StellaAs I turn onto the road in front of The Café, my heart does a little jump when I see the Laurel Springs Police SUV that belongs to my boyfriend. It's parked near the front, Nick's patrol car sits next to it, and I see my Mom's SUV parked there too, as well as Holden's truck. I'm super excited to see my Ransom because I haven't seen him, except in passing, the last couple of days. Our schedules aren't jiving, now that I've started school and he's working more than ever. But tonight, tonight is special. Our families are getting together for dinner.Parking my car in the first available spot, I shut it off and then flip the visor up, checking my hair and makeup. It's been a long day at work, but I managed to freshen up my hair before I left, and now I'm doing the same with my makeup. Satisfied that I'm looking as good as I'm going to, I grab my purse and exit the car. I wish I'd had time to go home and change, but scrubs are going to have to do today.When I enter, I see t
StellaOne Year LaterBlue lights are flashing in my rearview and I have no idea what I've done wrong. Even though it's only six at night, I've just pulled a twelve-hour shift at the hospital, and I'm tired after staying up late last night studying. Only one more semester to go, thanks to doing summer school and testing out of some classes thanks to my medical assisting degree. But this semester is kicking my ass. I'm more tired than normal, and I'm taking things a bit too seriously. Which is why I feel tears well up in my eyes as I see the flashing lights of the Laurel Springs Police Department Charger.I have tears because I know that this isn't Ransom and I miss him so much. We've been ships passing in the night for the last two weeks, and all I want is a hug. His arms wrapped tightly around me, and him promising me that all this hard work will be worth it."Do you know how fast you were going back there?"Menace is leaning into the window I rolled down, but I don't rememb
VOLUME TWO: SUPPRESSIONKelseaThe last thing anyone wants on their wedding day is to puke in the bridal suite. I have it on great authority no one likes to puke, especially right before they put on their wedding dress. Checking out my best friend, Stella? Looks like she didn't get the memo."Do we need to get you back to the bathroom?" I whisper as I watch a hand go to her stomach and her other over her mouth. It's almost as if I can literally see her getting greener as the seconds tick by."Stella." Whitney's voice carries a tone of disapproval as she turns to face both me and her daughter. "Did you really think it was a good idea to have a wine night with Kels the actual night before your wedding?"If only Whitney Kepler knew what was actually happening at our wine night. We'd watched Steel Magnolias, Top Gun and Sweet Home Alabama while polishing off a container of cake frosting and giggling about the something blue surprise Stella has up her skirt for her groom. Ending u
NickLove is a promise delivered, already broken. That's what I learned from the first half of my life. Love hurts, it breaks up families, it brings unhappiness and pain, disappointment and sorrow. Love doesn't save, it steals. Anything and everything worth having. But watching Ransom and Stella as they dance around their reception, seeing how happy they are. Watching the smile covering both of their faces, the way my best friend holds my sister in his arms? It makes me wonder if I'm the broken one, and everyone else knows the answer to the secret. There's a part of me that thinks I'm wrong, because I see successful couples all around me. The difference in those couples and what I've been a part of? Me. I'm always the common denominator, and after a while – you come to realize how bad you are loving anyone else, including yourself.Sighing, I bring my bottle of beer up to my lips, taking a drink. It's nasty, because I've been nursing the same one all night. I'm not much of a dri
NickThe devil on my right shoulder is completely at odds with the angel on the left. He's telling me to take what I want, she's telling me to do what I know is right. Me? I'm at odds. For once to not be the guy who doesn't think he deserves shit. I've been denying myself for so long, but at the same time, I've also been denying Kelsea what she wants and what she deserves."Take it, Nick," she whispers, holding her palm against mine. Her eyes are closed as she continues whispering the words almost like a prayer. "Please, just take it."In the end, it's not because of my needs and wants, it's the desperation in her voice, the way it catches on the last word that rocks me out of my stupor. It's the fact she still wants me, no matter how many times I've hurt her, no matter how much I've pushed her away. It's the fact she's never given up on me. Even when I've given up on myself. A groan is ripped from the back of my throat, coming out on just this side of a growl as my fingers cu
KelseaI'm fighting to open my eyes as I hear rustling the next morning. To be honest, I'm surprised he's still here. Given what I know about him, I figured he'd take the chance to slip away in the dead of the night. Tiredness washes over my body, along with a relaxation I haven't felt in months. There's even a soreness, courtesy of what I spent the night doing. The stress of helping Stella get married and my worry over Nick has finally caught up with me as I sink further against my mattress."Kels." I hear a deep voice whispering in my ear. I feel the scratch of a beard on my shoulder."Hmmm?" I stretch, before burrowing deeply into the arms wrapped around me.Moist lips land on my bare shoulder before the heat of his breath pulses against me. "I have to be at work in an hour, but I don't want to go.""I don't want you to go either," I whisper as he tightens his arms around me. Pressing myself against him, I feel his hard length at my back. "So that's how it's going to b
Nick"Running late today?"Immediately I'm on the defensive as I hear Kelsea's dad, and my boss, Menace speak to me, even though I can hear the teasing lilt in his voice. I'm almost an hour late, I haven't showered since the wedding, and I have a three-day-old beard which isn't like me at all. But I can't tell him where I've been, what I've been doing. The only person I respect more than him is my dad, so I attempt to take his teasing in stride."Just a little." I hurry to see if there's any info in my mailbox, doing my best to not meet his eyes."I think we're all a little slower than normal after the wedding last night. Did you get Kels home alright? Caleb said you were taking her when I asked."It's an innocent question. Something any dad would ask about his daughter, but I immediately feel guilty. He's my superior who's always treated me with respect and supported anything I've set out to do in my job. But I'm also not prepared to tell him how I spent last night and this
Kelsea"Hey!" I wave to Ruby as I throw my purse down on her couch. "Where are the kids?""Kari took them to karate." She grins. "So that means we get to have adult food and adult conversation tonight. I have that wine you and Stella introduced me to. Want a glass?""Don't mind if I do. It's been a long day, even if I didn't have to work." I grin back at her. I love my niece and nephew, but sometimes they completely overtake every situation they're in. Tonight I'm just wanting to have a relaxing time. Before I can say anything, Caleb comes through the door."Ladies," he greets us both.I'm almost jealous when he snakes his arms around her waist, kissing at her neck, grabbing her ear between his teeth. The two of them have such an intoxicating passion and such an all-encompassing chemistry, it forces those around them to pay attention. Deep in my gut I know the way they look at each other is what I want, what I deserve. Right next to the feeling is the fear I may never get to