“Leah, you finally made it. How was the drive?” he grinned as he marched forward.
“Long,” I grumbled. “I’m just glad to finally be here.”
I glanced around the small shop taking it all in. The same checked tables lined the front of the store, the same art work on the walls, the same menu hanging over the counter.
“How’s mom?” I asked timidly.
I knew she wasn’t good. Dad would have never asked me to come back if she was. He knew I’d left to pursue my dream. Being stuck in a small town with my whole life ahead of me is why he pushed me to leave. I’d never been one for adventure, but after the scouts had sought me out, I knew that living in Pittsford was not my destiny.
“She’s doing ok. Good days and bad days. They seem to run together a lot lately,” he shrugged as he tossed me a white towel.
I grabbed it and began wiping the table to my left. It was like I still worked here. Dad knew that I would fall right back into the swing of things if he asked me too. I could help him out in the shop, and take the new job I’d been offered at the high school.
High school…that seemed like a lifetime ago. As I moved around the tables in front of me, I let my mind drift back.
“Leah, you can’t let this opportunity pass you by. Coach says you have it in you. You need to go for it.”
“I know Dad, I just don’t know if I can leave Nick. I love him.”
“Nick would never ask you to give this up, baby. This is the big time. This is your chance to make something of yourself. You always said you wanted to run in the Olympics one day. This is it.”
“Please don’t ask me to decide on this tonight. Please Dad…I need to think about it.”
“Olympics,” I sighed. Too bad no one told my ankle about that plan. I’d spent the last year trying to rehab it after the car accident. Always believing that I had a chance to make it back, never thinking that it was over. What a stupid dream. I shook my head trying to bring back reality. The truth was, I was never going to run competitively again. Gone in a moment…that was my future.
Here I was back in Pittsford, the place I always dreamed of escaping. To say I was bitter was an understatement. Knowing that my dreams had ended was only the tip of the iceberg. My mom was fighting for her life against cancer, and my Dad was drowning in depression. It was like my entire world was falling away piece by piece.
As I finished wiping the last table, my dad rounded the corner, and tossed his apron on the counter.
“So, have you been by the house yet?” he asked with pleading eyes. He knew that I hadn’t seen my mom. If I had, I probably wouldn’t be holding it together as good as I was.
“No, I’m thinking I might in the morning. Avery’s expecting me tonight,” I shrugged.
“Well maybe we can have breakfast together tomorrow,” he looked at me with a questioning stare.
“Yeah, maybe,” I shrugged again.
The truth was, I just wasn’t ready to see her. As long as I didn’t hang around, I could pretend that everything was fine. No worrying about what the future held. Right now as far as I was concerned, the future sucked. I wanted to live in the here and now, and that meant meeting Avery for drinks at the small bar in the next town.
“I’ll see you tomorrow Dad. I need to get settled,” I sighed as I headed for the door.
“Alright baby, I’ll see you tomorrow,” he mumbled to my back as I stepped out the door and headed for my car.
ooooooooo
When I pulled up to ‘Dave’s’, I climbed out and glanced around the parking lot. Avery’s truck was over in the corner of the lot. She always was worried about someone denting or scratching the paint. “Some things never change,” I muttered I wandered toward the door.
When I pulled the door open, the smell of cheap beer and cigarette’s assailed me. I coughed slightly and scanned the bar looking for my best friend. Avery Southerland had been my best friend since we were five. We met on the first day of kindergarten and were inseparable all the way through high school. She knew everything about me, and I her. We shared so many important moments in our lives together. It was almost like we were sisters.
“Oh my god!” a squeal came from across the room. Before I knew it, Avery was launching herself at me. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“Tell me about it,” I groaned. “I thought I left this place behind.”
“Come on Leah, it’s not that bad,” Avery giggled as I began to notice the alcohol induced state she was in.
“Yeah, I guess once you’ve had a few beers, it’s really not,” I shook my head at her.
“Nope,” she popped the P as she began to loosen her grip on me. “Hey Joe,” she glanced over her shoulder at the bartender “get the golden girl a beer huh?”
The bartender nodded before turning to reach into the cooler. He pulled a Bud Light out, and popped the top before sliding it across the bar in my direction.
“You couldn’t resist could you?” I shook my head at her.
Golden girl has been my nickname since I broke the high school record in the 400 meters at the age of twelve. The fact that I was teased mercilessly about being perfect growing up, made it that much worse. I was far from perfect, but no one seemed to notice. I made okay grades, listened to my parents most of time, and relentlessly pursued my dream of making it to the Olympics one day, but was far from perfect. The boys named me Golden Girl because they thought that I was untouchable, that I was too uptight, and prude to be anything else. To say that I hated the name was an understatement. There was only one guy I let call me that…Nick Sutter.
“So do you ever get tired of doing the right thing?” Nick snickered as he watched me pick up a piece of paper and toss it in the trash?”
“What are you talking about?” I rolled my eyes. “Like you care about anything.”
Nick’s little brother, Cameron, was in my grade. Cam and I both ran on the school’s track team, so I saw Nick daily when he picked Cam up. He teased me relentlessly, but he was hot.
