Teaser Tuesday - Stupid Car (Working Title)

Teaser Tuesdays I share a little excerpt of what I am currently working on ~ This week is Stupid Car (working title) ~

When Reese Clifton becomes stranded in small-town Georgia she never expects the man, the mystery and the danger awaiting.

~

Eyes open Jess Winters mentally checked everything was still attached and where it was supposed to be. He moved, his body protested, but he did it anyway. He was on his side, rather the truck was on its side, sitting in three feet of water. "Shit."

Jess looked to his right. His passenger hung by her seat-belt above him. Her eyes closed he couldn't tell if she was hurt. Grabbing for the CB mike, it fell apart and into the water. With no way to exit the door, he shifted and thrust his boot into the already cracked glass of the windshield. The safety glass shattered, and another kick finished it off. Jess moved to his passenger, he hesitated about moving her without knowing the extent of her injuries. Should he try to wake her?

She stirred and he breathed a small sigh of relief. "Miss, can you hear me? Miss..." Damn it, what the hell is her name? I suck at remembering people’s names. He saw his clipboard behind him and grabbed it. Reese. Reese Clifton. "Reese, can you hear me?" She shifted slightly and opened her eyes. At first there was nothing, then came the disorientation and fear.

"What happened?" She struggled against the seat belt and he instinctively put his hands over hers.

"Stop. Calm down, one thing at a time. Are you hurt?" Her eyes rose to meet his, clear and shiny, his chest tightened at the mirror before him.

"I don't think so. My head-- my head just hurts." Her hands shook beneath his and he knew it was a reaction to the trauma. He grasped them tightly, keeping her focus on him.

"I’m going to loosen your seat-belt. I want you to wrap your arm around my shoulder." She nodded doing as he stated while he worked the belt. It was stuck.

"What's wrong?" the evident panic in her voice irritated him, one little hiccup and she was already freaking out. "Is there a problem?"

"The belt is stuck," he grunted, tugging on it repeatedly.

"My purse."

He grumbled, women, "We can worry about..."

"No, there is a hunting knife in my purse. Maybe you could cut me out?" Jess stopped, for once there was a pleasant helpful surprise.

"Uh, okay, let me see if I can find it." His eyes scanned the immediate cab, he reached down into the water feeling around. "What does your purse look like?"
"Brown, handle, leather... it's a purse." He didn't respond, in fact, he suppressed a chuckle as he was expecting this detailed description down to the inlet on the side or the look of the tag. He kept his thoughts to himself continuing to search for the bag. His hand caught on something in the water and he pulled. The purse appeared and he dug into it. "Where is it? How can you find anything in here?"

"Just give me the damn thing." She took the bag out of his hand and after a moment retrieved the hunting knife. Handing it to him, he noticed she didn't even look at the remnants of her belongings, just zipped it up and dropped it on the ground in front of her. "Will that work?"

"Should, depends the last time it was sharpened." The blade was magnificent, serrated and curved, it was a paper thin but strong. He knew it could take his hand off with one swipe no problem.

"Two months ago, I know it has been a little while, but it hasn't been used so it should be fine... well that is not true exactly, I used it a few weeks ago to cut a hose to gerry-rig my fuel pump."

Jess took note of the comment, seemingly innocent but in fact very telling of her character. He began work on the thick belt and she waited silently. As the belt held her weight to the seat, he gave her fair warning when the belt came to its final strands. She braced for the release and when it came, she barely needed his assistance. "What now?"

"After you." He gestured to the broken-out windshield. She seemed to ponder how she was going to navigate the exit with a pencil skirt and heels, and he honestly was curious as well. Would she ask for help?

"Aw hell." He heard the ripping of fabric just before she climbed out the window. Using her arms, she lifted her body up and onto the exposed tire above her. Jess followed behind, seeing her working her way over to the muddy side of the ditch. He realized she'd removed her shoes and thrown them across the embankment. Next thing he knew he saw her lithe form in midair to get to the other side. She hit and rolled, exactly what he would have told her to do. Something you learned watching every action movie known to man. She wasn't a wimp he'd give her that. Jess once again followed her lead, landing on the ground just beside her. "My car!"

