Micalea Smeltzer's Blog, page 16

Saving Tatum Cover Reveal

Ahhhh, it’s that time again! Time for a cover reveal! 

Available September 18th

Even tough girls need saving.

Jude Brooks is bad news. He’s the kind of guy that leaves behind a string of broken hearts and Tatum O’Connor is not about to be one of those girls, despite all of Jude’s advances. They have a past, and Tatum’s determined to make sure they don’t have a future.

Unfortunately for her, “no” isn’t a word in Jude’s vocabulary.

The more she backs away, the more he pushes.

But what if he pushes too far?

Tatum’s hiding a pain that no one sees and holding on to a hurt that may never heal. Letting Jude into her heart could shatter her completely—and what if she opens up to Jude and he can’t handle her baggage?

Love is never easy—especially when the person you’re falling for is the person you blame for the worst event in your life.

Love, heartache, and despair.

That’s the name of the game when you’re Saving Tatum.

And here’s the full wrap! Isn’t it pretty?!

I just want to pet it.

To celebrate the cover reveal I have a giveaway for you! A copy of Finding Olivia signed by me and BOTH Cover Models!!! How exciting is that? Luke (Trace model) even drew a dinosaur. If you’d like your very own dinosaur you should totally enter the rafflecopter below. And if you scroll down even further you can read the Prologue and First Chapter of Saving Tatum. (Giveaway open International)

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2d9b9abf36/

 And now for the excerpt! 

Please keep in mind that this unedited and subject to change.

Prologue

I jolted awake at the sound of someone trying to beat our front door down. I sat straight up, the blankets pooling at my waist. My head twisted to look at the blinking orange numbers flashing on the clock beside my bed. Three in the morning.

Fear slithered down my spine like a serpent.

Nothing good came from someone at your door that early in the morning.

I heaved my tired body out of bed. My muscles were stiff and overworked from a rigorous cheerleading practice the night before.

I opened my bedroom door and poked my head out. I saw my mom and dad coming out of their bedroom. A baseball bat was clutched in my dad’s hand. What did he think he was going to do to an intruder with that? Knock them out? Besides, if someone was trying to break in, why would they be knocking on the door?

“Stay up here, Tate,” my dad warned, quietly tiptoeing down the steps. My mom followed him even though he warned her to stay put as well.

I kept watch on the door.

My dad looked through the peephole and muttered, “What the hell?”

Swinging it open, I saw red and blue flashing lights and an officer stood at our door.

I rolled my eyes. The neighbor’s kids were probably vandalizing again.

I was about to close my door and get back in bed, when I heard the officer speak.

“Mr. and Mrs. O’Connor?” He asked. He was young and nervous, obviously new to the police force.

“That’s us,” my dad answered, “is there a problem?”

“It’s about your son, there’s been an accident. I’m so sorry to tell you this, but he didn’t make it.” His face was somber, eyes downcast.

My mom let out a piercing, soul-crushing wail, and started to fall. My dad’s arm held her upright.

But there was no one there to hold me up.

I crumbled to the floor, clutching at my chest.

I couldn’t breathe.

I was suffocating under the pressure.

He didn’t make it.

He was dead. My big brother—my best friend—was gone.

“I’m sorry,” I heard the officer say one more time before my dad closed the door. His cries soon joined the sound of my mother’s.

Tears streamed down my face, but my sobs were silent.

Graham was gone. In a matter of hours he’d been ripped from my life forever. I’d just seen him at dinner and we’d been talking about school and how I’d be cheering at the football game on Friday. He was telling me how proud he was of me.

Everything had been perfect. The way it was supposed to be.

Something like this wasn’t supposed to happen.

This was Graham’s last year of high school. He was supposed to leave for college and study to be a lawyer like our dad.

He. Wasn’t. Supposed. To. Die.

None of this was supposed to happen.

My perfect life wasn’t supposed to explode like this.

But it did.

Over night, I went from having it all, to having nothing.

I watched my mom close herself off from everybody.

I watched my dad spend his every waking hour slaving over his job so he didn’t have to think about Graham, or mom, or even me.

