Fractured Paths (Fractured Love Series Book 1)

by Heather Anne

  "Let me guess, though. Skylar accepted your issues, told you to be careful, and didn't try to make you do something you weren't ready for." It's my turn to raise an eyebrow. "She's a counselor, dude, she knows this shit."

  "True." I’m about to finish the conversation when Allyson comes flying through the door of the shop, tears streaking her face and panic in her voice

  "Grayson, you need to stop him." She gets to me, grabbing my arms.

  "Woah, Ally, stop. Who?" She starts to cry.

  "Luke. I heard him on the phone. Some kind of run for some guy named Frankie. I think it's drugs. It's a lot of fucking money." Her blue eyes are pleading and wide with fear.

  "Where?" I shove my hands in my pocket, looking for my keys.

  "Warehouse behind the marina," she says.

  "Fuck. Landon, I need your keys."

  "You sure man? Want me to drive?"

  “Nah, I’m good. I promise.”

  I feel no evidence of the drugs in my system. Everything has been replaced by surges of adrenaline filling my head and my heart. He tosses me the keys.

  "I got this, Landon. Take her to Beans. Let her sit with Skylar and Amy." I nod towards Allyson.

  “Please, Grayson, help him. He doesn't need to do this. We need him." She rubs her still flat belly. I give her a reassuring smile and dash out of the door to Landon's truck. I race across town to the Marina and as I plow through the street, the unmistakable pop of gunshots stun me. No. No. No. I’m panicking, hoping to God that Luke isn't involved.

  As I round the corner near the warehouse, I see a white sedan all tinted out come barreling straight towards me. I veer to the right, missing a stop sign, and correct myself. As I close in on the warehouse, the silence is eerie. Something isn't right.

  I take out my phone and am about to call Camden when I see him, laying on the concrete, blood pouring out of the side of his head, pooling under his torso. I suck in a breath and exit my car.

  “Oh, fuck,” I say when I see Luke's lifeless eyes staring into nowhere.

  Another death that’s my fucking fault. If I had just told the kid the real deal about Frankie and Kristy. If I wasn't so wrapped up in my own bullshit, I could’ve helped, and if I wasn't so fucked up and running out of pills, I wouldn't be doing the unthinkable. I grab his backpack and open it, finding a shit ton of pills.

  I reach in, grabbing a bag that has to have at least fifty pills in it. I crouch down and hold up his still warm body so I can check the pockets of his jeans. I roll him so I can reach the back and, bingo. I take a wad of cash out of his right back pocket, not caring that I have officially sunk to a new low. I am caught in a viscous cycle with no way out. Sky could have been a way out for me if I had let her, but that would mean I would have to feel.

  I lay his limp, lifeless body on the hard concrete, wipe my bloodied hands on my jeans, and shove a handful of pills in my mouth. I sling the backpack on my shoulder, pull out my phone and dial my brother. I wait for him to answer and when he does, I know the end is near.

  "Cam, I have a problem." His curse on the other end is no surprise.

  "Where are you?" he spits out.

  "Warehouse behind the Marina. I won't be here when you get here but there's been a murder. Deal gone bad," I say as I start walking away not looking back.

  "What did you do?" Camden never gets scared, yet the fear in his voice is apparent.

  "I got here too late.”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Hearing the news of Luke's death broke me. When Landon walked into that coffee shop with his head hung low after Gray called him, for a split second I thought it was Gray and I was transported back in time. To the day I saw the news unfold on my television. To the police officers showing up at my door. Learning someone you love has done something so horrific is life changing. If something happened to Grayson because of his drug use, I’d be asking the same what if's that I did with Tim.

  I know that I am not to blame for Grayson’s addiction, but accepting that is another thing. Accepting that someone you care about is destroying themselves, knowing there is nothing you can do to stop them, leaves me feeling empty and hopeless.

  It's been four days. Four days since Luke's death. Four days since I saw Grayson in the coffee shop. Four days since the tears started and haven't stopped. Four days and the struggle to breathe gets harder and harder. Four days, 96 hours. 5,760 minutes, 345,600 seconds since I became as broken as he was. Four days feels like four fucking years.

