Because of You

  This is a work of fiction. The events and characters described herein are imaginary and are not intended to refer to specific places or living persons. The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.

  Because of You

  All Rights Reserved.

  Copyright © 2014 Connie Lafortune

  v3.0

  Cover Photo © 2014 JupiterImages Corporation. All rights reserved - used with permission.

  This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  Outskirts Press, Inc.

  http://www.outskirtspress.com

  Outskirts Press and the “OP” logo are trademarks belonging to Outskirts Press, Inc.

  PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

  To my husband Alan

  For giving me my wings and letting me fly

  Contents

  Acknowledgements

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  I’d like to thank Alan, my “sweetie” for making all my dreams come true. Without your encouragement and love this book would never have been published. You are and always will be my hero.

  Also a little bit of advice for my son Tim. I am living proof that you’re never too old to follow your dreams. Just remember to hold on tight with both hands and never let go.

  A big shout out to my very first reader, Miranda. For making me understand that the word count wasn’t as important as the writing.

  To my editor Peter from firstediting.com for showing me that the period is my friend and the comma is overrated.

  Thanks to all the readers who took a chance on me. I hope you loved Hunter and Riley’s journey as much as I loved writing it.

  This is for my parents—Jeanne and Roland—who are no longer of this earth but are eternally in my heart. And there is no doubt in my mind that they’re looking down from the heavens, sending their love times a million.

  Prologue

  Sitting up, I look around as my eyes adjust to the darkness surrounding me.Someone’s screaming my name over and over again.

  The voice is so familiar that it causes a prickling sensation that runs up and down my spine. Suddenly, a feeling of dread washes over me; my heart bangs wildly inside my chest.

  Getting up from the chair, I stumble because my legs feel like lead.

  I follow the voice as he chants my name. Hunter, Hunter, Hunter. The waves crashing against the beach are no match compared to that deafening wail.

  Once I’m down by the shoreline I desperately search for the person who’s beckoning me. He’s lying on the beach about fifty yards away and even with the blackness of night there’s no doubt in my mind. It’s Brady.

  Instinct takes over and I’m running as fast as I possibly can. Dropping to my knees I can’t help the desperation that consumes me. There’s so much blood… no…no…no…no…no! Taking him in my arms I cradle him against my chest as my tears join the blood that’s congealing in the sand.

  Brady keeps telling me over and over again how sorry he is, then there’s only silence.

  The guttural scream that’s clawing at my chest is finally set free as I look up to the heavens for answers. The sky’s blanketed with a twinkling of stars gazing down at me, my only light in this now dark world. They are the only witnesses to the gut wrenching pain that rips through me, body and soul.

  Jerking awake I feel the sweat pouring down every crevice of my body. My heart’s pounding against my ribs. My throat’s parched and sore, making it hard to swallow. I tell myself it’s just a nightmare, but it’s just me reliving his death over again.

  Taking in my surroundings, I realize I’m still sitting on the lounge chair by the pool, waiting for Riley. I guess she never showed up, or maybe she never heard me when I asked her to meet me here. Yeah right.

  As I stagger around the corner I see her getting into Scott’s car. Her eyes lock on mine for a brief second before turning away. Climbing up the stairs I grab my phone so I can text Connor. I so need a diversion tonight and it starts with alcohol, then we’ll see what else comes up—no pun intended.

  Chapter One

  Riley

  It’s a miracle that I’ve made it seventeen years with a mother who’s constantly told me that I was a mistake. I’ll be eighteen tomorrow and I’ll be out of her house and her life forever. God knows; she’s told me as far back as I can remember that when I’m an adult, her job is done. I know what this truly means—her child support checks will stop so she can throw me out just like yesterday’s trash.

  My dad left when I was six and I’ve only seen him a handful of times since then. Mom always blamed me for his leaving, telling me if I hadn’t been a bad girl he would’ve stayed. I wasn’t a bad girl—she was—I heard them arguing the day he left. She stopped cooking and doing the housework; I remember all I ate for a week was stale bread, cheese and peanut butter. Going to school was my safe haven, where I could interact and be myself. Unfortunately, after the last bell rang I didn’t have a choice but to get on the bus and go back to the one person who hated me the most.

  So when my dad called offering to pay for my college if I moved to South Carolina, how could I pass it up? I was able to register online for all my classes and Dad did all the paperwork on his end. Between the e-mails and faxes it wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be.

  I’ll miss my best friend, Ashley—we’ve been inseparable for the past six years since she moved in next door. Ashley’s mom said I would be welcome to stay with them for as long as I needed, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable living so close to my mother. No; it’s best to make a clean break.