I watched myself slowly spiral from a carefree happy girl, into a complete and utter cynic.

And I knew exactly who was to blame for everything.

Jude Brooks.

 

Chapter One

I grinned as the Professor explained our final assignment. As he talked an idea formed in my mind. I knew exactly what I wanted to write about. As a journalism major, we were always writing papers and doing interviews, but this one was to count for fifty percent of our final grade. I wanted to make sure mine stuck out.

“The next time I see you, I’d like for you all to have an idea for your paper. Come to me for final approval before you leave class Wednesday.”

When the professor dismissed us, I calmly made my way down the steps to his desk.

“Professor Taylor?” I asked, my voice soft and hesitant.

He looked up, pushing his glasses up his nose. “Yes, Ms. O’Connor?”

“I already know what I want to do my paper on.” I rocked back on my heels, clasping my books tightly in my hands.

“All right,” he steepled his fingers, “what is it?”

“I have a friend here who’s studying to be a nurse, I thought maybe I could shadow her and learn more about the process of going into the medical field. I want it to be more than a question and answer session. I want to delve into all the hard work these students go through to become our health care providers.” With a sigh, I waited patiently for him to think it over.

He nodded slowly, mulling it over. “It sounds interesting. Go for it.”

“Thank you!” I exclaimed. Sobering, I said in a calmer tone, “Thank you so much. I’m really excited about this.”

He chuckled. “Ms. O’Connor, I think you’re always my most excited journalism major. It’s refreshing. It reminds me why I wanted to do this job in the first place.”

“Thank you again,” I told him. I jogged up the steps and out the door.

I headed across campus to the cafeteria. It was a crisp March afternoon. Some days were down right freezing, while some held the promise of spring. I let the small amount of sun filtering between the tree branches warm my face. I smiled, my blonde hair swaying around my shoulders. I couldn’t believe that in a few short months I’d be graduating. It didn’t seem real. Once college was over, it was time for real life. While I was mostly excited, there was a small part of me that was terrified. I’d never liked the unknown.

Once in the cafeteria I got my food and sat down at the usual table I shared with Rowan…and sometimes Jude. God, I hated that guy with every fiber of my being. Unfortunately, he was also friends with Rowan, which meant I was kind of stuck with him.

Rowan took the seat across from me, dropping her bag on the floor. With a heavy sigh she poured dressing on her salad and used a fork to swirl the leafy pieces around the bowl. “I’m so tired,” she propped her head on one hand and took a bite. “Between classes, and wedding planning, on top of the kids, I’m beat.”

I frowned. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s my own fault,” she huffed, pulling her long light brown hair into a ponytail. “I should’ve told Trent that I wanted to wait longer to get married. But he was adamant on not waiting more than a year.” She scrubbed a hand over her eyes. “At least he’s been helpful, but there’s only so much a guy can do when it comes to wedding planning,” she rolled her eyes.

With a clatter Jude dropped his backpack on the table. I glared up at him. “Can you not put your stuff down gently like a normal person?” I asked him.

“No.” He grinned, backing away to go get his food. Everything Jude did got on my nerves. It was like he had a special talent for irritating me.

Rowan and I fell into silence. I itched to ask her if she’d help me with my project, but I wasn’t sure if I should in her current mood.

Jude finally joined us again and I couldn’t stand it any more.

“Row?” I cleared my throat.

“Yeah?” She looked up, wiping a piece of lettuce from her lip.

I explained my paper and what I wanted to do. Her face fell.

“Oh, Tate, I wish I could help you but I’m far too busy.” She frowned, looking at me sadly.

I groaned. “But I already got my paper approved! Come on! I won’t be in your way!” I begged, desperation overtaking my tone.

“I can’t, Tate. Not with all I have on my plate. I’m really sorry.” I knew she was, but it didn’t make me feel any better.

I buried my head in my hands. Great, now I had to start from scratch. Lovely.

“You can shadow me.”

“What?” My head snapped up and I glared at Jude. “No way.”

He sighed heavily. “Don’t be stubborn, Tate—”

“Once again, you are not allowed to call me Tate,” I interrupted him.

