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“Have it your way.” The guard raised his club, a devious grin on his ugly mug.
I attempted to cover my head as I saw him swing, bracing for the impact. The thud knocked me forward, and I stumbled, stars dancing before my eyes. My vision clouded, then turned as black as the night while I collapsed onto the frozen ground.
ChapterOne
Brie
“Are you nervous?” my mother asked, clutching one of my many packed boxes in her arms as she hurried up the sidewalk behind me.
I bumped the door open with my hip, then entered the small living room. At least it was an open floor plan, so it felt bigger. I set a laundry basket full of clean clothes on top of the kitchen counter and turned to Mom. “A little. At least I have the other team members from the cheerleading squad. This summer gave me a chance to meet and get to know a few of them. Having some friends here already helps. Gabby and I hit it off immediately. It was almost as if we’d known each other for years instead of a few months before classes started.”
Mom sat down the box she was carrying, then blew a wisp of hair out of her eyes while she planted her hands on her slender hips. A smile lit up her face.
“Brie!” My five-year-old brother called as he rushed into the living room full speed ahead. He abruptly stopped and gave me his bottle of bubbles. “Can you play with me?”
His sweet expression was full of love and trust. Since Mom and Dad had Conner later in life, I’d had an opportunity to help take care of him and be a part of his everyday routine. I loved this little guy a ton, and I would miss him the most.
I reached down, grabbed him under his arms, and hauled him up, sitting him on top of the white kitchen counter. “As soon as we’re done unloading, I’ll take you outside, and we can play before you have to leave.” I gently tapped the tip of his nose, adoring his dusting of freckles.
His lower lip formed a cute pout. “I don’t want you to stay here. Come home, Brie.” Tears welled in his eyes, and I wrapped him up in my arms.
“We will FaceTime every week. It will almost be like I’m still there with you.”
“Promise?”
I kissed his forehead. “Buddy, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” I glanced at Mom, her wistful expression tugging at my heartstrings.
“He’s really going to miss you. We all are,” Mom said softly.
“Son of a bitch!” Dad swore, as he stumbled through the doorway, the side of a large box bouncing off the door frame.
“Rodger, language.” Mom shook her head, grinning while she grabbed one side of the heavy load and helped him. Once it was safe and sound on the black leather couch, Dad brushed off his hands.
“Sorry, bud. Don’t say that word at school, okay?” Dad raised an eyebrow at my little brother, and I attempted to stifle my giggle.
Conner scrunched up his nose. “That was four words, Dad.”
We broke into laughter, my heart singing. Shit, I was going to miss my family something awful. Unlike a lot of nineteen-year-olds, I was close to my parents. We traveled together, had movie nights, and shared our wins of the day every night at the dinner table. I cried on Mom’s shoulder when my first major crush had rejected me, then laughed alongside her when, two years later, he had it so bad for me that he followed me around like a heartsick puppy.
“I’m so glad we hired movers to bring the furniture. Good grief, it’s too hot to move today.” Dad wiped the perspiration off his forehead with the back of his hand. His salt-and-pepper hair was slick with sweat, and his grey T-shirt was plastered against his body. Dad was in good shape for his fifty-six years, but moving had kicked all our asses.
My cell buzzed, and I reached into the back pocket of my jean shorts to fish it out. I grinned as Gabrielle McCallister’s message popped up. Gabby, as her friends called her, had welcomed me to the squad, along with her friends, Leighton and Everlee.
Are you moved in yet?
I tapped out a response:Almost! A few more boxes to bring in.
Sweet. Get your cute little ass to my place so we can catch up on all the things since we last saw you.
I snorted, then replied.It was only three days ago. LOL.
Gabby’s message vibrated my phone.Whatevs. Just hurry up.
I set my cell on the counter next to Conner.
“You look happy,” Mom said.
“Yeah, the girls I mentioned I’d made friends with want me to hang with them after we’re done unloading. Gabby and Everlee are on the team and are also roomies.”