  As I unzip another suitcase and throw it on my bed, my bedroom door opens. Ashley is standing there with tears in her eyes.

  “You’re really going to South Carolina? There’s nothing I can say that will change your mind?”

  “Ash, we’ve been over this a thousand times. Dad wants me to move down there so we can get to know each another. You know this is the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make but he’s willing to pay for college. ” She has to understand that I have to do this for me.

  “Why would you want to move so far away to be with a stranger?” Walking over I wrap my arms around her. My heart’s breaking. “You and your mom mean the world to me, and I don’t think I would have survived without the both of you
these last six years. But we just graduated last week and your future is all laid out for you. Mine’s not. ” I let her go so I can continue packing.

  She sits on the edge of the bed wiping away her tears. “All right, but we need to get you a cell phone so we can keep in touch. I can’t stand the thought of not being able to tell you about all the hot guys you’ll be missing when I’m on campus. ”

  Smiling, I look up at her. “Well, it will have to be one with a camera so I can take pictures of all the hot guys I’ll be seeing on the beach and at school. ” I’m relieved that she’s finally accepted the fact that I’m leaving, and that makes me feel a whole lot better about my decision.

  Hunter

  It feels like I’m going through life in slow motion; my feet are stuck in the sand and it’s a struggle to pick them up and put one in front of the other. There’s an emptiness inside of me that at times consumes me. My shrink tells me that I can’t dwell on the past; I need to move forward with my life. Easy for her to say, sitting in her cushy chair with her husband and house with the white picket fence.

  For those times when I want to forget, which is quite often, I pick up a girl after work and let her blow me in the back seat of my Jeep. If she has a place of her own I let her take me there and for a few hours I forget about my fucked up life. I have mind-blowing and meaningless sex and walk out the door. I never take them to my place, never.

  When you’re a lifeguard at one of the most popular beaches in South Carolina you can have your share of women anytime you want, and they are always wet and ready, just the way I like them. Don’t get me wrong—I take my job very seriously, but after I’m off the clock my time’s my own.

  I’m heading over to Connor’s house to shoot some pool and have a few beers. He’s the only friend I trust with my deepest, darkest secrets and he doesn’t judge me. As I round the corner I see a few more cars than expected. I’m tempted to bail but pull into the driveway anyway.

  “I thought for sure you weren’t going to show. ” I look up to see Connor leaning on the porch railing, smoking a cigarette.

  “You know those things will kill you. ” Walking up the stairs I grab the cig and throw it to the ground, crushing it with my boot. “You told me last week you quit. What the hell?”

  “I was doing great until Beth showed up. I needed something to calm my nerves. Did you know she was back in town?” He crosses his arms and studies my reaction. If looks could kill I’d be dead.

  Running my hand through my hair I let out a groan. “No, I didn’t know she was in town. We haven’t spoken since the day she stormed out of your house. ” Beth had been one of our best friends until Connor took it to the next level and fucked it up.

  “Well, she came back to tell me she’s pregnant and swears the baby’s mine. ” He looks so miserable that the only thing I can think of is to get him far away from here, now.

  Throwing my arm over his shoulder I say the only thing that comes to mind. “You need to get the fuck out of here for a few hours, so let’s go to The Sands for a couple of beers. ” So much for a boring Friday night of playing pool. Shit.

  Chapter Two

  Riley

  My eighteenth birthday was a whirlwind to say the least. After the impromptu party that Ashley and her mom gave me—I got my cell phone—and all the tears, hugging and promising to keep in touch, they dropped me off at the airport. To say I was nervous would be an understatement; I’ve never flown before and I’m meeting my father whom I haven’t seen in two years.

  When I hear the pilot’s announcement letting us know we are ready for takeoff I can’t help but feel a sense of sadness wash over me. My mom wasn’t even home to say goodbye or wish me a happy birthday. This shouldn’t bother me considering we never had a relationship, but some small part of me wanted her to be there. She never physically abused me, but she left me scarred for life emotionally.

  After the plane takes off I reach inside my carry-on bag for my Kindle, hoping that reading a good book will make the time go by faster. It doesn’t take long before my eyes feel heavy. I didn’t sleep well last night.

  “Miss, we’ve landed. You can de-board now. ” I feel someone lightly shaking my arm.

  “I’m sorry; I must have dozed off. Thank you. ” Giving her a shy smile I stretch to work out the kinks in my neck before getting up. I can’t believe I slept through the whole flight. Standing up on shaky legs I feel the butterflies circling in my stomach. This is the beginning of my new life.

  As I step off the plane I anxiously search the crowd for my father. I’ve only seen him a handful of times since he left, truly making him a stranger. I have no clue what I should call him but I have to decide like yesterday since he’s standing ten feet away from me.