She rose, and he shifted in the direction she was facing. Her once intact car was upside down and smashed like a pancake. Her hand went through her disheveled hair and a pang of guilt curled in his stomach. "Now what?"

"Both of our phones are underwater, and the CB was shattered."

"What does that mean exactly?"

"It means we walk."

"Awesome."

* * * *

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Teaser Tuesday - Gemini (Sneak Peek)

Blurb ~ Springhill publishing is a place where drama is created and sold for profit. When events surrounding the staff of Springhill start rivaling the dramatic pros of their authors it’s anyone’s guess what is going to happen next and who will be the latest victim.

Tess opened the door to Dusty's Bar & Grill. Packed, she weaved her way to their designated table. She hadn't seen Aidan since he stormed out of the office and she was beyond worried.

"Where've you been? We were about to give up on you." Melanie said in a whiny voice.

Perched on bar stools around the table, Melanie, Cheryl, Victoria, and Hettie gave her big grins when she slumped into a seat. "Sorry, something came up."

"Everything okay?" Hettie asked.

"No, but there's nothing I can do about it now."

"Sorry, hun sounds like you could use a drink."

"Yes, please." Melanie pushed an apple martini toward her. She sloshed it down and squeaked out the word, "More."

Not a regular drinker, the second apple martini worked its magic in minutes. But she couldn't stop thinking about Aidan and his bad news. The man was wrong. He needed to go home, and face whatever he was avoiding.

Aidan never talked about his past or the state he called home--Oklahoma. In fact, Tess wouldn't know from where he hailed, but she'd been responsible for getting his yearly taxes to the accountant on time. A task that made her privy to sensitive information about her boss.

As far as she could tell, the brothers grew up on a working ranch passed down through four generations of Durrant's. Upon their father's passing ten years ago, the farm and all holdings went to Daniel, the younger of the two. A year later Aidan showed up in New York, and as long as she'd known him, he'd never gone back.

She would never betray Aidan's trust or confidence, but at the same time, common sense told her logic and stubbornness didn't mix. Maybe she shouldn't have booked the flights to Oklahoma. She no longer knew, and to be honest, the more martinis she consumed, the less she cared. Tap on the shoulder and Tess beheld an old friend, Emily Bell. "Emily!"

The woman pulled her into a hug, "Tess!"

"Oh my God, what are you doing here?"

"I'm in town on business, I called the office, and Steven told me you were here. Mind if I join you?"

"Not at all, sit," Emily slid her muscular, curved form onto the stool beside Tess. Bobbed blonde hair, deep brown eyes, a gentle smile, and Aidan's assistant before Tess. "So how is the Bureau? You kicking ass and taking names?"

Emily flagged down the waitress ordering another round of drinks, "I wouldn't go that far, I am an analyst, not a field agent."

"Tell me about the job, that is of course if you can. You know, leaving out all of that classified stuff. What are you working on?"

"White collar cases, bank accounts, documentation, authentication, and a lot of research, the devil is in the details."

"Sounds exciting."

"It is and the best decision I ever made. Tess, you would rock the analyst job."

"Recruiting Em?" Their drinks arrived. Clinking glasses, they took a sip.

"I'm always recruiting. To be honest, I'm shocked you're still here. I figured you'd be heading out after two years, tops."

"Why would I leave?"

"Come on! You can't tell me you’re satisfied being Aidan's beck and call girl."

Tess's jaw dropped at the insinuation, "I'm not Aidan's call girl, I'm his executive assistant. I happen to enjoy my job and find it very fulfilling."

"Getting Aidan's dry cleaning and keeping his calendar?" Emily snorted a laugh and Tess jabbed her in the arm.

"You know full well my rules about that!"

"Has to be your idea."

"For your information, working for Springhill has opened a lot of doors for me, and I take on new projects all the time."