  I haven't slept more than an hour or two at night, my appetite so non-existent that the only thing I have consumed is coffee and those stupid muffins, if I can even hold them down. I never knew there was truth in the phrase worried sick... until now.

  Get your shit together, Sky. Today isn't about you. It's about saying goodbye to Luke and being there for his mother and for Allyson, I tell myself. I take a deep breath and walk into the small oceanside church for the funeral and burial. I am greeted with a hug from Trevor.

  "You hear from him?" he asks.

  I shake my head. "You?"

  "No. I don't even think his brothers have."

  I just nod. What is there really to say when you know the next funeral you attend could very well be that of the person you love? "I’m trying to keep it together, so can we not talk about him right now?" I sound harsh.

  "Yeah, sorry."

  I sigh and wrap my arm around Trevor's shoulder. "Don't be. I am so scared for him," I whisper and he squeezes me.

  "Yeah, we all are."

  The service is short and sweet. The minister tried to make it into more of a celebration of Luke's life, but I found it hard to think that way knowing how much he is going to miss. The hardest part was when Mrs. Finn, Luke's mom, got up and shared some words. She talked about both of her sons being together again and I just couldn't. It was right there that I realized how selfish I’ve been.

  My problems are not even half as bad as this woman's are. I may not have my husband, and that is something I have accepted, but Grayson is alive. He may be self-destructing, but he is still breathing. As long as he’s breathing, I’m going to fight for him. Fight for his life no matter what happens between us. He deserves great things. He deserves so much more than he allows himself to have.

  A new determination rises within me and when things settle down here, I will find him. I will talk to him, without pushing, and maybe, just maybe he will be ready.

  I ride with Allyson, Amy, and Jeffers to the cemetery. Allyson is in the backseat with me, curled into my side. I worry about what effect this is going to have on the baby. Jeffers said her father is already badgering her about going away to school. Mother fucker needs to be a parent and let his daughter heal.

  We get to the cemetery, which is on a hill overlooking the ocean, such a peaceful setting for something that is anything but. Allyson is surrounded by Jeffers, Amy, Landon, Carson, and Camden. To see how these brothers, even though they are going through some painful stuff with Grayson, rally around to help people is admirable. They are a group of great people.

  As the casket is lowered into the ground, Allyson's knees start to buckle and Jeffers is quick to catch her before she falls. He picks her up and carries her back to the car, her sobs echoing in the distance.

  I start walking to the line of cars when I feel a firm grasp my arm and a microphone is shoved my face

  “So, Miss Greene, how does it feel to be so close to yet another senseless murder?"

  I gasp as I am met with the eyes of the same guy that assaulted me. I knew he was out on bail, however, the order of protection gave me what I know to be now as a false sense of security.

  "Do I have to beat your ass again? Get the fuck off of her!"

  I feel a hand on my back and I immediately relax from Grayson's comforting touch. The guy's eyes widen and he stutters

  "B-b-but, Kristy said you wouldn't be here."

  He starts backing away but doesn't get too far before Camden is there placing him under arrest.
He picks up his phone. "Yeah, find Kristy Marshall. She's wanted in questioning for Skylar's assault and we need to look at that NDA again,” Camden instructs and hangs up.

  "What are you doing here?" I turn to Grayson, my hand going to my mouth to cover up my sob.

  God, he looks awful. His white t-shirt is tattered and dirty. His hair his greasy, his body is shaky, and his eyes look almost dead.

  "Needed to pay my respects. Are you ok?" I can only nod, otherwise I will break.

  "Making things right." I’m puzzled by his answer. He looks as if he’s about to say something but changes his mind.

  "Take care of yourself," he says and runs off. Landon tries to follow him, but he hops in the back of a black Escalade and disappears.

  "What the fuck?" Carson says and no one has an answer.

  Whatever Grayson has been doing is taking a toll on him rather fast. He’s withering away to nothing and that helplessness I feel for him becomes unbearable. I let out a sob and Carson wraps me in a hug. We don't say anything because, really, there isn't anything to say. Camden walks off, talking to someone on the phone.