  “Riley, it’s so good to see you. How was your flight?” He leans into me, giving me an awkward hug and kiss on my cheek.

  “I was asleep for the whole flight. ” Whenever I’m embarrassed my cheeks blush instantly.

  “I know this move can’t be easy for you so your friends are welcome to come for a visit, anytime,” he says, smiling down at me.

  “That would mean a lot to me, thank you. ” My thoughts wander to the only true friends I have—Ashley and her mom.

  Hunter

  After dropping Connor off last night I thought better him than me. I know that makes me an ass but I couldn’t help it. If it were me I would definitely request a paternity test just to be sure.

  Scott dropped by a few nights ago to let me know he was picking up his daughter from the airport today. Her name’s Riley and she turned eighteen the same day I celebrated my twenty-first birthday. What are the chances? I’m sure she didn’t celebrate hers quite the same way I did. The guys took me to a strip club for my first “legal” drink. That’s when I met Trixie and was fortunate enough to participate in one of her famous lap dances. Good times.

  Before Scott left he invited me to dinner on Sunday night. He wants to formally introduce me to his daughter. Fine by me—one of Rosie’s home cooked meals is worth the torment I’ll have to endure for the evening.

  Apparently she’ll be attending college in the fall and living with him until she graduates. Damn, I hope this isn’t going to screw up my routine I’ve had for the last three years. On my days off I like to swim laps in the pool, then relax in my favorite lounge chair.

  Since the house is on a private part of the beach I always invite my friends over for a bonfire on Friday nights. It’s like my own place since Scott’s never home, but I’m sure that will change now that Riley’s here.

  I suppose it could be worse; I’ll have an eighteen-year-old to contend with and Connor might have a baby to deal with. I shudder at the thought. I suppose I don’t have it too bad; at least mine’s potty trained. Chuckling as I walk out the door, I can’t help but think I’m such a dick.

  Chapter Three

  Riley

  On the drive from the airport there’s this creepy silence that takes over and I don’t know what to say to ease the awkwardness. So I look out the window and watch the beautiful homes zooming by with the smell of the ocean heavy in the air. We must be close.

  When I feel my dad staring at me my cheeks blush instantly. “This is your home now too, so I want you to make yourself comfortable. Rosie’s my cook and housekeeper and her husband Paul’s my driver and groundskeeper. They live in the in-law apartment,” he says.

  As I turn to look out the window, my breath catches. I see a beautiful Mediterranean home at the end of a cobblestone driveway. The windows are lit up against the darkening night, making it look even more elegant and inviting. I’m staring in wide-eyed wonder when my door opens and Paul looks down at me, smiling.

  “Riley, let me show you around before it gets too dark. Paul will take your bags to your room. You can unpack later. ”

  When I follow them into the house I’m speechless; it has boxed beamed ceilings, a fireplace in every corner, a loft, and retractable sliding glass doors. This is so not like anythi
ng I’ve ever seen before, considering I lived in a pre-fab house back in northeastern Connecticut. Our whole house would have fit into the great room alone.

  “Let me show you the outside; you are going to love it! Do you remember going to the beach with your mom and I when you were younger?” Dad asks with a touch of sadness.

  I nod as he takes my hand, leading me outside. There’s a large in-ground pool with a Jacuzzi sitting off to its right and the whole yard’s fenced in. The patio’s huge with everything you can imagine: a patio set, lounge chairs, bar, grill and off to the left-hand side I see the in-law apartment that Dad mentioned earlier. He’s still holding my hand as we cross the yard to look out over the ocean.

  “Let’s go down by the water,” he says, opening the gate to let me go first.

  Slipping out of my shoes I feel the warm sand between my toes. It brings back emotions I had buried since I was a little girl. Letting go of his hand I race to the water’s edge as the tears slide down my cheeks. A long time ago we had been a family, then one snowy day he packed his bags and out the door he went. The few times he had come to visit I never asked him why he left. I’m thinking there’s no time like the present.

  “Why did you leave us, Dad? Mom told me if I had been a good girl you would have stayed. Is that true?” My body’s trembling as I wait for his answer.

  “Oh Riley, you are not to blame for any of this—I am. When your mom told me she was pregnant I didn’t know what to do. I was a seventeen-year-old kid who had no clue how to take care of a child but we stayed together for seven years. ” He runs his hands through his hair as a darkness washes over him. “I found out your mom was cheating on me and it wasn’t her first time—that’s why I packed my bags and left the next day. ”

  All this time my mom had accused me and it was her fault our family was broken. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?”