"Whatever you say," Emily shook her head before winking at her. "I just know how amazing you are and I hope to God, I'm not the only one giving you the credit you deserve."

Tess nodded, staring down into the neon green of her cocktail, "Thanks, Em, I do appreciate it. I've debated leaving a few times."

"What the hell is stopping you?"

Tess contemplated the question, taking another sip of her drink.

An entourage of suited men elbowed their way to the bar, getting everyone's attention. Tess joined her little circle of friends, including Emily observing the display of tight asses as they passed their table. "I need a round of shots. Patron with lime!" one of the men shouted.

Tess's heart dropped, and her jaw hit her chest.

"Tess?" Emily asked.

"Other than I can't believe my eyes... nothing."

"What's wrong?"

"Him, that's what's wrong." Tess locked her eyes on the man in the middle of the entourage, her boss, Aidan Durrant.

****

The tequila slid down his throat smooth as silk. Patron always did, and he wouldn't regret drinking it in the morning. Tess's sad expression from the afternoon emerged behind his eyes. He wondered if that image would be seared into his brain forever. The alcohol had done little to dispel their conversation. Yes, he was irrational and selfish in this case. Some might call him a cold bastard. His family and his decision.

Another shot plopped into Aidan's hand. He drank it without thought. His companions slapped him on the back and commented on the ladies seated at a nearby table.

Just what I need a distraction from what happened today... from reality

One of his friends pointed to a brunette with long hair. "There's one for you Durrant!" Curvy in all the right places, her thick hair falling in a veil of shiny satin. Powder blue sweater and black skirt, she was about to get away. Aidan pushed through the crowd to meet her, imagining grasping a silken lock and reveling in sweet-scented abandonment. Stumbling onward, he reached for her slender arm. "Excuse me--" swinging her around and trapping her against his chest; he leaned down, kissing the unknown woman. His body surged, pulsing from the heat of the embrace. The kiss broke, and he opened his eyes.

 Fire is shining in her familiar eyes, his heart plunged. "Tess." He pushed the words from his lungs. "I had no idea...."

"Obviously. " Yanking herself from Aidan’s grasp, Tess stormed through the masses to the door.

~

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Teaser Tuesday - Little Angels

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday!

Today I am sharing a scene out of my book Little Angels.

Teaser...

"Tal...Tal...it was an accident." He rocked her in his arms. "You have to believe me, baby, you have to understand."

Meredith couldn't move. She stared at the body of the dead child bleeding on her couch. Everything he said was a blur, and eventually she felt him move and leave her. He returned with a black garbage bag and began pushing the child's body into it. She watched the scene unfold, but was powerless to do anything to change it.

The door slammed, and she sat staring at the now blood-soaked cushions.

Time ceased to exist. The scene playing out repeatedly in her mind. There was no movement, no sound, no thought, just the child's face and the blood.

She was cold.

She was empty.

She was dead.

Buy Links: 

Amazon

myBook.to/LittleAngels

Extasy

http://www.extasybooks.com/little-angels/?search=Amy%20Romine&sub_category=1

B&N

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/little-angels-amy-romine/1125190789?ean=2940153865874

Smashwords

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/683445

###

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Teaser Tuesday ~ Cyber Solace

* Author Amy Romine writing as Rebecca Gailen from Serenity Lost

So I need an outlet, and you are it oh vast cyberspace. Why, do I need such an outlet? Well, let's just say I find myself in a hell of a mess and those people I usually talk to. I can't. I have a secret. Something only one other person knows, and that is because he was there. 

I would assume you are now shaking your head, wondering, "what the hell am I reading?" Well, I can tell you if you have come to witness a horror story in the making you have come to the right place!

Am I overly dramatic? Definitely! 

Do I care? Not really. Well, yes and no.  

The truth is...I have silently begged the heavens to grant me this one little wish. I just wanted to see him again. I wanted to know for sure that it wasn't a beautiful dream. That his eyes are a deep blue. His embrace is warm and encompassing. Then...there he was.  