Grinning, he said, “Tatum, I can help you with your project. Now be a good girl, nod your head, and accept my help.”

Why? Why did Jude have to be studying to be a nurse too?

Nibbling on my bottom lip, I did what I had to do. “Okay.” I couldn’t believe I was agreeing to this. I was willingly going to be spending time with Jude Brooks—the guy who singlehandedly ruined my life. Monday’s sucked.

“That was easier than I thought,” Jude smirked, crossing his hands behind his head. “This is going to be fun.”

“No, it’s not fun,” I spat the word. “It’s my final paper. I need a good grade for this, so don’t screw with me,” I pointed a finger at him.

“You need to chill,” he eyed me. “You’re too stressed. You know what’s an excellent stress reliever?”

“What?” I asked, even though I knew I shouldn’t.

“Sex.”

My eyes widened. “Oh, really. Are you suggesting I have sex with you?”

His grin became even bigger. “I mean, if you’re interested, I could always show you a good time. I promise to make it worth your while,” he winked.

“Keep dreaming,” I muttered, returning my attention to my lunch.

“I don’t have to dream. I’m not giving up on you Tate.”

I looked up, choosing to ignore him calling me Tate again. “There will never be an ‘us.’ Besides,” I leaned closer and lowered my voice like I was letting him in on a secret, “it’s not like you’re hurting for a little fun between the sheets.” I nodded towards all the girls that had their eyes on Jude. I might hate the guy, but he was hot—in that All-American sort of way. With his brown hair and eyes, and that grin, he drew women to him like a magnet. Everyone on campus knew he was a player, but most girls didn’t care. They were more than happy to be a notch on his bedpost. Not me, though, and I knew that was the real reason Jude wouldn’t leave me alone. I was the only female on campus that posed a challenge.

He gasped dramatically and put a hand over his heart, like was offended by my words. “I deserve to have some fun while I wait for you to wake up and realize that we’re perfect for each other.”

I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to my food. I wasn’t wasting any more of my time on Jude. I couldn’t believe I was going to be stuck shadowing him…hours of just the two of us. It was like my own personal hell.

“Well, ladies, this has been nice and all, but I need to go,” Jude mumbled, standing up and grabbing his backpack. He shoved his phone in his pocket, his brows furrowed together in concern. I wondered what was wrong, but there was no way I was going to ask. He grabbed an apple off his tray and stuck it in his mouth. He gave us a salute and headed out the double doors.

Rowan looked across the table at me and sighed. She did that a lot. “I really am sorry I couldn’t help you, but at least there’s Jude. I mean, it won’t be that bad, right?”

I glared at her. “That bad? I hate him.”

“But why?” She asked. “He’s not a bad guy at all, Tate. He’s really nice once you get to know him. I wouldn’t be friend’s with him otherwise.”

“You don’t understand,” I squirmed in my seat. “You don’t know him like I do.”

“You’re right,” she grinned like the cat that ate the canary. “I know him better.”

I was over this conversation. I knew even if I told her the truth, I’d never be able to make her see.

We finished our lunch in silence and went our separate ways.

When classes were over I met Rowan for our daily study session in the library. A lot of time Jude joined us, but today wasn’t one of those days. When my homework was done I knew I couldn’t put off the inevitable any longer. I had to go home, back to the place I dreaded the most.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I told Row, shrugging my backpack on. She barely nodded at me as I left. Even though she had her fiancé, Trenton, to take care of her now, she still wanted to get her degree and have a job. I couldn’t blame her. I craved independence too. There was something satisfying about knowing you could stand on your own two feet without anyone else’s help.

I made the drive home blasting the radio. I enjoyed the noise because once I got home there would be nothing but silence.

Once upon a time we’d been a happy family. We’d laughed and talked and sometimes even fought. But that was before Graham died. Now we were broken, merely a fragment of the family we’d once been. We lost the glue that held us together.

My dad buried himself in work, and when he was home he was always angry, yelling at me and telling me to do better.

Mom retreated into herself. Her eyes now held a vacant, lost look. She stared listlessly for hours out the window, and it was like she was always watching for Graham to return.

I worked hard to be the perfect daughter, to be noticed by them, but it did no good.

