Love & Ruin (The Love & Ruin Series Book 1)

by J. A. Owenby

  The cold air greeted me as I pushed through the doors and hurried outside. Unfortunately, it was already dark by four in the afternoon during winter. I pulled my coat tighter around me while I made sure to stay on the well-lit sidewalk, but sometimes not even the light could save someone.

  It was so cold few people were outside which made me even more nervous. Fear shot down my spine, footsteps growing louder behind me. I glanced over my shoulder, but I couldn’t see very far in the darkness. Was it Brandon, or was my mind screwing with me? Picking up my pace, I screamed as a hand landed on my shoulder and twirled me around.

  “Hendrix? What the hell?” I cried.

  “I realize you’re pissed at me, but there’s no way you’re walking to the dorm by yourself. I called out, but you didn’t hear me, so I figured I needed to catch up to you.”

  He wrapped his arms around me. Even though I was mad at him, I loved him and felt safer when he was next to me.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, kissing my forehead. “Not only for scaring you now, but not thinking about my dumb ass move with the music. I got excited and lost my head I guess.”

  “I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have gotten so angry about it. I just─I’m not sure I’m ready to come out of hiding some more. It didn’t work out too well last time.”

  “Come on,” he said, taking my hand.

  I smiled at him, grateful he loved me enough to catch up.

  “Let’s get through the move, let me settle in, and we can talk about it afterward, okay? Sometimes you move faster than I do, and it really is one day at a time for me most days. I look at the last several months, and I’m in utter shock how much my life has changed. Sometimes it seems like I’m on a crazy fast rollercoaster with all of these hills and I’m barely hanging on.”

  “I understand. Just remember, you’re no longer alone on the rollercoaster.”

  I smiled at him. Somewhere along the way, I’d lost the ability to be mad at him for long.

  “Okay,” I said as we approached the front doors of the dorm. “You have practice tonight?” I asked.

  “Yeah, but if you need anything let me know. We’re across town, so stay where you’re safe. I’ll be about forty-five minutes away.”

  This had been something new to adjust to as well, knowing his schedule and where he was. Since we’d agreed to live together, he’d been an open book. Not that I suspected he’d lied to me, but he wanted to let me know there might be times he couldn’t answer the phone right away and to stay close to Mac or in public where Brandon couldn’t hurt me.

  He leaned down, his lips gentle against mine.

  “I love you,” he said. “We’re okay? I need to know before I leave, or I’ll stand here with you until you’re not mad at me anymore and be late for practice.”

  I laughed. “You don’t need to be late. We’re good,” I replied, kissing him back. My hand slipped between us, and I cupped him through his jeans, massaging him for a moment until I knew I had his attention. “Think about me tonight,” I whispered and backed away, smiling.

  He rubbed his jaw and shook his head, smiling as I gave him a small wave and walked into the dorm.

  I sighed and made my way up the stairs. Tonight would be my last night here, and as excited as I was about living with Hendrix and Mac, it would also be different. I’d not told Ada Lynn or my parents yet. In my mind, until I’d settled in and we knew it was going to work out, I didn’t think it was worth getting yelled at over.

  I opened the door, dropped my backpack on the floor, and flopped down on my bed. Mac wouldn’t be out of her evening class for a while, and it was the first alone time I’d had in weeks. Since Thanksgiving break had officially started for me, I had nothing to study either.

  My thoughts replayed Hendrix’s words about the music, and I sighed, grabbed my phone, and turned on Spotify. I tapped my screen and closed my eyes as I listened to “Garden” by Dua Lipa, allowing myself to sink into the music and dream again. I missed it, quiet time, and the opportunity to lose myself in it.

  Finally, I allowed myself to dream about my future and what I might really want. I’d lost so much over the last five years, I’d never given myself the opportunity to plan like other girls had. By the time they’d started high school I’d lost my innocence and delivered a baby. My world looked nothing like first dates and prom. Things had changed, though. Hendrix had changed me, and Mac had helped make it happen.

  Contentment and happiness washed over me, and before I knew it, I drifted off to sleep.

  * * *

  My phone vibrated, breaking through my music and my sleep. Puzzled, I held up the phone. It was after ten and Mac hadn’t made it back yet, but it wasn’t her. Ada Lynn’s name flashed across my screen. It was midnight there, and Ada Lynn never stayed up past nine or nine-thirty. Then it hit me. Dad.

  “Ada Lynn?” I asked, sitting up in bed. “What’s wrong?”

  “Honey, you need to come home.”

  Chapter 35

  My heartbeat skidded to a stop. There was no mistaking the fact Ada Lynn had been crying, and I knew she’d never tell me to come home unless something had gone horribly wrong.

  “I’ve booked you a plane ticket, so you’ll need to hurry. You don’t have much time.”

  “Ada Lynn, is he? Is Dad? Did he?” My pitch rose with each question.

  “It’s not your dad. He’s fine. Your mom’s been in a terrible accident,” Ada Lynn choked on her words, breaking down in sobs.

  “No! Dammit, tell me she’s okay. Tell me she’s alive,” I said, sinking to my knees, tears flowing down my cheeks.

  “I can’t, Gemma,” she said, her voice barely audible.

