Beyond Repair
Book 3 of the Daddy’s Girls Series
By Chelsea Camaron
Beyond Repair
Copyright©Chelsea Camaron 2013
First E-book publication August 2013
Cover Design by Laura Gordon Designs
Editing by: Asli Fratarcangeli
www.yahgottareadthis.blogspot.com
All Rights Reserved: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction in whole or in part, without express written permission by Chelsea Camaron.
This is a work of fiction. All characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Dedication
M.T.S
11-4-1981 ~ 5-3-2001
A life so full but all too short
Missing you everyday
Always our angel
Rest In Paradise
Prologue
Harrison
Never have I seen Tiffany as uncomfortable as she has been at my parent’s house this weekend. Honestly, I have never seen my family as uncomfortable around someone, as they are with Tiffany.
There is so much going on with Maggie right now, it could just be bad timing. Maggie ended her four year relationship with Brayden mere hours before we arrived so they could all be dealing with that. This odd tension may have nothing to do with Tiffany at all.
The thing is, I am finally at a place in my life where I’d like to settle down and have a serious relationship. I want to have this with Tiffany, but she has to gain my family’s approval. I have always been close with my baby sister; Maggie’s opinion means the most, where my relationships are concerned. When I think of my future, a potential wife, even Cory’s opinion matters to me and holds some weight. Whomever I spend my future with, must, without a doubt, get along with my family.
Tiffany and I have been hooking up, on and off, now for six years. She’s been with me through deployments from my time in the Marines. She was supportive, in her own way, of my transition to civilian life after my injury and subsequent discharge. She is the reason I took the job here in Beaufort, South Carolina in the first place. I thought if we lived closer we could really make a go at a committed relationship. So far, it’s not working as I planned.
Maggie hasn’t said much to Tiffany, but she has a lot on her mind at the moment. My mom has made a serious effort to engage Tiffany in conversation. Trying to find a common ground, I mention how often Tiffany and I take the bike out for rides. Surely they could connect over Harley Davidson’s and scenery. That lasts long enough for Tiffany to insult the entire brotherhood of a motorcycle club, deeming it ridiculous. Thus, offending both of my parents and the family we have always had in the club.
The ride from Emerald Isle, North Carolina back to Beaufort is a long one. Tiffany has never liked my car. She prefers to go out on my motorcycle or her BMW, opposed to using my 1977 Pontiac Trans Am. The closer we get to her condo, the more tense she becomes.
We arrive at her place. I unload our bags thinking I would be staying over as usual. Tiffany puts my bag back in the car. I give her a stunned and confused look.
“My dad is upstairs.” She states.
“Okay, well I have been waiting to meet him. No time like the present.” I reply not, seeing the problem.
“No Harrison. You can’t meet my dad. Ever.” In a tone so cold it is ice.
Shocked and now seething in anger I ask, “And why the hell not?”
“Let’s be real, you’re a regular work by the hour kind of guy and has been jarhead. You’re a good fuck Harrison, but you can’t meet my dad.” She all too calmly states.
“So that’s what you think of me? Seriously? After all these years, the truth comes out.”
When she pauses not responding right away, I get in my car. This is obviously going nowhere, time to cut my losses.
Chapter 1
Hello Harrison
Harrison
I feel like someone has placed a pallet of bricks on my chest. Maggie, my precious baby sister, is one beautiful bride. I am overjoyed for her and Brayden. Thinking back to the many times I made sure to scare the boys off her, I smile. Brayden would not be deterred, even when I came home on leave to personally threaten him. Maggie and Brayden have gone through hell and back to share this day, I couldn’t be happier.
Seeing this, I am more than ready for my life to get serious, really start a family. At thirty, I have finally found a place I call home easily. Here in Charlotte, North Carolina, I am comfortably living near my sister, my friends, and my dream job at Ryder’s garage. Everything seems to be falling in place, except there is no one to share it with.
Sophia, one of Maggie’s bridesmaids and close friends has occupied a lot of my time lately. She is beautiful, intelligent, independent, strong, talented, stubborn, and just amazing. We met a little over two years ago when I first moved here. I wanted some new ink and Maggie sent me to Sophia. Now we have a mutual and beneficial, friends with a little something more relationship.
Tonight, the atmosphere of love, holding her, caressing her, and dancing with her leaves me craving so much more. For two people who have talked about everything under the sun, we have purposely avoided the topic of us. She knows more about me than my own family. Yet, I can’t find the balls to ask for a more serious commitment than sex.