I didn’t know why I kept trying.

I parked in the driveway and headed inside.

The house was dark. Not a single light on. That was normal.

“Mom,” I called out. No answer. “Mom?”

I found her standing in the kitchen by the sink, looking out the window that overlooked the street. She didn’t move as I approached.

“Come on, mom,” I whispered, taking her hand in mine and pulling her away.

I led her to the living room and forced her to sit on the couch. I turned the TV on, but it wasn’t necessary. She wouldn’t watch it.

“I’ll make dinner.” I kissed her forehead.

She did nothing to acknowledge my words. It was like I didn’t exist…or maybe she was the one that didn’t exist. Watching someone you loved wither away to nothing was hard. She’d lost a lot of weight since Graham died seven years ago. I swear, she couldn’t weigh more than a hundred pounds. She was skin and bones.

I really hated the look that was always in her eyes now. Like she was lost and didn’t know where she was. It hurt that she couldn’t be strong enough to be there for me. At the same time, I understood. Graham was the golden boy. He was the perfect son and brother. I loved and admired him. He was my best friend growing up and unlike other siblings we never drifted apart. I missed him every day, but I refused to shut down like my parents. Graham might be gone, but I sill deserved to live my life.

I made dinner, took a plate to my mom, and then sat by myself at the kitchen table.

It didn’t matter if my mom or even my dad was here, I was always alone when I was home.

The moment Graham was buried we stopped being a family.

I knew in the amount of years that had passed I should be over it, but I wasn’t. I missed my mom and dad, but there was nothing I could do to fix the mess we’d become.

I was torn about leaving. Most people had already moved out of their parent’s place, but I was scared of what would happen to my mom if I left. I was starting to crave my independence, though. I felt trapped by the memories here. I wanted a fresh start, but I wasn’t sure I was going to get one.

I guessed only time would tell.

Saving Tatum Cover reveal SIGN UPS

Eeeeek! It’s that time again! Time for a cover reveal! Woohoo! I can’t wait to show you guys this beauty.

*looks around* This just might be my favorite cover of the series. Don’t tell anyone. ;)

You MUST have a blog to sign up to be a part of the reveal. Don’t worry, if you don’t have a blog there will be a giveaway on reveal day for sharing the cover!

The cover reveal is scheduled for August 15th and I’d love it if you signed up!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1r3gnbhoF0LU0Vedb011bvyR9CHiqi7XAPRQnPorBPXs/viewform

Cover Reveal for Edge of Falling by Valia Lind

I have a cover reveal for you today from my good friend Valia Lind! It’s so gorgeous and I’m so excited for her!

Release Date: August 13, 2014 (Ebook & Print)

 

Summary:

 

For Chance, there’s always only been Dakota.

 

He’s been in love with the girl since the day they met. He’s tried everything to get her to notice him and nothing has worked. So when things suddenly start moving in the right direction, Chance can’t believe his luck.

 

Until Kyle comes along.

 

Kyle is like a new shiny toy and Dakota loves new and shiny. She falls for the tall, blonde and gorgeous fast and without looking back. Dating the summer before college wasn’t in the plans, but come on, Kyle is perfect. So why does Chance and his snarky grin keeps popping up in her mind now that Dakota has found her happiness?

 

When Chance’s world comes crashing down, Dakota proves the strength of their friendship, surprising herself and everyone around her, by helping him pick up the pieces. In return, Chance is finally able to crack her hard shell, discovering that not everything is sunny in Dakota-land. Her world is not what it seems on the outside, and together, they’re able to pull each other to the brink of safety and sanity.

 

Dakota likes that things are simple with Kyle, so why does she feel more like herself around Chance?

 

As graduation grows closer, both Chance and Dakota learn that the plans you make for your life don’t always play out the way you expect them and sometimes, everything starts to make sense when you find yourself on the edge of falling.

