by Lisa Gerkey
Table of Contents
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
Chapter Twenty Four
Chapter Twenty Five
Chapter Twenty Six
Chapter Twenty Seven
Chapter Twenty Eight
Chapter Twenty Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty One
Chapter Thirty Two
Chapter Thirty Three
Chapter Thirty Four
Chapter Thirty Five
Thirty Six
Epilogue
Playlist
Acknowledgements
Finding Fate
Playing it Safe Series Book One
Lisa Gerkey
Copyright © 2017 by Lisa Gerkey
All rights reserved.
Editor: Elizabeth Wright at Editing by Elizabeth
Formatter and interior designer: Lisa Gerkey
Cover Imagery: Stock images from Depositphotos & iStock
Cover design by: Lisa Gerkey
Book design by Lisa Gerkey
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used.
Due to strong sexual content and language, readers 18 and older, please. Certain themes and topics that may be touched upon may be considered as triggers for some readers.
Lisa Gerkey
Visit my website at: https://www.facebook.com/authorlisagerkey
Printed in the United States of America
ISBN-13:
978-1548656744
ISBN-10:
1548656747
Table of Contents
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
Chapter Twenty Four
Chapter Twenty Five
Chapter Twenty Six
Chapter Twenty Seven
Chapter Twenty Eight
Chapter Twenty Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty One
Chapter Thirty Two
Chapter Thirty Three
Chapter Thirty Four
Chapter Thirty Five
Thirty Six
Epilogue
Playlist
Acknowledgements
Prologue
“Madison”
“Here’s your apple pie, Mr. Jacobs.” I’m dead on my feet, but I put on my happy face while I serve my last customer for the day. Mr. Jacobs comes into Betty’s Diner every evening, right after he closes his barber shop up for the day. Since we’re right down the street, he says it makes more sense to come here for a good hardy meal, rather than messing up dishes to cook for one at home.
I can’t wait until eight o’clock gets here. Going to school full time and doing this job almost every day, on top of the responsibilities I have at home, sometimes gets a little hard to manage, but I keep on going. Somehow, I always manage to get through another day.
For the past week, there have been some strange customers coming into the diner. Most of Betty’s customers are older people or the town locals. Since we’re a hole in the wall here in Nashville, we rarely have tourists coming in. These men don’t seem much like tourists though. They come in and order something cheap from the menu, and then long after they’ve finished eating, they just sit there and drink coffee while they play with their phones.
Since this is a pretty big city, I try not let it bother me, but after everything I’ve been through, sometimes I can’t stop my hair from standing on end when I know they’re watching me. Thankfully, Betty, the owner of the diner, and Calvin, the cook, keep me busy enough that I don’t have time to think about it.
I love my job. When Hayley talked me into coming to Nashville, I was worried I’d have a hard time settling in, but once I got everything transferred so I could start attending college here, things have been working out well. I have a trust fund that my grandparents left for me and my sister. I could dip into if I need it, but with the money I’ve saved and what I’ve earned here, I’ve been getting along just fine.
“Go home, Maddy. It’s after eight, dear. Everything’s slowed down now. Calvin and I can handle it until we close. Get on out of here and get some rest, child.”
“Thanks, Betty. I’m ready to get a hot bath and find my pillow for a few hours. It’s been a long day.”
I take off my apron and tuck it back under the counter where I always leave it at the end of my shift and find my purse and keys.
When I get to the small parking lot behind the diner, I see it’s still dark out here. Betty keeps talking about having the bulbs replaced in the security light, but she never gets around to it. I get tired of fumbling around in the dark to get my car unlocked.
I make a few clumsy attempts to get the key in the lock, and just when I think I’ve got it, I hear the crunch of gravel behind me.
“Why don’t you let us give you a ride, sweet cheeks? This hunk of junk doesn’t look too safe for a pretty thing like you to be driving around in this late at night.”
“I’m fine. It gets me where I need to go. I don’t need a ride.”
Damn, why can’t I get the stupid key into the lock? My hands are shaking so badly. I know there are at least two guys behind me.
“Nah, angel, what my friend meant to say is, we’re going to give you a ride tonight.”
Forgetting about the car, I decide the smartest thing to do is run back into the diner. I have my phone in my purse, but the battery needs charged. I have to get back inside the diner so I can call the cops on these assholes. I turn around to see if I can get a good look at them so I’ll have a good description for the police.