“If you’re able to do the right thing, you should,” I glared at him.
“Well I guess so…if you’re perfect,” he groaned and turned away from me.
“What’s that’s supposed to mean?” I whipped around.
“Figure it out Golden Girl,” he shrugged before heading back to his car.
As much as the name bothered me, when it came from Nick’s mouth it didn’t. That was first time he ever talked to me, and if I knew what was going to happen, I probably would have stayed away. Nick Sutter almost ended me. He was the one person I was hoping I would not run into again.
“Earth to Leah,” Avery tapped my shoulder.
“Sorry,” I shook my head. “It’s been a long day.”
“I bet,” Avery sighed. “Have you seen him yet?”
“Who?” I brought the bottle to my lips hoping that she wasn’t going to force me to say his name.
“Don’t play dumb with me,” she shoved me in the shoulder causing me to spill a small amount of beer.
“No I haven’t, and I’m hoping that I won’t,” I sighed as I looked down at the ground. She knew how bad things ended with us. She knew how much I cried over him, how hard it was to leave like I did. Why was she bringing it up now?
“When do you start work at the high school?” she cocked her head at me.
Happy to have a subject change, I took a large swallow before turning to face her, “Monday.”
“Well at least you’ve got one day to settle in,” she laughed. “We better enjoy the night.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” I agreed. Monday was going to come soon enough, and I had no desire to do anything other than get trashed tonight. “I didn’t mean to wait until the last minute, but I had to get the ankle cleared to train on.”
“Train?” her eyes flashed wide. “What do you mean to train?”
“I want to run with the kids,” I shrugged. “How can I coach them and tell them what to do, if I’m not doing it myself
. Besides,” I rolled my eyes “maybe we’ll be on the same level with me having a bum leg.”
“Oh Leah, I don’t know what to say to that,” she wiped her hand across her eyes.
“Don’t say anything. I know I’m never going to be what I once was. My life’s changed in so many ways over the last year. I know things are going to be different,” I shrugged.
“Different for you maybe, not for the rest of us. Those of us that stayed behind are still doing the same things we were when we graduated,” she raised one shoulder and rolled her eyes. “We just have different titles now. I mean…I’m still at my mom’s flower shop, only now I do more than sweep.”
“I guess you’re right,” I chuckled. “Pittsford sucks…that’s why I wanted to get away from here. This town sucks you in and won’t let you leave. It’s obvious that I was never meant to get away from it.”
“What are you talking about?” Avery narrowed her eyes at me.
“Well…look at me. I had everything I wanted. I got away from here, was on my way to the big leagues, then…BAM! I’m right back here stuck doing the one thing I said I’d never do. I guess I was just never meant to leave.”
The bitterness in my voice was growing with the number of beers I had been consuming. Coaching was never in the plans. Nick had been the one with the coaching dreams. He was completely content with staying in Pittsford for the rest of his life. He had everything planned out. We were going to get married, have a family, and he was going to coach football. Everything had been going according to plan until Coach Stallings showed up at the Conference meet.
“Hey Leah,” Coach Wilson shouted across the field motioning me to come in his direction. He was standing beside another man with graying hair.
“What’s up Coach,” I panted as I jogged over and came to stop in front of him.
“I’d like you to meet someone,” he gestured to the man beside him. “This is Tom Stallings, he’s a scout. He heard about you and came to watch,” he grinned proudly as he watched us shake hands.
“It’s nice to meet you sir,” I nodded as a confused look began to spread across my features.
Mr. Stallings leaned in closer, “I’m sure you want to know why I’m here to see you, Miss Carmichael.” His smile widened even more, “You’ve made quite a mark in the record books. I saw where you applied to the University of Georgia. Is college really what you want to do?”
“Are you scouting for scholarships?” I gasped. “I mean…to run… for the Dawgs?”
“Not exactly,” he chuckled.
This confused me even more, “I don’t understand.”
“I’m scouting for the Olympic trials. I need someone to pick up the anchor in our relay team. Your name was at the top of our list. You could leave next week, and get to our training facility in Atlanta to start training with our coaching staff.”
My head began to spin as I replayed the words. Leave next week? I still had three months of school left. If I any chance of graduating, I had to finish school.
“What about graduating?” I gasped.
“We have on site tutors. They’d help you and you’d graduate like a homeschooled child would.”
“I really need to think about this. Can I have some time?” I swallowed. What was I saying? This was my dream… my ticket out… my chance to follow my dream.
“I gotta go,” I placed my beer back on the bar and stood.
“Are you sure?” Avery touched my arm and gave me that look that said she felt sorry for me.
“Yeah…I’ll see you at home?” I raised my brows.
“Nah…I’m coming with you. I’ve had enough, and we need to get you settled in. I’ve got plenty of time to drink. Besides…I’m sure you’re not in the mood to run in to anyone else we know, right?”
“Who do you think we would run into?” I narrowed my eyes in her direction.
“No one,” she mumbled under her breath.
“Avery…you are a lot of things, but a good liar is not one of them. Does he still come around here?” I swallowed pushing the uneasiness away.
“Use to,” she nodded. “Not so much anymore.”