 

Links:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22674926-edge-of-falling

Blog: http://valialind.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ValiaLind

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValiaLind

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/journeyofadreamer

 

You can also pick up book one, Falling by Design:

 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Falling-Design-Valia-Lind/dp/1495967808/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1406314850&sr=8-1

 

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/falling-by-design-valia-lind/1118734529?ean=9781495967801

 

Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Falling-by-Design-Valia-Lind/9781495967801

 

Rafflecopter giveaway for copies of book one, Falling by Design:

 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b2a65f3f22/

 

 

 

Author. Photographer. Artist. Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, Valia Lind always had a love for the written word. She wrote her first full book on the bathroom floor of her dormitory, while procrastinating to study for her college classes. Upon graduation, she has moved her writing to more respectable places, and have found her voice in Young Adult fiction. You can visit her online at www.valialind.blogspot.com or follow her on twitter, where she spends way too much time, @ValiaLind.

 

Beauty in the Ashes is LIVE!

I can not believe this is my 14th book. That. Is. CRAAAAZY. It’s live on Amazon and Nook for ebook. Paperbacks will be coming later. And YES I will do preorders for signed copies, but I can’t do that until I know how much paperbacks will cost. I will post as soon as that is up.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Ashes-Beautifully-Broken-Book-ebook/dp/B00LSRIAYM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1405524449&sr=8-4&keywords=beauty+in+the+ashes

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beauty-Ashes-Beautifully-Broken-Book-ebook/dp/B00LSRIAYM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1405458860&sr=8-2&keywords=beauty+in+the+ashes

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beauty-in-the-ashes-micalea-smeltzer/1119946847?ean=2940149679676

7 MORE DAYS!

I honestly can’t believe Beauty in the Ashes will be in your hands in only 7 days! I’ve been trying to write this book for so long that it doesn’t seem real that it’s done and ready to be released into the world. This book was a challenge and definitely pushed me–but I mean that in the best possible way. I’m so proud of this book and I can’t wait for you all to meet Caelan and Sutton.

Teaser Tuesday

I don’t believe I’ve posted anything from Caelan’s POV yet, so here you go. :)

 

Beauty in the Ashes Excerpts

Three Chicks and Their Books & Give Me Books were both kind enough to each post an excerpt from Beauty in the Ashes this week! I’ll put the links to each below.

Three Chicks Excerpt: http://www.threechicksandtheirbooks.com/2014/06/excerpt-beauty-in-ashes-by-micalea.html

 

Give Me Books Excerpt: http://givemebooksblog.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/exclusive-excerpt-beauty-in-ashes-by.html

Let’s do an updated Q/A!

I haven’t done an updated Question and Answer session in a looooooong time. Like, I think it’s been two years. I suck. So, I want to change that. Comment with your questions about upcoming books, future books, characters, writing, whatever. :) I’ll answer them in a post or record a video soon. :D

Beauty in the Ashes Book Trailer

Ah! Check it out!

Beauty in the Ashes Cover Reveal and Sneak Peek

Cover Designed by Regina Wamba of Mae I Design

https://www.facebook.com/MaeIDesignandPhotography

Cover Model Jenessa Andrea

https://www.facebook.com/jenessaCEandrea

Some stories are a fairytale…but this isn’t one.

Caelan Gregory’s life fell apart the night he went home and opened the door to find his whole family murdered. Since then, his life has held no meaning. He’s angry. He’s bitter. He’s barely human anymore. There’s nothing left to remind him of the straight A student and football quarterback he once was…but he wasn’t a good person then, and he’s certainly not a good person now. He’s retreated into a world where all that exists is numbness and his passion for painting.

When Sutton Hale moves into the apartment across the hall from Caelan she’s not prepared for her reaction to him. Something in his broken blue eyes calls to her—after all she’s always had an irrational need to fix everything.

But Caelan doesn’t do relationships or feelings. He does drugs and alcohol. However, he can’t ignore his desire to get to know the raven-haired woman across the hall.

Two broken souls trying to mend one another.

But not everything can be fixed.

In the end, Caelan and Sutton will have to learn that there is beauty in the ashes.

Releasing July 15th.

Add on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20761170-beauty-in-the-ashes

SNEAK PEEK

(unedited and subject to change)

prologue

Caelan

Life is like a flame.

It burns bright for a while, then it flickers and fades,

until finally one small breath extinguishes it and we’re left with the ashes.