I couldn't believe it. The experience of seeing Eric again couldn't have been more awful. I was exhausted and reeling from a horrid day filled with decomposing teddy bears and drowned rats (don't ask). 

Okay fine, if you MUST know, someone has taken an interest in me. Don't panic! I have spoken to the police. Detective Lugow (if you saw him, you would know his name describes his looks perfectly!)stated he is all over it. I didn't want to go see him at all, but Charlie insisted, and I did promise him I would talk to the police if things got 'weird.' I will admit we have reached that point.

 

I finished with Detective Lugow, and I just wanted to go home and sleep. I had to review and sign my statement. Once that was done, I grabbed my jacket and headed out to the waiting area. I took a few steps and saw him. He looked as shocked as I felt, and I wanted to crumble. It took everything in me to not just completely let go...

I think my brain froze. I could not move from the place I had stopped. My feet were glued to the floor. Just as I am about to lose it, Charlie walks up beside me and says...this is my brother, Eric.

His brother, Eric.

Charlie's brother.

Eric.

I still can't say it aloud, it is too much to comprehend. How could this have happened? Oh my God, this man...the image that has gotten me through the past few awful weeks... he is Charlie's brother...and I don't know what to do!

Neither of us has spoken a word of it to anyone. I am trying to forget. To push it out of my mind. It was one night. It shouldn't mean anything. The problem is, it does, and I don't know how to undo that...

So Mr. or Mrs. Cyberspace, whichever you are, you are my new best friend. As long and this secret remains a secret, you are the only one I can talk to. If you have any pull with the powers that be, tell them to cut me a break, okay? A girl can only take so much.

Until next time,  

Beccs 

Their brief heated meeting one fateful night had singed itself into their minds. Not knowing of the other's identity, but unable to forget, had sealed their fate. The fire smoldered quietly in each of them as they tried to move on with their lives. Eric Stiles was in the middle of chaos, searching for a killer. Hunted by an obsessed psychopath, Rebecca Gailen was trying to be strong. The world stopped for a moment as they looked up and saw the other standing just feet away. His heart lurched, her armor shattered and the world started again as Eric's brother, Charlie, appeared to take her hand. Family loyalty isn't a choice. When Rebecca's stalker rages out of control, Eric's decision haunts him and he struggles to stay away. Can he remain loyal to his brother, even if it means abandoning Rebecca when she may need him the most?

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Teaser Tuesday ~ You Never Could Be

Blurb

 A passion-fueled encounter in the corridor of a hotel convention room reveals two anguished hearts struggling to reconnect despite life’s difficulties. Will Carlisle, the eye candy of the office, is every woman’s dream, tall, handsome, and dashingly charming. Sara Rozek never guessed he has secretly wanted her for months now. When a bad day falls upon them and Will breaks the reins of his own restraint, she sees the burning passion in his eyes, and there is no denying the mutual attraction. Will and Sara’s start quickly runs awry, and Sara becomes convinced she was played for a fool. Will begs her to listen to him, but she turns away in fear. Can Will mend her broken heart, or will the passion they shared vanish forever?

Excerpt ~

Will finished his conversation and hung up his phone, having booked himself on the next available flight. Highway assistance had solved their lug nut challenge. They were back on the road to the airport. Sara saw the exit and glanced at him with a grin, her stomach churning. His phone beeped, he glanced at the screen with an audible sigh.

“Is everything okay?” Sara asked.

“Uh, yeah. It’s fine.”

“You don’t sound so convinced.”

“I’m not.” His focus went to the window, a deafening quiet lying between them once again.

“Are you going out of the same terminal?”

“Yeah, I think so, American.”

She grabbed her drive-thru pass and headed to the terminal. They reached it, but the curbside thorough way was closed. She pulled into the garage and found a space. She exited the car unwilling to break the boundary of silence he’d put up and wordlessly popped the hatch.

