SHATTERED EDGE
A.M. HARGROVE
Copyright © 2013 A.M. Hargrove
All Rights Reserved
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. All rights reserved. No part of this ebook may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database retrieval system without the prior written permission of the Author. You must not circulate this book in any format. Thank you for respecting the rights and hard work of this Author.
This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the Author’s overactive imagination. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank all of my gracious readers who have taken the time to reach out and tell me how much they've enjoyed my books. I'd especially like to thank the ones who begged for another Edge Novel. When I wrote Edge of Disaster, it snuck up on me so quickly, I never thought I would write a second one. After hearing from an overwhelming number of fans, I knew I couldn't let Terri's and Justin's story end there. So here it is and I sincerely hope you enjoy it.
Terri Thomas (for whom the main character is named) and Alana Rock (who also has a character named for her in this book) are two awesome women that have helped me more than I can say and I appreciate you all so much. Hugs to you both ladies!
I'd also like to thank Tana Troniak, who I think was my first friend on Goodreads. Her support of me has truly been amazing. Thanks Tana...you're the best!
These books would never get out of my computer and into the cyber world if it weren't for my amazing friend and editor Jennifer Nunez. I heart you. Enough said.
And I couldn't possibly publish a book without mentioning some of the greatest Indie Authors I've had the honor of getting to know. Here's to you ladies...Lila Felix, Michelle Leighton, Janelle Stalder and Misty Provencher.
And finally, nothing would happen without the wonderful Hargroves: my hubs Henry and the grown up kiddos TAC and McIntyre. You all are the greatest a wife and mom could ever ask for.
"The secret of life is to appreciate the pleasure of being terribly, terribly deceived."
Oscar Wilde, A Woman of No Importance, Act 3
SHATTERED EDGE
CHAPTER ONE
Terri
My best friend was getting married in ten minutes. I was about to walk down the aisle as her maid of honor and I’d never been so nervous in my entire life. My palms were pretty much dripping water and I only hoped my dress wasn’t stained beneath my arms, because I was sure that about right now I was having massive antiperspirant failure. I had practiced walking in these shoes for two solid weeks at physical therapy. My therapists had convinced me (I actually made them pinky swear to me) that I could do this. At this moment I was quite certain that they had fed me some boldfaced lies. I knew, when I took my first few steps, that I would stumble, then my bad leg would give out, and I would go rolling instead of walking down that aisle.
Crap in a handbasket!
I looked at Tana, the wedding director, and she nodded, signaling it was my turn. My grip tightened on my bouquet of fresh cut flowers. I was surprised the damn stems weren’t crushed by now. No doubt my fingers would be green by the time the ceremony was over.
My left foot went out, followed by my right. Okay, I had this. I repeated this mantra...left, right, left, right, until I was up at the altar and taking my place next to the spot where Lexi would stand.
I smiled and I’m sure it reached my ears, because I swear I could feel my earrings tickling my cheeks. Then I forgot the promise I made to myself. I totally blanked out because I was so excited about the stupid fact that I had made it down the aisle without looking gimpy. I let my eyes wander across the altar and damn if they didn’t land directly on him.
Shiz!
He looked like the dude in the Ralph Lauren Polo ad...tall dark and alluring. Dressed in a black tux, he was perfect. Justin Middleton, brother of the groom and best man...my heartbreaking nemesis. I suppose nemesis is relatively harsh, but heartbreaker isn’t. I had dreaded this day now for months. I should be happy for Lexi...she’d been my bestie since freshman year at UVA. But I was pulling the selfish card today. I tried not to, but everything I did was useless. I pasted a smile back on my face and jerked my head to the back of the church so I could watch Lexi walk down the aisle.
Damn, that girl looked gorgeous. Her dress was really something. I’d never seen a bride where anything close to that. Originality...pure and simple. Her dress had an illusion neckline, making it appear sleeveless and off the shoulders, when it actually had sheer fabric that afforded a boat neckline. The dress was fitted and had fabric beads sewn onto it until it hit mid thigh where it was covered in layers of chiffon and stiff ribbon, giving it a totally off the charts look. And she was getting married in the church every Charlestonian would give their left hand...hell their right hand too...to get married in. St. Phillips...the church on every Charleston postcard ever made. You had to be connected to get married there. And the Middletons were certainly connected. What am I saying? They were Charleston. South of Broad...blue blooded born and bred. Lexi sure lucked out here.
And Pearce...didn’t he look yummy? Not as yummy as Justin, but girls all over South Carolina would be grieving today because one of the most eligible bachelors, not to mention one of the wealthiest, was getting hitched. Once again, Lexi totally lucked out. But if anyone deserved it, Lexi did.
Now, I sure wish the show could get a move on, because I would love for this thing to get the hell over with. I only had enough plastic smiles to last for a certain amount of time and once they ran out, I was gonna have to hit the road. I hated to be a bitch about this, but I couldn’t stand around with this happy assed face when I was cracking to pieces on the inside.
The happy couple said their vows and damn it all, I started crying. Thank God Tana gave us a list and that bag at the rehearsal last night, which included waterproof mascara and eyeliner, or I would’ve looked like Rocky raccoon, resident maid of honor and side kick to Bullwinkle. Yeah, this was gonna be fun.