 

The house was quiet, but I still waited ten more minutes, making sure I heard the sounds of my dad snoring.

I’d been grounded for a month the last time I got caught sneaking out.

I wasn’t going to make the same mistake again.

I crept over to my bedroom window, sliding it up as quietly as I could. It squeaked and I halted my movements, holding my breath to make sure no one in the house stirred.

I all but jumped out of my skin when the door to the bathroom that connected my room to my sister’s opened.

“Cael, what are you doing?” She asked, standing there in pajama shorts and a tank top. Her eyes were wide, reminding me of a doll.

“Isn’t it obvious?” I whispered, nodding at my half open window.

“Mom and dad are going to kill you if you get caught,” she hissed, padding into my room like she owned the place. Nosy little sisters were good for nothing. I missed the days when I could bribe her to keep quiet with candy.

“I can’t miss this party, Cayla,” I groaned. “I’m the quarterback. I have to be there,” I reasoned.

“I want to go,” she squared her shoulders defiantly.

“No,” I hissed through my teeth. No fucking way was I bringing my sixteen-year-old sister to a senior party. It wasn’t because of her age that I wanted her to stay behind, but the way I saw my friends looking at her. Cayla was too sweet and innocent to get wrapped up in one of those fuckers. I’d kill them if they touched my sister.

“Fine, then I’m going to wake up mom,” she turned on her heel to stalk out of my room.

I reached out and grabbed her arm, my fingers digging into her skin. “No,” I said sternly. “Don’t be a little tattle tale bitch.”

Her eyes widened at my harsh words. Yeah, Cayla and I bickered like most siblings, but we also got along better than most too. She wasn’t used to me being so rude.

“Let go of me,” she yanked her arm from my grasp. “You can be such a dick, Caelan.” She headed back towards the bathroom and stopped in the doorway. “I won’t say anything to mom and dad about this, but you owe me.”

“Deal,” I smiled.

She started to leave, but something in me made me say her name. “Cayla?”

“Yeah?” She stopped, her blonde hair swishing around her shoulders.

I swallowed thickly. “I love you, you know that, right?”

She rolled her clear blue eyes at me. Cayla and I looked a lot alike—so much alike that many people believed we were twins.

“I see what you’re doing here, you still owe me dickwad.”

I chuckled. “Believe me, I know.”

I was surprised she hadn’t put up much fight. I think she knew the real reason I didn’t want her to go and probably wanted to avoid me getting in a fight—which would result in our parent’s finding out that we had both snuck out.

“Have fun,” she smiled, closing the bathroom door.

“Night, Cayla-belle,” I said softly, so low that she couldn’t hear me.

I eased the window the rest of the way up and crouched outside. I waited a minute to make sure Cayla wasn’t going to reappear—or one of my parents—then closed it.

I tiptoed down the eave of the roof, spotting the taillights of Kyle’s car waiting down the street for me.

I lowered to my stomach, sliding over the edge and grabbing on. I dropped down to the ground, careful to tuck my body so I didn’t injure myself.

Getting down was the easy part of sneaking out. Getting back up…now that was a different story.

I jogged down the street to Kyle’s white car.

“Dude, what the fuck took so long?” He asked when I finally slid into the passenger seat.

“My sister caught me,” I muttered.

Kyle grinned and I didn’t like his smile one bit. “Why didn’t you bring her? She’s hot, I’m sure someone could’ve had some fun with her.”

I glared at him, my fists clenched. “Don’t talk about my sister like that.”

Kyle raised his hands in mock surrender, a smirk playing on his thin lips. “It’s the truth. A lot of the guys would love to have a piece of—”

I punched the side of his face.

I didn’t care if he was my friend or not.

No one talked about my baby sister like that. Hopefully he’d take this as a lesson and so would the other guys.

“Fuck, Caelan, did you really need to punch me?”

“Yeah, I really did. Maybe that will teach you that running your mouth about my sister is a bad idea,” I retorted. “Would you want me making comments about your sister?”

“My sister is fourteen,” he countered.

“Mine’s only sixteen,” I continued to pin him with a glare.

