A Shattered Heart (Live & Love Series Book 1) (8 page)

Chapter 16

2 years, 8 months…

I woke up the next morning with a lot of body aches and stiffness. I opened my eyes to find Josh staring back at me.

“How are you feeling?” he asked hesitantly.

“Tired and sore.”

“Do you remember what happened last night?” He put his arm around me and pulled me closer.

“In the middle of the night?” I hedged, embarrassed to bring it up.

“Yes,” he said tentatively.

“If you are asking if I remember the accident now, the answer is yes. I remember everything, Josh. I remember what happened. I think my mind couldn’t handle what I saw and didn’t want to cope. But you know what? I feel more at peace now than before, and maybe that’s a step in the right direction.”

“I’m proud of you, Nat. It takes a lot to overcome what you’ve been through. Now that you remember, I think it would be wise for you to talk to someone about it, though. Get final closure on the accident. I don’t want you blaming yourself to become the new normal for you. It will lead to all sorts of depression and anxiety. Whatever you need, I’ll get, no matter the cost.”

I looked at Josh and smiled, leaning in to give him a sweet kiss. We were interrupted by the sound of my stomach growling.

“Wow. That was loud,” Josh remarked with a grin. “I’ll make you breakfast in bed. Don’t move.”

“Aye-aye, cowboy.” I threw in a wink for good measure.

He shook his head as he walked out of the room.

I rolled over to check my phone, noticing a couple of missed messages. One from my parents saying how excited they were to have me coming home and that they were excited to meet the new man in my life. The second text made me think twice before opening it as it was from the unknown name and number.

Murderer! I hope you get what you deserve.

I dropped my phone on the bed and tucked my knees up, resting my head on top. I closed my eyes and took a few shaky breaths, trembling all over, but I couldn’t stop the sob from coming out.

Why did this keep happening? Just when I thought I had a handle on things, something always came up.

Josh came in with a tray just then and saw my posture. He stopped dead in his tracks.

“What happened?”

I only shook my head and looked toward my phone lying discarded on the bed.

He set the tray down and looked at my messages.

“Son of a bitch!” he yelled, throwing the phone across the room where it landed on the cushions below the window ledge.

Mark and Daniel came flying in the room to see Josh sitting on the edge of the bed with his hands tugging at his hair. Mark picked up the phone and scrolled over the message with Daniel looking on.

“Are you sure this Robin is stable?” Mark asked.

“I don’t think it’s Robin,” I stated. “She was a good friend of our family. It couldn’t be her.”

“But the phone is registered to her,” Daniel stated.

“Doesn’t mean it wasn’t stolen,” I retorted.

Josh took a deep breath and blew it out. “Look, I don’t know who it is or anything, but it’s starting to make me question the safety of my girlfriend. My life.” Josh looked at me with worried eyes. “When we go to visit your parents, you need to stay with me at all costs. I don’t care if I look like a stalker to your parents, it happens that way. I don’t want any harm to come to you. And Mark and Daniel are coming with us. I’ll clear it with Mom and Dad. Maybe they can get a couple of the neighborhood boys to come in and help out at the shop.”

“Think of us as hot bodyguards.” Daniel winked.

I rolled my eyes, but it made me laugh, anyhow.

“It’s a bit over-the-top, but whatever you want. I’m tired of this.” I said as I hugged my knees again.

“Don’t worry, Nat,” Josh said. “I won’t let anything happen to you.” He then kissed the top of my head.

Suddenly, I was second guessing my plans to meet Robin. Could it really be her? I wanted to doubt it, but something told me not to totally discount it.

Chapter 17

Josh

We flew out the following week to San Diego, all four of us. Nat fell asleep quite quickly, leaning on my shoulder. We were mostly quiet for the duration of the flight. Nat’s parents were meeting us at the airport to give us all a ride to their house where we were staying.

I poked Natalie as we were making our descent into the airport. She stretched, and her shirt lifted up a bit, drawing my gaze to that small patch of skin. I could feel myself getting hard just sitting here, thinking about her smooth skin and the way it felt.

“Josh,” Natalie said. I looked up and blushed at her. “Oh, my God, were you daydreaming about me?” she asked playfully.

I blushed some more, winked, then said, “You know it.”

She laughed as she reached for her luggage in the overhead compartment. Meanwhile, I tried to hide my ever growing bulge at the sheer thought of her skin on mine. I couldn’t get enough of the woman.

It was then that I realized I already loved her. For once in my life, I wasn’t afraid of that prospect. I loved her and would do anything for her. I knew Nat wasn’t ready to hear those words, but one day soon, I would hopefully make her mine.