  "Let it get back to me. I don't give a fuck. Just get it done now!" he bellows, walking back towards us.

  No one mentions Grayson or anything about the reporter and Kristy. I trust Cam will take care of it.

  It's been a week since the funeral. A week since anyone has seen Grayson. A week of worrying, wondering, and waiting. Waiting for what, I have no idea. I am thankful for Trevor and the Community Center as that has helped me keep as much of my mind off of Grayson as I can.

  Camden arrested Kristy while she was at Frankie's apartment. They found a hoard of weapons, but the one thing they found that will put Frankie away for good... Luke's backpack. Camden said there were enough drugs in there to put him away for a long time, plus it ties him to the shooting. Kristy was let out on bail and has been served with papers for violating the non-disclosure agreement. It's a nice chunk of money, but I told my lawyer to take the first offer that's laid out there. I just want it done and over with.

  I’m finishing my shift at Beans, exhausted and ready to just go home, when Lauren comes back in followed by Landon, Carson, Camden, Hudson, Jefferson, and Madison.

  "Hey?" I say, but it sounds more like a question wondering what the fuck is going on, my mind taking a turn for the worse.

  Grayson.

  My eyes start to water and I start sputtering.

  "See asshole, I told you to text her first." She narrows her eyes at Camden and wraps me in a hug.

  "Grayson?" I ask.

  Camden lets out a breath. “No idea. Haven't seen or heard from him since the funeral, but I need to talk to everyone about him, so I wanted us all in one place. I meant to text you, but the day got away from me. Sorry for scaring you," he says, giving me a quick hug.

  Lauren puts on a pot of coffee and we all pull chairs over to one of the biggest tables.

  "I’ve been tracking him by his debit card," Camden starts. "He has been in Washington Heights doing god only knows what. He was withdrawing about $500 per day, but there hasn't been any activity in two days." He pauses. "I don't know about anyone else, but I’m done with waiting to get the call that he's dead from on overdose. I know he’s done some fucked up shit, but he's our brother. I needed to do something to draw him out and try to get him to see the light."

  "Camden, he won't get help unless he wants to. He can't do it for anyone but himself." My voice cracks.

  "I’m talking about a little motivation. Bring him back to us."

  "Ok. Go on." I am skeptical but also desperate to try anything.

  "I froze his bank account," he says.

  "Is that even legal?" Carson laughs out.

  Camden shrugs. "I said it was for evidentiary purposes. If anyone questions it, I’ll take the fall. He's our brother, man. I had to do something." The pain in Camden’s sky colored eyes is apparent.

  "So, what does this mean?"

  "I did some digging. Without access to his money, he’s tapped out. I took a trip down to the Heights and, let’s just say, no one will be offering him any type of credit. He may call one of us for money or something. He may get desperate, so if he has a key to any of your places, change the locks."

  Madison gasps. “Are you serious?"

  "Sorry sis, but I see this shit all the time. If he wants his drugs bad enough, he will do whatever he needs to do to get it."

  "Shit." Landon rubs his hand over his face.

  "Did you see him when you went down there?" Madison asks and Camden shakes his head.

  “No, and from what my sources said, no one has for a few days."

  “God, this is horrible. What if..." Madison’s voice trails off.

  "Stop. We need to think positive." Carson hugs her close.

  "Ok, so where do we start looking?" Hudson stands up and everyone is shocked.

  "We don't. He needs to come to us. If you see him or anything, then fine, approach him, but keep your fists out of it," he warns Hudson who responds with a scowl.

  The voices are drowned out as I let my thoughts over take me. Remembering every bit of time I spent with him. Trying to come up with someplace he would be that no one would even think of looking. Holy shit! I shoot up and grab my keys.

  "I know where he is."

  I start to head towards the door and I am blocked by Hudson. "Where is he?"

  I shake my head. Hudson crosses his arms across his chest. “Let me go, please."