“Fine, whatever dude. She isn’t worth getting punch over for no-fucking-reason,” he hissed.

He finally pulled away from the curb.

“Where’s this party at?” I asked.

After we’d won the football game, I’d had to head home for dinner—my parents were really big on family time. Sometimes ‘family time’ could be a major pain in the ass since it kept me from doing stuff with friends, but when I heard some of them talk about how messed up their families were I was silently thankful for my overbearing parents.

“The Cove,” he answered, winding around a turn too fast. I knew better than to complain. He’d only speed up.

The Cove wasn’t really a cove at all. It was a rock formation near the lake that provided great shelter from the surrounding neighborhoods. As long as we kept the noise level reasonable, most people didn’t know we were out there.

“Leah is going to be there,” Kyle said casually, watching me out of the corner of his eye for a reaction.

I’d been going after Leah for a few weeks now. She always tried to blow me off, but I could tell I was breaking down her walls. It wouldn’t be long until I had her right where I wanted her. She was enjoying playing hard to get, and I was enjoying the chase, but it ended tonight. I’d have her.

Kyle parked a block over from The Cove and we walked from that point. People would get suspicious if a bunch of cars were parked too close.

“Cael?”

I turned at the sound of my name, my lips curling up as I spotted Leah.

Her shiny red hair was curling down her back and her lips were coated in some kind of shiny gloss that I was desperate to taste.

“I’ll see you later…I guess,” Kyle winked, heading on without us.

“You know,” I told Leah, “you shouldn’t be standing out here all by yourself where anyone could get you.”

“Oh,” she purred, striding forward, “is the big bad wolf going to eat me?” She asked, purposely letting her breasts brush against my shoulder.

“Maybe,” I smirked, staring down at her.

“And maybe,” she stared brazenly up at me, “I want him too.”

Aw, hell.

I’d been waiting weeks for this moment, and I wasn’t going to let it pass me by.

I reached out for her, my hands finding the curve of her butt, and pressed my lips to hers.

She let out a soft little moan that stirred something inside me. I pressed more firmly against her as her fingers pulled at my hair. I knew she was a feisty little thing. I nipped at her bottom lip and then plunged my tongue inside her mouth. I wanted her and I wanted her bad, but we were standing on the street, and I did value my life, because if I got caught my dad would be pissed enough to string me up by my balls and leave me to die, so I broke away.

“That’s hardly over,” I warned her.

She giggled, reaching for my hand. “I hope not…and it certainly doesn’t feel like it’s over,” she bit her lip, running her fingers over the hard-on pressing against my jeans.

My breath hissed through my teeth as she felt me up. If I’d driven I would’ve told her to forget about the stupid party and we would have went back to my car to finish this.

I led her through the tall grass and around the large rocks where the party was roaring. A small fire provided warmth—but wasn’t large enough to attract unwanted attention. Someone played music from their iPod dock and bodies swayed.

“Dance with me,” Leah pleaded, pulling me towards everyone else.

I wasn’t a dancer, but I agreed just for the pleasure of watching her sexy little body move.

She grinded against me and I closed my eyes, tilting my head back.

“If you keep doing that,” I warned her, grabbing her stomach and rubbing my thumb against the underside of her breast, “I’m going to haul you out of here and make you scream my name.”

She looked up at me, her brown eyes sparkling in the moonlight. My throat tightened as her tongue flicked out to moisten her pouty lips. “I wouldn’t complain.”

“Fuck,” I growled, my hands tightening against her.

I wanted her and I wanted her bad.

“Come on,” I pulled her away from everyone else and into the tall grasses. I kept dragging her until we were far enough away that we wouldn’t be found easily.

I sunk down on the ground, pulling her with me onto my lap.

“You’ve been teasing me for weeks,” I lifted her shirt off her head. “This ends tonight.”

“Just make it good,” she challenged.

“Oh, trust me, baby, you don’t need to worry.”

⌘⌘⌘

When we returned—clothes and hair mused, but completely satisfied—the party had grown even larger. It seemed like everyone in our senior class was in attendance.

People wanted to talk and congratulate me on the game. I smiled and nodded—but honestly, I didn’t really care. Football was fun, but it wasn’t my whole life.