We all got off the plane and grabbed our extra luggage out of baggage claim then headed toward the waiting area where the three of us were introduced to Jim and Rita. Natalie was a good mix of her parents yet looked more like her mom by way of her coloring.

We all got through the formalities then loaded up in the SUV and headed to Nat’s parents’ house.

We had decided it was best for her parents to remain out of the loop unless necessary. As far as they knew, this was simply a regular visit.

I thought they had been taken aback when all three of us had said we were coming. Then my brothers had made sure to tell Jim and Rita that they thought of Nat as a little sister and thought it would be great to meet the parents who had created such a special girl. Who could say no to that? We knew how to use the charm when we needed it.

Nat’s parents’ house was a colonial style with white columns on the front in a very upper-class neighborhood. The house looked huge and, for a couple who had only had two kids, quite grand by many standards.

“Thanks for offering to have us stay at your lovely home,” I said.

“No need, Josh. Any friends of Natalie are friends of ours,” Rita replied with Jim nodding his head beside her. “It’ll be nice to have the house filled again. We miss that,” she added.

Rita led us to where we would all be staying. Of course, I received my own room with a stern look from Rita. I got the hint and gave her a smirk along with a silent nod to let her know I would behave while I was there, as hard as that would be, especially since Nat has been giving me bedroom eyes for the last hour or so. I foresee a bunch of cold showers in my future.

The next day, we were left to our own devices. Rita did however make us a scrumptious breakfast to start us off.

“So where is a good place to start our sightseeing, dear Nat?” Stated Mark with a smile.

“Well I guess that depends on what you are looking for. We have art, gardens, museums, zoos, you name it we got it. What do you want to see, I can be your tour guide.” Nat said as she pretended her best Vanna White moves.

We all chuckled and looked at each other and knew exactly what we wanted to do. In unison, we all yelled, “ZOOO!”

Natalie just shook her head and said, “of course, you’d all say that. Bunch of kids really, that’s what you all are.” She sounded exasperated, but we knew she was teasing.

Her parents left us the big SUV so we’d all fit. Nat did the driving, and took us for a day at the zoo.

We all loved animals growing up, so going to a big time zoo, was something we all liked to do, even though we didn’t go very often and this was one zoo we had never been to.

Throughout the day we weaved in and among people, looking at all the animals and attractions the San Diego Zoo had to offer. We made a day of it, and by the time we got back to Nat’s parents’ house, dinner was already ready. We sat down, had a great meal with lots of good conversation.

“So I was thinking of going shopping on my own tomorrow. Do you think you baboons can find something to do while I am away?” Nat asked.

“Well after seeing that giant pool, I bet that’s where we’ll be hanging out, right?” Daniel looked at us.

We nodded in agreement.

“Good, I was going to go to a couple of my favorite shops to pick up a few things and then grab a coffee on my way home.” Natalie didn’t look at me while she said it.

I looked at her for a few moments, trying to gauge if I should be concerned. She finally looked up at me, and for a brief flash, I saw apprehension in her face, but she quickly covered it up and smiled. I reluctantly agreed by nodding my head at her. However, I was sure she could see the concern on my face.

Chapter 18

2 years, 8 months….

I decided to meet Robin at the little café on the corner of the street where our office building sat. I was a bit nervous about her reaction to me coming back after all this time. I hoped my presence was non-threatening. I had no intention at this time to go back to the company, but I couldn’t help feeling nervous.

I was sitting at a little corner table when I heard, “Natalie, is that you? Oh, my God, you look great!” She came up and gave me a tight squeeze.

“Hey, so good to see you again.” I offered her a nervous smile. “You’ve changed your hair. I like it,” I compliment her.

“Oh, thanks. I needed a change a while back, so I went for it.”

I pointed to the vacant chair at the table, and she sat, placing a little clutch on her lap.

“So, I’m dying to ask, Nat, what brings you back after all this time?” She sipped on her lemon water.

“Well, I guess I just thought it was time. I came mostly to see my parents, but I thought about you and figured you’d be up for a visit. You were always so dear to Jake and me.” I watched her reaction at the mention of Jake’s name. She did stop her movements slightly, but that could be any number of things, so I didn’t take too much stock in it.

“Boy, do I miss him,” she said, clasping her hands over the clutch in her lap. “He was such a great person and boss. We grew so close over the last few years, and I miss that connection, you know?”

I swallowed convulsively. I really wasn’t sure I could handle too much reminiscing at this point, but I nodded my head in agreement and then took a sip of my drink as a distraction from the tears I could feel coming.

“How’s your life been?” I finally asked.