I blew out a puff of air and groaned, “Thanks for the warning.”
“You can’t avoid him, you know that, right?” she glanced at me.
“Yep, but I can stay away from his hangouts. Mark this place in the never come back column, Avery. Anymore places I need to stay away from?” I peered out of the corner of my eye.
“Nah,” she shook her head.
She was hiding something, but I was too tired to dig into it now. Morning would come soon enough, and I would figure it out then. Right now, I just wanted to get to my new home, climb into bed, and pray that the man who haunted my dreams would stay away for just one night.
Continue reading for an excerpt from Unbreak Me book one in the Second Chances series…
Chapter 1
August 2012
It had been almost eleven years since Sean had died.
From that moment, Melanie felt like she’d been stuck in a revolving door. The days blended together. Happiness eluded her as she went about her daily routine of work and taking care of their daughter Katie. Katie…she was a teenager now. She didn’t need as much care as she once had, and Melanie was slowly watching the mother/ daughter bond loosen. Katie had been only three when her father died, she barely remembered him. Melanie had done her best to provide memories for her…pictures of what her dad looked like, stories about how they met.
As she rolled over to slap the alarm clock, she shoved the covers back and sat up on the edge of the bed. Time to get up and face the day, she mused. She and Katie had been back in Boston for a week now. Melanie had transferred from Long Island Memorial to Boston Memorial. She needed a change, and she was hoping that moving back near her parents would help. Katie was to start school at St. Vincent’s today and Melanie was starting her new job as Head of Pediatric Surgery.
She groaned as she stood and made her way down the hall towards her daughter’s room. The door was closed and she could hear the alarm buzzing.
“Katie, you need to get up,” she knocked gently on the door.
“Go away,” Katie groaned.
“You don’t want to be late for school today. It’s your first day,” Melanie sighed.
Having to leave all her friends behind, Katie had not been happy about her mother’s decision. Private Catholic school was not her idea of a “good” move, and she’d begged her mom to let her stay in New York. You’re not living in New York with the rest of the family in Boston, Melanie had told her.
Melanie opened Katie’s door. “Get up or I’m pulling the covers off,” she warned.
“Mom, get out of my room,” Katie screeched. “I’m up, leave me alone.”
Melanie sighed. “Breakfast in 30, you’d better hurry.”
Melanie closed the door and made her way back to her room to grab a shower. As she turned on the water, the warm spray cascaded over her body. Her tense muscles began to relax and her mind began to drift back to the past.
May 1997
“You need to get to class babe,” Sean mumbled into her ear as she stretched her sore limbs. “Professor Webber is not going to tolerate you being late again.”
“Five more minutes,” Melanie begged. “I think you broke me last night.”
Sean chuckled, “Look who’s calling the kettle black. I never realized you were such a tigress in bed.” He rolled to the side and began to rise. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he looked over his shoulder and grinned, “I’ll go turn the shower on and join you if you promise not to fall asleep by the time I come back.”
“Fine,” she grumbled. “I’m up.”
He trekked across the small bedroom and disappeared into the bathroom. Within minutes she heard the shower roar to life. She quickly rolled to the side, pulling the cover up to her chin and feigning sleep. A giggle escaped her lips as she felt the bed dip when he returned.
“Thought you weren�
��t going back to sleep,” he whispered as he kissed her neck right below her ear. He slowly slid his hand up her back and dragged the sheet down to her waist. Tiny goose bumps began to rise on her back where the sheet had tickled her skin.
“I’m not sleeping,” she groaned.
He slowly moved his hand up her back, kneading the soft skin as he went. She lifted her head and glanced over her shoulder at him. “If you keep doing that, we’re never going to get in the shower.”
“Doing what?” he crooned innocently as he cocked his head to the side and leaned down to place a kiss to the smooth skin between her shoulders.
“That…ohhhh,” she moaned as his tongue darted out and licked against the now sensitive skin.
“You like that huh?” he laughed and moved the sheet lower, running his hands along her backside in the process.
Melanie mumbled something incoherent into the pillow before rolling onto her back. Sean groaned and moved to cover her with his body. “You are going to end me, you know that right?”
She giggled. “I think we might run out of hot water at this pace.” She moved her hands to trail them down his chest before placing a deep kiss to his lips. “Join me and I’ll take care of you before work.”
“Ahhhh”, he threw his head back and flopped to the side.
She jumped up and ran towards the shower giggling, “What are you waiting for?”
As soon as she stepped under the water, she felt him press himself to her back. As his hand began to glide over her, she relaxed into him and closed her eyes. He began to caress her breasts and roll the nipples between his fingers bringing them to hard peeks. One hand made a quick descent to her lower belly before sliding between her thighs. “How’s that?” he whispered as he began to stroke the warm slit.
“Oh Sean,” she gasped as she began to grind herself against him. She could feel his throbbing cock against her as she pushed her hips into him harder. As she felt her orgasm building, she turned around to face him, reached down between them, and took him in her hand, slowly running her fingers over his length. He leaned his back against the shower wall with a gasp, and then dipped his head to place a wet kiss to her neck, groaning and thrusting his hips toward her as she gripped him with more force.
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