“Make sure you get a new tire, you shouldn’t be driving on the donut for longer than a day.” He came around the side, pulling his luggage from the back.

“I will.” She pulled her fingers against her hair. The tension was killing her. Sara had enough. “Will…”

“They’re replacing me.” Her blood turned to ice.

“What?”

“The phone call, it was Regan. They decided to split the departments, and my position has been absorbed into the transition.” Unable to deal with the news without emotion, she turned away from him. “There are a couple positions available in Phoenix. They are setting up interviews for me.”

“When?”

“I’ll announce it Monday, they want me to work through the transition so probably a few weeks.”

“I can’t believe this is happening. Will, you’ve been—“

“It’s okay, Sara. It’s not personal, we knew with all of the changes stuff like this was going to happen.”

“Yeah, but not to us.”

She saw him take a deep breath before he closed the hatch. Her emotions rose in her chest again, and she wasn’t sure what to do. She did her best to gulp it back.

“Well, at least you’ll be around for the next few weeks, so I can still harass you when needed.” She meant for the statement to be light, but it came out like a final farewell. “You’ll have to come up with an excuse to come to visit. I’m sure the group of us can come up with a plausible justification.”

“I’ll be around.”

“I know you will, you’re always around when I…we need you.” His eyes bore 

through her. Sara’s body involuntarily tightened. “You’d…uh…you’d better get going, or you’re going to miss your plane again.”

“Yeah. I think I would have a hard time using the flat tire excuse twice.”

“Have a safe trip.” She stepped into him, wrapping her arm loosely over his shoulder in a hug. Her heart raced at the solid heat of his body against hers. 

“Let me know if you need anything. Seriously, if you need anything, just call.”

“You too.”

She nodded and went to step back, his hand lingering on her hip. She hesitated, he moved. She took another step back. He threw his laptop case over his shoulder and unfolded his luggage before waving goodbye.

A heaviness settled in her chest, forcing a deep sigh. Her mind felt thick. She pulled herself away, turning to get in her truck. She lifted the handle when the smacking of hurried footsteps against concrete got her attention.

“Sara!”

She spun on her heel, following his voice around the truck.

“Did you forget something?” He didn’t respond just kept walking, a startling determination in his eyes. She waited in open confusion. He kept coming. Before she could react, his hand curled around the back of her neck. His mouth crushed hers with a heated demand. Giving her no choice but to give in.

She opened beneath him, and his tongue dove into her mouth. He shifted his arm, wrapping it around her waist, resting at the small of her back. His mouth still dominating her attention, his overpowering torso pressed her against the truck. She was trapped, unable to escape his possessed siege of her mouth.

The kiss broke. They both gasped for air. Will’s eyes searched her face. His fingers kneading her neck. He wordlessly pulled at her lips. Her hands balled against his chest.

She took another gasp of air, looking up into his heavy-lidded eyes.

“Don’t go.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.” His voice, deep and gritty, seemed to caress her body like rolling thunder. She shuddered, and he captured her lips again, this time with gentle persuasion. He pulled back, and her heart sighed. “Let’s get out of here.”

~

~

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Teaser Tuesday ~ Finders Teaser Trailer

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Teaser Tuesday - Ever the Same by Amy Romine

Twenty–three dead, seven survivors, a self-confessed mad man, and a little girl traumatized into silence. Now, fifteen years later the seven survivors are dying one by one.

Rachel Alton returned to Whitten’s Grove for one reason and that was to prevent a massacre. Her attendance at the local wedding of two of her best friends was just for fun. Then Ben Mitchell walked into the picture. Without warning, her oldest friend awakens her dormant heart, giving her hope for the future. She struggles to turn away, wanting to protect him. The clock is ticking, and Rachel alone fights against the inevitable. When forces from beyond throw Ben into the middle of the fight, will she walk away, or sacrifice herself to prevent a tragedy from happening twice?

Excerpt

The room smelled of a sweet grape and Rachel opened her eyes to a collage of purple. Every shade, accessory and accent of the color covered the walls and furniture. A young girl of eighteen sat on her bed, looking at Rachel curiously.