I sat down on the ground, beer in hand, with Leah between my legs. Her head rested against my chest.

When the sun started to peek above the edge of the lake, we all knew it was time to leave.

I said goodbye to Leah, giving her a long lingering kiss. Tonight had been good and I wasn’t ready to let her walk away just yet.

“Come on, Lover Boy,” Kyle pried me away from her lips.

I laughed, calling to Leah, “See you later?”

She nodded, her cheeks flushed with happiness.

Kyle dropped me off at the same spot he’d been waiting for me earlier.

I walked slowly towards my house, my head bowed.

When I finally looked up, ready to cut across the side yard to the back, so I could get back to my room, I noticed that the front door was slightly ajar.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.

Oh, shit.

My parents had woken up and found me gone. I was in so much trouble it wasn’t even funny.

I swallowed thickly, my heart pumping in my chest as I made my way up the front steps into the house. There would be no point trying to sneak in. I had been caught and I needed to face this.

When I pushed open the front door the rest of the way, I was surprised to find the house in disarray. Drawers were open, lights smashed, and our belongings strewn about everywhere.

“What. The. Hell,” I gasped.

My heart raced even faster.

Something bad had happened. It looked like someone had broken in and tried to rob us.

I walked to the back of the house, to the kitchen, expecting to find my mom and dad there calling for the police, but it was empty.

“Mom!” I called. “Dad!”

Silence greeted me.

Maybe they had run to the neighbors house? Or were at the police station? Or—?

Something told me that neither of those things had happened.

Dread settled over me, sliding through my body like toxic sludge.

I swallowed thickly, heading for the main staircase.

I took the steps slowly and when I came to a standstill.

Blood everywhere.

My shoes were growing damp with it.

“Dad!” I dropped to my knees, not caring that his blood was now soaking my jeans. “Dad!” I screamed again and again—willing him to answer. I rolled him over, choking on a sob as his lifeless eyes met me. There was so much blood. God, it was fucking everywhere, seeping out of a series of knife wounds on his chest.

I released him, running for my parent’s room.

“No!” I yelled, when my eyes took in the sight of my mom lying on a blood soaked mattress, her eyes focused on the ceiling. There were cuts and slashes all over her. I couldn’t mistake the sound of her blood dripping from the bed onto the hardwood floors.

I ran to Cayla’s room next, praying that she had hidden and was okay—or better yet, hoping I’d wake up and find this to all be a nightmare.

“Cayla!” I shouted, clutching my stomach as it heaved violently.

Like my mom, she was lying in her bed. Her eyes stared straight at me—the color so light it was almost white. Her normally rosy complexion was now a grayish blue color. Her throat had been slit open, the blood coating her, the bed, and the floor. Her mouth was open in a never-ending silent scream.

I fell to the ground, sobbing hysterically.

“Cayla,” I cried, crawling on my hands and knees over to her bed. “Cayla, please! You can’t die! Cayla!” I smacked her cheeks, shook her, yelled at her, and none of it did any good.

She was gone.

They were all gone.

I pulled my phone out, fumbling to press the right buttons.

“911 what’s your emergency?”

“Help! You have to help me! They’re dead! They’re all dead!”

“Who’s dead, sir?” The calm voice asked me.

“My family! They’re dead! God, they’re all dead!”

“Sir, what’s your address?”

I couldn’t answer the woman. I had lost all capability of speaking. A strange noise was escaping me—half crying, half screaming.

I shook Cayla some more, hoping in vain that what I was seeing would disappear and she’d wake up and tell me I was crazy.

I’d rather be losing my mind than face this reality.

When I knew that Cayla wasn’t going to wake up I sat on the floor beside her.

I rocked back and forth, sobbing, my blood-covered hands running through my hair. I kept muttering under my breath, “This isn’t real, this isn’t real, this isn’t real.”

That’s how the police found me.

Even five years later, I still felt like I was stuck in that room, rocking back and forth beside Cayla.

Only now, I said, “This is real.”

 

 

I hope you all love the cover as much as I do and enjoyed the sneak peek!