Wrecked (Willow Creek Book 2) Read online

  I let go of the curtain and turned so I could lean my back against the wall. With my index and middle fingers, I circled my temple repeatedly. "Dean, can we not do this now?"

  A defeated sigh filtered through the line. "When will you be back?"

  "I don't know."

  "Do you want me to come there?"

  "That's not necessary. Besides, don't you have to be in court on Monday?" Dean was a criminal defense lawyer, a good one too. So good, that he'd already made junior partner.

  "Jonah knows the case like the back of his hand, he can lead."

  I threw my head back and squeezed my eyes shut. "You've been preparing for this case for months. Dean, you should lead. And I'm pretty sure my car won't take that long, anyway."

  "Kenzie," I spotted the smallest hint of anger in his voice. "Why do I get the feeling that you don't want me there?"

  "It's not that, it's just—" I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling while I struggled to find the right words to say. A knock sounded, and I welcomed the out. "There's someone at the door, I'll call you later."

  Dean's clipped, "Goodbye," made me feel both sad and relieved. My brows drew together while I stared at the phone in my hand.

  Another knock stole my attention. I dropped my phone on the bed and headed for the door. On the other side stood a woman that looked like she'd stepped out of a 50s magazine. With her shiny black hair intricately knotted on top of her head and lips painted bright red, she probably turned heads wherever she went.

  "Hi, I'm Lola."

  I smiled and gripped her outstretched hand, "Kenzie." Colorful patterns coiled around her arm all the way to her collarbone. There was even more ink peeking out from beneath her white crop top. Is everyone in Willow Creek covered in tattoos?

  Her assessing gaze traveled from my silk blouse to my pencil skirt and down to my bare feet. I got the impression that she was sizing me up. "Nana wanted to know if you'll be joining us for lunch today."

  I'd briefly met Mrs. Davis last night, she was friendly and welcoming. Having lunch with her hardly seemed like a hardship. "I'd love to, thanks."

  After Lola informed me that lunch was served at one, she disappeared down the hall. I closed the door and walked over to the dresser next to the window. Tilting my head to the side, I tried to see myself through a stranger's eyes. My white blouse neatly tucked into my black skirt looked professional but probably screamed stuck-up to most.

  My gaze flitted to my heels, still lying in the same spot I'd kicked them off last night before it slowly traveled to my open suitcase perched on the couch. I groaned because I knew it contained nothing but business attire. Mother would probably have a fit if her daughter traipsed around in jeans and a tee.

  I could already hear her: 'You only have one chance to make a first impression, Kenzie. Your clothes should reflect your sophistication.'

  With that thought, Dean popped up in my mind. He shared my parents' view on how you presented yourself in public. I looked up at the ceiling, trying to recall a time where I'd seen him out in public wearing jeans.

  Never. Slacks and a dress shirt was his idea of dressing down.

  I tried my best to shake my depressed mood, but by the time I headed down for lunch, I was even more wired than I'd been when my car broke down. Pausing at the entrance of the dining room, I inhaled the delicious smell that permeated the air before I forced a smile and entered.

  The space was so different from what I was accustomed to. In the middle of the room stood a big farm-style dining table, warm and welcoming. I suspected the mouthwatering aromas came from the buffet table to the left. My stomach chose that moment to remind me of how little food it'd had since yesterday. I pressed my hand against my belly as I ventured further, scanning my surroundings with every step.

  To the right were three bright yellow loveseats arranged in front of the window that overlooked the backyard. I heard movement and turned my head to the table where Mrs. Davis stood smiling.

  She'd just placed a small vase containing flowers on the table, and she was admiring them. I felt like a towering giant when I reached her. She had to be about a foot shorter than my five-foot-seven.

  "They're beautiful," I said in lieu of a greeting. "Are they from your garden?"

  The older woman beamed up at me; her chocolate eyes shining brightly. "They are," she twisted her plump body so she could fully face me. "Did you sleep well, dear?"

  "Like the dead," I lied.

  Mrs. Davis looked me up and down and then shook her head, "There was no need to dress up for lunch."