  Time stopped. My mind frantically scrambled for something to hold onto. Mom? It couldn’t be true. I’d just talked to her... Shit, I couldn’t remember when the last time had been. A few days? A week? I’d been so submerged in Hendrix and singing I’d not even called as often. Now she was. Gone.

  “No!” I screamed through my sobs, my phone dropping to the floor.

  Ada Lynn let me cry for a minute, and somewhere in the back of my head, I realized she was talking again. I picked the phone up and tried to listen to her.

  “Now, you need to get ahold of yourself and go to the airport. Throw your clothes in your bag and call for a ride. I booked the next flight out, and I’ll email you the details as soon as we hang up. You’ll have enough time to get through security, but you’ll have to run in order to board in time. If you miss it, you’ll be there for another six hours.”

  “Okay,” I muttered in shock already throwing my clothes into my bag. “I’ll see you soon.” I hung up the phone, scurrying to pack my bag. I glanced around the room and realized I hadn’t packed everything. Maybe Mac could grab the rest and take it to Hendrix’s tomorrow.

  Hendrix.

  A shudder shot through me as I grabbed my phone. How could I leave him? Unfortunately, I had no choice. I set up my Uber and called him. After four rings it went to voicemail. I swore as I disconnected the call and checked the arrival time for the Uber. It was less than five minutes.

  I called him again, this time leaving a message to meet me at the airport the minute he got this. Hopefully, he’d get the news in time. There was no way I was telling him Mom had died over a voicemail or text. My brain scrambled to make sense of what had happened. In minutes, my world had turned upside down and crashed down on me.

  The door flew open and Mac practically danced into the room. She stopped short when she saw my bag and face.

  “Gemma?” she asked, tears immediately forming in her eyes.

  “I have to go, Mac.”

  “Your dad?” Her expression filled with fear.

  “He’s fine. It’s Mom. She—she,” I struggled against my tears. “She was killed in a car accident tonight,” I hiccupped. “I can’t get in touch with Hendrix, either.”

  My phone buzzed with the alert that my Uber was here. “I have to go.”

  “I love you,” Mac sa
id, grabbing me in a hug. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I’ll tell Hendrix, and we will move your stuff for you tomorrow, okay? Although I should tell you to stay in Louisiana for as long as you need to, I’m not. Hurry the hell back.” She swiped at her tears and attempted a smile.

  I nodded. “Thank you,” I said, hugging her again.

  My phone buzzed with another reminder, and I dashed down the stairs and out the front door. I spotted my ride and lugged my bag as quickly as I could.

  “Gemma!” I turned, wondering who had called my name. “Hey, I’m Andrea Wallace. We met at the student center concert, remember? I’m the one majoring in nursing.”

  “Oh yeah. Sorry, I never caught your name. I don’t mean to be rude, but I have a ride waiting for me. I’m headed back to Louisiana for a little while.”

  “Oh.” Her attention darted around at the few other students making their way to the dorms. “It’s probably for the best.”

  “What?”

  “I uh. You’re dating Hendrix Harrington, right?”

  “Yeah? So?” I peered over my shoulder to make sure my Uber hadn’t pulled off. I waved to it, and held up a finger hoping they would understand I’d be there in a minute.

  “Andrea, I don’t mean to be rude, but I really have to go.”

  “If you’re smart, don’t come back,” she gushed.

  “What in the hell are you talking about? Are you all right? This is sort of strange. I mean, you and I met for maybe five minutes.”

  “I know, and I can’t tell you how awkward this is, but there are some things going on at this campus. Well, you’re better off never coming back.”

  “Yeah, no shit. I’ve already seen a lot. I have to go, have a good evening.” I spun on my heel and began to walk toward my ride.

  “Wait,” she said, hurrying after me.

  I sighed, my patience draining fast. I turned back toward her again, my eyebrow arching.

  “I wanted to tell you to have a safe flight.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me right now?” I snapped. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I just got a phone call that my mother was killed in a car accident tonight. So whatever it is you’re dealing with, I’m really sorry. I have a plane to catch.”

  She wrung her fingers together; her shoulders shook as she inhaled sharply. “I’m so sorry. Oh, my God, I’m going to make it worse.” Tears spilled down her cheeks. “It’s the right thing to do, though. It’s the right thing to tell you.”

  “What?” I growled, finally losing all my southern manners.

  “I’m pressing charges against Hendrix Harrington for raping me.”

  * * *

  Continue Hendrix’s and Gemma’s journey in Love & Deception. Just click here. Turn the page for your free book offer.

  If you’re looking for something sexy, daring, and romantic, you can fall in love with Hadlee and Kaisen in Where I’ll Find You.

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  OTHER BOOKS BY J.A. OWENBY

  The Truth Series

  The Truth She Knew

  Echoes Beneath

  Whispers of Her

  Standalone Novels

  Where I’ll Find You

  Fading into Her, a novella

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  J.A. Owenby lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband and cat.

  She also runs her own business as a professional resume writer and interview coach—she helps people find jobs they love.

  J.A. is an avid reader of thrillers, romance, new adult, and young adult novels. She loves music, movies, and good wine. And call her crazy, but she loves the rainy Pacific Northwest; she gets her best story ideas while listening to the rain pattering against the windows in front of the fireplace.

  You can follow the progress of her upcoming novel on Facebook at Author J.A. Owenby and on Twitter @jaowenby.

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