Oh boy, now I got to look forward to picture time and more plastic smiles. I pulled up my bootstraps and watched as Lexi and Pearce walked down the aisle as Dr. and Mrs. Middleton. Oh good lord, they looked so happy. I really couldn’t help the true smile that formed then, because looking at them made me believe in it all...their love was nothing short of bursting from them.
I heard a throat clearing and looked up to see Justin waiting with his arm bent. I’d been so engrossed in watching the happy couple, I’d forgotten I had to walk arm in arm with him.
Well, isn’t this a crap storm?
I didn’t have time to prepare myself. When I put my hand on his arm, I felt the jolt all the way to my toes. I forced myself to look at my feet, when all I wanted to do was to fall into his eyes...his perfectly gorgeous eyes. Lexi always called Pearce, Smoky Eyes, because he had gray eyes. Well, Justin’s were gray too, but his were the color of the sea, right before a storm hit. Deep, dark bluish gray and every time I looked at them I was pulled into their depths...just like I would imagine the sea as it would call to me. Mysterious, with things unknown lurking below the surface. That was Justin. Beautiful and sometimes frightening because he made me feel things I’d never felt before.
He leaned his tall frame down to my smaller one so he could whisper to me, “You were perfect when you walked down the aisle, Terri. You made me proud.”
That caused my head to jerk up. I shouldn’t have done that because my eyes landed right on his. And there I was, falling into them...deeply, dramatically, and yes, painfully.
“God, you’re beautiful.” Three simple words that ne
arly made me cry. I felt my lower lip tremble, but forced myself to smile instead.
“Thanks. You clean up pretty good yourself,” my voice trembled.
He smiled and it felt like someone lifted all the blinds and curtains in the church. The light just entered and blazed around him. He was that kind of beautiful. I knew I needed to get away from him. That’s the sort of effect he had on me.
Suddenly, I was back there again...last March.
“Ms. Mitchell, we’re taking you into surgery. You were in a car accident and your leg was broken. We’re going to fix you right up.”
Car accident? Where was Justin? Was he okay? Surgery? The next thing I knew I woke up again in a room and there were my mom and dad.
Several surgeries later, that damn wheelchair, physical therapy and Justin...Justin. God, why couldn’t I forget him? Things had been moving along so well until that wreck. All those surgeries and he couldn’t stop blaming himself. And then Lexi catching him with those two girls and my heart nearly breaking. Yeah, my leg had been broken and I’d been left with a twisted mass of scars, but my heart was the one that felt more damaged.
We reached the back of the church and were whisked off to the side by Tana and the photographer to where pictures would be taken. I was hoping they could put this thing on fast forward, get to the reception, have a little face time with Lexi and get the hell outta Dodge. That was my plan anyway.
Picture after picture and tons of pasted smiles later (I hope Lex didn’t shoot my ass when she saw these pictures), we finally hopped in one of the limos and left for the reception at the Charleston Yacht and Harbor Club.
I mingled with some of the guests, and made my way around to chat with Lexi and Pearce for a while, but before long, the throbbing in my leg and the aches and pains, had me hunting a chair. I spied one back in the corner so I walked, or at least gave my best imitation of one, over to it and blew out a huge puff of air when the weight left that leg. I was happy Lexi had approved the long dresses that we wore since they hid the scars that covered my disfigured limb. I absently rubbed it, like I often did, wishing for a huge bag of ice. They ought to invent Spanx you could cram an ice bag into for people like me. Maybe I could join forces with the Spanx lady and we could come out with Spanx on Ice. I bet those professional ice skaters would love that! We could even make a version for hockey players.
“You must have something terrifically funny on your mind by the look on your face.”
That voice of his made me want to strip off every thread of clothing and run naked through the streets yelling, “Take me, take me!” Crap! What kind of sexy did that man have working?
“I guess so. I was thinking about a joint venture with the Spanx lady. We could call it Spanx on Ice.”
“What?” he asked, bewilderment clouding his eyes.
“You know...for my leg.”
“Oh.” He smiled, nodded and acted like he was with me. I knew better from his odd expression. He didn’t get it at all.
“Do you even know what Spanx are?”
“No clue.”
I burst out laughing. “Never mind then. They’re something no man should ever know about.”
“Hmm, now I’m intrigued.”
“Oh God! Don’t be.” The last thing I needed was for Justin Middleton to see me in a pair of Spanx.
Mother of God save me now!
“Well, I came to find out how you were. I saw you escape. Can I get you anything?”
“Sure. A glass of wine would be great and something to eat. Anything really. I needed to sit a minute. My leg was bothering me a bit.”
He went straight into doctor mode. “How’s your pain? Did you bring anything to take?” Justin was an orthopedic surgeon.
I frowned. “Justin. I’m fine. I deal with this every day.”