  I felt like a complete idiot. Heat crept up my neck and settled on my cheeks. "I, uh—"

  "Nana, I can't find the—" Lola burst into the room. "—cinnamon." She'd changed into a sleeveless form-fitting red number that ended about mid-thigh. She looked so stunning, I felt underdressed.

  A soft laugh sounded from beside me, "Top shelf, my sweet Lola." With a muttered thanks, Lola ducked back the way she came. Mrs. Davis touched her palm to the back of my arm, "Come on, let's sit for a bit while we wait for Lola's friend to arrive."

  We seated ourselves on the couches by the window. The pops of color that burst through the green were simply magnificent to see. I could imagine someone losing hours by just sitting there, staring out the window.

  "The garden used to be my Gerald's favorite place," Mrs. Davis's voice was soft and wistful.

  When I turned to her and saw the dreamy expression on her face, I almost didn't want to speak, afraid I'd interrupt whatever memory she was lost in. "I can see why." My voice was just above a whisper.

  The doorbell sounded and a few seconds after that, Lola's cheery, "I'll get it," filled the air. That pulled the older woman from her reverie.

  Mrs. Davis's smile lit up her whole face. "Ah, young love." She reached over and placed her hand over mine. "Do you have a love waiting for you at home, dear?"

  Did I? "I—"

  "Is that your famous roast I smell, Mrs. D?"

  My blood turned to ice, and my heart flatlined before it kicked up again at an alarming pace.

  That voice.

  After twelve years of not hearing it, the deep, silky timbre still managed to send chills down my spine.

  My gaze skittered to the dining room entrance, and the breath rushed from my lungs. Across the room, our eyes locked and as much as I wanted to—needed to—look away, I couldn't. A gasp tried to work its way up my throat, but I swallowed it down.

  I was vaguely aware of Mrs. Davis talking to me, but I couldn't hear a word she was saying. My attention was firmly fixed on one person and one person alone.

  Brett Carter.

  Chapter 4

  What the—

  My brain short-circuited, and the breath left my lungs as I tried to make sense of what, or rather who, I was looking at. It had to be a dream. A beautiful nightmare. I wanted to blink her away, but some invisible force kept my lids from closing.

  Kenzie.

  If it was at all possible, she was even more beautiful than the last time I'd seen her. The day she'd ripped my heart out and ruined me. What was left of that thing inside my chest ached at the sight of her. She was akin to a poisonous flower; soft on the eyes but detrimental to the soul.

  "Brett?"

  The confusion in Lola's voice broke the spell I was under, and I was granted the reprieve I so desperately needed when I could finally shut my eyes—even if it was just for a few seconds. When I opened them again, I fully expected Kenzie's gaze to be anywhere but on me.

  I was wrong.

  Her hypnotizing blue depths started to pull me in once more. Lola uttered my name again, and my focus slowly shifted to her. Deep lines marred her forehead and her jaw ticked in irritation. "What was that?" I managed to ask. That invisible pull forced my attention back to Kenzie who looked as if she was ready to dispel her breakfast. You and me both.

  "Do you two know each other?" Lola did nothing to hide her annoyance.

  Still holding Kenzie's gaze, I ti
lted my head slightly. I swear she held her breath while everyone waited for my answer. "Know is a rather strong word," I heard the ice in my tone. "We're…acquainted." Even from across the room I saw hurt flash on her face before she schooled her features and finally, finally, averted her gaze.

  Stings, doesn't it?

  Yeah, I might've been the biggest asshole for intentionally hurting her feelings, but she'd hurt way more than just my feelings. I felt Lola's eyes burning a hole in my skull, and I had to resist the urge to hightail outta there.

  "Well," Mrs. D clasped her hands together. "Food's getting cold, we should eat. Everyone must be starving."

  Funny, I'd been ravenous up until a few moments ago. Now, I had no idea how I was going to do this sweet old lady's roast any justice.