“I can’t find my scarf, have you seen my scarf,” the young girl asked Rachel, getting on her knees beside the bed and reaching beneath.

“No, I haven’t,” Rachel replied, scanning the room.

“Can you help me find it? I can’t leave without it,” the girl stated as she continued to reach beneath her bed.

Rachel stood and stepped toward the closet bursting with clothing all in different hues of amethyst. Spying a lavender scarf edged with sequined stars hanging from the doorknob of the closet, Rachel reached for it, the fabric brushing against her fingers. “Is this what you are looking for,” Rachel asked as she held it in her hand.

The girl smiled brightly as she skipped over, taking it from Rachel’s hands. “Do you like these jeans,” the girl asked as she studied Rachel and then turned to her closet.

Rachel stepped toward the photo littered vanity.

“My Dad hates them, but I think they are the bomb. I got them for thirty bucks at the resale shop on 4th, do you know it?”

“No,” Rachel replied, studying the hodgepodge of idols, family and friends. “I’ll have to check it out.”

“Definitely,” the girl replied, looking Rachel up and down. “Although your outfit is tight, I wish I could wear that, my tits are too small.”

Rachel smiled to herself, but continued examine the contents of the vanity. Endless shades of blush, lipstick and eye shadow. Lining the edges of the vanity were pools of hardened wax stemmed by candles.

“How do I look,” the girl asked.

Rachel turned to see that she had changed her shirt and tied the scarf around her neck. Before Rachel could answer, the girl leapt forward.

“Wait!”

Hopping past Rachel to the vanity, picking up a tube of lipstick, she opened it and put it on. Looking at herself in the mirror, Rachel watched the girl focus on the texture of her skin as it lost its moisture and became sullen before her eyes.

“Amanda,” Rachel said softly as she joined her in the mirror. “Did you know him?”

“Momma always said that an outfit was incomplete without lipstick,” she said, ignoring the question and her decaying reflection. Rachel leaned forward, touching her shoulder, and Amanda’s skin became plump and rosy once again.

“You look beautiful…” Rachel said with a soft smile.

Amanda stepped away from the mirror and immediately grabbed her purse.

“Amanda…”

“No…” she replied as she stopped, staring down at the bed. “I never saw his face. I…I wish I could help you. I didn’t see him, but I…I can still feel him.”

“It’s okay,” Rachel reassured as she watched Amanda walk toward the door.

“You know, he said you would come,” she said in an uneasy voice.

“Who said?” Rachel pressed.

“Why did he do this, because of what I am?”

“I don’t know, I think so,” Rachel replied honestly. “But I swear I am going to everything I can to stop him.”

“You can’t stop him…” Amanda replied, her body beginning to quiver. “He… he knows you…he’s…”

“Amanda, what do you mean?”

She backed up fearfully against the wall. “He’s here! He’s watching…”

“No, Amanda, he can’t hurt you anymore.” Amanda went from cries of fear to pain to screaming agony. Her screams pierced Rachel’s chest sucking away her air like a vacuum. The girl’s screams stopped, Rachel stood staring into her beautifully jeweled fear filled eyes before Amanda’s body cracked liked an aged painting and disintegrated into thin air.

Rachel’s heart and lungs constricting beyond her ability to cope and she dropped to her knees. A knock echoed in her mind.

****

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Teaser Tuesday ~ Trust Me Series ~ Jaded Promises Excerpt

Eric Stiles has everything to lose and no matter how hard he fights he can feel his life slipping away.

Rebecca Gailen thinks that the love of her life is dead and only the vigor of revenge keeps her fighting to survive.

When a secret reveals more than anyone expected, it changes Eric and Rebecca’s lives forever. The devastating truth puts the couple at odds. Can they overcome their clashing conclusions and learn to trust each other again? Or will they let it rip them apart?

