Broken Pieces (23 page)

The thought of our first time goes through my head. It could have been so much more perfect. I was drunk, punched a wall, put those awful bruises on those delicate legs of hers. I still hate myself for that because my jealousy was uncalled for. I should still be making up for that. She is so strong, though. I could see the pain in her eyes when I pushed inside her. I know she hasn’t had sex in years, probably since that motherfucker …

Deep breath. I close my eyes, whispering, “I am going to kill him.”

When her deep brown eyes connected with mine, I almost lost my load right then and there. She has a power over me that no other girl ever has. I try to control it, but it is utterly pointless. She has trapped me and I’m not fighting it. I want her, all of her. Forever.

It was like fate intervened that Friday night when I saw a head full of the most beautiful brunette hair flying through the air just as I was walking by. I saw she was going down. I reached out to catch her before I knew what I was doing. When those soft, innocent brown eyes looked up at me for the first time, I knew I was a goner. As hard as it was to walk away from her that night, I knew it wouldn’t be the last time we saw each other. We had a connection from the moment our eyes met, and she felt it, too. I know it. I won’t give up.

I feel like I have brought her down since I met her. She was a shy, but a happy young woman with ambition. I admired that about her, especially after she told me what happened. I knew I had to get to know this girl that was strong enough to pick herself up and do something with her life after being through what she had. She had all the reason in the world to give up, but didn’t.

I remember the look on her face when I said the word “rapist”. I thought she was going to pass out, she went so white. Even if she had chosen not to tell me, I still would have known something happened. Never in a million years would I have thought that it was the one good friend I thought I could depend on. I have known Jeremy for about four years now. I knew he was a womanizer, but did not think that he was capable of doing what he did to Kara. He made her fragile, but I’m strong enough for the both of us to hold the pieces together. (wanna incorporate for the both of us)

Then when I pulled up and saw that piece of shit Collin half-way in her car, I lost it. I haven’t fought since I graduated and swore I would never again, but he pushed the wrong buttons. Normally, I would say that people do not deserve what I did, but he definitely did. I don’t remember a damn thing after I saw his legs sticking out of her car. I blacked out, which is never a good thing. I used to drop motherfuckers like nothing, which is exactly what he got. Her sobs broke through my trance, or I might have killed him. But, I knew she needed me and that was enough. She is special.

The thought of it, the thought of him and her, make my whole body tense. The thought of that good for fucking nothing best friend of mine makes me seethe. I came in the bathroom to calm down. I don’t like being this mad when I am around her. Not that I would ever touch her like that, but I am seeing red right now. It took a little while for the realization to hit. I raked my brain all day, trying to figure out what could have made her suddenly go cold on me. I put the puzzle together, though. He will get what’s coming to him because he hurt the woman I love. I can’t rid her of those memories or take the emotional pain away, but I can break him like he broke her.

She is more important than anyone. I need to put my shit aside and tend to her, and just her. She needs me; I live for her. I never thought that I would be tied down to one woman, but I have to admit that she has won me over completely. She has me so much that the diamond ring I bought her is burning a hole in my sock drawer. I have kept it in there, not wanting to scare her off. I want to wait until Christmas. I always worry that we are moving too fast, but it feels right.

The whole damn reason we have to move slowly is because of that piece of shit. “Damn it!” I slammed my palm on the cool surface of the vanity.

I rush out of the bathroom, just needing to feel her precious body in my arms. I can protect her, and will from now on. I don’t see her in the living room or kitchen. I head to the bedroom next; nothing. I storm back into the main living area. Her purse is gone. She is gone.

I notice a lone envelope on the island.

Drew,

If saying I’m sorry was enough, I would have already said it. I want you to know I’m sorry for causing a problem between you and Jeremy. I also hope that, one day, you can forgive me for walking out on your mother’s funeral. I do think this is the best thing for us; a clean break. No reason to drag the pain out any further. I wish you the best. I love you. Always.

Love,

Kara

“FUCK!”

She left. I can’t lose her. She can’t be far; her car is at her apartment. Fuck, that means she is out there in the cold, walking. I hustle to throw on the first pair of shoes and jacket in sight, shooting for the door. I leave like a bat out of hell.

I call her nonstop and, of course, she isn’t answering. I search every street within miles of my apartment, nothing. Shit, what if some lunatic picked her up? My foot pounds on the gas. I call Lauren. Please let her be there. She says that she has not heard from her in a while. I tell her nothing is wrong, not wanting to freak her out. There is only one more place she could have gone.

I park my Challenger two houses down, on the opposite side of the street from Kace’s house. I know she is here; I feel it in my gut. I don’t want to lose her, and I especially don’t want to lose her to him. I have had a sickening feeling about this dude since I first laid eyes on him. I knew he wanted her, I could see it in the fucker’s eyes. After she saw Jeremy, she ran to him and not me; that really hurt. I want to know why she feels like she can talk to him and not me. I am her boyfriend. I understand having friends, but this asshole doesn’t want to just be friends. She is mine, and I will get her back.

Before I have a chance to think any further, I’m standing in front of Kace’s front door.

Look for the second book in the
Broken Series

To be released Spring 2014.

Everyone has a voice, they just need to be heard.

National Sexual Assault Hotline - 1.800.656.HOPE

I may have typed every word of this book, but I was not the only person who had a hand in it. First and foremost, I want to thank my husband for being there for me every step of the way. I say every step and I mean it. Poor guy, he was there for the ups and downs but kept pushing me. Every time I got discouraged, he was my boost. When my computer crashed on me and I lost four thousand words, he was there. He is who you should thank for me finishing my first novel.

My dear friend A … you had to listen to me rant and rave night after night about this book. You never lost hope in me. Thank-you for never giving up on me!

I would like to thank Nickie Seidler for everything! If it was not for that girl, I would have given up when the times got tuff. She has not only been there for me in the process of publishing my first book, but I believe I have found a lifelong friend.

Making my first appearance in the “Author World” was not an easy one. It takes encouragement to get people to take a chance on an unknown author.

B. E. Laine enjoys long walks on the beach, candle light dinners, eh wait this is not some fairy tale. This Oklahoma girl, born and raised, recently learned she had a passion for reading. Then realized she had an even bigger passion for writing. All the stories that have been storming through her brain all these years are finally being written.

Find B:

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