Our friends and my family know we are hooking up, but are not a couple. The plus to that is I can kiss her freely right here at my sister’s wedding. No one will gasp in surprise. So that is what I do, I lose myself in her plump, soft, luscious lips. The down side to this is there will always be those questions of when we are going to be real with each other about our fear of titles and commitment. As the sayings go, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,’ at least that’s what I tell myself.
I am dancing with my mom, when she decides it’s time for us to discuss my situation.
“Son, what are you and Sophia doing? It’s obvious you both adore one another. I also know you are ready to take things to a more serious level. Why are you two wasting time playing with one another’s emotions? Tomorrow isn’t promised, Harry.”
“Mom, I don’t know what to do about her. Yes, I want more, but we have never talked about it. I get the feeling she doesn’t want that right now, but, then again, I don’t know.”
She smiles, “it’s simple, figure it out. You ask, she answers, and then you know.” With that she leaves me in the middle of the dance floor.
It’s simple my ass. Nothing about Sophia Rosa-Linda Lopez is simple. Figure it out, that’s easier said than done. Just thinking of her makes me miss having her close. I go in search of Sophia. Finding her chatting with Maggie, I smile. I know my sister would approve of us being together. Sophia fits in with my family.
Tonight is not the night to share my feelings. Tonight, is about Maggie and Brayden. I will take her out to dinner, have a romantic date, and tell her that I’m ready for more. Does she finally want that, to have more than the amazing sex we share?
Time for the bride and groom to leave. I walk with my arm wrapped around Sophia, smiling, not a second thought for what is about to happen. I look up as I recognize the voice saying my name. So many bottled thoughts and emotions come barreling to the surface. It’s been two years since I’ve heard that voice tell me I was a has been jarhead and a working class piece of shit; my blood runs cold.
“Hello, Harrison.” Tiffany says
What the hell?
Tiffany
From as far back as I can remember there isn’t a moment of my life
Matt hasn’t been a part of. Our dad’s, being long-time friends and business partners we were raised together as family. He’s my very best friend, my confidant, and my protector. Matt is a year older than me and the big brother I never officially had.
The day Matt enlisted in the Marines our Dads were heartbroken and angry. As for me, I was happy he found the guts to get away from the stuffiness of our upper class upbringing. Matt never had aspirations to be another asshole in a suit. He wanted to see the world, experience life to the fullest.
Growing up in Beaufort, South Carolina, we were surrounded in southern, small town tradition. We lived a sheltered life. Our parent’s real estate investments firm has always been quite profitable. Even in a down turned economy, we’ve never done without life’s luxuries. I’ve never known what it’s like to want for something; well, want for a material object that is. As we got older, I was afraid to be myself, to find myself. I made sure to be Daddy’s southern belle: quiet, classy, and confident. While Matt, on the other hand, wanted to forge his own path.
Before anyone could stop him, Matt enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. The plan was for us to go to USC together; at least, that was my plan for us. He started college, and we were on the same path. I never thought Matt would actually leave. He spoke of the Marines travelling being a way out, as well as, a way to serve his country, but I didn’t take him seriously. Honestly, I thought it was all teenage angst and talk.
The day he left for boot camp is a day engraved in my memory. My father forbade me to go see him off. Of course, I didn’t listen. I met Matt at the recruiter’s office for his van ride to Paris Island, where he would be for basic training. Right before he got in the vehicle, he hugged me tight and whispered.
“Hold tight, Tiff, things are going to be rough for a bit. My dad disowned me for my choice to join. I’ll write to you so look for it. Your dad won’t willingly give you the letters. Go to college, Tiff, get good grades and all that, but find yourself. Stop being who they want you to be and just be you.” Then with his trademark kiss on the forehead, he was gone.
True to his word, he wrote, not often enough, but it was something. He made a buddy, and in his letters he told me about him.
Lawson is wild and free. Tiff, his family writes him constantly. His dad was a Marine. He was a little too wild for a few years after high school, so he joined to straighten out his life. I wonder what it would be like to have grown up with a supportive family, not one full of expectations. Lawson and I push each other to get through. It’s exhausting here, both mentally and physically. I’m thankful for your letters, Tiff, they help me get by. Graduation is coming up soon, I hope you can make it. If not, I will see you after school when I get some leave. Take care baby girl, Matt.
Matt’s family, still not accepting his decision, refused to attend graduation. I went alone. My life changed that day; not in the way Matt’s did, but it was a change in my heart. Graduation day was the day I met Harrison James Lawson.
