LOGIN“Congratulations, man.” Eric says this time pulling Jasper in for a bro-hug.Emily and I glance at one another with raised eyebrows and instantly can read each others expressions- not fated-mates, just best friends.“So,” Jasper says awkwardly. “Do you think you’d be my best man?” Jasper blurts out
Renee’s POV One Year Later The doorbell chimes and echoes throughout our tall white ceilings.“I’ll get it!” Debbie says while running to the foyer. She’s seven years old but is already a head taller than all her peers, her long shapely legs allow her to make vast strides and she’s out of the liv
I was just hoping it would all be later. Eric and I have been shielding her from the t.v and the news. When the time is right, we want to be the ones to give the full story not whatever dramatized way the media is spinning it.Eric helps me out of the rocking chair and we walk to the living room whe
Renee’s POV A couple days later, I’m discharged from the hospital. Eric, Debbie, myself, and Liam are home.I looked it up, Liam means protector which exactly what he was doing while I was held hostage. He was the reason Mark didn’t kill me. The name also means strong, and despite him being born pr
“Well I’m okay,” I tell him. He lets out a shaky breath and brings my hand up to his warm lips.“I love you,” he tells me.“I love you too,” I reply. Then I shift gears. “What about everyone else? Emily? Jasper? How are they?”Eric nods. “Everyone is okay. A broken arm and some cuts but nothing they
Renee’s POV I suck in a sharp breath of air as my life force hits me like a truck. My eyes whip open but I don’t see anything except blinding light. I snap my eyes shut and sink my head back into something squishy.I try to move my body into a protective stance and instantly regret it. Pain shoots
I know exactly what he is talking about, but I have to pretend that I have no idea.The silence stretches out for a beat too long.“You do know that place, don’t you?” Eric says, baiting me.I re-orient myself. “No,” I spit out. “I don’t,”“Well then I guess Debbie and Nilo will just be having a sle
Renee’s POV“C’mon mom, we’re going to be late!” Debbie says using one hand to pull my arm and another to tug on her jacket.“Hang on, Debbie I’m on the phone,” I tell her while Emily laughs on the other line. “We’re not even going to be late,” I reassure her as Debbie stomps her foot on the ground.
Renee’s POVI throw my planner, my wallet, and the loose scraps of paper on my desk into my bag. I’m late, I’m late, I’m so late. I didn’t even realize that it was time to pick up Debbie from school. Ever since Mia and I came to an understanding I’ve been getting a ton of projects that I apply for
“Awh man,” Debbie says, but I can tell she’s happy to be doing what the other children are doing. Eric turns himself towards me.“I’m laughing at Debbie’s retailing of the story, and by the way, I’m not just Debbie‘s coach. If you haven’t noticed there are twenty other children that I am helping out