“Oh, you know, can’t complain. Haven’t found the right guy yet, but that doesn’t deter me from dating. I feel pretty good about my life right now, so things seem to be on track. It’s just too bad Jake can’t be here to see all the changes I’ve made. We did become really close, and we talked about so many things…” She drifted off and stared past my head.

That was the second time she had mentioned her and Jake getting close. Although I found it interesting, I fell like it must be nerves on her part, a slip of the tongue.

“I remember you had a fashion group you attended pretty regularly; do you still participate?” I tried again to change the subject.

“Oh, no, I haven’t been with them in a while. I still like my fashion, don’t get me wrong, but I’ve switched over to photography. A hobby, really, but I like catching people in candid moments,” she replied, staring back at me.

I suddenly got an uneasy feeling, but wasn’t sure why.

“I love your little clutch. Where did you find it?” I asked nervously.

“Oh, this old thing. I’ve had it for a while. It’s big enough for the essentials, like wallet, lipstick, pens, a gun. You know, the usual.” She winked at me.

I just about choked on my water. “A gun?” I wheezed out.

She smiled. “I’m kidding, Nat. Sheesh, where is your sense of humor?”

I was super uneasy right now. Everything seemed off.

“What about you, Nat? How are things in your life?”

“Oh, well, I’ve tried to move on as best as I can. I try to lead a pretty stress free life for now. I’ve found a quaint little town and a job for myself, but nothing on the scale as before. I’ve made a few friends who help ground me after everything, and I’ve even met someone. We’re taking it pretty slow, though.”

Robin’s jaw ticked. “Oh, I didn’t know. Is he nice?” she asked tightly.

“Yes, I really enjoy his company. He’ll never be a replacement for Jake, but he’s a good man.” I smiled weakly.

“Hmm,” was her only response.

While we remained silent for a bit, I attempted to study her without drawing too much attention. Finally, the silence was getting too awkward.

“So,” I said, reaching into my purse and pulling out my phone. I sent a quick text to Josh, telling him where I was and when to expect me back. I didn’t think the lunch date would last too much longer. She probably had to get back to work.

“Are you texting him?” she asked sternly.

“Oh, sorry, I wasn’t trying to be rude. I just wanted him to know I would be home once we were done with our lunch.” I gave her another shy smile.

She only stared at me for an uncomfortable amount of time. I wasn’t getting a really good feeling anymore. I didn’t understand how things had shifted.

“Jake and I were getting really close over those last few months, and I have to say, it should have been you,” she stated matter-of-factly.

“Wh-what?”

“You heard me. You should have died that day. Jake and I would have finally been able to be together.” She looked at her fingernails like she was bored. “You weren’t worthy of him, Nat. You never were. I was just biding my time until I could be with him. It was working, you know? I was slowly getting him to see things my way. He would stay late at night, and I would stay, too. You remember, right, Natalie? All those nights when he worked late, and you were home tucking the kids in bed while I was with your husband, slowly making him see that I was the better choice. He had great lips, don’t you think, Nat?”

Tears were threatening to spill over. I felt my phone vibrate and slowly texted “help” to whomever it was.

“I was so close, and then you had to book that vacation. ‘Regrouping as a family’ is what he called it. I tried everything in my power to make him cancel, but he thought too much of you, Nat, and you didn’t deserve him. I did.” She started fiddling with her hands.

The tears slipped down my cheeks, unable to be controlled any longer. “I don’t understand. Why would you try to seduce my husband? We were married and had a family—”

“It was going to be mine. I was going to help him see he was making the wrong choice with you. I wanted it all, and I was going to get it until you killed him, you stupid bitch. You ruined everything.” Her agitation seemed to escalate as she rose from her chair. Then she actually pointed a gun at me.

I started to shake, never having seen something like this coming. There were gasps all around me, and people started to scatter.

“Wh-what are you doing, Robin? You need to think about this,” I said shakily, watching the gun.

“No, Natalie, I’ve thought about this long and hard. You took away the love of my life. You caused me nothing but pain, and now I am going to make sure you pay,” she said as she took aim.

I could hear tires squealing in the background, but all I could focus on was the deafening shot from the gun, followed by a searing pain in my chest.

I fell back and looked down to see my dress covered in blood.

Then two hands suddenly grasped my face. “Look at me, baby. Look at me. You’re going to be all right. Stay with me, Nat. Please don’t go. I need you, baby.”

I turned my head to stare back at Josh, a look of sheer terror in his eyes.

He was trying to talk to me, but I couldn’t hear anything.

I whispered, “I’m sorry,” as my world faded to black.