Now, here I stand, eight years later facing Harrison and the Lawson family. Once again, I’m not prepared for what seeing him does to me. It’s been two years, but not one single day has gone by that I haven’t thought of him. This is for Matt I tell myself. Focusing on calming my breathing, I gather my courage.
“Hello, Harrison.” I say, watching as the man I can’t let go of, holds another woman tightly to him.
Chapter 2
Never Will Be Too Soon
Harrison
Quickly realizing, this is not the time or the place for this encounter I respond.
“Tiffany now is not a good time.”
At the mere mention of her name, Sophia pulls away from me. Tiffany looks distraught, eyes puffy, her blonde hair pulled into a messy bun on top of her head. She’s in yoga pants and a tank top. Clearly she didn’t know she was coming to a wedding. My sister hasn’t gotten into the limo yet. Seconds tick by feeling like hours. Why is Tiffany here now?
Tiffany looks over to Maggie, the occasion dawning on her face. “I’m so very sorry to intrude. I just need a moment to speak with Harrison. I didn’t realize what was going on when I was told I could find him here. Congratulations Maggie, you look stunning. Again, I’m sorry. I’ll be leaving now.”
Turning to face me, tears now evident in her eyes, she says, “Harrison, please call me tomorrow. It’s important. I’m leaving to go return to South Carolina late afternoon.”
Anger builds in me at the loss of Sophia at my side. How dare Tiffany come back now! Without thinking, I snap.
“Now is not the time, Tiffany. To be quite honest, never would be too soon. I have nothing to say to you.”
Without a word or reaction, Tiffany turns and leaves. The tension in the air quickly leaves as Brayden kisses my sister passionately. Reminding us all of the occasion for which we are here.
The newlyweds get in their limo driving away to the clanging of cans hanging off the car and the cheers of family and friends. Knowing some damage has already been done, I go in search of Sophia. Things aren’t defined between us; this isn’t jealousy, I don’t think. She knows how much Tiffany messed me up before.
Tiffany
Sitting in my car, I can’t stop the barrage of tears from flowing. After a few minutes, I compose myself enough to drive to the hotel.
“Oh Matt, the men in uniforms showing up was bad enough.” I mutter to the air around me.
Harrison’s rejection stings, but it’s not half of the hurt I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Part of me knew the cold shoulder I would face from my former lover. The other part of me longed for him to embrace me, comfort me, and somehow make this not hurt so much.
With Matt around, I was never alone. Even when he was deployed I knew he was in my heart. Family, real family, not in a name, not in blood, but unconditional love and acceptance family. Lonely, empty, and loss are all I feel.
Chapter 3
Way Back When
Tiffany
Matt has always been my rock. Harrison was my escape. When we were together, I was free. I didn’t have to live up to the standard of Thomas Richard King.
Every breath I take around my dad is measured and calculated. To say my dad is a control freak is an understatement. My mom didn’t last three years under his scrutiny before she bailed, off to who knows where. My current step mom, Candice, puts up with anything my dad dishes out, as longs as she stays adorned in diamonds and country club life.
Matt introduced Harrison and I at dinner. They were on weekend liberty following the boot camp graduation. He was so confident, laid back, even after the weeks of the harsh adjustment Marine Corps life. Week after week of being physically pushed, while mentally being broken down and trained by the drill instructors was the life they lived in basic training. Here Harrison was, relaxed and easy to be around. I found myself smiling a genuine smile. For once, I was laughing and carefree, all because of this tall, dark haired marine. Thinking back now, it feels like it was a lifetime ago.
Harrison and Matt were both infantry. ‘Grunts,’ they would say. After basic training, they were sent to the School of Infantry, otherwise known as SOI, Camp Johnson, North Carolina. This was a five to six hour trip for me to visit, but I gladly made it to see Matt and Harry on weekends when they would get liberty. The boys and I were both astounded when they completed school and were stationed together in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Harrison’s family had retired to Coastal North Carolina, and they were within an hour drive from the boy’s barracks. Matt was able to spend a lot of time with them.
Thinking on this now, I’m sure that Harrison’s family would want to know what happened, even if Harrison doesn’t want to see me. They took Matt in as part of their family. He told me that they sent him care packages during every one of his deployments. Not once, since he joined, has anyone in his family tried to contact him. Every deployment, I’ve made sure to send Matt the comforts from home.
Beyond Repair Page 1