It’s the same strange men who have been coming into the diner. I already have their images engraved in my memory.
“You ne
ed to get out of here before the cops show up. Betty watches everything that goes on out here.”
I move like I’m going to turn around to face my car, and then I scream loudly and take off running.
I only get a few feet before I’m slammed to the ground by a massive weight. I kick and claw, but nothing is going to stop these monsters from taking me. I feel him lift me over his shoulder like I weigh nothing. He carries me across the parking lot. I can’t see much through the darkness, but I know he puts me into the back of a van and crawls into the space with me.
I feel a needle prick my skin. The shouting and cursing that’s going on between these men fades into silence when everything goes black.
Chapter One
“Madison”
I’ve been up for hours while my best friend, Michelle, sleeps. I’m so excited. Today’s the first day of summer break before I’ll be a senior. This is my last summer before it’s time to get serious.
“Wake up, Michelle! It’s time to get our vacation started!”
“Stop it, bitch, this is our summer break. I want to sleep.” Michelle whines.
Even though she’s pissed, she pushes the covers back and sits up. I can’t help the giggle that escapes. She has a serious case of bedhead going on and weird little pillow indentions all down the side of her face.
“Stop whining. I thought you wanted to hang out all summer and have fun. We can’t do that if you sleep all the time. Come on. Get up. I’m going to grab a quick shower while you calm your tits, and then you can have your turn in the bathroom.”
Michelle doesn’t have a happy, loving family like I’ve been blessed with. Her father left her mom not long after she was born and didn’t look back. After some of the stuff she’s told me about her mom, I think she’s had a lot of “uncles” pass through her short life. She doesn’t get along with her mom very well. Since we’ve been in high school, she’s spent more time at my house than her own.
Once I’m showered and dressed, Michelle and I switch places in the bathroom. While she’s getting ready, I head out to join my parents in the kitchen.
“Good morning, Madison. Sleep well?”
Mom’s all chipper this morning. She’s dishing out the breakfast she’s cooked up. Apparently, she expects a small army to join her. I see bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, and a huge stack of pancakes.
“Do you think we’re really going to eat all this?”
We both laugh when my tummy growls loudly. Everyone knows how much I love Mom’s cooking.
“So, have you and Dad decided if you’re going to let me and Michelle go to the beach house?”
“I don’t know, Madison. I know you’re going to be eighteen soon, but I’m not sure I’m comfortable with you staying that far from us.”
“I’ll be even further away when I’m in college, Mom. You know you can trust me. It’s only an hour drive.”
I know if I can convince my mom to let us go, Dad will be a piece of cake. I can’t remember even once when he didn’t take my side.
Dad comes into the kitchen dressed in his business attire, ready for work. He owns a real estate business. Mom works with him part time. She also has a baking business she runs from home. Mostly, she makes cakes for special occasions and weddings.
“Dad, has Mom talked to you about letting me and Michelle go to the beach house for a few days? Instead of a big birthday party, I was hoping you’d let me do that. You know I’ll be responsible, Dad. Please, talk to your wife and convince her to let us go.”
“Your mom and I will give you an answer tonight, sweet pea. I need to get to work.”
“Thanks, Dad. Love you.”
“I love you too.”
Just as Dad is going out the door, my phone dings.
X: I need the things we agreed on. Don’t even think of backing out now.
Me: I’m busy. It’ll have to wait.
X. I know where you are. I wouldn’t wait long if I were you.
Shit, I can’t get into this while I’m sitting here with my mom. I lock my phone and slide it back in my pocket. This is one thing I know would disappoint my parents. Michelle doesn’t even know about the texts and emails. One of these days, I’m going to find a way to make it stop.
“Sorry guys, I didn’t mean to keep you waiting.”
Michelle comes bouncing into the kitchen. She looks much more put together than when I last saw her. My best friend is gorgeous. She has long ebony hair that hangs in waves down her back. I’m okay to look at, but not pretty like Michelle.
“What do you girls have planned for today?”
“Since it’s our first official day off from school, we’re just going to hang around the house. We’ll probably stay in our pajamas and be lazy all day.”
I take mine and Michelle’s dirty dishes and put them in the dishwasher before we go up to my room.
“So, Maddy, isn’t it about time you said goodbye to the v-card? I can’t believe you still have it. You’re missing out on so fucking much. If your parents let us go to the beach house, I’m sure we can find someone for you to hook up with.”
