the premade vodka mixed drink I’m holding.
It’s a girly drink.
It also doesn’t have too much alcohol in it, and I don’t mind the taste, mainly because you can’t taste any of the alcohol.
“I’m good,” I tell her.
She reaches up and plays with a lock of my hair. “I wish I had your hair.”
I eye her slim body, blonde hair and wide blue eyes. “Shut up, April.”
She laughs, and then takes a sip of her drink. “I’m serious, Trill. It’s so black it almost looks blue, and with your bright blue eyes, holy hell.”
I look down into my drink, trying to hide my blush. “Thanks, girl.”
“Hey, just being honest. You okay here? I’m going to mingle.”
“Go ahead,” I tell her, smiling. “You don’t need to babysit me.”
She puts her hand on her hip. “I know. I just know this really isn’t your scene so I like to keep a close eye on you.”
/> I roll my eyes. “I’m fine. I’m enjoying my drink and listening to the music.”
She nods. “I’ll just check in with everyone and be back.”
She walks off, her hips swaying as she talks with some of her other friends. I finish my drink then get up and head to the fridge for another one. I choose a cranberry and vodka this time, then smirk to myself—look at me, trying new things.
“Hey, Trill,” Amanda says from behind me. “Guess what I heard today?”
This doesn’t sound good. “What?”
“Richard is coming to Drake’s tonight.”
Drake’s is one of the pubs in town we’re going to tonight. April works there on the weekends as a bartender, sometimes even on weekdays after school. She’s studying to be a teacher, like me, but high school instead of primary.
“And?”
“And he told me he wanted to ask you out,” she says, grinning. “Come on. He’s good looking, admit it.”
He’s okay. I mean there’s nothing wrong with him. I just don’t feel any kind of attraction between the two of us. It explains why he comes to get ice cream almost every shift I work. My hours every week are the same and he usually seems to pop up.
“I’m not interested, but I’m sure he’s a nice guy,” I say. “Why don’t you go for him?”
She grins. “Maybe. I am looking for someone to party with tonight.”
“Well, there you go,” I say with a smile.
Two birds with one stone.
“If only Zach would even look my way,” she mutters, tipping back her drink.
“Zach will be there, too, probably,” I say to her.
“Yeah, but he’s not interested,” she pouts. “He’s so dreamy. I don’t know how you live next to him without jumping his bones every night.”
I choke on my drink. “I manage.”
We all hang out for the next hour before we pile into two maxi taxis and head to the pub. The place is packed when we get there, pretty usual for a Friday night. I start to regret wearing four inch heels as we line up to enter. With a stamp on each of our wrists, we walk inside as one big group, but soon split up as some of the girls head for the bar and some for the dance floor. April and I choose the dance floor. I try to let loose as much as I can, swaying to the music.
Time Will Tell Page 1