  I wondered if everyone else felt the tension in the air as we silently dished up and arranged ourselves around the table. Instead of taking her usual spot opposite me, Lola slipped in beside me and scooted closer. Weird. Too busy trying to decipher her strange behavior; I didn't notice that Kenzie took the seat across from me.

  Great, how am I going to eat now?

  "So," Lola drawled. "How was dinner with Harper and Logan?"

  I forked a green bean and said, "Good," before shoveling it into my mouth. I knew that Mrs. D was a great cook, so the fact that the food in my mouth had no taste was no fault on her part. "The renovations are coming along."

  "How exciting," Mrs. D commented. "Have they set a date yet?"

  "No," I glanced at Kenzie pushing the food around on her plate. She looked uncomfortable and out of place. A sliver of sympathy tried to work its way to my heart; I squelched it down. Turning my attention back to Mrs. D, I smiled, "But I'm sure it's going to be sooner rather than later." I tried the beef, and it too was tasteless.

  "Oh good, I just adore weddings." She turned her attention to Kenzie. "You never did tell me if you had someone special waiting for you at home."

  The roast beef in my mouth suddenly tasted like acid. I focused on my plate while at the same time straining to hear her answer.

  There was a long moment of silence before Kenzie softly stated, "I am seeing someone, yes." I detected a hint of uncertainty in her voice, but I didn't allow myself to dwell on it.

  "Will you be walking down the aisle soon?"

  I didn't hear Kenzie's answer because Lola chose that moment to slide a hand along my thigh; the action so sudden it startled me to the point of knocking my knee against the underside of the table. Instead of pulling away she ventured higher. Normally I didn't mind her getting frisky, but for some reason, it felt… wrong. I cleared my throat and shifted to the left, away from Lola.

  The ongoing conversation opposite me ceased, two confused sets of eyes flitting between the woman to my right and me. My gaze collided with Kenzie's again, and so help me, I was helpless to look away. A cloudless sky would be envious of the particular shade of her eyes. So blue, so bright with a mixture of sadness and vulnerability swirling in them.

  That look sent ice blasting through my entire body. That was the look I'd seen the night Gregory had pulled us over.

  I couldn't breathe.

  I couldn't be there.

  I stood so abruptly, my chair toppled over. "I'm sorry, Mrs. D," I bent and righted the fallen piece of furniture. "I have to go." Not waiting for an answer, I rushed to the front door.

  Just as my fingers curled around the handle, Lola's, "Brett, wait!" halted me. I squeezed my eyes shut and sucked in a breath. Just let me leave.

  "Hey, what's up with you today?"

  Slowly, I uncurled my fingers and pivoted. The confusion etched on her face had me thinking about Logan's concerns. I shook that thought away; I'd been upfront with her from the get-go. A relationship was the furthest thing from my mind.

  "Nothing," the lie slipped from my tongue with ease.

  Eyes narrowed, head tilted, she ran a finger down the center of my chest. "If you say so. Want me to come over later so you can work this nothing out of your system?"

  I shook my head, "Not tonight, Lo." I needed to be alone.

  She looked hurt, and my friend's warning rang in my ears again. It became too much. Without another word, I yanked the door open and headed for my truck.

  Gently, I brushed Kenzie's hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear. "You're so damn beautiful," I murmured against her lips. Resisting the urge to kiss her senseless, I pulled back slightly to watch the blush settle in her cheeks, and her lips lift into a shy smile.

  "I love it when you look at me like that," she confessed.

  "Like what?"

  Kenzie's smile grew even wider. "Like I'm your entire world, and you can't bear to let me go."

  I brushed my fingertips over her cheek, "You are and I can't." Pushing my fingers into her hair, I cupped the back of her head and pulled her face to mine. Against her mouth, I pleaded, "Tell me you'll always be mine?"

  "Forever," feather-soft kisses stole my breath, "I'll love you forever, Brett."

  "Shit!!" The wood splintered beneath my knuckles as I rammed my fist through my bedroom door. Images of Kenzie and I had been rolling through my mind like a movie stuck on repeat since I left the guesthouse. A sharp pain shot from my hand and settled in my chest.

  I cursed some more.

