Goodbye Secrets (The Lost & Found Series book #2) (58 page)

“I’m gonna catch you, June, and when I do, I’m gonna shove this bug in your pants and watch ya scream,” I taunted as I closed in on her. She was within my reach and I tackled her hard to the ground. Fighting me off wildly, she scratched and screamed to no avail while I pushed the beetle down into the waistband of her shorts.

“I hate you Bobby! Don’t you ever talk to me again!” She was crying now which had me feeling a little guilty. Not guilty enough though. I held her hands down and straddled her so the bug could crawl around and she would be helpless. Once her tears died down, I realized the fun was over. Looking down at her, I noticed for the first time that her eyes were as green as the grass underneath her. Her lips were still quivering and I suddenly had an urge to plant a kiss on them. The thought of kissing her gave me a boner.
What the heck?

Jumping up from her as fast as I could to hide my erection, I turned and walked back toward the road, leaving her in the grass behind me.

The entire way back to our houses, she deliberately walked several feet behind me and refused to say a word to me. June was strange these days. God, she better not get her period. Gross. When we made it up to my driveway we heard shouting come from my house. I could see Daddy up on the porch and he was screaming at Momma.

“You ain’t nothing but a whore, Mona. They all call ya
Moan-a
behind yer back! Get the fuck out of my life. I’m divorcing your ass!”

Momma was crying and calling him a slew of names. When she shoved him, he slapped her across her face hard enough to knock her on the floor. I was tearing up the driveway, June calling after me, before I even knew what I was doing. Pounding up the steps I reached Daddy as Momma started to stand back up. I tackled him with as much strength as a twelve year old could boy possess.

“Don’t ya touch my momma,” I screamed and attempted to punch him with my small fists. Daddy just grunted and swatted me off of him. I was no match for his near six foot frame.

“Boy, ya better not do that again or I’m taking my belt to your bare ass!” he growled and started unbuckling his belt. Momma stormed into the house, letting the old screen door slam behind her. I glanced over to June standing in the yard, tiny hands covering her mouth. She looked horrified. Daddy and I had a silent standoff for what seemed like several minutes before he stomped back into the house.

Defeated, I slammed myself down on the porch swing and gritted my teeth. June slowly approached me, sitting beside me. Her petite hand reached over and covered my clenched fist, immediately causing some of the tension to fade. My heart was still racing from the altercation moments before.

“I’m sorry yer momma and daddy were fightin’,” June said sadly. I looked over at her and studied her soft features. She was beginning to look pretty to me. Meeting my eyes, she smiled. For some reason, I had an overwhelming urge to kiss her pouty lips.
What was wrong with me these days?
I could feel another boner start and I adjusted my jeans, hoping she wouldn’t notice. All attempts of subduing my hard on were thrown out the window when she leaned over and pecked my lips. Before we could even assess what happened, Momma burst back out of the house.

“Come on, Bobby. We’re leaving,” she ordered as she stomped to her truck. My heart sank when I realized she had two suitcases in tow.

“Where are we goin’, Momma?” I shouted after her. She tossed them into the bed of the truck and turned to me.

“Me and yer Daddy are gettin’ a divorce. We’re goin’ to stay with your Aunt Martha. Now get in the truck.”

I turned to look over at June and her eyes were filled with tears. My stomach felt uneasy like I could be sick at any moment. Latching on to her hand with mine, I stood up from the swing and she followed suit. Ducking my head, I pecked her on the lips once more before backing away from her and releasing her hand. The last image I had of her was one that haunted me for years to come.
I love you, June Bug.

A SNEAK PEEK

THROW CAUTION TO THE WIND

by Kelly Collins

Seven years ago, Savannah Stone walked away from Louisiana, vowing never to return. With a suitcase in her hand and a scar on her heart she set out on a new path.

Seven years later, the death of her best friend has her returning back to the place she promised herself she would never go––
home
.

Savannah is determined to bury her friend without letting the emotion of being home overwhelm her.

That plan goes out the window the second she sees Jackson.

His presence causes a storm to brew inside of her that she can’t contain. He was the one thing she could count on—until the incident that changed everything.

Jackson arrives in Leesville with just one mission. He wants Savannah back, and he’s willing to do anything to make it happen.

They are there to bury a friend, but can they bury the past as well?

Sometimes, you just have to throw caution to the wind.

I am a domestic engineer (born and raised in New Jersey) whose sole responsibility is guiding three young, impressionable kids into becoming phenomenal adults. This challenging yet rewarding work requires a lot of love (coffee), patience (wine), and determination (periodic exorcisms). I work all of this magic from the beautiful state of New Hampshire.

Before becoming a domestic goddess (not really), I spent over a decade working in the medical field, where I wore more hats than the queen.

I have loved the written word and the great escape it provides since I was a little girl. When I wasn't reading about people and the places they lived, I created my own characters and adventures. Finally, I started putting a pen to paper and allowing my characters to come to life. When I don't have a pen in hand, you can often find me laughing at the conversations my characters are having in my head. When I don't have a pen in hand, you can often find me laughing at the conversations my characters are having in my head.