He blew out his breath and I felt it fan across my cheek. He took the chair next to me and pulled it up close. If only I had the nerve...the boldness to drag my fingers through his hair. If I did, I’d probably never take them away. I wanted to crawl into his lap and trace the outline of his lips with my tongue. We had only shared a couple of kisses and it had been months ago...the night of the Heart Ball, but I don’t think I’d ever forget how his lips felt on mine. We’d both had a little too much to drink and we got a bit carried away, but he was the nice guy. He took me home and didn’t try anything. Our next date ended in tragedy...a deer ran out into the path of our car and we ended up wrapped around a tree. If Pearce and Lexi hadn’t been behind us, Justin would’ve died for sure. Pearce had saved his life by clamping down on a severed artery. Thank God Pearce knew what to do, but he was a trauma surgeon after all. My right leg and pelvis had pretty much been crushed. Justin blamed himself and things between us went haywire after that. Today was the first time since early summer we’d spoken to each other. We’d carefully avoided one another at the rehearsal yesterday. Difficult didn’t come close to describing my feelings.
There was another whole issue that occurred during this fiasco. While I was in the hospital, during one of my many surgeries to repair my leg, Justin had started hitting the bottle...hard. He couldn’t deal and he started doing things to block the whole incident out of his mind. Lexi had gone over to his house one morning and caught him drunk, and in bed, not with one, but two women. He took the high road and told me everything...I’ll give him credit there because that took pure guts. But for whatever reason, I just couldn’t handle it. Every time I looked at him, I saw him in bed, naked, with two women and it made me want to throw up everywhere. I said some pretty nasty things to him about it...unforgivable things really. We couldn’t seem to mend the cracks...I couldn’t seem to mend the cracks between us so we both thought it best to move on.
I had a big problem with that though. It simply wasn’t possible. Avoiding him, throwing myself into physical therapy and work, doing everything humanly possible was not working. He was embedded in my mind like some kind of damn computer code. Every freakin’ morning when I woke up it was Justin that I thought about. My heart would beat faster, my stomach would flutter and damn if my panties didn’t get all damp too. At night, I’d beat the crap out of my pillow trying to get his image out of my head. His face was all I could see before I drifted off to sleep. I was so totally screwed. And now he was my best friend’s brother-in-law. I would have to move to get away from him and that wasn’t possible. I worked for my dad’s real estate firm here in town.
“Those must be some pretty deep thoughts.” His hand reached out and before I knew what he was doing, he was massaging that place between my eyes...you know that spot right above your nose that starts to throb? “Care to share?” he asked.
I let out my breath in a huff. He addled me. “Huh uh. But I would appreciate that glass of wine and some food. Remember?” I went into diversion mode. There was no way in hell he was getting into my head on those thoughts.
“Oh, right.” He was out of his chair and gone.
I sighed because I needed to pull myself together. I took a few deep breaths and used a trick my psychiatrist, Phil, taught me to calm myself. I felt my heart rate returning to normal when Justin handed me my glass.
“Here you go. Wine and some appetizers. Terri, do you want me to leave? I don’t want you to be uncomfortable around me.”
He knew...he always knew.
“No, it’s fine Justin. Stay. Aren’t you drinking anything?”
“I’m not partaking these days. On the wagon you might say.”
“Oh.” I was shocked. I didn’t think he really had an alcohol problem. “I didn’t know.”
“You wouldn’t. It’s okay.” He smiled again and I felt my belly tighten and my heart sped up once more. No man should be allowed to have an effect on a woman like this. It should be illegal.
“Would you like some of this food?”
“Yeah,” he whispered. Those eyes told me he didn’t want what was on my plate though. He wanted far more than that.
He reached for my hand and lifted it
up. Never once taking his eyes off of mine, he touched his lips to my knuckles and said in a husky whisper, “Dance with me.”
The band was playing a slow melody and couples were swaying together beneath the dim lighting.
“I can’t dance. You know...my leg,” I said back to him, my voice getting tangled up in my throat.
“I’ll hold you close. I won’t let you fall. I’ll even carry you if you need me to. Just please don’t say no, Terri.”
I nodded because my throat had thickened with desire, making me incapable of uttering a sound.
He stood and held out his hand. I grasped it as he helped me to my feet. I didn’t feel the pain in my leg. I didn’t notice the people around us. I barely even heard the music. What I did feel were Justin’s arms, holding me tightly to him, his scent permeating through me, my arms as they curled around his neck and the only thing I wanted to do was to stay like this forever. True to his word, he nearly carried me for the entire dance as my feet barely skimmed the floor. My head rested on his chest and when the song ended and he stopped moving, we just stood there motionless.
“I suppose we should sit down,” I finally heard him say.
I let out a small giggle. “I suppose we should.”
When we sat down, I took a sip of wine and heard him say, “Thank you. I was afraid you’d either run away or smack me.”
I stared at him for a second, not quite knowing what to say.
“Don’t respond to that. Please. I don’t even know why I said that.”
I raised my brows and said, “You’re forgetting something. I can’t run.”
I watched his face collapse. Why had I said that?
“You’re wrong. I’ll never forget that Terri. In fact, I’ll live with that for the rest of my life.”
“Why do you do this to yourself?”
“Because I nearly destroyed you. All because of several seconds of a sexy smile.”
Shattered Edge Page 1