Excerpt

The stairs creaked with each step as he looked into the dimness below. The wet, musty area was cold and damp. He swallowed hard. Gray concrete, jagged walls and dust surrounded them and a chill raked up his spine.

"We found it over there." The same officer descended the stairs behind them. The beam of his flashlight landed to the right of where they stood. Eric reached for a flashlight, and his eyes fell on Charlie who scanned the room. An officer offered his and Eric stepped toward the area. His hand brushed against the cold concrete, but his mind still refused to accept it.

Not here…not like this…

Eric’s eyes fell on a spatter of blood and his chest flooded with an unrecognized pain.

She was here

Unable to push the image away, all the air left the room as his entire body clenched at the suffocation. He ascended the stairs into the sunlight, fighting for control. He began to unhinge, mindlessly entered one of the side rooms

They didn't find her which means she's still…

Keep it together Stiles…falling apart isn't going to help anyone

The sewn seam around his emotions threatened to tear, and he couldn't move. The paralyzing agony that spiked from the core of his body was relentless. He fought back in vain. He knew it wouldn't stop until she was in his arms, safe.

"Eric, what’s going on?"

Eric wiped unexpected wetness from his eyes. He leaned against the wall to face his brother. Pure disbelief stared back at him.

"I've never seen you like this."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, you never…"

"Yeah well, things change." Eric moved to exit the room.

He found the front door and pushed through it hearing Charlie just behind him.

"Since when?"

"You still don't get it do you?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Have you really convinced yourself that all of this…what happened, was just some kind of joke?” He stopped to face him. “That Rebecca and I didn’t mean anything we said when we told you that we never wanted to hurt you?"

"I don't know what the hell you meant to do and to be honest, I don’t really care."

"Charlie…whether or not you choose to believe it, we did try to walk away.” Charlie’s eyes diverted in anger. "Jesus, Charlie she went through hell, and all she could think about was how she couldn't hurt you!"

"So once again this is my fault!"

"No…I am just…" Eric’s chest turned to stone, unwilling to allow him to hide. "As your brother, your friend, I tried to forget about…everything. But that night. That first night in Dallas, everything changed. We did everything we could to ignore it, make disappear, but it didn't. It only got stronger…can you try to understand that?"

"You really expect me to…"

"I expect you to believe that I tried! I expect you to realize that this had nothing to do with you. To remember that until that moment, I've never betrayed you."

"So because you’ve always tried to be the good big brother you want me to be okay with this? To just accept what you did and move on?"

"Yes."

'Why?"

"Because you’re my brother and I need you to." Eric’s watering despite his continued battle against it. "Charlie, I'm in love with her."

"I loved her too!"

"Okay Charlie,” Eric clenched his jaw. “Where did you see things heading with her? Let's say we never met, what then?"

"I don't know. I never got the chance thanks to you!"

"That’s the difference!" Eric’s fists balled in frustration. "Six weeks ago, and the two months before that, hell even in Dallas. I knew this was different. I knew she changed everything. Even when she left without a word, and I didn’t even know her name, I couldn’t get her out of my head! I look at her and see everything I never knew I wanted. She's woken up this person inside me that I didn’t even know was there! The one who wants a house and a family. The person who needs to see her every morning and hold her every night, because when I don't something is missing, and the world doesn't make sense. "

"Eric…"

"The difference is that the moment I met her, she became my whole world," Eric explained as he struggled to keep his furious heart under control. "I know that you loved her. That was one of the reason's I stayed away as long as I did. It might not seem like much but…she needed me, and I couldn’t turn my back anymore. Now she's gone and I can't…If we don't…if I can't find her..."

"We're going to find her, Eric.” He saw the first glimpse of understanding in his brother's eyes.

~

We are on Tour again this time for the exciting Dead Air Chronicles! Click here for all of the locations and dates. Random lucky commentors will win the series and there is a $25 Amazon Gift card Grand Prize! Hope to see you there!

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Don't have a Kindle, no problem. I've got you covered! Read eBooks on your phone, tablet and computer no Kindle Needed!