I guess you could say I’ve led a sheltered life. I’ve always had rules to follow, but most of all, I’ve always been afraid of disappointing my parents. Michelle loves to party, but I think she enjoys hooking up with random guys more than the alcohol. Even though I don’t participate, or follow in everything she does, that hasn’t kept me from watching her and learning a lot. I’ve spent my whole life playing it safe. Maybe I can shake things up a little this summer.
“I don’t know, Michelle. I want to get out and do more this summer, but I’m not sure that’s going to include random guys.”
“You should think about it, Mads. You only need one hot guy to get the job done. The first time isn’t all that great anyway.”
“I’ll think about it.”
This is where I wish I could talk to Hayley. She’s my older sister. She’s going to be in her last year of college at Duke University. Sometimes, I have a hard time believing we have the same parents. I know that isn’t true, because she and I look a lot alike. There must be another reason she’s allowed herself to drift away from the family like she has. I heard my parents practically beg her to come home for the summer, but she couldn’t be bothered to spend time with us. If I had to guess, I’d say it’s a man she’d rather spend her time with.
Hayley and I have never been close, not the way most sisters are. In fact, besides her telling me to leave her alone whenever I’d come near her, I can’t recall a single conversation that she and I have had since I was a small child. When I look at the relationships some of my friends have with their older siblings, it makes me sad because I don’t have that with Hayley. There are times, like right now, when I could use her advice.
“Girls, dinner is ready.”
Mom yells out from the kitchen to let us know it’s time to join them. As usual, everything she’s cooked looks yummy. She’s made my favorite, her homemade lasagna and garlic bread.
“This looks so good, Mom.”
“It looks amazing, Mrs. Parker. One day, Madison and I need to have you teach us all of your famous recipes and cooking skills, so we don’t starve when we’re at college.”
“Speaking of being away, Madison, your mother and I have talked a lot and thought about your request to use the beach house. I admit the decision would come a lot easier if you were eighteen, but… we also know that another few days or a week won’t change much. Your mom and I have decided to let you go.”
“Oh my gosh, Daddy! Thank you so much! You won’t regret it. I promise. We’ll be so careful and we’ll follow all your rules. It’s going to be so much fun.”
“Just remember, Dad and I could pop in at any time to check up on you, so don’t get any ideas. I know how you are, Madison. I don’t believe for a minute I can’t trust you. I also know after a few days without your parents around, you might be tempted to do things you wouldn’t normally do. If you don’t want to spend your entire s
enior year of high school grounded, I suggest there not be any boys or alcohol involved in any part of this trip. Do you understand that?”
“Yes, Mom. No boys or alcohol. I won’t give you and Dad a reason to regret letting us go. I promise. Thank you.”
“Let’s get this show on the road, bitch! It’s time to find the beach and a couple of hot guys!”
“Listen, Michelle, I want to have fun, but we can’t get too crazy. My parents trust me, and I don’t want to do anything to make them regret letting us do this. I’m still shocked Dad managed to convince Mom to let me go.”
“Chill, Mads. Nothing’s going to happen. We’ll be careful, so they won’t have a clue we’re doing anything besides hanging out at the beach or chilling with Netflix the whole time.”
Michelle and I have been friends for almost five years. She was a lot different when I first met her. She was shy and quiet then, but not anymore. I think her mom’s behavior is what’s responsible for the change in her.
I’ve never met Michelle’s mom, not officially. I’ve only seen her a few times, peeking out of the window or door when I picked Michelle up for school. I’ve never pushed the issue with her because anytime someone mentions her mom or her house, she gets very uncomfortable.
Dad has someone to come in once a week to clean the beach house, so everything is clean and in order. When we finally get everything put away, it’s almost seven o’clock.
“Let’s go out, Mads. We need to celebrate our first night here.”
“What are we celebrating, Michelle?”
“Freedom! No parents, no responsibilities, hot guys…really, we can celebrate whatever the hell we want to. There’s no one here to stop us. Let’s go hit a club.”
Thanks to Michelle, we’ve both had fake IDs for over a year now. I’ve only used it on two occasions, but I didn’t have a bit of trouble getting in either time. I feel a bit guilty for considering it, but I did say I was going to do things differently this summer. I’m sure my parents know we aren’t just going to sit around and do nothing the whole time. I’ve heard them both talk about the wild parties when they were in college, so I know they’re aware of what kids our age like to do. Still, I feel guilty for even considering it, but there’s no way I’m going to let her go out alone.