  I'd always known that I would never completely be over her. How can you ever be over someone who used to be your entire existence? You couldn't. You simply learned to function without them. And clearly, that was a lesson I had yet to master in twelve years.

  How was it even possible to despise someone so much and at the same time have a burning need to pull them into your arms and never let go?

  "Stop! Just stop it!!" My body vibrated with tension, and even my home couldn't offer me the calm I craved. My heart kicked up a gear, that empty suffocating feeling slamming into me at breakneck speed.

  I rushed to my dresser, yanked it open and grabbed the first pair of sweatpants I could find. It took me less than a minute to strip out of my jeans and shirt to don the sweats.

  Another minute later and dried leaves and twigs crushed under my feet as I raced through the woods as if the devil himself were chasing me.

  Even that wasn't fast enough.

  I increased my pace and wondered how long and how far I needed to run to get away from the past that wouldn't stop haunting me.

  Chapter 5

  Out of breath, I stumbled to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water, I swallowed down the entire thing. Out of all the places her car could break down, it happened in my damn town. Wiping the back of my hand over my mouth, I stared at the ceiling and cursed.

  How was it possible that just one look into those blue depths could undo over a decade's worth of healing? The pain in my chest gnawed at me again, reminding me—no, mocking me—that I had just been fooling myself all these years.

  I closed my eyes, and my mind immediately produced an image of Kenzie; so vivid I could almost reach out and touch her. Shit, she was beautiful! Even through a haze of anger, it was impossible not to notice. Confusion had me cursing some more. A part of me wanted to scream and shout until she owned up to her betrayal and repented. Another part—the part I currently despised—wanted to pull her to me and kiss her as if the past twelve years were nothing but a dream.

  My tongue snaked over my lips, and my skin tingled, even after a decade I could still recall how sweet she'd tasted. It had taken me a long time to realize and accept that Kenzie Michaels would always be a part of me whether I wanted it or not. The number of women I'd used to try to rid myself of the memories was shameful.

  Much like it had since I'd left the guesthouse, the past kept forcing itself to the present. I flattened my palms against my fridge and dropped my head to the smooth metallic surface, utter depletion seeping into my bones. I needed to focus on getting her car fixed so she could leave my damn town.

  I pushed off the fridge and started for the bathroom. What I needed was a long, hot shower and po
ssibly some quality alone time. Just as I turned into the hallway, loud banging sounded from the door. With one foot still halfway to the ground, my brows pulled together.

  Who the hell could that be?

  Frozen in my awkward stance, I eyed the door as if I could see through the wood. I was in no mood for company. Deciding whoever was on the other side could come back another time, I continued my trek.

  I'd made it all of three steps when the banging sounded again. "What the—" With a shake of my head, I changed direction and headed toward the front of the cabin with the sole intent of telling the door-banger to piss the hell off.

  I wasn't expecting to find three people standing on my deck when I yanked on the wooden barrier between me and the persistent knocker. Normally, seeing my friends' faces wouldn't fill me with the irritation currently scratching on my bones.

  "Are we interrupting something?" Chase, Logan's brother, asked while all three of them took in my sweaty appearance. He was the town veterinarian and the youngest of the Jackson brothers.

  "Just got back from a run."

  "Are you gonna invite us in or not?" Logan's other brother, Eli, piped up. He was the oldest and the broodiest of the bunch. No one could blame his constant suspicious nature, though. Being left to raise his daughter alone, Eli Jackson's life had definitely not been all sunshine and roses.

  I could relate to that.

  Logan took a step forward and peeked over my shoulder. "Are you having your own kind of dessert in there? Should we take momma's pie and leave you to it?"

  Shit! I'd barely laid eyes on the woman, and already she was screwing with my brain. For the first time, I'd completely forgotten about dessert Sunday. Sheepishly, I stepped to the side and allowed my friends entry. "Just the three of you, then?" I asked as the boys rushed past me.

  "Yeah," Logan called from the kitchen. I shut the door and took a few deep breaths before I joined them. It never ceased to amaze me how comfortable we were in each other's spaces.