  "Skylar, I don't know if it's a good idea," Landon says, approaching me.

  "Please. I need to do this."

  "Fine, but I’m coming with," Landon commands. Hudson lets out a sigh, relaxing his stance.

  "No. I need to do this alone.”

  “She’s right, Lan. She’s the only one that has gotten through to him over the past few years. If there is anyone who can bring our brother home, it’s Skylar,” Carson interjects.

  Landon lets out a heavy breath. “You text us when you find him, okay?"

  "I will, but do not come until I tell you to. Ok?" They all look at me, unsure.

  "I need you guys to trust me, alright?"

  "Alright, Skylar," Camden says.

  Madison flings her arms around me. "He loves you, too, you know."

  I swallow the lump in my throat and head out to try to save the life of the man who saved my heart.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  I. AM. IN. HELL. That’s the only way I can describe how the past few days have been. After not being able to access my money, which has Camden written all over it, Johnny told me no credit and now I have no place to go. Sure, I can go home, but that place is filled with so many memories, I can't go back there. At least not without anything to numb me and erase the memories.

  In the short bursts of sleep I get, my dreams are invaded by Skylar. The sweet thing who, even after everything I have put her through, has yet to judge me. Even the shit I said to her at the bar didn't make her stop caring. She told me I proved myself in not being worth it, but what if I am? What if I can be? I just don't know how to get there.

  How does one survive so many years of pent up pain when it comes to the surface? Skylar’s right. I am a coward. I could have stayed doing the right thing. I could have told her everything about Lainey, Jack, and the downward spiral my life has taken. I could have leaned on her when I needed her, but my pride and my guilt wouldn't let me.

  Everyone I have ever given some part of my heart to has left. Gone. Forever. I didn't want to be the one to taint her. To hurt her. To have something bad happen to her because I couldn't be the man she needed.

  I ball up my sweatshirt and put it down on the cool sand. I lay down on my back, my hands behind my head, and look up at the stars. This cove. This place makes my mind go directly to her and that night. We laid right in this spot. Her head on my chest. I remember everything about that night. The flashes of the meteors. The sounds of the waves. The touch of Skylar's lips on mine.

 
The feel of her soft body curled into mine is a feeling I will never forget. My eyes start to drift closed as I wonder what would have happened if I stayed?

  "Gray." A soft voice lulls me awake. I feel a jolt of electricity where a soft hand is nudging my arm.

  "Gray, wake up," the angel voice pleads.

  I open my eyes, gasping at the silver, worry filled eyes looking down at me. I pull myself to a sitting position as she rests back on her knees.

  "Are you for real?"

  Confusion crosses her face. "Um, I am here aren't I?"

  "No. I mean, is this a dream?" Her soft laugh assures me that she indeed is real. I get up and shake out my sand filled sweatshirt.

  "What are you doing here, Skylar?" I force out through a clogged throat and fuzzy mind.

  "I know you said you didn't want me," her tone is rattled with pain, "but Camden talked to me. No one has heard from you for almost week, Grayson. A week! I had to make sure you were ok.”

  I hear the sadness in her voice but I can’t bring myself to look at her. I open my mouth to say something and she cuts me off

  "And do not say you are fine, Grayson," she grits out.

  "What the fuck do you want from me, Skylar?" My voice is so harsh I can literally feel her flinch.

  She doesn't say anything, though I hear her breath catch, knowing she is about to cry. I hate seeing her fucking cry. I hate seeing the people I care most about in this world in pain, pain that I am the source of, but I can't stop myself from inflicting more.

  "Right now, I want you to come with me."

  "Where?" I panic, thinking she wants to deliver me to my brothers.

  "To my house. You are a mess." She gives me a once over, causing me to look down at my clothes. She’s right. My jeans are caked with sand and dirt, my shirt is stained with dirt and coffee and god knows what else. I haven't showered in days.

  "We go to my place. You take a hot shower, get the grease out of your hair, and shave. I like you scruffy, but not on the verge of Duck Dynasty." She tries to lighten the mood. "Then I will feed you and then we are talking."